Kenny Cox - Multidirection (White Vinyl)

Led by pianist Cox, the Contemporary Jazz Quintet featured saxophonist Leon
Henderson (brother of Joe Henderson), trumpeter Charles Moore, bassist Ron
Brooks, and drummer Danny Spencer. Interestingly, this group is perhaps best
known for its connection to the legendary Detroit rock group the MC5 as both
Moore and Henderson performed on the band's 1971 cut "Sister Anne." Cox
himself was well established in the Detroit scene by the time of this recording
having studied at the competitive Cass Tech High School and the Detroit
Conservatory of Music as well as performed with a who's who of Detroit players
including Yusef Lateef. Though well-versed in the traditions of jazz standards and
bop, Cox and his ensemble resembles most closely here the classic Miles Davis
quintet of the mid- and late '60s. But rather than merely aping Davis, the
Contemporary Jazz Quintet had a muscular and urban group sensibility all its
own. In that sense, this is fery, expansive, and cerebral post-bop of the highest
order.