Intents and Purposes

Trumpeter and composer Bill Dixon’s debut as a leader (he’d previously co-led a quartet with saxophonist Archie Shepp) was released in 1967, when he was 41. The opening track, “Metamorphosis 1962-1966,” is the primary draw, a dramatic five-part through-composed work for ten players that includes plenty of low end (bass clarinet, bass trombone, cello, two bassists, drums and orchestral percussion), a Dixon trademark. Two “Nightfall Pieces” are short interludes for trumpet and flute (with overdubbing, to create the feel of a classical wind quartet), while “Voices” features a mid-sized group and spotlights cellist Catherine Norris and bassist Jimmy Garrison.