This trio session by
Mal Waldron was initially recorded for the BYG label, which never released it, so it remained unavailable until being acquired and issued by Affinity nearly 15 years later. One oddity has caused discographers problems: six tracks are listed on the album jacket, yet there are only five on the disc itself; most seem to indicate that "Attilla the Hun" is the omitted selection. Joining him are bassist
Barre Phillips and drummer
Philly Joe Jones. As on most of
Mal Waldron's record dates, each composition is extremely intense, with an insistent bass vamp maintained as he improvises with his right hand. The improvisations within "Set Me Free" are reminiscent of Arabian music in spots, though it moves away from that influence as
Phillips solos. "Jamaica Libre" is an up-tempo hard bop calypso that initially suggests "I'll Remember April" as its root source, though it gradually moves away from that vamp and incorporates several snatches of familiar Caribbean themes, while also showcasing
Jones. This may be a somewhat difficult-to-find album, but it will be worth the effort.