专辑简介

by Richard Foss

Of the jazz acts signed to SST Records, Universal Congress Of is one of the more interesting to someone who actually likes jazz rather than hybrids. On Prosperous & Qualified the band shows considerable instrumental skills and comfort with a range of styles, from free jazz to a surprisingly good swamp blues. While most of the material on this disc is tight, powerful jazz-funk, on "Mellow Down Easy," Steve Moss lays down his tenor sax and blows up a storm on harmonica. It's quite a departure for the man and the band, but it sounds great. While Joe Baiza was the best-known member at the time of this release, Moss and bassist Ralph Gorodetsky play as many leads and have as much to do with the sound of the band. Prosperous & Qualified is an exciting ensemble effort and an excellent debut album.