342 Bowery, New York, NY 10012-2408
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NEW (AND OLD) GEMS ON CD from SOFT MACHINE, HARRY BECKETT, DENIS
CHARLES, BRAD JONES, D'AGARO/GLERUM/BENNINK, ZU, GIORGIO GASLINI!
NEW STUFF FROM CIMP LABEL & VOICEPRINT!!!
And Miles's JACK JOHNSON 5CD BOX SET!!!!!
SOFT MACHINE - BBC Radio 1971 - 1974 (HUX 047) Yes, it is finally here! The incredible seminal British (Canterbury originally) jazz/rock/fusion sensation SOFT MACHINE caught live in BBC studios during their transitional period encompassing Soft Machine 'Five' through 'Bundles'. Collective personnel features Mike Ratledge on fuzz/organ, el. piano & synth, Elton Dean on alto sax & saxello, Karl Jenkins on keyboards, oboe & bari sax, Hugh Hopper & Roy Babbington on basses, John Marshall & Phil Howard on drums and Allan Holdsworth on lead guitar. Included is a swell booklet with informative liner notes from Canterbury website host Americ Leroy and nifty pix.
Commencing with "As If" and "Drop" from 'Five' and a previously unreleased piece called "Welcome to Frillsville", the Dean/Hopper/Ratledge/Howard version take off with some truly spirited, hypnotic playing. The fuzz organ and fuzz bass buzz together cosmically with Elton's reeds sailing on top and Phil's cerebral drumming swirling below. The Softs final incredible drummer John Marshall adds his powerful playing to the next session as Karl Jenkins also pushes their direction by becoming the main composer. Karl is another strong soloist on oboe, soprano & bari saxes. Great to hear equally inventive and intense renditions of material from 'Five' and 'Six' played by the next quartet Jenkins/Ratledge/Hopper/Marshall.
Soft Machine 'Six' won many awards (best Euro electric avant/jazz combo) when it came out in 1973 and hearing this colossal quartet, it is easy to see/hear why. Roy Babbington, who guested on 'Four' and 'Five' on acoustic bass, replaces Hopper on both basses starting with 'Seven' and fits perfectly with his strong and solid playing. Disc 2 begins with some a fat fuzz bass intro from Roy and then sly subtle funk of "Down the Road" from 'Seven' with a fine recorder solo by Karl and another fuzz organ solo from Mike. The Softs never lose their signature circular vibe and since the earlier days when Elton switched off on el. piano, Mike and Karl also play some superb double keyboards. 'North Point' is a mysterious piece for dreamy percussion and electronics which turns into "The Man Who Waved at Trains" from 'Seven' which burns ultra fast and has an excellent oboe solo from Karl.
The crown jewel of this great double CD is the outstanding 17minute version of "Hazard Profile" which features an extraordinary long, liquid/wicked, ultra-quick guitar solo from Allan Holdsworth. Recorded in October of 1974, this shows that although the critics had written off 'fusion' as being a dead formula, this piece ranks among the finest of all so-called 'fusion' epics. Although, this double cd clocks in at a little over 80 minutes, it is an incredible work throughout and a must-have for Soft Machine fan-addicts worldwide!
Two CD set for $20.
HARRY BECKETT - Flare Up (Jazzprint 124) FIRST TIME BEING REISSUED ON ANY FORMAT SINCE 1970!!! Featuring Brotherhood of Breath trumpet and flugelhorn hero Harry Beckett, John Surman on bari & soprano saxes, Mike Osborne on alto sax, Alan Skidmore on tenor sax, John Taylor on el. piano, Chris Lawrence on bass, Frank Ricotti on vibes and John Webb on drums! Barbados born trumpet hero, Harold Beckett, moved to London in 1954, worked with Mingus on the soundtrack of the British film, "All Night Long" in the sixties and became one of best jazz trumpeters in England from then onwards, working with many of the UK's best players and bands - Mike Westbrook, Graham Collier, John Surman Octet and Ray Russell. His first album as a leader, 'Flare Up' was released in 1970 and remains one of unrecognized classics of British modern jazz.
It starts burning right from the first tune, "Go West" and swings at a super quick pace. "Where Fortune Smiles" is also the title track of one of John Surman's great early albums and is covered here with Beckett playing some fabulous flugel and Surman (and/or Skidmore?) sailing with serpent-like spirits on his soprano. The incredible rhythm team spins fiercely throughout as well with power and finesse. Harry's warm tone and completely enchanting playing are well matched by John Taylor's exquisite el. piano on "Scarlett Mine". Taylor's inventive and swirling piano also shine on "Third Road", with another astonishing solo from Harry, as well as some more soaring soprano. Frank Ricotti pulls of an incredible vibes solo on "The Other Side", as does Mike Osborne on alto sax. This is quite an extraordinary treasure from an under-recognized wonder who went on to record just a handful of discs under his own name and still plays release great material today.
CD only reissue release for $16.
MILES DAVIS - The Complete Jack Johnson [5 CD Box Set] (Sony 86359; US) Of all the Miles Davis recordings, the sessions that created a single, two-selection LP produced by Teo Macero called A Tribute To Jack Johnson have been the most apocryphal. While the album itself was a confounding obscurity upon release - due to its proximity to the inferior yet infinitely more label-promoted Live at the Fillmore East - its influence has become the monolith of the first complete fusion of jazz and rock; it also cemented a place in the history books for guitarist John McLaughlin, whose raw, slash-and-burn playing is the axis around which the entire album turns. This five-CD set was recorded in 16 weeks, from February 18 to June 4 of 1970, during which a revolving cast of musicians entered the Davis/Macero laboratory for a series of mind-bending, sometimes inspired, sometimes maddeningly monotonous recording dates, where the creation of backbeat-driven grooves and short, rhythmic rock- and funk-inflected riffs were the only preconceptions and everything else flowed from there for better or worse. No less than fiveseparate releases benefited from these sessions; they include Live-Evil, Get Up With It, Directions, and Big Fun.
The two cuts that make up A Tribute to Jack Johnson, "Right Off" and "Yesternow," make up the last two selections on disc five of this set. The arrangement of these sides is chronological; thus there are not only numerous takes of a single composition, but insertion and remake takes of it as well. For instance, there are two complete takes of "Willie Nelson,", two inserted versions and two remakes all in sequenced in a row here. Likewise, herein appears the strange genesis, deconstruction, and rebirth of "Go Ahead John" that appeared in on Big Fun. Still, despite the hypnotic grooves where already elongated tunes turn into sonic labyrinths, the historical importance of these sessions, and sometimes the sheer listening pleasure they offer, cannot be overestated. Take, for example, the fact that there are 17 previously unissued performances here and 14 takes and alternates that have never been issued in full form.
As a small example, the official unearthing of the "Duran" alternate take offers so much more than the circulated one - including different instrumentation (as a number of titles here do in their varying versions) that it is nearly a different tune altogether. Or the roots of "Right Off" and "Yesternow," which appear on disc three, compared to the final, heavily edited versions on the album. Evolution becomes not only the crux of these Davis sessions, but a whole new way of making jazz records is revealed - and they are jazz records. These sides reveal how, some 32 years later, Davis' own playing remains firmly committed to the jazz ideal despite the fact that McLaughlin and others such as Bennie Maupin, Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter, Jack DeJohnette, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett, Steve Grossman, Michael Henderson, Ron Carter, Sonny Sharrock, Airto, Dave Holland, Wayne Shorter, and Hermeto Pascoal were essentially playing jam- and riff-based rock here. The role of guitarist Sonny Sharrock is finally defined here. It has previously been discounted and has provided endless grist for the Davis rumor mill about how he was mixed out of the session. Yes, he was, but so was almost everyone but McLaughlin and Miles at one point or another.
Check out Sharrock's killer slide playing that appears on the second insertion of "Willie Nelson" for evidence of his weighty presence. For those who worship at the McLaughlin altar, there are extra minutes of screaming, fuzz-drenched wailing on "Right Off" left on the floor by Macero. But this set is full of moments like that, moments - sometimes minutes - such as the previously unreleased "Sugar Ray," which is a futuristic look at post-punk noise with rhythm. While attempting to listen to this as a box is an admittedly long, arduous, and sometimes difficult task, listening to pieces and discs individually in a changer, is a deeply satisfying experience and gives us yet another dimension in the Miles aesthetic universe. If any series of recordings needed to be released to illuminate a unique and visdionary period in Miles Davis' development as an artist, to document the most perfect fusion of jazz and rock, and dispe numorousl idle myths about its creation, it's these.This will be the grail for some Miles fans, for others another chapter i his genius and still for others an introduction to his process, form and function. What ever the casde, the muisic found here is stellar, brilliant and focused to the point of difficulty; it gives up its secrets and gifts slowly, but it widens and deepens the listener's understanding of Davis not only as a player, bandleader and composer, but as a music fan who indulged his love for the rock and soul (i.e. pop) without reservation or compromise. - Thom Jurek.
"EXTREME RECOMMENDATION !!!"- Bruce Gallanter;
"McLAUGHLIN FANS: GET OUT YOUR BLOOD THINNER - TO AVOID A STROKE!!!" - Mannylunch
5 CD Box Set and Bklt for $65
DENIS CHARLES - An Interrupted Conversation by Veronique N. Doumbe [DVD] (Ndolo Films) An excellent 75 minute award winning documentary about the mighty avant jazz drummer, Dennis Charles, who worked with Cecil Taylor, Thelonius Monk, Steve Lacy, Archie Shepp, Jimmy Giuffre, Don Cherry, Sonny Rollins and many others. Denis Charles was an incredible jazz drummer whose career stretched back to the fifties and whose efforts often went unheralded by the mainstream community. The half dozen times I caught Denis with saxists like Mike Marcus and Haze Greenfield, I realized what an amazingly creative drummer he was. Filmmaker, Veronique N. Doumbe, has done a fine job of capturing Denis' unique playing and special spirit with live music and interviews with Denis' fellow musicians and family members during the last two years of his life. Denis was a most friendly and gracious person, as well as a father figure and influence to many of downtown's finest jazz players. His important spirit lives on in this wonderful film.
DVD only (NTSC Region 1 format) for $25.
DANIELE D'AGARO/ERNST GLERUM/HAN BENNINK - Strandjutters (Hatology 590) Daniele plays tenor sax & clarinet, originally comes from Italy, but has been living in Holland for several years. Bassist Ernst Glerum and crazed drummer Han Bennink are from Holland and are the great rhythm team for the wonderful ICP Orchestra. I can only remember Daniele from an old release on Nimbus with Tristan Honsinger called 'Lingua Franca' from 1989. Right from the gitgo, Daniele is playing his clarinet with high spirited and infectious glee on "Divi-Divi", the trio spinning and swinging intensely together. Mr. D'Agaro also a rich, warm tone on his tenor sax which is featured on a ballad called "Old Folks", which as that old Coleman Hawkins-like somber swagger. "En Plein Air" has the bowed bass and clarinet playing their haunting lines together when it opens and has a rather dreamy quality as it floats quietly by. The trio cover Johnny Dyani's "I Wish You Sunshine" which has one of those great memorable South African grooves/melodies.
The highlight here is "The Prisoner" which has some explosive, free-wheeling moments with all three musicians soaring intensely, Daniele's clarinet in powerful form with some restrained free sections. This intense, sprawling spirit continues on "Talm" with Daniele playing some feisty tenor sax while the great rhythm team swirls around him with great force. Ernst takes a superb solo here, something we rarely get to hear. The final song is a cover of Mercer Ellington's "The Girl in my Dreams_", which is has Daniele again playing exquisitely with his warmest of tones and a fine way to end our marvelous journey of older and more modern jazz forms.
CD release for $17.
BRAD JONES QUARTET - Pouring My Heart In (Senoj Music 20) Featuring Greg Tardy on tenor sax & clarinet, Bob DeBellis on alto sax, bass clarinet & flute, Brad Jones on bass and Derrek Phillips on drums. Brad Jones is amongst the most in-demand bassists from the downtown network, having worked with an immense amount of great musicians from Muhal Richard Abrams to the Jazz Passengers to Dave Douglas to Marc Ribot. This is his second release as a leader and it is quite a fine quartet date. Brad wrote all but three of eight pieces with well chosen covers by Monk and Ornette. "The Higher Nile" has one of those great, slippery bass lines with a difficult, pulsating rhythmic scheme. Young (?) drum wiz Derrek Phillips recently toured with Dave Douglas and sounds phenomenal here, playing effortlessly through layers of intricate changes. Both saxists play great shorts solos, bouncing their ideas back and forth.
The title track is a laid back, sly blues tune which has Brad taking the first fine solo, both saxists also inspired solos as well. "The Bitching Hour" is another difficult piece with a joyous groove and both the bass clarinet and tenor sax swirling together over the constant shifting rhythms. Brad's bowed and plucked bass is featured on "Those Not Forgotten" as the central pulsating force. Monk's rarely heard "Shuffle Boil" has Brad taking the lead with that quirky theme, interesting to hear a bass at the center of a difficult Monk tune. I dig the way "Black History Month" splits the quartet into two interconnected parts which also moves between two themes and has some fine bass clarinet from Bob and an inspired bass solo towards the end. Ornette's "All of My Life" is a haunting ballad featuring flute and clarinet with Brad's bass humming preciously at the bottom. "Chaha" closes this strong release with another explosive, quick swinging tour-de-force which burns intensely in the first half and finally calms down for a sublime conclusion. All in all, a great offering from a fine bassist and composer.
CD release for $14.
PAUL DUNMALL/PAUL ROGERS/KEVIN NORTON - Rylickolum: For Your Pleasure (CIMP 289) Our favorite British avant-jazz duo (the Pauls) are half of (Keith Tippett's) Mujician and did their second domestic east coast tour in May of this year with downtown percussion hero Kevin Norton. We caught them at the Knit's Old Office, before they headed up north to the CIMP Spirit Room Studio, and were blown away by both sets at the Knit. This is their first date for CIMP and Mr. Dunmall plays soprano & tenor saxes (no bagpipes), Mr. Rogers plays his custom made 6 string A.L.L. bass and Kevin plays percussion & vibes. The three long pieces that make up this great cd evolve organically through sections, densities and textures. The title track shows the trio's true connection of that special spirit/force with soprano/bass/drums & percussion quietly sailing and then soaring in perfect balance, a rich tapestry is created. They take their time to build to some frenzied sections always flowing as one. "Villaka" begins with Kevin's spiraling vibes setting a cautious dream-like haze as Dunmall's warm-toned tenor weaves lines in simpatico with the vibes. When Rogers finally enters, his swirling bass pushes the energy higher and higher, as the sparks fly and the trio swing hard in the slow burning mode. The half-hour plus "Indokeluka" opens with Rogers' incredible and ever distinctive bowed bass sounds blending well with Kevin's mysterious vibes and Dunmall's luscious tenor. It does sound as if this trio has been on tour for a bit as they work so well together. The trio slowly builds through different dreamscapes, always listening, responding and connecting and occasionally erupting as they navigate the strong currents that take us along for their dynamic magic carpet ride.
