If I like _____, then I'll LOVE the Anthony Braxton set

[tranemonk]

okay I got no Braxton.. never had much of an interest... I'm very skeptical about this set....

So... which artist is a good reference point...???

[sal]

I don't know if this is possible. Braxton is like no other. That's why he's great.

You'd be better off listening to one of his availiable recordings from the era to see if he's to your liking.

[papsrus]

I don't know if this is possible. Braxton is like no other. That's why he's great.

You'd be better off listening to one of his availiable recordings from the era to see if he's to your liking.

Here's the list for the Mosaic:

Arista AL-4032 New York, Fall 1974 - 1 LP

Arista AL-4064 Five Pieces, 1975 - 1 LP

Arista AL-4080 Creative Orchestra Music 1976 - 1 LP

Arista AL-4101 Duets 1976 - 1 LP

Arista AB-4181 For Trio - 1 LP

Arista AL-5002 The Montreux/Berlin concerts - 2 LPs

Arista A2L-8602 Alto Saxophone Improvisation 1979 - 2 LPs

Arista A3L-8900 For Four Orchestras - 3 LPs

Arista AL-9559 For Two Pianos - 1 LP

I've only heard the Montreux/Berlin concerts, which is fantastic, and is enough to convince me this will be a great box. But the titles alone indicate this will also include a pretty wide swath of music -- everything from solo pieces to orchestras.

I would guess someone who is not real familiar with Braxton's music will find something here to enjoy, and other things less ... accessible (I don't like that somewhat snobbish expression, but I guess it comes down to that ).

But as with any Mosaic, you probably can't go wrong strictly from an investment point of view. Should the music not suit you, you'll be able to recoup the purchase price without too much trouble, I'd think.

[blajay]

Yeah, can't really suggest any other artists...

Try to find this as a sample (You can find it not too pricey, I've found if you scour the used bins... or the blogs...):

Edited September 12, 2008 by zanonesdelpueblo

[randyhersom]

As mentioned before this question is hard to answer well. I'll try anyway:

Sam Rivers, or Andrew Hill with horns at his most tart and angular. Dave Holland too.

[Hot Ptah]

Yeah, some of the small group work in this set is not all that much different than say, Dave Holland's "Conference of the Birds".

The small ensemble albums in this set are not too different from most avant garde small ensemble albums. It's not like Braxton is an alien from another galaxy. He has a distinct style and sound, but if you like the most commonly known small group avant garde albums, you will probably like this set.

[sal]

It's not like Braxton is an alien from another galaxy.

He sounds like an alien from another galaxy to me. But I like that.

[7/4]

All great descriptions.

I'd say maybe a perky herky jerky more angular Dolphy too.

.

Edited September 12, 2008 by 7/4

[blajay]

It's not like Braxton is an alien from another galaxy.

True, he's no Sun Ra in that respect, but he does compose for orchestras among multiple planets and galaxies!

Anthony Braxton Interplanetary Orchestras

Edited September 12, 2008 by zanonesdelpueblo

[7/4]

Edited September 12, 2008 by 7/4

[randyhersom]

One could make a case for Ken Vandermark also. Perhaps the later 70's - 80's Gil Evans orchestra dates, but not his work with Miles.

[Ed S]

Haven't read any of the above comments, so I apologize if there's repetition.

The thing that drew me to Mosaic in the first place was my love of Blue Note recordings and the fact that they had stuff that was not then available. But as I began to explore the Mosaic catalog, I began to realize that their collections represented the best of not only Blue Note, but also all other genres that they put out. So it was with some trepidation and then total enjoyment and jubilation that I "discovered" artists like Tal Farlow, JohnnySmith, Charlie Ventura, Chet Baker, Lenny Tristano, Herbie Nichols, any of the Big Band sets and so many others.

I came to realize that Mosaic would not put out a set unless the recordings and/or the artist represented the best of whatever style they were presenting.

It is with that same spirit that I anxiously await the release of the Braxton set. I've not heard a note by this guy but I will be ordering it soon after it's released - because it's a Mosaic and Mosaic doesn't put out crap. Because if it's a Mosaic then it HAS to be relevant. Whether I like it remains to be seen. Still don't dig the Giuffre set, but am looking forward to thie Braxton - if only to expand my horizons.

Anyone got a Cecil Taylor set for sale?

[jazzbo]

Tranemonk. . . .

Based on what I can assess of your musical tastes. . . I don't think you'll like it. Just a sort of educated guess on my part.

I'm not sure I am going to like all of it, but I'll preorder it. . . I want to hear more Braxton, I've only heard about 10 percent of this material, and a lot of more current material (and like it).

Edited September 13, 2008 by jazzbo

[Chas]

Tranemonk. . . .

Based on what I can assess of your musical tastes. . . I don't think you'll like it.

What , you don't think a guy with a Marsalis avatar would like Braxton ?

