PAUL BLEY TRIO - Closer (1965) Two Version (1993, Serie ESP-Disk New Jazz 名盤 Collection) + (2013, RM | 50th Anniversary Edition) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The second ESP issue from the Paul Bley Trio is a contrast as dramatic as rain against sunshine. The earlier album, Barrage, recorded in October of 1964, was full of harsh, diffident extrapolations of sound and fury, perhaps because of its sidemen; Marshall Allen and Dewey Johnson on saxophone and trumpet, respectively, were on loan from Sun Ra and joined Eddie Gomez and Milford Graves. Indeed, the music there felt like one long struggle to survive. On this date, recorded over a year later and released in 1966, Bley's sidemen are two more like-minded experimentalists, drummer Barry Altschul and bassist Steve Swallow. The program of tunes here is also more even-handed and characteristically lush: the entire first side and two on the second were written by Carla Bley (including the gorgeous "Ida Lupino") for a total of seven, and there is one each by pianists Annette Peacock and Ornette Coleman. Bley and his trio understand that with compositions of this nature, full of space and an inherent, interior-pointing lyricism, that pace is everything. And while this set clocks in at just over 29 minutes in length, the playing is so genuine and moving that it doesn't need to be any longer. The interplay between these three (long before Swallow switched to electric bass exclusively) is startling in how tightly woven they are melodically and harmonically. There isn't a sense that one player -- other than the volume of Mr. Bley's piano in this crappy mix -- stands out from the other two; they are of a piece traveling down this opaque yet warm road together. Bley may never have been as flashy as Cecil Taylor, but he is every bit the innovator.

-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1    Ida    2:58
2    Start    2:07
3    Closer    3:34
4    Sideways In Mexico    2:59
5    Batterie    3:23
6    And Now The Queen    2:18
7    Figfoot    3:29
8    Crossroads    2:34
9    Violin    2:59
10    Cartoon    2:19
Credits :
Bass – Steve Swallow
Percussion – Barry Altschul
Piano – Paul Bley

SAM RIVERS | DAVE HOLLAND | BARRY ALTSCHUL — The Quest (1976-2023) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1. Expectation (Sam Rivers) - 6:34
2. Vision (Sam Rivers) - 12:20
3. Judgement (Sam Rivers) - 10:12
4. Hope (Sam Rivers) - 6:55
Credits :
Bass – Dave Holland
Drums – Barry Altschul
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Piano – Sam Rivers

ANNETTE PEACOCK — I'm the One (1972-2012) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    I'm The One    8:45
 Written-By – Annette Peacock / Bob Ringe
2    7 Days    3:54
 Written-By – Annette Peacock / Bob Ringe
3    Pony    6:15
 Written-By – Annette Peacock
4    Been & Gone    2:20
 Written-By – Annette Peacock / Bob Ringe
5    Blood    2:00
 Written-By – Annette Peacock / Bob Ringe
6    One Way    6:12
 Written-By – Annette Peacock / Bob Ringe
7    Love Me Tender    3:45
 Written-By – Elvis Presley / Vera Matson
8    Gesture Without Plot    3:29
 Written-By – Annette Peacock / Bob Ringe
9    Did You Hear Me Mommy?    1:44
 Written-By – Annette Peacock / Bob Ringe
Credits :
Performer [Players, "The Team"], Bass – Glen Moore (tracks: 5), Stu Woods
Performer [Players, "The Team"], Composed By [Music & Words], Arranged By [Arranger], Vocals [Singer, Electric Vocals], Piano, Electric Piano, Synthesizer [Synthesizers], Vibraphone [Electric], Directed By [Direction], Liner Notes – Annette Peacock
Performer [Players, "The Team"], Drums – Laurence Cook (tracks: 8), Rick Morotta
Performer [Players, "The Team"], Guitar – Tom Cosgrove
Performer [Players, "The Team"], Organ – Michael Garson (tracks: 1, 6)
Performer [Players, "The Team"], Percussion – Airto Moreira, Barry Altschul, Dom Um Romão, Orestes Vilato
Performer [Players, "The Team"], Piano – Apache Bley (tracks: 9), Michael Garson (tracks: 1)
Performer [Players, "The Team"], Synthesizer, Piano – Paul Bley (tracks: 5, 8)
Performer [Players, "The Team"], Tenor Saxophone [Tenor] – Michael Moss

