Coin Coin Chapter One - Gens De Couleur Libres

cd comes in a custom gatefold jacket printed on reverse paperboard in full colour. matana roberts is one of the leading lights of contemporary african-american experimental music, combining her widely recognized gifts as an alto saxophone player and improviser with an intensely engaged re-definition of american jazz traditions. matana roberts is one of the leading lights of contemporary african-american experimental music, combining her widely recognized gifts as an alto saxophone player and improviser with an intensely engaged re-definition of american jazz traditions. matana's coin coin project is the centerpiece of this engagement and re-definition: a multi-chapter work that combines conceptual scoring (graphic notation, 'chance' strategies), storytelling and historical narrative, performative theatre (personae, costume, multi-media), and a deeply considered channeling of personal ancestry and the 'universal' experience of africans in america. 'coin coin chapter one: gens de couleur libre' is the first official recording of this ambitious and powerful project. constellation invited matana to assemble her montreal group for a live in-studio performance at the hotel2tango facility, before a small but capacity audience of about 30 friends and supporters. the performance was stunning, literally bringing audience members to tears, and went to tape beautifully. the full 90-minute performance was then edited down to around 60 minutes. 'coin coin' represents some of the most honest and compelling work - musically and thematically - that constellation have had the privilege to be associated with. it rallies adventurous improv, experimental voice and narrative, a wide array of black folkways, and matana's impassioned lead playing to tremendous emotional and conceptual effect. matana's coin coin project is the centerpiece of this engagement and re-definition: a multi-chapter work that combines conceptual scoring (graphic notation, 'chance' strategies), storytelling and historical narrative, performative theatre (personae, costume, multi-media), and a deeply considered channeling of personal ancestry and the 'universal' experience of africans in america.