ANTHONY BRAXTON : Composition No. 102 (For Orchestra & Puppet Theatre) (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Perhaps the most restrained piece of music he's ever written, Anthony Braxton's "Composition No. 102" features a 36-piece orchestra and three puppeteers (the puppets they operate are 25 feet tall!). According to the liner notes, Braxton's intention here, besides trying to enter into a world of composition for the whole family, is to augment the listening experience with a visual one of controlled and carefully notated movement, and absorb the listener/viewer in a fantasy world where the bird's-eye view is either from the world of dreams or from the catbird seat on a cloud. Braxton's wild -- and often visionary -- theories are nothing new; his completely impenetrable Tri-Axium Writings are full of the stuff. The trick is that more often than not he actually pulls this stuff off. In the case of "Composition No. 102," he delivers with a score that is rich in tonal color -- the guitar section alone is five pieces -- while being both deceptively repetitive and hypnotically active. Long, slowly evolving phrases are played over and over in section one, the processional, to denote that this is ceremonial or ritual music. It gives way, after transforming itself into another phrase harmonically -- with different instrumental timbres standing in for the original voices, etc. -- before entering into a period of restricted spatial improvisation and contrapuntal discussion. The "First Ceremony," then, is a part of the work where the puppets are going through their solo and interactive engagements and the players are ushering the movement in, while creating a musical tongue that enhances the movement onstage and off. A transition then takes place, melding both consonant and dissonant voices before creating another "ceremony" from the resultant equations of the first. Finally, as dissonance and consonance become assonance, the final fanfare can take place. Brass, reeds, strings, electric guitars, drums, and other instruments wind around the themes Braxton has written to "reclaim" their individual tones, but as one orchestra. If it sounds academic, it is. But that doesn't make it unfeeling or unlistenable -- far from it. This is one of the more outstanding works for large ensemble he's ever written, highlighting the entire panorama of orchestral colors Braxton has always claimed were possible but hadn't displayed yet. A necessity for any listener who's studied Braxton with consistency -- a beguiling mixture of control and fantasy.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Composition No. 102 (For Orchestra & Puppet Theatre)    
1    Opening Procession    14:22
2    First Ceremony    25:52
3    Transition    6:23
4    Third Ceremony    17:24
5    Closing Fanfare    4:13
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Allen Livermore, David Kasher, Matthew Lee, Niko Higgins
Alto Saxophone, Clarinet – Jackson Moore
Bass – Dirck Westervelt, Michael Lenore
Cello – Anil Seth, Vivian Lee
Composed By, Conductor, Liner Notes – Anthony Braxton
Cornet – Daniel Young
Euphonium [Double Belled Euphonium] – Stewart Gillmor
Flugelhorn – Taylor Ho Bynum
Flute – April Monroe, Christine Whitledge
Guitar – Dan Gilbert, Edmond Cho, Kevin O'Neil, Nathaniel Delafield, Thom Loubet
Keyboards – Robert Weythman
Koto [13 String Koto] – Brett Larner
Melodica – Sung Kim
Oboe – Raphael Cohen
Orchestra – The Wesleyan Creative Orchestra
Other [Puppeteer No-1] – Joshua Shimkin
Other [Puppeteer No-2] – Owen Benediktsson
Other [Puppeteer No-3] – Demian Mason
Percussion – Josh Rosenblatt, Rene Muslin
Piano – Eric Ronick, Kevin Uehinger, Michael Buescher, Michael Thompson, Ronaldo Garces
Soprano Vocals – Dorene Zjawinski
Trombone – John Speck
Trumpet – Sam Hoyt, Steve Laronga, Zach See
Violin – Nickie Braxton

ANTHONY BRAXTON - GTM (Knitting Factory) 1997 Vol. 1 & 2 (2011) 2CD | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist :
1.1    Composition No. 194    1:12:47
