Anthony Braxton - 4 (Ensemble) Compositions 1992 (1993)

Tracklist:
1. Composition No. 100
2. Composition No. 96
3. Composition No. 164
4. Composition No. 163

Lynden Achee, steel drums ·
Anthony Braxton, conductor ·
Don Byron, clarinet, bass clarinet ·
Roland Dahinden, trombone ·
Marty Ehrlich, flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, piccolo, tenor saxophone ·
Jay Hoggard, marimba, vibraphone ·
Guy Klucevek, accordion, body sounds ·
Randy McKean, clarinet, alto saxophone, bass clarinet ·
Amina Claudine Myers, organ, voice ·
J D Parran, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto clarinet, bamboo flute ·
John Rapson, trombone ·
Ted Reichman, accordion ·
Robert Rumboltz, trumpet ·
Warren Smith, percussion

The modern creative jazz equivalent of a rock and roll supergroup, the 13-member ensemble on Anthony Braxton's FOUR (ENSEMBLE) COMPOSITIONS 1992 is studded with virtuosos, including the superlative flautist Marty Ehrlich and the outstanding young klezmer-influenced clarinetist Don Byron. Braxton–who does not play on this album–conducts his compositions like a doting father, giving each member of the ensemble solo passages in which to shine.
As usual with Braxton's largeensembles, instruments unusual for jazz colour the proceedings, like Lynden Achee's steel drums and Guy Klucevek's accordion and "body sounds" (not what you're thinking). The highlight is a fascinating reinterpretation of Braxton's "Composition 96". At barely 10 minutes, the piece is only about a third as long as in previous incarnations, and its brevity only adds to its power. Though Braxton is best known for his small groups, this is an excellent example of the other side of his musical personality