Ornette! is the seventh album by Ornette Coleman as a bandleader and the second credited to his quartet (following This Is Our Music). Though considered one of his early works, by the time it was recorded on 31st January 1961, Coleman was already an established jazz legend. His reputation had been cemented by the release of ground-breaking albums such as The Shape of Jazz to Come and Free Jazz.

These two albums embody the central, seemingly contrasting, elements of Coleman's early career: a meticulously crafted approach to melodic innovation and free improvisation, often with only minimal pre-determined structure. Ornette! bridges these two aspects, leaning more towards the former with its focus on melodic exploration, while still incorporating elements of Coleman's characteristic spontaneity.

PERSONNEL:
Ornette Coleman - (tenor sax)
Don Cherry - (pocket trumpet)
Scott LaFaro - (bass)
Ed Blackwell - (drums)

TRACKS:
A1. W.R.U.
A2. T & T

B1. C & D
B2. R.P.D.D.