Anthony Braxton, Trio and Duet (side A)

1974's Trio and Duet displays two completely opposite sides of Braxton's work.  On side A, he performs his own composition with Leo Smith and Richard Teitelbaum.  Its wide dynamics and almost mathematical structure, with sections of near-silence, displays his overt debt to the Western classical tradition.  Side B features 3 drummerless standards performed with David Holland on bass.  Despite the stripped-down instrumentation, it references many aspects of jazz conventions, and Braxton's playing reflects his well-documented fondness for Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh.  Despite having been recorded in the same session, this side sounds a bit murkier than the trio composition.  The image of Braxton on the front cover is far nicer than the almost romantic font and bold primary blue that surround the photograph.