Born March 25, 1929 in Long Island City, Queens, and raised in Corona, Queens, Cecil Percival Taylor, the American jazz musician, pianist and poet, was classically trained and is generally acknowledged as one of the pioneers of free jazz. His music is characterised by an energetic, physical approach, producing complex improvised sounds, frequently involving tone clusters and intricate polyrhythms. His piano technique has been likened to percussion, described as "eighty-eight tuned drums" (referring to the number of keys on a standard piano). He has been compared to "Art Tatum with contemporary-classical leanings."
DISC ONE
1 Bemsha Swing 7:27
2 Charge ‘Em Blues 11:08
3 Azure 7:29
4 Song 5:19
5 You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To 9:17
6 Rick Kick Shaw 6:05
7 Johnny Come Lately 7:14
8 Nona’s Blues 7:40
9 Tune 2 10:23
DISC TWO
1 Luyah! The Glorius Step 6:26
2 African Violets 5:12
3 Of What 8:18
4 Wallering 5:23
5 Toll 7:40
6 Excurion On A Wobbly Rail 9:01
7 Shifting Down 10:39
8 Just Friends 6:13
9 Like Someone In Love 8:08
10 Double Clutching 8:19
DISC THREE
1 Get Out Of Town 9:13
2 I Love Paris 5:12
3 Love For Sale 8:15
4 Little Lees 9:05
5 Air 8:39
6 This Nearly Was Mine 10:49
7 Port Of Call 4:19
8 E.B. 9:57
9 Lazy Afternoon 14:52
10 A Penny Serenade 7:44
DISC FOUR
1 O.P. 9:13
2 Cell Walk For Celeste 11:38
3 Cindy’s Main Mood 5:13
4 Things Ain’t What They Used To Be 10:10
5 Trance 9:12
6 Call 9:01
7 Lena 6:59
8 D Trad, That’s What 21:27