Dennis Budimir - Alone Together

All Music Guide

Alone Together was the first release on the underappreciated Revelation label out of Los Angeles and, while there's nothing particularly groundbreaking about this session, it does have its unique moments. The cuts on the first side are overdubbed and unaccompanied duets not unlike Bill Evans' Conversations With Myself. On the second side, Gary Foster can be heard on either tenor or alto sax. Budimir generally sticks to soloing on one of his two guitar tracks and comping with the other, but as these pieces roll along there are sections in which either of the two styles can be heard together. His solo runs generally follow a West Coast path, but one can hear the influence of his years with Eric Dolphy -- the two were both in a late-'50s Chico Hamilton group -- when he periodically makes exciting bursts spanning several octaves. What makes these songs most interesting, though, is his sometimes quite dissonant comping. Such moments might remind (modern) listeners of such avant-garde player...s as Henry Kaiser or Jim O'Rourke. This is a very enjoyable record that, while bordering on the avant-garde, will not offend more sensitive ears. - Brandon Burke, All Music Guide Read more Less