The title definitely gets it right – as the quintet's an all-star lineup that features Marshall Allen on alto sax, Kidd Jordan on tenor, Hamid Drake on drums, and both Alan Silva and William Parker on bass! The twin basses are really wonderful – and have this deep texture that really shapes the performance – a sense of tone and timing that brings urgency to the record in a way that either player on their own wouldn't have been able to achieve – often with a sense of soul that really adds a lot to the reeds! CD features six long live tracks – all improvised by the group. CD

The complete Black Saint/Soul Note recordings of Bill Dixon – an amazing body of work that represents one of the strongest points in Dixon's career! Bill first burst on the scene with some important 60s avant albums on the Savoy label – including a key collaboration with Archie Shepp – but it wasn't until these 80s sides for the Italian label that his talents really took off – reaching out to new heights that explored some of the more serious themes in his music, often in longer-form conceptual recordings that are a great illustration of the freedoms offered by the label! The records also feature Bill working closely with a host of important musicians – including bassists Alan Silva, Peter Kowald, William Parker, and Barry Guy – and drummers Tony Oxley and Freddie Waits. The set features 9 full albums, each packaged in a mini LP-style sleeve – and titles include Bill Dixon In Italy Vol 1, Bill Dixon In Italy Vol 2, November 1981, Thoughts, Son Of Sisyphus, Vade Mecum, Vade Mecum 2, Papyrus Vol 1, and Papyrus Vol 2. CD