Studio/Live/Birds and Blades

In 2002, the rage for free expression was readily apparent in this pair of gigs between bassist and saxophonist . Made of up two discs, this set represents two days' work by the duo. The first is a studio date under 's mantle, on which the pair engage in seven wildly different . As 's sense of situation and tension is one of the very best in the world, he opens up a road for tonally and dynamically. Using his fingers, a bow, his palms, and anything else at his disposal, charges into a kind of tonal inquiry that requires force. , on soprano, takes the rough stuff and runs with it. On the latter disc, the duo plays live and the four here are left by , who plays both tenor and soprano. These pieces are a bit more speculative in origin, but quickly get to the place where the fire meets the sky. This is an exhilarating pair that, together, practices a kind of of the infinite in their explorations. Far from difficult to listen to; if anything, this is so compelling one will want to repeat it. ~ Thom Jurek