All sorts of jazz, free jazz and improv. Never for money, always for love.
Saxophonist Arthur Doyle's recent hook-up with drummer Sunny Murray has
been extremely fruitful. Murray's a fearful partner, capable of bullying
lesser players into marathon grandstanding duels, but Doyle's so completely
in his own zone that he never rises to Murray's relentless challenges.
This CD was recorded in Stockholm, the city where Albert Ayler later claimed
he first "started to play what was in my soul", and was promptly
hauled off stage for his vision.
It's fitting then that the late alto saxophonist Bengt Frippe Nordström,
who actually recorded Albert's first "official" date (released
on Sonet as The First Recordings) joins Murray for a short run through of
some heavily Ayler-reverent material before making way for Doyle. Nordström
died six months later, making this final appearance a touching tribute to
someone who lived and breathed fire music.
For the rest of the disc Doyle's on terrifying and ultra-primitive form,
sounding weird Egyptian calls through his horn that trail off into demonic
laughter.
The tricky job of carving some dynamic out of Murray's relentless cymbal
and snare work draws out some of his most melancholy, introspective work
to date.
Doyle's regular showstopper "Nature boy" opens boldly, only for
the saxophonist to start throwing in little questioning phrases until he
drops the horn altogether and burst into song.
"Two Free Jazz Men speak" is even better, with Doyle ducking and
rasping, as Murray fires off round after round in attempt to still him.
Doyle's fine sleeve notes, called "The Arthur Doyle Concept Of Playing
The Voice-O-Phone", complete this package. "First you have to
come from the belly," he deadpans, "like you are throwing everything
out of it." Ringside seats are not recommended.
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