342 Bowery, New York, NY 10012-2408
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Email: dmg@downtownmusicgallery.com
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ANOTHER BIG WEEK w/ JEWELS from EYVIND KANG, MATT SHIPP, VIJAY IYER,
FRED ANDERSON, JEMEEL, DON MOYE, FOUR from LEO, the RETURN of HOPPY
K. and much more!!
But first, some important notes:
ROBERT WYATT will do an hour long taped interview on DAVID GARLAND'S Spinning on Air radio show tonight on WNYC-FM 93.9 which airs from 9 to 11pm!! Don't miss it!
AND, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO BLINKED, WE EMAILED EVERYONE WITH THE
NEW EMANEM, PSI, & HOPSCOTCH (3 out of 4 Finally In!!!) RELEASES YESTERDAY,
ALONG WITH A LIST OF 31 GREAT HAT ART/OLOGY TITLES ON SALE FOR BELOW WHOLESALE!!!
AND NOW for THIRTY REVIEWS of THOSE WEEKLY TREASURES TO PONDER!
EYVIND KANG - Virginal Co Ordinates (Dischi di Angelica 016) Featuring Playground, a 16 piece Italian chamber ensemble, plus Michael White (Fourth Way) on violin, Tim Young (Zony Mash) on guitar, Mike Patton (Fantomas, etc.) on voice & electronics, Eyvind on violin and Tucker Martine & Evan Schiller doing processing, mixing and editing. This is the ever enigmatic and mysterious Eyvind Kang's dream project and it is the most mesmerizing dreamscape I've heard so far this year. Although it was recorded live at the Angelica International Festival in the summer of 2000, it has been wonderfully produced with a seamless flow and careful touch. What this reminds me most of is some of those quieter magical tunes from those early Eno records like 'Another Green World' or 'Before & After Science'. Floating, droning strings, woodwinds and percussion with enchanting voices and mystical lyrics. There is a calm spirit which pervades this mainly acoustic and somewhat minimal offering which unfolds very slowly and gently builds through elegant layers with rich, melancholy melodies. An incredible sublime and delicate 73 minute journey that you just don't want to end. Completely luscious.
Italian import CD for $18.
MATTHEW SHIPP - The Sorcerer Sessions (Thirsty Ear 57141) Featuring Matt on piano & synth, Evan Ziporyn on clarinets, Daniel B. Roumain on violin, Flam on synth & programming, William Parker on bass and Gerald Cleaver on drums. Matt's amazing Blue Series continuum has been even more prolific recently as they close in on the 20th release. The series has continually evolved from the out/jazz of downtown's finest through funky, ambient and techno influences with the help of Spring Heel Jack, DJ's Spooky & Wally, Good & Evil, as well as being an outlet for Tim Berne, Mat Maneri and David S. Ware. Matt refers to this, 'The Sorcerer Sessions', as his classical/ambient effort. "Pulsar" sounds different from anything we've heard from Matt so far, it is dark, hypnotic trio of clarinet, violin and piano, somewhat melodic and quietly haunting. By '"Keystroke" is another trio of free and playful clarinet and piano with odd percussion samples used as fractured spice. Eerie, spacious samples set the mood for "Lightforms" with somber, dreamy piano and violin floating above. "Urban Shadows" is a feature for William's funky, pumping bass with strings and synth swirling all over. "X6" was composed by Mr. Roumain and features hypnotic layers of violins buzzing together in a delightful haze. Matt plays some dreamy, minimal harpsichord-like keyboard on "Fixed Point", which just paints a mellow mood. Matt plays little of his turbulent piano on this entire endeavor, mostly setting the mood and allowing the clarinet, violin, bass, synth and drums to weave their more restrained tapestry and create a variety of rich, autumnal colors.
CD release for $15.
VIJAY IYER & MIKE LADD - in what language? (Pi Recordings 09) Featuring Mike Ladd on voices, electronics & lyrics; Vijay on piano, keyboards & compositions; Latasha Diggs, Allison Easter Ajay Naidu on voices; Ambrose Akinmusire on trumpet; Rudresh Mahanthappa on alto sax; Dana Leong on cello, trombone & flugelhorn; Liberty Ellman on guitar; Stephan Crump on bass and Trevor Holder on drums. "In What Language?" refers to the unjust ordeal of a (pre-9/11) detained and incarcerated Iranian filmmaker at JFK airport in NY and a commentary on the plight of travelers worldwide ever since. An enclosed booklet contains of all the words involved, giving us a great deal to consider. "The Color of My Circumference I" is a moody, reflective piece with a hypnotic repeating piano phrase, Mike's words set the scene and provide questions to ponder. Are we just a catalogue of memories, a series of possessions or just some computer code of information? A drum n' bass groove speeds up our pulse as the words and observations flow more quickly. A bunch of different sly funk grooves hit one after the other and make us feel good, but (airport) makes us uneasy, nervous and fearful. I am reminded of Steve Reich's "Different Trains" with a continuous moving vibe at the center, like a train ride. The four voices take turn describing our journey and making observations about our trip. The music is filled with a continuous, yet evolving set of infectious grooves that seduce us as the words fill us with frustration, resignation and anger at authority figures, those who tell us what to do. Occasionally the mood lightens up a bit and the words/voices become more reflective, the music almost soothing. All in all, this is a provocative treasure chest of highly focused thoughts and sounds, giving us an example of what a successful modern day opera could be. If the word "opera" bothers you, forget that I mentioned it and dig this anyway.
CD release for $15.
VIJAY IYER [QUARTET] - blood sutra (Artists House 09) Featuring Vijay on piano & compositions, Rudresh Mahanthappa on alto sax, Stephan Crump on bass and Tyshawn Sorey on drums. My man Vijay is back with two new releases and both show two strong sides to what this local piano sensation can do. 'blood sutra' is Vijay's fourth fabulous release as a leader, excluding the Fieldworks cooperative trio and it is their debut on the newly revived and much respected Artist House label run by John Snyder. "Proximity" is a gorgeous, somber opening for the piano trio, a calm intro before the storm erupts. The quartet leaps into the aptly titled "Brute Facts" with resourceful power, the heavy currents swirling intensely. Rudresh sails high and wide with some of those Steve Coleman-like aggressive sparks, navigating the rapids that the rest Vijay's group provides. Vijay always does an amazing job of balancing a few inter-connected threads simultaneously. His left hand provides the ebb and flow and structure that bass and drums connect with as his right hand weaves lines around the snarling, spirited notes that Rudresh's alto sax spews forth. The quartet turn down the flame on the laid back, yet enchanting "When History Sleeps" which features some marvelous mallet work from Tyshawn and lovely, lyrical solo from Rudresh. Tyshawn is the new drummer in town to watch out for and recently was seen/heard playing in a Butch Morris conduction. "Questions of Agency" balances between a couple of different rhythm sections, from slow and pensive to building more quickly and intensely as it evolves. The tempo increases to the nearly impossible on "That Much Music", the quartet sounds as if they are on fire, just incredible. The one cover tune here is a solemn, gospelish version of "Hey Joe" (Hendrix version) with some exquisite and passionate soloing from the piano and alto. "Desiring" also brings things down to a somber, haunting and calm close. This is another wonderful effort from Vijay Iyer and his magnificent quartet.
5.1 H-SA CD release (playable on any CD player) for $16.
ZEENA PARKINS - $Shot [Lacey/Lauro/Parkins/Cornell] (self-produced) {CD comes in one of 3 packages: a designer airport pillow; a 12" square felt sheet with hidden red-lined pockets for inserts and CD (hmmmmm...); or a ceramic plate-like object - each has different printed material but the same CD} '$Shot' is a dance piece and installation, choreographed by Jennifer Lacey, (pillows) designed by Nadia Lauro, danced by Erin Cornell with the music composed and performed by the harpist supreme Zeena Parkins. Zeena has been on tour with pop-star Bjork for over a year and finally came down to DMG to provide us with a few of these highly limited edition CD&pillow or CD&feltsquare to sell. The packaging for the '$Shot' comes in three different designs, but I am just going to describe the one I have at hand. Can't say I've ever seen a cd/art object like this before!?! This is one of those blow-up rubber airport pillows that fits all of the way around one's neck, it is soft black with round pictures of the dance performance painted in shades of gray. Zeena plays tone generator, ring modulator, various synths, tambura and an odd variety of percussive objects, but no harp. '$Shot' deals more with carefully crafted textures and manipulated acoustic and electronics sounds. The rustling paper, plastic and other rubbed scraps with the calm suspense of subtle electronic blips, bleeps and whirs. A shimmering tambura drone with dreamy liquid samples is mesmerizing for a few moments. There is even a short drum n' bass detour which fits perfectly as well. Everything here flows most naturally and organically, nothing is too weird or alien sounding, yet this is still engaging and quite fascinating throughout. These unique CD/pillows or CD/FeltSquares [she will be bringing us the CD/Ceramic edition in the future but we don't stock it yet] come in a
limited edition of about 100, all signed by Zeena for $65 each
FOUR FABULOUS NEW RELEASES FROM THE GRAND LEO LABEL:
EVAN PARKER & SEPTEMBER STRINGS - Alder Brook (Leo 379) A remarkable recording launching collaboration between Evan Parker and September Winds, a group of four Swiss musicians playing wind instruments: Peter A. Schmid on bass & contrabass clarinet, contrabass saxophone, taragot; Hans Anliker on trombone; Jurg Solothurnmann on alto & soprano saxophones and Reto Senn on clarinet, bass clarinet & taragato. Evan Parker plays soprano and tenor saxophones, as well as a new instrument tubax developed by instrument builder Benedikt Eppelsheim. The recording is an incredible sonic adventure permeated with " profound sense of balance, the ferment and poise that both generate and sustain the music" (Stuart Broomer). Over 70 minutes long.
CD release for $15.
COLLECTIVE 4TET - Synopsis (Leo 380) Featuring William Parker on contrabass, Mark Hennen on piano, Jeff Hoyer on trombone and Heinz Geisser on percussion. This is the fourth cd by the wonderful Collective 4tet. As Ben Watson writes in his notes, the reviewers of the previous CDs all sound a bit stunned, as if it is slightly incredible that Free Jazz without genuflection to marketing tags Neo-Classicism, Post-Rock, Minimalism, World Music, Ambient, Noise, Ecstatic, Nordic Cool, Berlin Reductionism, New London Silence etc. etc can still sound so vigorous and coherent, open and passionate, so "Now". This music can be difficult to listen to, not because it's the sound of one man screeching in your face, but because it's replete with musical ideas and each member of the quartet is discussing them at the same time.
