Charles Tolliver & Music Inc - Live in Tokyo (1974/2025) [Hi-Res]

Review by Scott Yanow
CDs led by the great and vastly underrated trumpeter Charles Tolliver are few and far between. This live set (originally released by the Japanese Trio label) finds Tolliver leading his Music Inc. group, a quartet with pianist Stanley Cowell, bassist Clint Houston and drummer Clifford Barbaro. Unfortunately the live set does have a bit of distortion in spots (particularly on some of the trumpet notes); otherwise this strong postbop set would have received a higher rating. Tolliver plays quite well, stretching out on three of his originals and Cowell's "Effi," plus an adventurous rendition of "'Round Midnight."

Bass – Clint Houston
Drums – Clifford Barbaro
MC – Masahiko Yuh
Piano – Stanley Cowell
Trumpet – Charles Tolliver