This is one of Braxton’s most interesting recordings. Six of his compositions are performed by groups ranging from 15-20 pieces and featuring such soloists as trumpeters Cecil Bridgewater, Leo Smith, Kenny Wheeler and Jon Faddis, baritonist Bruce Johnstone, trombonist George Lewis, reed player Roscoe Mitchell, bassist Dave Holland, pianist Muhal Richard Abrams and Braxton himself. There is a lot of variety on this set. One of the pieces finds Braxton combining free elements with a Sousa-type march while another one looks toward Ellington. There are quite a few memorable moments on this program. - Scott Yanow
Tracks
01. Piece One
02. Piece Two
03. Piece Three
04. Piece Four
05. Piece Five
06. Piece Six
SELDON POWELL alto sax, clarinet, flute
BRUCE JOHNSTONE baritone sax, bass clarinet
RONALD BRIDGEWATER tenor sax, clarinet
KENNY WHEELER trumpet
CECIL BRIDGEWATER trumpet
JON FADDIS trumpet, piccolo trumpet
GEORGE LEWIS trombone
GARRETT LIST trombone
EARL McINTYRE bass trombone
JNATHAN DORN tuba
MUHAL RICHARD ABRAMS piano, conductor
DAVE HOLLAND bass
WARREN SMITH drums, tympani, bass drum, bass marimba
ROSCOE MITCHELL soprano sax, bass sax, alto sax
LEO SMITH trumpet, conductor
JACK JEFFERS bass trombone
RICHARD TEITELBAUM synthesizer
FREDERICK RZEWSKI piano, bass drum
BARRY ALTSCHUL gong, percussion
PHILIP WILSON drums, marching cymbals
KARL BERGER glockenspiel, vibes, xylophone, orchestra chimes
ANTHONY BRAXTON alto sax, contrabass clarinet, clarinet, contrabass sax, sopranino sax
Music composed by Anthony Braxton
Recorded in February 1976, at Generation Sound, New York City
Arista AL – 4080 / Bluebird ND86579