An integral part of the New York free music community since the 1970s and “a legend in free music” (Gilles Peterson, BBC), Infinite Love Infinite Tears is a continuation of the form of “optimistic free jazz” Braufman has become known for over the decades. The sounds you hear across his discography as a bandleader are richly detailed and forthright, embodying a range of emotions and circumstances that convey individuality, collectivity and hope. Produced by Braufman’s nephew Nabil Ayers, the album welcomes the damp glissandi and pointed globules of Patricia Brennan’s vibraphone. Bassist Ken Filiano, drummer Chad Taylor, tenor saxophonist James Brandon Lewis, and percussionist Michael Wimberly (heard on two cuts) have worked with Braufman since 2018 both in concert and on record, lending a continuously unfolding familiarity to the proceedings.
All six pieces on Infinite Love emerged from Braufman’s near-constant mental soundtrack shortly before convening the band. Rarely does he sit down at the piano or assemble his horn to compose, instead singing tunes to himself and whatever sticks after a few days ends up in his composition book. The result is a surprisingly catchy program of “free jazz,” and as Braufman is keen to point out, four are in major key – a fairly uncommon approach in this music, which frequently relies on minor keys and non-western tonality. It’s not that there aren’t such shadings here, but the emphasis is on uplift. As he further adds, “I never have a nonmusical idea where I try to write the music to match. I write a song and ask myself what the song feels like.
On the lead single “Edge of Time,” Braufman explains “The melody for ‘Edge of Time’ came to me a few years back, just part of the musical hum going on in my head pretty much in my head 24/7. It was quite fun turning this 9-bar melody into a coherent piece of music.”
The VMP Exclusive version of Alan Braufman's Infinite Love Infinite Tears is pressed on Blue vinyl at GZ Vinyl. The 1LP will arrive in a single, direct-to-board, foil-stamped and numbered jacket. It was mastered by Joe Lambert at Joe Lambert Mastering.
