Wonderful work from Anthony Braxton – an album that has him playing straight ahead jazz – but at a time when he was also making some of his most complex recordings of the 70s! The approach here is sublime – as Braxton's reputation has ears already anticipating some far-out playing, but then marvel at his restraint – his care for keeping alto and bass clarinet work inside a straight jazz tradition, yet always hinting at the modern inflections he can bring to his music! Tunes are almost all jazz standards, blown beautifully – with a tone that's crisp, cool, and very inviting – surprisingly soulful, and never cold at all – matched well with the rhythm trio of Tete Montoliu on piano, Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen on bass, and Albert Tootie Heath on drums. Titles include "Goodbye Porkpie Hat", "Ornithology", and "Marshmallow". LP, Vinyl record album

Wonderful work from Anthony Braxton – an album that has him playing straight ahead jazz – but at a time when he was also making some of his most complex recordings of the 70s! The approach here is sublime – as Braxton's reputation has ears already anticipating some far-out playing, but then marvel at his restraint – his care for keeping alto and bass clarinet work inside a straight jazz tradition, yet always hinting at the modern inflections he can bring to his music! Tunes are almost all jazz standards, blown beautifully – with a tone that's crisp, cool, and very inviting – surprisingly soulful, and never cold at all – matched well with the rhythm trio of Tete Montoliu on piano, Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen on bass, and Albert Tootie Heath on drums. Titles include "Body & Soul", "Donna Lee", "My Funny Valentine" and "Half Nelson". LP, Vinyl record album

The rich tones of Muhal's piano provide a perfect foil for Braxton, and one that gets him playing a wide range of styles on sopranino, clarinet, bass clarinet, and alto. The whole album resonates with a soulfulness that's not always apparent in Braxton's other work from the time – and the melding of these two giant talents from the AACM is a rare treat. Titles include "Nickie", Dolphy's "Miss Ann", and a few of those squiggle Braxton titles! LP, Vinyl record album

A beautiful set of alto improvisations that has Braxton moving through classic and original music, in a rich array of styles that clearly show his genius on the instrument. The double LP set is filled with great moments – like his readings of "Giant Steps" and "Along Came Betty" – plus originals like "Sova Noub V-(AO)" and "JMK-730 CFN-7". LP, Vinyl record album

The second volume in this seminal series from the mid 70s – one that did a great job of documenting some of the formative underground playing that was happening in the New York loft scene, almost more creative work than in previous generations, thanks to a lack of commercial venues, and hence, commercial constraints on the music. Tracks include "And Then They Danced" by Marion Brown, "Locomotif" by Leo Smith, "Naomi" by Ken McIntyre, and "The Need To Smile" by a group with Byard Lancaster, Sonelius Smith, Don Moye, and Olu Dara. LP, Vinyl record album

One long composition for a solo performer (Braxton on soprano sax), a photograph, and a prepared stage! LP, Vinyl record album

One of Braxton's first recordings of his work for larger ensembles, and a masterpiece that gives a good example of the kind of early ideas that have informed some of his recent work in the same style. The orchestras vary from track to track, but they all include excellent players like Roscoe Mitchell, George Lewis, Seldon Powell, and Cecil Bridgewater – players who are more than capable of meeting the demands of Braxton's writing, and who can bring a lot of their own to the session. Great stuff, and with a good set of notes. LP, Vinyl record album

One of the best-remembered Anthony Braxton albums from the 80s – and for good reason too, as there's a strength to the record that's evident from the very first note! The quartet here features longtime collaborator George Lewis on trombone, bassist John Lindberg, and percussionist Gerry Hemingway – the last of whom really rattles some creative energy into the record. Lewis and Braxton provide excellent foils for one another – balancing abstract left brain streams with phrasing that alludes to an approach that hasn't forgotten the jazz tradition. Side one is a lengthy take on "Composition No 105A" with an accompanying graphic title too, and side two features three graphic variations on "Composition No 69". LP, Vinyl record album

