New from CURLEW, J LYONS, K NORTON, OTOMO/SACHIKO et al and HARD TO GET CDS FROM LASWELL, HELLBORG/LANE and the WATER Label, 3 more from IMJ & a bunch of Rarities!


One of the great things about working here at DMG is the many great musicians who come to visit us each week. Over the past week we've seen Anthony Braxton, John Zorn, Matt Shipp, William Parker, Mark Dresser, Louie Belogenis, Ivo Perelman, Andy Haas amongst the luminaries visiting.
It was especially nice to talk with Mr. Braxton for a bit and reminisce about the loft jazz days, when three of these spaces existed on Bond St., just up the block from where we now hang our DMG hats: Studio Rivbea, Ladies Fort and the Tin Palace.
Nowadays, some twenty plus years later, we now have three more groovy spots to experience similar challenging sounds all within a two block distance - the Sunday Free Style Series at CB's Lounge, the Bowery Poetry Club and our own free Sunday Series here at DMG. Here's a short list of few important gigs that DMG is sponsoring in the next couple of weeks:


OSCAR NORIEGA & CHRIS SPEED CLARINETS DUO this Sunday January 18th at 7pm for free here at DMG, 13 Monroe St. - two amazing clarinet players join forces for a rare treat!!


HENRY KAISER Solo Acoustic Guitar Saturday January 24th at 2pm for free here at DMG, 13 Monroe St.!! Another incredibly rare treat from our favorite bay area guitar hero who rarely visits NYC!!


FRED FRITH & JOHN ZORN at Tonic, 107 Norfolk St., on Sunday January 25th at 10pm for one set only!! One of those incredible improv duos that is certain to blow minds once more!!



PAUL ROGERS Solo 6 String Contrabass & trio w/ Nick Didkovsky & Kevin Norton
on Saturday January 31st at 7pm at Bowery Poetry Club - 308 Bowery; Paul is one of the finest bassists we have ever seen/heard and this will be his solo debut for NYC!!!



UND NOW FOR SOME IMPORTANT and EXCITING NEW RELEASES:

CURLEW - Gussie [LP] (Roaratorio 05) On a hot Minneapolis night in the summer of 2001, the legendary avant/jazz group Curlew played a scorching gig at the now-defunct Gus Lucky's Gallery. 'Gussie' documents that evening: the veteran improvising group dispensed with their compositions altogether and took an eminently successful walk along the free-improv tightrope with a handful of their wonderfully catchy/challenging songs. Their ever-evolving lineup featured George Cartwright (saxophones), Davey Williams (guitar), Chris Parker (piano), Fred Chalenor (bass) and Bruce Golden (percussion). This is a limited edition of 436 copies, with hand-painted covers by Anne Elias. A MannyLunch MUST-HAVE!!! [ NO CD!]
LP for $16

JIMMY LYONS - Red Snapper (Cadence 1167) Featuring Karen Borca on bassoon, Dewey Johnson on trumpet, Marilyn Driscoll on piano, Paul Murphy on drums and the legendary Jimmy Lyons on alto sax. Last year was important one for late alto sax giant Jimmy Lyons, Cecil Taylor's most worthy and inventive collaborator for nearly two decades. Last year, we were all blessed with that amazing 5 cd box set on Ayler Disc, as well as the return of American distribution for Jimmy's five great discs from the Black Saint label. 'Red Snapper' is certain to be another lost long treasure and you know that we are just as psyched as you are!?! Review next week, once we get a copy for into our hands!
CD for $14

KEVIN NORTON - Intuitive Structures (Cadence 1166) Featuring Kevin on drums, vibes & percussion, Louie Belogenis on tenor & soprano saxes, Tomas Ulrich on cello and John Lindberg on contrabass. Percussionist and composer extrordinaire, Kevin Norton runs a number of successful and distinguished ensembles at once, as well as playing on numerous works for Anthony Braxton. Each of these gifted players are leaders on their own and word is that this quartet is superb live, we shall soon find out!
CD for $14

