Subscribe to theAnthony Braxton Mosaic in the Works
Original Airdate: April 4th, 2008
Lots of Mosaic Records news lately–now it appears, according to a post at freejazz.org, that the long-talked-about Anthony Braxton 1970s set featuring his recordings for Arista and Freedom may be on its way to manifestation in the reality-based retail community…coming this October. Mosaic co-founder Michael Cuscuna produced many of the original sessions; word in the past had been that BMG was reluctant to license this material. Maybe they had a Braxton Plays for Lovers compilation in mind?
UPDATE: A poster at Jazzcorner’s Speakeasy reports that this will be a 7-CD set with a release date of November, rather than October.
Previous Post: New Stations for Night Lights, another Duke Ellington Mosaic box, and Marc Myers’ interview with Bud Shank
Next Post: Benny Carter’s Kansas City Suite
Mike Heffley Says:
I would be interested in any Braxton buff’s special knowledge or memories of any of the Arista recordings, 1974-1983, especially those old enough to have experienced them as they emerged in real time.
Posted on: April 28th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Heath Watts Says:
Hi,
I’m the guy who originally posted the notice on freejazz.org. I received this from Mosaic today:
The Complete Arista Recordings Of Anthony Braxton (8 CDs)
(Release Date - October)
Anthony Braxton is the sort of artist who triggers those heated “Is it jazz?”debates; whatever his music is, it is brilliant. By the time he signed with Arista Records in 1974 at the age of 29, he had emerged as one of the major figures in Chicago’s AACM, formed Circle with Chick Corea, Dave Holland and Barry Altchul and lived the expatriate life in Paris and moved freely in jazz and contemporary classical circles.
What made his output at Arista (1974-80) so unique was the range of projects he was able to realize thanks to the supportive budgets of a major label. This 8-CD set rescues his entire 14-LP Arista output from forgotten vaults. From live and studio recordings with his quartet (with Kenny Wheeler or George Lewis, Dave Holland and Barry Altschul) to solo alto excursions to a duet with Muhal Richard Abrams to Creative Orchestra Music to trios with Roscoe Mitchell/Joseph Jarman and Henry Threadgill/Douglas Ewert to his thoroughly composed pieces for two pianos and for four orchestras, Braxton explored every aspect of modern music through his own creative vision with astonishing results.
Posted on: July 15th, 2008 at 1:40 pm