Rudolph Johnson

Many jazz enthusiasts harbour a belief that Rudolph "Rudy" Johnson is amongst the most under-appreciated and overlooked saxophonists of all time.

While we're not knowledgeable to pass judgment, it's certainly true that his relatively slender solo discography contains some genuine gems. Chief amongst these is 1973 set Second Coming.

Musically, it sits somewhere between (then) contemporary jazz and soul jazz, with a heavy dose of breezy, piano-led spiritual jazz thrown in. Johnson's improvised sax solos are never less than stunning, while the support from his backing band is equally as impressive. Some have compared The Second Coming to John Coltrane's 1960s IMPULSE releases; while that may be a bold claim, it's one we wouldn't dispute.

PERSONNEL:

• Kent L. Brinkley - (bass)
• Douglas J. Sides - (drums)
• Kirk Lightsey - (piano)
• Rudolph Johnson - (tenor sax)

TRACKS:

• 01. The Traveler
• 02. Time And Space
• 03. The Highest Pleasure
• 04. The Water Bearer
• 05. The Second Coming