PAUL BLEY — Indian Summer (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist & Credits :

CIRCLE - Paris-Concert (1971-1990) 2CD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Of all of the recordings from the short-lived avant-garde quartet Circle, this double-LP is the most rewarding. Cut live in Paris, this set features pianist Chick Corea, the reeds of Anthony Braxton, bassist Dave Holland, and drummer Barry Altschul playing a wide variety of fairly free explorations. Highlights include their reinterpretation of the standard "There Is No Greater Love," the playful "Toy Room - Q & A," Braxton's "73 Degrees Kelvin," and "Nefertiti." The music is often quite abstract but generally colorful and innovative; Chick Corea would soon break up the band for other musical adventures, but this set remains one of the high points of his productive career. Scott Yanow
Tracklist
1.1     Nefertitti 19:16
Wayne Shorter
1.2     Song For The Newborn 6:50
Dave Holland     
1.3     Duet 10:40
Anthony Braxton / Chick Corea
1.4     Lookout Farm/Kelvin 73° [Variation 3] 16:07
Barry Altschul / Anthony Braxton   
2.1     Toy Room/Q & A 24:43
Dave Holland
2.2     No Greater Love 17:38
Isham Jones / Marty Symes    
Credits :
Bass, Cello – David Holland
Percussion – Barry Altschul
Piano – Chick Corea
Producer – Manfred Eicher
Reeds, Percussion – Anthony Braxton

ANTHONY BRAXTON - Town Hall 1972 (2002) RM | FLAC (tracks), lossless

For those seeking the deep roots of Anthony Braxton's numbered series of compositions -- numbering close to 200 -- this 1972 concert is essential in that it features live recordings of "Composition 1" (for percussionist Jerome Cooper), "Composition 2" (for pianist Frederic Rzewski), and "Composition 3." This marks a return home, albeit a temporary one, for the composer and multi-instrumentalist -- Braxton left the United States for France in 1968, where he made a few recordings for European labels. Braxton showcases his work in a number of settings here -- in a pair of trios with bassist Dave Holland and drummers Phillip Wilson and Barry Altschul, and on "Composition 3" (for vocalist Jeanne Lee) saxophonist John Stubblefield and Lee herself become a part of the band. Also in the mix is in a wildly abstract but street-tough read of "All the Things You Are." On "Composition 1," Braxton, Holland, and Wilson establish early on what would be a trait in the composer's improvisations, which is the notion of a theme thoroughly stated, abstracted, deconstructed, and reconstructed into something wholly other while remaining recognizable. Critics have argued this, but those who deny it just don't listen closely enough. Here Braxton's first quotations from Warne Marsh make their way onto tape, and his manner of shifting pitch against chromatic and even whole-tone harmonics to create the appearance of diatonic abstraction comes into play as the body of the work. Holland plays away from it, moving toward Braxton's outer reach while Wilson moves inside the thematic construct, opening it up enough to keep Holland within reach of the subtle shifts some of the improvisation requires for articulation. On "Composition 2," the center moves outward with Altschul and Holland playing on the perimeter; Braxton's complex but nonetheless readily apparent lyric fragments keep them rooted to a space just within his reach improvisationally, inverting the traditional operation of a trio. Finally, on "Composition 3," Lee adds a kind of (a)tonal center as Braxton tries out six different reeds. Stubblefield offers a muscular counterpart to Braxton's more speculative tone, and offers a spatial figure for all things to exist in equally. Silence is an integral part of the dynamic in this quintet, where no player oversteps her or his placement within the construct of the whole. And while it is true, other than the cover tune, none of this "swings" per se; it doesn't reek of academia either. The playing here is soulful and engaging throughout it features some crack improvisation. This is a welcome reissue in Braxton's voluminous back catalog.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1    Composition I: Dedicated To Composer-Percussionist Jerome Cooper / Composition II: Dedicated To Composer-Pianist Frederic Rzewski    18:21
2    All The Things You Are    14:33
3    Composition III: Dedicated To The Vocalist Jeanne Lee    35:38
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Contrabass Clarinet, Clarinet, Percussion, Composed By, Producer [Concert] – Anthony Braxton
Double Bass – Dave Holland
Percussion, Marimba – Barry Altschul (pistas: 3)
Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Bass Clarinet, Gong, Percussion – John Stubblefield (pistas: 3)
Voice – Jeanne Lee (pistas: 3)

