Billy Bang Sextet 1985 The Fire From Within      Artist: Billy Bang Sextet
Album: The Fire From Within
Label: Soul Note
Year: 1984; release: 1985

     Plenty of fire here – a soulful, spiritual sort of energy that really sets the work of Billy Bang apart from any other players on his [bad word] #33; Bang's use of the violin here is really unique – almost as a fluid generator of tone and sound – one that's woven beautifully into rhythms from a group that features Oscar Sandees on guitar, William Parker on bass, and John Betsch on [bad word] and percussion – very hip players that push most tunes along with a soaring sort of groove! Other musicians include Ahmed Abullah on [bad word] and Thurman Barker on marimba – the latter of whom really brings some unusual sounds to the set, further setting it apart from anything you might expect – and Charles Bobo Shaw also plays cowbells on one number too. Titles include "The Glow Of Awareness", "The Nagual Julian", "The Shift Below", "Petty Tyrants", "The New Seers", and "The Mold Of Man".
© 1996-2011, Dusty Groove America, Inc.

     Cut during a [bad word] on the Italian Soul Note label, Billy Bang's The Fire From Within nicely shows off the violinist's unique approach to post-bop jazz from swingers to ballads, trad to free. Bang also demonstrates his very original Latin touch, highlighting cuts like "Nagual Julian" and "The New Seers" with shades of bolero moodiness and mambo syncopation. Throughout the set -- all Bang originals -- a dusky hue predominates, whether on the up-tempo opener, "The Glow of Awareness," or a beautifully spacious ballad like "The Shift Below." Chalk part of this up to the psychedelic adventures of Carlos Castaneda, whose peyote-submerged accounts of the Yaqui Indians' herbal alchemy inspired Bang. Beyond the transcendent music, Bang pays homage by naming each song after one of the author's chapter titles. Adding to the heady atmosphere, [bad word] Ahmed Abdullah, marimba player Thurman Barker, and bassist William Parker ply their talents on several standout solos. perfect entree for Billy Bang [bad word] 
~ Stephen Cook, All Music Guide
 
       
 
          Tracklist:

1. The Glow Of Awareness 5:38
2. The Nagual Julian 5:46
Cowbell - Charles Bobo Shaw
3. The Shift Below 6:24
4. Petty Tyrants 5:32
5. The New Seers 10:41
6. The Mold Of Man 7:34
7. Inorganic Beings 5:29

Personnel:

Billy Bang (violin)
Ahmed Abdullah [bad word] 
Oscar Sanders (guitar)
William Parker (acoustic bass)
Thurman Barker (marimba)
John Betsch [bad word]  cowbells)