Anthony Braxton - Five Compositions (1986)

Anthony Braxton - Five Compositions (Quartet)

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

Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Saxophone [C-melody], Clarinet, Flute - Anthony Braxton
Bass - Mark Dresser
Drums - Gerry Hemingway
Piano - David Rosenboom

Recorded July 2 and 3, 1986 at Barigozzi Studio, Milano.

Nice work of Braxton in the middle 80s, though maybe not a masterpiece. Well-balanced composed part and improvisation show
his intelligent attitude to music. Braxton uses a rare one in saxphone family .... C-melody saxphone.

http://www.multiupload.com/M8D6FDVUTW

Anthony Braxton - Town Hall 1972

Anthony Braxton - Town Hall (Trio & Quintet) 1972

Tracklist :
1 Composition 6 N Dedicated To Jerome Cooper / Composition 6 (O) Dedicated To Frederic Rzewski 18:17
2 All The Things You Are
Composed By ? Jerome Kern 14:11
3 Composition 6 P I 13:45 & Composition 6 P II Dedicated To Jeanne Lee 21:25

Personnel:
Alto Saxophone - Anthony Braxton
Composed By - Anthony Braxton (tracks: 1, 3, 4)
Double Bass - Dave Holland
Drums - Philip Wilson* (tracks: 1, 2)
Percussion, Marimba - Barry Altschul (tracks: 3, 4)
Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet [Contrabass, Soprano, B-flat], Percussion - Anthony Braxton (tracks: 3, 4)
Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Bass Clarinet, Gong, Percussion - John Stubblefield (tracks: 3, 4)
Voice - Jeanne Lee (tracks: 3, 4)

Recorded on 22 May 1972 at Town Hall, NYC.

After listening numbers of works of Anthony Braxton, I feel this is really his master piece.

http://www.multiupload.com/ZIFZG07SQP

Anthony Braxton - For Trio(1978)

Anthony Braxton - For Trio

Tracklist:
01: B-06 NW 5-94-M (For Trio) Version 1 20:22
02: B-06 NW 5-94-M (For Trio) Version 2 20:56

Personel:

Flute [C, Alto], Clarinet [Soprano, B-flat, Contra-alto, Contra-bass], Saxophone [E-flat Soprano, Alto, Contra-bass], Gong, Percussion,

Performer [Taragata, Little Instruments] - Anthony Braxton
Flute, Clarinet [Soprano, B-flat, Bass], Saxophone [E-flat Soprano, B-flat Soprano, Alto], Bassoon, Gong, Percussion, Performer [Piccolo,

Ewartphone, Little Instruments] - Douglas Ewart (tracks: 01)
Flute, Clarinet, Clarinet [Alto, Bass], Saxophone [Soprano, Alto, Baritone, Bass], Vibraphone, Gong, Percussion, Performer [Little Instruments]

- Joseph Jarman (tracks: 02)
Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone [Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass], Gong, Percussion, Performer [Piccolo, Little Instruments] - Roscoe Mitchell

(tracks: 02)
Flute, Flute [Bass], Saxophone [Alto, Tenor, Baritone], Clarinet, Gong, Percussion, Performer [Hub "t" Wall, Little Instruments] - Henry

Threadgill (tracks: 01)


Recorded on 22 September 1977 at Streeterville Sound, Chicago, IL. "Little Instruments" refers to homemade instruments - bells, flutes etc. (if

listed separately would require more space than this album could provide)

One work of "Arista years" of Anthony Braxton. Braxton and other two reedsmen are different in track 01 and 02. 01 has Anthony Braxton,

Douglas Ewart, Henry Threadgill. 02 has Anthony Braxton, Roscoe Mitchell, Joseph Jarman. But they all are members of AACM.

http://www.multiupload.com/7ULDU9VY0V

Richard Teitelbaum with Anthony Braxton - Time Zones (1976)

Richard Teitelbaum with Anthony Braxton - Time Zones


Tracklist:
A Crossing 23:58
B Behemoth Dreams 18:53

Personnel:
Producer, Synthesizer [Modular Moog, Micromoog], Composed By - Richard Teitelbaum
Sopranino Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Bass Clarinet [Contra] - Anthony Braxton


Crossing recorded live in concert on June 10, 1976 at the Creative Music Festival, Mt. Temper, New York

and mixed at Sound Ideas, New York City.
Behemoth Dreams recorded on September 16, 1976 at Bearsville Sound, Woodstock, New York.

