On “Root Down”—a standout track from the Beastie Boys’ 1994 classic Ill Communication—rapper Ad-Rock delivers a shout-out to a jazz classic: “I’m like ‘Sweetie-Pie’ by the Stone Alliance/Everybody know I’m known for dropping science.” It was a reference to the mighty Stone Alliance, a power trio of the high fusion era whose self-titled 1976 debut is now beloved by crate-diggers, DJs, and diehard jazz fans alike. The versatile Gene Perla, who played electric bass, cofounded the group with Don Alias, a veteran of Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew sessions. On tenor sax is the incendiary Steve Grossman, one of John Coltrane’s greatest heirs, who at 19 had replaced Wayne Shorter in Miles Davis’ visionary band. Grossman and Perla also shared a close connection as members of Elvin Jones’ historic quartet with Dave Liebman. Drawing on aspects of post-Coltrane jazz, Afro-Latin music and urban funk/R&B, the three unleash quite a maelstrom of sound on Stone Alliance. It’s as sparse as Sonny Rollins’ groundbreaking trio work of the late 1950s, only this time updated with a 1970s New York edge. “Sweetie-Pie,” one of four Don Alias tunes, is indeed a banger, with Perla overdubbing hip Rhodes chords in the B section. There’s also Rhodes on the sublimely understated cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Creepin’,” with Alias on congas, caressing the beat. Grossman’s “King Tut,” meanwhile, is slow and sinuous, ebbing and flowing—but still a springboard for sheer tenor ferocity. “Duet” is a Coltrane-style blowout with Grossman and Alias in ecstatic accord for nearly six straight minutes, while Alias’ “Samba de Negro” closes at a full-tilt tempo. Subsequent Stone Alliance releases, all on Perla’s PM imprint, are keepers across the board. With the addition of keyboardist Jan Hammer, this band also served as the side players on Grossman’s two extraordinary PM releases, Some Shapes to Come and Terra Firma. The group might be one of the more obscure outfits of the period, but their albums make for essential listening all the same.