CD release for $15.
PAGO LIBRE - Phoenix - Live In Salzburg & Zurich (Leo 377) The third release by this super band recorded live at the end of their phenomenal tour of China. Featuring Tscho Theissing on violin, Arkady Shilkloper on horn, John Wolf Brennan on piano and Daniele Patumi on bass. The musicianship, drive and finesse of these four virtuosos is quite breathtaking. Their music is compositionally challenging and loose in feeling, loaded with multi-layered, complex textures, but possessing the "primitive" charm of folklore and "vulgar rhythms". Unmistakably serious in its intentions but executed with an obvious tongue-in-cheek attitude. Weather Report for the 21st century.
CD release for $15.
OLAF TON - self/titled (Leo 381) This is a classic piano-less jazz quintet from Berlin: trumpet, saxophones, trombone, bass and drums. However, there is very little "classical" about the music. The band plays exclusively original compositions mostly by the saxophonist Benjamin Weidekamp and the bass player Michael Haves. The compositions are inspired by the musicians' experience in different styles of music. They believe they achieved what they call a "transparent sound" that leaves each musician space to unfold musically. Definitely a band to watch. Review by yours truly next week.
CD release for $15.
FRED ANDERSON - Back at the Velvet Lounge (Delmark 549) Featuring the legendary Fred Anderson on tenor sax, Maurice Brown on trumpet, Jeff Parker on guitar, Harrison Bankhead & Tatsu Aoki on basses and Chad Taylor on drums. At 74, Fred Anderson is one of the few surviving elder statesmen of the out/jazz sax giants. He has managed the Velvet Lounge, a funky club in Chicago for more than twenty years, home to modern jazz and jamming. Fred has a long time trio with Hamid Drake and Tatsu Aoki, but here decided play with some younger cats, Jeff Parker & Chad Taylor work with the Chicago Underground, while newcomer Maurice Brown is only 22 and this is his recorded debut. Both bassists are two of Chicago's best, but only play basses together on one track. Right from the opening, "Fougeux", (French for impetuous), the quintet is burning intensely and sailing high, both Fred and Maurice taking colossal solos reaching higher and higher. On "Olivia", everyone slows down for a ballad, both bassists bubble underneath. Fred takes a fine richly toned old-style solo, caressing each note deliciously. "Job Market Blues" also keeps things simmering with Harrison on acoustic guitar and Jeff on electric both spinning a web together as Fred takes a fine slow burn solo building in intensity as the pulse increases. "Syene" is also a haunting, cerebral piece with both tenor sax and trumpet sailing in a melancholy haze around each other. "King Fish" is a sublime yet funky sort of tune, with a memorable repeating riff and more strong solos from Fred and Maurice. Nice to hear the usually on fire and freer terrain toned down for a mostly more reflective sojourn.
CD release for $14.
LIBERTY ELLMAN - Tactiles (Pi Recordings 08) Featuring Liberty on guitar, Mark Shim on tenor sax, Greg Osby on alto sax, Stephan Crump on acoustic bass and Eric Harland on drums. Liberty is one of the most promising guitarists to emerge from this scene in the past decade and can be heard playing his distinctive acoustic guitar in Threadgill's Zooid band. This is his second date as a leader and it is another great disc. Like Threadgill, Liberty writes tunes that defy easy categorization. "Excavation" opens with a restrained yet gnarly, harmelodic sort of riff that keeps the rhythm team on their toes as both Liberty and Mark take short, feisty solos. Liberty does a great job of writing challenging circular themes which keep the guitar and sax spinning in circles, interconnected with the tightly wound bass and drums. Both the guitar and sax take nifty solos which move in fragments, using space just right and always make perfect sense. Liberty has a rich, elegant tone which hovers between an acoustic and an electric jazz tone. There is also a clarity or purity here that makes these tunes sound effortless, although no doubt this is not the case. Many of these pieces do have a rather M-Base-like structure, especially when Greg Osby joins in on three of them. Even the excellent rhythm team appear to have that tight, spinning harmelodic web under their impressive control. A couple of the tunes are actually laid back and ballad-like and show exquisite taste with both the guitar and sax showing their delicate toned gifts. Another grand treasure from those fine folks at Pi Recordings.
CD release for $15.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS - titration (Delmark 547) Featuring Jemeel Moondoc on alto sax, David Boykin on tenor sax, Steve Swell on trombone, Rob Mazurek on cornet, Tom Abbs on bass, Avreeayl Ra on percussion and Chad Taylor on drums and compositions. Chicago Underground drum wiz Chad Taylor moved here last year and continued to work with his old associates in Chicago, as well as with a number of downtown players. Active Ingredients is his new projects which brings together members of both scenes and this is their debut. The opening tune is called "Song for Dyani" and it is named after the amazing South African bassist Johnny Dyani. It does have one of those jubilant, burning bass lines at the center that evokes Johnny's spirit perfectly. The three man rhythm team of Tom, Avreeayl and Chad spin furiously here as the horns each take inspired solos and back the soloist with frenzied riffs. "Velocity" begins freely both soon moves into slow, haunting charted territory. On "Slate", Chad's ultra quick spinning drums pushes all the horns to boiling point, they scream together joyously. "Modern Mythology" has another of those great, joyous and memorable repeating lines, Afro-pop like and infectious, yet the horns still get a chance to spew intensely on top of the groove. The title piece has the three man rhythm team weaving a busy web of free spirits with them horns sailing intensely on top, each taking marvelous slow burning solos which build to furious conclusions. The final piece, "Other People's Problems" is fueled by Chad's fine mallet work and Tom's eerie bowed bass, with some solemn horn harmonies floating on top, each taking thoughtful, well-paced solos. There is strong spiritual vibe at the center of this entire endeavor as everything flows together with well connected grace, passion and freedom.
CD release for $14.
FAMOUDOU DON MOYE SUN PERCUSSION SUMMIT - For Bobo/Oscar Brown III (AECO 2581) Featuring Don Moye on drums & percussion, Joel Brandon on flute & whistling, Ari Brown on sax, Herb Walker on guitar, Calvin Brunson on keyboards, Enoch Williamson, Meshach Silas, Selah Allen & Babu Atiba all on assorted percussion. This is the third release this year from Don Moye's Sun Percussion Summit. This one is perhaps the most accessible and features some fine funky grooves. Don's own "Oasis at Dusk" has an Afrobeat sorta groove with hypnotic flute and funky el. guitar and keyboard vamping. Both the el. guitar and soprano sax swirl their bluesy licks together towards the end. "Bald Head Gerald" has another fat, funky groove, churning horn section, more Afrobeat geetar picking and Fela-like sax solo. Get down! Meshach's "For Us" consists of layers of hypnotic, ebullient African percussion. Joseph Jarman's "Treibhaus Tribal Stomp" features some sly, snarling (Santana-like) lead guitar and an intense Latin groove. "No Time Left" starts with some slamming drums from Don Moye and burnin' tenor sax from Ari Brown, an incredible duet, tight and completely focused! 'For Bobo' concludes with a reggae-like version of a traditional gospel tune, "By the Rivers of Babylon", which feels like a righteous way to end this joyous groove fest.
Cardboard slim-case CD release for $14.
SCOTT ROSENBERG - Creative Orchestra Music Chicago 2001 (New World 80572) Young saxist and composer, Scott Rosenberg, is another one of those ambitious Braxton collaborators with some half dozen plus releases out under his own leadership. This is Scott's second orchestra release and I am only familiar with a few of the Chicago based players here: Jeb Bishop (trombone), Jason Roebke (bass), Jim Baker (keyboards) and Tim Daisy (drums). There are five long and provocative pieces on this challenging release. "Tehr" deals suspenseful textures which move through different transformations. Reeds, horns and strings weave a dense tapestry which gets quite dense at times. Completely fascinating and somewhat disconcerting as well. "Wash" is completely composed and consists of layers of hovering drones which make me feel that something bad is about to happen. "7X" and "with Sttm" combine two works and feature the swirling, fractured sonic architecture of floating voices, bits of noise guitar, fluttering horns, strange see-sawing strings, all at varying densities and occasionally erupting into frenzied moments. "Forgetting Song" has layers of different lines which shift and intersect, but seem connected by an underlying thread. Moments of quiet, fragile reflections emerge from the dense undertow and then submerge back into the morass. "Toys" splits the orchestra up into five discreet groups and many different sections and combinations interact, some playful, some "Ghost Trance" like and some nervous sounding quirky rhythmic material. There even moments when song-like segments arise. At 31, Scott Rosenberg is perhaps one of the youngest composers to have a release out on New World, showing how much has matured in a short amount of time.
CD release for $15.
PETER HERBERT - You're My Thrill (Between the Lines 032) Bassist & composer, Peter Herbert, presents a new work, the main part of which, "You're my Thrill", for jazz vocalist, jazz piano and nonet, is an homage to Billie Holiday. The life of the singer, legendary even in her lifetime and probably the one most important voice in jazz, was marked by professional triumphs and private fiascos. From the songs Herbert used, including 'Gloomy Sunday', 'Solitude' or 'Porgy', he only kept the text and intimations of the melody. The music for the Ensemble plus (a chamber orchestra of the Vorarlberg Symphony Orchestra) is Peter Herbert's own composition completely. The overwhelming result, for which UK singer Christine Tobin of course deserves her fair share of the credit, is acoustic chamber music based on songs interpreted by Billie Holiday. The title of the second part of the production is 'Communications Error' for nonet and tape. In New York, social distinctions are particularly pronounced. A homeless person: 'Would you have some change? Think of me as your son, Happy Mother's Day.' Hardly anyone takes notice, let alone gives some change. A 'subtle' communications error. A cry for help ignored. 'Communications Error' for nonet and tape is about feeling one's way towards possible nuances -- perhaps some sort of musicalreconciliation for hopelessly entangled human situations. The tape plays noises Peter Herbert recorded in the subway and in the streets of New York.
CD release for $16.
