That doesn't mean it shouldn't be approached with the same enthusiasm, as the rewards are rich. Jazz Composer's Orchestra kicks off with 14 minutes of Communications 8, in which ominous drones and no less than five double-bass players form the backdrop for solos by Don Cherry and Gato Barbieri. Communications 9 then plays in with dissonant strings to set the stage for Larry Coryell's guitar blowout - whether he'd been listening to the then-new Velvet Underground album, particularly Lou Reed's performance on I Heard Her Call My Name, is an open question; Coryell certainly gives any avant-rock pioneer a run for their money here.
On the next lengthy stretch, things calm down a bit, particularly in Steve Swallow's lengthy bass intro. Communications 10 reminds me of Mingus a bit in its writing; the soloist this time is trombonist Roswell Rudd. It's almost time for the main event, but first a brief prelude, or Preview. And who better to give the final-act overture than Pharoah Sanders at his most unhinged? He's certainly a memorable palate-cleanser, as Carla Bley vacates the piano stool to let Cecil Taylor play out the two-part finale. Mantler fires up the orchestra to full blast, and Taylor lets rip in his unique style - kinda want to write more, but this one just has to heard to be believed. A massive (in every sense of the word) double-album that will simply blow your head off every time you give it the chance.
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Previously posted at SGTG:
Michael Mantler & Don Preston - Alien
Carla Bley - Fleur Carnivore
Carla Bley - Appearing Nightly