Anthony Braxton: Four in One
Track
Four In One
Artist
Anthony Braxton (alto sax)
CD
Six Monk’s Compositions (Black Saint 120116-2 CD)
Musicians:
Anthony Braxton (alto sax), Mal Waldron (piano), Buell Neidlinger (bass),
Bill Osborne (drums)
.Composed by Thelonious Monk
.Recorded: Milan, Italy; June 30 and July 1, 1987
Rating: 85/100 (learn more)
Since the mid-'70s, Braxton has periodically recorded “in the tradition,” playing standard repertoire with piano-trio accompaniment. His 1987 set of Thelonious Monk covers is a curious offshoot of that series, focusing on a composer whose work had once been considered avant-garde but was subsequently assimilated into the jazz mainstream. “Four In One” is a notorious whirligig of a tune, and Braxton charges breathlessly in. Waldron’s solo complements the leader’s perfectly—where Braxton further scrambles the melody, Waldron streamlines it, a masterful Monk interpreter getting right to the heart of the song
Reviewer: Joe Petrucelli
Tags: aacm · alto sax · monk covers
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