ANTHONY BRAXTON - Five Pieces 1975 (1976) lp | FLAC (tracks), lossless

This out-of-print album features one of Anthony Braxton's great combos, a quartet with trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, bassist Dave Holland and drummer Barry Alstchul. Braxton (who switches between alto, clarinet, sopranino, flutes and contrabass clarinet) explores four of his diverse originals plus the standard "You Stepped Out Of A Dream." The tightness of his very alert and versatile group and the strength of the compositions make this one of Anthony Braxton's most rewarding records of the mid-1970's. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
A1    You Stepped Out Of A Dream 7:09
Words By – Gus Kahn
Written-By – Macio Herb Brown
A2    G - 647 (BNK - []    4:35
Composed By – Anthony Braxton
A3    4038 -- NBS 373 6    8:05
Composed By – Anthony Braxton
B1    4 8 9 M 70 - 2 -- (TH - B) M    17:17
Composed By – Anthony Braxton
B2    BOR - - - - H N - K 64    3:23
Composed By – Anthony Braxton
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Sopranino Saxophone, Flute, Contrabass Clarinet, Alto Flute – Anthony Braxton
Bass – Dave Holland
 (pistas: A2 to B2)
Drums – Barry Altschul
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Kenny Wheeler

ANTHONY BRAXTON - Creative Orchestra Music 1976 (1987) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is one of Braxton's most interesting recordings. Six of his compositions are performed by groups ranging from 15-20 pieces and featuring such soloists as trumpeters Cecil Bridgewater, Leo Smith, Kenny Wheeler and Jon Faddis, baritonist Bruce Johnstone, trombonist George Lewis, reed player Roscoe Mitchell, bassist Dave Holland, pianist Muhal Richard Abrams and Braxton himself. There is a lot of variety on this set. One of the pieces finds Braxton combining free elements with a Sousa-type march while another one looks toward Ellington. There are quite a few memorable moments on this program. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Piece One 5:10
Alto Saxophone – Anthony Braxton, Seldon Powell
Baritone Saxophone – Bruce Johnstone
Bass – Dave Holland
Bass Trombone – Earl McIntyre
Conductor – Leo Smith
Drums – Warren Smith
Piano – Muhal Richard Abrams
Tenor Saxophone – Ronald Bridgewater
Trombone – Garrett List, George Lewis
Trumpet – Cecil Bridgewater, Jon Faddis, Kenny Wheeler
Tuba – Jonathan Dorn
2    Piece Two 7:36
Bass – Dave Holland
Bass Clarinet – Bruce Johnstone
Bass Trombone – Jack Jeffers
Clarinet – Ronald Bridgewater, Seldon Powell
Contrabass Clarinet – Anthony Braxton
Gong [Gongs], Percussion – Barry Altschul
Percussion – Philip Wilson
Piano – Frederic Rzewski, Muhal Richard Abrams
Soprano Saxophone – Roscoe Mitchell
Synthesizer – Richard Teitelbaum
Timpani, Bass Drum – Warren Smith
Trombone – Garrett List, George Lewis
Trumpet – Cecil Bridgewater, Jon Faddis, Kenny Wheeler, Leo Smith
Tuba – Jonathan Dorn
3    Piece Three 6:43
Alto Saxophone [Alto Sax], Clarinet – Anthony Braxton
Alto Saxophone [Alto Sax], Flute – Seldon Powell
Baritone Saxophone [Baritone Sax], Bass Clarinet – Bruce Johnstone
Bass – Dave Holland
Bass Drum – Frederic Rzewski
Bass Saxophone [Bass Sax] – Roscoe Mitchell
Bass Trombone – Jack Jeffers
Cymbal [Marching Cymbals] – Philip Wilson
Glockenspiel – Karl Berger
Snare [Snare Drum] – Barry Altschul, Warren Smith
Tenor Saxophone [Tenor Sax] – Ronald Bridgewater
Trombone – Garrett List, George Lewis
Trumpet – Cecil Bridgewater, Kenny Wheeler
Trumpet [Solo Trumpet], Conductor – Leo Smith
Trumpet, Piccolo Trumpet – Jon Faddis
Tuba – Jonathan Dorn
4    Piece Four 6:26
Bass Clarinet – Bruce Johnstone
Bass Trombone – Jack Jeffers
Bells, Percussion, Chimes [Orchestra] – Barry Altschul
Cello – Dave Holland
Clarinet – Ron Bridgewater
Drums, Percussion – Philip Wilson
Flute – Seldon Powell
Flute, Bass Saxophone [Bass Sax] – Roscoe Mitchell
Flute, Contrabass Saxophone [Contrabass Sax] – Anthony Braxton
Marimba [Bass Marimba], Chimes [Orchestra] – Warren Smith
Piano – Frederic Rzewski, Muhal Richard Abrams
Trombone – Garrett List, George Lewis
Trumpet – Cecil Bridgewater, Jon Faddis, Kenny Wheeler, Wadada Leo Smith
Tuba – Jonathan Dorn
Vibraphone, Xylophone, Chimes [Orchestra] – Karl Berger
5    Piece Five 7:19
Alto Saxophone [Alto Sax] – Seldon Powell
Alto Saxophone [Alto Sax], Contrabass Saxophone [Contrabass Sax] – Anthony Braxton
Baritone Saxophone [Baritone Sax] – Bruce Johnstone
Bass – Dave Holland
Bass Trombone – Jack Jeffers
Conductor – Leo Smith
Drums – Warren Smith
Piano – Muhal Richard Abrams
Tenor Saxophone [Tenor Sax] – Ron Bridgewater
Trombone – Garrett List, George Lewis
Trumpet – Cecil Bridgewater, Jon Faddis, Kenny Wheeler
Tuba – Jonathan Dorn
Vibraphone – Karl Berger
6    Piece Six 6:40
Alto Saxophone [Alto Sax], Soprano Saxophone [Soprano Sax], Bass Saxophone [Bass Sax] – Roscoe Mitchell
Bass Clarinet – Bruce Johnstone
Bass Trombone – Earl McIntyre
Cello – Dave Holland
Clarinet – Ronald Bridgewater
Conductor – Muhal Richard Abrams
Flute – Seldon Powell
Sopranino Saxophone [Sopranino Sax], Clarinet, Contrabass Clarinet – Anthony Braxton
Trombone – Garrett List, George Lewis
Trumpet – Cecil Bridgewater, Jon Faddis, Kenny Wheeler, Leo Smith
Tuba – Jonathan Dorn
Credits :
Composed By [All Music Composed By], Arranged By [All Music Arranged By] – Anthony Braxton

