Recorded live at New York City's prestigious "Vision Festival," three seminal leaders of the modern improvising circuit do their best to enliven our perceptions during this undeniably rousing set. The obvious mark of distinction here resides within Alan Silva's utilization of an orchestra synthesizer that seemingly features an array of wave formats, MIDI sequence files and patches. Silva could be utilizing an older synclavier model, yet the artist exudes a sound and approach that translates into a one-man symphony orchestra. With this release, the trio's liberating improvisational forays are steered by Silva's complex chord progressions and polytonal mosaics. Throughout this 7-part suite, the musicians pursue a rite of passage that is at times, mind-boggling. Tenor sax great Kidd Jordan melds furious exchanges with Silva's grand opuses and massive walls of sound. Once the band gets into the groove on "Part 1," there's no looking back - as Parker anchors the proceedings amid Jordan and Silva's frenzied discourses. Jordan also injects soul drenched lines and melodious hooks into "Part III: Freedom." Ultimately, the trio manages to equate turmoil and upheaval with a comprehensive and well-defined sense of purpose. Strongly Recommended! - Glenn Astarita
Emancipation Suite #1 was performed live in 1999 at the Vision Festival, the annual gathering of New York's avant-garde inner circle. The six-movement piece features William Parker on double bass, Kidd Jordan on tenor saxophone, and Alan Silva on orchestra synthesizer. Together the three players reach ecstatic, uproarious heights, sounding something like late Coltrane meets Bartók. Silva's instrument lends a good deal of symphonic magnitude, its high-pitched string section passages and thundering, timpanic, low-register motifs giving the impression that there are scores of people on-stage, not just three. - David R. Adler
Tracks
1. Introduction
voice - Patricia Nicholson Parker
Emancipation Suite #1
2. Part I: To Free From Bondage
3. Part II: Deliverance
4. Part III: Freedom
5. Part IV: Independence
6. Part V: Liberation
7. Coda
ALAN SILVA synthesizer
KIDD JORDAN tenor saxophone
WILLIAM PARKER double bass
Music composed by Alan Silva, William Parker and Edward "Kidd" Jordan
Recorded May 29, 1999 in live performance at the Vision Festival, St. Nicholas of Myra Church, New York City
Boxholder Records - BXH 023