This very valuable release documents two important but underrated avant-garde units that were based in Los Angeles. Clarinetist John Carter (here also heard on tenor and alto) and trumpeter Bobby Bradford co-led bands for many years in virtual obscurity. With bassist Tom Williamson and drummer Buzz Freeman, they are both abstract and logical on four originals with Carter's passionate sounds contrasting, as usual, with Bradford's lyricism. The second half of this disc features L.A.'s great undiscovered legend, pianist Horace Tapscott. He is heard in superlative form on four tracks (including the 17-minute "The Giant Is Awakened") in a two-bass quintet also co-starring the young altoist Arthur Blythe. - Scott Yanow
Tracks
1. Call to the Festival (John Carter)
2. The Second Set (John Carter)
3. Woman (Bobby Bradford)
4. Abstractions for Three Lovers (John Carter)
5. The Giant Is Awakened (Horace Tapscott)
6. For Fats (Arthur Blythe)
7. The Dark Tree (Horace Tapscott)
8. Niger's Theme (Horace Tapscott)
JOHN CARTER alto & tenor saxophones, clarinet (1-4)
TOM WILLIAMSON bass (1-4)
BUZZ FREEMAN drums (1-4)
BOBBY BRADFORD trumpet (1-4)
HORACE TAPSCOTT piano (5-8)
ARTHUR BLYTHE alto saxophone (5-8)
DAVID BRYANT bass (5-8)
WALTER SAVAGE,JR. bass (5-8)
EVERETT BROWN, JR. bass (5-8)
Recorded January 3, 1969 (1-4) and April 1, 1969 in Los Angeles
Novus - 3107-2-N (1991)