In 1982, very few people were aware of late pianist Herbie Nichols' name, much less playing his music. Versatile avant-garde pianist
Misha Mengelberg gathered together a noteworthy group (comprised of trombonist
Roswell Rudd, soprano saxophonist
Steve Lacy, bassist
Kent Carter, and drummer
Han Bennink) to play three songs apiece by
Nichols and
Thelonious Monk. The musicians very much understood the composers' purposes, and on such numbers as "Monk's Mood," "Friday the 13th," "Blue Chopsticks," and "2300 Skiddoo" (the latter two had never been recorded with a group larger than a trio before), they come up with definitive treatments. Highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow