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Capers
Jazz · 1981 · 8 tracks

Capers

Steve Lacy

A fiery, live trio session where Steve Lacy's geometric soprano sax meets the incendiary rhythms of Boykins and Charles. Precision meets avant-garde fury.

1981 · Hat Hut Records

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Capers is a masterclass in the power of the trio format, capturing Steve Lacy in a rare state of aggressive focus. While Lacy is often associated with a cool, almost mathematical precision, this 1979 live recording finds him leaning into a more fiery and syncopated delivery. The presence of bassist Ronnie Boykins and drummer Dennis Charles is transformative; they don't just provide a rhythm section, they engage in a jagged, unpredictable dialogue that pushes Lacy toward heights of saxophonic fury. It is a sound that feels both architectural and volatile, like a skyscraper being built in the middle of a thunderstorm.

Tracklist · 8 Tracks
01
The Crunch
12:35
02
We Don't I
12:55
03
Quirks
9:25
04
Bud's Brother
17:05
05
Capers
9:20
06
We Don't II
16:50
07
Kitty Malone
13:55
08
Bud's Brother II
12:15
Moments Worth Listening For
The moment in Capers where the bass and drums drop into a telepathic, skeletal groove, allowing the saxophone to spiral upward.
A sequence of rapid-fire, staccato notes that mimic the frantic energy of a New York street corner before dissolving into a long, sustained tone.
The interplay during a particularly fiery solo where the drums become incendiary, pushing the saxophone into a rare, aggressive register.
A quiet passage where the upright bass takes a melodic lead, carving out a somber space amidst the avant-garde chaos.

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