Guitarist Pat Metheny had long expressed admiration forOrnette Coleman's music, had recorded his compositions, and had worked extensively with bassistCharlie Haden, so a collaboration was not totally unexpected, though who would have guessed that it would be on the Geffen label? Metheny's almost rock star status has worked against him in other partnerships from time to time (notably, his overbearing playing on his project withDerek Bailey,The Sign of 4), but here he happily sublimates his showier instincts and works as sympathetic co-leader, deferring toColeman's experience and genius. The music itself bears strong similarities to that ofColeman'sPrime Timeensembles wherein all players solo at once, bracketed by the themes of the piece. Metheny often manages to be a quite expressive second voice, racing along beside the master saxophonist, offering alternative strategies and never showboating. The tandem percussion team ofJack DeJohnetteandColeman's sonDenardoare ferocious when need be, andCharlie Hadenis his standard exemplary self. Metheny fans owe it to themselves to listen to some of his most exploratory and least "pastel" playing and, in fact, the album also contains some ofColeman's best work since the mid-'70s.