Seven Minds

Sam Jones led quite a few valuable dates as a leader, though this East Wind album, recorded and released in Japan, may be not be at all familiar to his fans. Joined by Cedar Walton and Billy Higgins, Jones offers three originals, starting with a choice interpretation of the smoking "Blues for Amos." His intense "Seven Minds" (which suggests the influence of John Coltrane) borders on avant-garde and the delightful ballad "Miss Morgan" features a formidable opening solo by the leader. The pianist contributed "Holy Land," a somewhat gospel-flavored work that adds the Masaya Katsura String Quartet. The guests are also present on the lovely Walton ballad "Le Maestro" and the only standard of the date, a somewhat overbearing arrangement of "I Didn't Know What Time It Was." Originally issued on LP in 1975, Seven Minds has since been reissued on CD. ~ Ken Dryden