George Russell's New York Band - Live in an American Time Spiral (Soul Note, rec. 1982)
An excellent record, both heady and funky. It reminds me of Gil Evans' albums 80's recordings from Sweet Basil. Very convincing and still evolving.
In fact, Live in an American Time Spiral might be Russell's best album (?) after his classics from the late-50s and early-60s. ... I suppose I could put Vertical Form VI (Soul Note, rec. 1977) near the top too. But the Swedish Radio Jazz Orchestra on Vertical isn't quite as convincing as the New York band. Players like Brian Lynch, Tom Harrell, Ray Anderson, Marty Ehrlich, Jerome Harris, Ron McClure, and (especially) Victor Lewis elevate Time Spiral. ... The group on Russell's Blue Notes from the mid-80s -- The African Game and So What -- isn't as distinctive or loaded as the Time Spiral band either, IMO.
I'd be interested to hear other listeners' thoughts on recordings from Russell's later years. What say you?!?