by Frank Rubolino
From the opening incisive retorts by Evan Parker and Joe McPhee,
it is clear that something special is happening during this
highly refined demonstration of interpersonal communication.
This initial perception continues to gain credence as these
divergent tenor saxophonists meet on common ground and maneuver
lockstep through continuing phases of intensity. They banter
zealously while formulating their creative thought processes
that so neatly fit into the framework of the others’.
The entire recording is an exchange of musical
ideas. Parker blows with biting tonality or muted fluidity,
while McPhee puts a muscular or compassionate touch to his
earthy sound. These two woodwind aficionados receive the opposing
onslaught of sound waves as though the notes were gushing
out of the bell of one horn and into the other. Fragments
of thought patterns are grasped and reformulated to take on
new identities. Each artist makes the creative adjustment
to fit his robust personal remarks into the context of what
the other is saying, thus making it a free market of note
bartering.
Parker and McPhee engage in 11 debates during
the course of the recording. The music is spontaneously emitted,
with both musicians assuming guidance responsibility and a
free rein to make directional changes as seen fit. Their course,
however, is under the control of a dual form of radar that
perceptively anticipates speed limits, detours, and other
road obstacles. After a racing finish on “Duet 4,”
for example, the duo instinctively gears down to establish
near-ballad velocity on “Duet 5.” This innate
ability to look ahead and adjust is the most striking aspect
of these duets.
Most of all, the duets are musical in a most
liberated sense. The tenors sing out at high volume or speak
softly in gentle voices but always generate flowing lines
of freeform speech. They carve beauty out of raw stone, making
the discourse extremely palatable and consistently challenging.
McPhee and Parker are two dominant leaders, but they display
remarkable talent on this recording for sharing the command.
This is music of high order brimming with exciting displays
of interaction.
Personnel: Evan Parker, tenor
saxophone; Joe McPhee, tenor saxophone.
Tracks: 1. Duet 2; 2. Duet
3; 3. Duet 4; 4. Duet 5; 5. Duet 6; 6. Duet 7; 7. Duet 9;
8. Duet 8; 9. Duet 11. 10. Duet 12. 11. Duet 13.
Recorded: May 11, 1998, Chicago,
IL.
