ANTHONY BRAXTON | MARIO PAVONE QUINTET - Seven Standards 1995 (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In the mid-'90s, Braxton released several recordings featuring himself on piano. While he had written a number of pieces for the instrument (generally in classical mode), on his own these sessions tended to find him "in the tradition" of the standard jazz repertoire. If his playing falls short of other notables who dabbled on the keys (the great Mingus Plays Piano perhaps towering above them all), it forms yet another intriguing aspect of this deep, endlessly fascinating musician. Here, Braxton joins forces with the then current Mario Pavone quartet, an all-star lineup in and of itself with trumpeter Dave Douglas, multi-reed master Thomas Chapin, and drummer Pheeroan Ak Laff. The pieces, as well as Braxton's approach to the piano, tend to ramble albeit with much affection shown toward the material. He sounds a bit like a looser, less organized Don Pullen, beginning his solos inside the changes but inevitably working them into freer territory. His comping behind the other soloists is reasonably competent if perfunctory. It must be said that his voice on piano has little of the distinction or passion expressed on his multiple reeds. The rest of the musicians play the date in a fairly straight manner resulting in an OK blowing session, but all involved have created far more striking work elsewhere. Only the final cut, Coltrane's "Straight Street," really begins to take off. If you desperately need to have an example of Braxton's piano playing in your collection, this release would do better than, say, the double solo set on Justin Time, but it's difficult to make the case for Seven Standards 1995 being essential listening. Brian Olewnick  
Tracklist :
1    Dewey Square 10:50
Written-By – Charlie Parker
2    Autumn In New York 9:00
Written-By – Vernon Duke
3    All Or Nothing At All 5:00
Written-By – Arthor Altman, Jack Lawrance
4    Eronel 8:24
Written-By – Thelonious Monk
5    These Foolish Things Remind Me Of You 10:43
Written-By – E. Maschwitz, Harry Link, J. Strathcy
6    The End Of A Love Affair 12:04
Written-By – Edward C. Redding
7    Staight Street 9:11
Written-By – John Coltrane
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Flute, Piccolo Flute – Thomas Chapin
Bass, Artwork – Mario Pavone
Drums – Pheeroan AkLaff
Piano – Anthony Braxton
Producer – Anthony Braxton, Mario Pavone
Trumpet – Dave Douglas

MATT DARRIAU PARADOX TRIO — Flying at a Slant (1997) Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Darriau and his Paradox "Trio" (a quartet in sum) deeply investigate melodies from the Balkan countries and fuse them with jazz sensibilities, a maddeningly attractive combination of unison playing and improvisations, utilizing traditional and Eastern folk instruments. Darriau primarily hits on alto sax or clarinet, Rufus Cappadocia on five-string cello, Brad Shepik on electric guitar (in many instances sounding like an oud), and Seido Salifoski on dumbek and cymbals or small percussion. The leader wrote three of the nine selections. "Arabesque" has dance rhythms, as one might expect; it's in 4/4, with some dark clarinet and use of space between notes and phrases. The triple unison lines between the front liners are startling. "Faux Clarinet" has Darriau chattering on a Hungarian-bought Spanish-origin clarinet, plus Selifoski clattering on dumbek, leading to a juking, almost R&B-ish melodic line. "Phase" comes closer to raga in measures of six beats; Darriau is on alto, with white-hot electric waves steaming off of Shepik's guitar. Selifoski penned "Seido Nein," with Darriau's fever-pitch alto leading to an orgasmic climax, stopping, then forging a sub-melody. Shepik claims credit for two compositions -- the introductory "Sand" really sets the tone for the CD with a 9/8 whirling dervish feel, some overblowing from Darriau's alto, and wonderfully conceived triple unison. "Andaluz" further emphasizes Shepik's oud concept, with ultra-quick lines in varying time signatures and dizzying virtuosity from all four; it lacks no sense of urgency. Cappadocia's solo, one of several present, proves his mastery of this instrument, and his singular-minded sonic concept. Also included is Bela Bartok's "Rhythme Bulgare #2" in 5/4 time, led by cello, with Darriau on the kamal (Bulgarian end-blown wood flute) and Shepik on acoustic Portuguese guitar. They take a stealthy approach before Darriau switches to alto sax; Shepik's solo is accented by splash cymbals. The steady, caravan-like, Cappadocia-written title track features Selifoski on the tupan, a big Bulgarian drum, and Shepik on amplified saz. Darriau picks up the Bulgarian bagpipes, in perfect tune and handled as fluently as his other woodwinds, for the traditional "Balkan Suite," a free, sailing intro leading to dancing 7/8 lines, the kaval in the middle, and alto repeating a concluding melody. This is intricate music to be sure, and when a listener's involvement can equal the great passion exuded by Paradox, the rewards are great. A highly recommended world music hybrid that transcends all previous attempts and amalgamations. Michael G. Nastos 
Tracklist :
1.    Sand  6:14
Written-By – Shepik
2.    Arabesque  9:13
Written-By – Darriau
3.    Rythme Bulgare #2  2:39
Written-By – Béla Bartók
4.    Andaluz  7:49
Written-By – Shepik
5.    Flying At A Slant  5:55
Written-By – Cappadocia
6.    Faux Clarinet  5:37
Written-By – Darriau
7.    Balkan Suite  10:39
Traditional
8.    Phase (Mahavishnu)  8:11
Written-By – Darriau
9.    Seido Nein  5:35
Written-By – Salifoski
Credits : 
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Clarinet – Matt Darriau
Baglama [Electric Saz] – Brad Shepik (tracks: 5)
Bagpipes [Gaida (Bulgarian Bagpipe)] – Matt Darriau (tracks: 7)
Cello [5-string Cello] – Rufus Cappadocia
Clarinet [A Small Folk Clarinet Of Possible Spanish Origin That Was Acquired In Budapest] – Matt Darriau (tracks: 6)
Goblet Drum [Dumbeks] – Seido Salifoski
Guitar – Brad Shepik
Kaval [(Bulgarian End-Blown Flute)] – Matt Darriau (tracks: 3, 5, 7)
Percussion, Drum [Tupan (Large Balkan Drum)] – Seido Salifoski (tracks: 5, 7)
Portuguese Guitar [Portugese Guitar] – Brad Shepik (tracks: 3)
Woodwind – Matt Darriau