The tritone, a musical interval spanning six half-steps and equally bisecting the octave, is rife with possible avenues for musical exploration. The similarly named Triotone CD gives it, and every other musical interval, a serious workout. On this live date from Eastern Europe, saxophonist Anthony Braxton, pianist Gyorgy Szabados, and drummer Vladimir Tarasov create multifaceted avant jazz that combines considerable spontaneity with rigorous dramatic thrust. The Szabados composition "Trioton" is a half-hour long odyssey with a constantly shifting group dynamic and flexibly evolving sense of rhythm. From tentative explorations of single-line melodic fragments to explosive solos (Tarasov's percussive barrage is particularly impressive), this piece is a semester-long course in post-millennial jazz practices.

" Black Toots" shows off a more swinging demeanor, with dissonant riffs chugging along; Szabados sets up a boogying groove which Braxton embellishes with squalling arpeggiations. Three improvisations fill out the concert; the first two are reminiscent of delicate modernist experiments, while the final performance is filled with dancing percussion and blindingly fast riffs. The polyrhythmic finale will blow your mind! - Christian Carey