The Dark Tree cover

The Dark Tree

Recorded
Released

Pianist Tapscott was a crucial figure in West Coast avant-garde jazz for decades, leading the Pan-Afrikan Peoples Arkestra since the 1960s. This live double disc, recorded in 1989, showcases his playing in a different context: a quartet featuring clarinetist John Carter, bassist Cecil McBee, and drummer Andrew Cyrille, whose precision strikes throughout and marching rhythm on “Lino’s Pad” in particular give the music a fierce intensity. Tapscott’s music had a questing quality that strove for beauty and uplift, and this is the sound of his spirit in full flower.

Phil Freeman

Recommended by

Suggestions
Not In Our Name cover

Not In Our Name

Charlie Haden, Liberation Music Orchestra
Kwanza cover

Kwanza

Archie Shepp
Rembrandt Pussyhorse cover

Rembrandt Pussyhorse

Butthole Surfers
Birth & Rebirth cover

Birth & Rebirth

Max Roach, Anthony Braxton
Of Human Feelings cover

Of Human Feelings

Ornette Coleman
Inner Urge cover

Inner Urge

Joe Henderson
Stones cover

Stones

Mats Gustafsson, Colin Stetson