About

Known for his pioneering and multi-instrumental blend of jazz and Afro-Eastern musical traditions, Yusef Lateef was never content to just use his music to merely entertain, but long strived to encourage his audiences to engage their minds as well as their ears. That constitution is more than evident on his excellent 1965 effort Psychicemotus, which finds Lateef (flute, tenor saxophone) working in a fine quartet with Georges Arvanitas (piano), Reggie Workman (bass) and James Black (drums). The accomplished 8-track set is highlighted by elegant readings of "Why Do I Love You" and "First Gymnopedie." – Press Release

Musicians:

Yusef Lateef, flute/tenor sax

Georges Arvanitas, piano

Reggie Workman, bass

James Black, drums

“Psychicemotus is quite available to any jazz fan with open ears, and unmysterious to anyone who can understand that African and Asian instruments and musical concepts have long been embraced and integrated into jazz by Lateef, who also has a long history in integrating R&B into jazz. Lateef's album is simply wildly eclectic and often driven by a variety of flutes.

He handles Erik Satie's "First Gymnopedie" with a devout classical tone that's faithful to the graceful meditative structure of the original. On the other hand, "Bamboo Flute Blues" has some unusual tones vocalized on a F pentatonic scale—called "primitive" in the original liner notes!—but the shape of the piece is derived from traditional New Orleans jazz and gospel. Workouts on tenor sax like "I'll Always Be In Love With You" have a gruff sweetness to them that makes Lateef fit nicely in the same musical universe as Sonny Rollins.” – All About Jazz

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