Before There Was Sound

Before There Was Sound
Studio album by Roscoe Mitchell
Released	2011
Recorded	1965 Station WUCB, Chicago
Genre	Jazz
Length	52:40
Label	Nessa
Producer	Chuck Nessa
Roscoe Mitchell chronology
Before There Was Sound (2011) Sound (1966)

Before There Was Sound is an album by American jazz saxophonist Roscoe Mitchell recorded in 1965 but not issued until 2011 by Nessa Records.<ref name"Nessa">Before There Was Sound at Nessa Records</ref> The album presents the earliest recordings available of the work of the AACM, taped shortly after the first meeting of the organization in May 1965 and approximately a year before Mitchell's debut album Sound. This quartet, with trumpeter Fred Berry, bassist Malachi Favors and drummer Alvin Fielder, had been working together for close to a year before they gathered at the instigation of Fielder in the studio of WUCB radio station. "Mr. Freddy" is dedicated to the trumpeter. "Jo Jar" is for Joseph Jarman.^[1]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Down Beat	[2]

The Down Beat review by Peter Margasak states "This is incredible, rigorously rehearsed and researched music made only less radical by what followed it—but in 1965 this would have blown minds."^[2]

Track listing

All compositions by Roscoe Mitchell except as indicated

1. "Mr. Freddy" - 6:26
2. "Green" (Fred Berry) - 3:08
3. "Outer Space" - 12:11
4. "Carefree" - 6:28
5. "Akhenaten" (Malachi Favors) - 7:43
6. "And There was Peace" - 7:01
7. "Jo Jar" - 5:07
8. "Carefree #2" - 4:36

Personnel

• Roscoe Mitchell - alto sax
• Fred Berry - trumpet, flugelhorn
• Malachi Favors - bass
• Alvin Fielder - drums

References

1. Original liner notes by Terry Martin
2. Margasak, Peter. Before There Was Sound review. Down Beat March 12: page 73. Print.