Haiku

by Scott YanowThis album is a very different Don Ellis record. Rather than using a big band, the trumpeter is well showcased while backed by a large string section on ten moody originals. Although the rhythm section includes keyboardist Milcho Leviev and bassist Ray Brown, the focus throughout this set is almost entirely on Ellis, who plays beautifully on his ten picturesque pieces. In some ways this out-of-print Lp is an ancestor of New Age for much of the music is quite mellow. A definite change of pace for Don Ellis.