condition (record/cover): NM / EX+

Gatefold sleeve.

The Vee Jay memorial release, drawing on the celebrated 1963 New York sessions - the fertile stretch that produced the Iron Man and Conversations material, with Eric Dolphy surrounded by hand-picked young lions of the coming decade and writing at the top of his powers. This is Dolphy the leader in full command of his mature language: the intervallic leaps now completely natural speech, the bass clarinet a fully licensed second voice rather than a novelty, the ensemble writing angular and warm at once, pointing straight toward the masterpiece Out to Lunch! would deliver months later. Assembled and titled in grief after his death in Berlin, June 1964, the album has served ever since as both monument and gateway - many listeners' first Dolphy, and a worthy one.

That it appeared on the label better known for blues, soul and the early Beatles is one of jazz history's strange and wonderful addresses. Essential mid-period Dolphy, always in demand.