Crystals cover

Crystals

Released

This big band disc from 1974 featured an ensemble of 15 players: three trumpets, two trombones, tuba, five reeds (including Rivers), two basses, and two drummers. The compositions have structure, but they’re also very open and give a lot of space for solos, which are bracketed by group fanfares in the manner of John Coltrane’s Ascension. One of the most fascinating aspects of it is its extremely wide sonic field — it was originally issued in a quadraphonic mix, and horns seem to come at you from all parts of the room.

Phil Freeman

Recommended by

Suggestions
Uneasy cover

Uneasy

Tyshawn Sorey, Vijay Iyer, Linda Oh
The Drift cover

The Drift

Scott Walker
Compass cover

Compass

Susanne Abbuehl
Satin Doll cover

Satin Doll

Sam Gendel
Recurring Dreams cover

Recurring Dreams

Matthew Young
Protect Your Light cover

Protect Your Light

Irreversible Entanglements
Weird Nightmare (Meditations On Mingus) cover

Weird Nightmare (Meditations On Mingus)

Various Artists, Hal Willner
Colours cover

Colours

Eberhard Weber
Open the Gates cover

Open the Gates

Irreversible Entanglements