2 + 2 is an ongoing collaboration between Phillip Greenlief and Jon Raskin where the two saxophonists pair with "like" instruments. The self-curated series features a mixture of free improvisation and graphic scores by Greenlief and Raskin. In this release the saxophones are paired with two koto players: Shoko Hikage and Kanoko Nishi
Stretches out sighs again curls & murmurs. She held rubies he held zircon. It's a long corridor and: all our houses, inevitably, are flimsy stuffs. New sweethearts enter, stepping from the seas. A fast, non-scientific sort of evolution. You are followed by ______. You are seeing a ______.
Bodies plunge. Once more, to the brink. The hour advances.
We'll have some quiet now. We shall bear no hate nor malice nor shiny things as make us paupers. This whistling still. this water all around you. These forecasts.
These. There there. The hours are daggered, slendered, hand to head. The tin man stammers and stills. Please, he says. Only please.
A large thing coming closer, but gently. You were a circling murmuring stretches out. We proceed through a series of misunderstandings, chance encounters. I hold your material in my teeth, I am a rough man, but gently. An ascent. A permissions. Our discipline retreats. Barking out the back door. A knocking quietly. I bear no shiny things. Heart in a cardboard box, lined thinly with tissue. Emeralds, sapphires, non of these. She is a coming and going, a fast non-science. Midday suit. Outstretched again and. A larger thing, a horizon of hills and shadows, valleys and hills.
We've arranged a ceasefire for you. We've drafted your subtext. A feast of get back stand back this whistling stills. a rattling in the rafters a history of skies. At issue. Wrap our houses around themselves roots encircling permissions held. It's okay not to. These. And we want more. And we. These. Grant yourselves permission, and still. There is water all around you. It is rising.
- Claudia La Rocco
credits
released March 9, 2024
Recorded on March 28, 2006 at 21 Grand, Oakland
Engineer: Karen Stackpole
Notes: Claudia La Rocco
Mastering: Myles Boisen
Design: Alan Alanzone
Cover Photo: Phillip Greenlief
Photo: Myles Boisen
Special thanks to Darren Jenkins and Sarah Lockhart for the all the 21 Grand years and shows and sweat and blood. The 2 + 2 Project would never have gotten off the ground the way it did had it not been for your encouragement and generosity. Also, to Shoko ad Kanoko – what a crew!
Phillip Greenlief and Jon Raskin formed 2 + 2 in 2003 as a container for revolving quartet formations.
We liked the
pairing of like instruments, giving the ensemble an immediate character and allowing the instrument pairings to expand their conception of the possible. We've played with so many wonderful musicians in this project....more
supported by 8 fans who also own “2 + 2 with Shoko Hikage and Kanoko Nishi”
Simply amazing to hear a new album with Wadada and Ewart!! ...And Reed rounds out this trio beautifully.
Just gave it my first spin. Absolutely magical. jeffrey maurer