Historical and interesting duo in live recording between Anthony Braxton and Richard Teitelbaum.

http://www.multiupload.com/RCUQFEV2GL

Anthony Braxton - Trio And Duet(1974)

Anthony Braxton - Trio And Duet(1974)

Tracklist:
A HM 421 (RTS) 47
Synthesizer [Moog], Percussion ? Richard Teitelbaum
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Trumpet [Pocket], Percussion, Performer [Small Instruments] - Leo Smith
Clarinet, Clarinet [Contrabass], Percussion [Chimes], Bass Drum - Anthony Braxton 19:00

B1 The Song Is You 12:00
B2 Embraceable You 5:39
B3 You Go To My Head 8:33

Personnel:
Bass - Dave Holland (tracks: B1 to B3)
Saxophone [Alto] - Anthony Braxton (tracks: B1 to B3)

Recorded at Thunder Sound, Toronto, Canada.

http://www.multiupload.com/P1E569EV5X

Anthony Braxton - New York, Fall 1974

Anthony Braxton - New York, Fall 1974

Anthony Braxton (fl, as, contrabass cl), Kenny Wheeler (tp, flg), Leroy Jenkins-1 (vln), Dave Holland (b), Jerome Cooper (d).
Recorded at Generation Sound, NYC, September 27, 1974

Opus 23B
Opus 23C
Opus 23D
Opus 23A -1
________________________

Anthony Braxton (cl), Richard Teitelbaum (Moog synth).
Recorded at Generation Sound, NYC, October 16, 1974

Opus 38A
________________________________

Anthony Braxton (sopranino s), Julius Hemphill (as), Oliver Lake (ts), Hamiet Bluiett (bari)
Recorded at Generation Sound, NYC, October 16, 1974

Opus 37

This is the first recording for Arista. This ominibus style work mainly shows post-bop aspects of Anthony.

http://www.multiupload.com/H6WSPMKE7X

Anthony Braxton - The Montreux/Berlin Concerts (1977)

Anthony Braxton - The Montreux/Berlin Concerts (1977)


I/ Anthony Braxton (sopranino s, as, cl, contrabass cl), Kenny Wheeler (tp), Dave Holland (b), Barry Altschul (d, perc, gongs).
Recorded at the Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux, Switzerland, July 20, 1975
Engineer: John Temperley

Opus 40N
Opus 23J
Opus 40(O)


II/ Anthony Braxton (sopranino s, as, contrabass s, fl, cl), George Lewis (tb), Dave Holland (b), Barry Altschul (d, perc).
Recorded live at the Berlin Philharmonie, November 4, 1976
Engineer: Carlos Albrecht

Opus 6F
Opus 40K
Opus 6C


III/ Anthony Braxton (sopranino s, contrabass cl), George Lewis (tb), the Berlin New Music Group, Herr Hummel (cond).
Recorded live at the Berlin Philharmonie, November 6, 1976
Engineer: Carlos Albrecht

Opus 63

Although I recoginize this ablumb has been already up on this blog, that does not include Opus 63. As I obtained the version including Opus 63, I upload here.

http://www.multiupload.com/ZH2HGFCTOD

Anthony Braxton & Derek Bailey - First Duo Concert(1974)

Anthony Braxton & Derek Bailey - First Duo Concert

Tracklist :
1 The First Set - Area 1 8:22
2 The First Set - Area 2 3:12
3 The First Set - Area 3 (Open) 8:44
4 The First Set - Area 4 (Solo) 2:43
5 The First Set - Area 5 5:21
6 The First Set - Area 6 6:08
7 The Second Set - Area 7 6:48
8 The Second Set - Area 8 6:23
9 The Second Set - Area 9 (Solo) 5:56
10 The Second Set - Area 10 4:29
11 The Second Set - Area 11 (Open) 15:29
12 The Second Set - Area 12 3:57


