The Ultimate Elvin Jones.

New York: Blue Note,, 1968. First pressing, signed in full by Jones in blue ball-point on the back cover, with slight ink splatter from the forceful initial downward stroke on the "E" of "Elvin" - a not inappropriate "blemish" considering the almost volcanic force of the great drummer's playing, whose autograph on an album is certainly uncommon. Jones is joined here by fellow Coltrane alumnus Jimmy Garrison, and saxophonist Joe Farrell, and in many ways this is Farrell's album. Scott Yanow's review for AllMusic website remarks that this is one of the saxophonist's "finest recordings. Switching between tenor, soprano and flute, Farrell had to be good because he was joined in the pianoless trio by bassist Jimmy Garrison and drummer Elvin Jones. The group performs two standards, three Garrison originals and one by Farrell; it is a tossup as to who takes honors. Farrell is in consistently creative form but Garrison's occasional solos and Jones's polyrhythmic accompaniment are also noteworthy. This LP is long overdue to reappear on CD", which would explain its omission from Cook and Morton's The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings. Of the standards, "Yesterdays" is pensive and brooding, as it should be, with Garrison and Jones supplying fine support, the drummer deploying brushes to subtle effect and the bassist's alternation of strummed phrases and walking bass lines adding a sense of unease. The album cover gives the impression that the listener may be in for a relentless late-Trane-esque avalanche of noise but this is far from the case. An unjustly neglected recording. 12-inch vinyl LP (Blue Note Stereo BST 84305), new plain white inner sleeve (original inner also preserved), original gatefold album cover. A little shelfwear to cover, which retains its original cellophane wrapping (opened along one edge) otherwise very good; disc in excellent condition. Discogs website.