Julius Hemphill formed the WSQ in 1976 with himself and Oliver Lake on alto, David Murray on tenor, and Hamiet Bluiett on baritone. Despite the lack of bass or drums, their music was intensely rhythmic, with Bluiett’s baritone providing a deep pulse and doo-wop style harmonies. This 1979 release was the group’s second album, and their first studio recording; Hemphill wrote four of the six compositions, with Lake and Murray contributing one each.