.com This two-CD set combines a pair of Ornette Coleman's Columbia LPs, Science Fiction and Broken Shadows, and adds three tracks--a new piece, an alternate take, and an alternate mix. Most of the material comes from sessions in September 1971, when Coleman surrounded himself with old associates--including the group with which he'd made his startling New York debut a dozen years earlier: trumpeter Don Cherry, bassist Charlie Haden, and drummer Billy Higgins. Also along were tenor saxophonist Dewey Redman, drummer Ed Blackwell, and trumpeter Bobby Bradford, another longtime associate. The seven musicians recorded as two distinct quartets, as a quintet with Bradford, and as a septet, while other guests contributed to still more permutations. All the musicians were deeply immersed in Coleman's musical language: the complex, sometimes jagged tunes; the emotional directness that drew on the wellspring of the blues; the sprung rhythms and melodic freedom that had first defined the free-jazz movement. The set's first CD consists largely of quartet and quintet pieces. There are new groupings that take new directions, such as two evocative songs with the gifted Indian vocalist Asha Puthi, accompanied by a septet with two classical trumpeters and Higgins on tympani. And on "Science Fiction," the band breathes seething chaos around the poet David Henderson's voice. Much of the second CD concentrates on the septet, a group that inevitably invokes Coleman's most radical grouping, the "double quartet" that recorded Free Jazz in 1960, with five of the original members present. The pieces here are shorter, with more clearly defined compositional materials, but the collective improvisations are still bracing and the rhythmic dialogues often stunning. While Cherry and Coleman no longer worked together regularly, they shared a vision and empathy unique in jazz, and the shifting densities and internal meters of "Elizabeth" are something to behold. "Good Girl Blues" and "Is It Forever" catch Coleman layering and alternating different components--Kansas City blues, swing, bop, free, and classical--to create unique musical spaces. This is one of Coleman's strangest groupings, with his regular band joined by blues singer Webster Armstrong, guitarist Jim Hall, hard-bop pianist Cedar Walton, and a woodwind quintet. This is essential hearing, varied and intriguing music from one of the greatest architects, composers, and improvisers in the history of jazz. Stuart Broomer Review Ornette Coleman is well represented in "The Complete Science Fiction Sessions," a two-CD set issued by Columbia/Legacy. In the early '70s, Columbia issued three albums by Coleman: "Science Fiction," "Broken Shadows," and "Skies of America." This set combines the first two and adds a few alternate takes, marking the first time any of this music has been available domestically on CD. Three pieces feature Coleman's original quartet: trumpeter Don Cherry, and bassist Charlie Haden, drummer Billy Higgins. Other tunes feature trumpeter Bobby Bradford, tenor saxophonist Dewey Redman, drummer Ed Blackwell, vocalist Asha Puthil, poet David Henderson, guitarist Jim Hall, and pianist Cedar Walton, among others.--- JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc. -- From Jazziz
A**S
Long-awaited Ornette masterpiece as deluxe CD
At last! SCIENCE FICTION on CD -- 24-bit mapped, and given the full Mosaic-style treatment by Michael Cuscuna. Included are 2 alternate takes and 1 never before released track from the original 1971 sessions, along with all the material from those sessions originally released in 1982 as BROKEN SHADOWS. SCIENCE FICTION is the first Ornette record I heard, in 1975, and I still love it. Most of it sounds quite like the great Atlantic recordings of 1959-62, with Charlie Haden on bass, either Ed Blackwell or Billy Higgins on drums, and Don Cherry or Bobby Bradford on trumpet (and all 5 on some tracks). Dewey Redman, in Ornette's working band of the time, also plays on many of the tracks.The twist is that there are several vocal tracks -- the 2 with Asha Puthli, the female pop/classical singer from Bombay, are stunningly beautiful. (Some critics did not approve, but they weren't listening!) The title track features the poet David Henderson, and it truly sounds like Science Fiction. Two more vocal tracks, from BROKEN SHADOWS, are more conventional, and frankly can be safely skipped. A highlight of the set is "Law Years," one of Ornette's best known and often covered compositions (by Old and New Dreams and Ken Vandermark, among others).The variety of styles and textures made the original SCIENCE FICTION, to me, Ornette's greatest accomplishment as a cohesive album. (Be aware that many critics disagreed.) There is a wrenching intensity to every track on the original album, the first 8 of the 19 collected here, making a statement greater than the sum of the individual pieces, a testimony to Ornette's compositional vision. It is interesting to find that "School Work" is the theme used in DANCING IN YOUR HEAD, Ornette's first electric Prime Time recording from 1976. That was to be Ornette's new direction following this work, so SCIENCE FICTION stands as the last great recording before Ornette's "Second Period."Absolutely essential!
H**B
High water mark
First, if you are not an Ornette fan, or are just starting out, I wouldn't begin here. This is rough stuff. That said, I think it is some of his best work, especially the larger ensembles. I think the controversial vocal cuts have aged well also.
J**R
6 stars !
I add another 5 star review; I wish I could give it more. I won't speak to the historical context and significance of these sets, others have done that. I limit my review to the visceral impact of listening. Coleman and the whole band are absolutely brilliant throughout. Lyrical, surprising (of course), laying it down jamming - this record really goes. All the players excel on these recordings at solos and there is no denying what is going on there. The ensemble playing really made an impression on me though.I just wish I had discovered this material 20 years ago.
