The soprano saxophone's great modernist mixed complexity and playfulness throughout his career. The blend is evident in Lacy's lighthearted version of Ellington's "Rockin' in Rhythm", in 1957, and Lacy grew progressively more puckish from there. "Monk's Mood" reflects his great debt to the pianist/composer's beautifully quirky melodic sense. While "Bone" finds Lacy agitatedly experimental in his long-time group with vocalist/cellist wife Irene Aebi, he exudes calm while stretching out during "The Peak (Live)", a long-form duet with pianist Mal Waldron.