I buy a lot of jazz records based on the line-up; after all- an album is only as good as the sum of its parts.
But I don't need to rattle off a bunch of names here; just one: Eric Dolphy.
He totally steals the show. Yes, it's an Andrew Hill record, but it could be under Dolphy's name just the same because the brother shines. Completely awesome. After Out To Lunch and the stuff he did with Mingus, this is one of Dolphy's finest moments. Apologies to Hill, he's a pretty awesome pianist, too- his compositions are wonderful; but they exist so Dolphy can stretch out his unique voice and imaginative soloing. Listen closely during the track Spectrum, when the bass solo ends and Dolphy takes over- that's as sublime a moment on record you'll ever find. I'd be remiss to not mention Tony Williams' amazing drumming, but you'll just have to listen to understand this...
This is the 1999 Rudy Van Gelder re-issue with alternate takes of three tracks. Check this record out right now!
