Sound Pictures for Solo Trumpet


Sound Pictures for Solo Trumpet is a solo album by trumpeter Hugh Ragin. It was released in 2002 by Hopscotch Records.

Reception

The authors of The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings wrote: "solo trumpet is a touch discipline for a record, and it's to Hugh's credit that he makes this set as engaging to a listener as it is."
Ken Waxman of JazzWord described Ragin as a "consummate trumpet technician," and stated: "The most interesting pieces... are two of the longest... 'Rhythm Unit #5'... centres around constantly repeated grace notes that fluctuate up the scale. Growls and peeps arise from within the bell followed by a melody that moves from allegro to adagio, finally expanding from chromatic trills into loud, sharp, pinpointed whole notes. 'Rhythm Unit #4'... features a wavering tone, staccato triple tonguing and broken high notes, which — perhaps following Ragin's legit training — continue in a straight line rather than turning chaotic."
A writer for The New York City Jazz Record called the album "a stand-out," and commented: "the trumpeter says it wasn't a strange concept, given solo discs by Braxton, Smith and Mitchell. On it Ragin salutes figures as disparate as Miles Davis, Braxton and even plays 'Variations on a Theme by Paganini' while still maintaining his originality."

Track listing

"Rhythm Units" #1–9 composed by Wadada Leo Smith. "Perpetual Motion" based on a theme by Niccolò Paganini. Remaining compositions by Hugh Ragin.
  1. "For the Joy of Sound Space & Music " – 10:29
  2. "Parisian Sunrise " – 4:51
  3. "Rhythm Unit #1 " – 2:13
  4. "Rhythm Unit #2 " – 2:04
  5. "Rhythm Unit #3 " – 4:12
  6. "Rhythm Unit #4 " – 2:13
  7. "Rhythm Unit #5 " – 4:34
  8. "Rhythm Unit #6 " – 5:22
  9. "Rhythm Unit #7 " – 3:43
  10. "Rhythm Unit #8 " – 3:28
  11. "Rhythm Unit #9 " – 3:06
  12. "Ballad for Miles " – 4:23
  13. "Perpetual Motion " – 1:59
  14. "Braxton Dues " – 4:27
  15. "Emergency Exit" – 2:04

Personnel