Two late 60s classics from trumpet legend Don Ellis – back to back in a single set! Autumn is an album of explosive power and imagination from Don Ellis – a set that shows him very firmly shaking off the more academic mode of earlier years, and heading into hipper, more youth-oriented directions! The group's still a bit band on most numbers – but it's one with a lean, well-crafted sound that's not really big band jazz, and which also features some elements of later soundtrack scoring. Players on the date are all great – and include Frank Strozier, John Klemmer, and Ira Schulman on saxes – plus Pete Robinson on clavinet, piano, and electric piano! The set begins with the beautiful extended "Variations For Trumpet" – a suite-type number that has plenty of great colors from Ellis, plus loads of other horn work too. Other titles include "Indian Lady", "Pussy Wiggle Stomp", "Scratt & Fluggs", and "Child Of Ecstasy". Shock Treatment is one of the first really funky records from Don Ellis! Ellis was an emerging California trumpeter/
composer who'd noodled around with some modern big band work in the mid 60s – but this hip 1968 session has him adding in elements like clavinet, Fender Rhodes, sitar, timbales, vibes, percussion, and even a spot of vocals to change the groove to a more mod and swinging one. Titles include "Mercy Mabye Mercy", "New Kind Of Country", "
Zim", "Star Children", "Opus 5", "Rasty", "The Tihai", and "Milo's Theme". Plus, the CD also includes some bonus tracks not on the original album!