ANTHONY BRAXTON - The Complete Braxton (1973-1988) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This two-LP set features the innovative multireedist in a variety of settings. Recorded while he was a member of the group Circle, Braxton is heard in two duets with pianist Chick Corea, three fairly exciting quartet tracks with trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, bassist Dave Holland and drummer Barry Altschul, an unaccompanied solo on contrabass clarinet, a piece (which Braxton wrote but does not play on) for five tubas, and a selection in which he overdubbed four sopranino saxes. Lots of very interesting performances come from a master of the avant-garde who has always followed his own musical path. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Up Thing [N 508-10 (4G)] 4:35
Piano – Chick Corea
Soprano Saxophone – Anthony Braxton
2    Quartet Ballad [J-572 (431)] 16:35
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Anthony Braxton
Bass, Cello – Dave Holland
Percussion, Bells – Barry Altschul
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Kenny Wheeler
3    March [67M F-12] 5:15
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Anthony Braxton
Bass, Cello – Dave Holland
Percussion, Bells – Barry Altschul
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Kenny Wheeler
4    Four Sopranos [ZM-F-K] 15:00
Soprano Saxophone [Four Parts Overdubbed] – Anthony Braxton
5    Be Bop [R76-4] 9:47
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Anthony Braxton
Bass, Cello – Dave Holland
Percussion, Bells – Barry Altschul
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Kenny Wheeler
6    Five Tubas [3-24 (Tuba Realization)] 8:01
Ensemble – The London Tuba Ensemble
Tuba [C] – Paul Lawrence (2)
Tuba [E Flat] – Geoffrey Adams (2), James Anderson (6), John Fletcher (2), Michael Barnes (4)
7    Soprano Ballad [JNK 4 Degrees] 14:32
Piano – Chick Corea
Soprano Saxophone – Anthony Braxton
8    Contra Basse [4-16 CJF] 6:18
Contrabass Clarinet [Contrebasse] – Anthony Braxton

