This is
Anthony Braxton doing what he does best -- playing and improvising on his own idiosyncratic small-group compositions, this time in duet with bassist
Joe Fonda. The two also have a go at a pair of standards, which come off as well as one might expect -- you either love or hate the way
Braxton interprets traditional material -- but they are heard to best advantage on the several originals written by each.
Fonda's tunes are very much in a similar vein as
Braxton's -- unstable or nonexistent tonalities, odd-time or out-of-time rhythms, and lots of angular melodies.
Braxton's control over his instruments seems a bit less certain than usual; consequently, the air of emotional vulnerability that's always characterized his playing seems more pronounced.
Fonda is a fine free bassist, nicely responsive to
Braxton's twists and turns. He also manages to play the saxophonist's difficult written lines reasonably well -- no small feat in itself. The pieces are intensely conversational and very focused. This album is a small, rough-cut gem from the mine of available
Braxton recordings. ~ Chris Kelsey