In the mid-1980s, bassist Dave Holland led his finest group, a quintet with up-and-coming altoist Steve Coleman, trombonist Julian Priester, trumpeter Kenny Wheeler and (on this date) drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith. The all-star musicians pack plenty of music and concise solos into each performance (nine originals), and the unique group carved out its own niche, not quite free but certainly unpredictable. – Scott Yanow