Earl “Chico” Freeman was one of the ’70s leading modern tenor saxophone players steeped in the traditions of jazz, recording for independent labels like India Navigation, at his most productive between 1976 and 1981, and still active today.

Spirit Sensitive (1979) represented a change in direction for usually free and avant-leaning Chico, a selection of standards, almost all ballads. As the album title suggests, Freeman brings sensitive reading to familiar compositions, with a clear and full-bodied tone, paired with Cecil McBee’s powerful bass thrust into the front line. Percussion is spare, adding texture, with John Hicks piano coloring and completing the music space. Rounding out the players on the album are Billy Hart and Famoudou Don Moye on drums.

Pressed from metal parts mastered with tube electronics by Gavin Lurssen and Ron Lewter at The Mastering Lab. Housed in a Stoughton Printing tip-on gatefold jacket.