Anthony Braxton - fl, cl (normal, soprano, contrabass), as, s-nino sax
Derek Bailey - guitar (amplified & 19-string (approx))

Analogue concert recordings made in London in the Wigmore Hall - 1974 June 30

This duo is in very different features of Dave Holland and Sam Rivers. Two musicians of very different characteristics build up very unique sound world. To my feeling the way of their duo is not in collaboration of usual meaning. For example track no 10, is combination of repeating simple pentatonic by Antony's clarinet and abstract and more small phrase by Derek's guitar. If these were played seperately, these are not so interested music. But playing these very different kinds sound makes up unique sound.

http://www.multiupload.com/VX46QTBQ2Q

Anthony Braxton - Silence(1969)

Anthony Braxton - Silence


Tracklist
A Off The Top Of My Head
B Silence

Personnel:

Anthony Braxton - Reeds, (Misc. Instruments), Producer
Leo Smith - Trumpet, (Misc. Instruments), Producer
Leroy Jenkins - Violin, (Misc. Instruments), Producer

Recorded on 18 July 1969 in Paris.


http://www.multiupload.com/QCN22QOZZ0

Anthony Braxton - This Time...(1970)

Anthony Braxton - This Time...

Tracklist
A1 Composition No 1 13:10
A2 Solo 5:42
B1 Small Composition No 1 2:22
B2 Small Composition No 2 3:03
B3 Small Composition No 3 1:00
B4 Small Composition No 4 1:55
B5 Small Composition No 5 3:30
B6 In The Street 3:56
B7 This Time... 1:45

Personnel:
Drums, Darbouka, Percussion - Steve McCall
Saxophone [Alto], Saxophone [Soprano], Clarinet, Clarinet [contrabass], Flute, Sound Machine, Chimes, Voice - Anthony Braxton
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Horns, Logs, Siren - Leo Smith
Violin, Viola, Flute, Mouth Organ, Organ [Hohner] - Leroy Jenkins

Recorded January 1970 in Paris.

One of the greatest early days works of Anthony Braxton. The group recorded this consisted of Anthony Braxton / Leo Smith / Reloy Jenkins /Steve McCall. The group was called Creative Construction Company(CCC). Experimental, unique, humorous, ironical, diverse and creative.

This is ripped from cassette tape. And quality is not so good. If you like this music, pls. buy CD or MP3 download.

http://www.multiupload.com/5D0NK5RXJV

Leroy Jenkins with Jazz Composer's Orchestra, The - For Players Only (1975)

Leroy Jenkins with Jazz Composer's Orchestra, The - For Players Only (1975)


Tracklist
A For Players Only [Part One] 15:45
B For Players Only [Part Two] 20:35

Personnel:
Artwork By [Design] - Paul McDonough
Bass - David Holland , Sirone
Cello - Diedre Murray
Clarinet [Contrabass] - Anthony Braxton
Clarinet, Bagpipes [Musette], Horn [Banshee Horn] - Dewey Redman
Drums, Percussion - Charles Shaw , Roger Blank
Drums, Percussion, Piano - Jerome Cooper
Flute, Piccolo Flute - Becky Friend
French Horn - Sharon Freeman
Guitar - James Emery
Saxophone [Soprano] - Charles Brackeen
Saxophone [Tenor] - Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre*
Synthesizer - Romulus Franceschini
Trombone - Joseph Bowie
Trumpet - Leo Smith
Tuba - Bill Davis
Violin, Conductor, Producer, Composed By - Leroy Jenkins

Engineer - Tony May
Engineer [Mixing] - Michael Mantler
Mastered By - Harry N. Fein
Other [Assistance] - Fred Ehrhardt
Photography - Matthew Klein
Producer - The Jazz Composer's Orchestra, The


This is the final of series of JCOA with solo leader. This time, leader is Leroy Jenkins.

