The Dark Tree cover

The Dark Tree

Recorded
Released

Pianist Tapscott was a crucial figure in West Coast avant-garde jazz for decades, leading the Pan-Afrikan Peoples Arkestra since the 1960s. This live double disc, recorded in 1989, showcases his playing in a different context: a quartet featuring clarinetist John Carter, bassist Cecil McBee, and drummer Andrew Cyrille, whose precision strikes throughout and marching rhythm on “Lino’s Pad” in particular give the music a fierce intensity. Tapscott’s music had a questing quality that strove for beauty and uplift, and this is the sound of his spirit in full flower.

Phil Freeman

Recommended by

Suggestions
Aliseen cover

Aliseen

Kaski, Jorma Tapio
Stoa cover

Stoa

Nik Bärtsch's Ronin
The Cortège cover

The Cortège

Mike Westbrook Orchestra
Life Metal cover

Life Metal

Sunn O)))
2 Ts for a Lovely T cover

2 Ts for a Lovely T

Cecil Taylor Feel Trio
Westbrook-Rossini cover

Westbrook-Rossini

Mike Westbrook
The Owner of the River Bank cover

The Owner of the River Bank

Cecil Taylor, Italian Instabile Orchestra