A gorgeous reissue of his first LP, from 1957; with Curtis Fuller, Hugh Lawson, Ernie Farrow, Louis Hayes, and Doug Watkins. Beefy, alive, and exploratory, with Lateef’s Eastern trajectory flagged already, in the thrilling argol introduction to the opener, Metaphor. On the flip, Morning is ravishing, unmissable Lateef.
A lovely set from 1965 — taking its own path away from Fire Music, but forwards nonetheless — featuring the under-rated pianist Georges Arvanitas, and the drummer James Black, trumping his brilliant contributions to the Live At Pep’s sessions.
Bamboo Flute Blues and Satie’s First Gymnopedie are ravishing stand-outs.
‘Verve By Request.’
Terrific, uproariously outernational LP from 1969, with Roy Brooks, Kenny Burrell, Blue Mitchell, Hugh Lawson, Sonny Red, Bob Cranshaw, and a very young Cecil McBee. The Sweet Inspirations are in full effect. Besides tenor and flute, Lateef plays bamboo and pneumatic flutes, tamboura and koto.
There’s a rocking blues (Othelia) and a Japanese freakout (Moon Cup). Back Home is a modal wig-out. The soulful eastern sounds of Like It Is are essential Lateef.