The Viking of 6th Avenue's seminal 1969 album back in print after more than a decade. Moondog was a percussionist and composer who lived a great part of his life on the streets of New York, dressed like a viking (he says, because it made him look less like Jesus), and was lauded by Stravinski, Janis Joplin, Philip Glass, Charlie Parker and many others. He was blind from the age of 16, and classically trained. Most of his work incorporated elements of jazz, classical and the Native American drum patterns he learned as a boy growing up in Kansas. Of the songs featured here, the one you'll probably recognize is "Lament 1 (Bird's Lament)," which was recorded as a tribute to Charlie Parker and then later used as the main sample source for Mr. Scruff's "Get A Move On!" Eight tracks in all. Released by Legacy on black vinyl, housed in gatefold sleeve with extensive liner notes.

• gatefold sleeve
• music label: Legacy 2017

reviewed by Harry & Larry 05/2017