James Spaulding

Sam River’s fourth album for Blue Note, recorded March 17, 1967, is one of his best. A cover and catalog number were prepared at the time, but for some reason this excellent date with Donald Byrd, Julian Priester, James Spaulding, Cecil McBee, and Steve Ellington remained in vaults for another ten years. The album is varied and challenging but always swinging in the hippest way.