This will be one of the least accessible of altoist Oliver Lake's recordings for most people but repeated listenings reveal a great deal of beauty. The avant-garde master is backed by three violinists on a trio of intense pieces, takes "Lonely Blacks" unaccompanied and performs "Rocket" in an unusual trio with trombonist Joseph Bowie and drummer Bobo Shaw. The other three selections have a more conventional instrumentation (a quintet with trumpeter Olu Dara and pianist Donald Smith) but are almost as challenging. It's worth investigating but listeners will have to have patience in order to fully appreciate this music. - Scott Yanow
Tracks
01. While Pushing Down Turn (Oliver Lake)
02. Owshet (Oliver Lake)
03. Heavy Spirits (Oliver Lake)
04. Equals Creation (Oliver Lake)
05. Altoviolin (Oliver Lake)
06. Intensity (Oliver Lake)
07. Lonely Blacks (Julius Hemphill)
08. Rocket (Oliver Lake)
OLIVER LAKE alto saxophone
STAFFORD JAMES bass
VICTOR LEWIS drums (1-3)
DONALD SMITH piano (1-3)
OLU DARA trumpet(1-3)
AL PHILEMON JONES violin (4-6)
C. PANTON violin (4-6)
STEVEN PEISCH violin (4-6)
JOSEPH BOWIE trombone (8)
CHARLES 'BOBO' SHAW drums (8)
Recorded January 31, 1975 at C.I. Recording Studio, New York City (1-3, 7)
Recorded February 3, 1975 at Music Designers, Boston, Mass
Black Lion BLCD760209