ANTHONY BRAXTON - Quartet (Dortmund) 1976 (2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Braxton has produced many excellent recordings through the years, but only a small number stand out from the pack the way this one does. This version of his pianoless quartet is captured live in an inspired, energized performance at the first Dortmund Jazz Festival in Germany. Trombonist George Lewis had only recently joined the group, replacing the more introspective trumpeter Kenny Wheeler. Braxton's compositions are uniformly brilliant, incorporating marching band themes, lightening-fast hard bop-influenced runs, and strings of non-syncopated eighth notes, all of which contribute to a sense of wonder and excitement. Also, Braxton is in marvelous form on his varied horns, springing forth an arsenal of seemingly endless ideas. His lengthy solo on "Composition 40 F" is among his best on disc, garnering a well-deserved enthusiastic reaction from the audience. By bringing Lewis into the group, Braxton helped to nurture one of the most astonishing and technically virtuosic trombonists in all of jazz. The young Lewis is hardly intimidated by the celebrity quality of the group, and from the outset, he engages in mouth-watering displays that match the saxophonist note for note. Whether playing open or muted, Lewis was one of the most effective interpreters of Braxton's complex compositions. There are fine contributions, too, from drummer Barry Altschul and especially bassist Dave Holland, but the intricate compositions themselves and the incredible soloing of the horns are what mark this one for the big leagues. Graham Lock's knowledgeable, erudite liners are a big plus in helping to understand this difficult but highly rewarding music. Steve Loewy  
Tracklist :
1    Composition 40 F / Composition 23 J    26:10
2    Composition 40 (O)    6:40
3    Composition 6 C    9:48
4    Composition 40 B    13:58
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Contrabass Saxophone, Sopranino Saxophone, Clarinet, Clarinet [Eb], Contrabass Clarinet, Composed By – Anthony Braxton
Bass – Dave Holland
Drums, Percussion – Barry Altschul
Trombone – George Lewis

RICHARD TEITELBAUM & ANTHONY BRAXTON - Time Zones (1977-1999) FLAC (tracks), lossless

"With Anthony Braxton" was a credit printed on this album's front and back cover in a typeface only a notch smaller than Richard Teitelbaum's name. Braxton is everywhere here, and has everything to do with this album. He plays in duo with Teitelbaum the electronics maestro on the entire album, and surely engineered the deal to make it possible for his buddy to release the record on Arista, which at that point held an exclusive contract with Braxton himself. It was also Braxton who basically promoted Teitelbaum within the confines of the avant-garde free jazz scene, talking him up in interviews and fitting pieces involving him into several different recording projects. There are tastes of the duos these artists have created splashed through the Braxton discography like ice cream stains on a rumpus room rug. This album combines a summer's evening live concert with a studio session cut the following fall, and is quite an accurate document of their work together in the '70s, complete with Braxton's usual dedications, this time to Roscoe Mitchell and Maryanne Amacher. This duo was one of the great instrumental combinations of the '70s, the reed arsenal of Braxton and seemingly unlimited sonic arsenal of Teitelbaum coming together like two great French chefs with a hall full of guests to feed. Each man never seems to stop listening, not only to each other but to a greater force as well, as if in complete understanding of the ramifications of each development. This album should satisfy a listener's desire to hear truly imaginative and successful improvisation involving both electronic and acoustic instruments. The album was later reissued, under Braxton's name, as part of a Black Lion package. Eugene Chadbourne  
Tracklist :
1    Crossing 24:29
Engineer [Recording] – Bill Warrell
2    Behemoth Dreams 21:24
Engineer – Thomas Mark
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Contrabass Saxophone, Sopranino Saxophone, Clarinet, Clarinet [Eb], Contrabass Clarinet, Composed By – Anthony Braxton
Bass – Dave Holland
Drums, Percussion – Barry Altschul
Trombone – George Lewis

