Phil Haynes/Ben Monder

At first glance Transition (s) may seem like a strange duo session by veteran improvisers from dissimilar sectors of the jazz world. But this is actually a long anticipated reunion between drummer Phil Haynes and Ben Monder, who a quarter century ago frequently played together. One thorny touchstone was John Coltrane’s “Transition” – hence the title though that tune isn’t included here.

Monder, known for his work with the Bad Plus, Theo Bleckmann and even David Bowie comfortably fits into all-extemporized contexts. Meanwhile Haynes, whose experience encompasses discs with Paul Smoker, Herb Robertson and many others, is equally at home on these 13 selections, part of an ongoing series of discs by the drummer on the Corner Store Jazz label.

Dual excitement is conspicuous on a tune like “Untitled Ones” where the guitarist manages to both exhibit his usual lyricism as well as jarring squeaky stops and shaking whines that intersect with Haynes’ near reed tone-like scratch across a cymbal. Similarly the title tune is a speedy excursion where the guitarist’s perfectly shaped tones use fuzztones to attain a pseudo-grunge flange at the same time as the drummer outputs a near-perfect hard bop beat.

Haynes’ more outré impulses are given a workout on tracks such as “Openings” and “Beyond”. Slippery and menacing themes highlighting Haynes bell tree shakes, wood pops and lug-loosening stops move Monder’s flat line expositions to blurred fingering and throbbing amp echoes.

Monder expected melodic side shows up on “Too Easily”, a contrafact of “I Fall in Love Too Easily”.  But even here the gentling exposition include tougher strums that would be avoided in a conventional version.

It would seem that a 25-year hiatus hasn’t lessened the skills or unity between these players. And they amply display both here. If any criticism exists it’s that a few solo forays by Haynes are so brief that they finish before proper elaboration. Perhaps that could be rectified in a subsequent reunion.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Ben I 2. Untitled 3. Brief Piece 4. Untitled Ones 5. Transition 6. Ben II 7. Phills III 8. Openings 9. Beyond 10. Too Easily 11. Phills II 12. Ben III 13. Epilogue

Personnel: Ben Monder (guitar) and Phil Haynes (drums)