Electric bassist Jammaladeen Tacuma's debut as a leader is still his best recording to date. A brilliant free funk player who excels in laying down some eccentric funk in overcrowded ensembles, Tacuma is heard in six different settings on this album. His own group (a quintet with altoist James Watkins and guitarist Rick Iannacone) plays four noisy numbers; he takes "Tacuma Song" as an unaccompanied bass feature; is backed by the Ebony String Quartet, a harp, and pianist Anthony Davis on "The Bird of Paradise"; is accompanied by four percussionists on "From the Land of Sand"; and has a couple of jams featuring altoist Julius Hemphill, cornetist Olu Dara, and guitarist James "Blood" Ulmer. Stimulating and unpredictable music. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Phil Nicolo (Assistant Engineer), Kathleen Thomas (Violin), Anthony McClary (Drums), James Watkins (?), Barbara Walker (Vocals), Jamaaladeen Tacuma (Producer), Jamaaladeen Tacuma (Bass (Electric)), James Watkins (Sax (Alto)), Daryl Burgee (Percussion), Bruce Weeden (Engineer), Jamaaladeen Tacuma (Guitar (Bass)), Dave Baker (Mixing), Jonathan F.P. Rose (Executive Producer), James Watkins (Clarinet), Tony Dawsey (Mastering), Chuck Hammer (Guitar (Synthesizer)), Ron Howerton (Electronic Percussion), Nina Wilkenson (Viola), Jamaaladeen Tacuma (Percussion), Cynthia Shoats (Violin), Rick Iannacone (Guitar (Electric)), Nina Wilkerson (Viola), Brian Hagiwara (Photography), Peter Corriston (Design), Rick Iannacone (Guitar), Aaron Henderson (Cello), Julius Hemphill (Sax (Alto)), Cornell Rochester (Drums), Phil Nicolo (Engineer), Cornell Rochester (Percussion), Ron Howerton (Percussion), Ann Sullivan (Harp), Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez (Vocals), Olu Dara (Cornet), Jamaaladeen Tacuma (Arranger), Anthony Davis (Piano), Kathleen Thomas (Arranger), Dennis Alston (Gong), Gary King (Assistant Engineer)
