Liquid Magic

Liquid Magic is an album by trumpeter Ahmed Abdullah's Quartet featuring saxophonist Charles Brackeen, bassist Malachi Favors, and drummer Alvin Fielder which was recorded in 1987 and released on the Swedish Silkheart label.^[1][2]

Liquid Magic
Studio album by Ahmed Abdullah Quartet
Released	1987
Recorded	February 16, 1987
Studio	Omega Audio, Dallas, TX
Genre	Jazz
Length	59:08
Label	Silkheart SHLP 104
Producer	Ahmed Abdullah
Ahmed Abdullah chronology
Live at Ali's Alley (1980) Liquid Magic (1987) Ahmed Abdullah and the Solomonic Quintet (1988)

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[3]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz	[4]
Tom Hull – on the Web	A−[5]

The Penguin Guide to Jazz states: "Tersely organised the six tunes on Liquid Magic reflect a Colemanesque feel which suits the folk-like melodies. But the trumpeter is, frankly, the least impressive player here: Brackeen's fierce yet lightly shaded solos make a more powerful impression, and Favors and Felder generate a loose but convincingly swinging pulse"^[6] In his review on AllMusic, Michael G. Nastos states: "Ex-Sun Ra trumpeter/flügelhornist Abdullah expresses his brand of jazz in a modern way with mainstream swing and progressive overtones. Tenor saxophonist Charles Brackeen, bassist Malachi Favors, and drummer Alvin Fielder are all fine improvisers and jazz professionals. Brackeen's salty, dry Texas tenor blue hues mix and match especially well with Abdullah's sound, which ranges from burnished Dizzy Gillespie phrases to Don Cherry's smearing techniques. In fact, Abdullah is as close to Cherry's style and stance as anyone, and that's a good thing ... When Abdullah records, albeit infrequently, the consistency of his musicianship is ever present and accounted for, as on this delightful recording. Highly recommended".^[3]

Track listing

All compositions by Ahmed Abdullah except where noted.

1. "Mayibue" – 7:25
2. "Reflections on a Mystic" – 5:09
3. "Ebony Queen" – 8:08
4. "Mystery of Two" (Sun Ra) – 3:14
5. "Liquid Magic/The Ruler" – 10:40
6. "Walk with God" (Kola) – 6:49
7. "The Ruler" [Take 2] – 9:15 Bonus track on CD
8. "Ebony Queen" [Take 2] – 8:28 Bonus track on CD

Personnel

• Ahmed Abdullah – trumpet, flugelhorn, piano,
• Charles Brackeen – tenor saxophone
• Malachi Favors – bass
• Alvin Fielder – drums

References

1. Silkheart Records catalog, accessed February 5, 2017
2. Jazzlists: Silkheart records discography, accessed February 5, 2017
3. Nastos, Michael G.. Ahmed Abdullah – Liquid Magic: Review at AllMusic. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
4. Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008) The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th edition). Penguin. p. 2
5. Hull, Tom. "Jazz (1960–70s)". Tom Hull – on the Web. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
6. Cook, Richard; Brian Morton (1994). The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD. The Penguin Guide to Jazz (2nd ed.). London: Penguin. p. 1. ISBN 0-14-017949-6.