Yusef Lateef - The Diverse Yusef Lateef/Suite 16 (1970)

Yusef Lateef became a controversial figure within the jazz world during the 1960s, as he moved heavily into African and Asian music, and away from hard bop, mainstream, and soul-jazz. These two albums tried to forge a middle ground; The Diverse had four compositions (three by Lateef) with Lateef primarily on flute, playing soothing, often compelling melodies and doing some improvising, while integrating into some songs such non-Western elements as bamboo and Chinese flutes, and various percussion devices and sounds. Suite 16 also mixed approaches; on "Down In Atlanta," and his cover of "When A Man Loves A Woman," Lateef displayed the thick, robust, tenor sax-sound from his past. Both of these releases were erratic and often unsatisfying, but contained just enough quality material to keep you hoping from tune to tune.