This intriguing set gives listeners an early glimpse of the great avant-garde tenor saxophonist
David Ware, who is well featured with drummer
Andrew Cyrille's quartet. "Metamusicians' Stomp" and "5-4-3-2" are fairly concise pieces that could have fit quite comfortably in the repertoire of the original
Ornette Coleman Quartet. The standard "My Ship" is given an expressive and lyrical treatment. Over half of this CD is taken up by the 21-and-a-half minute "Spiegelgasse," an episodic piece led by bassist Nick DiGeronimo that contrasts
Ware's
Archie Shepp-inspired tenor with the comparatively mellow (but sometimes quite fiery) trumpet of
Ted Daniels. This is a stimulating program that is easily recommended although its length is that of an LP. ~ Scott Yanow