CD only release for $14.
TOM ABBS & FREQUENCY RESPONSE - conscription (CIMP 288) Featuring Brian Settles on tenor sax & flute, Okkyung Lee on cello, Tom Abbs on bass & tuba and Chad Taylor on drums. Last night at the Zorn fest, we had the opportunity to witness the ever-amazing Okkyung Lee play some daredevil cello on "Hockey" with Zorn on duck calls and Jim Pugliese on percussion, an immensely challenging piece of rapid fire mostly single note insanity, as well as playing in Zorn's even stranger game piece, "Bezique". Okkyung moved to NYC just three years ago and has already become an important member of the growing downtown community, centered around Tonic. I am unfamiliar with reeds player Brian Settles and this is his recording debut, but drummer Chad Taylor has played our store before, plays in Chicago Underground and has become an in-demand drummer since also moving here. Tom Abbs is a great double bassist, bandleader, composer and Jump Arts organizer and this is his 7th date for CIMP.
This fabulous cd starts with "Redundant Triangulation", which has Tom's bass pumping hard and quick as the sax and cello play that feisty theme. Brian and Okkyung make a great combination as the tenor sax and cello weave their buzzing lines together, the rhythm team also taking us in a roller coaster ride of adventure. This sounds like one of those great sixties ESP sessions where the out strings create a cushion underneath the soaring horns above.
Tom keeps the bass burning throughout, takes a strong solo and composed a dark and intriguing theme. Okkyung opens "Diametric Escalation" with her extraordinary out cello improvisations, soon Tom and her are bowing cosmically together, the spirits ascend as the sax also floats above the strings. The title track has an infectious groove and memorable theme, which features Chad on vibes and drums simultaneously and is also reminiscent of those fine late sixties avant-jazz groove tunes. "Turbulence" is an aptly titled freer piece with great swirling sax, buzzing strings and hypnotic mallets. "Dichotomy" is a superb string duet for Okkyung and Tom and they bow up quite a frenzy and create a powerful buzzing experience. It is often Tom's powerful pumping bass which pushes his quartet hard, burning at the center of the storm-force that makes this quartet a consistently intense experience.
CD only release for $14.
JEMEEL MOONDOC TENTET/JUS GREW ORCHESTRA - Live at the Vision Festival (Ayler Records 047) Featuring Jemeel, Zane Massey & Michael Marcus on saxes, Roy Campbell & Nathan Breedlove on trumpets, Steve Swell & Tyrone Hill on trombones, Bern Nix on guitar, John Voigt on bass and Gerald Cleaver on drums. Jemeel Moondoc's mighty Jus Grew Orchestra have been around since the loft days of the seventies and continue to work on rare occasion, there is an Eremite cd from a couple of years back.
This feisty gem was recorded at the Sixth Annual Vision Fest on June 1st of 2001 and released earlier this year. Jemeel conducts and also plays his trusty alto sax. So good to hear the great Bern Nix playing his distinctive harmelodic jazz guitar underneath the focused forces of this tight, burnin' all-star small/big band. Everyone gets a chance to take a great solo as the band erupts in tight waves around them. Sometimes two players will solo at the same time and push each other higher and higher as Steve Swell and Roy Campbell do on "Opulent Continuum". There is an unexpected funky blues segment in the middle of the first piece which adds some fine earthy vibes to this sprawling piece. 46 minutes of pure cosmic bliss from the fabulous Jus Grew Orchestra righteously recorded by our old pal Alen Hadzi-Stefanov.
CD only release for $15.
ZU - igneo (Amanita/Zuma 1) Zu are an extraordinary Italian avant/jazz/prog/punk trio, who recently toured the US for the second time. They've collaborated with Eugene Chadbourne on disc and here utilize the talents of three of Chicago's finest: saxist Ken Vandermark, trombonist Jeb Bishop and cellist Fred Longberg-Holm. Zu's personnel features Luca Tommaso Mai on bari & alto saxes, Massimo Pupillo on bass and Jacopo Battaglia on drums. Recorded in a Chicago studio by Steve Albini and dedicated to The Ex, their sound is extremely intense and over the top. The trio explodes right from the start with an ultra tight blast of sax, el bass and drums in your face!
Zu write tight well-written tunes and which sound somewhat similar to The Ex but with more of a jazz/post-punk edge and no vocals. Soloing is kept to a minimum, as they specialize in quirky, ever-changing mini-epics. The rhythm team has that great Minutemen-like focused power and their saxist plays some great, blasting bari sax growling insanity. Their el. bassist also like to whip out some fuzz-bass spice at times, but most often plays their complex music with great intricate relish. Nice to here three of Chicago's best playing some great, thorny post-punk tunes with such great intensity, certainly different from their jazzier side. Not for the squeamish, by any means, like an electric enema. Zu left us with a half dozen of these when they came to visit us this week, so grab it now_
Self-produced Italian import CD only release for $15.
AVRAM FEFER QUARTET - Shades of the Muse (CIMP 286) This is Avram's third great date for the CIMP/Cadence labels and it features Avram on tenor & soprano saxes & clarinets, Tomas Ulrich on cello, Ken Filiano on contrabass and Jay Rosen on drums. Reeds hero Avram Fefer has been an integral part of the downtown community for the past few years, working in a variety of different contexts: a duo with Bobby Few, his own trio has a couple of fine cds before this.
For his first quartet date he has gathered three other strong players, each of whom plays in numerous bands, way too many to mention here. "Shepp in Wolves' Clothing" is named after Archie Shepp, who Avram played with when living in Paris. While the cello, bass and drums play the hypnotic somber groove/theme, both Tomas on cello and Avram on tenor sax take strong solos, the rhythm team also play gracefully throughout with long, flowing lines. "Love Crept In (Again)" is a delicate piece for hushed clarinet and reminds me of Jimmy Guiffre's more wistful wanderings with a sad and lovely bass solo from Ken. The "Gates of Bagdad" is a freer piece filled with suspense and a skeletal structure. The bass clarinet and cello weave dark, floating ghost-like drones over the cautious, minimal percussion which ascends through denser sections. "Oblique Departures" has Avram playing his clarinet more aggressively and a spirited cello solo is unleashed. "Brother Ibrahim" features a great uptempo, dancing bass-line, which inspires Avram to take a joyous and uplifting tenor solo over that grand Afropop (like) groove while Tomas continues that great vibe with a lovely, lyrical cello. This yet another strong offering from Avram Fefer's great quartet.
CD only release for $14.
LUTHER THOMAS QUARTET - leave it to luther (CIMP 287) Featuring Luther Thomas on alto sax, Ethan Mann on guitar, Brian Smith on bass and Cliff Barbaro on drums. Former St. Louis sax legend Luther Thomas has been living in Denmark for the past five years and rarely comes to NY to play, seemingly having disappeared from our scene. He has recorded three other fine cds for the CIMP label since moving there and has put together another strong quartet offering with two veterans, as well as the up and coming jazz guitarist Ethan Mann. I remember bassist Brian Smith from his days of playing with fellow AACM players - Roscoe Mitchell and Muhal Richard Abrams and drummer Cliff Barbaro from his work with John Hicks and Charles Tolliver, although I haven't heard from either of these two in many years. The title track, which opens, is long and slow burning and has the sax and guitar freely spinning intensely as they are pushed higher by the solid sailing rhythm team. The quartet do strong renditions of standards like "Body and Soul", "Groovin' High" and Monk's "'Round Midnight", as well as three covers by Hugh Steinmetz. They don't really take these bop standards very far out, but still play them with intense fire, both Luther and Ethan soloing passionately. Although "Luther's Theme" begins at a slow pace, the sax and guitar soon start spinning their lines together at a furious rate, more and more quickly, before they slow back down and then speed up again. "Nova Zembla" also follows a similar scheme of starting slowly and taking off for the freer, faster terrain in the mid-section with some really explosive out sax from Luther. Overall, this is a well balanced session with some inspired straight ahead tunes and strong soloing throughout.
CD only release for $14.
MATT DAVIS/PHIL DURRANT/MARK WASTELL - Open (Erstwhile 32) Our favorite local electronic/improv label returns with two more treasures from our European brethren. Matt Davis is an unfamiliar name to me, but here plays electronics, trumpet and field recordings. Phil Durrant here plays synth and treatments and you may recall him from collaborations with Radu Malfatti & Thomas Lehn or with John Butcher & Phil Minton. Mark Wastell usually plays (or manipulates his) cello in a most distinctive way, works with the IST trio w/ Simon Fell & Rhodri Davies, runs a hip record store in north London and played at Tonic during last year's Company Fest.
On 'Open' Mark actually plays amplified textures only. Superbly recorded and produced, this trio deals with mainly electronic sounds, magnified textures and select samples. Static, amplifier hum and mutating sonic effluvia are placed under the microscope for further study as scenery or story unfolds. A small crack in the cosmic egg of life reveals a quietly pulsating series of sonic fragments. Sinister high end crickets and short drones shimmer and mesmerize those who listen closely. Is this music and does it really even matter? Just as long as the sounds within a re fascinating to consider.
CD only release for $13.
MARTIN SIEWERT/MARTIN BRANDLMAYR - Too Beautiful to Burn (Erstwhile 031) Siewert plays guitars, lap steel, electronics and synth while Brandlmayr plays drums, percussion and vibes. Both of these fellows are in a trio called Trapist that had a spooky ambient/roots/space cd out on Hatology earlier this year. Another exquisitely produced collection of radiant textures that glow, hum, resonate and shimmer with mesmerizing results. Certainly a bit more melodic and occasionally soothing than the other sinister sounds which are most often found on Erstwhile discs. Siewert seems to evoke the spirits of earthly delights with well placed guitar fragments as Brandlmayr uses percussion as minimal and evocative punctuation. Occasionally they land in the Erstwhile land of gentle alienation, but never for very long.
Every sound is well crafted and well placed and most often filled with stunning suspense. The next logical step for the Martins is to collaborate Ami Yoshida and do an album of ambient/folk/rock from another planet. No doubt that Bjork will be contacting them for her next project. Superb, sublime and only found on Erstwhile.
CD only release for $13.
ACID MOTHER TEMPLE - Soul Collective Tour 2003 (Eclipse Records/AMT 010) Features one track each by Makoto Kawabata on improvised electric guitar, the Pardons and Tsurubami w/ Kawabata on guitar, Higashi Hiroshi on bass and Emi Nobuku on drums. 56 minutes long and in a limited edition of 1000 copies only.
CD only release for $18.
ERNESTO DIAZ-INFANTE and MATT HANNAFIN - All the States Between (Pax Recordings 90262) Although bay area based Ernesto is most often known to play guitar and piano, here he plays cheap electronics, turntable, broken cd player, violin and other assorted stuff. He then sent his tracks through the mail to our good pal Matt Hannafin who plays exotic percussion, so that Matt could add his sounds to the mix. What we now get is two long tracks of mutated low-tech electronics and samples with lots of weird acoustic percussion.
The two long pieces here (47 & 31 minutes) slowly evolve as the mutant electronics and samples blend with Matt's array of eerie percussion, rubbed, banged and manipulated in different ways. At about 77 minutes, this is a bit too long, but there are a number of fascinating moments. Perhaps not extreme enough for fans of Voice Crack, but certainly worth a listen.
CD release for $12.
BLAISE SIWULA & ADAM LANE - Tandem Rivers (Cadence 1157) Blaise plays alto & soprano saxes is one of the true troopers downtown underground network of improvisers that has been around for many years, often working in obscurity and playing with William Hooker. Adam Lane is an excellent bassist and composer who moved to town more recently and has been playing with just about everybody. Adam leads an all-star quartet with John Tchicai, Paul Smoker and Barry Altschul and is one of the most ambitious and promising players we now have in NY. This live set was recorded in Three Jewels (Buddhist coffee shop) next door to our old location on 5th Street. This was Adam's first fully improvised recording and it has a nice organic free-flowing quality. Blaise has an enchanting, somber, playful and warm tone on his soprano sax which is featured on the opener, "Opal".
At times, Blaise reminds me of the great, enigmatic soprano stylist - Lol Coxhill. Adam is also a strong, solid and melodic partner on his double bass, always providing a graceful pulse and perfect support/cushion. When the two get warmed up, they really take off, with Blaise spiraling layers of lines and Adam bowing with equally hypnotic results. This music seems to be aptly placed in a Buddhist hangout, since there is an exquisitely calm center with no screaming sax or overly intense vibrations. A soothing gem from two strong spirits not afraid to lay back a bit.
CD only release for $14.
STEVE EARLE & THE DUKES - Just An American Boy [2 CD set] (E-Squared 51256) Pretty fucking cool double cd live set from my man Steve Earle, great songwriter/singer, controversial figure, former jailbird and drug addict - now one of our finest rock/folk/country heroes. Way better than Springsteen and just as sincere/passionate.
2 CD set for $23.
RESTOCKS, REISSUES & HISTORIC RECORDINGS FOR SEPTEMBER 26:
SAINKO with DJIVAN GASPARYAN - Naked Spirit (Amiata 2298) Mongolian vocalist extraordinaire Sainko Namchylak is in a league of her own and remains one of enigmatic and incredible of all singers. She is an amazing improviser and has worked with Evan Parker, Peter Kowald, Ned Rothenberg and the Moscow Composers Orchestra. Each of her dozen or so recordings are outstanding and completely unique, but only half are readily available. 'Naked Spirit' came out in 1998 and disappeared within a year, it is a highly sought after gem. It was recorded in Italy and featuring the haunting duduk playing of Eastern European virtuoso Djivan Gasparyan.
(see below for more discs featuring Djivan)
Finally reissued again on CD for $16.
ALBERT MANGELSDORFF - And His Friends (MPS 73752) Featuring stellar duets with [variously] Don Cherry on trumpet, Lee Konitz on alto sax, Attila Zoller on guitar, Mangelsdorff on trombone, Karl Berger on vibes, Wolfgang Dauner on piano and Elvin Jones on drums. Long lost classic and early meeting of European and domestic modern jazz giants featuring the amazing and often under-recognized guitarist Attila Zoller.
CD only import release for $14.
EDDIE GALE - Black Rhythm Happening (Water 188-CD) 'Black Rhythm Happening' (the second Blue Note album by Eddie Gale) was released in 1969 and includes jazz heavy weight Elvin Jones on drums and sax man Jimmy Lyons. Again the mix is a blend of soul jazz, free form freak outs and a gospel influenced street choir. Suggested listening for fans of Sun Ra, Brother Ah, John Coltrane's late 60's efforts, Ornette Coleman and Albert Ayler's more groove oriented recordings. The original vinyl LPs go for big bucks on Ebay, this is the first time this Blue Note album has ever been reissued.
CD reissue now available for $15.
GIORGIO GASLINI - L'Integrale Antologia Cronologica {No. 3 & No.4} [2 CD set] (Soul Note 121352/3) Featuring Don Cherry on pocket trumpet, Steve Lacy, Gato Barbieri & Gianni Bedori on saxes, Enrico Rava on trumpet, Gaslini on piano, Kent Carter & J.F. Jenny-Clark on basses and Aldo Romano & Franco Tonani on drums. This features four different groups/sessions from 1964-1968 with varying personnel, the above all-star unit is only one from Ō66-'68.
