A pair
of unusual Anthony Braxton albums – brought together here on a single CD! Silence features Anthony Braxton, recorded in Paris at the
end of the 60s – but in the company
of two very familiar talents from his hometown – Wadada Leo Smith on trumpet and Leroy Jenkins on violin! Unlike some
of Braxton's other Paris recordings, there's a very strong Chicago vibe going on here – as both
of the album's long tracks unfold with thoughtful, almost gentle improvisation at times – a very different current
of spiritualism than the post-Coltrane world, with all players picking up other instruments at times – in that mode-shifting way that made the early AACM so wonderfully creative! The set features two side-long titles – "Silence" and "Off The Top
Of My Head". Time Zones is one
of Anthony Braxton's most compelling albums
of the 70s – a series
of sonic explorations recorded with electronic music artist Richard Teitelbaum – whose work on a variety
of moog synthesizers makes for a very groundbreaking accompaniment to Braxton's work on soprano, alto, and bass clarinet! The album features two long improvisations – "Crossing" and "Behemoth Dreams" – both
of which are maybe more in the organic territory
of the AACM than some
of the later experiments that have electronics and improvisation – a really special space that the pair create together that's different from earlier electro-acoustic work, and even the sound
of MEV or AMM – a completely fresh approach to electronics in improvisation – graced with some very interesting moments from Braxton as well.
(Jazz, Out Sound) (Original Black Lion pressing.)