ANTHONY BRAXTON - ... If My Memory Serves Me Right (1987) Unofficial Release | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Despite the excellence of this performance by Mr. Braxton's quartet in 1987, with Mark Dresser, Gerry Hemingway, and pianist David Rosenbloom (who preceded Marilyn Crispell), the slim rating on this disc is given for it being on the infamous West Wind label, and is, more than likely, a pirated title. The information for its two selections, "Improvisation Alpha" and the title track, are, for instance, unnumbered! This is the first hint that something is amiss. Braxton's compositions, even if named, are always afforded numbers. The second is the dodgy sound balances in the right channel especially, where the drums are way too high in the stereo mix. Again, in releasing a recording of a live performance, Mr. Braxton is meticulous. Then there's the matter of the cover! Take a look and judge for yourself. Finally, it is painfully obvious that what transpires in both of these works is not complete -- they are excerpts of other pieces combined together on a compact disc. Despite the most interesting interplay between Rosenbloom and Braxton on soprano saxophone, and Dresser's ability to shore up the pianist when he begins to lose his way in Braxton's sound world, it is impossible to recommend this disc because of its slovenly presentation and dubious origins.  
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Tracklist :
1    Improvisation Alpha    21:55
2    ...If My Memory Serves Me Right    18:36
Credits :
Bass – Mark Dresser
Drums – Gerry Hemingway
Piano – David Rosenboom
Reeds – Anthony Braxton

ANTHONY BRAXTON - Five Compositions (Quartet) 1986 (1986) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Anthony Braxton has spent his career plying a mostly inspired blend of complex compositions and free group improvisation, reserving choice spots in his works for the parade of talented jazz musicians he's employed. In the '70s, lean years for the avant-garde jazz set, his forbidding form of music forced him to make the occasional buck hustling chess games in New York's Washington Square Park. Fortunately, those days were short lived. Now Braxton is utilizing his considerable talents in the Wesleyan University music department as a professor. By the time of this mid-'80s quartet date, Braxton was just starting to get better compensated for his music and was also formalizing his heady compositional formula; this advance was helped along considerably by his stellar quartet, including pianist Marilyn Crispell, percussionist Gerry Hemingway, and bassist Mark Dresser. Five Compositions features this group minus Crispell (ably replaced by David Rosenboom). Things kick off with the relatively straightforward, Braxtonized bebop number "Composition No. 131," featuring a complex head statement followed by some swinging passages, albeit with plenty of gritty horn work by the leader. Some deliberate and mercurial chamber jazz follows on "Composition No. 88" and the livelier "Compostion No. 122," spotlighting Hemingway's incredibly intuitive and sophisticated drum work. Braxton loosens up a bit on the more free-form "Composition No. 124" and "Composition N. 101"; these last two feature Braxton's engaging soprano work and a distortion-riddled, bowed bass solo by Dresser. Knotty music to be sure, but some of Braxton's most rewarding. Stephen Cook 
Tracklist :
1    Composition No. 131    7:09
2    Composition No. 88 (+108C)    5:56
3    Composition No. 124 (+108D+96)    9:07
4    Composition No. 122 (+108+96)    9:33
5    Composition No. 101 (+31+86+30)    11:31
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Sopranino Saxophone, Saxophone [C Melody Saxophone], Clarinet, Flute, Composed By – Anthony Braxton
Bass – Mark Dresser
Drums – Gerry Hemingway
Piano – David Rosenboom