Customer Reviews

Song for My Sister

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Roscoe Mitchell, like Anthony Braxton, long ago obliterated the boundary between "jazz" and "classical" music. Since his first record, SOUND, Mitchell has been developing his innovative and personal sound world. On this new one with the Note Factory nonet, the journey continues, a worthy successor to the astounding NINE TO GET READY on ECM in '99 (see my review). Spencer Barefield on guitar and Jaribu Shahid on bass are still on board from the Sound Ensemble of the 70s and 80s, and Gerald Cleaver is also back from the '99 record on percussion, as is Craig Taborn on piano, while other players are new. The band is 2 drums, 2 bass, 2 pianos, sax, trumpet and guitar.

As on some earlier records of Roscoe's, formal compositions alternate with free improvisations -- "Sagitta," "When the Whistle Blows" and "The Inside of a Star" are the improvised pieces. The diverse compositions are what make this a brilliant record. "Song for My Sister" is the most conventional jazz piece, with a lovely melody. "The Megaplexian" utilizes a percussion instrument designed by Mitchell, along with piano. "this," "Step One, Two, Three" and "Wind Change" are the highlights of the album, and would fit seamlessly with a program of contemporary classical or "new music." Of course, the record ends with Roscoe's traditional funky number -- remember "Big Red Peaches" from NINE TO GET READY, or the AEC's "Odwalla Theme"?

This record reminds me of the Muhal Richard Abrams great record THINGS TO COME FROM THOSE NOW GONE in its diversity and clarity. One of the best of 2002, without a doubt.

On this album Roscoe is going for it. He has his own
voice that is so strong , that it lingers throughout
the whole group. The trumpeter on the album has some
exceptionally strong chops as well!

This CD contains a rich alternative to the normal everyday boring stuff. It's definitely worth a listen.