The Golden Number

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

The Golden Number consists of four duets by bassist Charlie Haden, recorded in 1976 and released in 1977 on Horizon. It was his second duo album for that label, after Closeness from 1976. His partners are trumpeter Don Cherry, who also plays flute, tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp, pianist Hampton Hawes and Ornette Coleman, who plays trumpet here. Hawes died shortly before its release, and the bassist dedicated the work to him in the liner notes.

The recording took place in several locations, in Burbank, Los Angeles and New York. AllMusic gave it four stars, and Scott Yanow found the music intriguing and varied. Ethan Iverson called the album essential. Of Turnaround he wrote that Hawes stayed with the bass every second and responded to those otherworldly notes with flawless choices.

Listening

Track list

1. 1Out of Focus (feat. Don Cherry)7:26Apple Music ↗
2. 2Shepp's Way (feat. Archie Shepp)12:09Apple Music ↗
3. 3Turnaround (feat. Hampton Hawes)7:52Apple Music ↗
4. 4The Golden Number (feat. Ornette Coleman)12:28Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