Illusions (Arthur Blythe album)

Illusions is jazz saxophonist Arthur Blythe's third album for the Columbia label, recorded in New York City in 1980.

Illusions
Studio album by Arthur Blythe
Released	1980
Recorded	April–May 1980
Genre	Jazz
Length	36:09
Label	Columbia
Producer	Jim Fishel, Arthur Blythe
Arthur Blythe chronology
Lenox Avenue Breakdown (1979) Illusions (1980) Blythe Spirit (1981)

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide	[2]

From contemporary reviews, Robert Palmer placed the album at fifth place in his best of 1980 list for The New York Times, proclaiming Blythe to be a "formidable alto saxophonist" and that the funk tunes on the album "proved that substantial yet danceable jazz isn't an impossible dream."^[3]

From retrospective reviews, Scott Yanow of AllMusic states that "the distinctive alto of Blythe is heard in top form on six of his unusual originals ... It's recommended."^[1]

Track listing

All compositions by Arthur Blythe

1. "Bush Baby" - 6:28
2. "Miss Nancy" - 7:24
3. "Illusions" - 4:10
4. "My Son Ra" - 5:59
5. "Carespin' With Mamie" - 7:04
6. "As of Yet" - 5:04

• Recorded at CBS Recording Studios, New York in April & May 1980.

Personnel

• Arthur Blythe - alto saxophone
• Abdul Wadud - cello (tracks 1, 3 & 5)
• James Blood Ulmer - guitar (tracks 1, 3 & 5)
• Bob Stewart - tuba (tracks 1, 3 & 5)
• John Hicks - piano (tracks 2, 4 & 6)
• Fred Hopkins - bass (tracks 2, 4 & 6)
• Bobby Battle (tracks 1, 3 & 5), Steve McCall (tracks 2, 4 & 6) - drums

References

1. Yanow, S. AllMusic Review accessed July 19, 2010
2. Swenson, J., ed. (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. p. 27. ISBN 0-394-72643-X.
3. Palmer 1980.

Sources

• Palmer, Robert (25 December 1980). "The Year's 10 Best Albums Become Integral Part of One's Life". The Columbia Record. p. 7-F – via Newspapers.com.