I caught the Giorgio Gaslini Quintet at the Public Theatre in the mid-seventies and was knocked out by their superb performance. I continue to collect any and all releases by their fine pianist & leader Gaslini and have always been blown away by all those records. I just discovered these two historic double cds on Soul Note from Gaslini's long career, the first runs from 1948-1964. I am slowly working my way through the second double CD and am consistently blown away by the fine cast of Italy's wealth of creative jazz spirits.
The thirty minute "New Feelings Suite" features the above mentioned 11 piece all-star international (US/Italian/Brazilian) ensemble and is an engaging work. The writing and playing move through a maze of shifting sections, with great solos from each horn and Giorgio's occasionally Monk-like piano playing. Giorgio's composing is intriguing throughout and from leading an Italian 11 piece ensemble in 1964 & '65 through his fine Italian quartet in 1965 & '68, the playing and composing remain excellent throughout. Possible review of the earlier CD [Vol 1&2] set next week.
2 CD set Italian import for $30.
ORNETTE COLEMAN - In All Languages (Harmolodic/Verve) This 2nd CD edition has been effectively out-of-print for almost 3 years now, we just got lucky and found less than 10 copies at a small mid-west distributor.
Originally a double album on the Fort Worth CARAVAN OF DREAMS label in '86, the first LP was the original '60s acoustic quartet of Coleman, Don Cherry, and Billy Higgins performing new compositions. Absolutely Stellar!!!
The 2nd LP was Ornette's current electric group Prime Time [w/ J Tacuma, B Nix, C Ellerbee, A McDowell, and D Coleman] performing many of those compositions their way!!
All the material from the double LP is included unedited on this single CD.
[BTW - I was at the Town Hall show with both bands performing, sitting next to Vernon Reid. When the quartet finished the second set, they literally had to scrape what was left of us off the seat, and everyone else in the house, too. Possibly my #1 concert experience ever - certainly in the top 5!!! - MannyLunch]
Highest Recommendation!!!
Out Of Print CD for $20
FAMILY - Live (Mystic 176) This is the first ever official full length Family live recording from the winter of 1971 featuring the classic line-up of Roger Chapman (a/k/a the electric goat) on lead vocals, Charlie Whitney on lead guitar, Poli Palmer on keyboards, vibes & flute, John Wetton on bass & vocals and Rob Townsend on drums. Roger Chapman had a completely unique and strange voice and was a lunatic/complete showman on stage. This later live set captures Family at the height of their creative powers. One of the greatest and quirkiest sixties bands of all time. 56 minutes long.
CD only release for $15.
MATCHING MOLE - Little Red Record (Sony UK 471488) The is the amazing second offering by Robert Wyatt's superb post-Soft Machine prog/jazz/rock quartet featuring Phil Miller on lead guitar, Dave McRae on keyboards, Bill MacCormick on el. bass and Robert Wyatt on lead vocals and drums. Produced by Robert Fripp and with a guest appearance by Eno on synth. A true quirky Canterbury classic disc with such fab songs like the poignant "God Song" and "Starting in the Middle of the Day, We Can Drink Our Politics Away". If you don't already own this, well, what are you waiting for?!? If you do own both Matching Mole releases, you still need those two great live discs on the wonderful Cuneiform label. Consistently going in and out of print, you should grab one of the dozen of these we got!
CD for the lowdown price of $13.
SONNY SIMMONS - Solo Out into the Andromeda [Ltd. 2 CD set ed](Parallactic 51) Brandon Evans, who runs Parallactic, just made an extremely limited edition (only 25 copies!!!) double-CD version of this recent classic solo alto sax performance by free-jazz ESP sax legend Sonny Simmons. Includes an unreleased full length second cd live set from Sonny. Brandon sold us his last ten copies, so that is all we have.
Very limited edition 2 CD set for $20.
TIM BERNE - Fractured Fairy Tales (W&W/JMT 919030) Featuring Herb Robertson on trumpets, Mark Feldman on violin, Hank Roberts on cello, Mark Dresser on contrabass, Joey Baron on drums and Tim Berne on alto & baritone saxes. Tim's first great JMT release as a leader!!
CD only reissue release for $15.
TIM BERNE'S CAOS TOTALE - Pace Yourself (W&W/JMT 919040) Featuring Marc Ducret on guitars, Tim Berne on saxes, Herb Robertson on trumpets, Steve Swell on trombone, Mark Dresser on bass and Bobby Previte on drums. Another winner from the great Tim Berne gang!!
CD only reissue release for $15 (in stock next week)
THELONIUS MONK - In Paris/Live at the Olympia [2 CD set] (Hyena 9316) The first disc is 'Live at the Olympia In Paris' was recorded on March 7th of 1965 and features Monk at the piano, Charlie Rouse on tenor sax, Larry Gales on bass and Ben Riley on drums performing seven classic Monk gems. The second disc is a bonus DVD live in Oslo, Norway in April of 1966 and has the same personnel.
2 CD only set for $16
DR. JOHN - All by Hisself/Live at the Lone Star [2 CD set] (Hyena 9317) Extra special solo piano, vocals & stories from the legendary Dr. John live at the great Lone Star Cafˇ which don't exist no more. Recorded in December of 1986. The second cd is a bonus DVD from the same gig!
2 CD only set for $16.
BLODWYN PIG - The Basement Tapes (HUX 019) Led by the gifted guitarist Mick Abrahams who left Jethro Tull after their first album, they recorded two classic records of early jazz/rock/blues coolness. They were the first band I caught at the Fillmore East in 1969 and they blew me away. This great disc features previously unreleased Radio 1 sessions, live rarities from their heyday ('69-'74) and a couple of tracks from a 1996 reunion. Plus comprehensive liner notes and fancy pix.
CD only release for $15.
LOS NENA - self/titled (Nena Discos) Surprisingly great, extremely twisted and oddly diverse post-rock weirdness from this unknown Mexican quintet who include my old pal and former Knitting Factory soundman - Daniel Goldaracena and co-produced by Daniel and another former Knit sound engineer - James McLean. Tight, never ending twists and turns, post-punk, noise/rock, distorted & goofy vocals and tortured guitars - funky bass sections, deconstructed traditional sidetracks, drunken horns appear out of nowhere and short spoken word (radio?) samples. Their bizarre sense of humor makes them all the more endearing. As noisy and as distorted as this gets, Los Nena are relentlessly tight, stopping and starting on a dime, shifting through different sections/genres effortlessly. Ultra demented yet well placed guitar solos erupt through the din and show their craftiness. The cover looks just like a Winter & Winter expensive packaging deal, very strange. We just found a small box of these buried in our dusty psychedelic basement and have less than a dozen copies, so who knows how long they will last!?!
Highest Recommendation!!!
CD only release for one million pesos or $10.
THE MASTERS OF DECEIT - Hensley's Electric Jazz Band & Synthetic Symphonette (Vanguard 6522/Comet) The hidden jewel of early US prog released on the Vanguard label in 1969! The band was led by keyboardist Tom Hensley who whips up some fine organ, piano and clavinet playing in counterpoint to Steve Blum's guitar solos. The music bears some superficial similarities to Hatfield & The North (but obviously predates them) and Frank Zappa in that there is a quirky humor that permeates their jazz derived prog rock. Some of the vocals are drenched in reverb reminding me of early Pink Floyd. The standout is the 19 minute "Pieces/Together/Pieces". These guys must have gone down a ton at the Fillmore..."- Ken Golden.
A long out-of-print classic CD only for $12.
CASSANDRA WILSON - She Who Weeps (W&W/JMT 919041) Featuring Cassandra on vocals, Rod Williams on piano, Kevin Bruce Harris & Reggie Washington on basses and Mark Johnson on drums. Includes standards "Chelsea Bridge" and "Body and Soul". Superb!
CD only reissue release for $15 (in stock next week)
NEW ITEMS /JUST RELEASED RE-ISSUES of CLASSICS from THE VOICEPRINT LABELS GROUP!!!:
HARRY BECKETT QUINTET - Flare Up (Jazzprint 124; UK) Line-up: Harry Beckett - trumpet, flugelhorn John Surman - baritone and soprano saxes Mike Osborne - alto sax Alan Skidmore - tenor and soprano saxes Frank Ricotti - vibes and conga John Taylor - piano Chris Lawrence - bass guitar John Webb - drums. (Reviewed above)
CD $16
MUSIC FOR FILMS [V.A. With BRIAN ENO/MICHAEL BROOK/HAROLD BUDD/DANIEL LANOIS/ROGER ENO/LAARAJI/MISHA MAHLIN & LYDIA THEREMIN/JOHN PAUL JONES] - Music For Films III (All Saints 4; UK) Originally released on Eno's Opal label in the early '90s, this was the introduction to the label's forthcoming roster of artists. Aside for the theme to Opera, which was from an Italian soundtrack album, none of the cuts here has appeared elsewhere before or since, although a couple of the Eno tracks were included in the long out-of-print 'Instrumental' box. This collection was similarly OOP and a high ticket item on eBay until now.
Highly recommended!
CD $16
FAMILY - A Song For Me (Mystic 170; UK) This classic third album, which still tends to get overshadowed by its predecessors '..Doll's House' and 'Entertainment', is actually on par and should not be ingored by fans of those other ones! With founders Roger Chapman and John Whitney (who later formed Streetwalkers) and Robert Townsend, John Weider, and John Palmer. This new CD edition comes with two additional studio cuts and four bonus live cuts!
CD $16
FAMILY - Family Live (Mystic 176; UK) A rollicking kick-ass live album from early 1971(unlike the tired sounding live cuts on the US version of Anyway), with the line-up that would go on to record the studio albums Fearless and Bandstand: Roger Chapman, John "Charlie" Whitney, Poli Palmer, Rob Townsend, and John Wetton on bass (whose next gig would be '72-74 King Crimson). Possibly this is the rumored vinyl-only BBC release re-incarnated; we're not sure as no one we know has ever seen that! Recommended! (Reviewed above)
CD $16
DJIVAN GASPARIAN - I Will Not Be Sad In This World (All Saints 6; UK) Originally released in the Western Hemisphere on Eno's Opal label [Eno licensed it from it's Russian label Melodya) in the early '90s. Djivan is the undisputed master of the Duduk, an Armenian oboe, It is impossible to describe in words the soulful and sad nature of the heartbreakingly beautiful solos of traditional Armenian melodies to be heard here [one cut is a duo with Vachagan Avakian]; suffice it to say that no one who has heard this record has ever forgotten it - in the decade since the previous edition was out-of-print not a week has gone by without requests for it! Highly Recommended!
CD $16
DJIVAN GASPARIAN - Moon Shines At Night (All Saints 14; UK) Originally released on Eno's Opal label in the early '90s. Djivan is the undisputed master of the Duduk, an Armenian oboe sort of a cross between the orchestral oboe and the ney flute in sound; here he is produced by Michael Brook and accompanied by Levon Arshukuna, Vachagan Avakian, and E Oganesyan in recordings of modern day Eastern European standards recorded in sessions in both London and Tokyo
CD $16
JON HASSELL - City: Works Of Fiction (All Saints 11; UK) Originally released on Eno's Opal label in the early '90s, this is the last of his great electronically-modified-trumpet recordings [the follow up on Warner Bros, 'Bluescreen', was a much-too commercial nod to the club trends of the time, although it did close with a great unused cut from the City sessions]. His group here is Adam Rudolph on bass, Gregg Arreguin guitar, Jeff Rona kybds, and Daniel Schwartz bass. Mr Hassell has since abandoned electronics, in the wake of other's following his trail - like Nils Petter Molvaer - playing completely acoustic on recent recordings with Ry Cooder et al, demonstrating a mastery of tone, pitch and melody, that separates him from that pack of followers.
CD $16
IONA - Beyond These Shores (Open Sky 3; UK) Like their previous releases, and now to a greater degree, this Scottish band's influences - including jazz-fusion, prog-rock and ancient Christian themes - are quite challenging to listen to. With multi-layered instrumentation, forever changing moods, and lyrics that require constant attention, this music is not easily digested. For their 3rd release they have invited guest Robert Fripp on several tracks playing his Soundscape Guitar.
CD $16
IONA - Iona (Open Sky 1; UK) Though Iona is included with Enya and Clannad in the list of contemporary Celtic artists, the Scottish band's influences - including jazz-fusion, prog-rock and ancient Christian themes - are more varied. Named for an island off Scotland's western coast, the group was formed in the late '80s by vocalist Joanne Hogg and multi-instrumentalists David Fitzgerald and Dave Bainbridge. For Iona's 1990 self-titled debut album included further acquisitions: drummer Terl Bryant, bassist Nick Beggs and several studio musicians - Fiona Davidson (Celtic harp), Peter Whitfield (strings), Troy Donockley (Uillean pipes) and Frank Van Essen (tuned percussion).
CD $16
IONA - The Book Of Kells (Open Sky 2; UK) This is the second release by the Christian progressive rock band Iona. Like their first release, and now to a greater degree, Iona's music is quite challenging to listen to. With multi-layered instrumentation, forever changing moods, and lyrics that require constant attention, this music is not easily digested. And this 72-minute album, centered on The Book of Kells, necessitates a thorough listen if one desires to understand and appreciate its concept in total. There's plenty to keep one's interest too, like Joanne Hogg's angelic voice, David Bainbridge's skillful guitar work, or the hypnotic flutes, whistles, and Irish pipes.
CD $16
TOYAH WILCOX - Ophelia's Shadow (Vertical Species 2; UK) Originally released on EG records in 1991, Here Ms Wilcox is accompanied by a quartet that includes Robert Fripp, Trey Gunn,Tony Geballe, and Paul Beavis - the same quintet that performed and recorded as Sunday All Over The World [aka FrippFripp]. Very likely her best album...and most representative of all the varied styles of this chameleon-like singer songwriter! Keith Tippett makes an appearance, closing out the album with a lovely piano turn on the second half of the last cut.
CD $16
TOYAH WILCOX - Prostitute (Vertical Species 3; UK) Originally released on EG records in 1988, this is a completely different sound for Toyah. Accompanied only by multi-instrumentalist Steve Sydlnick, the duo produced - with the help of Tony Arnold - a Kate Bush like recording, only with a much colder feel. Recommended for fans of both artists! [also, the record starts and ends with hilarious short spoken word interplays between Ms Wilcox and then-new hubbie Robert Fripp, who also contributes the guitar riff on "Ghosts In The Universe"].
CD $16
AND ALSO RESTOCKS OF THESE PREVIOUS GREAT VOICEPRINT [And Associated Labels] TITLES :
PETER BLEGVAD - King Strut (Whatdisc 9; UK) When originally released in 1990 on Silvertone, King Strut was critically lauded as a masterful collection of articulate and insightful short stories set to music, or as Blegvad himself put it '...condensed narrative in rhymes...' Amongst the fantastic selection of musicians contributing are Andy Partridge (XTC), Peter Holsapple (REM), B.J. Cole (Verve), Syd Straw, Danny Thompson, Chris Stamey and Anton Fier.