GIORGIO OCCHIPINTI - Histoire (Between the Lines 033) Composer/pianist Giorgio Occhipinti, who was born in Ragusa, Italy in 1969, considers the basis of his working technique, which he has dubbed 'organized chaos', to be a controlled collision of a variety of different sources of inspiration. His main source of inspiration is 20th century music, albeit refracted by the prismatic effect of his Italian or, more precisely, Sicilian origins. This special Mediterranean outlook on life informs his novel interpretation and evaluation of the music of the last century. Folk music, contemporary classics, jazz and rock, opera, marching music -- such diverse musical genres are usually deemed incompatible. From Occhipinti's highly personal perspective, however, such diametrically opposed facets can very well be combined in a kind of controlled chaos. In Occhipinti's composing process, tradition does by no means merely serve as a host of patterns released for reproduction or deconstruction. Mr. Occhipinti draws from its overall effects and considers it to be the foundation of his aesthetic design, which is unique in the European jazz and new music scene. Giorgio's Global Music Nonetto features: Sonia Slany (violin), Joanna Lewis (violin), Nico Ciricugno (viola), Tiziana Cavalieri (cello), Giuseppe Guarrella (double bass), Matteo Gallini (soprano, bass clarinet), Olivia Bignardi (soprano, bass clarinet), Antonio Moncada (drums, kettle drums) and Giorgio Occhipinti (piano, direction). - Borrowed press release.
CD release for $16.
MALACHI THOMPSON & AFRICA BRASS - Blue Jazz (Delmark 548) Featuring Gary Bartz & Billy Harper on saxes, Malachi Thompson & 4 other trumpeters, four trombones, Kirk Brown on piano & organ, Harrison Bankhead on bass and Leon Joyce, Jr. on drums. Former Sun Ra trumpet hero Malachi Thompson consistently makes strong and ambitious releases, this one being his 11th for the great Delmark label, currently celebrating its 50th year. 'Africa Brass' features Malachi's 14 piece jazz unit with special guest sax giants: Gary Bartz, Billy Harper and Ari Brown and consists of two suites. The 'Black Metropolis Suite' is first and features an endearing and uplifting straight ahead groove, with rich horn harmonies. The ever powerful Billy Harper gets a chance to burn through a few great solos and that is always a momentous occasion. The 'Blues for a Saint Called Suite' features the righteous, enchanting and gospelish vocals of Ms. Dee Alexander. Nice to hear some of those (old school) muted horns here making them train sounds. Wayne Shorter's great "Footprints" gets a fine, dreamy, Latin-ish rendition here, with a superb solo from Malachi. Although this is straighter than most discs I spend time with, the inner vibe here is a joyous one.
CD release for $14.
JOSH ABRAMS - Cipher (Delmark 546) Featuring Axel Dorner on trumpets, Guillermo Gregorio on clarinet & alto sax, Jeff Parker on guitar and Josh Abrams on guitar. This is certainly an unusual quartet with players from much different backgrounds. Josh is a fine acoustic bassist who has worked in The Roots, Town & Country, as well as in jazz bands. Axel Dorner is a completely unique trumpeter whose work goes from minimalist situations with John Butcher and those Erstwhile cats to more intense endeavors with Alex Von Schlippenbach. Guillermo Gregorio is both a modern classical composer and has done improv work with Braxton and Jim O'Rourke. Jeff Parker can be more of jazz guitarist at times and works with the Chicago Underground, as well as playing on the new Fred Anderson cd mentioned above. It is anyone's guess what exactly this cd will sound like, so "Mental Politician" buzzes with spiraling notes cascading, lines interweave as each player spins in waves. Axel is the master of that growling, windy, percussive sound on his trumpet, he sounds like no-one else, although Greg Kelley & Franz Hautzinger also explore similar terrain on their trumpets. Guillermo also spins quick lines on his alto sax that seem to come from some cool school sense of restraint. At times it sounds like what Jimmy Giuffre and Jim Hall started some forty years ago. "And See" presents some long, eerie tones for clarinet and trumpet with notes stretched out and droning. "Neb Nimaj Nero" is a hushed ballad for dreamy clarinet and exquisitely laid back guitar. The title piece is the longest and each note is stretched out, as is the way the time cautiously unfolds. The sounds are not melodic in any normal sense but still filled with suspense and eerie drama. Almost everything here moves slowly, so that each note can be held up for display. If one is patient, there is a good deal more going on than it seems at first glance.
CD release for $14.
JOHN FAHEY - Hard Time Empty Bottle Blues (Table of the Elements 60) One of acoustic music's true innovators and eccentrics, John Fahey was a crucial figure in expanding the boundaries of the acoustic guitar. He drew from blues, Native American music, Indian ragas, experimental dissonance and pop and was the first to demonstrate that the finger-picking techniques of traditional country and blues steel-string guitar could be used to express a world of non-traditional musical ideas-harmonies and melodies more readily associated with Bartok, Charles Ives, or the music of India. Fahey played with a fierce imagination and versatility, and while his idiosyncrasy may have limited him to a cult following, it also ensured that his work continues to sound startlingly original.
LP only edition for $15.
LOREN CONNORS - The Murder of Joan of Arc (Table of the Elements 59) "Mr. Mazzacane Connors' minimalist art, fragile yet forceful at the same time, gives a sound that encloses the most profound depths of a long forgotten America, a wellspring of melody that dissolves into a multitude of harmonics... It's almost superfluous to say that this music belongs to the realm of dreams, it's music for the mind, abstract and yet wholly present to itself and therefore totally concrete too." -- Thierry Jousse.
LP only edition for $15.
SAMSARA SOUND SYSTEM - ritual of carousel (Baboon 004) Samsara SS is Professor Shehab, Alan Kushan and Fumio Toshiro, with the help of Eraldo Bernoccochi (mixes, sounds & production help) and Dub Gabriel. I fondly remember Professor Shehab from the great dub/psych collaboration he did with Bob Musso a few years back. I don't recognize the other members of this trio, but we know Eraldo from his work with Laswell in Equations of Eternity. Dub Gabriel also has a great new dub release out on this very same label (once known as Baraka Foundation) from last month. 'ritual of carousel' continues the tradition of groovy local dub, recorded in the same building where Bill Laswell now works I believe. A most impressive blend of Persian melodies, eerie strings, exotic ethnic percussion, thick hypnotic bass grooves, Indian (?) vocals and world music instrumentation (like zarb & daf) and/or samples of such. A completely mesmerizing dubfest throughout. Like practically everything on Baraka Foundation, Baboon is consistently on target. So please lads, keep those great discs coming!
CD release for $14.
JUHANI AALTONEN TRIO - Mother Tongue (TUM Records 002) Featuring Juhani on tenor sax & flute, Ulf Krokfors on contrabass and Tom Nekljudow on drums. According to our pal, Raoul Bjorkenheim (Scandinavian guitar hero, now a local), Juhani Aaltonen is a legendary Finnish saxist who once worked with ECM all-star drummer Edward Vesala. Juhani's long career stretches back over forty years and he is the favored soloist of many Finnish jazz composers. Both rhythm team members are also seasoned veterans of many projects and both have worked with Vesala and Bjorkenheim as well. Opening with the exquisite "Lullaby" in which Juhani's tone is as velvety and luscious as I've heard, all three players calmly floating on air, drifting elegantly. This was recorded live and has superb, sublime sound. Juhani has a rich, dark and haunting tone, with some of those mesmerizing Trane-like note-bending cascades, but rarely does any extended screaming. In a blindfold test, even Stanley Grouch would be hard pressed to tell that Juhani is a European musician. Both Ulf and Tom also play their bass and drums with strong conviction and resourceful spirits. All three play with a calm, yet powerful sense of restraint which breathes with a nice spaciousness and slowly builds to a grand storm-force. Juhani plays some haunting and radiant flute on "Reflections" with Ulf's superb double bass humming sublimely underneath and taking a passionate, lovely solo. The trio do a fine job of covering the sixties standard, "Nature Boy", certain to touch the hearts of all who listen. In some ways, this reminds me of the time when Jan Garbarek's (early) ECM records were consistently great, certainly not like today. This even has some of that wonderful ECM depth of sound.
Finnish import CD release for $15.
SUHKAN UHKA - Suhka (TUM 001) All three members of Juhani Aaltonen's trio met in this engaging twelve piece Finnish ensemble called Suhkan Uhka. Directed by arco bassist Antii Hytti and featuring three reed players, two horns, two keyboards, two bassists, a guitarist and a vocalist. Formed in June of 2000, this is their debut release for the new TUM label. "Kukunor" was composed for a film of the same name and is a thoroughly haunting work with tasty el. guitar swirls from Pekka Nylund and dreamy flute and delightful muted horns. "The Great River" features a lilting melody and some lovely tenor sax from Jone Takamaki, sublime trumpet from Verneri Pohjola and majestic piano from Seppo Kantonen. Juhani's gorgeous, melancholy flute is featured on the tragic tune "Solveig's Song". "Passage" sounds like a theme for a bullfight in Italy, while "Sunset" features Juhani's laid back and warm toned tenor sax playing this ever-so-sad theme. "Catch-Up" is somewhat freer and more adventurous with some great spiraling soprano sax and piano spinning together and ascending into the skies. The title track is a tribute to Edward Vesala and is an eerie landscape filled with many floating spirits - flutes, dreamy horns, floating percussion, piano sprinkles, guitar swirls, distant howling saxes, ghostly voices, prepare us to travel to another world of wonders.
Finnish import CD release for $15.
CUL DE SAC - The Strangler's Wife (Strange Attractors 017) In the middle of what was to become Cul de Sac's fifth studio album (2003's critically heralded 'Death of the Sun'), the band switched gears to lend their unique avant/psych-rock atmospherics to 'The Strangler's Wife'. Thoroughly absorbed in the script and rough cuts of the film, the band began composing music specifically for key scenes. Glenn Jones came to the studio offering one of the best songs of his career - "Mirror II (Mac and Elena)", a yearning. Fahey-esque acoustic ballad (heart-string tugging courtesy of Jonathan LaMaster's emotive violin melodies). Samples and electronic compositions were brought in by Cul de Sac electricians Robin Amos and Jake Trussell, exactingly constructed for certain scenes. The rest of the music was either composed in the studio or improvised on the spot as the film was running. The resulting score unfurls a sonic scene-by-scene recreation of the movie as Cul de Sac heard it. In the spirit of classic Italian horror film scores of the 70's and film soundtracks scored by avant rock bands such as Nosferatu (Popol Vuh), More (Pink Floyd) and Zabriskie Point (Various), Cul de Sac has concocted music of a tremendously detailed, dynamic scope. 'The Strangler's Wife' is a silver screen moment for one of the most expressive experimental rock bands of the last decade.
CD release for $14.
