Truly seminal work, first published in 1977 by writer and photographer Valerie Wilmer, that details the incredible energy and characters behind the African-American revolution in jazz of the 60's and early 70's. As well as placing the 'new' music in its political and social context, there is also reference to the role of women, recording and getting the music heard, and entire chapters devoted to the following musicians: John Coltrane, Cecil Taylor, Ornette Coleman, Sun Ra, Albert Ayler and Chicago's AACM. If you're at all interested in the 'new thing' jazz or African-American politics of the 60's then you really do need to read this book! Seriously...