Anthony Braxton

Creative Orchestra Music 1976

★★★½

Braxton during the 70s was not only a powerhouse of releasing innovative and different jazz albums, but also helped carry on the importance of jazz composers and band leaders into the new era. Not to say that he was only important in the 70s, he's always been great, and also not to say that his music wasn't despised by many jazz fans. Because many did. 

Here is an example that's no different but completely unique in its own way. Inside of these 40 minutes is previously undiscovered experimentation and recently discovered (and polished) traditional technique. Not to say that I really love all of it, but only someone like Braxton could create an album like this. Forged with respect and admiration to people like Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus, but also molded in a somewhat faulty manner that is completely intentional. 

There is this alternating theme throughout that makes this album quite fun to listen to; going from a busy and smoke filled lounge with an intoxicated band and audience then suddenly transporting you to a clear blue sky that hangs over an empty industrial complex in which machines continue to churn out flawed devices in the absence of any other direction. 

I don't really enjoy the third track which is really a marching band track that goes kinda insane, it's more funny to me than anything. And track five, god that's really an interpretation of Ellington's big band on cocaine. I can almost see the beads of sweat and wandering eyes. It does end with perhaps the most "out there" piece, also the one I happen to like the most. But really check this out if you're interested in some humor and return to form, that is a slightly mangled form. 

Favorite Song: Comp. 59