Pianist
Mal Waldron's music is characterized by a heavily-brooding rhythmic quality, with the left hand usually carrying the theme at one repetitious tempo while the right hammers away in juxtaposition with a counter tempo (usually faster). Such was the case with "Up Popped the Devil," "Snake Out" and "Changachangachang," three very Waldronian pieces in both structure and execution, the latter deriving its melody from the whole-tone scale. Aside from
Waldron, the record's strongest points were bassist
Reggie Workman and drummer
Billy Higgins, their work being sensitive and supportive throughout. ~ Bob Rusch, Cadence