At the time of this recording, both
Jaki Byard and
Ran Blake were music professors at the New England Conservatory. Blake's Third Stream background provides an interesting foil for the eclectic
Byard. The wild introduction to "On Green Dolphin Street" signals a departure from the common paths, with dissonance playing a key role. They co-composed several pieces during the date, including the ear-stretching blues "Chromatics." This is a very lively session worth repeated hearings. ~ Ken Dryden