Back in January 2001, saxophonist Charles Lloyd and drummer Billy Higgins decided they’d had enough of studios, producers, and anything resembling structure. So they retreated to Lloyd’s house in Montecito, surrounded by ocean breezes and too many flutes, and hit the record button.
The result is this double CD release on the ECM label that sounds like two lifelong friends sitting in a room full of uncommon instruments* and saying, “Hey, what happens if we both play this thing at once?” It’s jazz, sure, but only in the sense that Olive Garden is Italian food. However, it’s two legendary jazzers having a conversation I can only attempt to understand. But it sure sounds deep.
This guy claims the recording is "the sound of ancestors spreading wings, spinning flesh from sunlight," while
another critic writes: "Recorded in a living room shortly before Higgins' death, two old friends converse, contemplate, fart around." Since I don't understand what the heck is going on here, I find myself leaning toward the latter opinion. It just might be a masterpiece, but it's not my bag, man. If you're into free jazz and world music, give it shot.
*New-to-me instruments on this recording, according to the credits:
tárogató,
Tibetan oboe,
guimbri, Syrian 'one string,' Senegalese, Guinean and Indian hand drums, and something called Juno's wood box.
More album reviews here.
Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart
Tracks: 30 tracks comprising 8 "suites" across two discs. Total time is just over 2½ hours, which is a lot to take in, much less comprehend. It turns oddly Brazilian at the end, though, so that's nice.
Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None.
