Abstract is an album by Jamaican saxophonist Joe Harriott, recorded in England in November 1961 and May 1962, and released on the Columbia (UK) label in February 1963.^[1][2] It was released by Capitol Records in the United States.

More information Review scores, Source ...

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Down Beat	[3]
Allmusic	[4]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings	[5]

Close

Abstract was the first album by a British jazz group to be awarded five stars in a Down Beat review.^[6]

Allmusic awarded the album 4 stars and in its review by Thom Jurek, he states "Abstract is wonderful; it shows that the Brits were taking the new jazz of the early '60s and placing a spin on it because they had a few players like Joe Harriott. Here is a musician deserving of a wide reappraisal. Let's hope he gets it".^[4]

All compositions by Joe Harriott except "Subject", by Joe Harriott and John Mayer; "Oleo," by Sonny Rollins.

1. "Subject" - 5:58
2. "Shadows" - 5:44
3. "Oleo" - 7:06
4. "Modal" - 4:44
5. "Tonal" - 5:08
6. "Pictures" - 5:06
7. "Idioms" - 6:26
8. "Compound" - 5:04

• Recorded in London, England on November 22, 1961 (tracks 5-8) and May 10, 1962 (tracks 1-4)

• Joe Harriott - alto saxophone
• Shake Keane - trumpet
• Pat Smythe - piano
• Coleridge Goode - bass
• Bobby Orr (tracks 1-4), Phil Seamen (tracks 5-8) - drums
• Frank Holder - bongos (tracks 5 & 8) ^[3]