The Modern Jazz Quartet, led by John Lewis with vibraphonist Milt Jackson, bassist Percy Heath, and drummer Connie Kay, was on a commercial and artistic hot streak in the early 1960s; they’d recorded the soundtracks to two movies, No Sun In Venice and Odds Against Tomorrow, and made important Third Stream gestures with Third Stream Music (on which they joined forces with the Jimmy Giuffre 3) and an album with an orchestra. This album, recorded in January and February 1962, contained on its title track one of the earliest interpretations of an Ornette Coleman piece. The saxophonist was still regarded as very much a radical, so for Lewis to recognize the seriousness of his compositional voice was a much-needed co-sign. It’s also beautiful, with each member of the group taking a turn at expanding on the beautiful theme. Lewis’s own tunes are impeccably arranged as always, but take the occasional sideways step, as if to make sure the listener is paying attention.