ROTHKO & BKL W/ BEAR - Wish for a World Without Hurt (Trace 001/UK) A new independent label formed by Rothko's Mark Beazley. A collaboration between Beazley and Washington DC-based sound and visual artist JS Adams (Blk w/ Bear). The collaborative effort grew from on-line conversations between Beazley and Adams over a decidedly necessary personal and creative response to the events of September 11, 2001. Their collaboration created four new tracks for 'Wish for a World Without Hurt' with the pair trading sound files between London and Washington with Adams being a resident of Washington DC, his personal experiences and memories of that day have helped to color the tone of this subtle and thought-provoking album; a perfect complement to the passionate introspection of Beazley's original tracks. Full of warm deep drones, sharp and soft melodies, raw-boned sound and with a common thread running like a vein through each track, 'Wish For a World Without Hurt' is a statement of declaration for these times.
UK import CD for $14.
THE CLASSICAL INDIAN COLLECTION - various artists (Outcaste 35) A unique double CD exploring the many subtle connections that bridge Indian and Western classical music. Avoiding the more fashionable East-West fusion exemplified by the dance-floor Asian underground, it draws its down tempo, blissful power from strong arrangements (Talvin Singh), ethereal flutes (Hariprasad Chaurasia), hypnotic percussion (Zakir Hussain) and the languid, cascading notes of the sitar (Ravi Shankar). Sourced diversely from symphonic classical fusions, Indo-jazz projects, Hindi movie soundtracks and downtempo, more clubby fusions of the Asian diaspora, 'The Classical Indian Collection' assembles the very best musicians and singers and the very best sounds. The recordings range across the decades, some dating from the 1960s (fusions involving Ravi Shankar and John Mayer); others from the most contemporary electronic hybrids (U Srinivas & Michael Brook, Tom Noble, Badmarsh And Shri). The familiar sounds of Indian classical music are here - from the sitar, tabla, the drone-like tampoura and the bowed sarangi - but also there are contributions from two instruments common to both Indian and European music - the violin (John Mayer, Yehudi Menuhin) and the flute (Rakesh Chaurasia and his father, the legendary Hariprasad). 'The Classical Indian Collection' is a brilliant expos of an organic musical tradition, whose roots date back thousands of years yet its practitioners sound absolutely contemporary.
2 CD set for $17.
ABAYUDAYA - Music from the Jewish People of Uganda (Smithsonian Folkways 40504) This features a unique collection of African-Jewish music in which the rhythms and harmonies of Africa blend with Jewish celebrations and traditional Hebrew prayers. This compelling repertoire is rooted in local Ugandan music and infused with rich choral singing, Afro-pop, and traditional drumming. The repertoire includes lullabies, political and children's song. Religious rituals, hymns, and celebratory music, with song texts in Hebrew, English, and several Ugandan languages. This singular community of African people living committed Jewish lives has survived persecution and isolation arid asserts, "Have we been saved by our music?"
CD release for $15.
THREE NEW RELEASES FROM OUR OLD FRIEND HOPPY KAMIYAMA:
Our old pal and former God Mountain label head Hoppy Kamiyama unexpectedly dropped by this week and left us with a few cds to sell. We haven't heard from Hoppy in a few years and we are glad to be back in contact with him. Sadly, the wonderful God Mountain back catalogue is long gone. The label still exists, but the releases are few, so Hoppy puts things out on other labels. We only have a handful of copies of each of the following cds, but we are planning to get more shipped from Japan as soon as we can. We will not review these until we get more so as not to frustrate you crazy god mountain fans. Anyone familiar with their back catalogue knows how great most of their cds are/were.
DAIMONJI - Improg (Poseidon/Musea 014) Featuring Hoppy Kamiyama on keyboards and vocal, Tatsuya Yoshida (from RUINS) on drums and vocal and Nasuno Mitsuru on bass. Four long pieces certain to blow minds, a must for RUINS fan-addicts.
Japanese import CD release for $20.
HOPPY KAMIYAMA - Testify My Love/Box of Laughter/Dueling Pages (Infinite 0003) Soundtrack project from a couple of different films.
Japanese import CD release for $20.
THE SABOTEN - Beyond the Blue Heaven (God Mountain 039) From 1991 and one of the last releases on this fabulous label. Produced by Hoppy Kamiyama.
Japanese import CD release for $20.
JACK BRUCE/DICK HECKSTALL-SMITH/JOHN STEVENS - This That and the Other (Atonal 3017) Recently discovered gem from 1993 that no-one knows anything about. Featuring Jack Bruce on bass & vocal, Dick Heckstall-Smith on tenor & soprano saxes, John Stevens on drums & trumpet and Glen Nightingale on guitar. Jack Bruce, Cream bassist and rock singer supreme, needs no intro. Mr. Heckstall-Smith played with Jack in Graham Bond's Organization in the mid-sixties and was also a member of Coliseum. John Stevens was one of the most influential modern jazz drummers in England and led the Spontaneous Music Ensemble and John Stevens Away. Somewhat loose but consistently creative and an unexpected delight. This came out in 1994 and I believe that this label is no longer, so who knows how long we'll be able to get copies.
German import CD for $18.
DMG RECOMMENDED CALENDER OF MUSIC GIGS FOR OCTOBER 24 ONWARDS...
SPECIAL NOTE FOR BUCKETHEAD FANS: THE LAST FEW MOVIEHOUSE SCREENINGS OF "FLESH FOR THE BEAST"
(before it goes direct-to-DVD in November, which we'll carry, natch') with an outrageous original score by our favorite KFC-Head, and produced by one of our good buddies Mr. Carl Morano
will take place at 7:30 PM on the 27th and 29th of this month at the Video Theatre, 85 East 4th Street.
Call 212-868-4444 for info
Fri Oct 24th-
JEREMY STEIG/ANDY EZRIN/CAMERON BROWN/JOE CHAMBERS at Cornelia St. Caf at 9 & 10:30 Jeremy is a legendary jazz flute player who we rarely here from & Joe Chambers an equally great drummer, who we also rarely see live!
CHRIS CHALFANT/TOMAS ULRICH/KEN YAMAZAKI at 205 W. 58th St. at 7:30! Chris is a fine pianist who works with Joseph Jarman, Tomas a great cellist who keeps busy & Ken a strong drummer!
BALLIN' THE JACK @ 10:00 with Matt Darriau - alto, clt., Andy Laster - bari, clt., John Carlson - trumpet, Jack Davis - tbone, George Schuller - traps, Ben Sher - guitar, Joe Fitzgerald - bass ...couple a sets at the 55 BAR, 55 Christopher St.
DAVE DOUGLAS' "WORD" w/ ROSWELL RUDD/ANDY BEY/MYRON WALDEN/JAMES GENUS/CLARENCE PENN at the Village Vanguard from Oct 21st-Oct. 26th
Sat Oct 25th
CARLA KIHLSTEDT has canceled, NELS CLINE will do a trio improv w/ Marina Rosenfeld at 8pm
CARLA BOZOLICH & NELS CLINE'S TRIBUTE TO WILLIE NELSON AT Tonic at 10pm!!
DAVE DOUGLAS' "WORD" w/ ROSWELL RUDD/ANDY BEY/MYRON WALDEN/JAMES GENUS/CLARENCE PENN at the Village Vanguard from Oct 21st-Oct. 26th
Sun Oct 26th-
ADAM CAINE on guitar & maybe KEVIN EULINGER on keyboard plus OKKYUNG LEE on solo (?) cello here at DMG at 7pm for free - still to be confirmed
GUY KLUCEVSEK & PHILLIP JOHNSTON CD release set at Joe's Pub at 7pm!
SUNDAY FREESTYLE SERIES at CB's Lounge starts at
7pm w/ Allen Won-sax and flute, John Ehlis - guitar, Todd Isler - percussion;
8pm - amanda monaco qt.;
9pm - the inbetweens: mike gamble-guitar, noah jarrett-bass, conor elmes- drums;
10pm - adam lane, herb robertson, mike attias, igal foni!! Another great line-up!!
Mon Oct 27th-
PHANTOM MUSIC FOR PIANO & ELECTRONICS by BERIO, COWELL, ETC. performed by Max Lifchitz at Christ & St. Stephen's Church 120 W. 69th St. at 8pm for free!
Tues Oct 28th-
GARY LUCAS SOLO talk, video & music for free at 8pm at Columbia University's Philosophy Hall! Presented by author & professor John Szwed!
Wed Oct 29th-
MARC RIBOT/DAVE HOFSTRA/DAVE MacKENZIE TRIO at Tonic at 8pm- Ribot is always great on guitar!
DINO SALUZZI TRIO at Merkin Hall at 8pm - Dino is a fabulous ECM bandoneonist who rarely plays here!
Wed Oct 30th-
HENRY GRIMES/MIYA MASAOKA/MATANA ROBERTS at the Jazz Gallery at 9 &10:30! ESP legendary bassist is back and playing incredibly! Miya plays koto and Matana plays alto sax and both are excellent improvisers!!
OTOMO YOSHIHIDE & MARTIN TETREAULT at Tonic at 10pm!! Otomo is one Japan's leading player/composer/bandleaders who plays sampler & guitar and Martin is an amazing turntablist from Montreal who often uses no records, just the turntable and (almost) never gets to NY - historic!!
Thurs Oct 31st- Halloween!
SUN RA ARKESTRA for free at the Faculty House at Columbia University organized by author & professor John Szwed!!
THE DOWNTOWN MUSIC GALLERY SUNDAY FREE NEW MUSIC SERIES CONTINUES WITH:
Sunday October 26th at 7pm - two amazing solos! ADAM CAINE on guitar! (KEVIN EULINGER has disappeared!!) Adam is a fine guitarist & this is his DMG debut!
OKKYUNG LEE on cello!!
Jorritt has cancelled and we are waiting to hear back from Okkyung, so stay tuned!
Okkyung is one the finest improvising cellists to emerge from the downtown scene!!
Sunday November 2nd-
Open date still to be filled
Sunday November 9th at 7pm-
DANIEL LEVIN & ROB BROWN - cello & alto sax duo!!
Daniel is a fantastic new cellist w/ his first cd out on Riti! Rob works w/ William Parker & is one the hottest alto saxists around!!
Sunday November 16th at 7pm- RAS MOSHE/MATANA ROBERTS/KYOKO KITAMURA/TODD NICHOLSON!!
Ras & Matana are both local legends on various saxes; Kyoko is an amazing avant/jazz vocalist and Todd Nicholson is one of the best new acoustic bassists!!
