Sowing Records / Europe / RE 2023 / Lp, Clear
Recorded in 1959, Cry! – Tender captures Yusef Lateef expanding his sonic palette with the introduction of the oboe—a rarely featured double-reed instrument in jazz , which seamlessly dialogues alongside his mastery of the tenor saxophone and flute. Balancing lyricism, deep emotional honesty, and subtle exotic influences, Lateef blends melodic sensitivity with a pioneering curiosity for non-Western musical traditions. A standout jewel from his early discography, this album stands as an essential portrait of an artist constantly broadening the scope and possibilities of modern jazz.