Pi 35 
Rudresh Mahanthappa, Bunky Green (as), Jason Moran (p), Francois Moutin (b), Jack DeJohnette and Damion Reid (d). Rec. 2010

New York saxophonist Mahanthappa is in a rich vein of form, having recently recorded Apti and Kinsmen. Like the last recording (with Kadri Gopalnath), this new set pairs him with another alto saxophonist, Bunky Green, a noted influence on Steve Coleman, himself an early influence on Mahanthappa. The contrast between the two co-leaders is marked to say the least with Mahanthappa’s piercing, double reed-like tone coming across occasionally as a soprano part to the lower, breathier character of Green’s, and each man’s phrasing too is also very different, the former’s distinctively busy, clenched rhythms create the storm while the latter’s more floating melodies bring the calm.

Both do, of course, veer away from those roles, but one thing that remains consistent is the strength of the rhythm section, whose combined attack and stark, tough tonalities make this acoustic music that borders on the electric in terms of its thrust and sheer heaviness. Stylistically, Mahanthappa is negotiating a very interesting kind of jazz post-modernism in which swing and free time liberally flow in and out of the set while the cyclical hypnosis of Indian ragas melds with blues riffs as if to the manner born. Mahanthappa already has an impressive body of work and this summit meeting with Green can only enhance his standing as a true progressive in contemporary improvised music.

Kevin Le Gendre