2.1    Composition No. 195    59:09
Credits :
Bass – Joe Fonda
Electric Guitar – Kevin O'Neil
Percussion – Kevin Norton
Reeds, Composed By – Anthony Braxton
Violin – Gregor Kitzis

ANTHONY BRAXTON - Composition No. 173 (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This musically and textually complex composition examines movement-strategies that occur in normal life in various spaces (a living room, an airport, a theater space, an open outdoor area "I hear an influence coming on from the CKA AREAS," dream spaces, etc.); the actors describe in subtle detail several "movement-execution strategies." Body areas are examined as analogs for the occurrence of sound, the imagery of a "body-examination logic." As one actor describes the purpose of the text "... all I need are allies who are willing to risk a moment to change fundamental established 'positions, ' really Arnold, it's time for a change." The music is exciting and contrapuntally dense, and at other times mysteriously sustained. Maps of geography (sounds moving about the real and imaginary and video "virtual" lands) and musical graph strategies are treated as analogs. A thoughtful and innovative "multimedia" work. "Blue" Gene Tyranny
Composition No- 173    
1    Opening Music - Introduction    15:39
2    Scene One - Interlude Duo    16:16
3    Scene Two (A) - Interlude Ensemble    14:22
4    Scene Two (B)    5:12
5    Closing Music    7:26
Credits :
Artwork [Cover] – Maria Bonandrini
Bass – Dirck Westervelt, Joe Fonda
Bass Clarinet – Brandon Evans
Bassoon – Bo Bell
Cello – Jacob Rosen, Sandra Miller
Clarinet – Jennifer Hill
Composed By, Conductor – Anthony Braxton
Guitar – Kevin O'Neil
Koto – Brett W. Larner
Oboe – Melinda Newman
Percussion – Josh Rosenblatt
Sopranino Saxophone – Brandon Evans
Violin – Danielle Langston, Nickie Braxton
Voice Actor – Baba Ben Israel, Isha Beck, Laura Arbuckle, Steve Ben Israel

ANTHONY BRAXTON — Ten Compositions (Quartet) 2000 (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The highly resourceful Anthony Braxton once again contributes an important recording in this original tribute to the compositions of unsung pianist Andrew Hill, who wrote most of the pieces on the album. The saxophonist uses an unusual combination of alto sax, guitar, bass, and drums to deliver the goods. While the piano is clearly missed, Kevin O'Neil proves himself a strong voice on guitar in what appears to be his recording debut, able to handle the quirky melodies and tough chord progressions with ease, and producing fluidly complex solos that are gracefully integrated. Braxton's surprisingly yet attractively thin voice on alto often sounds like a soprano sax, while his angular improvisations bring out the peculiarities in Hill's charts even more so than when the pianist performed them himself. Braxton seems a tad uncomfortable with some of the difficult melodies and sequences, but the upshot is solos almost completely devoid of cliché. Norton is a solid timekeeper, whatever the tempo; he knows how to stay out of the way and also when to kick and complement a line. Steve Loewy
Tracklist :
1    Virgo    12:07
2    New Arrival    8:22
3    McNeil Island    2:53
4    Black Monday    5:45
5    C-Bop    10:56
6    Pumpkin - Take 2    5:43
7    Alfred - Take 2    4:32
8    Griots    2:58
9    No Doubt - Take 2    3:13
10    Lo Joe - Take 3    7:13
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Flute – Anthony Braxton
Bass – Andy Eulau
Cover [Cover Art - Ten Pieces] – Kara D. Rusch
Drums – Kevin Norton
Guitar – Kevin O'Neil

