These twelve duets between African-American avant-gardist Anthony Braxton and Brit Derek Bailey are remarkable for several reasons, not the least of which is that this is the first recording of these two seminal figures performing in tandem. For this live concert, Braxton brought his array of horns: contrabass, soprano, and Bb clarinets, flute, and sopranino and alto saxophones, while Bailey alternated between amplified and acoustic 19-string guitars. Coming from entirely different traditions of free music, Braxton emits a more melodic, tonal approach, while Bailey exemplifies an atonal, abstract concept. The results are hugely successful, with the two meeting halfway. As an indication of Braxton's remarkable diversity, it is worth noting that he recorded his two mainstream In the Tradition albums for SteepleChase just the month before. The duo recorded here with Bailey is surprisingly accessible, and contrasts two complementary approaches within the free music genre. - Steve Loewy
Tracks
01. The First Set - Area 1
02. The First Set - Area 2
03. The First Set - Area 3
04. The First Set - Area 4
05. The First Set - Area 5
06. The First Set - Area 6
07. The Second Set - Area 7
08. The Second Set - Area 8
09. The Second Set - Area 9 (Solo)
10. The Second Set - Area 10
11. The Second Set - Area 11
12. The Second Set - Area 12
DEREK BAILEY guitar, 19-string guitar
ANTHONY BRAXTON flute, soprano clarinet, contrabass clarinet, alto saxophone, sopranino
saxophone
All music by Anthony Braxton and Derek Bailey
Recorded June 30, 1974 at Wigmore Hall, London
Emanem - 5038 UK