LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

When The Trip was recorded in 1976, Art Pepper was more than a year into the artistic renewal whose recorded beginning had been marked by the astonishing Living Legend session (OJC-408). Rather to his amazement, Pepper was finding that not only had listeners, musicians, and critics not forgotten him, they were rejoicing in his comeback. Nourished by the acclaim, and the resulting work, the alto saxophonist went into the Contemporary studios with elements of optimism and anger. The relentlessly swinging, probing drummer Elvin Jones stimulated every aspect of Pepper's musical and emotional range, and he produced memorable solos. Included is a previously unreleased version of the Moorishly moody title tune.
Track listing: The Trip, A Song for Richard, Sweet Love of Mine, Junior Cat, The Summer Knows, Red Car, plus CD bonus track The Trip (alternate)