Sam Rivers Crystals impulse ASD-9286 WLP Promo NM- Free Jazz 1974

$

35

                                                                                        Sam Rivers Crystals impulse! ASD-9286 WLP Promo NM- Free Jazz 1974 Vinyl Condition:

NM-: Vinyl looks unplayed other then a couple very light marks seen under bright light.

Label Condition: NM-: No spindle marks Cover Condition:

NM-: Cover has only some slight hints of wear on the front cover. Edges and spine are nice and crisp. Comes with original inner sleeve.

Details :

When Sam Rivers' Crystals was released in 1974, it had been over a decade since Ornette had worked with his Free Jazz Double Quartet, nine years since Coltrane assembled his Ascension band, and six since the first Jazz Composers' Orchestra Association was formed and whose first records were issued (a couple of members of that band also perform with Rivers here). It's difficult to note in the 21st century just how forward-thinking this avant-garde big band was, and how completely innovative Rivers' compositions are. The number of musicians on this session is staggering: With Rivers, it numbers 64 pieces! A few of the names appearing here are Hamiet Bluiett, Richard Davis, Bob Stewart, John Stubblefield, Bill Barron, Robin Kenyatta, Julius Watkins, Norman Connors, Andrew Cyrille, Billy Hart, Ahmed Abdullah, Charles Sullivan, Clifford Thornton, Grachan Moncur, Ronnie Boykins, and Reggie Workman -- and no pianist. Musically, this is the mature Sam Rivers speaking from the wide base of his knowledge as a composer, improviser, and conceptualist. These compositions were written between 1959 and 1972, and were finished as new elements came to him to fit them together conceptually. The fact that all six of them are so gorgeously juxtaposed is a testament to his discipline and his vision. From the beginning of "Exultation," the horns storm out of the gate, saxophones up front in what appears to be full free jazz freakout. Trumpets and trombones bleat behind, and the bass violins bow in unison on a modal opening. Within minutes, however, the rhythm section kicks in, and a full-on swinging soprano solo accompanied by the stomping bass of Workman fills the center for about 40 bars until the entire band comes back for a restated them that is knotty yet swinging. A number of instruments then jump through the center of the piece, creating an intervallic dialogue that prompts the soloists to come back in and take it. The intervals and contrapuntal structures are subtle enough to avoid seams -- though the jagged edges in the solos provide dense and beautiful textures -- and when the whole band comes back in, one doesn't notice that they are all grooving in a whole new rhythmic situation that is full of stops, starts, and sideways maneuvers. On "Tranquility," the bassist lays down a syncopated funk groove and long, drifting melodic lines that are written out comes flowing in between the bass and Stewart's tuba. They shimmer around each other in harmonic dissonance, though with the dynamics controlled, the edges are rounded. Rivers has written some of the most complex music of his life here, allowing for short, poignant, and often strictly composed solos to complement the linear, contrapuntal structures that these towering compositions are. As soloists do give way to one another, it is remarkable that the sheer density of hard swing provides the center of the maelstrom with such a wide emotional and chromatic palette. This is spiritual music in the most profound sense in that it attempts to breach the gyre between what has previously been said -- by Ellington, most notably -- what can be said, and the musically unspeakable. There is a massive centrifugal force at work in Rivers compositions here; and it pulls everything in, each dynamic stutter, legato phrase, ostinato whisper, and alteration in pitch in favor of what comes next. The swinging nature of these tunes refutes once and for all whether or not avant-garde music can be accessible -- -though it's true Sun Ra had already done that, but never to this extent. In sum, there are harsh moments here to be sure, but they are part of a greater and far more diverse musical universe, they are shards in the prism of the deep and burning soul that these six compositions offer so freely. Of the many recordings Rivers has done, this was the very first to showcase the full range of his many gifts. It is an underrated masterpiece and among the most rewarding and adventurous listening experiences in the history of jazz.

