ROYAL by ANTHONY BRAXTON & DEREK BAILEY

Kicking off a series of collaborations between Honest Jon’s and Incus: three double LPs (this being the second) of the legendary free-improvising guitarist Derek Bailey, solo and in duos with Anthony Braxton and Han Bennink, augmenting the original releases with marvellous, previously unissued music.Recorded in 1974, at the Royal Hotel in Luton, with Braxton playing soprano and alto saxophones, and Bb and contrabass clarinets. Two volumes were planned; only one was issued, till now. This was one of the first transatlantic meetings between leading free improvisers. Many of Braxton’s signature techniques and ideas were gestated in such sessions. It still brims with inquisitive musical creativity and knockabout jazzbo allusiveness.