Blythe Spirit is jazz saxophonist Arthur Blythe's fourth album for the Columbia label, recorded in New York City in 1981.

Blythe Spirit
Studio album by Arthur Blythe
Released	1981
Recorded	1981
Genre	Jazz
Label	Columbia[1]
Producer	Jim Fishel & Arthur Blythe
Arthur Blythe chronology
Illiusions (1980) Blythe Spirit (1981) Elaborations (1982)

Reception

The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow states: "This is one of the most well-rounded Arthur Blythe records from his Columbia period... a fairly definitive Arthur Blythe recording, showing off his links to hard bop, r&b and the avant-garde".[2] NME listed it as the 30th best album of 1981.[3]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[2]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide	[4]

Track listing

All compositions by Arthur Blythe except as indicated

1. "Contemplation" - 6:54
2. "Faceless Woman" - 6:41
3. "Reverence" - 6:25
4. "Strike up the Band" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) - 2:44
5. "Misty" (Johnny Burke, Erroll Garner) - 7:24
6. "Spirits in the Field" - 3:29
7. "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" (Traditional) - 5:25

• • Recorded at CBS Recording Studios, New York

Personnel

• Arthur Blythe - alto saxophone
• Abdul Wadud - cello (tracks 1-4 & 6)
• Kelvyn Bell - guitar (tracks 1-4)
• Bob Stewart - tuba (tracks 1-4, 6 & 7)
• John Hicks - piano (track 5)
• Amina Claudine Myers - organ (track 7)
• Fred Hopkins - bass (track 5)
• Bobby Battle (tracks 1-4), Steve McCall (track 5) - drums

References