Album of the Day

Dreams inspired Ronald Theodore Kirk to change his name to Rahsaan Roland Kirk, and their influence can be heard on the legendary jazzman's THE CASE OF THE THREE-SIDED DREAM IN AUDIO COLOR. The cover of the Atlantic collection was surreal enough, its intertwined horns reflecting Kirk's penchant for playing two saxophones at once. The music on the double album (which included one side with hidden spoken tracks) is just as visionary, with such originals as “Freaks for the Festival” and “Echoes of Primitive Ohio and Chili Dogs” interspersed with standards like “Bye Bye Blackbird” and tape loops. If it sounds trippy, it is – but the set is also anchored by potent grooves laid down by Rahsaan and a top-flight soul-jazz band including guitarist Cornell Dupree, keyboardist Richard Tee and drummer Steve Gadd. Now celebrating its 45th anniversary, THE CASE OF THE THREE-SIDED DREAM is an album that adventurous listeners shouldn't sleep on.