ANTHONY BRAXTON - Nine Compositions (Hill) 2000 (2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This 2001 release represents the second and final segment in a set of multi-reedman/composer Anthony Braxton's interpretations of the music of pianist/composer Andrew Hill. On this outing, the estimable artist surges forward with mainstream-like accessibility, especially when viewing his rather massive recorded legacy as a whole. Here, Braxton eschews his avant-garde tendencies, although the quintet occasionally delves into the free jazz scheme of things. The quintet pays dutiful homage to a portion of Hill's works via a series of moderate swing vamps and jazz waltz-style passages. Alto saxophonist Steve Lehman chips in on several tracks, while trumpeter Paul Smoker and guitarist Kevin O'Neil receive generous soloing opportunities. However, it's Braxton's fluttering attack and upbeat ruminations that propel the band into a surfeit of variegated excursions, as the soloists jab and spar or render their wares in sequential fashion. Ultimately, the musicians are most effective at reworking and, in some instances, decoding Hill's melodies with multidimensional frameworks and in-the-pocket grooves. Recommended. Glenn Astarita  
Tracklist :
1    New Monastery    5:52
2    Pinnacle    8:49
3    Dedication    4:34
4    Euterpe    7:28
5    Tail Feather    4:43
6    Calliope    7:31
7    Pax    5:24
8    Symmetry    9:22
9    Refuge    6:55
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Steve Lehman (pistas: 1 to 3, 5, 8, 9)
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Anthony Braxton
Composed By – Andrew Hill
Double Bass – Andy Eulau
Drums – Kevin Norton
Guitar – Kevin O'Neil
Trumpet – Paul Smoker (pistas: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9)

ANTHONY BRAXTON - 23 Standards (Quartet) 2003 (2004) 4CD SET | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1-1    Crazy Rhythm 16:50
Composed By – Joseph Meyer, Roger Wolfe Kahn
1-2    Off Minor 11:36
Composed By – Thelonious Monk
1-3    Desafinado 4:35
Composed By – Antonio Carlos Jobim
1-4    26 — 1 11:15
Composed By – John Coltrane
1-5    Why Shouldn't I 10:42
Composed By – Cole Porter
1-6    Giant Steps 12:32
Composed By – John Coltrane
2-1    Tangerine 14:35
Composed By – Schertzinger
2-2    Black Orpheus 13:53
Composed By – Louis Bonfa
2-3    Round Midnite 13:03
Composed By – Thelonious Monk
2-4    Ju — Ju 10:26
Composed By – Wayne Shorter
2-5    After You've Gone
Composed By – Creamer, Layton
3-1    Everything I Love 12:24
Composed By – Cole Porter
3-2    I Can't Get Started 11:09
Composed By – Vernon Duke
3-3    It's A Raggy Waltz 10:12
Composed By – Dave Brubeck
3-4    Countdown 12:08
Composed By – John Coltrane
3-5    Blue In Green 5:11
Composed By – Bill Evans
3-6    Beatrice 9:27
Composed By – Sam Rivers
4-1    Only The Lonely 6:37
Composed By – S. Cahn & J. Van Heusen
4-2    Recorda Me 15:52
Composed By – Henderson
4-3    Ill Wind 17:00
Composed By – Harold Arlen
4-4    I'll Be Easy To Find 11:29
Composed By – B. Howard
4-5    Three To Get Ready 10:29
Composed By – Dave Brubeck
4-6    Dolphin Dance 10:47
Composed By – Herbie Hancock
Credits :
Bass – Andy Eulau
Guitar – Kevin O'Neil
Painting [Front Cover Painting] – V. Kandinsky
Percussion – Kevin Norton
Saxophone [Saxophones] – Anthony Braxton

ANTHONY BRAXTON - Ninetet (Yoshi's) 1997, Vol. 1 (2002) 2CD | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Recorded live at the San Francisco jazz club Yoshi's, this two-CD set captures Anthony Braxton's "Ghost Trance" music performed by a sympathetic nonet, comprised of a saxophone sextet plus a rhythm section. Each of the group's members is closely associated with Braxton, so that this performance can be said to accurately portray the structure of the music and the intentions of the composer. The sound is surprisingly clear for a live performance, too. This is very difficult music to listen to at one sitting, and the written saxophone parts can be particularly torturous. Pounding pulses devoid of melody, a somewhat limited tonal palette, and lots of repeating phrases (what the composer calls "repetition") add to the complexity and the opaqueness. Appreciating the theoretical underpinnings of the compositions, some of which are discussed by Steve Day in the liner notes, make it more approachable, and the glorious improvisations by Braxton and his colleagues mitigate the harshness of the whole. Although it is virtually impossible to know which reed