New York, Fall 1974

Few discographies are as intimidatingly vast as Anthony Braxton’s. His first release for Arista Records is as good a starting point as you could ask for. Most of it features speedy, free-bopping quartet performances with trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, bassist Dave Holland, and drummer Jerome Cooper; one track is a duet between Braxton and synth player Richard Teitelbaum; and one other features Julius Hemphill, Oliver Lake, and Hamiet Bluiett in a kind of chamber work for a modified World Saxophone Quartet. Head-spinning in the best way, it can be the beginning of a lifelong journey or just a singular, brilliant album.