Although Yusef Lateef is one of the undisputed pioneers of ‘eastern sounds’ he also had deep roots in the blues, gospel and swing. This previously unreleased recording of a 1972 concert performed in Avignon, France makes that clear in no uncertain terms, as the Detroit reed master is largely in a more straightahead vein than on some of his acclaimed 1960s releases, above all The Centaur And The Phoenix.

A superb quartet sees the drums and bass axis of Tootie Heath and Bob Cunningham provide strength and agility while pianist Kenny Barron is an eloquent and expressive accompanist and soloist.

However, Lateef lords it, particularly on tenor saxophone, from which he draws a big, bulbous, tone á la Ben Webster all the while being able to run lightning quick changes like the best beboppers. The performance has a stylistic breadth that takes the band beyond easy categorisation. Indeed the quartet is compelling on the rollicking R&B of ‘Yusef’s Mood’, an epic juggernaut of a tune in which Lateef goes full-on gutbucket while Barron is as inventive as he is energetic, spicing a lengthy whirling solo with a brilliant quote of ‘Blues In The Closet’. In contrast there are moments that only Lateef could conceive of, such as the deeply mystical atmosphere of ‘Lowland Lullaby’, a fine duet by Cunningham and Heath, who also takes a sly left turn to play Indian flute.

As the band members attest in the expansive CD booklet it was totally in Lateef’s nature to encourage this kind of experimentation. With both inspiring words and music, this is an excellent release that adds to our understanding of a man who is a quintessential, still largely unheralded figure in modern music.