Pianist Hasaan Ibn Ali only made one recording in his life, this trio set with drummer Max Roach and bassist Art Davis. A very advanced player whose style fell somewhere between Thelonious Monk and Cecil Taylor (with hints of Herbie Nichols), Hasaan actually had a rather original sound. His performances of his seven originals on this set (a straight CD reissue of a long out-of-print LP) are intense, somewhat virtuosic and rhythmic, yet often melodic in a quirky way. This is a classic of its kind and it is fortunate that it was made, but it is a tragedy that Hasaan would not record again and that he would soon sink back into obscurity.
01. Three-Four Vs. Six-Eight Four-Four Ways
02. Off My Back Jack
03. Hope So Elmo
04. Almost Like Me
05. Din-Ka Street
06. Pay Not Play Not
07. To Inscribe
Max Roach: Drums
Hasaan Ibn Ali: Piano
Art Davis: Bass