Nice 2LP set that brings together 3 different sets of live material recorded by Braxton during the mid 70s! The first set features Braxton in trio with Kenny Wheeler and Dave Holland at Montreux, in 1975; the second set features Braxton and George Lewis, along with the Circle rhythm team of Dave Holland and Barry Altschul, in Berlin in 1976; and the last (and best) set features duets between Braxton and Lewis recorded in Berlin a few days later. LP, Vinyl record album

A wonderful step forward for drummer Max Roach – working here in very creative company with saxophonist Anthony Braxton! Although Roach could have easily rested on his laurels as a famous bop drummer – and have spent endless years touring on highly-paid revival/reunion tours – he was a true creative giant who never stopped expanding his talents, especially during the late 70s, when he was matching up with some of the greats of the avant garde. This album is a perfect example of that commitment to modernism, as Roach duets with Anthony Braxton on a set of 7 fantastic tracks that stand apart from individual work by either artist – more loose and open than earlier Roach work, but a bit more inside than some of Braxton's – with fresh results from both players that never fail to delight! Titles include "Dance Griot", "Birth", "Tropical Forest", and "Spirit Possession". LP, Vinyl record album

If you've never heard Anthony Braxton play straight jazz, you owe it to yourself to check out this performance – it's a delight, like some of his few straight sets! With Hank Jones on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Victor Lewis on drums. Titles include "Moment's Notice", "Groovin High", "Ruby My Dear", "Yardbird Suite", and "Milestones". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the best Dave Brubeck albums from later years – and one of the hippest! The record is noteworthy for its pairing of Anthony Braxton and Lee Konitz – the former a rising star at the time, influenced strongly by the latter in his roots – showcased here in some rare moments of Braxton straight-aheadness! Brubeck's contribution is heard most strongly on the album's extended trio "Jimmy Van Huesen Medley" – played by Dave with Jack Six on bass and Alan Dawson on drums. But we're most partial to the saxophone tunes – Konitz playing a spare duet with Brubeck on "Don't Get Around Much Anymore", soloing with the group on "Like Someone In Love", duetting with Braxton on "All The Things You Are" – and stepping back to let Anthony play with Dave on a version of "In Your Own Sweet Way". Really great stuff throughout – and a unique Brubeck moment! LP, Vinyl record album

A wonderful chapter in the career of Ray Charles – and a key album in helping raise his respect level a notch or two in the early 60s! We might argue with the mathematics in the title – or at least joke that Ray was using equations as titles years before Anthony Braxton – but you can't contest the fact that this one's a classic treat, and a legendary attempt to class up Ray's bluesy style for the masses. Quincy Jones and Ralph Burns handled the arrangements, and given that the record was issued by ABC a few years before they brought Ray into a country mode, it's interesting to think what might have happened had his career continued this way. There's only a small number of vocal tracks on the record, and most of the rest feature Ray at the organ, grooving away very nicely! Titles include "One Mint Julep", "Moanin", "I've Got News For You", "Mister C", and "Stompin Room Only". LP, Vinyl record album

A really wonderful group – and one who might also be called the Chicago Creative Construction Company – as the combo has a fair bit of contributions from members of the AACM! There's an openly inventive spirit here that's quite similar to early Art Ensemble Of Chicago records, with similar instrumental variety between the members of the group – a fantastic lineup that includes Anthony Braxton on saxes, flute, and clarinets; Leroy Jenkins on violin, viola, recorder, harmonica, and xylophone; Wadada Leo Smith on trumpet, seal horn, flugelhorn, and French Horn; Muhal Richard Abrams on piano, cello, and clarinet; Richard Davis on bass; and Steve McCall on drums and percussion. Ornette Coleman produced the performance, which was recorded live at the Peace Church in New York – and this second volume features one long track, titled "No More White Gloves". LP, Vinyl record album

