Tony Williams - Mosaic Select 24 [2006] (3 x CDs)

SUNDAY JAZZ

TONY WILLIAMS

Tony Williams - Mosaic Select 24 [2006] (3 x CDs)

Presented here is one of the most rewarding chapters in the Tony Williams story, a collection that brings together the drummer's final Blue Note recordings as a leader and allows them to be heard as a complete artistic statement. Released by Mosaic Records in 2006 as a limited-edition three-CD set, Mosaic Select 24 gathers the contents of Foreign Intrigue (1985), Civilization (1986), Angel Street (1988), Native Heart (1989) and material from The Story Of Neptune (1992). While Tony Williams is often celebrated for his revolutionary work with Miles Davis and the Lifetime projects, these recordings reveal a mature musician whose creative ambitions remained undiminished during the final phase of his career.

What strikes me most about these albums is their remarkable consistency. Heard individually, each release stands comfortably on its own. Heard together, they reveal a composer and bandleader pursuing a clear musical vision across nearly a decade of recording. Surrounded by exceptional musicians including Wallace Roney, Mulgrew Miller, Bobby Hutcherson, Bill Pierce, Donald Harrison, Ron Carter and Charnett Moffett, Williams created music that drew from hard bop, post-bop and contemporary jazz while maintaining a distinctive identity throughout.

The progression through the set is one of its greatest pleasures. Foreign Intrigue and Civilization establish the foundation, balancing strong melodies with sophisticated rhythmic and harmonic ideas. Angel Street and Native Heart expand the palette further, presenting compositions that are adventurous without sacrificing accessibility. Throughout the collection, the emphasis remains firmly on ensemble performance, thoughtful arrangements and memorable compositions rather than mere technical display.

One of the revelations of this box is the extent of Williams' achievement as a writer. His drumming is, as expected, masterful, yet these recordings continually draw attention to the quality of the material itself. The compositions possess depth, structure and character, rewarding repeated listening while revealing new details over time. The inclusion of selections from The Story Of Neptune provides an intriguing glimpse into the larger compositional ideas occupying Williams during the final years of his life.

As a whole, Mosaic Select 24 presents far more than a collection of albums. It documents a mature artist still exploring, still refining and still challenging himself creatively. For listeners familiar only with Tony Williams' celebrated earlier work, this set offers an opportunity to discover a rich and often overlooked period. For collectors, it remains one of the hidden gems of the Mosaic Select series, preserving a body of work that deserves to be heard as one complete and compelling musical journey. (B)

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Track lists

CD1

01 Tony Williams - Foreign Intrigue 5:27

02 Tony Williams - My Michele 6:54

03 Tony Williams - Life of the Party 6:08

04 Tony Williams - Takin' My Time 6:43

05 Tony Williams - Clearawats 5:07

06 Tony Williams - Sister Cheryl 7:04

07 Tony Williams - Arboretum 5:58

08 Tony Williams - Geo Rose 7:22

09 Tony Williams - Warrior 5:34

10 Tony Williams - Ancient Eyes 5:27

11 Tony Williams - Soweto Night 6:36

12 Tony Williams - The Slump 6:26

13 Tony Williams - Civilization 4:29

CD2

01 Tony Williams - Mutants on the Beach 5:58

02 Tony Williams - Citadel 6:41

03 Tony Williams - Angel Street 8:18

04 Tony Williams - Touch Me 1:22

05 Tony Williams - Red Mask 7:06

06 Tony Williams - Kiss Me 0:52

07 Tony Williams - Dreamland 9:35

08 Tony Williams - Only With You 5:56

09 Tony Williams - Pee Wee 6:40

10 Tony Williams - Thrill Me 0:46

11 Tony Williams - Obsession 4:19

12 Tony Williams - Native Heart 8:43

13 Tony Williams - Extreme Measures 8:43

CD3

01 Tony Williams - City of Lights 6:25

02 Tony Williams - Two Worlds 5:15

03 Tony Williams - Juicy Fruit 9:47

04 Tony Williams - Crystal Palace 7:00

05 Tony Williams - Liberty 5:12

06 Tony Williams - The Story of Neptune: Overture 5:06

07 Tony Williams - The Story of Neptune: Fear Not 6:57

08 Tony Williams - The Story of Neptune: Creatures of Consience 6:55

09 Tony Williams - Blackbird 5:35

10 Tony Williams - Crime Scene 7:04

11 Tony Williams - Poinciana 10:10

12 Tony Williams - Birdlike 3:30

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Music weaves itself into the fabric of our emotions, dances through the corridors of memory, and whispers to the soul of who we are. Sharing these stories deepens the connection, turning the experience into something timeless and profound.

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