Earl Howard: 5 Saxophone Solos (2005)

Ty Cumbie

CD/DVD Reviewer since 2004

Recent articles (42 total)

Published: November 7, 2005

Saxophonist Earl Howard's solo CD, released on Tom Buckner's wonderful Mutable Music, reveals a quirky command of the instrument and ideas that defy easy analysis.

For five fearless intervals, Howard publicly probes a private realm of sound. The results are almost always far from unlovely. Throughout there's an undertone of antipathy—and, paradoxically, a seeming affinity—for comfortable intervals in melody. There is no obvious interpolation of rhythm whatsoever, giving the recording a stark, abstract feel. Yet this is not an entirely atonal work, at least to the non-analytical ear. Granted, Howard probably approached the pieces without a tonal center in mind, yet they each have their own timbre and tonality, however inadvertent.

Howard seems to adhere to modern music's genral departure from traditional tonality, yet, that tonality—present or otherwise—is not the deciding factor as to whether this recording is—or is not—worth a listen. He seems to want to make a new and distinctive statement in solo instrumental music and particularly on the saxophone.

Howard's saxophone work sounds a bit similar in style and texture to Jorrit Dijkstra's fabulous experiments with solo sax and electronics, though Dijkstra's are far stronger both musically and in their bracing innovations. Both artists are working in the fresh territory Anthony Braxton's brave, lonely pioneering created.

Personnel: Earl Howard: saxophone.

Record Label: Mutable Music
Style: Beyond Jazz