players are playing what and when, when you bring together the sort of talent represented by saxophone luminaries such as Brandon Evans, James Fei, Jackson Moore, as well as an all-star rhythm section of percussionist Kevin Norton, guitarist Kevin O'Neil, and bassist Joe Fonda, you know that the quality of performance is bound to be superb, and, in fact, the solos and trio breakouts are nothing less than splendid. For those who have been exposed to this phase of Braxton's music, these two performances are among his best for a small group. For those who have not yet tasted these fruits, you may wish to start elsewhere with a single helping. Steve Loewy  
Tracklist :
1-1    Composition N. 207    1:12:00
2-1    Composition N. 208    1:11:09
Credits :
Alto Saxophone [Eb Alto Sax], Alto Saxophone [F-Alto Sax], Soprano Saxophone [Soprano Sax], C Melody Saxophone [C-Melody Sax], Flute, Clarinet [Bb Clarinet], Bass Clarinet, Contrabass Clarinet – Anthony Braxton
Alto Saxophone [Eb Alto Sax], Clarinet [Bb Clarinet] – Jackson Moore
Alto Saxophone [Eb Alto Sax], Soprano Saxophone [Soprano Sax], Bass Clarinet – James Fei
Artwork – Lora Denis
Bass – Joe Fonda
Drums, Marimba, Percussion, Vibraphone – Kevin Norton
Electric Guitar – Kevin O'Neil
Music By – Anthony Braxton
Producer – Anthony Braxton, Leo Feigin
Soprano Saxophone [Soprano Sax], Bass Saxophone [Bass Sax], Flute – J.D. Parran
Tenor Saxophone [Tenor Sax], Alto Saxophone [Eb Alto Sax], Soprano Saxophone [Soprano Sax], Baritone Saxophone [Baritone Sax] – Andre Vida
Tenor Saxophone [Tenor Sax], Soprano Saxophone [C-Soprano Sax], Sopranino Saxophone [Sopranino Sax], Bass Clarinet, Flute – Brandon Evans

ANTHONY BRAXTON - Ninetet (Yoshi's) 1997, Vol. 2 (2003) 2CD | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Braxton's Ghost Trance Music series ranks among the most difficult music to review. Everyone has his or her personal favorites among the dozens of discs released under this umbrella and, since the general idea underpinning them all and the quality of musicianship remain rather constant, evaluation comes down to highly subjective factors. For instance, one listener might find the first volume in Leo Records' Ninetet (Yoshi's) 1997 series lacking in interest, but would be hard pressed to rationally explain why this second installment, Ninetet (Yoshi's) 1997, Vol. 2 is so much better. The lineup is the same: a barrage of woodwinds (Anthony Braxton, Brandon Evans, James Fei, Jackson Moore, Andre Vidal, and J.D. Parran, all playing multiple saxophones, clarinets, and flutes) accompanied by guitar (Kevin O'Neil), bass (Joe Fonda), and percussion (Kevin Norton), although all nine players rarely perform at the same time. Both "Composition N. 209" and "Composition N. 210" move through a quasi-endless and constantly renewed flow of trios (the latter also uses larger combinations). The music was recorded the day after the first volume, and consists once again of two disc-long pieces. The difference on Vol. 2 is that the group sounds more focused, more willing to trap the listener into the hypnotic patterns of the music and push him to the edge of free improvisation. "Composition N. 210" in particular deploys some mean tricks to make you forget that it is written down. The two pieces develop very different colors. Most noticeable is the fact that Norton (mostly) plays the drum kit in "N. 210," while he sticks to mallet percussion and cymbals in "N. 209." And so, either by design or attraction, "N. 210" displays a certain free jazz mood, prone to a certain frenzy, while "N. 209" slightly evokes contemporary classical music, especially in its delicate finale. Up to this point, the listener may be under the impression that GTM worked better with small groupings, but this set proves otherwise. François Couture  
Tracklist :
1-1    Composition N. 209    57:49
2-1    Composition N. 210    58:33
Credits :
Alto Saxophone [Eb Alto Sax], Alto Saxophone [F-Alto Sax], Soprano Saxophone [Soprano Sax], C Melody Saxophone [C-Melody Sax], Flute, Clarinet [Bb Clarinet], Bass Clarinet, Contrabass Clarinet – Anthony Braxton
