Basquiat

This haunting waltz walks a tightrope between melancholy and exuberance, which is understandable give the tune’s title, Basquiat. Like paintings by the music-obsessed artist, Don Byron’s homage is somewhat oblique, inscrutable even, until the intended vibe finally dawns on you like a ton of bricks. Joining in this random act of masonry is the Bang on a Can All-Stars, laying a solid foundation for Byron’s fancy clarinet work.

—RN