A great deal of press has paid more attention than required to factors in Mr. Gayle's life that engage the "exoticism" of the musician rather than the music itself. Charles Gayle is the most definitive stylist on his instrument in the mislabeled idiom of "free jazz" and he is so not because of adverse conditions in his life, but in spite of those conditions. On this recording he is joined by musicians of equal stature, drummer Sunny Murray and bassist William Parker. Murray is a veteran and was one of the first percussionists to liberate the drums from their traditional role as a "time keeper." Parker is one of the most active and productive musicians in this music.