Sunday November 23rd at 7pm-
AMELIA HOLLANDER/DANIEL LEVIN/JOE MORRIS String Trio!!
Amelia on viola/Daniel on cello/Joe Morris on acoustic bass - their DMG debut!
But first, some important notes:
ROBERT WYATT will do an hour long taped interview on DAVID GARLAND'S Spinning on Air radio show tonight on WNYC-FM 93.9 which airs from 9 to 11pm!! Don't miss it!
AND, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO BLINKED, WE EMAILED EVERYONE WITH THE
NEW EMANEM, PSI, & HOPSCOTCH (3 out of 4 Finally In!!!) RELEASES YESTERDAY,
ALONG WITH A LIST OF 31 GREAT HAT ART/OLOGY TITLES ON SALE FOR BELOW WHOLESALE!!!
AND NOW for THIRTY REVIEWS of THOSE WEEKLY TREASURES TO PONDER!
EYVIND KANG - Virginal Co Ordinates (Dischi di Angelica 016) Featuring Playground, a 16 piece Italian chamber ensemble, plus Michael White (Fourth Way) on violin, Tim Young (Zony Mash) on guitar, Mike Patton (Fantomas, etc.) on voice & electronics, Eyvind on violin and Tucker Martine & Evan Schiller doing processing, mixing and editing. This is the ever enigmatic and mysterious Eyvind Kang's dream project and it is the most mesmerizing dreamscape I've heard so far this year. Although it was recorded live at the Angelica International Festival in the summer of 2000, it has been wonderfully produced with a seamless flow and careful touch. What this reminds me most of is some of those quieter magical tunes from those early Eno records like 'Another Green World' or 'Before & After Science'. Floating, droning strings, woodwinds and percussion with enchanting voices and mystical lyrics. There is a calm spirit which pervades this mainly acoustic and somewhat minimal offering which unfolds very slowly and gently builds through elegant layers with rich, melancholy melodies. An incredible sublime and delicate 73 minute journey that you just don't want to end. Completely luscious.
Italian import CD for $18.
MATTHEW SHIPP - The Sorcerer Sessions (Thirsty Ear 57141) Featuring Matt on piano & synth, Evan Ziporyn on clarinets, Daniel B. Roumain on violin, Flam on synth & programming, William Parker on bass and Gerald Cleaver on drums. Matt's amazing Blue Series continuum has been even more prolific recently as they close in on the 20th release. The series has continually evolved from the out/jazz of downtown's finest through funky, ambient and techno influences with the help of Spring Heel Jack, DJ's Spooky & Wally, Good & Evil, as well as being an outlet for Tim Berne, Mat Maneri and David S. Ware. Matt refers to this, 'The Sorcerer Sessions', as his classical/ambient effort. "Pulsar" sounds different from anything we've heard from Matt so far, it is dark, hypnotic trio of clarinet, violin and piano, somewhat melodic and quietly haunting. By '"Keystroke" is another trio of free and playful clarinet and piano with odd percussion samples used as fractured spice. Eerie, spacious samples set the mood for "Lightforms" with somber, dreamy piano and violin floating above. "Urban Shadows" is a feature for William's funky, pumping bass with strings and synth swirling all over. "X6" was composed by Mr. Roumain and features hypnotic layers of violins buzzing together in a delightful haze. Matt plays some dreamy, minimal harpsichord-like keyboard on "Fixed Point", which just paints a mellow mood. Matt plays little of his turbulent piano on this entire endeavor, mostly setting the mood and allowing the clarinet, violin, bass, synth and drums to weave their more restrained tapestry and create a variety of rich, autumnal colors.
CD release for $15.
VIJAY IYER & MIKE LADD - in what language? (Pi Recordings 09) Featuring Mike Ladd on voices, electronics & lyrics; Vijay on piano, keyboards & compositions; Latasha Diggs, Allison Easter Ajay Naidu on voices; Ambrose Akinmusire on trumpet; Rudresh Mahanthappa on alto sax; Dana Leong on cello, trombone & flugelhorn; Liberty Ellman on guitar; Stephan Crump on bass and Trevor Holder on drums. "In What Language?" refers to the unjust ordeal of a (pre-9/11) detained and incarcerated Iranian filmmaker at JFK airport in NY and a commentary on the plight of travelers worldwide ever since. An enclosed booklet contains of all the words involved, giving us a great deal to consider. "The Color of My Circumference I" is a moody, reflective piece with a hypnotic repeating piano phrase, Mike's words set the scene and provide questions to ponder. Are we just a catalogue of memories, a series of possessions or just some computer code of information? A drum n' bass groove speeds up our pulse as the words and observations flow more quickly. A bunch of different sly funk grooves hit one after the other and make us feel good, but (airport) makes us uneasy, nervous and fearful. I am reminded of Steve Reich's "Different Trains" with a continuous moving vibe at the center, like a train ride. The four voices take turn describing our journey and making observations about our trip. The music is filled with a continuous, yet evolving set of infectious grooves that seduce us as the words fill us with frustration, resignation and anger at authority figures, those who tell us what to do. Occasionally the mood lightens up a bit and the words/voices become more reflective, the music almost soothing. All in all, this is a provocative treasure chest of highly focused thoughts and sounds, giving us an example of what a successful modern day opera could be. If the word "opera" bothers you, forget that I mentioned it and dig this anyway.
CD release for $15.
VIJAY IYER [QUARTET] - blood sutra (Artists House 09) Featuring Vijay on piano & compositions, Rudresh Mahanthappa on alto sax, Stephan Crump on bass and Tyshawn Sorey on drums. My man Vijay is back with two new releases and both show two strong sides to what this local piano sensation can do. 'blood sutra' is Vijay's fourth fabulous release as a leader, excluding the Fieldworks cooperative trio and it is their debut on the newly revived and much respected Artist House label run by John Snyder. "Proximity" is a gorgeous, somber opening for the piano trio, a calm intro before the storm erupts. The quartet leaps into the aptly titled "Brute Facts" with resourceful power, the heavy currents swirling intensely. Rudresh sails high and wide with some of those Steve Coleman-like aggressive sparks, navigating the rapids that the rest Vijay's group provides. Vijay always does an amazing job of balancing a few inter-connected threads simultaneously. His left hand provides the ebb and flow and structure that bass and drums connect with as his right hand weaves lines around the snarling, spirited notes that Rudresh's alto sax spews forth. The quartet turn down the flame on the laid back, yet enchanting "When History Sleeps" which features some marvelous mallet work from Tyshawn and lovely, lyrical solo from Rudresh. Tyshawn is the new drummer in town to watch out for and recently was seen/heard playing in a Butch Morris conduction. "Questions of Agency" balances between a couple of different rhythm sections, from slow and pensive to building more quickly and intensely as it evolves. The tempo increases to the nearly impossible on "That Much Music", the quartet sounds as if they are on fire, just incredible. The one cover tune here is a solemn, gospelish version of "Hey Joe" (Hendrix version) with some exquisite and passionate soloing from the piano and alto. "Desiring" also brings things down to a somber, haunting and calm close. This is another wonderful effort from Vijay Iyer and his magnificent quartet.
5.1 H-SA CD release (playable on any CD player) for $16.
ZEENA PARKINS - $Shot [Lacey/Lauro/Parkins/Cornell] (self-produced) {CD comes in one of 3 packages: a designer airport pillow; a 12" square felt sheet with hidden red-lined pockets for inserts and CD (hmmmmm...); or a ceramic plate-like object - each has different printed material but the same CD} '$Shot' is a dance piece and installation, choreographed by Jennifer Lacey, (pillows) designed by Nadia Lauro, danced by Erin Cornell with the music composed and performed by the harpist supreme Zeena Parkins. Zeena has been on tour with pop-star Bjork for over a year and finally came down to DMG to provide us with a few of these highly limited edition CD&pillow or CD&feltsquare to sell. The packaging for the '$Shot' comes in three different designs, but I am just going to describe the one I have at hand. Can't say I've ever seen a cd/art object like this before!?! This is one of those blow-up rubber airport pillows that fits all of the way around one's neck, it is soft black with round pictures of the dance performance painted in shades of gray. Zeena plays tone generator, ring modulator, various synths, tambura and an odd variety of percussive objects, but no harp. '$Shot' deals more with carefully crafted textures and manipulated acoustic and electronics sounds. The rustling paper, plastic and other rubbed scraps with the calm suspense of subtle electronic blips, bleeps and whirs. A shimmering tambura drone with dreamy liquid samples is mesmerizing for a few moments. There is even a short drum n' bass detour which fits perfectly as well. Everything here flows most naturally and organically, nothing is too weird or alien sounding, yet this is still engaging and quite fascinating throughout. These unique CD/pillows or CD/FeltSquares [she will be bringing us the CD/Ceramic edition in the future but we don't stock it yet] come in a
limited edition of about 100, all signed by Zeena for $65 each
FOUR FABULOUS NEW RELEASES FROM THE GRAND LEO LABEL:
EVAN PARKER & SEPTEMBER STRINGS - Alder Brook (Leo 379) A remarkable recording launching collaboration between Evan Parker and September Winds, a group of four Swiss musicians playing wind instruments: Peter A. Schmid on bass & contrabass clarinet, contrabass saxophone, taragot; Hans Anliker on trombone; Jurg Solothurnmann on alto & soprano saxophones and Reto Senn on clarinet, bass clarinet & taragato. Evan Parker plays soprano and tenor saxophones, as well as a new instrument tubax developed by instrument builder Benedikt Eppelsheim. The recording is an incredible sonic adventure permeated with " profound sense of balance, the ferment and poise that both generate and sustain the music" (Stuart Broomer). Over 70 minutes long.
CD release for $15.
COLLECTIVE 4TET - Synopsis (Leo 380) Featuring William Parker on contrabass, Mark Hennen on piano, Jeff Hoyer on trombone and Heinz Geisser on percussion. This is the fourth cd by the wonderful Collective 4tet. As Ben Watson writes in his notes, the reviewers of the previous CDs all sound a bit stunned, as if it is slightly incredible that Free Jazz without genuflection to marketing tags Neo-Classicism, Post-Rock, Minimalism, World Music, Ambient, Noise, Ecstatic, Nordic Cool, Berlin Reductionism, New London Silence etc. etc can still sound so vigorous and coherent, open and passionate, so "Now". This music can be difficult to listen to, not because it's the sound of one man screeching in your face, but because it's replete with musical ideas and each member of the quartet is discussing them at the same time.
CD release for $15.
