The New Don Ellis Band Goes Underground

Reception

Scott Yanow of Allmusic says the album is "one of trumpeter Don Ellis' lesser efforts". On All About Jazz, Jim Santella said "this big band album from Don Ellis proved inspirational. It gave a contemporary quality to big band music - the kind of force that influenced college and university stage bands around the world. Vocals were added, and Ellis emphasized a smooth, pop quality to his arrangements. Melodies were easy to follow, and the songs caught all the emotion that he pumped in so generously. Nevertheless, the album contains the same kind of musical virtuosity that Ellis had demonstrated on earlier albums".

Track listing

All compositions by Don Ellis except as indicated

1. "House in the Country" (Al Kooper) - 2:48
2. "Don't Leave Me" (Harry Nilsson) - 3:40
3. "Higher" (Sly Stone) - 3:19
4. "Bulgarian Bulge" (Traditional) - 3:03
5. "Eli's Comin'" (Laura Nyro) - 4:08
6. "Acoustical Lass" - 2:32
7. "Good Feelin'" - 6:14
8. "Send My Baby Back" (Lonnie Hewitt, Ernest Marbray) - 3:02
9. "Love for Rent" (Fred Selden) - 4:06
10. "It's Your Thing" (Ronald Isley, O'Kelly Isley, Jr., Rudolph Isley) - 2:54
11. "Ferris Wheel" - 3:46
12. "Black Baby" (Don Ellis, Patti Allen) - 3:29

Personnel