In Parrhesia, trumpeter Stephen Haynes, bassist and guitarist Joe Morris, and percussionist Warren Smith bring to light that the interaction and exchange of the phrasing from instruments of purposely varied timbres makes all the difference in how musical conversation unravels. - Lynn Horton in JazzTimes This music has a deeply ritualistic vibe that is both hypnotic and organic. I couldn't do anything else while I played this disc since I was transfixed and waiting to hear what would come next. A telepathic dialogue between three equal members of the same tribe. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery But not all avant-garde jazz has adhered to a take-no-prisoners agenda. There is also the kinder, gentler approach to avant-garde jazz that Chicago's AACM first unveiled in the '60s -- and after all these years, avant-garde jazzmen realize that they don't necessarily have to be confrontational or abrasive. They can be reflective instead, which is how trumpeter Stephen Haynes approaches things on Parrhesia -- an early 2010 date that finds him forming a trio with Warren Smith (drums, percussion, marimba) and Joe Morris (electric guitar). Parrhesia does not confront; it reflects and contemplates. And instead of emphasizing density, the trio thrives on the use of space -- which makes a huge difference and gives the listener a lot more breathing room. But make no mistake: Parrhesia is not about inside/outside improvisation. Parrhesia is outside from start to finish. -- Alex Henderson It's a reflective and occasionally boisterous outing that shows Stephen's attention to sound and line to very good advantage. He was one of the late Bill Dixon's students at Bennington and shows the influence in his use of space to surround and punctuate his improvisational poetics. You can hear a little of the later Miles. And there's a certain puckish Lester Bowie-like jabbing of the sound envelope as well. But these are just prefigurations. Warren Smith shows himself as usual to be a great team member in an outing such as this. The drumming is geared toward the sound events and his marimba work adds color and texture. Joe Morris is about as subtle on this one as you are likely to hear. But what he does creates interest and atmosphere. -- Gapplegate Music Review