THE MUSIC - LOW BLUE FLAME

The blue flame of the fire is its hottest part.  It does not waiver in its uniqueness.  In a similar fashion, let this music be a testament to that uncommon quality.

New Jersey, December 26, 2005
Andrew Cyrille

Low Blue Flame is full of melodious rhythms and rhythmic melodicism and is, at once, an immediate, explosive and propulsive journey into all that is possible in communication through music. My personal scope of reference has broadened in unimaginable ways, due in part to these very collaborations. Performing with Andrew Cyrille, as well as producing this recording, has been as educational as it has been inspirational, and I am overwhelmingly gratified to be involved in this presentation.

New York City, December 27, 2005
Greg Osby

Equalatogram (Greg Osby) is based upon a "cycle within cycles" logic - each one using equidistant numbers that are loosely based on numerological factors. Greg Osby observes that "Andrew is adhering to the form in grand fashion and his incredibly supportive and orchestral approach gave me plenty to think about."

Work (Thelonious Monk) pays tribute to Thelonious Monk with a composition of his that is not often played - especially as a duet. "Work" was first recorded by Monk in 1954 with a trio including bassist Percy Heath and drummer Art Blakey. With the introduction of the LP format, this recording became a part of an album also including Monk´s quartet recordings with Sonny Rollins and was released by Prestige at various times under the titles Thelonious Monk and Sonny Rollins, Work and The Genius of Thelonious Monk.

With You In Mind (instrumental) (Andrew Cyrille) is presented on this recording both as an instrumental version and as a version featuring Andrew Cyrille´s recital of his own lyrics. It is a composition about love with someone special in mind.

Cyrille In Motion (Greg Osby) was written specifically for the duo´s first concert at the Tonic club in downtown New York in early 2004. Based on a compound of 7/8, it is derived from Greg Osby´s memories of having played with Andrew Cyrille in 1988 in pianist Andrew Hill´s group. It is a classic example of how Cyrille approaches non-standard metrics.

No. 11 (Andrew Cyrille) was originally written some years ago for Pieces of Time, a percussion quartet featuring Kenny Clark, Famoudou Don Moye, Milford Graves and Cyrille. Cyrille revised and re-orchestrated some of it for this duo setting. A version of the composition was also included on Cyrille´s duo album with Russian percussionist Vladimir Tarasov (Galaxies, Music & Arts).

Noodle (Greg Osby) is a solo alto piece based on the short rhythmic fragment stated at the beginning. This motif serves as the sole starting  point for the improvisations and is revisited throughout the piece. "Noodle" is the nickname of the little girl who inspired "Pop Pop" (see below).

Striation (Andrew Cyrille) means parallel grooves. Andrew Cyrille would like the listeners to let their imagination transfer the meaning of the word to the duet expressions of the composition.

With You In Mind (recital) (Andrew Cyrille). This second version of "With You In Mind" features Cyrille´s recital of his own lyrics over a duo improvisation of the composition.

With you in mind, love can´t be far behind,
like the night followed by the morning.
With you in mind, never will I be blind,
because of the way you are.

And, I see your beauty,
your heart touches mine.
Take me, we´ll be together
for the rest of time.

With you in mind, love can´t be far behind,
like the night followed by the morning.
With you in mind, my heart will never pine,
you make me feel divine.

Low Blue Flame (Andrew Cyrille) is based on a rhythmic riff as has been exemplified by the great musicians of the swing era - syncopated, driving and swinging in 4/4 meter. The inspiration of the melody is the driving force behind the improvisation.

Pop Pop (Greg Osby) is a solo soprano piece that comes from a melody that Greg Osby heard a little girl sing. She had no idea that Osby was paying any attention or that he was actually taping her with his minidisc. She sang it over and over again as if she were fixed on this little theme. It then became an undercurrent for this slower solo piece.

Concepticus (Greg Osby) is based on a series of controls and principles derived from Greg Osby´s personal approach that he calls "Shifting Melodic Order." Andrew elected to play the melodic passage in tandem with the saxophone for this take, giving the composition a completely new face.

The Music In Us (Andrew Cyrille) was first recorded by Andrew Cyrille with a quartet that featured trumpeter Ted Daniel, pianist Sonelius Smith and bassist Nick Di Geronimo (The Navigator, Soul Note) and has now been revised for a duo. The unusual 13/4 meter and the melody written over blues chords make this composition unique.

Roscoe (Andrew Cyrille) is an improvised solo composition based on a template (pattern) of saxophonist and composer Roscoe Mitchell.