ProJazz.net

The Joy of Flying is a jazz fusion album by Tony Williams. It was recorded at the end of the Tony Williams Lifetime years, and is considered his first solo album since 1966. It included three duets, two with Mahavishnu Orchestra keyboardist Jan Hammer, and one with free jazz pianist Cecil Taylor, and three different quartets: the first featured Hammer along with guitarist George Benson and bassist Paul Jackson, the second featured pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Stanley Clarke and Tom Scott on Lyricon, and the third featured guitarist Ronnie Montrose, keyboardist Brian Auger, and bass guitarist Mario Cipollina.

Reception

DownBeat gave the release 4 stars. Reviewer Bob Henschen wrote, “Williams is best when he sticks his neck out, in one direction or another, and just lets all that rhythm come to a boil.”

Track listing
“Going Far” (Jan Hammer) – 4:13
“Hip Skip” (George Benson) – 8:03
“Hittin’ on 6” (Tom Scott) – 6:16
“Open Fire” (Ronnie Montrose, Edgar Winter) – 6:16
“Tony” (Stanley Clarke) – 6:50
“Eris” (Hammer) – 3:33
“Coming Back Home” (Hammer) – 6:06
“Morgan’s Motion” (Cecil Taylor) – 8:18

Personnel
Tony Williams – drums & percussion (all tracks)
Jan Hammer (tracks 1, 2, 6 & 7), Herbie Hancock (tracks 3 & 5), Brian Auger (track 4) – keyboards & synthesizer
George Benson (tracks 2 & 7), Ronnie Montrose (track 4) – electric guitar
Tom Scott – Lyricon (tracks 3 & 5)
Cecil Taylor – acoustic piano (track 8)
Ralph MacDonald – percussion (track 2)
Paul Jackson (tracks 2 & 7), Stanley Clarke (tracks 3 & 5), Mario Cipollina (track 4) – electric bass

Horn Section (track 2):

David Sanborn – alto saxophone
Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
Ronnie Cuber – baritone saxophone
Jon Faddis & Randy Brecker – trumpets
Barry Rogers – trombone

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Released: 1978
Length: 49:37
Label: Columbia
Producer: Tony Williams