This is the second self-titled album from this working quartet of Ornette Coleman alumni; don't confuse this 1979 set with the group’s 1976 debut. As was their wont, the band of fleet-minded improvisers with a penchant for global folk sounds offer originals from each member, along with a few Coleman tunes. The lengthy exploration of “Lonely Woman” (one of Coleman’s greatest songs) is augmented by an earthy Haden bass solo, but the band’s version of “Open or Close” may even be better thanks to the light-speed interplay between Haden and drummer Blackwell. Blackwell’s “Togo” is a highlight for the drummer, seemingly drawing upon calypso and African music for its rhythmic underpinnings. Both the haunting pocket trumpet of Don Cherry and boppish solo by Redman carry the melody on “Guinea,” while “Orbit of La-Ba” (featuring Redman on musette) has a strong Middle Eastern flavor. The album closes with “Song for the Whales,” an eerie Haden original with a lengthy bowed solo and Spanish fanfare at the end.