The sessions that comprise the four discs on this first-rate Mosaic boxed set were done in 1960 and 1961 for the short-lived Candid label. Taylor's concept had not yet evolved into a finished package; he wasn't always sure where he was going. There are solos that begin in one direction, break in the middle, and conclude in another. Tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp often sounds unsure about what to play and whether to try and interact or establish his own direction. At the same time, there is plenty of exceptional playing from Taylor, Shepp, and the drum/bass combination of Buell Neidlinger and Dennis Charles. You cannot honestly say everything works on these four discs, but there is never a dull moment. It won't please everyone, but listeners ready for a challenge should step right up.
Baritone Saxophone – Charles Davis (2) (tracks: 4-1 to 4-4)
Bass – Buell Neidlinger
Drums – Billy Higgins (tracks: 4-1 to 4-6), Dennis Charles* (tracks: 1-1, 1-4 to 2-7, 3-3 to 3-8), Sunny Murray (tracks: 1-2, 1-3)
Piano – Cecil Taylor (tracks: 1-1 to 2-7, 3-3 to 4-6)
Producer [For Release] – Michael Cuscuna
Producer [Original Sessions] – Nat Hentoff
Soprano Saxophone – Steve Lacy (tracks: 4-1 to 4-4)
Tenor Saxophone – Archie Shepp (tracks: 1-1, 1-5, 2-2 to 2-5, 3-1, 3-2, 3-4 to 4-4)
Timpani – Billy Higgins (tracks: 4-5, 4-6)
Trombone – Roswell Rudd (tracks: 4-1 to 4-4)
Trumpet – Clark Terry (tracks: 4-1 to 4-4)
CD 1
01 - Air
02 - Number One (Take 1)
03 - Number One (Take 3)
04 - This Nearly Was Mine
05 - Air (Take 9)
CD 2
01 - E.B.
02 - Lazy Afternoon
03 - Air (Take 21)
04 - Air (Take 28)
05 - Air (Take 29)
06 - Port Of Call (Take 2)
07 - Port Of Call (Take 3)
CD 3
01 - Davis (Take 1)
02 - Davis (Take 3)
03 - O.P. (Take 1)
04 - Cell Walk For Celeste (Take 1)
05 - Cell Walk For Celeste (Take 3)
06 - Cell Walk For Celeste (Take 8)
07 - I Forgot (Take 1)
08 - Section C (Take 1)
CD4
01 - Jumpin' Punkins (Take 4)
02 - Things Ain't What They Used To Be (Take 1)
03 - Things Ain't What They Used To Be (Take 3)
04 - Jumpin' Punkins (Take 6)
05 - Cindy's Main Mood (Take 1)
06 - O.P. (Take 2)
Recorded at Nola's Penthouse Sound Studio, NYC.
Recording dates:
1-1 to 2-2: 12 October 1960
2-3 to 2-7: 13 October 1960
3-1 to 3-7: 9 January 1961
3-8 to 4-6: 10 January 1961
