interesting discussion. Always cool to have Chuck around.
I'm inclined to agree with Green Dolphin in that holding Murray to the adventurous standards he set out for in his earlier days is wishful thinking. He certainly has some wonderful, exciting records including THE HILL and parts of SWEET LOVELY and A SANCTUARY WITHIN. The first couple of octet recordings with Olu Dara, Henry Threadgill, et al are sublime. Shifts in the lineup did the music harm, IMO, not that it ever got any more imaginitive. The recordings I've heard from the last few years do absolutely zilch for me, but that doesn't necessarily make him a sellout or a softy in my eyes. Seems like the guy's just doing what he wants to do for whoever and however. If that's where his heart is, so be it. I just won't be listening.