RIVERS / HOLLAND / ALTSCHUL: Reunion – Live in New York
Pi, 2012

AVANT-GARDE – This superstar trio of the 1970s New York “loft” scene (Sam Rivers on saxes/flute/piano, Dave Holland bass, Barry Altschul drums) reunited in 2007 for a one-shot, unrehearsed performance and still showed phenomenal cohesion and a highly accessible sound. The constant tension between Rivers’ knotty improv and Holland’s grounded bass is a delight, and Altschul is just perfect.

Each disc is a continuous performance, but the track markers are well placed so you can easily play an excerpt. Try any of it.

All great! Fo’s Picks: Disc I – 1, 2, 5 Disc II – 1, 2

DISC ONE

1. 8:07 – starts out easy but picks up steam with Rivers blowing over bop rhythm, breaks down after 4:00 to loose 3-way improv, bowed bass
2. 9:41 – compelling, earthy rhythmic stroll; sax dense but not loud; slips into free interlude, speedy postbop, calm conversation
3. 15:45 – 4 minute bass solo into quiet dreamscape; Rivers on piano takes a lovely excursion, left turn into to a light latin jam for trio, drum solo
4. 8:37 – free jazz with Rivers on soprano sax, firms up into yet another boppish groove for a few minutes, classical-tinged bass solo
5. 9:32 – slow creep with exotic soprano sax sound, rolling drums take over, then exotic flute over speedy groove brings it home; much applause

DISC TWO

1. 8:55 – virtuoso bass joined by exotic flute flutterings, brisk trio jam sounds really great; falls into open space last 2:00, quiet, free, and eerie
2. 14:46 – solo flute acrobatics into a nice low groove; fantastic bass solo over marching drums, then lumpy free jazz, settles back into noir stroll
3. 4:10 – drum solo, then 3 minutes of wide-open bass
4. 7:23 – contemplative; Rivers back on tenor, drums push the tempo, falls back for a relaxed, soft landing; much applause

[ Fo ] - 4 November 2012