The emphasis is on color and sound on this spirited avant-garde album. Four of the five selections feature the adventurous tenor of
Frank Lowe with trumpeter
Lester Bowie, trombonist
Joseph Bowie, cellist
Abdul Wadud and either
Steve Reid or Bob Shaw on drums. They perform two
Lowe originals and two pieces by
Thelonious Monk; these renditions are full of surprises and contrasts. In addition,
Lowe is heard with an unknown group of local musicians called "the Memphis Four" on "Chu's Blues" in 1974. Open-eared listeners should find this set to be quite stimulating. ~ Scott Yanow