I know Hugh Ragin's got a couple of fans on this board but overall his profile seems to be rather low. So low in fact that the Penguin Guide seems unaware of the bulk of his discography. His previous cd Feel The Sunshine didn't create any ripples to my knowledge. But that and his other three cds on Justin Time are uniformly excellent. The latest Revelation, a quartet with Assif Tshar, driven along ferociously by William Parker and Hamid Drake, is a cracker. A touch of Ornette, Ayler, bebop, Ragin's at home with it all.

I first came across him when he impressed as a member of various David Murray bands and I've liked him ever since. He has a great sound and though I'm not a trumpet player but I'd guess he has a great technique.

Unfortunately I'm not familiar with his solo duo recordings but the word is that they are fine showcases for Ragin.

Maybe as he's based in Denver he doesn't get around that much but imo he's one of the leading trumpet men around.

My first exposure to Ragin was also via various David Murray groups. Very exciting and somewhat expressive player. I agree that Feel The Sunshine and Revelation are both very good. Other recordings under Ragin's leadership that I can also recommend are An Afternoon in Harlem (Justin Time) and Back To Saturn (Black Saint).

The two Cecma discs are terrific.

I'm not familiar with much of Ragin's work but one disc that I love is Open Systems, on Marge. This one features Ragin with Assif Tsahar, Peter Kowald and Hamid Drake.

I'll have to explore more of his work. Revelation sounds like a good place to start.

John B, Thanks for mentioning Open Systems, that one seems to have passed me by. One to chase up.

I'm with Chuck on the Cecma discs. METAPHYSICAL QUESTION is a fine trio with John Lindberg and Thurman Barker, and TEAM WORK consists of Lindberg / Ragin duets. The Justin Time releases find Ragin playing very well in a number of diverse settings, but I find the challenges he sets for himself on these earlier dates the more interesting.

Of course, any of the Roscoe Mitchell releases with Ragin are worth hearing: SNURDY MCGURDY..., 3 X 4 EYE, MORE CUTOUTS...

This thread motivated me to take out of my desk and listen to a 1995 performance from the Moers Festival by the David Murray quartet with Ragin, Kelly Roberty and Andrew Cyrille. The performance was a tribute to Albert Ayler. I am listening to it now and it is some very intense music.

Ragin's got the best of both worlds - the harmonic fluidity and traditional instrumental command of an "inside" player, and the free-spirited explorativeness of a "free player. Not that the two qualities are mutually exclusive, far from it, but Ragin (and to a little lesser extent, Bakida Carroll) has both in spades, and puts it out there in a "niether/nor" manner that is as powerful as it is natural.

Feel the Sunshine is good, yes--but I'll beg to differ re: Tshar (who contributes a low-budget D Murray/J Carter knockoff). If it weren't for him it'd be a very good disc.

What's Ragin up to at the moment?

Isn't there some stuff he did with Marty Krystall/Buell Neidlinger?

Tshar sounds better on Revelation. I didn't think he was quite right for Sunshine though. My introduction to him by the way. Much as I enjoy Murray I'm not sure I wanted to hear him here.

It's true that the Justin Time settings are less challenging but for me that makes them more approachable and therefore more listenable. In short it's just fine jazz.

Revelation is a great session. Three more good reasons to listen to it: William Parker, Hamid Drake & Assif Tsahar.

I started to explore Ragin a few months back.

I still only have two cds, An Afternoon in Harlem , and Fanfare and Fiesta with Clark Terry. I enjoy both very much.


Next on the list for me is...

That's a good one. If I remember correctly, it may also feature a vibes player, which adds a nice change to the sound.

I don't know - I recall them together on one of Nieldinger's private releases - I'd have to check my shelves -

This discussion is welcome, actually - I was just thinking a couple of days ago how much I enjoyed his playing on 'Snurdy...' - especially 'Sing/Song'.