Space Dimension is an album by alto saxophonist Noah Howard. It was recorded during 1970 in Paris, and was released on vinyl in 1971 by America Records. In 2019, it was reissued by Eating Standing, an Italian label. On the album, Howard is joined by tenor saxophonist Frank Wright, pianist Bobby Few, and drummer Art Taylor. Drummer Muhammad Ali also appears on one track. Space Dimension is one of four albums recorded in Paris by the group, the others, credited to Wright, being Uhuru na Umoja (America, 1970), One for John (BYG, 1970), and Church Number Nine (Odeon, 1971).[1][2][3]

Space Dimension
Studio album by
Released1971
Recorded1970
StudioParis
GenreFree jazz
LabelAmerica Records
30 AM 6108
ProducerPierre Berjot
Noah Howard chronology
At Judson Hall
(1968)
Space Dimension
(1971)
The Black Ark
(1972)

Reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music     [4]
The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz     [5]

In a review of the 2019 reissue for The New York City Jazz Record, Pierre Crépon stated that the album "stands as the best document of one of the free jazz bands that mattered in a pivotal period and its return to circulation has been long overdue."[6]

Author John Corbett noted that "where Wright is as voluble and gruff as can be, Howard is the perfect complement, a compact, focused sound." He singled out "Church Number Nine" for praise, writing: "the whole machine takes its rightful shape, Wright screaming bloody murder, Howard joining for the ridiculously perfect little r&b/gospel riff, a maniacal laugh and corkscrew multiphonic ending the track on an unhinged note."[7]

Track listing

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"Church Number Nine" composed by Frank Wright. Remaining tracks composed by Noah Howard.

  1. "Space Dimension" – 5:40
  2. "Viva Black" – 6:50
  3. "Church Number Nine" – 9:10
  4. "Song for Poets" – 6:10
  5. "Blues for Thelma" – 13:20

Personnel

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References

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  1. ^ "Noah Howard - Space Dimension". Jazz Music Archives. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  2. ^ "Space Dimension by Noah Howard". Eating Standing / Bandcamp. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  3. ^ "Noah Howard / Space Dimension". ArtistInfo. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  4. ^ Larkin, Colin, ed. (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Oxford University Press. p. 391.
  5. ^ Larkin, Colin, ed. (2004). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz. Virgin Books. p. 426.
  6. ^ Crépon, Pierre (December 2019). "Reviews" (PDF). The New York City Jazz Record. p. 24.
  7. ^ Corbett, John (2017). Vinyl Freak: Love Letters to a Dying Medium. Duke University Press. pp. 158–159.