Valve No. 10

Valve No. 10 is an album by the American jazz violinist Billy Bang recorded in 1988 and released on the Italian Soul Note label.

Reception
The editors of AllMusic awarded the album 2½ stars, and reviewer Scott Yanow stated: "Bang combines a strong technique with a primitive sound and it may take listeners a little while to get used to his tone".

The authors of The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings awarded the album a full 4 stars, calling it "a high point" and "Bang's most convincing performance since Rainbow Gladiator.

Critic Tom Hull assigned the album a rating of "A−", commenting: "Sirone sounds big on bass. Frank Lowe sounds restrained, like he's working inside the tradition rather than trying to knock it down -- one of his tastiest performances. Dennis Charles is as steady as ever."

Robert Spencer of All About Jazz described the album as "an intensely-felt, sharply-played recording," and remarked: "Lowe is masterful, adding fire that is never overstated; he manages to remain within bounds that might be considered conventionally melodic while venturing far and wide harmonically."

Track listing

 * All compositions by Billy Bang except as indicated


 * 1) "P.M." (Paul Mitchell, Sirone) - 5:45
 * 2) "Valve No. 10" - 9:12
 * 3) "September 23rd" - 5:49
 * 4) "Improvisation for Four" - 4:08
 * 5) "Bien-Hoa Blues" - 4:56
 * 6) "Holiday for Flowers" (William Parker) - 5:28
 * 7) "Lonnie's Lament" (John Coltrane) - 12:16
 * Recorded at Barigozzi Studio in Milano, Italy on March 8 & 9, 1988

Personnel

 * Billy Bang - violin, poetry
 * Frank Lowe - tenor saxophone
 * Sirone – bass
 * Dennis Charles – drums