Given the canonization of saxophonist, composer, and musical revolutionary Ornette Coleman, it’s pretty astonishing that two recordings he made for the prestigious Impulse label could’ve remained out of print for more than four decades. Thankfully, last month reissue imprint Real Gone Music collected those albums, Ornette at 12 and Crisis (recorded live in 1968 and 1969, respectively), on a single CD—the first time either has been available in the format. While neither is considered an essential entry in his vast catalog, they’re both excellent, and they chronicle an important transitory period in his career.
Today’s playlist:
