RUSTY BRYANT
Fire-Eater/The Hooker
(Prestige PRT-750)

Rusty Bryant had been a jazz musician since the late 40's, releasing music on a wide range of labels before making it to Prestige in 1968.  His work there (from 1968-1974) is some of his more celebrated.  "Fire-Eater", from the 1971 album of the same name, is heard hear in a slim 3:12 edit, but the full drum solo from Idris Muhammad is included, as heard on Brainfreeze.  In this format, Bryant's saxophone solo is right in the center, with no doubt as to who the star of the record is.

If you buy the Fire-Eater album (or the compilation CD, Legends Of Acid Jazz Vol. 2), you will hear one of the best Hammond B-3 solos I have ever heard, from Bill Mason.  For that to be followed by Muhammad's solo, one will wonder whose record this really is.  Talk about going all out, the full ten minute version is literally "every man for himself" and "hold on tight".