Red (John Stevens album)

Red is an album by British free improvisation drummer John Stevens, released in 1985 on the Impetus Records label. The album features Stevens in a trio setting alongside saxophonist Evan Parker and bassist Derek Bailey. It is considered a significant document of free improvisation, showcasing the intense and spontaneous interactions between three leading figures of the British avant-garde jazz scene. Red consists of entirely improvised performances, with no pre-composed material or arrangements. The music is characterized by its raw energy, textural explorations, and dynamic interplay between the musicians. Parker's saxophone work is often characterized by its complex, multiphonic textures and extended techniques, while Bailey's guitar playing employs a wide range of sounds and approaches, from percussive attacks to dissonant harmonies. Stevens' drumming provides a propulsive and often unpredictable rhythmic foundation. The album is recognized for its uncompromising approach to improvisation and its contribution to the development of free music.