ANTHONY BRAXTON - 9 Standards (Quartet) 1993 (1996) 2CD | FLAC (tracks), lossless

This is Braxton's first solo piano album, finally recorded after years of woodshedding on the traditional jazz repertoire. That it doesn't sound like any other pianist as much as it sounds like Braxton the saxophonist should not surprise anyone. Braxton approaches standards on piano in much the same way he does on alto. He doesn't just go "out" on the structure; he uses the chords, but he doesn't play patterns or contrived licks over them in the way a bebop player would. Every time he approaches a piece, it's as if he's playing it for the first time, using his accumulated knowledge to decipher just that specific composition's secrets. Braxton doesn't use the tune as a whole. Rather, he dissects the component parts, using the separate elements as material for his improvisation as he makes his way through the piece. It's as if he's telling you about a trip that he's just taken, only instead of saying "I went to San Francisco," he tells you every detail of the trip just as it occurred. You don't know for certain his final destination until story's end; when it's revealed, it's a wonderful surprise made even more interesting by Braxton's discursive narrative. Chris Kelsey  
Tracklist 1 :
1-1    In Motion 14:00
Written-By – Fred Simmons
1-2    Cherokee 16:21
Written-By – R. Noble
1-3    You Go To My Head 14:18
Written-By – H. Gillespie, F. Coots
1-4    On Green Dolphin Street 11:41
Written-By – B. Kaper, N. Washington
1-5    All The Things You Are 9:27
Written-By – J. Kern / O. Hammerstein II
Tracklist 2 :
2-1    Mr. P.C. 13:34
Written-By – J. Coltrane
2-2    I Remember You 13:05
Written-By – J. Mercer, V. Schertzinger
2-3    What's New 14:26
Written-By – R. Haggart, J. Burke
2-4    Impressions 10:09
Written-By – J. Coltrane
Credits:
Alto Saxophone [Alto Sax], Sopranino Saxophone [Sopranino Sax], Flute – Anthony Braxton
Artwork [Front Cover Collage] – Stephen Kroninger
Bass – Paul Brown
Drums – Leroy Williams
Piano – Fred Simmons

DEWEY REDMAN - Musics (1978-1995) RM | Original Jazz Classics Limited Edition Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is one of tenor-saxophonist Dewey Redman's more accessible sessions. With the assistance of pianist Fred Simmons, bassist Mark Helias and drummer Eddie Moore, Redman is heard on the lyrical ballad "Alone Again (Naturally)," a bossa nova, jamming over parade rhythms and performing originals that sometimes are advanced bop. The music is excellent although not as explorative as most of Redman's other recordings. This fine Galaxy set has been reissued on CD in the OJC series. Scott Yanow
Tracklist
1 Need to Be 10:11
Dewey Redman
2 The Virgin Strike March 5:35
Dewey Redman
3 Alone Again (Naturally) 6:19
Gilbert O'Sullivan
4 Unknown Tongue 9:06
Dewey Redman
5 One Beautiful Day 5:36
Dewey Redman
6 Daystar Nightlight 6:04
Dewey Redman
Credits
Bass – Mark Helias
Percussion, Drums – Eddie Moore
Piano – Fred Simmons
Tenor Saxophone – Dewey Redman

DEWEY REDMAN - Soundsigns (1981) lp | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Recorded at the same sessions that resulted in Musics, this LP (which has not yet been reissued on CD) is actually more exploratory. Tenor saxophonist Dewey Redman interacts with both Mark Helias and Charlie Haden on "Piece for Tenor and Two Basses," swings semi-conventionally on "Half Nelson" (which adds pianist Fred Simmons and drummer Eddie Moore), and engages in some sonic explorations on "Adesso Lo Sai." Strangest of all is "Come Earth," which finds Redman switching to harmonica, the two bassists bowing wildly and Moore playing a musical saw. That number rambles on colorfully but without much direction for ten minutes. Scott Yanow
SIDE A
1    Piece For Tenor And Two Basses 8:23
Bass – Charlie Haden, Mark Helias
Tenor Saxophone – Dewey Redman
2    Half Nelson 10:07
Bass – Mark Helias
Drums – Eddie Moore
Piano – Fred Simmons
Tenor Saxophone – Dewey Redman
SIDE B
1    Adesso Lo Sai 13:59
Bass – Mark Helias
Drums – Eddie Moore
Piano – Fred Simmons
Tenor Saxophone – Dewey Redman
2    Come Earth 8:00
Bass – Charlie Haden, Mark Helias
Cymbal, Saw – Eddie Moore
Harp – Dewey Redman