Bassist Ari Roland worked frequently with saxophonist Chris Byars and pianist Sacha Perry for a number of years prior to this session, and drummer Phil Stewart rounds out the group. Roland, whose tone is very similar to that of Paul Chambers when he plays arco bass, contributed three new compositions for this record date. The driving post-bop vehicle For O.M. is a good feature for Byars' acrobatic tenor sax as he negotiates the leader's challenging brisk theme. The loping Paerja is reminiscent of the late Elmo Hope's writing at his very best. Finally, the turbulent Smile of the Swamp Thing is a monster in the sense of its difficulty to play, but Roland's quartet responds to its tricky lines and has little problem besting the beast. The remaining selections were all on-the-spot creations in the studio. Perry Plov is a collaboration with Perry that simmers with the intensity of a typical early-'60s bop vehicle, with terrific interplay between Roland and Byars backed by Stewart's brushwork. Roland's Under the Salt of Stars explodes out of the gate after the leader's furious solo introduction. Byars-a-Carpet is a galloping hard bop line with a superb solo by Perry that owes a debt to Bud Powell. Roland hums in unison with his bowed bass (à la Major Holley) in the inventive blues Blue Madi. This is great modern jazz that unveils new aspects with each hearing. ~ Ken Dryden, Rovi

1		One For O.M.
2		Paerja
3		Perry Plov
4		Under the Salt of Stars
5		Byars-a-Carpet
6		Smile of the Swamp Thing
7		Blue Madi

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