An essential 2LP set that's just about the only vinyl release you can find that documents the work of the legendary (and short-lived) Circle group – an important avant jazz combo that featured Anthony Braxton, Chick Corea, Dave Holland, and Barry Altschul. The record captures a Parisian concert from 1971, and the band runs through a great reading of Wayne Shorter's "Nefertitti", plus original material like "Duet", "Toy Room – Q&A", "Song For The Newborn", and "Lookout Farm". LP, Vinyl record album

A tremendous little record and maybe THE album from trombonist George Lewis – a groundbreaking solo set that's maybe his equivalent of Anthony Braxton's For Alto – and which does similar things both for his instrument and the further growth of the AACM in jazz! The record features Lewis completely solo – but also features one brilliant long track that features overdubs – "Piece For 3 Trombones Simultaneously" – in which Lewis clones himself, and creates this incredible trio trombone sound that's completely wonderful. But even the straight solo tracks are mindblowing – filled with sounds and ideas on the instrument that couldn't have been imagined a decade before – on the titles "Lush Life", "Phenomenology", and "Untitled Dream Sequence". LP, Vinyl record album

Groundbreaking early work from pianist Chick Corea – a set of unissued material that's very different than much of what he'd record during his later, more successful years! The set's especially noteworthy in that it features the amazing pairing of Chick and AACM reed genius Anthony Braxton – working together here during the short space of time when they were together in the group Circle, and really making some sublime sounds together! Some of the tracks feature a trio – Chick on piano, Braxton on clarinets and alto, and Dave Holland on guitar, cello, and bass – and some feature the full Circle lineup, with the addition of Barry Altschul on drums and percussion. The package also features some other unique early sides – a trio track with Altschul and Holland, and a few more trio tracks with Miroslav Vitous on bass and Roy Haynes on drums – equally groundbreaking, but in a different sort of way. Titles include "Duet for Bass & Piano", "Bossa", "Gemini", "Starp", "Chimes", "Danse For Clarinet & Piano", and "Samba Yanta". LP, Vinyl record album

Amazing stuff – and work that will have you changing your opinion about Chick Corea! Around 1970, Corea was part of a groundbreaking group called Circle – an amazing avant quartet that featured his own piano next to the reeds of Anthony Braxton, bass of Dave Holland, and drums of Barry Altschul – a really groundbreaking group, one who was able to tie together so many new strands of jazz – even though they only were around for a few short years! Circle are one of those groups who always gets talked about, but who left behind almost no recorded legacy – which is why this set of recordings from 1970 is so important to an understanding of Corea and Braxton's career. The double length set features three sides worth of Circle material – including "Quartet Piece 1, 2, & 3", and the shorter "Percussion Piece". The 4th side of the set features the trio of Corea, Holland, and Altschul performing the haunting "Drone". LP, Vinyl record album

Abrams is joined by Anthony Braxton, Leonard Jones, Steve McCall, and Henry Threadgill. The songs are all attributed to Abrams, though they seem to be strongly influenced by the presence of Braxton with song titles like "OQA" and "RITOB". Other song titles include "Charlie In The Parker", "Balladi", and "Arhyth Songy". LP, Vinyl record album

Some solo numbers, but some great duets with Ricky Ford on tenor or Anthony Braxton on alto, and Rufus Reid on bass! Also features one unusual number – "Wende" – with Chris Connor on vocals. LP, Vinyl record album

Great work from this legendary quartet – a hip avant combo with Chick Corea on piano, Anthony Braxton on alto and soprano sax, Dave Holland on bass and guitar, and Barry Altschul on drums and percussion! Circle are one of those groups who always gets talked about, but who left behind almost no recorded legacy – which is why this set of recordings from 1970 is so important to an understanding of Corea and Braxton's career. Titles include "Percussion Piece", "Quartet Piece No 2", and "Quartet Piece No 3". LP, Vinyl record album

A hip assortment of avant jazz material – with selections by Roswell Rudd, Randy Weston, Charles Tolliver, Gato Barbieri, Cecil Taylor, Ornette Coleman, Marion Brown, Albert Ayler, and Anthony Braxton. LP, Vinyl record album