Tracklist : A1 Exultation 8:25
A2 Tranquility 8:58
A3 Postlude 2:31
     
B1 Bursts 6:51
B2 Orb 9:36
B3 Earth Song 4:09
                                                                                                                        Record Grading Guidelines Still Sealed (SS) Still in unopened shrink wrap, never been played. Will mostly be for new and limited edition releases. NEAR MINT (NM) Vinyl:
    NM records are shiny, with no visible defects. Writing, stickers or other markings cannot appear on the label, nor can any “spindle marks” from someone trying to blindly put the record on the turntable. Major factory defects also must be absent; a record and label obviously pressed off center is not Near Mint. Cover:
NM covers are free of creases, ring wear and seam splits of any kind. NEAR MINT MINUS or Very Good Plus Plus (NM- or VG++) Vinyl:
    NM- or VG++ records are shiny, with very slight visible defects. May have very light “spindle marks” from someone trying to blindly put the record on the turntable. An inbetween grade which I usually use when records have visible marks under bright light but are not there when viewing it normally. Cover:
    NM- or VG++ are generally NM condition with 2-3 small issues with the cover, mainly edge wear, sticker residue, or light creases. VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+) Vinyl:
    VG+ records may show some slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or very light scratches that do not affect the listening experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are OK. Minor signs of handling are OK, too, such as telltale marks around the center hole, but repeated playing has not misshapen the hole. There may be some very light ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable. Cover:
    VG+ covers should have only minor wear. A VG+ cover might have some very minor seam wear or a split (less than one inch long) at the bottom, the most vulnerable location. Also, a VG+ cover may have some defacing, such as a cut-out marking. Covers with cut-out markings can never be considered Near Mint. Very Good (VG) Vinyl:
    Many of the imperfections found on a VG+ record are more obvious on a VG record. For many listeners, a VG record or sleeve will be worth the money. VG records have more obvious flaws than their counterparts in better shape. They lack most of the original gloss found on factory-fresh records. Groove wear is evident on sight, as are light scratches deep enough to feel with a fingernail. Cover:
      Minor writing, tape or a sticker can detract from the label. Many collectors who have jukeboxes will use VG records in them and not think twice. They remain a fine listening experience, just not the same as if it were in better shape.
    VG covers will have many signs of human handling. Ring wear in the middle or along the edges of the cover where the edge of a record would reside, is obvious, though not overwhelming. Some more creases might be visible. Seam splitting will be more obvious; it may appear on all three sides, though it won’t be obvious upon looking. Someone might have written or it or stamped a price tag on it, too.                         RECORD CARE Records will be cleaned with a VPI 16.5 before being shipped, to ensure you get the best sound possible. LP will be removed from inner sleeve and cover and placed in a new paper or polyethelyne sleeve. Cover and LP will be placed within another polyethlyne sleeve and is then placed in bubble wrap bag and sealed in a cardboard LP mailer with cardboard stiffener.                                                 SHIPPING Will combine shipping, please request invoice at end of auction for discounted shipping rates. Combined Shipping will be $2 for each additional LP, or if you buy 2 or more totaling $50 or more SHIPPING IS FREE! International buyers please be aware if you choose First Class shipping I am not able to insure for loss or damage. First class may take up to a month for delivery to certain countries. Domestic shipping via Media Mail will include insurance for any item over $30. Priority mail insurance is included for items up to $50 and anything over that insurance is included free of charge. Handling time is 1 Day unless otherwise stated. If payment is recieved before 12PM EST I will usually be able to ship same day!                 RETURNS In the event you are unhappy with my grading and feel the item is not as described, please don't hesitate to contact me. I will try my best to make sure you are satisfied and can either offer a full return (minus original shipping cost) or a partial refund. Buyer pays return shipping. Froo www.froo.com | Froo Cross Sell, Free Cross Sell, Cross promote, eBay Marketing, eBay listing Apps, eBay Apps, eBay Application