Mainstream Records, MRL 367
1972
Harold Land : tenor saxophone, oboe
Ndugu (Leon Chancler) : drums
Buster Williams : Fender bass, acoustic bass
Bill Henderson : electric piano, acoustic piano
Oscar Brashear : trumpet, flugelhorn
Bobby Hutcherson : vibraphone (tracks 6 & 7 only)
"Step Right Up From The Bottom" is a straight ahead acoustic cooker by Land with some intriguing changes allowing the soloists to stretch out.
"In The Back etc"has a funky feeling-electric keyboards and bass, Brashaer on flugelhorn and the two horns interweaving in a complex, collectivly improvisational finish.
Land plays Oboe on "Pakistan" and it's exotic tone is well suited to its dark mood. Brashaers muted trumpet and Hendersons Tyneresque piano contribute to the adventurous piece. Back on tenor Land plays Ndugu's" Chocolate Mess" on which brief ensemble statements alternate with a sustained minor vamp.
"Damisi" is an attractive melodic creation, featuring Land at his most intense on two burning solos seperated by trumpet and piano passages.
1. Step Right Up To The Bottom
2. In The Back, In The Corner, In The Dark
3. Pakistan
4. Chocolate Mess
5. Damisi
6. Dark Mood
7. Up and Down
