Recorded on October 8, 1985
David Murray formed his octet in 1980. New Life was the fourth octet recording on the Black Saint label, following Ming (1980), Home (1982), and Murray's Steps (1983). His octet recordings tend to be rambunctious affairs, exuding passions and joys not possible with a small group. It's almost like a big band without the full reed and brass sections to provide backdrop for the soloists. New Life affords plenty of solo space as well as strong ensemble work.
"Train Whistle," the opening track, is based on Jimmy Forrest's "Night Train," which in turn is based on Duke Ellington's "Happy Go Lucky Local" from 1946. It's a well-crafted train song that barely stays on the track for its almost 12-minute journey. "Morning Song" follows, offering the octet's version of the title song on Murray's quartet album from 1984. There's no shame in recording the same tune in consecutive albums because they are different from each other. The New Life version is also two minutes longer than the quartet version. Murray exploits the upper register of his tenor saxophone to great effect on this track.
"New Life" is a bouncy waltz designed to showcase Murray's bass clarinet. His probing solo is followed by Adegoke Steve Colson's piano and Wilbur Morris' bass solos. It's the shortest and least rambunctious song on the album. The closing "Blues in the Pocket" is a swinging blues with great solos from all.
Beyond the 80s, the octet continued to record:
Picasso (DIW, 1993)
Dark Star (Astor Place, 1996)
Octet Plays Trane (Enja, 2000)
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