Roscoe Mitchell & Tatsu Aoki

Roscoe Mitchell & Tatsu Aoki: First Look

by Jim Santella
October 12, 2005

Two masters of improvisation come together on this session, creating a religious experience that leaves plenty of room for individual audience interpretation. On the bottom, Tatsu Aoki fills the room with resonating acoustic bass textures that thump a rhythmic foundation. On the top, Roscoe Mitchell pours improvised flute and saxophone melodies that move like sand falling through your fingers. Their collaboration proves natural.

With ultra-high harmonics flowing from Aoki's bowed bass, “Number Five Wings Place" opens delicately. Mitchell ...