Saxophonist Charlie Mariano’s death in 2009 closed a chapter on a major globe-trotting musical innovator who fused world music with jazz over a long career. He was at the forefront of the American jazz scene of the 1950s and played with Stan Kenton, Quincy Jones and Charles Mingus before moving to Europe in the 1970s. This 1979 release saw him team up with the continent’s jazz luminaries, pianist Jasper van’t Hof and French guitarist Philip Catherine and was a best seller in the early days of the CMP label. This 34 year old recording remains a timeless listen, as exciting today as it was on release and features Mariano’s skilful playing of the haunting oboe like south Indian nadaswaram, which became a regular feature of his work.

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