Henry Threadgill has an immense and under-appreciated discography, with a particularly magic run of recordings in the 90s. Digging back into an earlier era, though, reveals gems that may be the best entry point for a jazz fan unaccustomed to his distinct style. As a founding member of the trio Air, originally convening in 1972 and then performing and touring as Reflections (before changing that name), he focused on playing as part of a collective. Still, Threadgill wrote the music for the trio’s first record, Air Song, produced and recorded by the Japanese label Whynot.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve listened to this album, but I still find new things in it. In a way, Threadgill’s music defies categorization (let alone written commentary), circling around post-bop, military march, free jazz, ragtime and other modes without being pigeonholed into a style. Air Song begins in a fairly straightforward manner, but Fred Hopkins’ nearly 3-minute bass solo on opener “Untitled Song” pushes the track toward the sublime. This may be Threadgill’s first great recorded opus. “Great Body of the Riddle” then explores a much looser and more avant-garde rhythm, this time with a Steve McCall drum solo that clears up some space for Threadgill’s sax to rip it apart.

On the B-side are “Dance of the Beast” and “Air Song”. “Dance of the Beast” comes out swinging with the most intense sax playing on the album, but makes for a great boost at work. Threadgill’s flute opens “Air Song”, deftly navigating hollow space. Hopkins’ bowed bass then adds a sweetness to the sonic dimension. Bells are eventually added to the percussive mix before things round out, resulting in the album’s quietest and, for lack of a better word, airy track. Air would continue touring and recording for another decade or so before disbanding. More information can be found in Threadgill’s wonderful memoir “Easily Slip Into Another World”.

Listen to Air Song here.