This stimulating session (reissued on CD by
Enja) features the masterful avant-garde cornetist
Manfred Schoof (whose surprising jumps into the upper-register recall
Kenny Wheeler),
Steve Lacy on soprano, pianist
Mal Waldron, bassist
Isla Eckinger, and drummer
Allen Blairman. They explore four of
Waldron's advanced pieces, and it is interesting to hear how
Lacy's playing a couple decades ago (with its piercing high notes and very abstract combination of notes) differs from his present-day lyrical approach.
Waldron's percussive style is a logical progression from his hard bop playing of the 1950s, and the rhythm section is both alert and tight on these three romps and the ballad
"Russian Melody." This is a strong live set that successfully combines together some distinctive musical personalities;
Schoof often steals solo honors. ~ Scott Yanow
![Waltz for Debby [1962]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0888072323261_p0_v2_s90x140.jpg "Waltz for Debby [1962]")
