This historic album includes a 20-minute performance with altoist Julius Hemphill, trumpeter Baikida Carroll, baritonist Hamiet Bluiett, cellist Abdul Wadud and drummer Philip Wilson ("The Hard Blues") taken from the same session that resulted in Dogon A.D. In addition, there are four briefer tracks that feature Hemphill, Bluiett, Wadud, altoist Arthur Blythe, drummer Barry Altschul and the congas of Daniel Zebulon. The music throughout is quite avant-garde but differs from the high-energy jams of the 1960s due to its emphasis on building improvisations as a logical outgrowth from advanced compositions. It's well worth several listens. - Scott Yanow
Tracks
1. Reflections
2. Lyric
3. Skin, No. 1
4. Skin, No. 2
5. Hard Blues
ARTHUR BLYTHE alto saxophone (1-4)
JULIUS HEMPHILL alto saxophone
HAMIET BLUIETT baritone saxophone
ABDUL WADUD cello
BARRY ALTSCHUL drums (1-4)
DANIEL BEN ZEBULON congas (1-4)
PHILIP WILSON drums (5)
BAIKIDA E.J. CARROLL trumpet (5)
All music composed by Julius Hemphill
(1-4) Recorded January 29, 1975 at C.I. Studios, New York City
(5) Recorded February 1972 at Archway Studios, St. Louis, Missouri
Freedom Records - 741028