Search - Jon Raskin Quartet :: Bass & Bird Pond

Good compositions and performances

Douglas T Martin | Alpharetta, GA USA | 02/02/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Jon Raskin, member of the ROVA Saxophone Quartet assembles a different quartet for this recording. Raskin, who plays alto, baritone, and sopranino saxes here, is joined by Tim Berne on alto, Michael Formanek on bass, and Elliot Kavee on drums and cello. At first listen the quartet sounds like Berne's ensemble Bloodcount. Probably because both Berne and Formanek are from Bloodcount and that Berne's composition "Bloodcount" is the first one performed. This is a good performance of this composition ranking up there with Berne's two recorded versions and the larger-ensemble version heard on Orange Then Blue's "Hold the Elevator" recording. Micheal Formanek starts off "The Third Path to No Where" with 3 minutes of melodic bass soloing before the drums kick in; the crowd applauds in approval. Good compositions and performances abound. Highly recommended for fans of Tim Berne and related musicians."