Explorations...To the Mth Degree

AMG Review of Explorations...To the Mth Degree

Steven Loewy
All Music Guide

Featuring a comfortable duo between one of the kings of bebop, Max Roach, and master genre-bender Mal Waldron, this two-CD set contains a complete concert in honor of the pianist's 70th birthday. (Actually, there is also a bonus track of a cut recorded before the concert.) The 30 pieces are mostly fully improvised and flow into one another flawlessly. Waldron is a perfect partner; his often percussive technique is sandwiched by his lyrical flow, while Roach is in splendid form with his patented style. Together, they produce magical, magnificent results in a classic pairing of two of the greatest jazz musicians of the 20th Century. Most of the pieces were composed by Roach or Waldron, and almost every moment is filled with wonders. The quality of the recording is surprisingly good considering this was a live set.