Cipher Syntax is an album by Strata Institute, an M-Base group led by saxophonists Greg Osby and Steve Coleman, recorded in 1988 and released on the JMT label.Strata Institute sessionography, accessed December 12, 2014
Reception The AllMusic review by Michael G. Nastos states, "An acquired taste, but still excellent".Nastos, M. G., Allmusic Review accessed December 12, 2014
Track listing All compositions by Steve Coleman except as indicated "Slang" - 9:18 "Bed Stuy" - 7:08 "Turn of Events" (Greg Osby) - 3:23 "Decrepidus" (Osby) - 3:49 "Ihgnat Down" (Strata Institute) - 2:23 "Micro-Move" - 4:17 "Wild" - 3:04 "Humantic" (Osby) - 7:19 "Abacus" - 7:28 "Ihgnat" (Strata Institute) - 3:27
Personnel Steve Coleman - alto saxophone Greg Osby - alto saxophone, soprano saxophone David Gilmore - electric guitar (tracks 1–3, 5 & 8–10) Bob Hurst - acoustic bass (tracks 1–5 & 7–10) Marvin "Smitty" Smith (tracks 1–3, 5 & 7–10), Tani Tabbal (tracks 1, 4, 8 & 9) - drums
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