CD $16
GRAHAM COLLIER - Charles River Fragments (Jazzprint 123; UK) Performed by The Jazz Ensemble which includes Art Themen, Chris Biscoe, Geoff Warren & Mark Lockheart on saxes; Henry Lowther, Steve Waterman & Patrick White on trumpets; Hugh Fraser & Bill Mee on trombones; Andy Grappy on tuba, Ed Speight on guitar, Pete Saberton on piano, Dudley Phillips on bass and John Marshall on drums. Our favorite British jazz composer returns once more with his 15th recording, released 1999. Brilliant!
CD $16
GRAHAM COLLIER & THE DANISH RADIO JAZZ ORCHESTRA - Winter Oranges (Jazzprint 126; UK) "New album from respected jazz composer Graham Collier, recorded live in November 2000 at the Copenhagen Jazz House with the Danish Radio Jazz Orchestra,
CD $16
GRAHAM COLLIER And THE COLLECTIVE - Bread And Circuses (Jazzprint 131; UK) "Recorded live in Perth, Australia, September 2001,with The Collective, a 15-piece co-operative of Western Australia's finest musical talent, Bread & Circuses and Oxford Palms are composer Graham Collier's attempts to develop his main concerns in jazz composition. That is the musicians using the written music as the basis for three distinct levels of improvisation a. solo b. textural (within the composition) and c. structural (outside the composition).
CD $16
ELTON DEAN/ALAN SKIDMORE With JOHN MARSHALL & CHRIS LAURENCE - El Skid (Voiceprint 230; UK) This is a long lost album of creative Brit-Jazz of the late 70's originally on Trevor Watts' small Vinyl label out of Germany which fans of the Canterbury Scene and Soft Machine have been waiting for. Elton Dean (Soft Machine and In Cahoots), Alan Skidmore, Chris Laurence and John Marshall ( Soft Machine) are the brilliant line up on this oft-referred-to treasure!
CD $16
DAGMAR KRAUSE - Tank Battles: The Songs of Hanns Eisler (Blueprint 318; UK) Helped with her desire to bring out an album of songs by the early 20th century German songwriter Eisler by Tom Waits expressed interest in the project, Waits' bassist and musical director Greg Cohen (Masada) arranged and produced this diverse group assemblage that included guest musicians Michael Blair, Danny Thompson, Alex Balenescu, John Tilbury and Lindsay Cooper and a large ensemble including accordion, marimba, banjo, woodwinds. This is a tour-de-force album for Dagmar, displaying the full breadth and depth of her uniquely emotional and compelling voice!
CD $16
MUJICIAN [KEITH TIPPETT/PAUL DUNMALL/TONY LEVIN/PAUL ROGERS] And THE GEORGIAN ENSEMBLE - The Bristol Concert (Whatdisc 7; UK) Recorded prior to the first of their 5 studio releases on the Cuneiform label, Mujician (Keith Tippett: piano, Paul Dunmall: saxes, Tony Levin: drums, Paul Rogers: double bass), formed in England in 1988 as an improvising collective, were involved, along with vocalist Julie Tippetts, in an experiment with 12 Georgian musicians in 1991 playing Keith's compositions for the Centipede and Ark big bands!. Highest recommendation!
CD $16
OVARY LODGE [KEITH TIPPETT/ROY BABBINGTON/FRANK PERRY] - Ovary Lodge (Whatdisc 4; UK) Along with Keith Tippett's "Blueprint" album which preceded it this is one of the spectacular all-time classics [1973] of spontaneous improv. The level of telepathy here between pianist Keith, bassist Roy Babbington (later Soft Machine) , and ultra-sensitive vibrationist [percussionist is the wrong word for] Frank Perry is stunning!
CD $16
HOWARD RILEY - Trisect (Jazzprint 116; UK) Originally one of three LPs in a 1980 Howard Riley box set 'Facets' on the Impetus label. This is Howard Riley solo, the great jazz piano genius/improviser/composer who blew minds previous to this with his CBS albums ('Angle' and 'The Day Will Come') of the early '70s.
CD $16
HOWARD RILEY/BARRY GUY/JOHN STEVENS - Organic (Jazzprint 116; UK) Originally one of three LPs in a 1980 Howard Riley box set 'Facets' on the Impetus label. This is a wonderful and powerful improv session between three giants: Riley on piano, Barry Guy on doublebass, and John Stevens. For those who love SME and all things "outbetween"!
CD $16
HOWARD RILEY/KEITH TIPPETT - First Encounter (Jazzprint 114; UK) Originally one of three LPs in a 1980 Howard Riley box set 'Facets' on the Impetus label. this new cd edition contains all of the concert which was only presented in edited form on LP. These two masters of piano improv jazz construct and destruct forms and motifs while surging forward, continually enlarging the foundation, and its incipient energy, upon which a new form rises till the very end!
CD $16
HOWARD RILEY/KEITH TIPPETT - In Focus (Jazzprint 111; UK) Originally an LP on the Affinity label, this is one continous improvisation in concert 6/13/84 at the Tramshed, Woolwich, London during the Greenwich Festival. Two master pianists with contrasting styles, both firmly rooted in the jazz and classical traditions, explore new terrain with one empathetic voice!
CD $16
SOFT MACHINE - Live 1970 (Blueprint 290; UK) Tracks 1 & 2 are from a performance on 2/14/1970 at the London School Of Economics with Lyn Dobson , Mike Ratledge, Hugh Hopper, and Robert Wyatt. The rest of the tracks on this CD formed the entirety of the previously released 'Live At The Proms' (Royal Albert Hall 8/13/70 with Elton Dean, Ratledge, Hopper and Wyatt) LP/CD on the Reckless label, though the starting cut "Out-Bloody-Rageous" has had its beginning edited here. But don't let that deter you from getting your hands on these absolutely great performances!
CD $16
SOFT MACHINE - Live At The Paradiso 1969 (Blueprint 193; UK) The truly phenomal and definitive document of Soft Machine at the time of their 2nd album! Recorded at the Paradiso in Amsterdam on 3/29/69. Robert Wyatt drumming and vocals, Hugh Hopper bass, and Mike Ratledge keyboards. Highly recommended!
CD $16
KEITH TIPPETT & PETER FAIRCLOUGH - Imago (Jazzprint 132; UK) The second great duo effort with our favorite pianist Tippett, and British drummer & percussionist, Peter Fairclough,.
CD $16
KEITH TIPPETT - Blueprint (La Cooka Racha 146; UK) The level of telepathy here between pianist Keith, bassist Roy Babbington, Julie Tippetts on voice /guitar/recorder, Keith Bailey percussion, and ultra-sensitive vibrationist [percussionist is the wrong word for] Frank Perry is stunning: you really can't believe that these are not written pieces...and you can't believe that it's purely acoustic either, so incredible and beautiful is the array of tapestry and texture on display here! And yet these disclaimers: "All music on this album is improvised" - Keith Tippett; "The sounds are acoustic - no electronics are involved " - producer Robert Fripp. Don't miss this!
CD $16
JULIE TIPPETTS - Shadow Puppeteer (La Cooka Ratcha 101; UK) 2000 release. Only the third album Julie has released under her own name in as many decades ('Sunset Glow' in 1976, and as Julie Driscoll - '1969', after leaving Brian Auger And The Trinity in '68), this was a true labor of love, three years in the making, with all voices and instruments (zithers, bells, chimes, allsorts) performed and recorded solely by herself in an 8 track studio.
CD $16
[ROBERT WYATT] V.A. - Soupsongs: The Music Of Robert Wyatt [2CD Set] (Jazzprint 101; UK) Featuring Julie Tippett, Annie Whitehead, Phil Manzanera, Didier Malherbe, Harry Beckett, George Khan, Ian Maidman, Steve Lamb, Janette Mason, and Liam Genockey. A briliantly conceived (by Ms Whitehead, who also arranged) two-night tribute to the arguably [hands down!] leading vocal and lyric genius of the entire Canterbury movement!
Songs (most of the vocals are by Julie Tippetts!) are taken from throughout his nearly three decade solo album career, though mainly from the classics 'Rockbottom' and 'Ruth Is Stranger Than Richard' . Mr Wyatt was present at these concerts and was visibly moved: an entire 2 sets (the whole show) of bravura performances are captured here in exquisite audio. Highly Recommended!!!
CD $20
AND FINALLY, SOME RESTOCKS OF TITLES ON THE GREAT HOME OF [Mostly] AMERICAN NEW JAZZ, THE SILKHEART LABEL OF SWEDEN!!!
ROB BROWN TRIO - Breath Rhyme (Silkheart 122; Sweden) Rob Brown alto saxophone William Parker bass Dennis Charles drums
CD $15
ANDREW CYRILLE/RICHARD TEITELBAUM DUO - Double Clutch (Silkheart 146; Sweden) Andrew Cyrille Ludwig drums, Zildijan cymbals, LP percussion instruments Richard Teitelbaum PolyMoog synthesizer, modified MicroMoog synthesizer, Zannini custom random generator, SYM-1 single board computer
CD $15
ETHNIC HERITAGE ENSEMBLE - Ancestral Song (Silkheart 108; Sweden) Kahil El'Zabar sansa, drums, earth drum, percussion, voice Edward Wilkerson tenor saxophone, clarinet, percussion Joseph Bowie trombone, marimba, percussion
CD $15
JOEL FUTTERMAN TRIO - Berlin Images (Silkheart 131; Sweden) Joel Futterman piano Raphˇ Malik trumpet Robert Adkins drums
CD $15
CHARLES GAYLE QUARTET - Raining Fire (Silkheart 137; Sweden) Charles Gayle tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, viola William Parker bass, cello, half-size violin Vattel Cherry bass, kalimba, bells Michael Wimberly drums
CD $15
CHARLES GAYLE QUARTET - Translations (Silkheart 134; Sweden) Charles Gayle tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, viola William Parker bass, cello, half-size violin Vattel Cherry bass, kalimba, bells Michael Wimberly drums
CD $15
CHARLES GAYLE TRIO - Homeless (Silkheart 116; Sweden) Charles Gayle tenor saxophone Sirone bass Dave Pleasant drums
CD $15
CHARLES GAYLE TRIO - Spirits Before (Silkheart 117; Sweden) Charles Gayle tenor saxophone Sirone bass Dave Pleasant drums
CD $15
DENNIS GONZALES NEW DALLAS QUARTET - Namesake (Silkheart 106; Sweden) Dennis Gonzalez trumpet, pocket-trumpet, fluegelhorn, pao de chuva, Pakistani bells, kalimba, vocal Ahmed Abdullah trumpet, fluegelhorn, balafon Charles Brackeen tenor sax, conga Douglas Ewart alto sax, bass clarinet Malachi Favors bass, vocal Alvin Fielder drums, percussion
CD $15
DENNIS GONZALES NEW DALLAS QUARTET - Stefan (Silkheart 101; Sweden) Dennis Gonzalez trumpet, fluegelhorn, berimbau John Purcell bass clarinet, alto sax, flute Henry Franklin bass Malachi Favors bass W.A. Richardson drums
CD $15
STEVE LACY SEXTET - The Gleam (Silkheart 102; Sweden) Steve Lacy soprano saxophone Steve Potts alto & soprano saxophone Ir¸ne Aebi vocals, violin Bobby Few piano Jean-Jacques Avenel bass Oliver Johnson drums
CD $15
BOOKER T. TRIO - Go Tell It on the Mountain (Silkheart 114; Sweden) Booker T. tenor sax, alto sax Saheb Sarbib bass
CD $15
The search page is here
SHORT LIST OF RECOMMENDED SHOWS FOR THE UPCOMING WEEK: At THE HOOK, 18 Commerce Street, Brooklyn, NY Saturday 9/27:
BURNT SUGAR: THE ARKESTRA CHAMBER at 11 PM
with openers SHRINE FOR THE BLACK MADONNA at 9:30 PM
$8.00 for the entire evening!
At The CBGB's LOUNGE, 313 Bowery, NYC (One admission - $10 - for the entire evening!):
Sunday September 28th
FREESTYLE EVENTS: HARDCORE JAZZ & AVANT MUSICS - SUNDAY SERIES
7pm - hanuman ensemble: andy haas, don fiorino, matt heyner, mia theodoratus, david gould, dee pop
8pm - esther noh, louie belogenis, adam lane, lou grassi
9pm - tony malaby, mike sarin, tom rainey, drew gress
You can see the entire LIST OF WHO'S PLAYING/PLAYED AT EACH NIGHT'S SHOWS FOR THE ZORN 50TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION at Tonic, 107 Norfolk St, NYC,
by going to: ZORN schedule
Meanwhile this is the upcoming Tonic Schedule:
--Fri, Sep 26 and Sat, Sep 27--
* John Zorn's Electric Masada at 8pm, $25 per set, $20 in advance per set
John Zorn (alto sax), Marc Ribot (guitar), John Medeski(organ), Cyro Baptista (percussion), Kenny Wollesen (drums), Jamie Saft (keyboards/lap-steel guitar) & Trevor Dunn (bass). The powerhouse fusion version of Zorn's beloved Masada!
ALSO
--Fri, Sep 26--
* Jim O'Rourke at Midnight
--Sat, Sep 27--
* Mephista: Sylvie Courvoisier, Ikue Mori & Susie Ibarra at Midnight,
Three of downtown's most dynamic performers join forces to form Mephista (Tzadik/Oracles)-one of the first all women supergroups (Ibarra, Courvoisier and Mori). Separately these three have worked with some of the most important musicians in new music (Derek Bailey, Wadada Leo Smith, Pauline Oliveros, William Parker, John Zorn, Fred Frith, Mike Patton, Dave Douglas, etc.)- together they have created a whole new kind of music spanning the worlds of rock, classical, jazz and electronica.
--Sun, Sep 28--
* John Zorn's Goetia/ Necronomicon (world premiere) at 8pm, $15
With Jennifer Choi, Jesse Mills, Richard O'Neill, Fred Sherry
--Mon, Sep 29--
* Derek Bailey & John Zorn at 8pm, $15,
* Derek Bailey, Ikue Mori & John Zorn at 10pm, $15
--Tue, Sep 30--
* John Zorn's FilmWorks V.10 & V.14:
In The Mirror Of Maya Deren/Hiding And Seeking at 8pm, $15
With Marc Ribot, Erik Friedlander, Jamie Saft, Trevor Dunn, Cyro Baptista, Kenny Wollesen, Ganda Suthivarakom; JZ piano and conductor
* John Zorn's FilmWorks V.11 & V.13:
Secret Lives/Invitation To A Suicide at 10pm, $15
With Mark Feldman, Erik Friedlander, Greg Cohen, Ganda Suthivarakom; (Secret Lives) and Rob Burger, Marc Ribot, Cyro Baptista, Kenny Wollesen, Trevor Dunn; (Hiding And Seeking) JZ conducting
--Wed, Oct 1st--
Phill Niblock's 70th Birthday 8 PM
--Tue,Oct 2nd--
8pm Aki Onda's Cassette Memories 8 PM
NEW STUFF FROM CIMP LABEL & VOICEPRINT!!!
