Henry Threadgill – Too Much Sugar for a Dime

A feast of percussion, guitar, tuba, violin, saxophone, more percussion and more, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, bandleader and horn/flute player Henry Threadgill’s 1993 album remains as alive, visionary, and downright heavy more than 30 years later. Meticulously composed with a choreographer’s sense of movement and rhythm, Too Much Sugar for a Dime has as its sonic director Bill Laswell, whose label Axiom put it out. At the time, Laswell was working with Sonny Sharrock, Pharoah Sanders, Sly & Robbie, and Bootsy Collins, and Too Much Sugar for a Dime emerged from that same swirl of heavy jazz crossfire and a whole ton of dub. But it’s Threadgill who’s the star: These miraculous compositions are propelled by algebraic arrangements, more percussion than you can imagine, and sublime solos, especially by dueling guitarists Brandon Ross and Masujaa. Each song is essential, but when Threadgill and company go long on “Little Pocket Size Demons,” “Better Wrapped/Better Unrapped,” and stunning coda “Try Some Ammonia” the wild, interlocking sections and suites maneuver as if guided by the spirits. Unfortunately, Too Much Sugar … has never been issued on LP, the CD and cassette versions are out of print (but easily found), and it’s not on major streaming services. Fortunately, Laswell has made it available for download on his Bandcamp. – Randall