When Was That?

When Was That? is an album by Henry Threadgill released on the About Time label in 1982. The album and features five of Threadgill's compositions performed by Threadgill with Craig Harris, Olu Dara, Fred Hopkins, Brian Smith, Pheeroan akLaff and John Betsch.^[3]

When Was That?
Studio album by Henry Threadgill
Released	1982
Recorded	September 30 & October 1, 1981
Genre	Jazz
Label	About Time
Henry Threadgill chronology
X-75 Volume 1 (1979) When Was That? (1982) Just the Facts and Pass the Bucket (1983)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide	[2]

Reception

The Allmusic review by Thom Jurek states, "Threadgill's main thrust was to create a series of modal environments whereby all instrumentalists would engage with one another in the framework of a particular tune, yet play different roles as the ensemble went on its way through the record... Ultimately, however, this band swung together, no matter how far out the proceedings got. They always returned to Threadgill's magically inherent lyricism and humor in the end, and each and every track here bears that out. This is a nearly mystical album in the life of this band".^[4]

In The Boston Phoenix, Bob Blumenthal felt that "For all the talent collected here, When Was That? is a frustrating record. Threadgill extracts thick, varnished gloss from the ensemble, and then dissipates the effect by giving three of the five pieces over to somber, almost furtive collective meditations. ... Often the tunes just move in place, though there is some vicious guitar work on “Avoid the Funk” and two tunes where Kelvyn Bell (again) is paired with Richard Martin. Another plus is drummer Kenny Martin, who though lacking predecessor Ronnie Burrage’s inventiveness, shares his chops, taste, and time."^[5]

Track listing

All compositions by Henry Threadgill

1. "Melin" - 3:40
2. "10 to 1" - 11:29
3. "Just B" - 4:25
4. "When Was That?" - 10:22
5. "Soft Suicide at the Baths" - 11:07

Recorded at Sound Ideas, New York City on September 30 and October 1, 1981

Personnel

• Henry Threadgill - alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, clarinet, flute, bass flute
• Craig Harris - trombone
• Olu Dara - cornet
• Brian Smith - piccolo bass
• Fred Hopkins - bass
• John Betsch - drums
• Pheeroan akLaff - drums