Nation Time (1970)
Part of the first installment in Atavistic's Unheard Music Series--devoted to releasing long-neglected avant-garde gems--Joe McPhee'sNation Timewas originally released on CJR Records in 1971. During this 1970 live performance, McPhee mixes Amiri Baraka,James Brown,Sonny Rollins,Sun Ra, andCecil Taylorinto a free-jazz funk so potent and unique that it's shocking to imagine howNation Timeever fell out of print. The 19-minute title track and "Scorpio's Dance" feature a quintet with two percussionists pushing the group with rocklike intensity (no light touch or delicate brushwork here). Opening things up on the other track, "Shakey Jake," McPhee adds organ, alto saxophone, and guitar, essentially turning the group into a double quartet reminiscent of bothOrnette Coleman'sFree Jazzband andMiles Davis's post-Bitches Brewfusion work. McPhee's tenor saxophone and trumpet playing is inspired throughout, but he steps aside often to let the rest of the band shine on their own. Really a document of McPhee at his most idealistic and innocent,Nation Timeis also the saxophonist at his superfly best.--Tad Hendrickson