Sounds like middle period of Stravinsky's orchestral music. Very skillful, taste of modern classic music, rather than jazz.

Side B is series of solos by each instrument and player. This is very unique.

http://www.multiupload.com/0W614G6VNS

Anthony Braxton & Chris Dahlgren - ABCD

ANTHONY BRAXTON & CHRIS DAHLGREN - ABCD (NotTwo, 2006)

Anthony Braxton: sopranino, soprano, melodic, alto, baritone & bass saxophones, Bb clarinet
Chris Dahlgren: double bass, preparations, electronics

1. No.316 - Version A (With Falling River Musics)
2. Penumbra For Woodwind(s) & Bass(es) 4+2
3. No.316 - Version B (With Falling River Musics)
4. Penumbra For Woodwind(s) & Bass(es) 3+3
5. No.316 - Version C (With Falling River Musics)
6. Penumbra For Woodwind(s) & Bass(es) 1+1
7. No.316 - Version D (With Falling River Musics)
8. Penumbra For Woodwind(s) & Bass(es) 4+1

Pas besoin de présenter Braxton aux utilisateurs de ce site. Et ici, rien de bien nouveau - si ce n'est l'utilisation d'un saxophone en ut. Braxton, comme d'habitude, assure la transition (avec quelques années de retard...) entre Webern et le Bird. Et son triomphe est d'arriver à donner une émotion sans pareille à un matériau complètement abstrait. Mais pour cet enregistrement, il faut sans aucun doute remercier Dahlgren d'avoir contribuer à donner une vie sensible à cette matière issue du cerveau de Braxton. Car la préparation de la contrebasse comme l'introduction de pédales d'effets ainsi que l'utilisation de l'électronique enrichissent considérablement le vocabulaire des enregistrements de Braxton, l'ambiance peut alors passer de l'improvisation libre abstraite ou énergique à la (harsh) noise telle qu'on la connaissait par le duo avec Wolf Eyes. La richesse du jeu de ce merveilleux contrebassiste (du douceureux pizz à la violence de certains phrasés à l'archet), tout comme le duo avec Joe Morris, permet de redécouvrir sous un autre angle le talent de Braxton et de lui redonner une certaine forme de jeunesse, en offrant à ce dernier une nouvelle palette sur laquelle se déployer, un nouvel interlocuteur qui change le discours (si la musique est un langage...).
Dernière remarque: la moitié du disque est composé de superposition de plusieurs enregistrements, comme pouvaient le faire John Butcher ou Evan Parker dans certains de leurs albums solos. Cette technique nous offre la chance d'entendre de multiples voix qui n'en sont qu'une seule, ainsi, alors qu'apparemment la structure des morceaux est hiérarchisée et verticale, nous n'avons en réalité affaire qu'à une personne qui s'offre à nous sous de multiples couleurs tout en restant une unité identifiable. En fait, l'écclectisme apparent comme l'hétérogénéité (de timbre notamment) de ce dialogue ne sont rien d'autres que les multiples ramifications (baroques?) des deux consciences à l'origine de cette oeuvre. (from ImprovSphere)

HERE

Anthony Braxton & Joe Morris - Four Improvisations (Duo) 2007

ANTHONY BRAXTON & JOE MORRIS - Four Improvisations (Duo) 2007 (Clean Feed, 2008)

Anthony Braxton: reeds
Joe Morris: guitars

1. Improvisation 1
2. Improvisation 2
3. Improvisation 3
4. Improvisation 4

Oui c'est long 4 heures, surtout quand ce n'est divisé qu'en 4 parties, mais là ça en vaut vraiment le coup. Finies les structures abstraites propres à Braxton, et toutes ses compositions pseudo ontophénoménologiques ou je sais pas quoi. Ici, comme dans les années 70, ça vient des tripes et c'est tout, l'espace éthéré des compositions est resseré dans une voix purement corporelle et sensitive.
Et Joe Morris dans tout ça, c'est le contrepoids idéal au phrasé free jazz post-bop avec ses rythmiques parfois entêtantes (Impro IV notamment) et quelques techniques étendues sur guitare acoustique. On l'avait déjà entendu avec Nate Wooley, Morris est le collègue parfait pour les duos, son timbre fait surgir une texture homogène quoique qu'il se passe durant les improvisations. On reconnaît Braxton entre 1000 saxophonistes, tout comme Evan Parker, mais la préssence de Morris approfondit nettement le discours dont Braxton ne s'éloigne pas depuis 40 ans maintenant. Il en ressort une jeunesse, une fraicheur et une vitalité qui tendait à disparaître des enregistrements récents du chicagoan. (from ImprovSphere)

