Drummer
Barry Altschul leads a particularly interesting quartet on this date (reissued on CD) that also includes trumpeter
Enrico Rava,
John Surman on baritone and soprano, and bassist
Mark Helias. The music (three Altschul originals, a song apiece from
Helias and
Ray Anderson, plus
Fats Waller's "Jitterbug Waltz") finds the pianoless group sounding halfway between the
Gerry Mulligan/Chet Baker Quartet and the late-'50s
Ornette Coleman/Don Cherry group. Among the highlights are
Anderson's "Tap-A-Jack," Altschul's "Da Baron's Blues," and
Helias' humorous "Le Tango." The advanced and passionate solos (
Rava sounds much more high-powered than normal) and the close communication between the four highly individual improvisers make this a notable and highly recommended release. ~ Scott Yanow