Frogwings is a legendary jam supergroup and this sole document of their existence might surprise you. It’ll appeal to fans of Frank Zappa or John McLaughlin more readily than it would a Deadhead. Sure there’s a lightness and levity that characterizes hippy music, with the vocal tracks being particularly loose and danceable (they’re also particularly “John Popper sings them.”) Still it’s an ensemble of absolute monsters, laying down relentless psych/jazz/rock/world fusion with the natural ease that comes from some of the most disciplined musicians in the world having fun.

Butch Trucks, drummer for the legendary Allman Brothers, wanted a vehicle for jamming and touring with his prodigious young nephew, guitarist Derek Trucks. Derek was in his late teens/early twenties at the time. Butch first recruited Derek’s mentor and one of the greatest guitarists on the planet Jimmy Herring and the rest of the band fell into place around them.

This 1999 live recording is the culmination of their years of bringing down the house at festivals across the US. Frogwings is remembered as the crucible in which Derek Trucks skills were honed, as a document of some of the brightest stars in improvised rock at an early peak, and for this one great record.