ANTHONY BRAXTON - Live (1977-1987) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Anthony Braxton's 1975 two-LP set comes close to definitive. Braxton (mostly on alto and clarinet but also playing contrabass clarinet, flute, and sopranino) is heard with two of his best quartets on these live performances. Featured are either trumpeter Kenny Wheeler or trombonist George Lewis along with bassist Dave Holland and drummer Barry Altschul in exciting group improvisations based on six of Braxton's difficult compositions. There is a surprising amount of humor on one of these selections, and the interplay between these masterful musicians (making expert use of space and dynamics) sometimes borders on miraculous. The fourth side of this two-fer contains a lengthy performance of Braxton and Lewis playing with the Berlin New Music Group that is of slightly lesser interest. Scott Yanow
Medley    (21:49)
1a    Composition 1 (No. 40 N)   
1b    Composition 2 (No. 23 J)   
2    Composition 3 (No. 40 (O))    7:37
Medley    (23:50)
3a    Composition 4 (No. 6 F)   
3b    Composition 5 (No. 40 K)   
4    Composition 6 (No. 6 C)    10:01
Credits :
Bass – Dave Holland
Composed By – Anthony Braxton
Contrabass Clarinet – Anthony Braxton (pistas: 1, 2)
Contrabass Saxophone, Flute – Anthony Braxton (pistas: 3, 4)
Drums, Percussion – Barry Altschul
Gong [Gongs] – Barry Altschul (pistas: 1, 2)
Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Clarinet – Anthony Braxton
Trombone – George Lewis (pistas: 3, 4)
Trumpet – Kenny Wheeler (pistas: 1, 2)
Notas.
Tracks 1-2 recorded live on 20 July 1975 at the Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux, Switzerland.
Tracks 3-4 recorded live on 4 November 1976 at the Berlin Jazz Days, Berlin, Germany.
Side 4 from the original 2 LP is omitted

ANTHONY BRAXTON - Town Hall (Trio & Quintet) 1972 (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Composition 6 N Dedicated To Jerome Cooper / Composition 6 (O) Dedicated To Frederic Rzewski    18:18
Written-By – Anthony Braxton
2    All The Things You Are 14:12
Written-By – Jerome Kern
3    Composition 6 P I    13:46
Written-By – Anthony Braxton
4    Composition 6 P II Dedicated To Jeanne Lee    21:25
Written-By – Anthony Braxton
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Anthony Braxton
Double Bass – Dave Holland
Drums – Phillip Wilson (pistas: 1, 2)
Percussion, Marimba – Barry Altschul (pistas: 3, 4)
Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Contrabass Clarinet [Contrabasse], Soprano Clarinet, Clarinet [B-Flat], Percussion – Anthony Braxton (pistas: 3, 4)
Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Bass Clarinet, Gong, Percussion – John Stubblefield (pistas: 3, 4)
Voice – Jeanne Lee (pistas: 3, 4)

SAM RIVERS - Hues (1973) lp | FLAC (tracks), lossless

All ten selections on Hues are titled by a particular color. Four of the ten trio performances are studio and six are live performances. Rivers is accompanied by drummer Norman Conners and bassist Cecil McBee on "Amber"; Connors' skin work is noteworthy, and Rivers's tenor sax cries and whines like a hungry newborn. Rivers switches to flute on "Turquoise," where he's pushed by Connors' impressionistic drum rolls. The piano is Rivers's instrument of choice on "Rose"; the melody and tempo changes enhance the beauty of the superbly executed, intricate arrangement. "Chartreuse" is mysterious, strange, and mid-Eastern-ish, and Rivers plays the mind-stretching piece on soprano sax. "Mauve" and "Indigo" were both recorded in performance, and Rivers's sidekicks are Richard Davis (bass) and Warren Smith (drums & percussion). The former is as haunting as anything here; Rivers' tenor sax seems to be exploring the brain, while Davis keeps a low profile, and Smith does percussion tricks. Staying with tenor on "Indigo," he delivers his most straightforward performance. The final four cuts were also recorded live. Avld Anderson playing bass and Barry Altschul handling drums and percussion complement Rivers on imaginative selections like "Onyx," with its mixed styles and African chants. It segues into "Topaz" without missing a beat, and Rivers' flute work is full of vigor then mellows a bit before energizing and racing with Anderson and Altschul to end the track. On "Ivory Black," Rivers tickles the ivories like he's playing a soundtrack cut for a mystery; his counterparts provide a sound canvas for Rivers's stringent playing. "Violet" sounds like the esoteric sounds John Coltrane became acclaimed for. Hues is thoroughly enjoyable and should be reissued. Andrew Hamilton 

