Few jazz saxophonists were as prolific as California-born Tom Scott during the 1970s and 1980s. Throughout his career he lent his brass talents to numerous artists, bands, and projects, doing everything from directing the music for the 68th Academy Awards, to providing the theme music to the film Taxi Driver, to founding ensembles like The Blues Brothers Band and L.A. Express. (Alongside other famous jazz session musicians Larry Carlton and Joe Sample.) All the while Scott appeared on notable records by Blondie ("Rapture"), Steely Dan ("Black Cow"), Rod Stewart ("Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?"), and many more.

Prior to his major session success however, Tom Scott had minor success as a solo artist on Creed Taylor's famed jazz label Impulse. His second, and final release on the label, Rural Still Life, shows early traces of Scott's willingness to experiment, running a gamut of different jazz stylings. From the electronic experimentation on "Song #1" to the modal hard bop tribute "With Respect To John Coltrane", all while leaving time for a proto-smooth take on the Coleman Hawkins standard "Body & Soul." Scott's works in Impulse were not widely noticed, but they were integral to Scott's development down the line, and a must-have for any fan of unlikely jazz rarities.