Some of the freest, most far-reaching work that
Sam Rivers ever cut for Blue Note – a set recorded in 1967, but not issued until nearly a decade later by the label! The album's a great precursor of some of the work that
Sam would do later in the 70s – still somewhat in a "new thing" mode, at points, but also sharper, and more angular too – with a nice sense of space in the playing. The group is a piano-less one – with
Sam on reeds, joined by James Spaulding on alto, Donald Byrd on trumpet,
Julian Priester on trombone, Steve Ellington on drums, and Cecil McBee on bass – all mighty hip players who really realize
Rivers' vision perfectly. Titles include "Precis", "Paean", "Effusive Melange", "Involution", "Afflatus", and "Helix".
(Out of print, 1988 pressing.)