Crisis

A superb and under-recognized recording, is one-third of a trilogy of extraordinary albums -- the others being and -- by 's small groups of the late '60s and early '70s. A rendition of the piece itself, a dirge of astonishing beauty second only to his opens the live performance and offers solos of deep and poignant probity from and tenorist , whose earthy growled tones counterbalanced the leader's so well for so long. with its own plaintive melodic thrust, provides the base elements from which excavates gold, setting the stage for his own classic composition which is given one of its very finest readings. is in wonderful, sandblasting form throughout, bringing in thematic material from his own recent investigations into Indian and African music, and 's son, , has audibly matured both in technical prowess and comfort level. somehow lacks the reputation of the revolutionary albums from early in his career, but on purely musical grounds it ranks among his most satisfying works. ~ Brian Olewnick