ANTHONY BRAXTON - Composition No. 94 For Three Instrumentalists (1980) 2CD (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A major find, this recording captures the only trio appearance of Braxton, trombonist Ray Anderson, and guitarist James Emery during a performance in Bologna, Italy. Everything gelled that evening as the group played two versions of Braxton's monumental "Composition No. 94," the second one an incredible reading of the piece backwards! All the musicians were in perfect synch, as Braxton utterly impresses with lengthy forays on sopranino, soprano, alto and tenor saxophones, and contrabass clarinet, while Anderson is stunning on both alto and tenor trombones, cornet, and slide trumpet. Add Emery's extraordinary manipulations on electronics and major efforts on both acoustic and electric guitars, and the results should please even the most discerning critic of free jazz. Surprises abound, as this is one of the finest examples of extraordinary free music from the 1980s. The poor sound quality diminishes the thrill somewhat, but this CD remains an important document and a major contribution to Braxton's discography. Steve Loewy  
Tracklist :
First Set   
Composition No. 94 (Forward Reading)    (38:48)
1.1    Section A   
1.2    Section B, Part One   
1.3    Section B, Part Two   
Second Set   
Composition No. 94 (Backward Reading)    (37:15)
2.1    Section B, Part Two   
2.2    Section B, Part One   
2.3    Section A   
Credits :
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Electronics – James Emery
Sopranino Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Contrabass Clarinet, Music By – Anthony Braxton
Trombone [Alto Trombone], Tenor Trombone, Cornet, Trumpet [Slide Trumpet] – Ray Anderson

ANTHONY BRAXTON - Solo (Koln) 1978 (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Not released until 24 years after it was recorded, this classic solo album by one of the giants of the saxophone is a welcome addition to Anthony Braxton's discography. Performing solely on alto sax, there is a searing lyricism and a surprisingly jazz-oriented underpinning to even the most abstract of Braxton's improvisations. While most of the compositions are originals, the two that are not -- "You Go to My Head" and "Impressions" -- reveal Braxton's remarkable ability to delve deeply inside a song's structure and make it his own. In later years, Braxton often revealed a mellow tinge to his playing, even in solo performances. The instant release, though, reveals him in an energetic mood, and should satisfy those who appreciate his more radical side within the "mainstream" of the jazz avant-garde. He barks, screeches (though only occasionally and in characteristically good taste), and shows some outstanding technical skills, including incredible speed. While he has recorded some of these compositions elsewhere (for example, as Steve Day writes in the liner notes, four of the compositions appear on the impressive Alto Saxophone Improvisations 1979), Braxton is in peak form on this one and the results are uniformly excellent. Braxton enthusiasts (and others, too) will want this in their collections. Steve Loewy
Tracklist :
1     Composition No. 77a 8:30
Anthony Braxton    
2     Composition No. 138m 6:40
Anthony Braxton    
3     Composition No. 106d 9:20     
Anthony Braxton
4     Composition No. 77h 7:25     
Anthony Braxton
5     Composition No. 138p 5:14
Anthony Braxton    
6     You Go to My Head 7:16
J. Fred Coots / Haven Gillespie    
7     Composition No. 26e 13:09
Anthony Braxton     
8     Composition No. 8d 6:30
Anthony Braxton    
9     Composition No. 26f 6:27
Anthony Braxton    
10     Composition No. 106f 5:14
Anthony Braxton    
11     Impressions 2:10
John Coltrane
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Anthony Braxton

ANTHONY BRAXTON - Solo (Milano) 1979 (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Following in the wake of the 2002 archival release Solo (Koln) 1978, Solo (Milano) 1979 presents another previously unavailable live recording of one of two concerts performed within three days in Milano in January 1979. While the previous album sported a sound quality that matched the impressive performance, this one requires more dedication from the listener. Hissy and flat in places, the tape challenges the ear before the music has a chance to challenge the mind. That said, fans will find the album worth owning, especially since it contains a few compositions that had been left undocumented. The set is typical of late-'70s solo Braxton: a mix of really harsh pieces ("Composition No. 8i," "Composition No. 119a"), full of tongue stabs that sound like daggers, ear-piercing high notes, and incredibly brutal dynamic shifts alongside softer tunes ("Composition No. 99m," for instance) based on circular or cascading motifs. In the latter pieces, the jazz vein is never far. Two standards, "I Remember Clifford" and "Out of Nowhere," relieve tension in key points of the set while proving to the quiet audience that the man was not all virtuosity and abstraction. Braxton is in good shape, but he sounds tired in "Composition No. 99m," having trouble keeping the triplets flowing elegantly and resting just a bit too much on the long notes. Solo (Milano) 1979 makes a nice addition to a fan's collection, but it has a more marginal value. François Couture
Tracklist :
1     Composition No. 77b 6:45
Anthony Braxton
2     Composition No. 119a 6:27
Anthony Braxton   
3     Composition No. 8g 5:14
Anthony Braxton   
4     I Remember Clifford 5:38
Benny Golson    
5     Composition No. 99L 4:46
Anthony Braxton    
6     Composition No. 8h 5:16
Anthony Braxton   
7      Out of Nowhere 5:21
Johnny Green / Edward Heyman   
8     Composition No. 8i 5:36
Anthony Braxton   
9     Composition No. 99m 4:43
Anthony Braxton   
10     Composition No. 106m 4:12
Anthony Braxton
Credits :
Performer – Anthony Braxton

ANTHONY BRAXTON - Solo (Milano) 1979 Vol. 2 (2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Of all of the saxophonists who occasionally play unaccompanied solos, Anthony Braxton's solo recitals tend to be the most intriguing and fulfilling. Each of his performances has its own point and plot, tends to be concise, and is generally intriguing. A composition might be built around a simple trill, a downward phrase, or slap-tonguing. Braxton builds his improvisation from the initial idea, mood, and/or theme, keeping the original plot in mind up to the improvisation's conclusion. This particular set of solos from 1979 features seven of Braxton's originals plus five standards. On the latter he pays tribute to each piece's melody, sometimes sticking close to the theme and on other occasions coming up with unexpected ideas. Listeners who may have difficulty getting into Anthony Braxton's large-group performances are particularly advised to check out his unaccompanied solos, since the ensembles are uncluttered and the plot is easier to determine. Highly recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Composition No. 99b 6:24
Music By – Anthony Braxton
2    On Green Dolphin Street 5:42
Music By – Kaper, Washington
3    Composition No. 77e 4:55
Music By – Anthony Braxton
4    Composition No. 77g 5:31
Music By – Anthony Braxton
5    Composition No. 77d 4:47
Music By – Anthony Braxton
6    They Say That Falling In Love Is Wonderful 2:56
Music By – I. Berlin
7    Composition No. 118m 7:00
Music By – Anthony Braxton
8    Composition No. 118g 3:22
Music By – Anthony Braxton
9    Composition No. 106g 3:30
Music By – Anthony Braxton
10    Half Nelson 4:23
Music By – M. Davis
11    'Round Midnight 3:47
Music By – Hanighen, Williams, Monk
12    Lush Life 2:27
Music By – B. Strayhorn
Credits :
Performer – Anthony Braxton