Compulsion

It’s a sign of how Blue Note heard Hill that designer Reid Miles tended to slather his album covers in exclamation marks; Compulsion carries five. The music bears that out; it’s one of the freest, most aggressive records the label ever released. It features a rare appearance by saxophonist John Gilmore outside of the Sun Ra Arkestra, and two percussionists playing congas and African drums. Hill’s own playing is shockingly percussive, entering Cecil Taylor territory, and trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, who had played on John Coltrane’s Ascension just four months earlier, demonstrates once again his deep understanding of avant-garde music.