The history of American popular music runs parallel with the history of a Russian Jewish immigrant family, with each male descendant possessing different musical abilities.

Earl Eischied is a man with his hands full. As the Chief of Detectives in New York City he is trying to break up a group of black militants that are on a crime spree including the killing of a police officer. He is also trying to battle with a mayor and police commissioner that want him out of his job.

A Los Angeles detective is sent to New York where he must solve a case involving an old Sicilian Mafia family feud.

A homicide detective begins to suspect that the black teenager accused of murdering two white girls is being framed by his fellow detectives.