What a fascinating little time-capsule this double-CD reissue is. The three albums, recorded for Creed Taylor's CTI label between 1969 and 1971, show flute-toting musical explorer Hubert Laws initially flirting with the three-minute pop format (on Crying Song) before launching into much more ambitious improv-based classical territory (Afro-Classic, The Rite of Spring). The middle disc is the best sustained of the three, although there are psychedelic pleasures to be found throughout: try ‘Crying Song’ (from the album of the same name), originally written and performed by Pink Floyd for their soundtrack album to the 1969 film More; James Taylor's ‘Fire and Rain’ from Afro-Classic; and ‘The Rite of Spring’, again from the album of the same name – Stravinsky meets In a Silent Way with just a hint of The Doors. The takes on ‘Sing a Rainbow’ and The Beatles' ‘Let It Be’ don't achieve lift-off in quite the same way, and the Baroque-jazz of the various Bach adaptations can feel a bit polite. Still, the set is full of charms and chops – just take a look at the list of sidemen.