Groder & Greene

"After taking octogenarian saxophonist Sam Rivers on one of the most exciting rides of recent years on 2006's Torque, trumpeter Brian Groder has teamed up with another iconic figure of free jazz, pianist Burton Greene, for nine magnificent musical adventures recorded, appropriately enough, in Greene Street Studios NYC in October 2007. Without wanting in any way to downplay the importance of Groder's limpid and remarkably inventive trumpet and fluegelhorn playing, or alto saxophonist Rob Brown's technically and musically outstanding contributions (there's no point in even saying that, as everything Brown has committed to record in his lifetime has been technically and musically outstanding), the date belongs to Greene, not because he deliberately pushes everyone else to the sidelines, but because his contributions as both soloist and especially accompanist are so startlingly original that they command attention, from the inspired octatonic riffery of "Landfall" to the inside-piano investigations of "Amulet", from the virtuosity of "Cryptic Means" to the spiky comping of "Nigh". Sometimes it's all a bit over the top ("Hey, Pithy, Can You Thropt the Erectus?" owes much more to Greene than its punning title), but, hey, I'd rather it was like that instead of some earnest MOR Clean Feed outing where everyone is so afraid of walking on anyone else's toes that nobody moves at all. Greene has worked before with bassist Adam Lane – notably on 2004's Isms Out (CIMP) with Roy Campbell and Lou Grassi – and it shows: Lane is acutely aware of the pianist's left hand, and its tendency to provide the low and mid-register harmonic information, and concentrates accordingly on the more melodic upper octaves of his instrument. Which is not to say the pianist rides roughshod over Lane when the latter takes a solo – far from it: Greene's ear and sense of space is as acute as ever. In such ebullient company, a flamboyant drummer (like Han Bennink) would probably sink the ship altogether, so it's just as well Ray Sage is on hand to keep the beats tight and the music on course to its final destination. This is a truly splendid album, easily the best thing Burton's released in years, and one of the freshest and most enjoyable releases of the year" ~Dan Warburton, ParisTransAtlantic "Appearing on numerous top-ten lists for 2009, Groder & Greene brings together NYC free jazz trumpeter/flugelhorn player Brian Groder with Chicago-born/Amsterdam-based free jazz piano legend Burton Greene - veteran of the NYC Avanat Garde scene and contemporary of such folks as Archie Shepp,Henry Grimes and Bill Dixon. They are joined by alto saxophonist Rob Brown, double-bassist Adam Lane and drummer Ray Sage in creating eight efficacious improvised pieces that range from ferocious (the excellent opener "Landfall") to quiet and strange ("Amulet") with every variation between. The strength of the players and exceptional rapport they bring the sessions takes what should by any means be chaos and instead weaves spontaneous compositions out of the cacophony. All of the players exhibit exceptional abilities within this genre, with Greene attracting the ear with piano work that at times tinkles odd notes, or canters across the keys and at others pounds out furious fistfuls of block chords. He truly seems a perfect foil for Groder's strong melodic touch, and the other musicians also seem especially well chosen for this project. Superb tracks like "Only the Now," "Separate Being," "Nigh," and 'Surmised Wink" are remarkable examples of free jazz music at its finest - full of unexpected surprises mad intriguing directions, while the cover of Greene's "Hey Pithy, Can You Thropt the Erectus" is an engaging treat. "Cryptic Means" features the duo without the rest of the bend in a rewarding turn, and the haunting "Sleepwalker" ends this dreamlike experience (complete with nightmares) in delicious fashion. Locally, fans of the Velvet Lounge free form jam sessions should find this disc appealing." ~Brad Walseth, JazzChicago .............................................. <> .................................................