Beautiful and flowing free jazz excursion from Steve Lacy. Recorded live on October 8 1966, at Instituto Di Tella, Centro de Experimentation Audio-Visual, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The ride work of South African drummer Louis T. Moholo together with his continuous drum fills and explosive accents are so impactful. I believe he has the snare wires off, and that gives the whole thing a unique sound. The playing of both Lacy and Italian trumpeter Enrico Rava is very interesting and it’s definitely free, as they play over each other and explore their respective instruments, but it’s never abrasive or hard to listen to. The tonal quality and approach feels quite pleasant and controlled, even in the more wild parts. It tends to be focused on creating layers of moods and statements, for the most part simultaneous played, creating a rich soundscape, where you’ll discover different little intricate parts each time you listen to the tunes.
Two tunes are offered on this album, both penned by Lacy and both over 20 minutes long. For me, this is free jazz at its best. It’s live, the sound is great. Total freedom to express yourself in a quartet format, not too many instruments, but rather a refined sound, easy to distinguish both soloists ideas, even when the flurry of notes are played over each other.
The cover art painting is by Bob Thompson, an African-American figurative painter, who hung out in the New York jazz scene, forming friendships with Charlie Haden and Ornette Coleman for example.
This copy is in outstanding shape, plays NM and the cover was in the shrink. Very happy to add this one to the collection and it’s of course highly recommended.
