This
jazz musician of Sudanese descent shows up here and there on recording sessions from the '60s, including a stint as a member of
Thelonious Monk's combo. He also played oud and took part in a variety of attempts to blend his roots music with
jazz, out of which this is one of the most successful. Indeed, one might overlook the entire fusion nature of this record and look at is as a prime example of how much brilliant
jazz is created often by relatively unknown players, despite traditional historical attempts to credit most of the best
jazz to a certain pantheon of so-called "giant" players. The best-known player here is drummer
Andrew Cyrille, recorded here early in his career, playing in a more
traditional style then he would eventually become known for and playing very well to be sure. The leader's original tunes are catchy and refreshing, revealing new delights with each listen. The version of the standard
"Don't Blame Me" is a wonderful showcase for another undersung player, cellist
Calo Scott. Of course the usual credit should go to recording engineer
Rudy Van Gelder, whose efforts recording small combo
jazz have never been matched. ~ Eugene Chadbourne