Known for his adventurous leanings in his younger years, pianist Andrew Hill continues to compose challenging music in the later part of his career. Though the material hearkens to the time of his groundbreaking POINT OF DEPARTURE, it is with more burnished colors that Hill paints irregular abstractions on this session. Several New York post-bop veterans, including multi-reedists Marty Ehrlich and Greg Tardy, join Hill on this release.
The opening title track is a meandering piece that sets the tone for the disc with its free-flowing pulse that slowly builds in intensity underneath creative horn passages. Later, "Ball Square" presents a fiery Hill whipping up some Monk-ish lines while drummer Billy Drummond keeps the cauldron brewing with some very intense solo work. A high point is Hill's rare solo spot "Tough Love," which finds the pianist in a somewhat reflective mood. Another stellar sextet piece is the wickedly exciting "15/8," easily one of the pianists most raucous works. Finally, Hill returns with another solo venture, the incredibly brief "Focus."
