Rating:
Genre:
Jazz
Release Date: 09/18/1993
Run Time: 43:16
Levels and Degrees of Light was the first recording under
Muhal Richard Abrams' name and was a landmark album that launched the first in a long line of beautiful, musical salvos from the AACM toward the
mainstream jazz world. The title track finds
Abrams broadly tracing out some of the territory he would continue to explore in succeeding decades, an ethereal, mystic quality (evinced by
Penelope Taylor's otherworldly vocalizing and
Gordon Emmanuel's shimmering vibes) balanced by a harsh and earthy bluesiness set forth by the leader's piercing clarinet.
"The Bird Song" begins with a fine, dark poetry recitation by
David Moore (oh! for the days when one didn't approach a poem on a
jazz album with great trepidation) before evanescing into a whirlwind of percussion, bird whistles, and violin (the latter by
Leroy Jenkins in one of his first recorded appearances). When the band enters at full strength with
Anthony Braxton (in his first recording session), the effect is explosive and liberating, as though
Abrams' band had stood on the shoulders of
Coltrane,
Coleman, and
Taylor and taken a massive, daring leap into the future. It's a historic performance. The final track offers several unaccompanied solo opportunities, spotlighting
Abrams' sumptuous piano and the under-recognized bass abilities of
Charles Clark. This is a milestone recording and belongs in the collection of any modern
jazz fan.
~Brian Olewnick, All Music Guide
;)
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