Central Market

There will be many more (positive) reviews soon, I hope. Anyway..

Tyondai Braxton is probably better known currently as the lead "singer," and multi-instrumentalist, for Battles. When I ripped this CD, my computer software labeled it as "Classical," probably meaning this is considered, or wanting to be considered, more high-brow. But you can tell Braxton never takes it that seriously - someone else must be responsible for that.

Battles fans may miss the drumming (we'll call what's in here "percussion," to keep with the high-brow theme). And John Adams might sue. But everybody else should be very pleased.

Braxton leads an ensemble that is mainly percussion and electronics, but also strings, and a kazoo is prominent for a lot of it. His weird singy-voice-manipulating thing shows up on most of the tracks, but it's just another instrument.
What comes out is very dramatic, cinematic - I would not be surprised to see Braxton show up with an orchestra in the near future.

The best attribute is that it's very lighthearted, whimsical. He's having a lot of fun.

He has won well-deserved praise from Bjork for the effort, and fans of the latter would definitely do well to pick this up. I bet Frank Zappa would give it two thumbs up, too. If you want a quick taste of the album, listen to about 30 seconds of Uffe's Woodshop - that would be the most representative taste of what you'll get.

Someone who knows I am into jazz turned me on to this because Braxton is the son of free jazz sax player Anthony Braxton.

And listening, I concur with John Jon's review comparing it to Zappa: late Zappa. The electronic constructions and weird timing sculptures remind of Master Frank's synclevier experiments such as Jazz From Hell and Civilization Phase 3. Purposely ramshackle houses of rhythms, counter-rhythms and noise monsters, all taking full advantage of modern electronic perfection.

Most bands use technology to make music sound trendy or to make the same music they could play on guitars in their garage. Guys like Zappa and Braxton use technology to make music human hands can't, and that puts music like Central Market in a whole other world

I'm a big Battles fan, so I have no idea how I missed this solo effort by Braxton.

Challenging yet strangely accessible is probably the best way to describe this work.

Braxton's multi-octave singing is in full swing here but, as another reviewer noted, it's just another touch of paint in Braxton's jarring and angular compositions.

I would consider this to be modern experimental music that's let its hair down. Just enough whimsy to offset the ambitious time signatures and biting percussion washes.

If you're a fan of Battles you will still feel that spirit in this music.

Refreshing fun ready for unfolding during multiple listens.

It's great. Buy it.