OLD LOCKS AND IRREGULAR VERBS

Old Locks and Irregular Verbs (CD) Henry Threadgill - With his recent Pulitzer prize for composition still hot in his pocket, Threadgill comes up with another album with his compositions, a tribute to his longtime friend and colleague, musical pioneer Lawrence D. "Butch" Morris. Threadgill doesn't play a note here, but his presence is felt in the way that Ensemble Double Up, a band with two pianos (Jason Moran and David Virelles), two alto saxophones (Roman Filliu and Curtis McDonald), cello (Christopher Hoffman), tuba 8Jose Davila), and drums (Craig Weinrib), coalesces and comes apart. Despite the fact it doesn't contain a single note of his own searing saxophone playing, Old Locks and Irregular Verbs remains pure Threadgill and a highlight in career stocked with more than a few classics.