Cryptology is an album by jazz saxophonist David S. Ware, recorded in 1994 and released by Homestead Records.
Background In fall 1992, Steven Joerg took over as Homestead Records' manager. While he continued the label's indie-rock trajectory, Joerg adopted a radically different vision integrating free jazz on the same label where Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr and Big Black recorded seminal records.The oral history of AUM Fidelity at The Village Voice Pianist Matthew Shipp, who had a duo record with bassist William Parker on a Texas punk-rock label which had a deal with Homestead's parent company, talked him into signing the David S. Ware Quartet.In Praise of David S. Ware at The Village Voice According to Ware, Cryptology was "a meditation on Coltrane's example of using music as a vehicle for transcendence."David S. Ware interview at Perfect Sound Forever
Reception
In his review for AllMusic, Thom Jurek says about the album "It is raw, unwavering, and intense almost beyond measure." The Penguin Guide to Jazz states that "the long-form, linked improvisations on Cryptology is an impressive first draft."
The album garnered a Lead Review slot in Rolling Stone by David Fricke, who says about the title piece "It's a sharp lesson for anyone who thinks free jazz is just a euphemism for no discipline".Rolling Stone review by David Fricke
The Wire placed the album in their "50 Records Of The Year 1995" list.1995 Rewind at The Wire
Track listing All compositions by David S. Ware "Solar Passage" – 6:42 "Direction: Pleiades" – 9:04 "Dinosauria" – 10:03 "Cryptology / Theme Stream" – 14:19 "Panoramic" – 10:45 "The Liberator" – 10:44
Personnel David S. Ware – tenor sax Matthew Shipp – piano William Parker – bass Whit Dickey – drums
References