The Music Of Ornette Coleman ; Skies Of America (1972)

Allmusic over de drie stukken op "The Music Of...": ""Forms and Sounds" is played by the Philadelphia Woodwind Quartet, with densities of melodies alternately free floating or played to an automaton pulse with bluesy, celebratory trumpet interludes by Coleman. "Space Flight" has flashes of unidentified fluttering things which suddenly disappear. It is performed by the Chamber Symphony of Philadelphia String Quartet." Over "Skies Over America": "This was Ornette's first attempt at employing his new harmolodic theory, whereby using modulation many players could solo at once using different keys. Although there are 21 tracks marked, this is a single unbroken work with many of the themes recurring -- either in that they had long been present in Ornette's musical iconography, or would become so. Coleman himself solos beautifully in the middle of the piece. This is loaded music: politically, emotionally, and also spiritually. It still rubs against the grain of Western harmonic principles in all the right ways."