It is only right that tenor-saxophonist
Eddie Harris
recorded for the
Exodus
label at least on one occasion, since that was the name of his first hit. Most unusual among the selections is
"Salute to Bird"
(on which
Harris
quotes many
Charlie Parker
tunes) and "Salute to Bags" (during which the leader switches to piano).
plays with a Chicago-based quintet featuring
Charles Stephney
on vibes and piano; guitarist
Roland Faulkner
; pianist
Willie Pickens
; and guitarist
Joe Diorio
(the last two of which were on the artist's earlier records) make guest appearances. Throughout,
(whose mastery of the extreme upper register and immediately recognizable sound are both quite impressive) is in excellent form; pity that this music was last available on a long out-of-print LP. ~ Scott Yanow