(1987) Anthony Braxton - Six Monk's Compositions ****

 

With: Anthony Braxton (alto saxophone), Mal Waldron (piano), Buell Neidlinger (bass), Bill Osborne (drums)
Record date: June 30 & July 1, 1987

Speaking of fascinating musical collaborations: this is definitely one of them! Braxton recorded several albums for Black Saint, the sister label of Soul Note for which Mal mostly recorded. Braxton had already recorded tons of records but he did not record a lot of Monk. Monk's music is written for musicians like Braxton: they are tricky, complicated and demand a lot of the musician. With his excellent technique and refreshing innovations playing these tunes by Monk was an excellent idea and there was more to come. And Mal and Monk.... well I have probably told it all before: he was a key influence on Mal in the sense of using space, dissonance and his sense of timing. Mal had played of his compositions before, especially with Steve Lacy who was another Monk afficionado. Completing the band here is Bill Osborne (this is probably his only recorded performance?) and bassist Buell Neidlinger who was present at the birth of avant-garde piano playing in the 1950's with Cecil Taylor.

Though Braxton plays a very different style from Waldron they do match pretty well and mostly: they complement each other and force each other to explore other territories. The six compositions chosen are all pretty advanced pieces of music with lots of interesting directions. Braxton shines on all of them with his incredible technique. He could play so fast that you could hardly hear what he's doing in some parts. His playing on this record is fairly accesible and definitely among the more contemporary jazz music he has made. The constantly changing rhythm on 'Brilliant Corners' keeps your absolute attention to the music. And that really is to say with all of the music. Though not very inventive in sound there is a lot going on musically and technically. Also Mal shows another side of him playing very much with Monk's hands here and there. There's the dissonance, the funny time keeping, the unexpected hits and humurous elements. Monk was an influence but that influence is most clear on this very record.

One must know I am not a huge Braxton fan. In no way I would deny the enormous contributions he made to jazz music nor his great skills. It's more that his style does not really move me. For me, he just plays too many notes sometimes. On this record it's also a bit like that though this quartet setting is definitily one I prefer when I listen to him. The band is a very tight one though the focus is mainly on Braxton's and Waldron's playing. Really just listen to 'Skippy' and try not to laugh. Braxton is all over the place, playing probably something like 64th or even 128th notes. He's fast as lightning and it's a mirracle the whole band could keep up with him. It's these kind off compositions that make this record really worth having. 

This is fascinating music as the combination of these artists isn't the most logical but still works out very well. Definitely recommended for both Braxton and Waldron fans. And still widely avaible, It's also in the Cam Jazz boxes by both Waldron as Braxton.