Drummer Barry Altschul leads a particularly interesting quartet on this date (reissued on CD) that also includes trumpeter Enrico Rava, John Surman on baritone and soprano, and bassist Mark Helias. The music (three Altschul originals, a song apiece from Helias and Ray Anderson, plus Fats Waller's "Jitterbug Waltz") finds the pianoless group sounding halfway between the Gerry Mulligan/Chet Baker Quartet and the late-'50s Ornette Coleman/Don Cherry group. Among the highlights are Anderson's "Tap-A-Jack," Altschul's "Da Baron's Blues," and Helias' humorous "Le Tango." The advanced and passionate solos (Rava sounds much more high-powered than normal) and the close communication between the four highly individual improvisers make this a notable and highly recommended release. - Scott Yanow
Tracks
1. Tap-A-Jack (Ray Anderson)
2. Irina (Barry Altschul)
3. Da Baron's Blues (Barry Altschul)
4. Sips (Barry Altschul)
5. Le Tango (Barry Altschul)
6. Jitterbug Waltz (Richard Mattby Jr./Fat Waller)
JOHN SURMAN baritone saxophone, soprano saxophone
MARK HELIAS bass
BARRY ALTSCHUL drums
ENRICO RAVA trumpet, flugelhorn
Recorded February 12, 1083
Soul Note - 121065-2 Italy