Aggression – Booker Little

Fast and driving as befits the title, with a strong, simple melody, this song is based around an eight-measure vamp on a G pedal point. Though the melody is 48 measures long (eight-measure A, B, and C sections played twice each), every eight-measure section of the form has the same chord progression. There is an intro setting up the vamp clip; the piano voicings for the first time through are indicated in the C lead sheet. The G(♯9♯5♭5) chord in the third measure is so called because it lacks a seventh; otherwise, as written elsewhere in the same part of the vamp, it is a G7alt. With such a simple vamp to solo over, the chords can be stretched however you want; the whole thing can be interpreted as a modal, C melodic minor texture.

On the recording, after the solos the horns improvise together on the vamp before playing the A, B and C sections. The C section is repeated a few more times and "breaks down," becoming rubato and freely interpreted.

This recording of Dolphy and Little from the Five Spot is considered one of the highlights of their brief careers, particularly Little's. The two had first recorded together less than a year earlier, on Dolphy's album "Far Cry." Their other recordings together are all from 1961: Abbey Lincoln's "Straight Ahead" (February), Little's "Out Front" (March and April), John Coltrane's "Africa/Brass" (May), and also, after the Five Spot gig, Max Roach's "Percussion Bitter Sweet" in August.

The rhythm section from this recording got back together in October of 1986 to perform a tribute to Dolphy and Little, with Terence Blanchard on trumpet and Donald Harrison on reeds. A recording from this performance is the only other definitely known recording of this song.

For more from this Five Spot show, check out Booker's Waltz and Bee Vamp.