Search - Cecil Taylor, Roswell Rudd :: Mixed

Mixed Masters

david marsalek | MD USA | 03/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This Impulse release documents two distinct sessions: Cecil Taylor (61'-produced by Gil Evans), and Roswell Rudd's 66' release, "Everywhere". The two dates, although recorded five years from each other, meld remarkably well. Concerning the Cecil Taylor music, there are three Taylor compositions that are all challenging, ahead of their time, and even hummable and swinging at times. It represents a transitional period of Cecil's career where he was truly moving more and more "out". However, you don't need to love more noisy jazz to enjoy this gem, just an appreciation of interesting music, an open ear and mind. Check-out "Bulbs" to get an idea of what I'm saying (hummable and swinging). This track is as infectious as any pop tune and has recognizable O. Coleman and Mingus flavors in it. Plus you can't beat the line-up! A young Archie Shepp (tenor sax) with Jimmy Lyons (alto s.), Henry Grimes on bass, and a fledgling Sunny Murray on drums. Ted Curson and Roswell Rudd join in for a avant-super group on the track "Mixed", trumpet and trombone respectively. This Taylor session is absolutely essential for a serious 60's new music/avant-garde/free-jazz collection. As for Rudd's Everywhere session, you have Roswell Rudd on trombone, Giuseppe Logan on flute and bass clarinet, Lewis Worrell and Charlie Haden on upright, Beaver Harris on drums, and both altoists John Tchicai and Robin Kenyetta. no piano. The material includes a Logan tribute to Eric Dolphy ("Satan's Dance"), Bill Harris's "Everywhere", and two originals from Roswell Rudd. Some of the music becomes monotonous at times but there are definately some spectacular moments that make for many rewarding and insightful listenings. Very atmospheric and emotionally charged, reminding me of Alan Shorter's music (ie-"Orgasm" session, or the track "Mephistopheles" on Wayne Shorter's "The All Seeing Eye". Overall, this is a great buy for your money with sessions from both avant-gardist greats: Cecil Taylor and Roswell Rudd. I would recommend it to anyone that likes a more challenging listen. From this free-jazz fan to you: a very satisfying Taylor experience, and one that I will enjoy for a long long time. Give "Mixed" a try!"

Roswell Rudd Rules This Roost

Mark Seeley | Korea | 07/14/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Roswell Rudd is brilliant and it's great to be able to kill two birds with one stone and listen to both Beaver Harris and Sunny Murray on one CD. The highlight of the release is Giuseppi Logan's aptly named "Satan's Dance". It is, well, demonic in its intensity. It is rather strange music. For some reason it made images of a hellish Dixieland inferno pop up in my mind. The Taylor material is good but it was the Rudd material that grabbed me."

Great Music, Great Value

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 07/11/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Cecil Taylor's music is not for everyone. Maybe that's why when the Cecil Taylor portion of "Mixed" was first issued back in the 60s, it was done so as a Gil Evans album! In any event, this is a great place to start if you want to check out Cecil's music, and you get another album's worth of material thrown in for free. The first three tracks of "Mixed" are Cecil's, with an all-star avant garde jazz lineup including Archie Shepp, Jimmy Lyons, Sunny Murray and Roswell Rudd. Speaking of Rudd, tracks 4-7 were originally released in the late 60s as his album "Everywhere." Anyone who enjoys exploratory jazz will find there is nothing mixed about this CD."