[Late]

herky jerky

I think that's a pretty fitting description of Braxton's playing. I love Braxton the composer, and like Braxton the saxophonist. His playing does grow on you if you give it a chance, and without question the man's committed to his art. The quartet stuff on the Mosaic is top notch, and I think those who like Sam Rivers' playing will like this part of the Mosaic, but if you like your alto players to sound like Cannonball, you may very well not like this set. I haven't heard the orchestra stuff, so I can't comment on that.

I think it's great that Mosaic would put this out at all. I imagine it'll be talked about for a while here after the set ships.

[tranemonk]

I think you're right...

The odd thing is ... I LOVE Dave Holland since the 1999-2000 incarnation of that excellent quintet... (e.g., Nelson, Potter, Eubanks & Kilson)... but I suspect I'm not going to dig the earlier stuff with Braxton...

Methinks this will be one I'll pass on....

Tranemonk. . . .

Based on what I can assess of your musical tastes. . . I don't think you'll like it. Just a sort of educated guess on my part.

I'm not sure I am going to like all of it, but I'll preorder it. . . I want to hear more Braxton, I've only heard about 10 percent of this material, and a lot of more current material (and like it).

[clifford_thornton]

I actually think the duets with Joe Morris on Clean Feed would be an excellent place to start, although they are different from most of what's going to be included in the Mosaic.

Review here (by me)

[Indestructible!]

Tranemonk. . . .

Based on what I can assess of your musical tastes. . . I don't think you'll like it.

What , you don't think a guy with a Marsalis avatar would like Braxton ?

Wait, that's Marsalis? I thought it was Erkel's head photoshopped on some trumpeter's body.

Cheers,

Shane

[Dave James]

I'll be curious about the reaction to the Braxton Mosaic of those who are not familiar with his music but who have decided to purchase this set. I say damn the torpedoes and full speed ahead.

To say that Braxton is an acquired taste is putting it mildly. He is like no one else... completely and totally unique. Thanks to a friend of mine who occasionally posts here and who may be the #1 Braxton fan in the known universe, I'm fortunate to have a wide ranging collection of his music. What I've found is that you have to be in the right frame of mind when you decide to listen. You already know the music is going to be challenging and that it will demand your undivided attention. After all, this isn't the sort of thing you just throw on the CD player when you want to kick back and relax. Even if you wanted to do that, the music won't let you. I would also strongly suggest that the Mrs. nor the children nor the dog be present. That just wouldn't be a very good idea unless you were already thinking about finding someplace else to live.

All things considered, you are in for a fascinating and unique aural experience. Just keep your mind open and your ears as well.

Up over and out.

[JSngry]

I don't find Braxton at all "weird" or anything else of the sort. Never have. It's just that he has a lot fewer "filters" on his reality than most of us do on ours, which makes him only seem weird. The truth is quite the opposite. It's kinda like Texas seems weird if all you know is New York (or vice-versa) extrapolated out into...pretty much everything - time, space, politics, history, ethnomusicology, sports, animals, fungi, toenails, you name it. I've never found him weird, but I have found him shocking, stimulating, and more than a few times, incredibly damn funny. "Weird" to me is a feeling that somebody's "reality" is at root fundamentally at odds with mine, although not necessarily malevolently so. This has never been so with Braxton. Thinking about & contextualizing things in a manner which I would never have considered myself? Yeah, absolutely. But weird? Nah. Not even.

So I'd say: If I like omnicity, then I'll LOVE the Anthony Braxton set

[Jazzmoose]

It's not like Braxton is an alien from another galaxy.

Proof?

[AllenLowe]

he does have an older-model car which appears to have been retro-fit for intergalactic travel (took me for a ride last year) -

[randyhersom]

In fairness, the Four Orchestras set is at least as lowly regarded within Braxtons work as OM is within Coltrane's. Included for completeness and out of restpect for the artist, but I have heard no positive comments. I haven't heard it yet myself. Definitely leave that for last.

I have looked long and hard for Creative Orchestra Music 1976 on CD and am thrilled about the set, hope I can find a way to afford it. I still remember a fellow WRTI DJ's description "Anthony Braxton meets John Phillip Sousa".

Edited September 16, 2008 by randyhersom

[7/4]

I have looked long and hard for Creative Orchestra Music 1976 on CD and am thrilled about the set, hope I can find a way to afford it. I still remember a fellow WRTI DJ's description "Anthony Braxton meets John Phillip Sousa".

Creative Orchestra Music 1976 is a blast. I have the CD and it's not filed where it should be...

Edited September 17, 2008 by 7/4

[David Ayers]

In fairness, the Four Orchestras set is at least as lowly regarded within Braxtons work as OM is within Coltrane's. Included for completeness and out of restpect for the artist, but I have heard no positive comments. I haven't heard it yet myself. Definitely leave that for last.

I have looked long and hard for Creative Orchestra Music 1976 on CD and am thrilled about the set, hope I can find a way to afford it. I still remember a fellow WRTI DJ's description "Anthony Braxton meets John Phillip Sousa".

Four Orchestras is not good. Perhaps there was pressure to include it? It will take up 2 CDs I should think. One or two other titles here are not that thrilling either. Braxton titles for Hat easily sell runs of 3000 so it will be interesting to see if that fan base pounces...