Brothers Together


Brothers Together is an album by drummer Hamid Drake and multi-instrumentalist Sabir Mateen. It was recorded in October 2000 at PBS Studios in Westwood, Massachusetts, and was released in 2002 by Eremite Records.

Reception

In a review for AllMusic, Steve Loewy wrote: "This might be a good introduction for those who have heard of Mateen but are unfamiliar with his work. It presents him in unadulterated form, with lots of space for improvising. A minor giant of the reeds, he and Drake are an imposing pair, and there is much here to savor."
The authors of the Penguin [Guide to Jazz Recordings] awarded the album 3½ stars, and stated: "by the time Mateen and Drake are firing on all cylinders, this is a scorching session and the closing piece, 'New Life Dance', makes half an hour seem like seconds."
Derek Taylor, writing for All About Jazz, commented: "the disc's title doesn't lie - these two are brethren artists through and through. Most importantly both men treat their meeting not as an academic exercise or technique-driven cutting contest, but instead as an ebullient chance to blow... Drake and Mateen have done something not many can do. They've taken a framework many of their peers are justly wary of and breathed fresh life into it - testament to both their abilities as improvisers and the synergy they share as musical brothers."
One Final Note's Jay Collins wrote: "This is a constantly intriguing release... these passionate and convincing artists put forth this music in an interactive and delightfully exposed manner."

Track listing

  1. "Brother's Together" – 21:03
  2. "Of Mind & Spirit" – 9:30
  3. "Knowing Oneself" – 16:15
  4. "New Life Dance" – 28:54

Personnel