Rapt Circle presents Patrick Brennan’s Sonic Openings Under Pressure in two performances three weeks apart in June 2002.

Brennan played free, then worked with advanced compositional forms that blur lines between spontaneous and prepared, developing over 50 pieces. With a nod to Roscoe Mitchell, Brennan evolved an original sound that keeps the alto meaty and full of sass. Cecil Taylor alum Hilliard Greene drives time with precision pops or rubberized slide.

On the three tracks recorded live in Montreal, the trio adds percussionist, Juma Santos Ayantola. A longtime New York veteran, Ayantola played with Jimi Hendrix as the guitar innovator began stretching into jazz at the end of his life, even sharing the stage at Woodstock. (*see note below)

His glistening chimes divide a melodic drum solo that opens "Scissor Bump." A sly rhythm falling in and out of funk initiates the series of transitory time signatures, never without the sweat of the blues. At times the writing resembles dub, with an instrument dropping out at a time shift, resuming at the next change. Baker’s hard listening drumming plays well with Ayantola’s conversational congas.

The second version of "Scissor Bump" goes straight to the funk. Trimmed by six minutes,the Vision Fest version delivers more pop. Green solos strenuously and minimally to open "Covert." Baker offers subtle support and Brennan blows bluesy over the slinky tune. The second version of "Which Way What" turns up the intensity of the first version, with Baker particularly charged.

Using similar compositions from two different performances gives a glimpse of Sonic Openings Under Pressure’s unique approach to guided improvisation.

- Rex Butters

All About Jazz - Los Angeles
September 2004
allaboutjazz.com

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* Note: It was actually Juma Sultan who played with Hendrix.