Until it was reissued in 1998, this was one of the more elusive Impulse sets of the 1960s. Recorded in 1963 and co-led by John Coltrane's drummer and bassist (Elvin Jones and Jimmy Garrison), the music is most significant for introducing Sonny Simmons (alto and English horn) and Prince Lasha (flute and clarinet), who are joined in the sextet by underrated baritonist Charles Davis and Trane's pianist McCoy Tyner. Each of the musicians except Jones contributed an original (there are two by Davis); the music ranges from advanced hard bop to freer sounds that still swing. While Garrison's contributions are conventional (this was his only opportunity to lead or co-lead a date), Jones is quite powerful. However, it is the playing of both Simmons, who tears it apart on English horn during "Nuttin' Out Jones," and Lasha (when is he going to be rediscovered and recorded again?) that make this early "New Thing" date of greatest interest. - Scott Yanow
Tracks
1. Nuttin' Out Jones (Prince Lawsha)
2. Oriental Flower (McCoy Tyner)
3. Half And Half (Charles Davis)
4. Aborigine Dance In Scotland (Sonni Simmons)
5. Gettin' On Way (Jimmy Garrison)
6. Just Us Blues (Charles Davis)
SONNY SIMMONS alto saxophone, english horn
CHARLES DAVIS baritone saxophone
JIMMY GARRISON bass
PRINCE LASHA clarinet, flute
ELVIN JONES drums
McCOY TYNER piano
Recorded August 8, 1963 at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
Impulse! – IMP 12502