Norman Williams And The One Mind Experience The Bishop 180g LP

Bishop Norman Williams is an amazing musician. He not only has command of his instrument and music, but a great spirit that reflects a knowledge and love of his people and what they give the world-the same spirit shared by Sachmo, Bird, and Trane. Reign on, Bishop. - Michael Howell

Bishop Norman Williams is one of those unique talents in music. He has the gift of being able to say what he wants and at the same time say something always significant. He has many influences because he is open to all of the good music of the world. When you hear him play, you feel that he has assembled all of these "world ideas" in music to speak through his horn. - John Handy

It's time. It's time for all to hear the Bishop proclaim spiritual truths in his church, the One Mind Temple, dedicated to the spirit of John Coltrane. The time is also overdue for all to hear the Bishop proclaim musical truths through the medium of his alto saxophone. My first few gigs in 1962 were with the Bishop's band. I'll never forget what an inspiration it was for me learning how to play while standing next to the Bishop, who already had it together. I'm sure after hearing the Bishop, you will also agree that his time has come. - Eddie Henderson

"Rooted in Bebop, Norman 'The Bishop' Williams' alto is a swinging affair 'in the Kansas City Charlie Parker tradition'. This debut 1976 recording with The One Mind Experience was to be the first release on the Californian Theresa label - their Pharoah Sanders' releases being widely recognised - with some 44 years passing before lovingly remastered by Ray Staff and reissued by Pure Pleasure Records. A Theresa partnership that would have Williams working alongside Hadley Caliman, Babatunde Olatunji and Dave Liebman in 1978 on the Bay Area Music Award-winning Theresa album 'Bishop's Bag', for which he is perhaps better known, before a third release, 'One For Bird' in 1979 with Pepper Adams.

As we approach the tenth anniversary of his passing it is with celebration that we now unwrap this, his first release, and encounter two original songs penned by the leader, four by pianist/band member Paul Arslanian and one Hal Galper composition from 1971 which opens side A. Together with Pierre Obadi Baynes on drums, Michael Formanek on Electric Bass and Allen Pittman on Flugelhorn, the sextet unleashes the full weight of their energy on the opening Galper piece 'Figure Eight', a non-alto sax original that excels here as Williams soars through with Paul Arslanian's keys lifting each passage to a majestic place. A stand-out piece indeed and with only one drummer!...

As I ponder on how familiar this album sounds, evidence of previous encounters proves embarrassing. There are no tracks featured on any compilation I own, there is no reissue by Evidence Music during their 90s take-over to be found on CD and therefore a proven example of how important this release is, in the music, the mastering and the sense that this needs to be part of our respective collections. I applaud everyone along the journey from the San Fransisco recording date in 1970 to today with even one-time band member, Eddie Henderson, stamping his approval with liner notes." - Steve Williams, www.ukvibe.org, 5/5, Read more!

Essential listening feels like an understatement.