PAGO LIBRE - Phoenix - Live In Salzburg & Zurich (Leo 377) The third release by this super band recorded live at the end of their phenomenal tour of China. Featuring Tscho Theissing on violin, Arkady Shilkloper on horn, John Wolf Brennan on piano and Daniele Patumi on bass. The musicianship, drive and finesse of these four virtuosos is quite breathtaking. Their music is compositionally challenging and loose in feeling, loaded with multi-layered, complex textures, but possessing the "primitive" charm of folklore and "vulgar rhythms". Unmistakably serious in its intentions but executed with an obvious tongue-in-cheek attitude. Weather Report for the 21st century.
CD release for $15.
OLAF TON - self/titled (Leo 381) This is a classic piano-less jazz quintet from Berlin: trumpet, saxophones, trombone, bass and drums. However, there is very little "classical" about the music. The band plays exclusively original compositions mostly by the saxophonist Benjamin Weidekamp and the bass player Michael Haves. The compositions are inspired by the musicians' experience in different styles of music. They believe they achieved what they call a "transparent sound" that leaves each musician space to unfold musically. Definitely a band to watch. Review by yours truly next week.
CD release for $15.
FRED ANDERSON - Back at the Velvet Lounge (Delmark 549) Featuring the legendary Fred Anderson on tenor sax, Maurice Brown on trumpet, Jeff Parker on guitar, Harrison Bankhead & Tatsu Aoki on basses and Chad Taylor on drums. At 74, Fred Anderson is one of the few surviving elder statesmen of the out/jazz sax giants. He has managed the Velvet Lounge, a funky club in Chicago for more than twenty years, home to modern jazz and jamming. Fred has a long time trio with Hamid Drake and Tatsu Aoki, but here decided play with some younger cats, Jeff Parker & Chad Taylor work with the Chicago Underground, while newcomer Maurice Brown is only 22 and this is his recorded debut. Both bassists are two of Chicago's best, but only play basses together on one track. Right from the opening, "Fougeux", (French for impetuous), the quintet is burning intensely and sailing high, both Fred and Maurice taking colossal solos reaching higher and higher. On "Olivia", everyone slows down for a ballad, both bassists bubble underneath. Fred takes a fine richly toned old-style solo, caressing each note deliciously. "Job Market Blues" also keeps things simmering with Harrison on acoustic guitar and Jeff on electric both spinning a web together as Fred takes a fine slow burn solo building in intensity as the pulse increases. "Syene" is also a haunting, cerebral piece with both tenor sax and trumpet sailing in a melancholy haze around each other. "King Fish" is a sublime yet funky sort of tune, with a memorable repeating riff and more strong solos from Fred and Maurice. Nice to hear the usually on fire and freer terrain toned down for a mostly more reflective sojourn.
CD release for $14.
LIBERTY ELLMAN - Tactiles (Pi Recordings 08) Featuring Liberty on guitar, Mark Shim on tenor sax, Greg Osby on alto sax, Stephan Crump on acoustic bass and Eric Harland on drums. Liberty is one of the most promising guitarists to emerge from this scene in the past decade and can be heard playing his distinctive acoustic guitar in Threadgill's Zooid band. This is his second date as a leader and it is another great disc. Like Threadgill, Liberty writes tunes that defy easy categorization. "Excavation" opens with a restrained yet gnarly, harmelodic sort of riff that keeps the rhythm team on their toes as both Liberty and Mark take short, feisty solos. Liberty does a great job of writing challenging circular themes which keep the guitar and sax spinning in circles, interconnected with the tightly wound bass and drums. Both the guitar and sax take nifty solos which move in fragments, using space just right and always make perfect sense. Liberty has a rich, elegant tone which hovers between an acoustic and an electric jazz tone. There is also a clarity or purity here that makes these tunes sound effortless, although no doubt this is not the case. Many of these pieces do have a rather M-Base-like structure, especially when Greg Osby joins in on three of them. Even the excellent rhythm team appear to have that tight, spinning harmelodic web under their impressive control. A couple of the tunes are actually laid back and ballad-like and show exquisite taste with both the guitar and sax showing their delicate toned gifts. Another grand treasure from those fine folks at Pi Recordings.
CD release for $15.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS - titration (Delmark 547) Featuring Jemeel Moondoc on alto sax, David Boykin on tenor sax, Steve Swell on trombone, Rob Mazurek on cornet, Tom Abbs on bass, Avreeayl Ra on percussion and Chad Taylor on drums and compositions. Chicago Underground drum wiz Chad Taylor moved here last year and continued to work with his old associates in Chicago, as well as with a number of downtown players. Active Ingredients is his new projects which brings together members of both scenes and this is their debut. The opening tune is called "Song for Dyani" and it is named after the amazing South African bassist Johnny Dyani. It does have one of those jubilant, burning bass lines at the center that evokes Johnny's spirit perfectly. The three man rhythm team of Tom, Avreeayl and Chad spin furiously here as the horns each take inspired solos and back the soloist with frenzied riffs. "Velocity" begins freely both soon moves into slow, haunting charted territory. On "Slate", Chad's ultra quick spinning drums pushes all the horns to boiling point, they scream together joyously. "Modern Mythology" has another of those great, joyous and memorable repeating lines, Afro-pop like and infectious, yet the horns still get a chance to spew intensely on top of the groove. The title piece has the three man rhythm team weaving a busy web of free spirits with them horns sailing intensely on top, each taking marvelous slow burning solos which build to furious conclusions. The final piece, "Other People's Problems" is fueled by Chad's fine mallet work and Tom's eerie bowed bass, with some solemn horn harmonies floating on top, each taking thoughtful, well-paced solos. There is strong spiritual vibe at the center of this entire endeavor as everything flows together with well connected grace, passion and freedom.
CD release for $14.
FAMOUDOU DON MOYE SUN PERCUSSION SUMMIT - For Bobo/Oscar Brown III (AECO 2581) Featuring Don Moye on drums & percussion, Joel Brandon on flute & whistling, Ari Brown on sax, Herb Walker on guitar, Calvin Brunson on keyboards, Enoch Williamson, Meshach Silas, Selah Allen & Babu Atiba all on assorted percussion. This is the third release this year from Don Moye's Sun Percussion Summit. This one is perhaps the most accessible and features some fine funky grooves. Don's own "Oasis at Dusk" has an Afrobeat sorta groove with hypnotic flute and funky el. guitar and keyboard vamping. Both the el. guitar and soprano sax swirl their bluesy licks together towards the end. "Bald Head Gerald" has another fat, funky groove, churning horn section, more Afrobeat geetar picking and Fela-like sax solo. Get down! Meshach's "For Us" consists of layers of hypnotic, ebullient African percussion. Joseph Jarman's "Treibhaus Tribal Stomp" features some sly, snarling (Santana-like) lead guitar and an intense Latin groove. "No Time Left" starts with some slamming drums from Don Moye and burnin' tenor sax from Ari Brown, an incredible duet, tight and completely focused! 'For Bobo' concludes with a reggae-like version of a traditional gospel tune, "By the Rivers of Babylon", which feels like a righteous way to end this joyous groove fest.
Cardboard slim-case CD release for $14.
SCOTT ROSENBERG - Creative Orchestra Music Chicago 2001 (New World 80572) Young saxist and composer, Scott Rosenberg, is another one of those ambitious Braxton collaborators with some half dozen plus releases out under his own leadership. This is Scott's second orchestra release and I am only familiar with a few of the Chicago based players here: Jeb Bishop (trombone), Jason Roebke (bass), Jim Baker (keyboards) and Tim Daisy (drums). There are five long and provocative pieces on this challenging release. "Tehr" deals suspenseful textures which move through different transformations. Reeds, horns and strings weave a dense tapestry which gets quite dense at times. Completely fascinating and somewhat disconcerting as well. "Wash" is completely composed and consists of layers of hovering drones which make me feel that something bad is about to happen. "7X" and "with Sttm" combine two works and feature the swirling, fractured sonic architecture of floating voices, bits of noise guitar, fluttering horns, strange see-sawing strings, all at varying densities and occasionally erupting into frenzied moments. "Forgetting Song" has layers of different lines which shift and intersect, but seem connected by an underlying thread. Moments of quiet, fragile reflections emerge from the dense undertow and then submerge back into the morass. "Toys" splits the orchestra up into five discreet groups and many different sections and combinations interact, some playful, some "Ghost Trance" like and some nervous sounding quirky rhythmic material. There even moments when song-like segments arise. At 31, Scott Rosenberg is perhaps one of the youngest composers to have a release out on New World, showing how much has matured in a short amount of time.
CD release for $15.
PETER HERBERT - You're My Thrill (Between the Lines 032) Bassist & composer, Peter Herbert, presents a new work, the main part of which, "You're my Thrill", for jazz vocalist, jazz piano and nonet, is an homage to Billie Holiday. The life of the singer, legendary even in her lifetime and probably the one most important voice in jazz, was marked by professional triumphs and private fiascos. From the songs Herbert used, including 'Gloomy Sunday', 'Solitude' or 'Porgy', he only kept the text and intimations of the melody. The music for the Ensemble plus (a chamber orchestra of the Vorarlberg Symphony Orchestra) is Peter Herbert's own composition completely. The overwhelming result, for which UK singer Christine Tobin of course deserves her fair share of the credit, is acoustic chamber music based on songs interpreted by Billie Holiday. The title of the second part of the production is 'Communications Error' for nonet and tape. In New York, social distinctions are particularly pronounced. A homeless person: 'Would you have some change? Think of me as your son, Happy Mother's Day.' Hardly anyone takes notice, let alone gives some change. A 'subtle' communications error. A cry for help ignored. 'Communications Error' for nonet and tape is about feeling one's way towards possible nuances -- perhaps some sort of musicalreconciliation for hopelessly entangled human situations. The tape plays noises Peter Herbert recorded in the subway and in the streets of New York.
CD release for $16.
