Don Rendell Quintet - Space Walk

From 1972, legendary British saxophonist Don Rendell and his piano less quintet deliver an interesting set.  The rhythm section features Jack Thorncroft on bass and Trevor Tomkins on drums. Peter Shade is on vibes but also plays flute.  Stan Robinson is also on flute as well as clarinet and tenor saxophone.  Don Rendell plays tenor and soprano saxophone plus flute.  The powerful ‘On The Way’ grooves manically with Rendell’s tenor saxophone and vibraphonist Peter Shade centre stage.  The tempo and intensity lessen albeit marginally on ‘Antibes’.  The mellow ‘Summer Song’ is intricate and enchanting, whilst the explorative ‘The Street Called Straight’ flirts with the avant-garde.  That left-field orientation continues on side two with the intense ‘Euroaquilo’.  The fast, flowing ‘A Matter Of Time’ builds up a fine head of steam.  After a long slow intro, ‘Space Walk’ develops into a frantic number that provides a suitably varied finale.