Despite the excellence of this performance by Mr. Braxton's quartet in 1987, with Mark Dresser, Gerry Hemingway, and pianist David Rosenbloom (who preceded Marilyn Crispell), the slim rating on this disc is given for it being on the infamous West Wind label, and is, more than likely, a pirated title. The information for its two selections, "Improvisation Alpha" and the title track, are, for instance, unnumbered! This is the first hint that something is amiss. Braxton's compositions, even if named, are always afforded numbers. The second is the dodgy sound balances in the right channel especially, where the drums are way too high in the stereo mix. Again, in releasing a recording of a live performance, Mr. Braxton is meticulous. Then there's the matter of the cover! Take a look and judge for yourself. Finally, it is painfully obvious that what transpires in both of these works is not complete -- they are excerpts of other pieces combined together on a compact disc. Despite the most interesting interplay between Rosenbloom and Braxton on soprano saxophone, and Dresser's ability to shore up the pianist when he begins to lose his way in Braxton's sound world, it is impossible to recommend this disc because of its slovenly presentation and dubious origins. - Thomas Jurek
Tracks
1 - Improvisation Alpha
2 - ...If My Memory Serves Me Right
MARK DRESSER bass
GERRY HEMMINGWAY drums
DAVID ROSENBOOM piano
ANTHONY BRAXTON reeds
All music by Anthony Braxton
Recorded live at the "Riverside" 1987
Correct track titles (as estimated by Francesco Martinelli) are:
Track#1: Composition 122, Open Quartet Improvisation, Composition 88 (excerpt)
Track#2: Composition 131, Piano Trio Improvisation, Drum solo from Composition 96, Composition 40N
West Wind - WW 2004 Germany