Alan Braufman

One of the most heartening tales of resumed creative music careers is that of Alan Braufman. A mid-1970s Loft Era associate of Cooper-Moore and others, the alto saxophonist/flutist left the city and those sounds for decades, only to reappear with new music about a decade ago. Despite his pedigree, he’s no nostalgia act, investing his new compositions with new textures and welcoming new players. Returning from earlier discs are bassist Ken Filiano and tenor saxophonist James Brandon Lewis. First time associates are drummer Chad Taylor, percussionist Michael Wimberly and vibraphonist Patricia Brennan.

Contributions from the last two are crucial to the architecture of this set. Wimberly’s continuous pulse and idiophone effervescence situates tunes like “Edge of Time” into the rarely explored groove where percussive Latin accents play off free jazz cries from the two saxophonists. Brennan’s multi-mallet patterning is even more crucial to the expositions. Alternating between the punching and the pleasing she adds additional oomph to the drummers with echoing resonations or sprinkles a light dusting of motor-driven reverb on top of the overblowing and multiphonics propelled by the saxophonists. Lewis in particular splatters a collection of intense honks and smears into his solos. Braufman responds or leads improvisation in kind with angular cries.

Each plays with complete control however. Beside cunning use of extended techniques. The saxophonists also propel in tandem bouncy, cheerful motifs that frequently join with Brennan’s vibe pops to lighten tracks like “Spirits” and soothe stentorian reed overload. Unlike his saxophone lines, Braufman’s flute forays are light and trilling. Yet in a reversal, ringing sustain from the vibes prevent those transverse expositions from  becoming too flighty.

Throughout Braufman melds the lightness of some theme with those like the concluding “Liberation”, that with its arco bass string buzzing and clenched saxophone slurs, slides and split tones resembles intense late period John Coltrane. By staking out this musical path for himself, Braufman signals his ongoing originality and adaptability.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Chasing a Melody 2. Infinite Love Infinite Tears 3. 4. Edge of Time 5. Brooklyn 6. Liberation

Personnel: Alan Braufman (alto saxophone and flute); James Brandon Lewis (tenor saxophone); Patricia Brennan (vibraphone); Ken Filiano (bass); Chad Taylor (drums) and Michael Wimberly (percussion)