Dancing in Your Head

Recording

"Theme from a Symphony" was the first recording to feature Coleman's electric band, which later became known as Prime Time. The symphony referenced is Coleman's own Skies of America.

William S. Burroughs was present for the recording of "Midnight Sunrise", which was recorded with the Master Musicians of Jajouka in 1973. The compact disc reissue features an alternate take of this composition, which is not present on the vinyl or earlier CD issue.

Release

Dancing in Your Head was released originally on A&M Records, but it was re-mastered and re-released in 2000 on A&M/Verve/Universal Records. Its catalog number is 543 519.

Critical reception

Dancing in Your Head was voted the 15th best album of the year in The Village Voice's annual Pazz & Jop critics poll for 1977. It was the first album by a jazz artist to make the poll. Robert Christgau, the poll's creator, ranked it number 11 on his own year-end list. The album was identified by Chris Kelsey in his Allmusic essay "Free Jazz: A Subjective History" as one of the 20 Essential Free Jazz Albums.

Legacy

"Midnight Sunrise" was featured in the film Naked Lunch, an allusion to the fact that William S. Burroughs, the author of the book of the same name, which the film is partially based on, was present during the recording sessions of this composition.

Track listing

1. "Theme from a Symphony (variation one)"
2. "Theme from a Symphony (variation two)"
3. "Midnight Sunrise"
4. "Midnight Sunrise (alternate take)" *
5. Bonus track on 2000 CD edition

Personnel