It opens with the title track. The drums are raucous and quite tinny sounding. One might suggest they are not optimally recorded. But it could also be the artistic intention of course. Lots of bashing, less finesse. And there are two drummers. So it feels quite cacophonous. Like a bit of free jazz at times. But the contrast between the relentless pounding of the drums and the solo instruments is quite cool. Land is on flute on this one, plays superbly, and that contrast between the sensitive flute and the raw sound of the raucous rhythm section is different and genius at it’s core.
The second tune is much calmer, groovy and catchy. Drums still very raw sounding.
The first tune on the second side has some groove going on. Great fiery tenor by Land over thunderous drums. Everything else seems to dissipate until the drums gets a bit calmer and the tenor gives the space up. Wild stuff at the end, like free jazz with a groove. The tenor comes back and plays that lovely theme. The unrelenting groove continues and it ends with stop and start drums during the Rhodes solo until it ends with the theme.
The last tune ”Up and Down” sounds perhaps the most post-bop with Land and Hutcherson playing some lovely solos. The drums sound tinny and raw here as well, but it’s manageable as they are played more delicate for most of the tune. My personal favorite.
All in all a very different Harold Land album which stands out for me as a bit more of a free expression while still maintaining cohesion, and recording-wise a much rawer session than I’ve heard him take part in before.
