Four Now

Four Now is an album by the jazz group the World Saxophone Quartet, released by the Canadian Justin Time label. The album features performances by Hamiet Bluiett, John Purcell, Oliver Lake and David Murray, with guests Chief Bey, Mor Thiam, and Mar Gueye on African drums.

Four Now
Studio album by World Saxophone Quartet
Released	1996
Recorded	October 3–4, 1995
Genre	Jazz
Length	54:10
Label	Justin Time
World Saxophone Quartet chronology
Breath of Life (1994) Four Now (1996) Takin' It 2 the Next Level (1996)

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Tom Hull	B+ ()[1]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings	[2]

The authors of the Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings noted that, in relation to the earlier recording titled Metamorphosis, which features the same three African drummers, Four Now is "the better album because the elements seem to work together rather than in strict parallel... There are also fewer avant-garde gestures from the WSQ itself."^[2]

A reviewer for All About Jazz wrote that, in contrast with Metamorphosis, "the group explores more rhythmic freedom on Four Now, juxtaposing the cross-continental interplay of drum improvisation and horn improvisation. The results of this American-African cultural fusion are dramatically successful."^[3]

A Billboard reviewer praised Purcell's contributions, commenting: "If the future of the World Saxophone Quartet was cast into doubt by the passing of Julius Hemphill, fans can now rejoice."^[4]

Track listing

1. "Dou Dou N'Daiye Rose" (Gueye) - 8:42
2. "Dakar Darkness" (Lake, Murray) - 8:28
3. "Suga" (Thiam) - 6:50
4. "Colors" (Purcell) - 6:57
5. "For Now" (Bluiett) - 5:24
6. "What a Dream" (Lake) - 7:21
7. "Sangara" (Thiam) - 10:40

Personnel

• Hamiet Bluiett — baritone saxophone, contra-alto clarinet
• John Purcell — saxello, alto flute, english horn, alto and C flutes
• Oliver Lake — alto saxophone, vocals
• David Murray — tenor saxophone, bass clarinet
• Chief Bey — African Drums
• Mor Thiam — African Drums
• Mar Gueye — African drums

References

1. Hull, Tom (June 22, 2020). "Music Week". Tom Hull – On the Web. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
2. Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th ed.). Penguin. p. 1530. ISBN 978-0-141-03401-0.
3. Staff, AAJ (July 1, 2000). "World Saxophone Quartet With African Drums: Four Now". All About Jazz. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
4. "Reviews and Previews". Billboard. April 13, 1996. p. 80.

External links

• Four Now at AllMusic