This strong set from the
Max Roach Quartet (one of the finest regular bands of the 1980s) finds the group performing a 40-minute version of trumpeter
Cecil Bridgewater's "Scott Free." Because the piece has plenty of solo space (two lengthy improvisations apiece for
Bridgewater, tenor saxophonist
Odean Pope, bassist
Tyrone Brown and drummer
Roach, with a medium-tempo section, a rapid segment and some free interludes), there is more variety on this lengthy work than one might expect. This is excellent music, easily recommended as an example of the underrated but consistently brilliant
Max Roach Quartet. ~ Scott Yanow