Serious Fun (Lester Bowie album)

Serious Fun is the first album by Lester Bowie recorded for the Japanese DIW label and the fourth album by his "Brass Fantasy" group. It was released in 1989 and features performances by Bowie, Vincent Chancey, Frank Lacy, Steve Turre, E. J. Allen, Gerald Brezel, Stanton Davis, Bob Stewart, Ken Crutchfield, Vinnie Johnson and Famoudou Don Moye.

Reception
The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4 stars, stating, "Serious Fun is one of the ensemble's earlier records and the material is better than usual... on this particular project it is mostly quite successful and full of Lester Bowie's wit".

Track listing

 * 1) "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" (James Brown) - 4:40
 * 2) "Smooth Operator" (Sade, Ray Saint John) - 6:59
 * 3) "Inflated Tear" (Roland Kirk) - 7:24
 * 4) "Da Butt" (Marcus Miller) - 6:05
 * 5) "God Bless the Child" (Arthur Herzog Jr., Billie Holiday) - 14:59
 * 6) "Don't Worry, Be Happy" (Bobby McFerrin) - 6:32
 * 7) "Strange Fruit" (Lewis Allan) - 7:54
 * Recorded at Systems Two, Brooklyn, NY on 4–6 April 1989

Personnel

 * Lester Bowie: trumpet
 * Vincent Chancey: French horn
 * Frank Lacy: trombone, vocals
 * Steve Turre: trombone
 * E. J. Allen: trumpet
 * Gerald Brezel: trumpet
 * Stanton Davis: trumpet, flugelhorn
 * Bob Stewart: tuba
 * Famoudou Don Moye: percussion
 * Ken Crutchfield: drums
 * Vinnie Johnson: drums