Alto Saxophone [Eb Alto Sax], Clarinet [Bb Clarinet] – Jackson Moore
Alto Saxophone [Eb Alto Sax], Soprano Saxophone [Soprano Sax], Bass Clarinet – James Fei
Artwork – Lora Denis
Bass – Joe Fonda
Drums, Marimba, Percussion, Vibraphone – Kevin Norton
Electric Guitar – Kevin O'Neil
Music By – Anthony Braxton
Producer – Anthony Braxton, Leo Feigin
Soprano Saxophone [Soprano Sax], Bass Saxophone [Bass Sax], Flute – J.D. Parran
Tenor Saxophone [Tenor Sax], Alto Saxophone [Eb Alto Sax], Soprano Saxophone [Soprano Sax], Baritone Saxophone [Baritone Sax] – Andre Vida
Tenor Saxophone [Tenor Sax], Soprano Saxophone [C-Soprano Sax], Sopranino Saxophone [Sopranino Sax], Bass Clarinet, Flute – Brandon Evans

ANTHONY BRAXTON - Ninetet (Yoshi's) 1997, Vol. 3 (2005) 2CD | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Released 15 months after Vol. 2, this two-CD set continues to document the Anthony Braxton Ninetet's six-night residency at Yoshi's. "Composition No. 211" and "Composition No. 212" (each 55 minutes long) were both performed on August 21, 1997. Because of the range of arrangements it offers in a format relatively easy to keep together, the Ninetet is turning into Braxton's ultimate Ghost Trance Music-era group, in the light of these recordings. The (shifting) triple-trio configuration, the quality of the musicianship, and the creativity developed from "Composition No. 207" through "Composition No. 218" will make this series one of the essential documents of GTM. As on the previous night, the most immediate difference between the first and the second pieces is Kevin Norton's role. In "211," he sticks exclusively to marimba and vibraphone, while in "212" he is mostly behind the drum kit. The first piece is the strongest one of the two. Braxton, Brandon Evans, and J.D. Parran form a flute trio at one point which, coupled with Norton's vibes, takes listeners into unusually velvety pastures. The pulse is marvelously sustained, producing a strong hypnotic effect, and the music attains a level of complexity and confidence -- ease too, probably -- the previous evenings only hinted at. "212" is slightly less impressive, mostly because the wind section lacks a bit of togetherness in key places. But it also features a fine bass sax solo from Parran, some of the series' most audacious "departures" from the main score, and a gentle finale (a nice change from the more standard GTM practice, which consists of abruptly stopping in the middle of a staccato tutti). The quality and entertainment value of Steve Day's listening diary -- an excellent no-nonsense contextualization of Braxton's music -- is is also worth noting. François Couture
Tracklist :
1-1    Composition N. 211    55:30
2-1    Composition N. 212    55:35
Credits :
Alto Saxophone [Eb Alto Sax], Alto Saxophone [F-Alto Sax], Soprano Saxophone [Soprano Sax], C Melody Saxophone [C-Melody Sax], Flute, Clarinet [Bb Clarinet], Bass Clarinet, Contrabass Clarinet – Anthony Braxton
Alto Saxophone [Eb Alto Sax], Clarinet [Bb Clarinet] – Jackson Moore
Alto Saxophone [Eb Alto Sax], Soprano Saxophone [Soprano Sax], Bass Clarinet – James Fei
Artwork – Lora Denis
Bass – Joe Fonda
Drums, Marimba, Percussion, Vibraphone – Kevin Norton
Electric Guitar – Kevin O'Neil
Music By – Anthony Braxton
Producer – Anthony Braxton, Leo Feigin
Soprano Saxophone [Soprano Sax], Bass Saxophone [Bass Sax], Flute – J.D. Parran
Tenor Saxophone [Tenor Sax], Alto Saxophone [Eb Alto Sax], Soprano Saxophone [Soprano Sax], Baritone Saxophone [Baritone Sax] – Andre Vida
Tenor Saxophone [Tenor Sax], Soprano Saxophone [C-Soprano Sax], Sopranino Saxophone [Sopranino Sax], Bass Clarinet, Flute – Brandon Evans

ANTHONY BRAXTON - Ninetet (Yoshi's) 1997, Vol. 4 (2007) 2CD | FLAC (tracks), lossless

