Revolutionary Ensemble, Revolutionary Ensemble (side A)

1977's Revolutionary Ensemble marked the trio's final recordings until their 2004 reunion. It continued to reflect the diversity and distinctiveness of the group's music. While maintaining its distinctive identity, Revolutionary Ensemble seems to have evolved with the avant-jazz community in New York. When they released their ESP debut in 1971, the energy-jazz of the 60s was still a prominent influence, and elements of chaos and abandon crept into their work. By 1977, abstraction and texture seemed more prominent, as illustrated by the Wildflowers compilations from Sam Rivers's loft the previous year. Revolutionary Ensemble's use of texture also reflects Jenkins's background in Chicago's AACM—the flute trio at the beginning is not a far leap from the "little instruments" on Roscoe Mitchell's debut Sound. The recording is quite clear for having captured a live concert, but the low end is a bit weak. It's also definitely the group's worst-looking album.