Amalgam

British saxophonist Trevor Watts was well established in the free improvisation world as a member of the Spontaneous Music Ensemble -- formed with trombonist Paul Rutherford and drummer John Stevens in 1965 -- when he decided to establish another band that would focus more directly on his compositions. Thus, Watts founded Amalgam in 1967, a group also including Rutherford as well as bassist Barry Guy. In contrast to the SME's characteristic post-Challenge collective improvisational approach, Amalgam's music was more melodic and pulse-driven, initially based on acoustic free ja...