In the light of Firehouse 12's successful release of Anthony Braxton's complete Iridium residence as a single nine-CD box set in 2007, it is worth wondering if the Yoshi's residence would have had more impact had it been published as a 12-CD package instead of six separate volumes. The fact is, Braxton's six-day string of concerts at Yoshi's took place in 1997, the first night came out on CD in 2002, the fourth in 2007, and at this time it seems listeners won't have the whole thing before 2010. However, given how fast Braxton's compositional approach has been evolving, this occasional dip into early Ghost Trance Music helps recontextualize the Falling River Musics series or even the Diamond Curtain Wall experiments. On this fourth night of their weeklong engagement, the Ninetet performed two sets, each featuring a single new composition, numbers "213" and "214." Again, these are very difficult to describe in particulars, as this whole series feeds on repetition (within a piece and between pieces) of eight-note motives. Nine members strong, the group often sounds much larger, mainly because all but two play an array of different instruments, starting with Braxton himself, surrounded that night by seven saxes and clarinets, plus a flute. Even percussionist Kevin Norton keeps switching back and forth between the drum kit, marimba, and vibraphone. So the ensemble sounds larger than life, especially in "Composition No. 213," a very busy hour of music. "Composition No. 214" is somewhat stranger, the group fragmenting more often into subgroupings, and establishing a hierarchy between the soloists and the "backup" players by pushing the former far up into the mix and keeping the remaining musicians at a pianissimo level late in the piece. "Composition No. 214" also sees the group more willing to drop the GTM pulse altogether, or even accelerating it. Still, due to the time lag between recording and release dates, the Yoshi's series has become an item for the completist. More casual Braxton fans are better off keeping up with the man's genius and focusing on his more recent adventures. François Couture  
Tracklist :
1-1    Composition N. 213    56:14
2-1    Composition N. 214    58:40
Credits :
Alto Saxophone [Eb Alto Sax], Alto Saxophone [F-Alto Sax], Soprano Saxophone [Soprano Sax], C Melody Saxophone [C-Melody Sax], Flute, Clarinet [Bb Clarinet], Bass Clarinet, Contrabass Clarinet – Anthony Braxton
Alto Saxophone [Eb Alto Sax], Clarinet [Bb Clarinet] – Jackson Moore
Alto Saxophone [Eb Alto Sax], Soprano Saxophone [Soprano Sax], Bass Clarinet – James Fei
Artwork – Lora Denis
Bass – Joe Fonda
Drums, Marimba, Percussion, Vibraphone – Kevin Norton
Electric Guitar – Kevin O'Neil
Music By – Anthony Braxton
Producer – Anthony Braxton, Leo Feigin
Soprano Saxophone [Soprano Sax], Bass Saxophone [Bass Sax], Flute – J.D. Parran
Tenor Saxophone [Tenor Sax], Alto Saxophone [Eb Alto Sax], Soprano Saxophone [Soprano Sax], Baritone Saxophone [Baritone Sax] – Andre Vida
Tenor Saxophone [Tenor Sax], Soprano Saxophone [C-Soprano Sax], Sopranino Saxophone [Sopranino Sax], Bass Clarinet, Flute – Brandon Evans

ANTHONY BRAXTON - 20 Standards (Quartet) 2003 (2005) 4CD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Released a year after 23 Standards (Quartet) 2003, this second four-disc set doubles the amount of material released from Braxton's tours of Europe in early and late 2003, with the same lineup (Braxton on saxes, Kevin O'Neil on guitar, bassist Andy Eulau, and drummer Kevin Norton), same focus on jazz standards, and even the same dates in some cases. Together, the two four-CD sets released by Leo Records present recordings from ten different European dates (two in February 2003 and eight in November of that year). This second set continues with the editorial approach used in the first one: each disc consists of tracks from different concerts, brought together to make a balanced record. So this second five-hour helping adds pieces performed at shows already represented in the first box set, and covers a couple of shows that were left untouched. Leftovers? Hardly. In fact, it is easy to be convinced that all eight discs were conceived simultaneously. Again, one