SLAMCD314 Evan Parker, George Haslam & John Edwards – Parker/Haslam/Edwards

Evan Parker (soprano saxophone), George Haslam (baritone saxophone, tarogato), John Edwards (double bass) perform a complete unedited live concert of improvised music given in the Holywell Music Room, Oxford on 3 September, 2000. Seventy three minutes of solo, duo and trio improvisations by some of the best exponents of the art.

“As a soloist Parker is spell-binding, seeming never to run out of ideas…It is a fine example of his breath-taking technique. The trio performance which closes the cd is, as you might expect, a tour de force with all three members working in unison to create constantly changing textures…this track relies on the collective merging in a telepathic way to produce a dynamic aural assault. This is free music at its most cohesive and coherent best.” – Paul Donnelly

“George Haslam’s SLAM label continues to present topnotch improvised musical talent from within and outside Britain…Haslam demonstrates his mastery of the instrument and explores its total dynamic range with a hardy tone…On both performances, Haslam displays a wealth of creative ideas, proving that he is one of the most notable musicians on the British creative music scene…Evan Parker’s soprano saxophone playing is always fascinating…an exciting performance replete with a flurry of jabbing and mesmerizing notes…another enjoyable release from some of the most significant improvisers present on the British creative music scene. Kudos to Haslam for curating another worthwhile SLAM release.” – Jay Collins, Cadence

“George Haslam kicks off with a fruity, approachable baritone solo, then consolidates the welcome with his Hungarian horn, the tarogato. Evan Parker pulls a 15 minute circular breathing spectacular out of the bag, conducting a duet (it often seems) with a phantom soprano partner. John Edwards sustains the momentum through his tense, thoughtful double bass solo, then grapples with the surge and recoil of Parker’s snarling tenor. Finally the bassist stands squarely between these two comparably emphatic and markedly dissimilar saxophonists like a referee even-handedly adjudicating the anticipated tussle. It leaves you wanting more.” – The Wire

“Haslam brings a melodious tinge to his solo playing. On baritone his dynamic sense is paramount with the lines mostly smooth and legato. Coming across like a hipper Gerry Mulligan, his rhythm always swings on an even keel. Of course, Mulligan may have been shocked by Haslam’s sometimes irregular vibrato, rhythmic tongue slaps and an ending which moves up from traditional baritone bottom-feeding tones to a bit of overblowing, side slipping and split tones.” – Ken Waxman, Jazzword

“George Haslam is one of the most interesting bari sax players to go beyond traditional stylings and explore the low range of the free…This disc is about as unplanned, unrehearsed, and free as one can get. The key to enjoying this is to understand the players involved. It really is like hearing them talk about themselves.” – Fred Barrett, Beyond Coltrane

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