And Miles's JACK JOHNSON 5CD BOX SET!!!!!
SOFT MACHINE - BBC Radio 1971 - 1974 (HUX 047) Yes, it is finally here! The incredible seminal British (Canterbury originally) jazz/rock/fusion sensation SOFT MACHINE caught live in BBC studios during their transitional period encompassing Soft Machine 'Five' through 'Bundles'. Collective personnel features Mike Ratledge on fuzz/organ, el. piano & synth, Elton Dean on alto sax & saxello, Karl Jenkins on keyboards, oboe & bari sax, Hugh Hopper & Roy Babbington on basses, John Marshall & Phil Howard on drums and Allan Holdsworth on lead guitar. Included is a swell booklet with informative liner notes from Canterbury website host Americ Leroy and nifty pix.
Commencing with "As If" and "Drop" from 'Five' and a previously unreleased piece called "Welcome to Frillsville", the Dean/Hopper/Ratledge/Howard version take off with some truly spirited, hypnotic playing. The fuzz organ and fuzz bass buzz together cosmically with Elton's reeds sailing on top and Phil's cerebral drumming swirling below. The Softs final incredible drummer John Marshall adds his powerful playing to the next session as Karl Jenkins also pushes their direction by becoming the main composer. Karl is another strong soloist on oboe, soprano & bari saxes. Great to hear equally inventive and intense renditions of material from 'Five' and 'Six' played by the next quartet Jenkins/Ratledge/Hopper/Marshall.
Soft Machine 'Six' won many awards (best Euro electric avant/jazz combo) when it came out in 1973 and hearing this colossal quartet, it is easy to see/hear why. Roy Babbington, who guested on 'Four' and 'Five' on acoustic bass, replaces Hopper on both basses starting with 'Seven' and fits perfectly with his strong and solid playing. Disc 2 begins with some a fat fuzz bass intro from Roy and then sly subtle funk of "Down the Road" from 'Seven' with a fine recorder solo by Karl and another fuzz organ solo from Mike. The Softs never lose their signature circular vibe and since the earlier days when Elton switched off on el. piano, Mike and Karl also play some superb double keyboards. 'North Point' is a mysterious piece for dreamy percussion and electronics which turns into "The Man Who Waved at Trains" from 'Seven' which burns ultra fast and has an excellent oboe solo from Karl.
The crown jewel of this great double CD is the outstanding 17minute version of "Hazard Profile" which features an extraordinary long, liquid/wicked, ultra-quick guitar solo from Allan Holdsworth. Recorded in October of 1974, this shows that although the critics had written off 'fusion' as being a dead formula, this piece ranks among the finest of all so-called 'fusion' epics. Although, this double cd clocks in at a little over 80 minutes, it is an incredible work throughout and a must-have for Soft Machine fan-addicts worldwide!
Two CD set for $20.
HARRY BECKETT - Flare Up (Jazzprint 124) FIRST TIME BEING REISSUED ON ANY FORMAT SINCE 1970!!! Featuring Brotherhood of Breath trumpet and flugelhorn hero Harry Beckett, John Surman on bari & soprano saxes, Mike Osborne on alto sax, Alan Skidmore on tenor sax, John Taylor on el. piano, Chris Lawrence on bass, Frank Ricotti on vibes and John Webb on drums! Barbados born trumpet hero, Harold Beckett, moved to London in 1954, worked with Mingus on the soundtrack of the British film, "All Night Long" in the sixties and became one of best jazz trumpeters in England from then onwards, working with many of the UK's best players and bands - Mike Westbrook, Graham Collier, John Surman Octet and Ray Russell. His first album as a leader, 'Flare Up' was released in 1970 and remains one of unrecognized classics of British modern jazz.
It starts burning right from the first tune, "Go West" and swings at a super quick pace. "Where Fortune Smiles" is also the title track of one of John Surman's great early albums and is covered here with Beckett playing some fabulous flugel and Surman (and/or Skidmore?) sailing with serpent-like spirits on his soprano. The incredible rhythm team spins fiercely throughout as well with power and finesse. Harry's warm tone and completely enchanting playing are well matched by John Taylor's exquisite el. piano on "Scarlett Mine". Taylor's inventive and swirling piano also shine on "Third Road", with another astonishing solo from Harry, as well as some more soaring soprano. Frank Ricotti pulls of an incredible vibes solo on "The Other Side", as does Mike Osborne on alto sax. This is quite an extraordinary treasure from an under-recognized wonder who went on to record just a handful of discs under his own name and still plays release great material today.
CD only reissue release for $16.
MILES DAVIS - The Complete Jack Johnson [5 CD Box Set] (Sony 86359; US) Of all the Miles Davis recordings, the sessions that created a single, two-selection LP produced by Teo Macero called A Tribute To Jack Johnson have been the most apocryphal. While the album itself was a confounding obscurity upon release - due to its proximity to the inferior yet infinitely more label-promoted Live at the Fillmore East - its influence has become the monolith of the first complete fusion of jazz and rock; it also cemented a place in the history books for guitarist John McLaughlin, whose raw, slash-and-burn playing is the axis around which the entire album turns. This five-CD set was recorded in 16 weeks, from February 18 to June 4 of 1970, during which a revolving cast of musicians entered the Davis/Macero laboratory for a series of mind-bending, sometimes inspired, sometimes maddeningly monotonous recording dates, where the creation of backbeat-driven grooves and short, rhythmic rock- and funk-inflected riffs were the only preconceptions and everything else flowed from there for better or worse. No less than fiveseparate releases benefited from these sessions; they include Live-Evil, Get Up With It, Directions, and Big Fun.
The two cuts that make up A Tribute to Jack Johnson, "Right Off" and "Yesternow," make up the last two selections on disc five of this set. The arrangement of these sides is chronological; thus there are not only numerous takes of a single composition, but insertion and remake takes of it as well. For instance, there are two complete takes of "Willie Nelson,", two inserted versions and two remakes all in sequenced in a row here. Likewise, herein appears the strange genesis, deconstruction, and rebirth of "Go Ahead John" that appeared in on Big Fun. Still, despite the hypnotic grooves where already elongated tunes turn into sonic labyrinths, the historical importance of these sessions, and sometimes the sheer listening pleasure they offer, cannot be overestated. Take, for example, the fact that there are 17 previously unissued performances here and 14 takes and alternates that have never been issued in full form.
As a small example, the official unearthing of the "Duran" alternate take offers so much more than the circulated one - including different instrumentation (as a number of titles here do in their varying versions) that it is nearly a different tune altogether. Or the roots of "Right Off" and "Yesternow," which appear on disc three, compared to the final, heavily edited versions on the album. Evolution becomes not only the crux of these Davis sessions, but a whole new way of making jazz records is revealed - and they are jazz records. These sides reveal how, some 32 years later, Davis' own playing remains firmly committed to the jazz ideal despite the fact that McLaughlin and others such as Bennie Maupin, Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter, Jack DeJohnette, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett, Steve Grossman, Michael Henderson, Ron Carter, Sonny Sharrock, Airto, Dave Holland, Wayne Shorter, and Hermeto Pascoal were essentially playing jam- and riff-based rock here. The role of guitarist Sonny Sharrock is finally defined here. It has previously been discounted and has provided endless grist for the Davis rumor mill about how he was mixed out of the session. Yes, he was, but so was almost everyone but McLaughlin and Miles at one point or another.
Check out Sharrock's killer slide playing that appears on the second insertion of "Willie Nelson" for evidence of his weighty presence. For those who worship at the McLaughlin altar, there are extra minutes of screaming, fuzz-drenched wailing on "Right Off" left on the floor by Macero. But this set is full of moments like that, moments - sometimes minutes - such as the previously unreleased "Sugar Ray," which is a futuristic look at post-punk noise with rhythm. While attempting to listen to this as a box is an admittedly long, arduous, and sometimes difficult task, listening to pieces and discs individually in a changer, is a deeply satisfying experience and gives us yet another dimension in the Miles aesthetic universe. If any series of recordings needed to be released to illuminate a unique and visdionary period in Miles Davis' development as an artist, to document the most perfect fusion of jazz and rock, and dispe numorousl idle myths about its creation, it's these.This will be the grail for some Miles fans, for others another chapter i his genius and still for others an introduction to his process, form and function. What ever the casde, the muisic found here is stellar, brilliant and focused to the point of difficulty; it gives up its secrets and gifts slowly, but it widens and deepens the listener's understanding of Davis not only as a player, bandleader and composer, but as a music fan who indulged his love for the rock and soul (i.e. pop) without reservation or compromise. - Thom Jurek.
"EXTREME RECOMMENDATION !!!"- Bruce Gallanter;
"McLAUGHLIN FANS: GET OUT YOUR BLOOD THINNER - TO AVOID A STROKE!!!" - Mannylunch
5 CD Box Set and Bklt for $65
DENIS CHARLES - An Interrupted Conversation by Veronique N. Doumbe [DVD] (Ndolo Films) An excellent 75 minute award winning documentary about the mighty avant jazz drummer, Dennis Charles, who worked with Cecil Taylor, Thelonius Monk, Steve Lacy, Archie Shepp, Jimmy Giuffre, Don Cherry, Sonny Rollins and many others. Denis Charles was an incredible jazz drummer whose career stretched back to the fifties and whose efforts often went unheralded by the mainstream community. The half dozen times I caught Denis with saxists like Mike Marcus and Haze Greenfield, I realized what an amazingly creative drummer he was. Filmmaker, Veronique N. Doumbe, has done a fine job of capturing Denis' unique playing and special spirit with live music and interviews with Denis' fellow musicians and family members during the last two years of his life. Denis was a most friendly and gracious person, as well as a father figure and influence to many of downtown's finest jazz players. His important spirit lives on in this wonderful film.
DVD only (NTSC Region 1 format) for $25.
DANIELE D'AGARO/ERNST GLERUM/HAN BENNINK - Strandjutters (Hatology 590) Daniele plays tenor sax & clarinet, originally comes from Italy, but has been living in Holland for several years. Bassist Ernst Glerum and crazed drummer Han Bennink are from Holland and are the great rhythm team for the wonderful ICP Orchestra. I can only remember Daniele from an old release on Nimbus with Tristan Honsinger called 'Lingua Franca' from 1989. Right from the gitgo, Daniele is playing his clarinet with high spirited and infectious glee on "Divi-Divi", the trio spinning and swinging intensely together. Mr. D'Agaro also a rich, warm tone on his tenor sax which is featured on a ballad called "Old Folks", which as that old Coleman Hawkins-like somber swagger. "En Plein Air" has the bowed bass and clarinet playing their haunting lines together when it opens and has a rather dreamy quality as it floats quietly by. The trio cover Johnny Dyani's "I Wish You Sunshine" which has one of those great memorable South African grooves/melodies.
The highlight here is "The Prisoner" which has some explosive, free-wheeling moments with all three musicians soaring intensely, Daniele's clarinet in powerful form with some restrained free sections. This intense, sprawling spirit continues on "Talm" with Daniele playing some feisty tenor sax while the great rhythm team swirls around him with great force. Ernst takes a superb solo here, something we rarely get to hear. The final song is a cover of Mercer Ellington's "The Girl in my Dreams_", which is has Daniele again playing exquisitely with his warmest of tones and a fine way to end our marvelous journey of older and more modern jazz forms.
CD release for $17.
BRAD JONES QUARTET - Pouring My Heart In (Senoj Music 20) Featuring Greg Tardy on tenor sax & clarinet, Bob DeBellis on alto sax, bass clarinet & flute, Brad Jones on bass and Derrek Phillips on drums. Brad Jones is amongst the most in-demand bassists from the downtown network, having worked with an immense amount of great musicians from Muhal Richard Abrams to the Jazz Passengers to Dave Douglas to Marc Ribot. This is his second release as a leader and it is quite a fine quartet date. Brad wrote all but three of eight pieces with well chosen covers by Monk and Ornette. "The Higher Nile" has one of those great, slippery bass lines with a difficult, pulsating rhythmic scheme. Young (?) drum wiz Derrek Phillips recently toured with Dave Douglas and sounds phenomenal here, playing effortlessly through layers of intricate changes. Both saxists play great shorts solos, bouncing their ideas back and forth.
The title track is a laid back, sly blues tune which has Brad taking the first fine solo, both saxists also inspired solos as well. "The Bitching Hour" is another difficult piece with a joyous groove and both the bass clarinet and tenor sax swirling together over the constant shifting rhythms. Brad's bowed and plucked bass is featured on "Those Not Forgotten" as the central pulsating force. Monk's rarely heard "Shuffle Boil" has Brad taking the lead with that quirky theme, interesting to hear a bass at the center of a difficult Monk tune. I dig the way "Black History Month" splits the quartet into two interconnected parts which also moves between two themes and has some fine bass clarinet from Bob and an inspired bass solo towards the end. Ornette's "All of My Life" is a haunting ballad featuring flute and clarinet with Brad's bass humming preciously at the bottom. "Chaha" closes this strong release with another explosive, quick swinging tour-de-force which burns intensely in the first half and finally calms down for a sublime conclusion. All in all, a great offering from a fine bassist and composer.
CD release for $14.
PAUL DUNMALL/PAUL ROGERS/KEVIN NORTON - Rylickolum: For Your Pleasure (CIMP 289) Our favorite British avant-jazz duo (the Pauls) are half of (Keith Tippett's) Mujician and did their second domestic east coast tour in May of this year with downtown percussion hero Kevin Norton. We caught them at the Knit's Old Office, before they headed up north to the CIMP Spirit Room Studio, and were blown away by both sets at the Knit. This is their first date for CIMP and Mr. Dunmall plays soprano & tenor saxes (no bagpipes), Mr. Rogers plays his custom made 6 string A.L.L. bass and Kevin plays percussion & vibes. The three long pieces that make up this great cd evolve organically through sections, densities and textures. The title track shows the trio's true connection of that special spirit/force with soprano/bass/drums & percussion quietly sailing and then soaring in perfect balance, a rich tapestry is created. They take their time to build to some frenzied sections always flowing as one. "Villaka" begins with Kevin's spiraling vibes setting a cautious dream-like haze as Dunmall's warm-toned tenor weaves lines in simpatico with the vibes. When Rogers finally enters, his swirling bass pushes the energy higher and higher, as the sparks fly and the trio swing hard in the slow burning mode. The half-hour plus "Indokeluka" opens with Rogers' incredible and ever distinctive bowed bass sounds blending well with Kevin's mysterious vibes and Dunmall's luscious tenor. It does sound as if this trio has been on tour for a bit as they work so well together. The trio slowly builds through different dreamscapes, always listening, responding and connecting and occasionally erupting as they navigate the strong currents that take us along for their dynamic magic carpet ride.
CD only release for $14.