GIORGIO OCCHIPINTI - Histoire (Between the Lines 033) Composer/pianist Giorgio Occhipinti, who was born in Ragusa, Italy in 1969, considers the basis of his working technique, which he has dubbed 'organized chaos', to be a controlled collision of a variety of different sources of inspiration. His main source of inspiration is 20th century music, albeit refracted by the prismatic effect of his Italian or, more precisely, Sicilian origins. This special Mediterranean outlook on life informs his novel interpretation and evaluation of the music of the last century. Folk music, contemporary classics, jazz and rock, opera, marching music -- such diverse musical genres are usually deemed incompatible. From Occhipinti's highly personal perspective, however, such diametrically opposed facets can very well be combined in a kind of controlled chaos. In Occhipinti's composing process, tradition does by no means merely serve as a host of patterns released for reproduction or deconstruction. Mr. Occhipinti draws from its overall effects and considers it to be the foundation of his aesthetic design, which is unique in the European jazz and new music scene. Giorgio's Global Music Nonetto features: Sonia Slany (violin), Joanna Lewis (violin), Nico Ciricugno (viola), Tiziana Cavalieri (cello), Giuseppe Guarrella (double bass), Matteo Gallini (soprano, bass clarinet), Olivia Bignardi (soprano, bass clarinet), Antonio Moncada (drums, kettle drums) and Giorgio Occhipinti (piano, direction). - Borrowed press release.
CD release for $16.
MALACHI THOMPSON & AFRICA BRASS - Blue Jazz (Delmark 548) Featuring Gary Bartz & Billy Harper on saxes, Malachi Thompson & 4 other trumpeters, four trombones, Kirk Brown on piano & organ, Harrison Bankhead on bass and Leon Joyce, Jr. on drums. Former Sun Ra trumpet hero Malachi Thompson consistently makes strong and ambitious releases, this one being his 11th for the great Delmark label, currently celebrating its 50th year. 'Africa Brass' features Malachi's 14 piece jazz unit with special guest sax giants: Gary Bartz, Billy Harper and Ari Brown and consists of two suites. The 'Black Metropolis Suite' is first and features an endearing and uplifting straight ahead groove, with rich horn harmonies. The ever powerful Billy Harper gets a chance to burn through a few great solos and that is always a momentous occasion. The 'Blues for a Saint Called Suite' features the righteous, enchanting and gospelish vocals of Ms. Dee Alexander. Nice to hear some of those (old school) muted horns here making them train sounds. Wayne Shorter's great "Footprints" gets a fine, dreamy, Latin-ish rendition here, with a superb solo from Malachi. Although this is straighter than most discs I spend time with, the inner vibe here is a joyous one.
CD release for $14.
JOSH ABRAMS - Cipher (Delmark 546) Featuring Axel Dorner on trumpets, Guillermo Gregorio on clarinet & alto sax, Jeff Parker on guitar and Josh Abrams on guitar. This is certainly an unusual quartet with players from much different backgrounds. Josh is a fine acoustic bassist who has worked in The Roots, Town & Country, as well as in jazz bands. Axel Dorner is a completely unique trumpeter whose work goes from minimalist situations with John Butcher and those Erstwhile cats to more intense endeavors with Alex Von Schlippenbach. Guillermo Gregorio is both a modern classical composer and has done improv work with Braxton and Jim O'Rourke. Jeff Parker can be more of jazz guitarist at times and works with the Chicago Underground, as well as playing on the new Fred Anderson cd mentioned above. It is anyone's guess what exactly this cd will sound like, so "Mental Politician" buzzes with spiraling notes cascading, lines interweave as each player spins in waves. Axel is the master of that growling, windy, percussive sound on his trumpet, he sounds like no-one else, although Greg Kelley & Franz Hautzinger also explore similar terrain on their trumpets. Guillermo also spins quick lines on his alto sax that seem to come from some cool school sense of restraint. At times it sounds like what Jimmy Giuffre and Jim Hall started some forty years ago. "And See" presents some long, eerie tones for clarinet and trumpet with notes stretched out and droning. "Neb Nimaj Nero" is a hushed ballad for dreamy clarinet and exquisitely laid back guitar. The title piece is the longest and each note is stretched out, as is the way the time cautiously unfolds. The sounds are not melodic in any normal sense but still filled with suspense and eerie drama. Almost everything here moves slowly, so that each note can be held up for display. If one is patient, there is a good deal more going on than it seems at first glance.
CD release for $14.
JOHN FAHEY - Hard Time Empty Bottle Blues (Table of the Elements 60) One of acoustic music's true innovators and eccentrics, John Fahey was a crucial figure in expanding the boundaries of the acoustic guitar. He drew from blues, Native American music, Indian ragas, experimental dissonance and pop and was the first to demonstrate that the finger-picking techniques of traditional country and blues steel-string guitar could be used to express a world of non-traditional musical ideas-harmonies and melodies more readily associated with Bartok, Charles Ives, or the music of India. Fahey played with a fierce imagination and versatility, and while his idiosyncrasy may have limited him to a cult following, it also ensured that his work continues to sound startlingly original.
LP only edition for $15.
LOREN CONNORS - The Murder of Joan of Arc (Table of the Elements 59) "Mr. Mazzacane Connors' minimalist art, fragile yet forceful at the same time, gives a sound that encloses the most profound depths of a long forgotten America, a wellspring of melody that dissolves into a multitude of harmonics... It's almost superfluous to say that this music belongs to the realm of dreams, it's music for the mind, abstract and yet wholly present to itself and therefore totally concrete too." -- Thierry Jousse.
LP only edition for $15.
SAMSARA SOUND SYSTEM - ritual of carousel (Baboon 004) Samsara SS is Professor Shehab, Alan Kushan and Fumio Toshiro, with the help of Eraldo Bernoccochi (mixes, sounds & production help) and Dub Gabriel. I fondly remember Professor Shehab from the great dub/psych collaboration he did with Bob Musso a few years back. I don't recognize the other members of this trio, but we know Eraldo from his work with Laswell in Equations of Eternity. Dub Gabriel also has a great new dub release out on this very same label (once known as Baraka Foundation) from last month. 'ritual of carousel' continues the tradition of groovy local dub, recorded in the same building where Bill Laswell now works I believe. A most impressive blend of Persian melodies, eerie strings, exotic ethnic percussion, thick hypnotic bass grooves, Indian (?) vocals and world music instrumentation (like zarb & daf) and/or samples of such. A completely mesmerizing dubfest throughout. Like practically everything on Baraka Foundation, Baboon is consistently on target. So please lads, keep those great discs coming!
CD release for $14.
JUHANI AALTONEN TRIO - Mother Tongue (TUM Records 002) Featuring Juhani on tenor sax & flute, Ulf Krokfors on contrabass and Tom Nekljudow on drums. According to our pal, Raoul Bjorkenheim (Scandinavian guitar hero, now a local), Juhani Aaltonen is a legendary Finnish saxist who once worked with ECM all-star drummer Edward Vesala. Juhani's long career stretches back over forty years and he is the favored soloist of many Finnish jazz composers. Both rhythm team members are also seasoned veterans of many projects and both have worked with Vesala and Bjorkenheim as well. Opening with the exquisite "Lullaby" in which Juhani's tone is as velvety and luscious as I've heard, all three players calmly floating on air, drifting elegantly. This was recorded live and has superb, sublime sound. Juhani has a rich, dark and haunting tone, with some of those mesmerizing Trane-like note-bending cascades, but rarely does any extended screaming. In a blindfold test, even Stanley Grouch would be hard pressed to tell that Juhani is a European musician. Both Ulf and Tom also play their bass and drums with strong conviction and resourceful spirits. All three play with a calm, yet powerful sense of restraint which breathes with a nice spaciousness and slowly builds to a grand storm-force. Juhani plays some haunting and radiant flute on "Reflections" with Ulf's superb double bass humming sublimely underneath and taking a passionate, lovely solo. The trio do a fine job of covering the sixties standard, "Nature Boy", certain to touch the hearts of all who listen. In some ways, this reminds me of the time when Jan Garbarek's (early) ECM records were consistently great, certainly not like today. This even has some of that wonderful ECM depth of sound.
Finnish import CD release for $15.
SUHKAN UHKA - Suhka (TUM 001) All three members of Juhani Aaltonen's trio met in this engaging twelve piece Finnish ensemble called Suhkan Uhka. Directed by arco bassist Antii Hytti and featuring three reed players, two horns, two keyboards, two bassists, a guitarist and a vocalist. Formed in June of 2000, this is their debut release for the new TUM label. "Kukunor" was composed for a film of the same name and is a thoroughly haunting work with tasty el. guitar swirls from Pekka Nylund and dreamy flute and delightful muted horns. "The Great River" features a lilting melody and some lovely tenor sax from Jone Takamaki, sublime trumpet from Verneri Pohjola and majestic piano from Seppo Kantonen. Juhani's gorgeous, melancholy flute is featured on the tragic tune "Solveig's Song". "Passage" sounds like a theme for a bullfight in Italy, while "Sunset" features Juhani's laid back and warm toned tenor sax playing this ever-so-sad theme. "Catch-Up" is somewhat freer and more adventurous with some great spiraling soprano sax and piano spinning together and ascending into the skies. The title track is a tribute to Edward Vesala and is an eerie landscape filled with many floating spirits - flutes, dreamy horns, floating percussion, piano sprinkles, guitar swirls, distant howling saxes, ghostly voices, prepare us to travel to another world of wonders.
Finnish import CD release for $15.
CUL DE SAC - The Strangler's Wife (Strange Attractors 017) In the middle of what was to become Cul de Sac's fifth studio album (2003's critically heralded 'Death of the Sun'), the band switched gears to lend their unique avant/psych-rock atmospherics to 'The Strangler's Wife'. Thoroughly absorbed in the script and rough cuts of the film, the band began composing music specifically for key scenes. Glenn Jones came to the studio offering one of the best songs of his career - "Mirror II (Mac and Elena)", a yearning. Fahey-esque acoustic ballad (heart-string tugging courtesy of Jonathan LaMaster's emotive violin melodies). Samples and electronic compositions were brought in by Cul de Sac electricians Robin Amos and Jake Trussell, exactingly constructed for certain scenes. The rest of the music was either composed in the studio or improvised on the spot as the film was running. The resulting score unfurls a sonic scene-by-scene recreation of the movie as Cul de Sac heard it. In the spirit of classic Italian horror film scores of the 70's and film soundtracks scored by avant rock bands such as Nosferatu (Popol Vuh), More (Pink Floyd) and Zabriskie Point (Various), Cul de Sac has concocted music of a tremendously detailed, dynamic scope. 'The Strangler's Wife' is a silver screen moment for one of the most expressive experimental rock bands of the last decade.
CD release for $14.
