snobb
Not the first ever Gayle's solo release, but possibly the first so deeply intimate and even meditative! During his first ever Japanese tour, Charles Gayle played some gigs around the country (usually solo, but in few he collaborated with domestic musicians as well).
On this album,recorded during this tour,he plays tenor sax (best instrument in his hands in my opinion) and a piano on one track, without his beloved trio,just himself. It's not easy to attract the attention playing all gig long just sax,without rhythm section.Gayle succeed it perfectly - very emotional as usual, his sax is far not so explosive as often, but meditative,almost philosophical, with plenty of sound nuances.
Gayle's sax playing on this recording is clear as rare (happily recordings sound quality is excellent as almost always on Japanese live releases: clear,soft - you feel like sax sounds at the same room you're sitting when listening!).On last album's composition ("Woe And Joy")Gayle switches from sax to piano, instrument he will become more and more interested later,it sounds interesting but far not so impressive,as his tenor sax works.
Whole album is great evidence of Gayle's artistic genius, especially obvious him playing solo.Recommended!