MUHAL RICHARD ABRAMS “Song for All” Black Saint * * *

Pianist Muhal Richard Abrams is the most traditional of avant-garde musicians. His latest in a series of groundbreaking recordings for the often hard-to-find Italian label uses boogie, shuffle and march rhythms as foundations, giving the pieces an overall accessibility that belies the improvisational entanglements that follow.

Within these familiar frameworks, Abrams allows plenty of room for the various contributing personalities to emerge. The blustery voice of trombonist Craig Harris, clarion calls and whispered tones from trumpeter Eddie Allen and the agitated musings from saxophonist Aaron Stewart are woven against Abrams piano and the double percussion of Bryan Carrott and Reggie Nicholson. Abrams’ ringing synthesizer tones and new-music piano statements often push historical forms firmly into the future.

Most important, “Song for All” seems to carry a message for the current generation of neo-traditional composers who mimic rather than extend established jazz forms: Don’t be afraid to experiment.

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