is struck by the multifaceted balance of the album as a whole. Jazz crowd favorites like Desmond's "Take Five," Brubeck's "Blue Rondo à la Turk," Coltrane's "Lonnie's Lament," and Parker's "Blues for Alice" are presented side by side with less covered tunes, like Mulligan's "Lines for Lyons" and Harris' "Freedom Jazz Dance." And, as usual in such a jazz setting, Braxton pays a loving tribute to each tune, respecting the melody, pushing it beyond the composer's wildest dreams, taking it apart and reassembling it in the most natural-sounding way. The quartet takes flight right off the starting block with a 20-minute rendition of "All the Things You Are." Other highlights include Norton's solo in "Lines for Lyons," Braxton's uncanny out-sensitivity in "Waltz for Debbie," and the slippery playfulness -- and impossible telepathy -- of the quartet in "Take Five." Since the first box set sold out pretty quickly, this one is like a second chance, with all new material. These are masterfully creative revisitations of chunks of jazz history, big and small. Limited to a thousand copies, this album, like the previous one, is bound to become a collector's favorite. François Couture  
Tracklist :
1-1    All The Things You Are 20:08
Composed By – J. Kern / O. Hammerstein
1-2    Lines For Lyons 13:53
Composed By – G. Mulligan
1-3    April In Paris 12:25
Composed By – V. Duke
1-4    Green Dolphin Street 16:07
Composed By – Kaper, Washington
1-5    Blues For Alice 13:32
Composed By – C. Parker
2-1    Alone Together 18:32
Composed By – H. Dietz + A. Schwartz
2-2    Waltz For Debbie 12:28
Composed By – B. Evans
2-3    For Heaven's Sake 13:40
Composed By – D. Meyer, Gretton, S. Edward
2-4    Freedom Jazz Dance 14:48
Composed By – E.Harris
2-5    The Song Is You 19:12
Composed By – J.Kern / O. Hammerstein
3-1    The Duke 12:24
Composed By – D. Brubeck
3-2    I Love You 13:48
Composed By – C. Porter
3-3    Lonnie's Lament 8:05
Composed By – J. Coltrane
3-4    Blue Rondo Ala Turk 14:42
Composed By – D. Brubeck
3-5    Invitation 17:09
Composed By – Kaper, Washington
4-1    Tune Up 19:15
Composed By – M. Davis
4-2    Remember 18:03
Composed By – I.Berlin
4-3    Moonlight In Vermont 15:05
Composed By – K. Suessdorf
4-4    Take Five 10:24
Composed By – P. Desmond
4-5    Serenity 13:25
Composed By – J. Henderson
Credits :
Bass – Andy Eulau
Guitar – Kevin O'Neil
Painting [Front Cover Painting] – V. Kandinsky
Percussion – Kevin Norton
Saxophone [Saxophones] – Anthony Braxton

ANTHONY BRAXTON - 19 Standards (Quartet) 2003 (2010) 4CD SET | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

On November 14, 2003, a quartet led by composer, philosopher, and multi-instrumentalist Anthony Braxton recorded more than four hours' worth of material which was issued by Leo Records in 2010 on the four-CD set 19 Standards (Quartet) 2003. This was the third four-CD set drawing upon recordings from the group's European tours during that busy and productive year. The creative small group dynamic developed by Braxton over several decades is very much in evidence as he interacts with bassist Andy Eulau, percussionist Kevin Norton, and guitarist Kevin O'Neil. Braxton's choices are astute and varied enough to make this an exceptionally satisfying effort. If to some extent "Dear Old Stockholm" and Jobim's "The Girl from Ipanema" suggest a nod to Stan Getz, Braxton probably first encountered "So Rare" on Jimmy Dorsey's popular Earl Bostic-flavored recording which dates from 1957. Braxton's take on the tune, which was originally published in 1937, focuses upon its beauty and elegance. A strong selection of heavyweight modern jazz standards in this set enables the unit to engage in some healthy extended jamming. It's a pleasure to hear how Braxton approaches Mongo Santamaria's "Afro Blue," Jackie McLean's "Little Melonae," "Mr. P.C." by John Coltrane, and "Half Nelson" by Miles Davis. The one title which you won't find on anybody else's "Standards" collection is Braxton's original "G. Petal (Improvisation)."