W**S
Ornette and his horns
Ornette Coleman is one of the greatest innovators in the history of 20th century music, but he requires close listening and a great ear. His ``Free Jazz'' is not the best place to understand what he and his collaborators are doing - simultaneously improvising different solos based on the melody Coleman composes without harmonic chordal structures to base their solos on - but with ``Science Fiction'' his approach is easy to follow, and rich with melodic invention. This isn't for smooth jazz fans who like it easy and mellow, but for listeners willing to meet the music's demands, this album is not only a great introduction to Coleman, but a richly rewarding listening adventure.
M**R
Creative Genius!
"Science Fiction," an album recorded by Ornette Coleman who by 1972 was about 15 years into his career displays his fresh and original look on music. After 15 years others may have stagnated on their ideas but not Ornette Coleman. Coleman was not a cookie-cutter musician he was an original - a musical genius and "Science Fiction (along with the extra tracks found on this CD) shows Coleman's never ending genius. The music is full of depth and surprise.For those of you that require a bit of challenge in your music this and all Ornette Coleman albums will satisfy your need for music that pulls you into a dimension of thought and creativity.
C**
Ornette anytime!
The songbird and the usual suspects at that time are on fire! A must for all Ornette fans. Some special guest spoken word folks add to the experience.
J**R
Five Stars
Great
J**R
A beautiful set of albums...
While other reviewers have mentioned that it would be useful to hear earlier Ornette albums to have some frame of reference for this one, it's the first Coleman album I ever heard: That said, I became absolutely immersed in it. The variation created by using so many different group configurations, keeps proceedings consistently strong and simultaneously varied. The tracks featuring the Indian vocalist are absolutely breathtaking, and Coleman's playing on these albums is at once obtuse and very catchy. While this music may be complex, it still manages to retain accessibility and warmth. This is the Coleman album I will keep coming back to.Since writing my original review of this album, I have acquired "Beauty is a Rare Thing". While I would say that most of that material is somewhat more "essential" than the Complete Science Fiction Sessions, I still stand by my claim that this is as good an introduction as any. Other great starting points would be Change of the Century, The Shape of Jazz to Come, or the aforementioned boxed set if you're willing to take the plunge. You'll probably want to anyways once you get your feet wet.
J**K
A mixed bag from Ornette Coleman in 1971/72.
This 2-CD set by Ornette Coleman(1930-2015) combines the albums 'Science Fiction' recorded during September, 1971 and 'Broken Shadows', originally released in 1982, but recorded during September, 1971 & September, 1972.Also included are two alternative takes and the previously unreleased 'Written Word' all from 1971.The collective personnel includes Ornette Coleman(alto sax); Dewey Redman(tenor sax); Don Cherry(pocket trumpet); Bobby Bradford(trumpet); Carmone Fornarotto, Gerard Schwarz(trumpets); Cedar Walton(piano); Jim Hall(guitar); Charlie Haden(bass); Ed Blackwell(drums); Billy Higgins(drums); Asha Puthli(vocal); Webster Armstrong(vocal); David Henderson(poet) plus unidentified flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon & French horn.The 19 tracks(all Coleman compositions) include various line-ups from quartet to an 11-piece ensemble.The five vocal tracks sound rather muddled to me but there are several highlights including 'Street Woman'(2 takes), 'Law Years' & 'Happy House'.Although something of a mixed bag, 'The Complete Science Fiction Sessions' should be required listening for Ornette aficionados.
J**0
Big Bang theory
If you've worked through the classic quartet recording on Atlantic, and crave more of those snappy melodies and bonkers tempos this is absolutely your the next port of call. This ups the ante in fact, with all of Ornette's regulars (including Redman and Blackwell) absolutely on fire. There are two interesting tracks with vocalist Asha Puthli, and some larger ensemble experiments at the end, but the real meat is contained in the punk energy of smaller groups. The drums are far more punchy than on the Atlantic albums and Haden's bass is kicking throughout.
J**N
Science Fiction is out of this world.
This was advertised as used, but arrived earlier than forecast in sealed, pristine condition - I could not tell that it had been used. I persuaded a friend to buy the original LP when it came out in the early 70s and never got round to buying it myself, so this is a long overdue addition to my music collection. The passage of over 40 years has not diminished the vibrancy of the album - a masterpiece that has stood the test of time.
E**E
Still fresh after all these years
As it is sometimes difficult to find the Science Fiction and Broken Shadows albums on either vinyl or as a CD, it is nice to have this double CD which contains both. CD1 has the eight tunes from the LP in the original order, plus four additional tracks. Two of those are recordings that are on the original Broken Shadows LP, one is an alternative take on Street Woman, and the final one is a different mix of Civilisation Day. CD2 contains the tracks from Broken Shadows, minus School Work and Country Town Blues, which are on CD1 as bonus tracks. CD2 also has a bonus track, previously unreleased.Science Fiction has always been my favourite Ornette Coleman album, and this release does not disappoint; the sound is fine and in line with the vinyl release. That there is some fantastic playing goes without saying; many of the musicians had played together for a long time when this was recorded. Varied and stimulating, the tunes sound as fresh as when the album came out in 1972. CD2 is also great - four of the tunes were recorded at the same session as the Science Fiction - sharing with CD1 the range from beautiful to excitingly complex.The main players with Ornette are Charlie Haden on bass, Ed Blackwell and Billy Higgins on drums, Don Cherry and Bobby Bradford on trumpet, and Dewey Redman on tenor sax.Buy with confidence.
P**T
Imprescindibile
Sicuramente non è il disco da cui iniziare per avvicinarsi al genio di Coleman, ma non è nemmeno l'ultimo da acquistare, non è l'ultima strada da percorrere. Un disco imprescindibile, spirituale e cerebrale allo stesso tempo.
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