ROTHKO & BKL W/ BEAR - Wish for a World Without Hurt (Trace 001/UK) A new independent label formed by Rothko's Mark Beazley. A collaboration between Beazley and Washington DC-based sound and visual artist JS Adams (Blk w/ Bear). The collaborative effort grew from on-line conversations between Beazley and Adams over a decidedly necessary personal and creative response to the events of September 11, 2001. Their collaboration created four new tracks for 'Wish for a World Without Hurt' with the pair trading sound files between London and Washington with Adams being a resident of Washington DC, his personal experiences and memories of that day have helped to color the tone of this subtle and thought-provoking album; a perfect complement to the passionate introspection of Beazley's original tracks. Full of warm deep drones, sharp and soft melodies, raw-boned sound and with a common thread running like a vein through each track, 'Wish For a World Without Hurt' is a statement of declaration for these times.
UK import CD for $14.
THE CLASSICAL INDIAN COLLECTION - various artists (Outcaste 35) A unique double CD exploring the many subtle connections that bridge Indian and Western classical music. Avoiding the more fashionable East-West fusion exemplified by the dance-floor Asian underground, it draws its down tempo, blissful power from strong arrangements (Talvin Singh), ethereal flutes (Hariprasad Chaurasia), hypnotic percussion (Zakir Hussain) and the languid, cascading notes of the sitar (Ravi Shankar). Sourced diversely from symphonic classical fusions, Indo-jazz projects, Hindi movie soundtracks and downtempo, more clubby fusions of the Asian diaspora, 'The Classical Indian Collection' assembles the very best musicians and singers and the very best sounds. The recordings range across the decades, some dating from the 1960s (fusions involving Ravi Shankar and John Mayer); others from the most contemporary electronic hybrids (U Srinivas & Michael Brook, Tom Noble, Badmarsh And Shri). The familiar sounds of Indian classical music are here - from the sitar, tabla, the drone-like tampoura and the bowed sarangi - but also there are contributions from two instruments common to both Indian and European music - the violin (John Mayer, Yehudi Menuhin) and the flute (Rakesh Chaurasia and his father, the legendary Hariprasad). 'The Classical Indian Collection' is a brilliant expos of an organic musical tradition, whose roots date back thousands of years yet its practitioners sound absolutely contemporary.
2 CD set for $17.
ABAYUDAYA - Music from the Jewish People of Uganda (Smithsonian Folkways 40504) This features a unique collection of African-Jewish music in which the rhythms and harmonies of Africa blend with Jewish celebrations and traditional Hebrew prayers. This compelling repertoire is rooted in local Ugandan music and infused with rich choral singing, Afro-pop, and traditional drumming. The repertoire includes lullabies, political and children's song. Religious rituals, hymns, and celebratory music, with song texts in Hebrew, English, and several Ugandan languages. This singular community of African people living committed Jewish lives has survived persecution and isolation arid asserts, "Have we been saved by our music?"
CD release for $15.
THREE NEW RELEASES FROM OUR OLD FRIEND HOPPY KAMIYAMA:
Our old pal and former God Mountain label head Hoppy Kamiyama unexpectedly dropped by this week and left us with a few cds to sell. We haven't heard from Hoppy in a few years and we are glad to be back in contact with him. Sadly, the wonderful God Mountain back catalogue is long gone. The label still exists, but the releases are few, so Hoppy puts things out on other labels. We only have a handful of copies of each of the following cds, but we are planning to get more shipped from Japan as soon as we can. We will not review these until we get more so as not to frustrate you crazy god mountain fans. Anyone familiar with their back catalogue knows how great most of their cds are/were.
DAIMONJI - Improg (Poseidon/Musea 014) Featuring Hoppy Kamiyama on keyboards and vocal, Tatsuya Yoshida (from RUINS) on drums and vocal and Nasuno Mitsuru on bass. Four long pieces certain to blow minds, a must for RUINS fan-addicts.
Japanese import CD release for $20.
HOPPY KAMIYAMA - Testify My Love/Box of Laughter/Dueling Pages (Infinite 0003) Soundtrack project from a couple of different films.
Japanese import CD release for $20.
THE SABOTEN - Beyond the Blue Heaven (God Mountain 039) From 1991 and one of the last releases on this fabulous label. Produced by Hoppy Kamiyama.
Japanese import CD release for $20.
JACK BRUCE/DICK HECKSTALL-SMITH/JOHN STEVENS - This That and the Other (Atonal 3017) Recently discovered gem from 1993 that no-one knows anything about. Featuring Jack Bruce on bass & vocal, Dick Heckstall-Smith on tenor & soprano saxes, John Stevens on drums & trumpet and Glen Nightingale on guitar. Jack Bruce, Cream bassist and rock singer supreme, needs no intro. Mr. Heckstall-Smith played with Jack in Graham Bond's Organization in the mid-sixties and was also a member of Coliseum. John Stevens was one of the most influential modern jazz drummers in England and led the Spontaneous Music Ensemble and John Stevens Away. Somewhat loose but consistently creative and an unexpected delight. This came out in 1994 and I believe that this label is no longer, so who knows how long we'll be able to get copies.
German import CD for $18.
DMG RECOMMENDED CALENDER OF MUSIC GIGS FOR OCTOBER 24 ONWARDS...
SPECIAL NOTE FOR BUCKETHEAD FANS: THE LAST FEW MOVIEHOUSE SCREENINGS OF "FLESH FOR THE BEAST"
(before it goes direct-to-DVD in November, which we'll carry, natch') with an outrageous original score by our favorite KFC-Head, and produced by one of our good buddies Mr. Carl Morano
will take place at 7:30 PM on the 27th and 29th of this month at the Video Theatre, 85 East 4th Street.
Call 212-868-4444 for info
Fri Oct 24th-
JEREMY STEIG/ANDY EZRIN/CAMERON BROWN/JOE CHAMBERS at Cornelia St. Caf at 9 & 10:30 Jeremy is a legendary jazz flute player who we rarely here from & Joe Chambers an equally great drummer, who we also rarely see live!
CHRIS CHALFANT/TOMAS ULRICH/KEN YAMAZAKI at 205 W. 58th St. at 7:30! Chris is a fine pianist who works with Joseph Jarman, Tomas a great cellist who keeps busy & Ken a strong drummer!
BALLIN' THE JACK @ 10:00 with Matt Darriau - alto, clt., Andy Laster - bari, clt., John Carlson - trumpet, Jack Davis - tbone, George Schuller - traps, Ben Sher - guitar, Joe Fitzgerald - bass ...couple a sets at the 55 BAR, 55 Christopher St.
DAVE DOUGLAS' "WORD" w/ ROSWELL RUDD/ANDY BEY/MYRON WALDEN/JAMES GENUS/CLARENCE PENN at the Village Vanguard from Oct 21st-Oct. 26th
Sat Oct 25th
CARLA KIHLSTEDT has canceled, NELS CLINE will do a trio improv w/ Marina Rosenfeld at 8pm
CARLA BOZOLICH & NELS CLINE'S TRIBUTE TO WILLIE NELSON AT Tonic at 10pm!!
DAVE DOUGLAS' "WORD" w/ ROSWELL RUDD/ANDY BEY/MYRON WALDEN/JAMES GENUS/CLARENCE PENN at the Village Vanguard from Oct 21st-Oct. 26th
Sun Oct 26th-
ADAM CAINE on guitar & maybe KEVIN EULINGER on keyboard plus OKKYUNG LEE on solo (?) cello here at DMG at 7pm for free - still to be confirmed
GUY KLUCEVSEK & PHILLIP JOHNSTON CD release set at Joe's Pub at 7pm!
SUNDAY FREESTYLE SERIES at CB's Lounge starts at
7pm w/ Allen Won-sax and flute, John Ehlis - guitar, Todd Isler - percussion;
8pm - amanda monaco qt.;
9pm - the inbetweens: mike gamble-guitar, noah jarrett-bass, conor elmes- drums;
10pm - adam lane, herb robertson, mike attias, igal foni!! Another great line-up!!
Mon Oct 27th-
PHANTOM MUSIC FOR PIANO & ELECTRONICS by BERIO, COWELL, ETC. performed by Max Lifchitz at Christ & St. Stephen's Church 120 W. 69th St. at 8pm for free!
Tues Oct 28th-
GARY LUCAS SOLO talk, video & music for free at 8pm at Columbia University's Philosophy Hall! Presented by author & professor John Szwed!
Wed Oct 29th-
MARC RIBOT/DAVE HOFSTRA/DAVE MacKENZIE TRIO at Tonic at 8pm- Ribot is always great on guitar!
DINO SALUZZI TRIO at Merkin Hall at 8pm - Dino is a fabulous ECM bandoneonist who rarely plays here!
Wed Oct 30th-
HENRY GRIMES/MIYA MASAOKA/MATANA ROBERTS at the Jazz Gallery at 9 &10:30! ESP legendary bassist is back and playing incredibly! Miya plays koto and Matana plays alto sax and both are excellent improvisers!!
OTOMO YOSHIHIDE & MARTIN TETREAULT at Tonic at 10pm!! Otomo is one Japan's leading player/composer/bandleaders who plays sampler & guitar and Martin is an amazing turntablist from Montreal who often uses no records, just the turntable and (almost) never gets to NY - historic!!
Thurs Oct 31st- Halloween!
SUN RA ARKESTRA for free at the Faculty House at Columbia University organized by author & professor John Szwed!!
THE DOWNTOWN MUSIC GALLERY SUNDAY FREE NEW MUSIC SERIES CONTINUES WITH:
Sunday October 26th at 7pm - two amazing solos! ADAM CAINE on guitar! (KEVIN EULINGER has disappeared!!) Adam is a fine guitarist & this is his DMG debut!
OKKYUNG LEE on cello!!
Jorritt has cancelled and we are waiting to hear back from Okkyung, so stay tuned!
Okkyung is one the finest improvising cellists to emerge from the downtown scene!!
Sunday November 2nd-
Open date still to be filled
Sunday November 9th at 7pm-
DANIEL LEVIN & ROB BROWN - cello & alto sax duo!!
Daniel is a fantastic new cellist w/ his first cd out on Riti! Rob works w/ William Parker & is one the hottest alto saxists around!!
Sunday November 16th at 7pm- RAS MOSHE/MATANA ROBERTS/KYOKO KITAMURA/TODD NICHOLSON!!
Ras & Matana are both local legends on various saxes; Kyoko is an amazing avant/jazz vocalist and Todd Nicholson is one of the best new acoustic bassists!!
Sunday November 23rd at 7pm-
AMELIA HOLLANDER/DANIEL LEVIN/JOE MORRIS String Trio!!
Amelia on viola/Daniel on cello/Joe Morris on acoustic bass - their DMG debut!
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