James Spaulding - Smile of the Snake (1997) 320 kbps

Tracklist

1. Third Avenue
2. Serenity
3. The Smile Of The Snake
4. Lenora
5. Tonight Only
6. Premonition
7. Yes It Is
8. Panchito
9. Love Is Not A Dream
10. Havana Days (Cuba 1954)

One of the most underrated saxophonists of the post-1960 era, James Spaulding has long been a passionate postbop altoist and a warm flutist. On this superior outing he is heard in top form on both of his axes (plus two appearances on bass flute) in a quartet with pianist Richard Wyands, bassist Ron McClure and drummer Tony Reedus. Producer Donald Sickler helped advise Spaulding on the material and the result is a high-quality set of obscurities by Wyands, McClure, Clifford Jordan, Donald Brown, Geoff Keezer and Idrees Sulieman. Spaulding digs into the songs, displays a great deal of versatility and certainly has his fiery moments. One of James Spaulding's finest allround recordings.~Scott Yanow