Roscoe Mitchell Quartet

The album documents a two nights performance promoted by saxophonist and journalist Bill Smith, co-founder of Sackville Records, at A Space, an artist-run gallery in downtown Toronto.[1] The quartet is a chamber-like ensemble composed of Mitchell, pianist Muhal Richard Abrams, co-founder of the AACM, trombonist George E. Lewis, a 23-year-old in his debut recording, and Detroit-native guitarist Spencer Barefield.

Mitchell is strongly associated with the influence of "classical" avant-garde, both European and American. If the Art Ensemble of Chicago formed a key part of Mitchell's expression, this band and later versions of their Sound Ensemble would permit him to emphasize the purely sonic interest of his earlier work.[2]

Mitchell recorded the piece "Tnoona" previously with the Art Ensemble of Chicago in 1973 for the Fanfare for the Warriors album, where Abrams was also present. "Music For Trombone & B Flat Soprano" is a duo credited to Lewis. "Cards", a piece in which each player is given six cards with musical notation that can be arranged in any order and any tempo,[3] demonstrates Mitchell's interest in chance procedures and the radical dismantling of form in the manner of John Cage. "Olobo" is performed as a trombone solo by Lewis.[2]

In 2013 Delmark Records, which purchased the catalog of the Sackville label, reissued the album under the title Live at "A Space" 1975 augmented with 20 minutes of previously unissued material.[4] The four bonus tracks include a reading of John Coltrane's classic ballad Naima with an extensive prelude, and a short ensemble version of his signature piece "Nonaah", which Mitchell originally wrote as a solo saxophone before the Art Ensemble played it also for Fanfare for the Warriors.

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[5]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide	[6]

In his review for AllMusic, Brian Olewnick states about the original album "Roscoe Mitchell Quartet is a long-neglected minor classic and well worth hearing"[5] The All About Jazz review by Hrayr Attarian says about the Delmark reissue that "listening to this exquisite disc is, without a doubt, demanding but it is also a rewarding and thrilling aural and intellectual ride."[7]

All compositions by Roscoe Mitchell except as indicated

1. "Tnoona" - 6:46
2. "Music for Trombone & B Flat Soprano" (George E. Lewis) - 14:34
3. "Cards" - 9:58
4. "Olobo" - 9:38

Live at "A Space" 1975 (Delmark CD reissue)

1. "Prelude to Naima" - 9:00
2. "Naima" (John Coltrane)- 2:29
3. "Tnoona" - 6:46
4. "Music for Trombone & B Flat Soprano" (George E. Lewis) - 14:34
5. "Cards" - 9:58
6. "Olobo" - 9:38
7. "Dastura" - 5:55
8. "Nonaah" - 2:12

• Roscoe Mitchell - B flat soprano sax, alto sax, tenor sax
• Muhal Richard Abrams - piano
• George E. Lewis - trombone
• Spencer Barefield - guitar