Basics (album)

Basics
Studio album by Paul Bley
Released	January 30, 2001
Recorded	July 4, 2000 at Studio Tempo, Montreal, Canada
Genre	Jazz
Length	60:06
Label	Justin Time JUST 154-2
Producer	Jim West
Paul Bley chronology
Not Two, Not One (1998) Basics (2000) Solo in Mondsee (2001)

Basics is a solo album by pianist Paul Bley recorded in 2000 and released on the Justin Time label.^[1][2]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[3]

The Allmusic review by Glenn Astarita awarded the album 4 stars stating "Paul Bley intermingles askew phraseology with geometrically fabricated lines and endearing propositions. Recommended!".^[3] All About Jazz said "Like any other true artist, Bley continues to grow and investigate, and Basics shares the complexity of his thought conveyed through his medium of expression".^[4] Metro Times noted "Still impressionistic, he’s developed a more fluid approach, which makes listening to the unaccompanied instrument seem like less work than it used to be. His probing comes across as less portentous now, encased in a lyrical flow of playful sensuality".^[5] JazzTimes observed "Although subtly shaded dynamics are a key feature of this disc, there's no denying Bley's percussive attack and firm tone, perhaps originally conceived to cut through the chatter in a noisy club".^[6]

Track listing

All compositions by Paul Bley except as indicated

1. "Love Lost" - 4:41
2. "Basics" - 2:29
3. "Speed Kills" - 2:04
4. "Told You So" - 9:15
5. "Lucky" - 8:19
6. "Chet" - 7:51
7. "Walk Home" - 7:35
8. "Blues Waltz" - 6:18
9. "Monk's Mood" (Thelonious Monk) - 4:46
10. "Early Alben" - 2:51
11. "Startled" - 4:01

Personnel

• Paul Bley — piano

References

1. Paul Bley Catalog accessed June 28, 2014
2. Justin Time catalogue, accessed June 28, 2014
3. Astarita, G. Allmusic Review accessed June 28, 2014
4. AAJ Staff, All About Jazz Review, May 1, 2001
5. Walls, R. C., Metro Times Review, April 11, 2001
6. Robinson, G., JazzTimes review, July/August, 2001