CD1 / CD2 /CD3 / CD4

Anthony Braxton + Italian Instabile Orchestra - Creative Orchestra (Bolzano) 2007

Anthony Braxton + Italian Instabile Orchestra - Creative Orchestra (Bolzano) 2007 (Rai Trade Records)

ARTISTS
Anthony Braxton (alto and sopranino saxophones); Gianluigi Trovesi, Daniele Cavallanti, Carlo Actis Dato, Eugenio Colombo (reeds); Pino Minafra, Alberto Mandarini, Guido Tramontana, Lauro Rossi (trombones); Martin Damiani (strings); Umberto Petrin (piano); Giovanni Maier (bass); Vencenzo Mazzone, Tiziano Tononi (drums)

1. Composition no. 63
2. Composition no. 92 part 1
3. Composition no. 164 part 1
4. Composition no. 92 part 2
5. Composition no. 164 part 2
6. Composition no. 59

Superbly recorded live at Alto Adige Jazz Festival in Bolzano, Italy in June of 2007.

Considering that we just listed some dozen discs (including several box sets) from Mr. Braxton that were released in the past year, I shouldn't have been surprised to find yet another treasure in the mail this week from the fine folks at Rai Trade. Many of the musicians in this fine orchestra are leaders on their own, as well as master instrumentalists. No doubt you should recognize the mighty names like Pino Minafra (CD's on Victo & Leo), Gianluigi Trovesi & Umberto Petrin (ECM, Soul Note & Splasch), Daniele Cavallanti & Tiziano Tononi (Splasch & Long Song) and Carlo Actis Dato (Leo & Splasch).

The Italian Instabile Orchestra are the premiere composers and players orchestra of Italy and feature a most impressive line-up of Italy's finest musicians. Each of their half dozen discs is a marvel of creative playing, impressive composing and constant ingenuity.Their last disc featured the great Cecil Taylor on piano and directing, while this one has the equally engaging Anthony Braxton playing saxes and directing four of his challenging compositions.

Mr. Braxton chose pieces from the earlier part of his long career like Compositions “No. 59 & 63", as well as from the midpoint like Compositions “No. 92 & 164". Listening to these pieces, all appear to challenging in different ways. “Comp. No. 63" opens with dense layers that float around one another gracefully. Braxton is master of constantly shifting sonorities and this orchestra is the perfect vehicle for his various lines to intersect. A number of short yet inspired solos emerge (bari sax, acoustic bass, violin) from the different waves that Braxton conducts. Mr. Braxton's compositions often seem to balanced between written and freer passages, interconnected solos and layers of connected themes. “Composition No. 92" actually swings in a most twisted sort of way and in an unexpected delight complete with strong solos from the trombone and flourishes of other instruments rising and falling into the currents. Umberto Petrin starts “Composition No. 164" with some intense piano, while the other players swirl around him. Different combinations of musicians blend, connect and move around one another cautiously while different harmonies emerge.

