Anthony Braxton/Stewart Gillmor Duo: 14 Compositions

Even more beguiling is the continuity he slyly establishes between his own ultra-modern "avant-garde" approach and the homely little tunes he's playing here. From the beginning of Earl Hines' "Rosetta," the opening tune (on which he takes up his soprano saxophone for the first time in a number of years), his style, especially in improvisations, is no different here from his style when playing his own compositions. Over Gillmor's old-timey piano, Braxton's soprano is mercurial and furious, shooting toward the sky while never breaking the gentle feel of the tune.

Brax switches to alto for Clarence Williams' "Kansas City Man Blues," while Gillmor again contributes a striding ragtime piano flavor. After stating the head in a relatively straightforward manner, Braxton's solo is harmonically daring and full of the multiphonic cries advanced by the Sixties New Thing players. Yet again, he not only never breaks the mood, but enhances it wonderfully. "Do You Know It Means to Miss New Orleans" has Braxton on contrabass clarinet and Gillmor on valve trombone; while the tune is recognizable, this one sounds more like a Braxton composition! Same for "Blue, Turning Grey Over You," which has Braxton on flute and Gillmor on double-belled euphonium! But when Gillmor goes back to piano (and Braxton to clarinet) for "Skylark," the more conventional feel returns.

The duo essays the Wesleyan University (where Braxton heads the music department) fight song on contrabass clarinet (Braxton) and sousaphone (Gillmor). Then Braxton plays tenor (another rarity in his arsenal) and alto to Gillmor's valve trombone on "Ain't Gonna Give Nobody None of This Jelly Roll." Here Braxton unleashes an undiluted blast of the modern age. Fats Waller's "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" is played in a harmonically piquant way that may suggest what Braxton sees in Waller as a restructuralist. So is Louis Armstrong's "Some Day You'll Be Sorry." But the old times are here again on his restrained and beautiful rendition of "In a Sentimental Mood," and again later on "The Memphis Blues." "Star Dust" is somewhat arch, but this highlights this beautiful melody without the drippy sentimentality with which it is usually played. "Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives to Me" is well introduced by Gillmor's pure-toned cornet. "Ja Da" is a playful end to a! playful and entrancing tour.

An unusual and fascinating record. Also one that's a lot of fun.

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