Bluiett's Barbeque Band

by Scott YanowThis outing by baritonist Hamiet Bluiett is quite a mixed bag. The music ranges from electric funk to gospel vocals by Amba Hawthorne and a poetry reading by Shirley LeFlore. The performances certainly keep one guessing with Bluiett seeming to operate more as an instigator than necessarily the lead voice. Listeners expecting to hear avant-garde explorations will be disappointed although the leader's baritone solos are often quite adventurous. The most satisfying selection is the closer, a version of "Body and Soul" that has Bluiett playing bass sax with surprising fluency. Otherwise the music is a bit erratic but certainly stimulating and heartfelt.