TOM ABBS & FREQUENCY RESPONSE - conscription (CIMP 288) Featuring Brian Settles on tenor sax & flute, Okkyung Lee on cello, Tom Abbs on bass & tuba and Chad Taylor on drums. Last night at the Zorn fest, we had the opportunity to witness the ever-amazing Okkyung Lee play some daredevil cello on "Hockey" with Zorn on duck calls and Jim Pugliese on percussion, an immensely challenging piece of rapid fire mostly single note insanity, as well as playing in Zorn's even stranger game piece, "Bezique". Okkyung moved to NYC just three years ago and has already become an important member of the growing downtown community, centered around Tonic. I am unfamiliar with reeds player Brian Settles and this is his recording debut, but drummer Chad Taylor has played our store before, plays in Chicago Underground and has become an in-demand drummer since also moving here. Tom Abbs is a great double bassist, bandleader, composer and Jump Arts organizer and this is his 7th date for CIMP.
This fabulous cd starts with "Redundant Triangulation", which has Tom's bass pumping hard and quick as the sax and cello play that feisty theme. Brian and Okkyung make a great combination as the tenor sax and cello weave their buzzing lines together, the rhythm team also taking us in a roller coaster ride of adventure. This sounds like one of those great sixties ESP sessions where the out strings create a cushion underneath the soaring horns above.
Tom keeps the bass burning throughout, takes a strong solo and composed a dark and intriguing theme. Okkyung opens "Diametric Escalation" with her extraordinary out cello improvisations, soon Tom and her are bowing cosmically together, the spirits ascend as the sax also floats above the strings. The title track has an infectious groove and memorable theme, which features Chad on vibes and drums simultaneously and is also reminiscent of those fine late sixties avant-jazz groove tunes. "Turbulence" is an aptly titled freer piece with great swirling sax, buzzing strings and hypnotic mallets. "Dichotomy" is a superb string duet for Okkyung and Tom and they bow up quite a frenzy and create a powerful buzzing experience. It is often Tom's powerful pumping bass which pushes his quartet hard, burning at the center of the storm-force that makes this quartet a consistently intense experience.
CD only release for $14.
JEMEEL MOONDOC TENTET/JUS GREW ORCHESTRA - Live at the Vision Festival (Ayler Records 047) Featuring Jemeel, Zane Massey & Michael Marcus on saxes, Roy Campbell & Nathan Breedlove on trumpets, Steve Swell & Tyrone Hill on trombones, Bern Nix on guitar, John Voigt on bass and Gerald Cleaver on drums. Jemeel Moondoc's mighty Jus Grew Orchestra have been around since the loft days of the seventies and continue to work on rare occasion, there is an Eremite cd from a couple of years back.
This feisty gem was recorded at the Sixth Annual Vision Fest on June 1st of 2001 and released earlier this year. Jemeel conducts and also plays his trusty alto sax. So good to hear the great Bern Nix playing his distinctive harmelodic jazz guitar underneath the focused forces of this tight, burnin' all-star small/big band. Everyone gets a chance to take a great solo as the band erupts in tight waves around them. Sometimes two players will solo at the same time and push each other higher and higher as Steve Swell and Roy Campbell do on "Opulent Continuum". There is an unexpected funky blues segment in the middle of the first piece which adds some fine earthy vibes to this sprawling piece. 46 minutes of pure cosmic bliss from the fabulous Jus Grew Orchestra righteously recorded by our old pal Alen Hadzi-Stefanov.
CD only release for $15.
ZU - igneo (Amanita/Zuma 1) Zu are an extraordinary Italian avant/jazz/prog/punk trio, who recently toured the US for the second time. They've collaborated with Eugene Chadbourne on disc and here utilize the talents of three of Chicago's finest: saxist Ken Vandermark, trombonist Jeb Bishop and cellist Fred Longberg-Holm. Zu's personnel features Luca Tommaso Mai on bari & alto saxes, Massimo Pupillo on bass and Jacopo Battaglia on drums. Recorded in a Chicago studio by Steve Albini and dedicated to The Ex, their sound is extremely intense and over the top. The trio explodes right from the start with an ultra tight blast of sax, el bass and drums in your face!
Zu write tight well-written tunes and which sound somewhat similar to The Ex but with more of a jazz/post-punk edge and no vocals. Soloing is kept to a minimum, as they specialize in quirky, ever-changing mini-epics. The rhythm team has that great Minutemen-like focused power and their saxist plays some great, blasting bari sax growling insanity. Their el. bassist also like to whip out some fuzz-bass spice at times, but most often plays their complex music with great intricate relish. Nice to here three of Chicago's best playing some great, thorny post-punk tunes with such great intensity, certainly different from their jazzier side. Not for the squeamish, by any means, like an electric enema. Zu left us with a half dozen of these when they came to visit us this week, so grab it now_
Self-produced Italian import CD only release for $15.
AVRAM FEFER QUARTET - Shades of the Muse (CIMP 286) This is Avram's third great date for the CIMP/Cadence labels and it features Avram on tenor & soprano saxes & clarinets, Tomas Ulrich on cello, Ken Filiano on contrabass and Jay Rosen on drums. Reeds hero Avram Fefer has been an integral part of the downtown community for the past few years, working in a variety of different contexts: a duo with Bobby Few, his own trio has a couple of fine cds before this.
For his first quartet date he has gathered three other strong players, each of whom plays in numerous bands, way too many to mention here. "Shepp in Wolves' Clothing" is named after Archie Shepp, who Avram played with when living in Paris. While the cello, bass and drums play the hypnotic somber groove/theme, both Tomas on cello and Avram on tenor sax take strong solos, the rhythm team also play gracefully throughout with long, flowing lines. "Love Crept In (Again)" is a delicate piece for hushed clarinet and reminds me of Jimmy Guiffre's more wistful wanderings with a sad and lovely bass solo from Ken. The "Gates of Bagdad" is a freer piece filled with suspense and a skeletal structure. The bass clarinet and cello weave dark, floating ghost-like drones over the cautious, minimal percussion which ascends through denser sections. "Oblique Departures" has Avram playing his clarinet more aggressively and a spirited cello solo is unleashed. "Brother Ibrahim" features a great uptempo, dancing bass-line, which inspires Avram to take a joyous and uplifting tenor solo over that grand Afropop (like) groove while Tomas continues that great vibe with a lovely, lyrical cello. This yet another strong offering from Avram Fefer's great quartet.
CD only release for $14.
LUTHER THOMAS QUARTET - leave it to luther (CIMP 287) Featuring Luther Thomas on alto sax, Ethan Mann on guitar, Brian Smith on bass and Cliff Barbaro on drums. Former St. Louis sax legend Luther Thomas has been living in Denmark for the past five years and rarely comes to NY to play, seemingly having disappeared from our scene. He has recorded three other fine cds for the CIMP label since moving there and has put together another strong quartet offering with two veterans, as well as the up and coming jazz guitarist Ethan Mann. I remember bassist Brian Smith from his days of playing with fellow AACM players - Roscoe Mitchell and Muhal Richard Abrams and drummer Cliff Barbaro from his work with John Hicks and Charles Tolliver, although I haven't heard from either of these two in many years. The title track, which opens, is long and slow burning and has the sax and guitar freely spinning intensely as they are pushed higher by the solid sailing rhythm team. The quartet do strong renditions of standards like "Body and Soul", "Groovin' High" and Monk's "'Round Midnight", as well as three covers by Hugh Steinmetz. They don't really take these bop standards very far out, but still play them with intense fire, both Luther and Ethan soloing passionately. Although "Luther's Theme" begins at a slow pace, the sax and guitar soon start spinning their lines together at a furious rate, more and more quickly, before they slow back down and then speed up again. "Nova Zembla" also follows a similar scheme of starting slowly and taking off for the freer, faster terrain in the mid-section with some really explosive out sax from Luther. Overall, this is a well balanced session with some inspired straight ahead tunes and strong soloing throughout.
CD only release for $14.
MATT DAVIS/PHIL DURRANT/MARK WASTELL - Open (Erstwhile 32) Our favorite local electronic/improv label returns with two more treasures from our European brethren. Matt Davis is an unfamiliar name to me, but here plays electronics, trumpet and field recordings. Phil Durrant here plays synth and treatments and you may recall him from collaborations with Radu Malfatti & Thomas Lehn or with John Butcher & Phil Minton. Mark Wastell usually plays (or manipulates his) cello in a most distinctive way, works with the IST trio w/ Simon Fell & Rhodri Davies, runs a hip record store in north London and played at Tonic during last year's Company Fest.
On 'Open' Mark actually plays amplified textures only. Superbly recorded and produced, this trio deals with mainly electronic sounds, magnified textures and select samples. Static, amplifier hum and mutating sonic effluvia are placed under the microscope for further study as scenery or story unfolds. A small crack in the cosmic egg of life reveals a quietly pulsating series of sonic fragments. Sinister high end crickets and short drones shimmer and mesmerize those who listen closely. Is this music and does it really even matter? Just as long as the sounds within a re fascinating to consider.
CD only release for $13.
MARTIN SIEWERT/MARTIN BRANDLMAYR - Too Beautiful to Burn (Erstwhile 031) Siewert plays guitars, lap steel, electronics and synth while Brandlmayr plays drums, percussion and vibes. Both of these fellows are in a trio called Trapist that had a spooky ambient/roots/space cd out on Hatology earlier this year. Another exquisitely produced collection of radiant textures that glow, hum, resonate and shimmer with mesmerizing results. Certainly a bit more melodic and occasionally soothing than the other sinister sounds which are most often found on Erstwhile discs. Siewert seems to evoke the spirits of earthly delights with well placed guitar fragments as Brandlmayr uses percussion as minimal and evocative punctuation. Occasionally they land in the Erstwhile land of gentle alienation, but never for very long.
Every sound is well crafted and well placed and most often filled with stunning suspense. The next logical step for the Martins is to collaborate Ami Yoshida and do an album of ambient/folk/rock from another planet. No doubt that Bjork will be contacting them for her next project. Superb, sublime and only found on Erstwhile.
CD only release for $13.
ACID MOTHER TEMPLE - Soul Collective Tour 2003 (Eclipse Records/AMT 010) Features one track each by Makoto Kawabata on improvised electric guitar, the Pardons and Tsurubami w/ Kawabata on guitar, Higashi Hiroshi on bass and Emi Nobuku on drums. 56 minutes long and in a limited edition of 1000 copies only.
CD only release for $18.
ERNESTO DIAZ-INFANTE and MATT HANNAFIN - All the States Between (Pax Recordings 90262) Although bay area based Ernesto is most often known to play guitar and piano, here he plays cheap electronics, turntable, broken cd player, violin and other assorted stuff. He then sent his tracks through the mail to our good pal Matt Hannafin who plays exotic percussion, so that Matt could add his sounds to the mix. What we now get is two long tracks of mutated low-tech electronics and samples with lots of weird acoustic percussion.
The two long pieces here (47 & 31 minutes) slowly evolve as the mutant electronics and samples blend with Matt's array of eerie percussion, rubbed, banged and manipulated in different ways. At about 77 minutes, this is a bit too long, but there are a number of fascinating moments. Perhaps not extreme enough for fans of Voice Crack, but certainly worth a listen.
CD release for $12.
BLAISE SIWULA & ADAM LANE - Tandem Rivers (Cadence 1157) Blaise plays alto & soprano saxes is one of the true troopers downtown underground network of improvisers that has been around for many years, often working in obscurity and playing with William Hooker. Adam Lane is an excellent bassist and composer who moved to town more recently and has been playing with just about everybody. Adam leads an all-star quartet with John Tchicai, Paul Smoker and Barry Altschul and is one of the most ambitious and promising players we now have in NY. This live set was recorded in Three Jewels (Buddhist coffee shop) next door to our old location on 5th Street. This was Adam's first fully improvised recording and it has a nice organic free-flowing quality. Blaise has an enchanting, somber, playful and warm tone on his soprano sax which is featured on the opener, "Opal".
At times, Blaise reminds me of the great, enigmatic soprano stylist - Lol Coxhill. Adam is also a strong, solid and melodic partner on his double bass, always providing a graceful pulse and perfect support/cushion. When the two get warmed up, they really take off, with Blaise spiraling layers of lines and Adam bowing with equally hypnotic results. This music seems to be aptly placed in a Buddhist hangout, since there is an exquisitely calm center with no screaming sax or overly intense vibrations. A soothing gem from two strong spirits not afraid to lay back a bit.
CD only release for $14.
STEVE EARLE & THE DUKES - Just An American Boy [2 CD set] (E-Squared 51256) Pretty fucking cool double cd live set from my man Steve Earle, great songwriter/singer, controversial figure, former jailbird and drug addict - now one of our finest rock/folk/country heroes. Way better than Springsteen and just as sincere/passionate.
2 CD set for $23.
RESTOCKS, REISSUES & HISTORIC RECORDINGS FOR SEPTEMBER 26:
SAINKO with DJIVAN GASPARYAN - Naked Spirit (Amiata 2298) Mongolian vocalist extraordinaire Sainko Namchylak is in a league of her own and remains one of enigmatic and incredible of all singers. She is an amazing improviser and has worked with Evan Parker, Peter Kowald, Ned Rothenberg and the Moscow Composers Orchestra. Each of her dozen or so recordings are outstanding and completely unique, but only half are readily available. 'Naked Spirit' came out in 1998 and disappeared within a year, it is a highly sought after gem. It was recorded in Italy and featuring the haunting duduk playing of Eastern European virtuoso Djivan Gasparyan.
(see below for more discs featuring Djivan)
Finally reissued again on CD for $16.
ALBERT MANGELSDORFF - And His Friends (MPS 73752) Featuring stellar duets with [variously] Don Cherry on trumpet, Lee Konitz on alto sax, Attila Zoller on guitar, Mangelsdorff on trombone, Karl Berger on vibes, Wolfgang Dauner on piano and Elvin Jones on drums. Long lost classic and early meeting of European and domestic modern jazz giants featuring the amazing and often under-recognized guitarist Attila Zoller.
CD only import release for $14.
EDDIE GALE - Black Rhythm Happening (Water 188-CD) 'Black Rhythm Happening' (the second Blue Note album by Eddie Gale) was released in 1969 and includes jazz heavy weight Elvin Jones on drums and sax man Jimmy Lyons. Again the mix is a blend of soul jazz, free form freak outs and a gospel influenced street choir. Suggested listening for fans of Sun Ra, Brother Ah, John Coltrane's late 60's efforts, Ornette Coleman and Albert Ayler's more groove oriented recordings. The original vinyl LPs go for big bucks on Ebay, this is the first time this Blue Note album has ever been reissued.
CD reissue now available for $15.
GIORGIO GASLINI - L'Integrale Antologia Cronologica {No. 3 & No.4} [2 CD set] (Soul Note 121352/3) Featuring Don Cherry on pocket trumpet, Steve Lacy, Gato Barbieri & Gianni Bedori on saxes, Enrico Rava on trumpet, Gaslini on piano, Kent Carter & J.F. Jenny-Clark on basses and Aldo Romano & Franco Tonani on drums. This features four different groups/sessions from 1964-1968 with varying personnel, the above all-star unit is only one from Ō66-'68.
