Unit Structures cover

Unit Structures

Released

On Taylor’s first of two 1966 recordings for Blue Note, he and his regular partners, alto saxophonist Jimmy Lyons and drummer Andrew Cyrille, were joined by two bassists (Henry Grimes and Alan Silva), trumpeter Eddie Gale and multi-reedist Ken McIntyre. These four medium-length pieces, powerfully recorded, are a showcase for Taylor’s dense but comprehensible compositional voice as much as his playing. There are melodies here; the expressionistic solos are natural outgrowths, not mere eruptions; and Cyrille’s furious but precise drumming locks it all in place.

Phil Freeman

Recommended by

Suggestions
Vade Mecum cover

Vade Mecum

Bill Dixon
Bounce cover

Bounce

John Lindberg Ensemble
Special Quartet cover

Special Quartet

David Murray
Configuration cover

Configuration

Paul Rogers, Tony Hymas, Jacques Thollot, Sam Rivers, Noël Akchoté
Funky Donkey, Vols. 1 & 2 cover

Funky Donkey, Vols. 1 & 2

Luther Thomas, Saint Louis Creative Ensemble, Human Arts Ensemble
Our Man In Jazz cover

Our Man In Jazz

Sonny Rollins
Mama Too Tight cover

Mama Too Tight

Archie Shepp