Live At NYU: 1980
Inky, 2022
8/10
The 5th archive release from the Inky DoT Media imprint, this documentation brings us 2 sets from Steve Tintweiss and company, where their curious brand of free jazz incorporates brass, winds, and even a dramatic reading.
“The Theme/Man Alone” opens the listen with frisky drumming and soft saxophone in the cozy 1 minute, and “Spring Raga” follows with a bit of a haunting quality that recruits wordless singing into the cryptic landscape.
Moving towards the middle, “Risk-O-Disc” showcases playfully plucked bass and dreamy flute, while “Abandoned Dance” gets to a nearly dance friendly place with its acrobatic drumming and furious sax bouts, as well as adventurous bass swells.
Disc 2 opens with the spoken “Knowledge Is Power”, where the setting shifts into an oddly cinematic journey, and “Ash Dung Blues Bowl” arrives not long after with a calm, nearly meditative quality. “Do Not Look Back” might be the most bizarre but exciting tune, and consists of random voices and phrases that are met with lightning fast brass squealing.
Tintweiss is joined by Charles Brackeen (tenor and soprano saxophones), Byard Lancaster (alto and soprano saxophones, flute, piccolo, bass clarinet), Lou Grassi (drums and percussion), and Genie Sherman (vocals and dramatic reading). He handles 5-string double bass, melodica and vocals, and let me tell you, you’ve never heard anything like this before, as Tintweiss meshes avant-garde jazz, performance art and improvisational madness.
Travels well with: Steve Tintweiss And The Purple Why- Markstown; Judy Stuart- The Apostolic Session