Cecil Taylor - Looking (Berlin Version) Corona (1989)

Recorded a couple of days after the similarly titled solo piano performance also released on FMP, Looking (Berlin Version) Corona is a fine quintet concert, notable for the relatively unusual (for Taylor) instrumental grouping employed. In addition to longtime associates Tony Oxley and William Parker, he added a violinist and a cellist (Harold Kimmig and Muneer Abdul Fatah, respectively), forming with Parker a kind of string trio plunked down between the two massive musical forces of nature playing piano and drums. This hornless ensemble creates a very attractive openness of sound, leaving the players a large amount of apparent sonic space in which to improvise freely. Kimmig takes advantage of this early on with some inspired soloing, bringing to mind another violinist briefly affiliated with Taylor, Leroy Jenkins.

The piece itself is divided into three movements, although it actually appears to be simply an extended improvisation and two briefer, quieter encores. Except for the last section, there's little in the way of thematic material in even the most tenuous manner. Instead, it's high-energy improv almost the entire way, the affinity between Taylor and Oxley especially apparent as they dance around each other in a dizzying series of patterns and whorls. There's an enormous number of recordings from Taylor in the late '80s (much of it on FMP) and, while this may not rank at the very top of even that batch, it's a quite enjoyable release and one that the serious aficionado will want to hear.

Tracks:

1. "First Movement" 60:15
2. "Second Movement" 3:30
3. "Third Movement" 7:30

Personnel:

Cecil Taylor: piano
Harald Kimmig: violin
Muneer Abdul Fataah: cello
William Parker: double bass
Tony Oxley: drums