Overview
“Dimensions & Extensions” is an album by Sam Rivers, an American jazz saxophonist/composer who is known for his participation in Miles Davis’ “Miles in Tokyo” (1964), Andrew Hill’s “Change” (1966), and Dave Holland Quartet’s “Conference of the Birds” (1972).
Commentary
It was recorded in 1967 as his fourth album as leader, but it was not released at that time. It was released by Blue Note as part of the double LP “Involution” with Andrew Hill’s “Change” in 1976, and it was released by Blue Note as an album in 1986.
Performed by the four-horned, pianoless sextet of Sam Rivers (tenor/soprano saxophone, flute), Donald Byrd (trumpet), Julian Priester (trombone), James Spaulding (alto saxophone, flute), Cecil McBee (bass), and Steve Ellington (drums).
It contains six original compositions by Sam Rivers.
It is a great album of avant-garde jazz that incorporated atonalism and dissonances into hard bop.
The album is also recommended for those who hate free jazz because it is based on the hard bop idiom including clear rhythms and themes and it is accessible.
