Odean Pope Saxophone Choir - Epitome (1993) {Soul Note 121279-2}

Tenor saxophonist Odean Pope's third post-bop Saxophone Choir outing was released on the Soul Note label in 1994. Epitome includes a saxophone section of three altos, five tenors, and one baritone, Eddie Green and Dave Burrell splitting piano duties with Tyrone Brown on bass, and Craig McIver on drums. This is not an avant-garde big-band assembly, even though there are moments ("Coltrane Time") that certainly fit that description. Eight of the ten tracks were written by various group members, with Pope's arrangements incorporating his early Baptist church choir vocal education with Mingus-/Ellington-inflected moods, especially apparent on "Terrestrial," which sounds like a quiet section from Black Saint and the Sinner Lady and "Lift Ev'ry Voice." This is a truly unique and moving ensemble, making any of their discs recommended.

Personnel
Odean Pope, Glenn Guidone, Middy Middleton, Bootsie Barnes, Bob Howell – tenor saxophone
Julian Pressley, Sam Reed, Robert Landham - alto saxophone
Joe Sudler - baritone saxophone
Dave Burrell, Eddie Green – piano
Tyrone Brown – bass
Craig McIver – drums

Tracks
01 - Epitome
02 - In And Out
03 - Brisa
04 - Triology
05 - Coltrane Time
06 - Lift Every Voice
07 - Improvo
08 - Gray Hair
09 - Terrestrial
10 - Zanzibar Blue