Basra (album) explained

Basra is the debut album by drummer Pete La Roca, recorded in 1965 and released on the Blue Note label.^[2]

Background and recording

Bassist Steve Swallow recounted that he and La Roca had taken LSD prior to traveling to recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder's New Jersey studio for the session.^[3] He also said that Van Gelder threatened to end the session after pianist Steve Kuhn started manually plucking the piano strings.

Reception

The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow stated: "It is strange to realize that drummer Pete La Roca only led two albums during the prime years of his career, for this CD reissue of his initial date is a classic".^[4]

Track listing

All compositions by Pete La Roca except as noted

1. "Malagueña" (Ernesto Lecuona) - 9:01
2. "Candu" - 6:45
3. "Tears Come from Heaven" - 5:00
4. "Basra" - 9:58
5. "Lazy Afternoon" (John La Touche, Jerome Moross) - 5:31
6. "Eiderdown" (Steve Swallow) - 4:28

Personnel

• Pete La Roca - drums
• Joe Henderson - tenor saxophone
• Steve Kuhn - piano
• Steve Swallow - bass

Notes and References

1. https://books.google.com/books?id=ISkEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Basra+la+roca&pg=PA42 Billboard Oct 2, 1965
2. http://www.jazzdisco.org/blue-note-records/catalog-4200-series/#blp-4205 Blue Note Records discography
3. Iverson . Ethan . Ethan Iverson . April 7, 2021 . Chronology: Steve Swallow Remembers Pete La Roca . . April 24, 2021.
4. Yanow, S. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=basra-r142392|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic Review] accessed November 23, 2010