Indent

This is a fantastic live album, although jazz fans new to Cecil Taylor should be forewarned that this is not an easy item to listen to. It's one of the most "difficult" albums in my own collection, and it's not something I put on without being in a situation where I can give it my undivided attention. Definitely the last thing you'd want to hear if you're suffering from a headache or hangover. The CD consists of a lengthy solo piano piece in three parts. Although it's clearly improvised, it doesn't bear much resemblance to what we conventionally think of as "jazz," even free jazz. It's very dissonant, full of cluster-chords, and sounds a bit like Bartok played at double or triple speed. Still, if you listen closely enough you can make out distinct sections and moods. Taylor's playing is technically mind-blowing, extremely fast throughout, but alternately brash and subtle. Overall, an endlessly fascinating album that will drive your neighbours insane.

Indent and Silent Tongues are Cecil Taylor's best solo piano albums I think. I bought Indent as an LP back when Arista was still releasing avant-garde music. The album was a revelation. Taylor's music is highly structured, even though on first aquaintance it seems formless. His music is based on the gradual obsessive development of small motives, most of which are based on modal scales. These motives are played at a frenetic pace, which adds to the mistaken idea that this is "free" playing. Cecil can blow free with the best of them, but his music is always controlled and his chops are unequaled.The solo work doesn't have the complexity of structure or instrumental timbre that you would find in Taylor's group work. But the solo stuff is indispensible, especially for pianists. If you are a jazz player, you cannot understand all of the music until you come to terms with this seminal innovator. Love him or hate him, Taylor is a force to be reckoned with.