Julian Cope presents Head Heritage

Brilliant records both. The Art Ensemble of Chicago are the most criminally unsung ensemble. People rave on about the classic Miles band, the Coltrane Quartet with Tyner and Garrison and Jones, the Arkestra, various versions of the Ellington Orchestra and Mingus' many bands but for me this lot represented the absolute pinnacle of the improvisational arts. Anyone with an interest in Free Jazz or in any kind of small group music in any genre from string quartets to power trios should at very least hear the live record "Urban Bushmen" (also on ECM). These are in the same class I think.