Terry Real

When most people think of Riley, they think of six-hour piano improvs or the innovative-but-too-random In C. Riley was one of the fathers of minimalism, and he wears his hippie colors proudly, as is evidenced by such titles as “Sunrise of the Planetary Dream Collector” and “Gathering of the Spiral Clan.” Cadenza on the Night Plain is a classic recording that’s been out of print for almost ten years. The folks at Ryko have finally acquired the rights and reissued it with an excellent remastering job. Like In C, the construction is somewhat modular, consisting of several fragments that can be played in varying order. Such an approach is more like a jazz arrangement than a classical score, but Riley favored this approach and the Kronos jump into it with real eagerness that readily shows that their approach suits the music well. At various times, they are called upon to be aggressive, then pastoral, while at others, they imitate eastern instruments. They manage all sorts of fascinating textures (check out the syncopated ponticello at 4:50 on “Mythical Birds Waltz” or the long, harmonized pedal-tones and glissandri in the title track) and never seem to lose their footing.

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Trumpeter Donald Byrd released this interesting and unusual album in 1965 featuring vocalists and a full horn section, building on the experimentation he began on this record's predecessor, "A New Perspective". Byrd is supported here by a typically superb band, notably a young Herbie Hancock on piano. Also playing on these original tunes by Byrd are Stanley Turrentine on tenor saxophone, Freddie Roach on organ, Grant Green on guitar, Bob Cranshaw on bass and Grady Tate on drums. Pianist Duke Pearson, while not appearing on the album, did produce half the songs (Byrd produced the other half) and served as arranger.