I caught the Giorgio Gaslini Quintet at the Public Theatre in the mid-seventies and was knocked out by their superb performance. I continue to collect any and all releases by their fine pianist & leader Gaslini and have always been blown away by all those records. I just discovered these two historic double cds on Soul Note from Gaslini's long career, the first runs from 1948-1964. I am slowly working my way through the second double CD and am consistently blown away by the fine cast of Italy's wealth of creative jazz spirits.
The thirty minute "New Feelings Suite" features the above mentioned 11 piece all-star international (US/Italian/Brazilian) ensemble and is an engaging work. The writing and playing move through a maze of shifting sections, with great solos from each horn and Giorgio's occasionally Monk-like piano playing. Giorgio's composing is intriguing throughout and from leading an Italian 11 piece ensemble in 1964 & '65 through his fine Italian quartet in 1965 & '68, the playing and composing remain excellent throughout. Possible review of the earlier CD [Vol 1&2] set next week.
2 CD set Italian import for $30.
ORNETTE COLEMAN - In All Languages (Harmolodic/Verve) This 2nd CD edition has been effectively out-of-print for almost 3 years now, we just got lucky and found less than 10 copies at a small mid-west distributor.
Originally a double album on the Fort Worth CARAVAN OF DREAMS label in '86, the first LP was the original '60s acoustic quartet of Coleman, Don Cherry, and Billy Higgins performing new compositions. Absolutely Stellar!!!
The 2nd LP was Ornette's current electric group Prime Time [w/ J Tacuma, B Nix, C Ellerbee, A McDowell, and D Coleman] performing many of those compositions their way!!
All the material from the double LP is included unedited on this single CD.
[BTW - I was at the Town Hall show with both bands performing, sitting next to Vernon Reid. When the quartet finished the second set, they literally had to scrape what was left of us off the seat, and everyone else in the house, too. Possibly my #1 concert experience ever - certainly in the top 5!!! - MannyLunch]
Highest Recommendation!!!
Out Of Print CD for $20
FAMILY - Live (Mystic 176) This is the first ever official full length Family live recording from the winter of 1971 featuring the classic line-up of Roger Chapman (a/k/a the electric goat) on lead vocals, Charlie Whitney on lead guitar, Poli Palmer on keyboards, vibes & flute, John Wetton on bass & vocals and Rob Townsend on drums. Roger Chapman had a completely unique and strange voice and was a lunatic/complete showman on stage. This later live set captures Family at the height of their creative powers. One of the greatest and quirkiest sixties bands of all time. 56 minutes long.
CD only release for $15.
MATCHING MOLE - Little Red Record (Sony UK 471488) The is the amazing second offering by Robert Wyatt's superb post-Soft Machine prog/jazz/rock quartet featuring Phil Miller on lead guitar, Dave McRae on keyboards, Bill MacCormick on el. bass and Robert Wyatt on lead vocals and drums. Produced by Robert Fripp and with a guest appearance by Eno on synth. A true quirky Canterbury classic disc with such fab songs like the poignant "God Song" and "Starting in the Middle of the Day, We Can Drink Our Politics Away". If you don't already own this, well, what are you waiting for?!? If you do own both Matching Mole releases, you still need those two great live discs on the wonderful Cuneiform label. Consistently going in and out of print, you should grab one of the dozen of these we got!
CD for the lowdown price of $13.
SONNY SIMMONS - Solo Out into the Andromeda [Ltd. 2 CD set ed](Parallactic 51) Brandon Evans, who runs Parallactic, just made an extremely limited edition (only 25 copies!!!) double-CD version of this recent classic solo alto sax performance by free-jazz ESP sax legend Sonny Simmons. Includes an unreleased full length second cd live set from Sonny. Brandon sold us his last ten copies, so that is all we have.
Very limited edition 2 CD set for $20.
TIM BERNE - Fractured Fairy Tales (W&W/JMT 919030) Featuring Herb Robertson on trumpets, Mark Feldman on violin, Hank Roberts on cello, Mark Dresser on contrabass, Joey Baron on drums and Tim Berne on alto & baritone saxes. Tim's first great JMT release as a leader!!
CD only reissue release for $15.
TIM BERNE'S CAOS TOTALE - Pace Yourself (W&W/JMT 919040) Featuring Marc Ducret on guitars, Tim Berne on saxes, Herb Robertson on trumpets, Steve Swell on trombone, Mark Dresser on bass and Bobby Previte on drums. Another winner from the great Tim Berne gang!!
CD only reissue release for $15 (in stock next week)
THELONIUS MONK - In Paris/Live at the Olympia [2 CD set] (Hyena 9316) The first disc is 'Live at the Olympia In Paris' was recorded on March 7th of 1965 and features Monk at the piano, Charlie Rouse on tenor sax, Larry Gales on bass and Ben Riley on drums performing seven classic Monk gems. The second disc is a bonus DVD live in Oslo, Norway in April of 1966 and has the same personnel.
2 CD only set for $16
DR. JOHN - All by Hisself/Live at the Lone Star [2 CD set] (Hyena 9317) Extra special solo piano, vocals & stories from the legendary Dr. John live at the great Lone Star Cafˇ which don't exist no more. Recorded in December of 1986. The second cd is a bonus DVD from the same gig!
2 CD only set for $16.
BLODWYN PIG - The Basement Tapes (HUX 019) Led by the gifted guitarist Mick Abrahams who left Jethro Tull after their first album, they recorded two classic records of early jazz/rock/blues coolness. They were the first band I caught at the Fillmore East in 1969 and they blew me away. This great disc features previously unreleased Radio 1 sessions, live rarities from their heyday ('69-'74) and a couple of tracks from a 1996 reunion. Plus comprehensive liner notes and fancy pix.
CD only release for $15.
LOS NENA - self/titled (Nena Discos) Surprisingly great, extremely twisted and oddly diverse post-rock weirdness from this unknown Mexican quintet who include my old pal and former Knitting Factory soundman - Daniel Goldaracena and co-produced by Daniel and another former Knit sound engineer - James McLean. Tight, never ending twists and turns, post-punk, noise/rock, distorted & goofy vocals and tortured guitars - funky bass sections, deconstructed traditional sidetracks, drunken horns appear out of nowhere and short spoken word (radio?) samples. Their bizarre sense of humor makes them all the more endearing. As noisy and as distorted as this gets, Los Nena are relentlessly tight, stopping and starting on a dime, shifting through different sections/genres effortlessly. Ultra demented yet well placed guitar solos erupt through the din and show their craftiness. The cover looks just like a Winter & Winter expensive packaging deal, very strange. We just found a small box of these buried in our dusty psychedelic basement and have less than a dozen copies, so who knows how long they will last!?!
Highest Recommendation!!!
CD only release for one million pesos or $10.
THE MASTERS OF DECEIT - Hensley's Electric Jazz Band & Synthetic Symphonette (Vanguard 6522/Comet) The hidden jewel of early US prog released on the Vanguard label in 1969! The band was led by keyboardist Tom Hensley who whips up some fine organ, piano and clavinet playing in counterpoint to Steve Blum's guitar solos. The music bears some superficial similarities to Hatfield & The North (but obviously predates them) and Frank Zappa in that there is a quirky humor that permeates their jazz derived prog rock. Some of the vocals are drenched in reverb reminding me of early Pink Floyd. The standout is the 19 minute "Pieces/Together/Pieces". These guys must have gone down a ton at the Fillmore..."- Ken Golden.
A long out-of-print classic CD only for $12.
CASSANDRA WILSON - She Who Weeps (W&W/JMT 919041) Featuring Cassandra on vocals, Rod Williams on piano, Kevin Bruce Harris & Reggie Washington on basses and Mark Johnson on drums. Includes standards "Chelsea Bridge" and "Body and Soul". Superb!
CD only reissue release for $15 (in stock next week)
NEW ITEMS /JUST RELEASED RE-ISSUES of CLASSICS from THE VOICEPRINT LABELS GROUP!!!:
HARRY BECKETT QUINTET - Flare Up (Jazzprint 124; UK) Line-up: Harry Beckett - trumpet, flugelhorn John Surman - baritone and soprano saxes Mike Osborne - alto sax Alan Skidmore - tenor and soprano saxes Frank Ricotti - vibes and conga John Taylor - piano Chris Lawrence - bass guitar John Webb - drums. (Reviewed above)
CD $16
MUSIC FOR FILMS [V.A. With BRIAN ENO/MICHAEL BROOK/HAROLD BUDD/DANIEL LANOIS/ROGER ENO/LAARAJI/MISHA MAHLIN & LYDIA THEREMIN/JOHN PAUL JONES] - Music For Films III (All Saints 4; UK) Originally released on Eno's Opal label in the early '90s, this was the introduction to the label's forthcoming roster of artists. Aside for the theme to Opera, which was from an Italian soundtrack album, none of the cuts here has appeared elsewhere before or since, although a couple of the Eno tracks were included in the long out-of-print 'Instrumental' box. This collection was similarly OOP and a high ticket item on eBay until now.
Highly recommended!
CD $16
FAMILY - A Song For Me (Mystic 170; UK) This classic third album, which still tends to get overshadowed by its predecessors '..Doll's House' and 'Entertainment', is actually on par and should not be ingored by fans of those other ones! With founders Roger Chapman and John Whitney (who later formed Streetwalkers) and Robert Townsend, John Weider, and John Palmer. This new CD edition comes with two additional studio cuts and four bonus live cuts!
CD $16
FAMILY - Family Live (Mystic 176; UK) A rollicking kick-ass live album from early 1971(unlike the tired sounding live cuts on the US version of Anyway), with the line-up that would go on to record the studio albums Fearless and Bandstand: Roger Chapman, John "Charlie" Whitney, Poli Palmer, Rob Townsend, and John Wetton on bass (whose next gig would be '72-74 King Crimson). Possibly this is the rumored vinyl-only BBC release re-incarnated; we're not sure as no one we know has ever seen that! Recommended! (Reviewed above)
CD $16
DJIVAN GASPARIAN - I Will Not Be Sad In This World (All Saints 6; UK) Originally released in the Western Hemisphere on Eno's Opal label [Eno licensed it from it's Russian label Melodya) in the early '90s. Djivan is the undisputed master of the Duduk, an Armenian oboe, It is impossible to describe in words the soulful and sad nature of the heartbreakingly beautiful solos of traditional Armenian melodies to be heard here [one cut is a duo with Vachagan Avakian]; suffice it to say that no one who has heard this record has ever forgotten it - in the decade since the previous edition was out-of-print not a week has gone by without requests for it! Highly Recommended!
CD $16
DJIVAN GASPARIAN - Moon Shines At Night (All Saints 14; UK) Originally released on Eno's Opal label in the early '90s. Djivan is the undisputed master of the Duduk, an Armenian oboe sort of a cross between the orchestral oboe and the ney flute in sound; here he is produced by Michael Brook and accompanied by Levon Arshukuna, Vachagan Avakian, and E Oganesyan in recordings of modern day Eastern European standards recorded in sessions in both London and Tokyo
CD $16
JON HASSELL - City: Works Of Fiction (All Saints 11; UK) Originally released on Eno's Opal label in the early '90s, this is the last of his great electronically-modified-trumpet recordings [the follow up on Warner Bros, 'Bluescreen', was a much-too commercial nod to the club trends of the time, although it did close with a great unused cut from the City sessions]. His group here is Adam Rudolph on bass, Gregg Arreguin guitar, Jeff Rona kybds, and Daniel Schwartz bass. Mr Hassell has since abandoned electronics, in the wake of other's following his trail - like Nils Petter Molvaer - playing completely acoustic on recent recordings with Ry Cooder et al, demonstrating a mastery of tone, pitch and melody, that separates him from that pack of followers.
CD $16
IONA - Beyond These Shores (Open Sky 3; UK) Like their previous releases, and now to a greater degree, this Scottish band's influences - including jazz-fusion, prog-rock and ancient Christian themes - are quite challenging to listen to. With multi-layered instrumentation, forever changing moods, and lyrics that require constant attention, this music is not easily digested. For their 3rd release they have invited guest Robert Fripp on several tracks playing his Soundscape Guitar.
CD $16
IONA - Iona (Open Sky 1; UK) Though Iona is included with Enya and Clannad in the list of contemporary Celtic artists, the Scottish band's influences - including jazz-fusion, prog-rock and ancient Christian themes - are more varied. Named for an island off Scotland's western coast, the group was formed in the late '80s by vocalist Joanne Hogg and multi-instrumentalists David Fitzgerald and Dave Bainbridge. For Iona's 1990 self-titled debut album included further acquisitions: drummer Terl Bryant, bassist Nick Beggs and several studio musicians - Fiona Davidson (Celtic harp), Peter Whitfield (strings), Troy Donockley (Uillean pipes) and Frank Van Essen (tuned percussion).
CD $16
IONA - The Book Of Kells (Open Sky 2; UK) This is the second release by the Christian progressive rock band Iona. Like their first release, and now to a greater degree, Iona's music is quite challenging to listen to. With multi-layered instrumentation, forever changing moods, and lyrics that require constant attention, this music is not easily digested. And this 72-minute album, centered on The Book of Kells, necessitates a thorough listen if one desires to understand and appreciate its concept in total. There's plenty to keep one's interest too, like Joanne Hogg's angelic voice, David Bainbridge's skillful guitar work, or the hypnotic flutes, whistles, and Irish pipes.
CD $16
TOYAH WILCOX - Ophelia's Shadow (Vertical Species 2; UK) Originally released on EG records in 1991, Here Ms Wilcox is accompanied by a quartet that includes Robert Fripp, Trey Gunn,Tony Geballe, and Paul Beavis - the same quintet that performed and recorded as Sunday All Over The World [aka FrippFripp]. Very likely her best album...and most representative of all the varied styles of this chameleon-like singer songwriter! Keith Tippett makes an appearance, closing out the album with a lovely piano turn on the second half of the last cut.
CD $16
TOYAH WILCOX - Prostitute (Vertical Species 3; UK) Originally released on EG records in 1988, this is a completely different sound for Toyah. Accompanied only by multi-instrumentalist Steve Sydlnick, the duo produced - with the help of Tony Arnold - a Kate Bush like recording, only with a much colder feel. Recommended for fans of both artists! [also, the record starts and ends with hilarious short spoken word interplays between Ms Wilcox and then-new hubbie Robert Fripp, who also contributes the guitar riff on "Ghosts In The Universe"].
CD $16
AND ALSO RESTOCKS OF THESE PREVIOUS GREAT VOICEPRINT [And Associated Labels] TITLES :
PETER BLEGVAD - King Strut (Whatdisc 9; UK) When originally released in 1990 on Silvertone, King Strut was critically lauded as a masterful collection of articulate and insightful short stories set to music, or as Blegvad himself put it '...condensed narrative in rhymes...' Amongst the fantastic selection of musicians contributing are Andy Partridge (XTC), Peter Holsapple (REM), B.J. Cole (Verve), Syd Straw, Danny Thompson, Chris Stamey and Anton Fier.
