Spirituals (David Murray album)

Spirituals is an album by American jazz saxophonist David Murray, released in 1988 on the DIW label. The album features Murray performing a selection of traditional African-American spirituals, arranged for a jazz quartet.

The quartet consists of David Murray on tenor saxophone, pianist Dave Burrell, bassist Richard Davis, and drummer Ralph Peterson Jr. The album's liner notes discuss Murray's connection to spirituals through his upbringing in the Pentecostal church and his intent to honor the legacy of these songs while bringing his own improvisational approach to the material.

The tracklist includes well-known spirituals such as "Go Down Moses," "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," and "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child," alongside lesser-known pieces. Murray's playing on the album is characterized by its intensity, emotional depth, and virtuosity, while the quartet's arrangements blend traditional gospel elements with modern jazz sensibilities. Spirituals is considered a significant entry in Murray's discography, showcasing his versatility and his commitment to exploring the African-American musical tradition.