The Centaur and the Phoenix

The Centaur and the Phoenix is an album by multi-instrumentalist Yusef Lateef recorded in 1960 and released on the Riverside label.

Reception
The Allmusic review by Stacia Proefrock stated the performance "takes the risks and the innovations that Lateef was known for, and expands them in a number of different directions all at once, leading to an album that bursts with new ideas and textures, while remaining accessible, and above all, beautiful. Lateef seems eager here to take the next step musically by breaking the mold of his previous albums".

Track listing
All compositions by Yusef Lateef except as indicated Bonus tracks on CD reissue:
 * 1) "Revelation" (Kenny Barron) - 6:02
 * 2) "Apathy" - 5:25
 * 3) "Ev'ry Day (I Fall in Love)" (Sammy Fain, Irving Kahal) - 6:59
 * 4) "The Centaur and the Phoenix" (Charles Mills) - 5:37
 * 5) "Iqbal" - 4:51
 * 6) "Summer Song" (Mills) - 5:26
 * 7) "The Philanthropist" - 4:02
 * 1) "Jungle Fantasy" (Esy Morales) - 2:42
 * 2) "Titora" (Billy Taylor) - 2:25

Personnel

 * Yusef Lateef - tenor saxophone, flute, arghul, oboe
 * Richard Williams - trumpet
 * Clark Terry - flugelhorn, trumpet
 * Curtis Fuller - trombone
 * Josea Taylor - bassoon
 * Tate Houston - baritone saxophone
 * Joe Zawinul - piano
 * Ben Tucker - bass
 * Lex Humphries - drums
 * Kenny Barron - arranger