This two disc set finds legendary tenor saxist and flutist Charles Lloyd with one of his most adventurous groups as well as riding a wave of popularity during these “hippie” days of music. For some reason, Lloyd’s music caught on with the “Flower Power” movement of the time, and he fit right in with the acid rockers along with his team of pianist Keith Jarrett, drummer Jack DeJohnette and bassist Ron McClure. There are only 6 songs in the program, with two marathon tunes, a half hour plus of, of all things, “Sweet Georgia Brown” and a just under 30 minute take of his “hit” tune “Forest Flower.”
The take of “Sweet Georgia Brown” is definitely a different take than one associated with the Harlem Globetrotters, with Jarrett in a particularly frisky mood, McClure stretching out and DeJohnette delivering a wild and explosive drum solo that clippety clops before ending in a stampede. DeJohnette also overwhelms on “Forest Flower” with Lloyd in a crying mood, while hitting the upper register and not letting go on the flowing and loose “days and Nights Waiting” while giving a Coltranesque feel to the romantic “Love Ship.” Jarrett is particularly lyrical here, and swings easy with Lloyd’s flute on “Love Song To A Baby.” Chants and flute along with dramatic drums make up “Lady Gabor” making the entire concert a chance to see the transition of jazz from bebop to beyond. Lloyd eventually took this attitude to a gentler and contemplative level, but this album shows the beginnings of his meditative pilgrimage.