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Live At The Knitting Factory

by Roscoe Mitchell, The Sound Ensemble

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Daniel Karrer
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Robert Bresnan
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Adrian Spidle
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1.
Almost Like Raindrops 08:59
2.
Bass Solo From The Composition Sing 02:23
3.
Nonaah 10:21
4.
The Flight Of Birds 01:09
5.
Trumpet Solo From The Composition Rock Out 02:01
6.
The Reverend Frank Wright 13:02
7.
You Changed The Texture On Me 11:16
8.
Beyond The Fast Lane 01:53
9.
The Stick And The Stone 09:45

about

"This live set with his Sound Ensemble features several compositions and approaches that Roscoe Mitchell explored with some regularity in the late '80s. The dervish-like, circular breathing on soprano sax that was a central element of the album The Flow of Things from the prior year is heard again on "Almost Like Raindrops," though with less ferocity. In fact, much of this recording has a surprisingly laid-back feel. "Nonaah," which is often performed in an agitated frenzy, is cast in a dreamlike, floating space. Even the usual "free blowout" pieces like "The Reverend Frank Wright" lack the propulsive cohesiveness that the same band has displayed before. Some of this may be due to the rather boom-y sound quality that often relegates Barefield's guitar work and Shahid's bass to the background while bringing the drums to the fore. The same holds true for the oddly similar "You Changed the Texture on Me" that follows directly; on the one hand, it's a pleasure to hear Mitchell's imaginative and forceful alto playing (as well as some fine work by trumpeter Ragin), but there is little sense of the group dynamics that were paramount on records like Snerdy McGurdy and Her Dancin' Shoes. The odd inclusion of two excerpted solos and what appear to be two snatches of longer group improvs also heighten the aura of disjuncture. Humdrum Mitchell is still more exciting than a lot of the better offerings from his peers though, so fans of his will still want to hear this album. It's just a little disappointing after fine efforts like the aforementioned The Flow of Things." (Source: Brian Olewnick, allmusic.com)

1. lmost Like Raindrops
2. Bass Solo From The Composition Sing
3. Nonaah
4. The Flight Of Birds
5. Trumpet Solo From The Composition Rock Out
6. The Reverend Frank Wright
7. You Changed The Texture On Me
8. Beyond The Fast Lane
9. The Stick And The Stone

All music by Roscoe Mitchell

credits

released August 7, 2026

A. Spencer Barefield ( Guitar )
Hugh Ragin ( Trumpet )
Jaribu Shahid ( Bass )
Tani Tabbal ( Drums, Percussion )
Roscoe Mitchell ( Soprano, Alto & Tenor Sax )

Producer – Giovanni Bonandrini
Engineer [Recording] – John Erskine
Studio di registrazione – The Knitting Factory
Engineer [Editing And Digital Mastering] – Butch Vig
Editing & Mastering – Smart Studios
Engineer [Mastering] – Gennaro Carone
Masterizzato presso – PhonoComp
Artwork [Cover Art] – Xerios
Liner Notes – Francis Davis

Recorded November 11, 1987 at the Knitting Factory, N.Y.
Editing and digital mastering April 4, 1990 at Smart Studio, Madison, Wisconsin

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Black Saint Rome, Italy

Black Saint was established in 1975 by Giacomo Pelliciotti and devoted to recording avant-garde musicians who might not have an opportunity elsewhere.
The labels specialize in avant-garde jazz stemming from the free jazz tradition.

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