Ritual

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Recorded in 1957 but released later, this quintet session remarkably features a rare, unaccompanied spoken-word narrative by the master drummer detailing his formative experiences with West African rhythms. The musical tracks highlight a fierce, hard-swinging lineup including Jackie McLean and Bill Hardman, executing complex, highly aggressive bebop charts. The deeply driving session underscores the profound, foundational importance of polyrhythm within the hard bop idiom.