Krystall Klear, The Buells - This Way Is West (2005)

Tracklist

01. I go(r's) blue(s)
02. Like, LatinSynapse
03. Modern jizz
04. CecilMike
05. P.O.
06. Flowers pluck themselves
07. Little Rootie Tootie
08. Pete's boogie
09. Buejerk
10. When it drips, it's ready
11. Blues in white

The K2B2 label, which was co-run by tenor saxophonist Marty Krystall and bassist Buell Neidlinger, released several notable LPs during the late '70s/early '80s. The single-CD This Way Is West reissues all of Ready for the 90s and six of the seven numbers from Our Night Together. The music originally on Ready for the 90s, which was issued under the fictional group name of Krystall Klear & the Buells, features Neidlinger and Krystall (who doubles on bass clarinet) in a quartet with trumpeter Warren Gale and drummer Billy Higgins. Krystall, whose tenor tone is influenced by Ben Webster while his improvising style is very open and touched a bit by Eric Dolphy, is the main solo star, although Gale also has his spots. The four originals are adventurous, hinting at times at Monk, Mingus, and Ornette Coleman while having their own flavor. Also reissued from this album is "P.O.," a 1961 blues by Neidlinger who performs in a trio with an uncredited Denis Charles on drums and pianist Cecil Taylor. Taylor keeps the music from ever becoming too comfortable. The Our Night Together set features Krystall and Neidlinger with drummer Peter Erskine, occasional odd playing from organist Jerry Peters on three songs, and one appearance by Gene Cipriano on bass oboe. While the music is again primarily originals, Krystall's honking on the melody statement of Thelonious Monk's "Little Rootie Tootie" is particularly memorable. Otherwise, the music ranges from free bop to swinging avant-garde jazz. Suffice it to say that the improvising is on a high level, that some of Marty Krystall's most vital playing is included on this CD, and that This Way Is West is an excellent example of superior jazz that, even with the passing of decades, still sounds fresh and timeless.