The range of expression resulting from Braxton's relationship with various musical traditions has always been dazzlingly expansive. Blended influences of Arnold Schoenberg, Anton Webern, Karlheinz Stockhausen, and John Cage exist in perpetual combination with literally everything that has gone into the evolution of jazz over the past century. This ambitious and open-minded approach was strongly encouraged by Muhal Richard Abrams, the AACM co-founder who deliberately introduced the ideas of Scott Joplin into that organization's itinerary from the get-go. Examine Braxton's discography, and woven throughout his many assembled original compositions you're sure to detect a recurrent pattern of recordings which tap most unconventionally into the common working jazz repertoire. In the Tradition was released in two volumes by Steeplechase in 1974, and a pair of albums devoted to standards appeared in 1985 on Windham Hill's subsidiary label Magenta. Six Monk's Compositions (1987) belongs in this category as well. Braxton's tendency to reinterpret jazz standards was given free rein throughout the following decade; with the Fred Simmons Trio, with the Mario Pavone Quintet, and in two different projects, which landed Braxton behind the piano. One particularly rewarding set of realizations was issued by Leo as 14 Compositions (Traditional) 1996, in which Braxton and Stewart Gillmor each juggled multiple instruments while savoring older melodies, some of which date back to the 1920s. Braxton's involvement with the standard repertoire continued with Barking Hoop's 8 Standards (Wesleyan 2001), which may be taken as a sort of prelude to 19 Standards (Quartet) 2003, for like the other two four-CD sets, both albums feature the same sublimely intuitive quartet. For those who simply cannot get enough of this sort of music, a stunning six-CD set of standards which Braxton recorded with three Italian musicians in a Belgian cafe has been issued by the Amarani label as Standards (Brussels) 2006. arwulf arwulf  
Tracklist :
1-1    Four 8:20
Composed By – M. Davis
1-2    Body And Soul 16:55
Composed By – E. Heyman, F. Eyton, J. Green, R. Sour
1-3    G. Petal (Improvisation) 5:44
Music By – A. Braxton
1-4    So Rare 15:22
Composed By – T. Dorsey
1-5    It's You Or No One 18:48
Composed By [Uncredited] – Jule Styne And Sammy Cahn
2-1    Half Nelson 15:40
Composed By – M. Davis
2-2    Ruby My Dear 15:03
Composed By – T. Monk
2-3    The Girl From Ipanema 10:29
Composed By – A. C. Jobim
2-4    Afternoon In Paris 23:54
Composed By – J. Lewis
3-1    East Of The Sun 20:12
Composed By – B. Bowman
3-2    Afro Blue 12:09
Composed By – M. Santamaria
3-3    Nancy With The Laughing Face 13:25
Composed By – J. Van Heusen
3-4    Little Melonae 13:49
Composed By – J. McLean
3-5    What's New 11:55
Composed By – B. Haggart
4-1    Minority 10:10
Composed By [Uncredited] – Gigi Gryce
4-2    Inch Worm 13:28
Composed By – F. Loesser
4-3    Mr. P.C. 16:08
Composed By – J. Coltrane
4-4    Dear Ole Stockholm 9:13
Composed By – Sweedish Folk Song
4-5    Like Someone In Love 19:59
Composed By – J. Van Heusen
Credits :
Bass – Andy Eulau
Guitar – Kevin O'Neil
Painting [Front Cover Painting] – V. Kandinsky
Percussion – Kevin Norton
Saxophone [Saxophones] – Anthony Braxton