No matter how chaotic any one section becomes, there is a constant underlying thread that holds this together. Mr. Braxton makes demands of his musicians and his listeners, both of us must work to hear all of the many wonders that are hidden within this music. Considering that it is only the first week of January, 2009, should we be surprised that we already have a contender for disc of the year!?! [though no doubt not the only one] - BLG

HERE

Anthony Braxton - Quintet (London) 2004

Anthony Braxton: reeds
Taylor Ho Bynum: trumpet
Mary Halvorson: guitar
Chris Dahlgren: bass
Satoshi Takeishi: percussion

This concert was the undisputed high point of the 2004 London Jazz Festival. Braxton, appearing in the UK for the first time in years (decades?) played the first half of a double bill (the second half featured Cecil Taylor) and effortlessly stole the show. I was one of the 2,000-strong audience who cheered the quintet after a triumphant performance, so I have keenly anticipated this release ever since. Given that kind of anticipation, the actual CD was bound to be an anticlimax, and so it proves to be. That is not to decry the quality of the music, which is excellent; it is simply that the anticipation and thrill of the live event is absent (not to mention Braxton's bemused absentminded professor air, which is as endearing as ever).

Nonetheless, for those who attended the concert or listened to it on the BBC (this is the BBC's own recording), this release is a faithful record of the music. Those who have never heard it before have a treat in store. Composition 343 is as spiky and atonal a piece as any by Braxton. Yet he leads from the front, injecting life and energy into its realization. In his hands, it makes sense. He is in impressive form as a player; his solo passages are varied and never fail to enthrall; his finest moment comes some sixteen and a half minutes in with a prolonged, rapidly articulated solo that shoots adrenalin into the ensemble. All the other members deserve credit; in particular, the trumpet is a worthy partner to the leader's sax. Taylor Ho Bynum achieves the same sort of balance between articulation and unpredictability as Braxton himself. A special mention also for guitarist Mary Halvorson, who is a constant source of fresh ideas and interest.

Braxton has been on a roll recently; on this evidence it looks set to continue. (from AllAboutJazz)

2005 QUINTET (LONDON) 2004 (mediafire/hotfile)

Anthony Braxton & Taylor Ho Bynum - Duets (Wesleyan) 2002

Anthony Braxton: sopranino saxophone, soprano saxophone, F alto saxophone, Eb alto saxophone, baritone saxophone, Eb clarinet, Bb clarinet, contralto clarinet
Taylor Ho Bynum: cornet, trumpbone, shell, mutes

Extracting information (and sometimes pleasure) from an Anthony Braxton large ensemble recording is often an arduous task. The music's density and somewhat impermeable nature often exhausts a listener's patience. Somehow this has rarely been the case with his duo recordings. Duets with Max Roach, Georg Grawe, Gino Robair, Evan Parker, Derek Bailey, and now Taylor Ho Bynum lend insight into one of the true musical geniuses of our time.

Joining Braxton is cornetist Taylor Ho Bynum, Braxton's masters student at Wesleyan University. Bynum is no novice. He has recorded with Braxton's larger ensembles, made two nice duets discs with drummer Eric Rosenthal, and is a member of the Fully Celebrated Orchestra, which is a sort of 21st century update on Ornette Coleman's early 1960's band.

This post-Ghost Trance 2002 recording finds Braxton switching between saxophones and his much loved clarinets. The pair mixes up the session with two compositions by Braxton, three by Bynum, and a spontaneous improvisation. The relaxed nature of these tracks is the story here. Neither player grandstands, opting for fidelity to the compositions and deference to the other player. Not that there aren't moments of outstanding merit, such as Braxton's verbal overblowing on "Scrabble, his circular breathing on "Composition 305, and Bynum's deft mute work. The pair work through minimalist breathing exercises on Bynum's "To Wait and a jocular post-bop romp with "All Roads Lead To Middletown. Bynum seems to be following the pathways of modern trumpeters Bill Dixon, Don Cherry, and Axel Dorner. He extends the possibilities of the trumpet, yet includes us along for the ride. This is a highly accessible and very enjoyable date. (from AllAboutJazz)

2002 DUETS (WESLEYAN) 2002 (rapidshare/mediafire)

Anthony Braxton - The Montreux/Berlin Concerts

Anthony Braxton: sopranino, alto & contrabass saxophones, clarinet & contrabass clarinet, flute
George Lewis: trombone
Kenny Wheeler: trumpet
Dave Holland: bass
Barry Altschul: drums, percussion, gong

