Reissue. Features the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (fully compatible with standard CD player) and the latest remastering (24bit 192kHz). Bobby Hutcherson's second quartet session, Oblique, shares both pianist Herbie Hancock and drummer Joe Chambers with his first, Happenings (bassist Albert Stinson is a newcomer). However, the approach is somewhat different this time around. For starters, there's less emphasis on Hutcherson originals; he contributes only three of the six pieces, with one from Hancock and two from the typically free-thinking Chambers. And compared to the relatively simple compositions and reflective soloing on Happenings, Oblique is often more complex in its post-bop style and more emotionally direct (despite what the title may suggest).
In 1980 Sun-Ra fanatic Rick Steiger organised what was to be the "Greatest cultural event going on in America at that time" according to Sun Ra himself. The concert started the day after Christmas and evolved into a 6-day, 11-performance residency that rocked the Detroit Jazz centre to it's boots. These are nine tracks from those sessions, capturing the Arkestra in full flight with some help from local musicians Tani Tabbal, Ali Mora, Jaribu Shahid and Reggie Fields. Pure vibes!!!