One of the smartest moves
Phil Woods ever made was to move to Paris in 1968 and pick up a
European rhythm section that featured George Gruntz, Henri Texier, and Daniel Humair. At the time, the idea of a
European rhythm section might have been considered suicide by some folks – but for
Woods, it was a liberating move that allowed him to expand
his sound tremendously. With the help of these three players – all loose modernists who still knew how to swing –
Woods was able to craft some incredible tunes, long flowing numbers that featured
his amazing tone stretching out in kind of a post-Coltrane sort of mode. This live set is one of the group's best recordings, and features extended versions of tracks that include "Capricci Cavaleschi", "I Remember Bird", "Ad Infinitum", and "Riot".
(Out of print sealed 2003 digipack pressing with a mark through the domestic obi.)