It's been 25 years since Frank Strozier has made an album--which makes this reissue of his two long-out-of-print LPs for Jazzland all the more exciting, especially to collectors. Strozier (b. 1937) was among the exceptional jazz players from Memphis who came of age in the late 1950s to early '60s. His slashing alto saxophone, on which his sound was enormous, and delicate work on flute quickly made him an important new voice on both instruments, and the groups of Miles Davis, Roy Haynes, and Shelly Manne greatly benefited from his presence. In 1961 and '62, just before he joined Davis, Strozier made Long Night, a mix of sextet and quartet performances, and March of the Siamese Children, an all-quartet affair. Both albums' melodic content set them apart from similar hard-bop dates, with Strozier's originals comprising seven of the 16 selections herein. The strong supporting casts include fellow Memphians George Coleman and Harold Mabern (tenor saxophone and piano, respectively), plus the legendary Chicago pianist Chris Anderson, acknowledged by Herbie Hancock as a key influence, and bassist Bill Lee, father of the filmmaker Spike.

with Chris Anderson, George Coleman, Al Dreares, Bill Lee, Harold Mabern, Pat Patrick, Walter Perkins