Originally surfacing in 1975 as the second release on the storied underground label India Navigations – and now receiving its first ever reissue – this LP presents the early creative output of a clique of improvisers centred around 501 Canal Street in lower Manhattan. That address served as a base for a whole gang of artists who relocated to the Big Apple from Boston in 1973, including pianist Gene Ashton (now known as Cooper-Moore) and saxophonists Alan Braufman and David S. Ware. With living quarters upstairs, the ground floor served as a performance space, where these two short live sets were recorded. As well as residents and associates of 501, the ensemble features Braufman’s mentor, bassist Cecil McBee, at that time a regular in Pharoah Sanders’ band, here providing a sure hand and a heavy sound throughout. Starting off with scattered dulcimer plunks, an arco bass drone and Cooper-Moore’s impassioned recitation of a Bahá’í prayer, the music quickly settles into free-spirited, raucously energetic second generation free jazz with tumbling drums, turbulent piano and Braufman’s keening altissimo skronk. Sure, it’s very much of its time. But why not? They were cool times.