Elevations is one of the very rare albums on which bassist Lisle Ellis assumes leadership. It was recorded in a San Francisco studio in June 1993. At the core of the instrumentation is Ellis' quartet, which includes Christopher Cauley and Joe McPhee on saxophones and Donald Robinson on drums (this quartet is featured on the two free improvisations of the album, Arc and Reach). James Ruthier (electric guitar) and saxophonists Glenn Spearman and Larry Ochs guest on many tracks, augmenting the group to a septet for Life Cycle, P.B.'s Parable, and a spirited take on Albert Ayler's Mothers. This line of fine blowers makes up for Ellis' average compositional skills. His pieces fall into the free jazz realm, going beyond the simple head-solo-head form, but still very anchored in the 1960s tradition. His playing has been mixed up front, something unusual for any jazz album, especially since it is not stellar; those who have some problems with his sloppy playing will find the introduction to Ground quite difficult to listen to. If originality is not the key on Elevations, at least the heart and the energy are there. The best moment happens in Re: Call, when the bassist brings the piece down to a murmur -- very well executed. This album is more accessible and listener-friendly than most of the material he has recorded as Paul Plimley's sideman. ~ François Couture, Rovi

1		Ground
2		Lacuna - Dedicated to Jimmy Lyons
3		Life Cycle
4		Reach
5		P.B's Parable
6		Arc
7		Mothers
8		Re: Call
9		Ground

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