Anthony Braxton has recorded so extensively during the '80s and '90s that it is potentially foolhardy to call any of his recordings "definitive," but this two-LP set comes close. Braxton (mostly on alto and clarinet but also playing contrabass clarinet, flute, and sopranino) is heard with two of his best quartets on these live performances. Featured are either trumpeter Kenny Wheeler or trombonist George Lewis along with bassist Dave Holland and drummer Barry Altschul in exciting group improvisations based on six of Braxton's difficult compositions. There is a surprising amount of humor on one of these selections, and the interplay between these masterful musicians (making expert use of space and dynamics) sometimes borders on miraculous. The fourth side of this two-fer contains a lengthy performance of Braxton and Lewis playing with the Berlin New Music Group that is of slightly lesser interest; the CD reissue leaves out that selection. In either form, this music is highly recommended and by itself demonstrates the greatness and uniqueness of Anthony Braxton's music. This important set (other than side four) has been reissued on CD.(from AMG)

1975 THE MONTREUX/BERLIN CONCERTS (LP1/LP2)

Anthony Braxton - Saxophone Improvisations, Series F

Anthony Braxton: alto & soprano saxophones

Review

by Eugene Chadbourne

The Inner City label reissued this album not out of some great commitment to avant-garde solo saxophone, but because there was a licensing deal with the shady French label called America, and Braxton himself had elevated his position back home. He was a contracted artist with Arista when this reissue popped out, and had some big write-ups in magazines such as Rolling Stone -- none of which could possibly prepare an uninitiated listener for the onslaught that is his solo saxophone music in the early days when his manner of presentation was less refined and documentation was low-budget. This early-'70s recording is a bit better quality than his landmark solo recording done for Delmark on a cassette player that probably cost less than the price of watching Braxton for two sets at a New York club, back when they were hiring him. But it still sounds like it was recorded in someone's kitchen, and the pressings that either label involved in this release were willing to pay for weren't exactly top of the line. The next thing is to say that all this is part of the charm, but that would be a lie. Cheesy recording mars some of the quieter and subtler parts of the first side, and is only a bit less of a problem on the loud distorted sections. Some listeners may feel like tossing the album onto the fireplace in the first five minutes, with the opening suite coming across as a bit precious and inevitably compounded by gouges and shrapnel in the pressing. Nonetheless, the extended performance that makes up all of the second side is one of the greatest things Braxton has ever put on disc, a demonstration of energy, versatility, manipulation of tone, and perverse musical logic that stands as one of the best solo horn performances in the jazz discography. And although the early recordings of Braxton seem to be marked by frustration and failure, this is a suitable follow-up to For Alto as well as an improvement, a great accomplishment in itself. 1972 SAXOPHONE IMPROVISATIONS SERIES F

Anthony Braxton & William Parker @ Vicenza Jazz (05-15-2007)

Anthony Braxton: alto & sopranino saxophones, contrabass clarinet
William Parker: bass, shakuhachi, shehnai

Here is a fantastic bootleg of two master. The sound is great, and the improvisations are extremly eclectic; not written, not abstract, just a beautifull dialogue between two great instrumentists influenced by traditional African and Asian songs, free improv and contemporary written music.

Thanks to boldsouls from dime for the original rip - and to chaamba for the original artwork

2007 VICENZA (rapidshare/mediafire)

Anthony Braxton, Evan Parker, Paul Rutherford - Trio (London) 1993

Anthony Braxton: alto & sopranino saxophones
Evan Parker: tenor & soprano saxophones
Paul Rutherford: trombone

Review

by Scott Yanow

The lack of liner notes on this otherwise rewarding CD sometimes makes it difficult to know exactly what is going on. The unusual trio (comprised of trombonist Paul Rutherford and multireedists Anthony Braxton and Evan Parker) perform five adventurous group improvisations that are surprisingly concise (all but one clocks in between six and eleven minutes) and largely self-sufficient despite the lack of any rhythm instruments. Still, this is not a release for the beginner and it is most highly recommended to collectors already quite familiar with Anthony Braxton's explorative music.(from AMG)

1993 TRIO (LONDON) 1993