Intelligent, articulate and controversial tenor sax player, composer and singer Archie Shepp was a strong advocate of “free jazz” in the 1960s and 1970s. He surprised Japanese jazz fans in the 1990s when he released a series of ballad albums from Venus Records, beginning with Blue Ballads in 1995 and True Ballads in 1996.

True Blue is his third album released by Venus. After experiencing the volatile and turbulent period of “free jazz,” Shepp’s playing here is relatively traditional, but uniquely his own. His often hoarse tone is very distinctive and sounds fragile and brawny at the same time. His slow, quiet passages can suddenly turn into an explosion of raw emotions, and the effect is quite stunning.

Supported by a stellar trio of John Hicks, George Mraz and Billy Drummond, the one and only Archie Shepp turned in a wonderful album consisting of standard jazz tunes and several compositions of John Coltrane. He even demonstrates his charming singing voice with a French song, “Que Reste-t-il De Nos Amours.”

“Shepp focuses on what he does best: Being a fine stylist and one of the great blues phraseologists in the business…a gorgeous session.” — AllMusic