Topaz (Erik Friedlander album) explained

Topaz
Type:	Album
Artist:	Erik Friedlander
Cover:	Topaz (Erik Friedlander album).jpg
Released:	March 2, 1999
Recorded:	December 29 & 30, 1997 Clinton Recording Studios, New York, NY
Genre:	Avant-garde, Jazz, Contemporary classical music
Length:	56:05
Label:	Siam SMD-50003
Producer:	Erik Friedlander
Chronology:	Erik Friedlander
Prev Title:	The Watchman
Prev Year:	1996
Next Title:	Skin
Next Year:	2000

Topaz is a 1999 album by cellist Erik Friedlander which was released on the Siam label and features the quartet that became known as Topaz.^[1]

Reception

The Allmusic review by Alex Henderson awarded the album 4 stars stating "Topaz, like a lot of avant-garde jazz, isn't easy to absorb on the first listen. But the more times you listen, the more you realize how much this left-of-center CD has going for it".^[2]

Track listing

All compositions by Erik Friedlander except as indicated

1. "Verdine" - 5:37
2. "November" - 4:20
3. "Shining" - 6:10
4. "Straw Dogs" - 7:29
5. "Topaz" - 2:49
6. "Three Desperate Men" - 3:31
7. "Tout de Suite" (Miles Davis) - 8:29
8. "Hat and Beard" (Eric Dolphy) - 4:45
9. "Something Sweet, Something Tender / Cienega" (Dolphy / Friedlander) - 6:59
10. "Agon" - 5:56

Personnel

• Erik Friedlander – cello
• Andy Laster - alto saxophone
• Stomu Takeishi - bass
• Satoshi Takeishi - percussion

Notes and References

1. http://www.erikfriedlander.com/topaz1.htm Eric Friedlander discography
2. Henderson, A. Allmusic Review accessed January 7, 2014