Roland Kirk - Domino [Verve Master Edition expanded CD reissue 2000, orig. Mercury stereo LP 1962] Considering how tough it would probably be to find a copy of the original record, unless you're very knowledgable or very fortunate, this could be one of the best classic jazz albums you've never heard. That's certainly how it struck me when I discovered this recently - I already owned a two-LP compilation of some of his later stuff on I believe Atlantic that never grabbed me all that much, but this set is a different story altogether. Kirk is perhaps best remembered for his astonishing ability to simultaneously play three horns at once, a tenor and two unorthodox instruments I gather he basically made up out of modified old saxophones, which he called a "manzello" and a "stritch". Ian Anderson fanatics also take note, Kirk was apparently the first to gain notice playing flute mixed with voice; a nose flute and siren whistle round out his stable of noisemakers here. Kirk, fresh off a stint with Mingus, is accompanied by a band including pianists Andrew Hill, Wynton Kelly, and Herbie Hancock from different recording dates, plus drummer Roy Haynes and others. Kirk alone handles all the wind instruments, changing over within songs at a flash, and playing unison lines himself on two or three together. Sometimes dismissed as a 'gimmick' player for his multi-horn and circular-breathing techniques, this record offers powerful evidence to the contrary; it's melodic, swinging, energetic, succinct, distinctive yet varied (from modal to funky to sweetly reflective, with the occasional brief embellishment of raucous free form), and above all greatly enjoyable music made by an artist with a clear, purposeful vision. Highly recommended to fans of post-bop small-band jazz, the remaster sounds great, and several of the bonus cuts are worthy additions to the ten originally included. This was Kirk's second record as leader (first with his regular band), and I fully intend to check out his debut ("We Free Kings") and subsequent releases ("Reeds And Deeds", "Rip, Rig, And Panic"), as listed in the updated liner notes.
