Bennie Maupin ‎– The Jewel In The Lotus VG+/VG

Bennie Maupin’s “The Jewel in the Lotus” is a seminal jazz album that blends elements of spiritual jazz, free jazz, and avant-garde. Released in 1974 on the ECM label, the album features a stellar lineup of musicians, including Bennie Maupin on reeds, Herbie Hancock on piano, Buster Williams on bass, and a percussion section consisting of Billy Hart, Freddie Waits, and Bill Summers.

The Jewel in the Lotus is a complex and challenging work, but it is also incredibly rewarding. The compositions are often abstract and improvisational, with a focus on texture and atmosphere rather than traditional melody and harmony. The musicians create a rich tapestry of sound, with Maupin’s multi-reed work, Hancock’s sensitive piano playing, and the percussion section’s rhythmic interplay all contributing to the overall effect.