Pete La Roca - Basra
Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 5/19/1965
Personnel:
Pete La Roca - drums
Steve Swallow - bass
Steve Kuhn - piano
Joe Henderson - tenor saxophone
"It is strange to realize that drummer Pete La Roca only led two albums during the prime years of his career, for this [LP] reissue of his initial date is a classic. La Roca's three originals ("Basra," which holds one's interest despite staying on one chord throughout, the blues "Candu," and the complex "Tears Come From Heaven") are stimulating but it is the other three songs that really bring out the best playing in the quartet (which is comprised of tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, pianist Steve Kuhn, and bassist Steve Swallow in addition to La Roca). "Malaguena" is given a great deal of passion, Swallow's "Eiderdown" (heard in its initial recording) receives definitive treatment, and the ballad "Lazy Afternoon" is both haunting and very memorable; Henderson's tone perfectly fits that piece."
Scott Yanow, All Music
