Producer Michael Cuscuna�s idea was to make the most of multi-reedman James Carter�s talents by reining them in - and he�s done so, in a way. By keeping the longest data track here at just more than eight-spot minutes - the duration of some of Carter�s prior solos alone - Cuscuna forces the saxman to edit himself and concentrate his efforts, so his digression on the opening �Rapid Shave,� for example, is dense and power-packed. But part of Carter�s arsenal is his endless watercourse of ideas and unnerving stamina - and neither gets practically of a workout on this highly scripted field day. It�s always a gas to hear Carter�s muscular, avant-leaning playing on soprano, tenor and baritone saxes as well as transverse flute and basso clarinet, only Cuscuna�s tight-reined production makes �Present Tense� sound a little excessively much like a standard-issue, postmodern jazz date. Download: �Rapid Shave.�
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