CD $16
GRAHAM COLLIER - Charles River Fragments (Jazzprint 123; UK) Performed by The Jazz Ensemble which includes Art Themen, Chris Biscoe, Geoff Warren & Mark Lockheart on saxes; Henry Lowther, Steve Waterman & Patrick White on trumpets; Hugh Fraser & Bill Mee on trombones; Andy Grappy on tuba, Ed Speight on guitar, Pete Saberton on piano, Dudley Phillips on bass and John Marshall on drums. Our favorite British jazz composer returns once more with his 15th recording, released 1999. Brilliant!
CD $16
GRAHAM COLLIER & THE DANISH RADIO JAZZ ORCHESTRA - Winter Oranges (Jazzprint 126; UK) "New album from respected jazz composer Graham Collier, recorded live in November 2000 at the Copenhagen Jazz House with the Danish Radio Jazz Orchestra,
CD $16
GRAHAM COLLIER And THE COLLECTIVE - Bread And Circuses (Jazzprint 131; UK) "Recorded live in Perth, Australia, September 2001,with The Collective, a 15-piece co-operative of Western Australia's finest musical talent, Bread & Circuses and Oxford Palms are composer Graham Collier's attempts to develop his main concerns in jazz composition. That is the musicians using the written music as the basis for three distinct levels of improvisation a. solo b. textural (within the composition) and c. structural (outside the composition).
CD $16
ELTON DEAN/ALAN SKIDMORE With JOHN MARSHALL & CHRIS LAURENCE - El Skid (Voiceprint 230; UK) This is a long lost album of creative Brit-Jazz of the late 70's originally on Trevor Watts' small Vinyl label out of Germany which fans of the Canterbury Scene and Soft Machine have been waiting for. Elton Dean (Soft Machine and In Cahoots), Alan Skidmore, Chris Laurence and John Marshall ( Soft Machine) are the brilliant line up on this oft-referred-to treasure!
CD $16
DAGMAR KRAUSE - Tank Battles: The Songs of Hanns Eisler (Blueprint 318; UK) Helped with her desire to bring out an album of songs by the early 20th century German songwriter Eisler by Tom Waits expressed interest in the project, Waits' bassist and musical director Greg Cohen (Masada) arranged and produced this diverse group assemblage that included guest musicians Michael Blair, Danny Thompson, Alex Balenescu, John Tilbury and Lindsay Cooper and a large ensemble including accordion, marimba, banjo, woodwinds. This is a tour-de-force album for Dagmar, displaying the full breadth and depth of her uniquely emotional and compelling voice!
CD $16
MUJICIAN [KEITH TIPPETT/PAUL DUNMALL/TONY LEVIN/PAUL ROGERS] And THE GEORGIAN ENSEMBLE - The Bristol Concert (Whatdisc 7; UK) Recorded prior to the first of their 5 studio releases on the Cuneiform label, Mujician (Keith Tippett: piano, Paul Dunmall: saxes, Tony Levin: drums, Paul Rogers: double bass), formed in England in 1988 as an improvising collective, were involved, along with vocalist Julie Tippetts, in an experiment with 12 Georgian musicians in 1991 playing Keith's compositions for the Centipede and Ark big bands!. Highest recommendation!
CD $16
OVARY LODGE [KEITH TIPPETT/ROY BABBINGTON/FRANK PERRY] - Ovary Lodge (Whatdisc 4; UK) Along with Keith Tippett's "Blueprint" album which preceded it this is one of the spectacular all-time classics [1973] of spontaneous improv. The level of telepathy here between pianist Keith, bassist Roy Babbington (later Soft Machine) , and ultra-sensitive vibrationist [percussionist is the wrong word for] Frank Perry is stunning!
CD $16
HOWARD RILEY - Trisect (Jazzprint 116; UK) Originally one of three LPs in a 1980 Howard Riley box set 'Facets' on the Impetus label. This is Howard Riley solo, the great jazz piano genius/improviser/composer who blew minds previous to this with his CBS albums ('Angle' and 'The Day Will Come') of the early '70s.
CD $16
HOWARD RILEY/BARRY GUY/JOHN STEVENS - Organic (Jazzprint 116; UK) Originally one of three LPs in a 1980 Howard Riley box set 'Facets' on the Impetus label. This is a wonderful and powerful improv session between three giants: Riley on piano, Barry Guy on doublebass, and John Stevens. For those who love SME and all things "outbetween"!
CD $16
HOWARD RILEY/KEITH TIPPETT - First Encounter (Jazzprint 114; UK) Originally one of three LPs in a 1980 Howard Riley box set 'Facets' on the Impetus label. this new cd edition contains all of the concert which was only presented in edited form on LP. These two masters of piano improv jazz construct and destruct forms and motifs while surging forward, continually enlarging the foundation, and its incipient energy, upon which a new form rises till the very end!
CD $16
HOWARD RILEY/KEITH TIPPETT - In Focus (Jazzprint 111; UK) Originally an LP on the Affinity label, this is one continous improvisation in concert 6/13/84 at the Tramshed, Woolwich, London during the Greenwich Festival. Two master pianists with contrasting styles, both firmly rooted in the jazz and classical traditions, explore new terrain with one empathetic voice!
CD $16
SOFT MACHINE - Live 1970 (Blueprint 290; UK) Tracks 1 & 2 are from a performance on 2/14/1970 at the London School Of Economics with Lyn Dobson , Mike Ratledge, Hugh Hopper, and Robert Wyatt. The rest of the tracks on this CD formed the entirety of the previously released 'Live At The Proms' (Royal Albert Hall 8/13/70 with Elton Dean, Ratledge, Hopper and Wyatt) LP/CD on the Reckless label, though the starting cut "Out-Bloody-Rageous" has had its beginning edited here. But don't let that deter you from getting your hands on these absolutely great performances!
CD $16
SOFT MACHINE - Live At The Paradiso 1969 (Blueprint 193; UK) The truly phenomal and definitive document of Soft Machine at the time of their 2nd album! Recorded at the Paradiso in Amsterdam on 3/29/69. Robert Wyatt drumming and vocals, Hugh Hopper bass, and Mike Ratledge keyboards. Highly recommended!
CD $16
KEITH TIPPETT & PETER FAIRCLOUGH - Imago (Jazzprint 132; UK) The second great duo effort with our favorite pianist Tippett, and British drummer & percussionist, Peter Fairclough,.
CD $16
KEITH TIPPETT - Blueprint (La Cooka Racha 146; UK) The level of telepathy here between pianist Keith, bassist Roy Babbington, Julie Tippetts on voice /guitar/recorder, Keith Bailey percussion, and ultra-sensitive vibrationist [percussionist is the wrong word for] Frank Perry is stunning: you really can't believe that these are not written pieces...and you can't believe that it's purely acoustic either, so incredible and beautiful is the array of tapestry and texture on display here! And yet these disclaimers: "All music on this album is improvised" - Keith Tippett; "The sounds are acoustic - no electronics are involved " - producer Robert Fripp. Don't miss this!
CD $16
JULIE TIPPETTS - Shadow Puppeteer (La Cooka Ratcha 101; UK) 2000 release. Only the third album Julie has released under her own name in as many decades ('Sunset Glow' in 1976, and as Julie Driscoll - '1969', after leaving Brian Auger And The Trinity in '68), this was a true labor of love, three years in the making, with all voices and instruments (zithers, bells, chimes, allsorts) performed and recorded solely by herself in an 8 track studio.
CD $16
[ROBERT WYATT] V.A. - Soupsongs: The Music Of Robert Wyatt [2CD Set] (Jazzprint 101; UK) Featuring Julie Tippett, Annie Whitehead, Phil Manzanera, Didier Malherbe, Harry Beckett, George Khan, Ian Maidman, Steve Lamb, Janette Mason, and Liam Genockey. A briliantly conceived (by Ms Whitehead, who also arranged) two-night tribute to the arguably [hands down!] leading vocal and lyric genius of the entire Canterbury movement!
Songs (most of the vocals are by Julie Tippetts!) are taken from throughout his nearly three decade solo album career, though mainly from the classics 'Rockbottom' and 'Ruth Is Stranger Than Richard' . Mr Wyatt was present at these concerts and was visibly moved: an entire 2 sets (the whole show) of bravura performances are captured here in exquisite audio. Highly Recommended!!!
CD $20
AND FINALLY, SOME RESTOCKS OF TITLES ON THE GREAT HOME OF [Mostly] AMERICAN NEW JAZZ, THE SILKHEART LABEL OF SWEDEN!!!
ROB BROWN TRIO - Breath Rhyme (Silkheart 122; Sweden) Rob Brown alto saxophone William Parker bass Dennis Charles drums
CD $15
ANDREW CYRILLE/RICHARD TEITELBAUM DUO - Double Clutch (Silkheart 146; Sweden) Andrew Cyrille Ludwig drums, Zildijan cymbals, LP percussion instruments Richard Teitelbaum PolyMoog synthesizer, modified MicroMoog synthesizer, Zannini custom random generator, SYM-1 single board computer
CD $15
ETHNIC HERITAGE ENSEMBLE - Ancestral Song (Silkheart 108; Sweden) Kahil El'Zabar sansa, drums, earth drum, percussion, voice Edward Wilkerson tenor saxophone, clarinet, percussion Joseph Bowie trombone, marimba, percussion
CD $15
JOEL FUTTERMAN TRIO - Berlin Images (Silkheart 131; Sweden) Joel Futterman piano Raphˇ Malik trumpet Robert Adkins drums
CD $15
CHARLES GAYLE QUARTET - Raining Fire (Silkheart 137; Sweden) Charles Gayle tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, viola William Parker bass, cello, half-size violin Vattel Cherry bass, kalimba, bells Michael Wimberly drums
CD $15
CHARLES GAYLE QUARTET - Translations (Silkheart 134; Sweden) Charles Gayle tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, viola William Parker bass, cello, half-size violin Vattel Cherry bass, kalimba, bells Michael Wimberly drums
CD $15
CHARLES GAYLE TRIO - Homeless (Silkheart 116; Sweden) Charles Gayle tenor saxophone Sirone bass Dave Pleasant drums
CD $15
CHARLES GAYLE TRIO - Spirits Before (Silkheart 117; Sweden) Charles Gayle tenor saxophone Sirone bass Dave Pleasant drums
CD $15
DENNIS GONZALES NEW DALLAS QUARTET - Namesake (Silkheart 106; Sweden) Dennis Gonzalez trumpet, pocket-trumpet, fluegelhorn, pao de chuva, Pakistani bells, kalimba, vocal Ahmed Abdullah trumpet, fluegelhorn, balafon Charles Brackeen tenor sax, conga Douglas Ewart alto sax, bass clarinet Malachi Favors bass, vocal Alvin Fielder drums, percussion
CD $15
DENNIS GONZALES NEW DALLAS QUARTET - Stefan (Silkheart 101; Sweden) Dennis Gonzalez trumpet, fluegelhorn, berimbau John Purcell bass clarinet, alto sax, flute Henry Franklin bass Malachi Favors bass W.A. Richardson drums
CD $15
STEVE LACY SEXTET - The Gleam (Silkheart 102; Sweden) Steve Lacy soprano saxophone Steve Potts alto & soprano saxophone Ir¸ne Aebi vocals, violin Bobby Few piano Jean-Jacques Avenel bass Oliver Johnson drums
CD $15
BOOKER T. TRIO - Go Tell It on the Mountain (Silkheart 114; Sweden) Booker T. tenor sax, alto sax Saheb Sarbib bass
CD $15
The search page is here
SHORT LIST OF RECOMMENDED SHOWS FOR THE UPCOMING WEEK: At THE HOOK, 18 Commerce Street, Brooklyn, NY Saturday 9/27:
BURNT SUGAR: THE ARKESTRA CHAMBER at 11 PM
with openers SHRINE FOR THE BLACK MADONNA at 9:30 PM
$8.00 for the entire evening!
At The CBGB's LOUNGE, 313 Bowery, NYC (One admission - $10 - for the entire evening!):
Sunday September 28th
FREESTYLE EVENTS: HARDCORE JAZZ & AVANT MUSICS - SUNDAY SERIES
7pm - hanuman ensemble: andy haas, don fiorino, matt heyner, mia theodoratus, david gould, dee pop
8pm - esther noh, louie belogenis, adam lane, lou grassi
9pm - tony malaby, mike sarin, tom rainey, drew gress
You can see the entire LIST OF WHO'S PLAYING/PLAYED AT EACH NIGHT'S SHOWS FOR THE ZORN 50TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION at Tonic, 107 Norfolk St, NYC,
by going to: ZORN schedule
Meanwhile this is the upcoming Tonic Schedule:
--Fri, Sep 26 and Sat, Sep 27--
* John Zorn's Electric Masada at 8pm, $25 per set, $20 in advance per set
John Zorn (alto sax), Marc Ribot (guitar), John Medeski(organ), Cyro Baptista (percussion), Kenny Wollesen (drums), Jamie Saft (keyboards/lap-steel guitar) & Trevor Dunn (bass). The powerhouse fusion version of Zorn's beloved Masada!
ALSO
--Fri, Sep 26--
* Jim O'Rourke at Midnight
--Sat, Sep 27--
* Mephista: Sylvie Courvoisier, Ikue Mori & Susie Ibarra at Midnight,
Three of downtown's most dynamic performers join forces to form Mephista (Tzadik/Oracles)-one of the first all women supergroups (Ibarra, Courvoisier and Mori). Separately these three have worked with some of the most important musicians in new music (Derek Bailey, Wadada Leo Smith, Pauline Oliveros, William Parker, John Zorn, Fred Frith, Mike Patton, Dave Douglas, etc.)- together they have created a whole new kind of music spanning the worlds of rock, classical, jazz and electronica.
--Sun, Sep 28--
* John Zorn's Goetia/ Necronomicon (world premiere) at 8pm, $15
With Jennifer Choi, Jesse Mills, Richard O'Neill, Fred Sherry
--Mon, Sep 29--
* Derek Bailey & John Zorn at 8pm, $15,
* Derek Bailey, Ikue Mori & John Zorn at 10pm, $15
--Tue, Sep 30--
* John Zorn's FilmWorks V.10 & V.14:
In The Mirror Of Maya Deren/Hiding And Seeking at 8pm, $15
With Marc Ribot, Erik Friedlander, Jamie Saft, Trevor Dunn, Cyro Baptista, Kenny Wollesen, Ganda Suthivarakom; JZ piano and conductor
* John Zorn's FilmWorks V.11 & V.13:
Secret Lives/Invitation To A Suicide at 10pm, $15
With Mark Feldman, Erik Friedlander, Greg Cohen, Ganda Suthivarakom; (Secret Lives) and Rob Burger, Marc Ribot, Cyro Baptista, Kenny Wollesen, Trevor Dunn; (Hiding And Seeking) JZ conducting
--Wed, Oct 1st--
Phill Niblock's 70th Birthday 8 PM
--Tue,Oct 2nd--
8pm Aki Onda's Cassette Memories 8 PM
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