By Don Phipps

This set of reside duets (recorded in 2007 on the Stone – an experimental NYC
music venue created by John Zorn) captures multi-instrumentalists Joe
McPhee (right here on alto sax and pocket trumpet) and Clifton Hyde (guitars and
mandolin) navigating the contours of music in each intense and intimate
methods. It follows on the heels of their glorious recording of an identical
assembly a yr earlier on the Roulette (“Joe McPhee & Clifton Hyde –
New Varieties, New Sounds – Music for Alain Kirili”).

Hyde once more makes use of the guitar for percussive results (these poor guitars!) and
strums, picks, and fashions difficult replies to McPhee’s sax and trumpet
phrases. For his half, McPhee provides listeners an assortment of cease and go
runs and dances.

There are additionally surprises. Take “Centering Posts Amok,” which begins with
Hyde’s march strums as McPhee orchestrates lengthy legato notes that fill the
house. There are sax blasts that flash and blind (“Shedding the Ring”) atop
Django Reinhardt-like guitar. And the somber reflections and energetic
blasts posed by the music in “Gales of Winter” give voice to the house and
eerie sounds of a snowy windy night time.

McPhee’s approach stays flawless on each sax and trumpet. Given the
completely totally different embouchure necessities required to play each
devices, he places on fairly a show of virtuosity. Take for instance his
capability to play the trumpet in an nearly imperceptibly shushed method. Or
the approach he creates musette-like tones from the alto sax. Or the sax
overtones and round respiration he elicits on “The Gamers Are Prepared.”
And although his music is spontaneous and improvised, additionally it is
extraordinarily disciplined. Hyde doesn’t falter in reply. You can hear
flamenco, tango and blues as properly as a little bit of Robert Fripp in his taking part in.
There are even occasions when his guitar seems like a koto.

The consequence? Music that ranges from peaceable to violent, easy to discrete,
quiet to howling and the whole lot in between. On this album, these two knowledgeable
musicians show that they will create soundscapes that each shock
and confront.