The Invisible Cage, also known as Blues for Bouffemont in some releases, is a studio album by jazz pianist
Bud Powell with
Michael Gaudry on bass and
Art Taylor on drums. It was recorded in France shortly before Powell's return to the United States.[1][2]
In reviews for
AllMusic,
Ron Wynn described the music as "teeming, sometimes ragged but always blistering,"[3] while
Scott Yanow noted that the album is "better than expected and probably [Powell's] last worthwhile recording."[1]
A reviewer for Billboard stated that Powell "sounds alive and well" on the album, and commented: "His two-handed explorations are much of what bebop was all about."[7]
Trevor Tolley of Coda remarked: "The fingering is bad: even when he hits the right notes, there is a lack of control of tone and emphasis."[8]
Jon Balleras of DownBeat gave a mixed review, recommending "Like Someone in Love" and "Blues for Bouffemont" but criticizing the fingering of the uptempo tunes.[4]
Track listing
All compositions by Bud Powell unless otherwise indicated
Years given are for the recording(s), not first release. Because Powell's discography features albums with the same title, record labels are identified to avoid any confusion.