A Better Understanding

A Better Understanding is an album by saxophonist Sonny Fortune which was recorded in 1995 and released on the Blue Note label.^[1][2][3][4]

A Better Understanding
Studio album by Sonny Fortune
Released	September 12, 1995
Recorded	February 20 & 21, 1995
Studio	Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ
Genre	Jazz
Length	57:16
Label	Blue Note
Producer	Marty Khan, Sonny Fortune
Sonny Fortune chronology
Four in One (1994) A Better Understanding (1995) From Now On (1996)

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[5]
All About Jazz	[6]

The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow stated "On the fine all-round A Better Understanding session, Sonny Fortune is mostly in the spotlight. Although generally playing alto, Fortune is also heard on soprano and flute ... While not one of Fortune's most essential releases (one wishes that he had played some tenor too), A Better Understanding has enough variety and surprises to make it recommended".^[5] On All About Jazz, Florence Wetzell noted "A Better Understanding, features nine Fortune originals and is an embarrassment of riches, with one excellent song after another and top-notch accompaniment".^[6]

Track listing

All compositions by Sonny Fortune

1. "Mind Games" – 6:38
2. "Laying It Down" – 7:48
3. "Awakening" – 6:58
4. "A Swing Touch" – 7:04
5. "Never Again Is Such a Long Time" – 4:07
6. "It Ain't What It Was" – 5:30
7. "It's a Bird" – 6:16
8. "Tribute to a Holiday" – 6:10
9. "Long Before Our Mothers Cried" – 6:45

Personnel

• Sonny Fortune – alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, alto flute, flute
• Jerry González – trumpet, flugelhorn, congas (tracks 3. 7 & 9)
• Robin Eubanks – trombone (tracks 3, 7 & 9)
• Kenny Barron – piano
• Wayne Dockery – bass
• Ronnie Burrage (tracks 1 & 9), Billy Hart (tracks 2-4 & 6-8) – drums
• Steve Berrios – percussion (tracks 3 & 9)