Free Jazz Music

This is a collection of live solo pieces by Anthony Braxton on alto sax, most of them under 3 minutes in length, taken from two concerts -- the first in Killian Hall at MIT in 1988 (tracks 1-16) and the second from San Francisco 8 days later (the last 3 tracks). I first discovered this disc, and along with it Anthony Braxton, while a student at MIT shortly after the recording was made (the LP version was in the music library there), and after years of listening to an abridged cassette tape, I've finally been reunited with the full-length recording on CD.

Most of the 19 tunes here sound quite similar -- Braxton's embouchure blowing airily and sometimes squeaky, but with a bold tone of abrupt and bracing spasms of sound, often with long runs of circular breathing and audible key clacking or inhalations. The vast majority of tunes are Braxton originals, cryptically entitled by code, a word, and a little drawing, but there are also three standards of somewhat longer length in "You Go To My Head," "Round 'bout Midnight," and "Half Nelson." "Round Midnight" here is one of my favorite covers of the Monk classic, "Half Nelson" ventures well into free territory before almost comedically restating the melody near the end, and the originals are well, original, with Braxton typically exploring the possibilities around a repeated scale or phrase. But this is hardly Sunday paper or brunch with mom music, as most would likely find its lack of regular tempo, jarringly dissonant "melodies," and spastic exhortations distracting to say the least (listen to 106A quarter, for example... let's be honest, a bit like a wailing, tortured ghost, no?). Don't get me wrong, this recording is not only a bit of nostalgia for me; I'm a fan of the playing in any case -- it's adventurous and bold, and uniquely Braxton -- who else plays like this and how many alto sax solo albums are there, anyway? Dolphy? Braxton is far less tethered to bop. John Zorn? Braxton isn't playing thrash or punk, in fact while free jazz to be sure, the solos here give the impression that they were notated rather than freely improvised and the album title does claim "compositions." Bottom line is if you're a fan of Braxton or the avant-garde, you'll likely dig this and perhaps even find something inspiring, so pick it up and enjoy. But if not, be warned...

This disc is one of the permanent fixtures on my Cd player at home. It is a perfect introduction to Braxton's always illuminating solo music. It seems (and I use "seems" rather than "is," because it is just my opinion) to be more carefully planned than his early "For Alto"; it is delicate, improvised, and yet structured...it is very hard to put into words. But then again, that in itself is why you should experience the music on this wonderful Cd--in his music, Braxton has always reached aesthetic places that only the masters can reach, and language often doesn't do justice to the task. All I can say is that in my opinion (which is always subjective, of course) this Cd is the perfect thing to listen to when you are having your cup of coffee and reading the Sunday paper, enjoying an evening dinner with family and friends, or, in particular, when you just want to sit down and concentrate hard on the music of one of the finest modern day composers in creative music. This music will reward you in ways that are authentic, genuine, and (most importantly) PERMANENT.

19 Moons is one of those "must haves" to any fan of experimental jazz. The atmospheric layers create a aural journey that will take you to places you never knew existed but always knew were where you needed to be. And the really amazing thing is that the follow up albums ("Ashirai Pattern," "Auzar," "Rwanda," and "Infa'a") are even better. Get it now: if you're dissapointed, I'll come to your house and wash dishes for a year.

Faruq Z. Bey of Detroit is a profesional at what he does. He is full of soul and feeling. Listening to this album over and over again will put you in a state of calm and warm emotion. This is at least the emotions that I got after listening to this album several times. The first few times I listened, I quite didn't get it. Musically satisfying I put it up there with Mingus and Coltrane. This music put the hairs of my body sticking straight up. My favorite track on the album is called "After Death". This song starts out with Faruq on sax creating overtones and slowly increasing strength and then the bass of Johnston hits and everthing is into one. Vibes, drums sax and bass!!! This is one of my favorite Jazz tunes of all time. This is in my top five of all time. This is an Album of spirituallity. Check it out!

Gary's sound easily ranks with the top notch jazz artist. He is everything that jazz is meant to be. I had the opportunity of seeing him perform live at Mario's Place in Riverside and Charles Bibbs' birthday celebration. Not only is he extremely talented, he's sexy too!

My teenage daughter turned me onto Gary's CD. We first saw Gary with the Earth, Wind & Fire horn section where he took some fantastic solos. I am normally a mainstream jazz fan, but I'll listen to anything with a jazz feel. This CD really let's Gary shine. He is totally in his element. The songs all have a great groove and are deeply rooted in jazz. Gary's a remarkable sax player who'll take you for a ride on this recording. Awesome!!

I've had the pleasure of listening to this artist in person. It's true that when this jazzman plays his horn, all my troubles go away. Can't seem to get enough of the wonderful sounds.

Not only does this man have tremendous talent for songwriting, but he also has enough stamina to produce such a smooth jazz album that puts you in the mood for groovin' or romancing. Each track continuously has a flow of musical stability and preciseness you can't deny, one bit. To sum it all up, this is definitely a CD that needs to be heard. Gary, my friend, you get an A+ on my grading chart of good music. Keep it up with that sax playing, even when you're on tour with Earth, Wind & Fire playing "Reasons" and other great songs with the EWF horn section. Best wishes from me to you.

2 B FREE is a must have for all jazz listeners. The smooth sounds of Gary Biasare soulful, relaxing & seductive. This is truely outstanding smooth jazz at its very best!! For those of you that have heard Gary Bias, you know what I'm talking about. For those that haven't purchased this cd, well, your missing out& I strongly reccomend thatyou give 2 B FREE a listen.

Gary's sound easily ranks with the top notch jazz artist. He is everything that jazz is meant to be. I had the opportunity of seeing him perform live at Mario's Place in Riverside and Charles Bibbs' birthday celebration. Not only is he extremely talented, he's sexy too!

My teenage daughter turned me onto Gary's CD. We first saw Gary with the Earth, Wind & Fire horn section where he took some fantastic solos. I am normally a mainstream jazz fan, but I'll listen to anything with a jazz feel. This CD really let's Gary shine. He is totally in his element. The songs all have a great groove and are deeply rooted in jazz. Gary's a remarkable sax player who'll take you for a ride on this recording. Awesome!!

I've had the pleasure of listening to this artist in person. It's true that when this jazzman plays his horn, all my troubles go away. Can't seem to get enough of the wonderful sounds.

Not only does this man have tremendous talent for songwriting, but he also has enough stamina to produce such a smooth jazz album that puts you in the mood for groovin' or romancing. Each track continuously has a flow of musical stability and preciseness you can't deny, one bit. To sum it all up, this is definitely a CD that needs to be heard. Gary, my friend, you get an A+ on my grading chart of good music. Keep it up with that sax playing, even when you're on tour with Earth, Wind & Fire playing "Reasons" and other great songs with the EWF horn section. Best wishes from me to you.

2 B FREE is a must have for all jazz listeners. The smooth sounds of Gary Biasare soulful, relaxing & seductive. This is truely outstanding smooth jazz at its very best!! For those of you that have heard Gary Bias, you know what I'm talking about. For those that haven't purchased this cd, well, your missing out& I strongly reccomend thatyou give 2 B FREE a listen.