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Serious Fun
Studio album by Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy
Released	1989
Recorded	April 4–6, 1989
Genre	Jazz
Length	54:33
Label	DIW
Lester Bowie chronology
Twilight Dreams (1988) Serious Fun (1989) My Way (1990)

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".

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic

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

References

1. Jazzlists: DIW Records - CDs 801 to 899, accessed September 22, 2017
2. ^ Yanow, S. Allmusic Review accessed August 12, 2011

• 1989 albums
• DIW Records albums
• Lester Bowie albums