In 1984, clarinetists
John Carter,
Alvin Batiste,
Jimmy Hamilton and
David Murray (on bass clarinet) performed a concert that was recorded and released by India Navigation. Three years later, they regrouped for a studio session. Three selections are slightly "traditional" ("I Want to Talk About You," a
Hamilton-
Carter duet on "Perdido" and a brief "Don't Get Around Much Anymore"), but the bulk of this set is taken up with more advanced improvising, including
Batiste's lengthy "Fluffy's Blues" and
Murray's free improv "Mbizo." Intriguing music (
Jimmy Hamilton really stretches himself); recommended to avant-garde listeners rather than
Duke Ellington fans. ~ Scott Yanow