An important late recording in the life of Chicago reedman
Hal Russell – performances done overseas with the always-energetic
NRG Ensemble, at a time when
Hal was finally getting his due after years working in the Windy City underground! The larger group sound better here than on just about any of their local recordings – playing with a hell of a lot of ferocity at times, which seems to drive
Russell into more of a frenzy too – way past his sometimes quirky modes, into the hard-blown, free-improvised territory he could hit at his best moments.
Hal plays tenor, soprano, trumpet, vibes, and drums – and the group also features Mars Williams on tenor and soprano; Brian Sandstrom on bass, trumpet, and guitar; Kent Kessler on bass; and Steve Hunt on vibes and drums. Titles include "Temporarily", "Raining Violets", "For MC", "Mars Theme", "
Hal The Weenie", "Monica's Having A Baby", and "Ten Letters Of Love".