The Visibility of Thought

The Visibility of Thought
Studio album by Muhal Richard Abrams
Released	2001
Recorded	August & December 2000
Genre	Contemporary classical music
Length	72:15
Label	Mutable Music
Producer	Muhal Richard Abrams
Muhal Richard Abrams chronology
The Open Air Meeting (1997) The Visibility of Thought (2001) Streaming (2002)

The Visibility of Thought is an album of contemporary classical compositions by Muhal Richard Abrams performed by various ensembles which was released on the Mutable Music label in 2001. The album features performances by Abrams, Jon Deak, Joseph Kubera, Mark Feldman, Thomas Buckner, the string quartet ETHEL and Phillip Bush.

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz	[2]

The AllMusic review by François Couture states "Abrams' writing is not without its moments, but it is unlikely that it will overshadow his recognition as a free jazz pianist". ^[1] The Penguin Guide to Jazz awarded the album 3 stars stating "This is a curious record, not because it 'isn't jazz' but because it seems to touch too many sylistic dimensions at once". ^[2]

Track listing

All compositions by Muhal Richard Abrams

1. "Duet for Contrabass and Piano" - 6:01
2. "Duet for Violin and Piano" - 10:01
3. "Baritone Voice and String Quartet" - 10:38
4. "Piano Duet #1" - 10:48
5. "The Visibility of Thought" - 5:14
6. "Piano Improvisation" - 29:05

• Recorded at Systems Two in Brooklyn, New York, in August and December, 2000

Personnel

• Muhal Richard Abrams: piano, synthesizer, computer, sequencer (tracks 5 & 6)
• Jon Deak: contrabass (track 1)
• Joseph Kubera: piano (tracks 1, 2 & 4)
• Mark Feldman: violin (track 2)
• Thomas Buckner: baritone (track 3)
• ETHEL: Ralph Farris, viola; Dorothy Lawson, cello; Todd Reynolds, violin; Mary Rowell, violin (track 3)
• Phillip Bush: piano (track 4)

References

1. Couture, F. Allmusic Review accessed 16 September 2009
2. Cook, Richard; Brian Morton (2006) [1992]. The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings . The Penguin Guide to Jazz (8th ed.). London: Penguin. pp.  6. ISBN   978-0-141-02327-4.