Originally recorded in the early 1960s and unreleased for a decade, these Cecil Taylor small group arrangements find the pianist at an intriguing stage of his musical development, encompassing the traditional post-bop jazz of "Jumpin' Punkins" (the difference between the two versions included here is instructive), and the more radical, yet still structured approach of the title track. Accompanied by an all-star lineup, including the drummer Billy Higgins, the trombonists Roswell Rudd and Clark Terry, and the soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy, Taylor's playing is like aural modern ballet--fractured, flowing, and lyrical. - AllMusic
A standout album in Cecil Taylor's creative run for the Candid label at the start of the 60s – not only because it features great work from a young Archie Shepp on tenor, but also because trumpeter Clark Terry makes a surprising appearance too! Shepp works with Taylor on the album's famous title track "Cell Walk For Celeste"– relatively free and improvised, with Buell Niedlinger on bass and Dennis Charles on drums. Then Shepp and Niedlinger play a haunting duet on "Davis"– very structure-less, and a key early improvisation from the New York scene. "Jumpin Punkins" has a much more traditional swing – with Terry joining in on trumpet, plus Steve Lacy on soprano sax, Roswell Rudd on trombone, and Billy Higgins on drums – all working out with energy that almost reminds us of a Shepp Impulse session from later in the decades. Other titles include "Section C", and alternate takes of "Jumpin Punkins" and "Cell Walk For Celeste". © 1996-2024, Dusty Groove, Inc. - dustygroove.com
Tracks
1. Cell Walk for Celeste [Take 1] (Cecil Taylor)
2. Davis [Take 1] (Buell Neidlinger)
3. Section C [Take 1] (Cecil Taylor)
4. Jumpin' Punkins [Take 4] (Mercer Ellington)
5. Jumpin' Punkins [Take 5] (M. Ellington)
6. Davis [Take 3] (Cecil Taylor)
7. Cell Walk for Celeste [Take 3] (Cecil Taylor)
CECIL TAYLOR piano
ARCHIE SHEPP tenor saxophone
BUELL NEIDLINGER bass
DENIS CHARLES drums
BILLY HIGGINS drums (4, 5)
CLARK TERRY trumpet (4, 5)
ROSWELL RUDD trombone (4, 5)
STEVE LACY soprano saxophone (4, 5)
CHARLES DAVIS baritone saxophone (4, 5)
Recorded January 9-10, 1961 at Nola Penhouse Studios, New York City
Candid Records - CCD 79034