For six key years (1972-1978), Tom Coster had a big hand in the influential sound and success of the group Santana, where he served as keyboardist, co-producer, and writer or co-writer of much of that group's material (notably the hits "Europa" and "Dance Sister Dance"). When Coster finally stepped out to record his first solo albums -- T.C. (1981) and Ivory Expedition (1983), paired on this CD reissue -- he brought to the task a gift for composing beautiful, evocative melodies; a unique jazz/rock sensibility (honed in bands led by Gabor Szabo and Billy Cobham, as well as Santana); and an innovative, musical approach to synthesizer technology. "The styles, the structures, and especially the smart playing by Coster and his band," writes annotator Larry Kelp, "define a time and musical development that remains contemporary."

with Joaquin Lievano, Randy Jackson, Steve Smith, Walter Afanasieff