János Ávéd/David Six/Tilo Weber

Alan Braufman
Anthem for Peace
Valley of Search 013

True believers often proclaim that there are many ways to heaven, But stripping the catchphrase from its religious overtones the corollary is that peace or transcendence can be attained without attaching yourself to any particular creed. A similar truism can be expressed in improvised music. There are many paths to attain the primacy of superior sounds. These discs express two singular routes.

Subject of a major Free Jazz rebirth, American alto saxophonist Alan Braufman delineates his way to attain music bliss partially in the aggressive and ecstatic language of his major influences such as Albert Ayler and John Coltrane. No exercise in reminiscence here though, the saxophonist expresses himself during his seven brief compositions alongside New York notable contemporary players: bassists  Luke Stewart or Ken Filiano (on one track) and drummers Chad Taylor or Michael Wimberly (ditto), as well as Mexican vibraphone innovator Patricia Brennan. Coming from different tradition however, members of the European trio on the other disc invest their  selections with echoes of folkloric, tradition, evangelical and composed music history on the disc’s 10 tracks. German drummer/vibraphonist Tilo Weber has worked with players like Elias Stemeseder and David Friedman; Hungarian tenor saxophonist János Ávéd has been part of the Budapest Modern Art Orchestra as well as playing with icons like Randy Becker; while Austrian pianist/harpsichordist David Six has worked with Bill Frisell and Bryce Dessner.

Still, at points some timbral elaborations during some of Transcendent Triptych’s 10 tracks skirt awfully close to soundtrack fare with a predominance of breathy reed flutters, steady keyboard comping and swelling vibraphone reverb. Harmonized affinity supersedes timbral alterations, even as muffled drum rumbles and undulating group patterns are upfront. Also while the novel colorization can be appreciated most harpsichord forays play up baroque-like prettiness rather than bellicose punchiness it’s also capable of expressing.

Overcoming this tropes, clock-like keyboard chiming, mewling reed lines and tough percussive slaps on “Kleiner Trost” are more notable. This is especially noticeable as group undulations allow the gradual appearance of theme variation, notwithstanding drum and piano textures operating in tandem to propel the melody forward and return to it at the end

Overall though aiming for sonic beatitude seems to be best expressed the lengthier the track is. This is demonstrated most clearly on pieces like “Gólya” and the concluding “Transfiguration (μεταμόρφωση).” A sober continuation of the brief understated preceding track, “Transfiguration” provides enough space for Ávéd to play more freely, trilling thin and thinner pitches at the top of his instrument’s range. Punctuated with silent interludes, the theme is still carefully advance via cadenced piano lines and drum rattles.

“Gólya”, The jauntiest and longest track, combines reed slaps and honks, drum rumbles and keyboard comping into a jig-like exposition, further emphasized as bass drum ruffs mix with tough keyboard pedal point. Simultaneously Ávéd’s reed squeaks and slurs grow in authority even as they fragment into bellicose shards, After Six’s high key tickles and Weber’s low-pitched slaps combine to suggest a contrasting sprightly melody, all three players  revert to a carefully paced triple exposition and climax.

Climaxes, elaboration and elastic pacing are also expressed masterfully on Anthem for Peace’s seven tracks. Braufman’s saxophone strategies show that his improvisational edge wasn’t blunted away during the multiple years hiatus from creative music. Plus the rhythm teams narrative propelling is as compelling as it is concentrated. Meanwhile taking the place of any horn or chordal addition, Brennan is the linchpin soloist, shoring up the rhythmic thrust if needed and providing timbral variations that strengthen the music’s ongoing progress.

If there are drawbacks, they result from Braufman’s flute choruses, which in in some instrumental combinations, as on the other disc, also haunt Anthem for Peace with the specter of soundtrack music. However on some tunes, such as “The Journey”, he’s canny and experienced enough to alternate lighter transverse tones with strident and spluttering reed cries. Additionally the bouncing pitter patter reverb Brennan brings to “Snow in Central Park” cranks up the necessary power to overcome the faux exotica created by flute flutters and conga drum-like pops from Wimberly.

Brennan’s multi-mallet rolls also contribute both grace notes and gravitas to more incendiary tracks like “In Motion” and “Cosmic Blues”, While the former is built around a booming display of riffs and paradiddles from Taylor alongside a stretched reed line and multi-mallet cascades, it’s the blues which displays intensity and invention. Nearly opaque biting saxophone vibrations move forward past overdubbed flute trills on top of bass and drum cooperation. Climax occurs as Brennan slides up and down the scale and all over her aluminium bar set without any loss of power. The concentrated group result is both dynamic and dulcet. The only other caveat is why on such a brief CD – slightly more than 35 minutes – do some tracks fade so obviously

Pursuing his own path to liberation, Braufman has done so vigorously. Hopefully this configuration should soon regroup and extemporize at greater length. Longer tracks could also benefit The Transcendent Triptych group whose most memorable work evolves within the greatest space allotted. Overall though these suggestions shouldn’t prevent anyone from investigating these divergent but parallel sonic roads that aim for enlightenment heading towards musical emancipation.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: Transcendent: 1. Minta 2. David’s Dream 3. Pastel 4. Da fällt es ab von ihm  5. Pastorale  6. Gólya 7. Lound 8. Kleiner Trost 9. Visszhang 10. Transfiguration (μεταμόρφωση)

Personnel: Transcendent: János Ávéd (tenor saxophone); David Six (piano and harpsichord) and Tilo Weber (drums and vibraphone)

Track Listing: Anthem: 1. Angels 2. The Journey 3. Anthem for Peace 4. Snow in Central Park* 5. In Motion  6. Cosmic Blues 7. Reflections On a Rainy Day

Personnel: Anthem: Alan Braufman (alto saxophone and flute); Patricia Brennan (vibraphone); Luke Stewart or Ken Filiano* (bass) and Chad Taylor or  Michael Wimberly* (drums and  percussion)