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