George Russell's third release as a leader combines two adventurous sessions. The first features two pianists,
Bill Evans and
Paul Bley, and a large ensemble including
Ernie Royal,
Dave Baker,
Walt Levinsky,
Barry Galbraith,
Milt Hinton, and
Don Lamond, among others. The three-part suite "Chromatic Universe" is an ambitious work which mixes free improvisation with written passages that have not only stood the test of time but still sound very fresh. "The Lydiot" focuses on the soloists, while incorporating elements from "Chromatic Universe" and other
Russell compositions. The second session adds trumpeter Marky Markowitz, valve trombonist
Bob Brookmeyer, alto saxophonist
Hal McKusick, and drummer
Charlie Persip to the earlier group, in the slow, somewhat mysterious "Waltz From Outer Space," which incorporates an Oriental-sounding theme, and "Dimensions," described by its composer as "a sequence of freely associated moods indigenous to jazz." Previously available as an LP and as a two-LP set combined with New York, NY, this CD represents some of
George Russell's greatest achievements.