Sessions :

A. - tracks 1, 2, 3 - Recorded in performance at The Jazz Workshop, Boston, 13 Feb 1971.

Sam Rivers - tenor sax, flute
Cecil McBee - bass
Norman Connors - drums & percussion

B. - track 4 - Recorded in performance at The Jazz Workshop, Boston, 14 Feb 1971.

Sam Rivers - soprano sax
Cecil McBee - bass
Norman Connors - drums & percussion

C. - tracks 5, 6 - Recorded in performance at Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, 27 Oct 1972.

Sam Rivers - tenor sax
Richard Davis - bass
Warren Smith - drums & percussion

D. - tracks 7, 8 - Recorded in performance at Molde Jazz Festival, Norway, 3 Aug 1973.

Sam Rivers - soprano sax, flute
Avild Andersen - bass
Barry Altschul - drums & percussion

E. - tracks 9, 10 - Recorded in performance at Battel Chapel, Yale University, US, 10 Nov 1973.

Sam Rivers - soprano sax, flute
Cecil McBee - bass
Barry Altschul - drums & percussion

SAM RIVERS | DAVE HOLLAND | BARRY ALTSCHUL - Reunion : Live in New York (2012) 2xCD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist 1 :
Part 1    8:07
Part 2    9:41
Part 3    15:45
Part 4    8:37
Part 5    9:32
Tracklist 2 :
Part 1    8:55
Part 2    14:46
Part 3    4:10
Part 4    7:23
Credits :
Bass – Dave Holland
Drums – Barry Altschul
Tenor, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Piano – Sam Rivers
Notas.
Recorded live at Miller Theatre at Columbia University, New York, NY on May 25, 2007.

DAVE HOLLAND QUARTET - Conference of the Birds (1973-2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Dave Holland's debut as a leader, Conference of the Birds, doesn't seem to get its proper due outside of avant-garde circles; perhaps, when discussing the greats, Holland's name simply doesn't spring to mind as immediately. Whatever the case, Conference of the Birds is one of the all-time avant-garde jazz classics, incorporating a wide spectrum of '60s innovations. Part of the reason it works so well is the one-time-only team-up of two avant-garde legends: the fiery, passionate Sam Rivers and the cerebral Anthony Braxton; they complement and contrast one another in energizing fashion throughout. But much credit is due to Holland; make no mistake, even though he throws the spotlight to Rivers and Braxton, this is his date. The repertoire consists entirely of Holland originals, and his work here established him as easily the most advanced bassist/composer since Charles Mingus. His compositions show an impressive range: twisting, unpredictable themes accompanied by storming solos (the classic "Four Winds," "Interception"); free improvisation in group-dialogue form ("Q&A"); inside/outside avant-bop ("See Saw"); and surprisingly lovely, meditative flute showcases (the classic title track, "Now Here (Nowhere)"). No matter how free things get, Holland's pieces always set up logical frameworks with a clear-minded focus, which makes it easier to get a handle on the advanced musicianship of Holland's quartet (which also includes drummer Barry Altschul, who played in Chick Corea's Circle with Braxton and Holland). The absence of a piano frees up Rivers and Braxton to play off of one another, but the task of driving the ensemble then falls to Holland, and his prominent, muscular lines manage to really push his front line all by themselves. This album is a basic requirement for any avant-garde jazz collection, and it's also one of the most varied and accessible introductions to the style one could hope for. by Steve Huey  
Tracklist :
1    Four Winds    6:32
David Holland
2    Q & A    8:34
David Holland
3    Conference Of The Birds    4:43
David Holland
4    Interception    8:20
David Holland
5    Now Here (Nowhere)    4:32
David Holland
6    See-Saw    6:40
David Holland
Credits :
Bass – Dave Holland
Percussion, Marimba – Barry Altschul
Producer – Manfred Eicher
Reeds, Flute – Anthony Braxton, Sam Rivers