BYRON ALLEN

When his debut album was released in 1965, ESP called Byron Allen “the spiritual descendant of Charlie Parker,” but at first blush the alto saxophonist sounds more like the man who introduced him to the label, Ornette Coleman. Allen plays with a rough tone that doesn’t always keep up with his musical ideas (he sometimes flubs upper-register notes). On closer examination, however, his solos do include some Bird-like flourishes, something unique among free-jazz players at that time, save perhaps Jimmy Lyons. The interaction between Allen, Ted Robinson (drums) and Maceo Gilchrist (bass) is loose, to be sure, but they play with energy that wasn’t always heard on ESP albums despite the label’s reputation. Robinson drives the 4/4 pulse of “Time Is Past” with solid snare rolls and crashes. “Three Steps in the Right Direction” is in large part a feature for Gilchrist, who walks rapidly without repeating himself or slowing down. read more...