Quote:
Originally Posted by s_k
I'm never sure when Jazz is 'free'. It's a thin line between free and 'regular' jazz.
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To me, it all has to do with the style of improvisation. After all, the most fundamental aspect of jazz is its improvisation. Some styles of jazz (modal, bebop) had very secure and defined styles of improv, use these scales, revolve your tonality around the rhythm section, etc.
Free jazz proposes a much more limitless kind of improvisation. The general 'avant-garde' jazz actually often has very ridgid and well-defined scales or patterns that the soloists follow, but free jazz is a quantum leap forward in that respect. The actual ability for musicians to play off each other, and to come off as rational and not just random, is key.
It's not the freest thing that Al did, but it's among the most impacting; it's the first track in 3 years that I 'loved' on Last.fm within my first listen. Absolutely captivating playing.