DJ SPOOKY - Rhythm Science (Sub Rosa 201) In this episode our favorite local remix scientist and subliminal wiz-kid, DJ Spooky, revisits the vast Sub Rosa catalogue, splicing and dicing a wide variety of sonic sorcerers and blending them into an intriguing new combination. Numerous excerpts come from BILL LASWELL, Sussan Deyhim, Charles Hayward, David Shea, Luciano Berio, Giancinto Scelsi, Morton Feldman, Scanner, DJ Wally, DJ Grazzhoppa, Oval, James Joyce, Oval, Seefeel, Kim Cascone, Brion Gysin, Gilles Deleuze, Nus, Marcel Duchamp, E.E. Cummings, Merzbow, Jon Hassell, Antonin Artaud, Main, Kurt Schwitters, Lee Ranaldo, Patti Smith and loads of others. A most impressive concoction and a number of odd combinations that work much more than one would think!
CD for $15

SIGNAL TO NOISE - Issue 32/Winter 2004 [90 page journal of improvised & experimental music] Cover story and long article on William Parker & the Little Huey Creative Music Orchestra, plus featured articles on Jaap Blonk, Vida Blue (feat. Phish keyboard ace), Neil Hagerty (from Royal Trux), Jimmy Lyons box set review, plus reviews of the month of Zorn & the High Zero Fest from Baltimore, a tribute to the late Matthew Sperry, plus newcomers JoAnne Pow!ers and Fritz Welch, and dozens of informed disc reviews!! A page from William Parker's journal, the Jaap Blonk article by our pal Kurt Gottschalk and the letter from Leo Feygin of Leo Records are especially tasty.
Magazine for $4

SHUFFLE BOIL - Issue no. 4 / summer/fall 2003 [74 page magazine of poets & music] Cover article and poetry of Ted Joans plus words from Ishmael Reed, Amiri Baraka, Val Wilmer, Lou Harrison, Stefan Wolpe, Jack Teagarden, Marty Ehrlich (interview), Paul Haines, Roswell Rudd, Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Duck Baker, Steve Dalachinsky, Bud Powell, Celia Cruz, Peter Garland, David Meltzer (from Serpent Power!), Julius Hemphill, Jack Kerouac and loads of other poets, assorted wordsmiths and fascinating reviews.
Magazine for $5

ISO: I.S.O. (Sound Tectonics 1038) ISO features Otomo Yoshihide, Sachiko M and Yoshimitsu Ichiraku. It is said that Sesshu-tei Garden of Joeiji Temple in Yamaquchi city was built by Sesshu, a priest and artist, about five hundred years ago. The garden is positioned on the north of the main temple and in the center of the inner garden of about 30 acres is a pond, which is shaped in the Chinese character of 'heart', surrounded by many vertically-standing stones. The woods on the east, west, and north sides of the garden make up the shape of a horseshoe, which creates a special space for vision and sound. For this live performance, three performers were positioned around the garden apart enough not to see each other to present their music over the garden. (ISO/left side: Otomo, center: Sachiko, right side: Yoshimitsu Ichiraku). Note: this CD was recorded through one-point stereo recording in the center of the main temple. The surrounding sounds such as animals around the garden, wind, and visitors were kept as they were at the mastering, because if they had been mechanically removed, delicate feelings generated by the extremely subtle sounds penetrating the whole garden would have been ruined. Astonishing sounds.
Japanese import CD for $21



THREE NEW TREASURES from the IMPROVISED MUSIC from JAPAN LABEL:

HAN BENNINK/KAZUO IMAI - Across The Desert CD (IMJ 514) European free jazz/free improvisation pioneer Han Bennink (drums) made this studio recording with Kazuo Imai (guitar) in Tokyo in May of 2002. Imai, who in the '70s studied with Masayuki Takayanagi and Takehisa Kosugi, currently performs both on his own and with the annual five-member collective improvisation project Marginal Consort. 'Across the Desert' contains nine duo pieces. Imai plays both acoustic and electric guitar while Bennink delivers strong, constantly changing rhythms. Here are two musicians who know their instruments inside out. Their unique affinity is powerfully conveyed in these dynamic exchanges.
Japanese import CD for $17

TOSHIMARU NAKAMURA/TETUZI AKIYAMA - Meeting at Off Site Vol. 3 (IMJ 515). Gallery Off Site in Yoyogi, Tokyo, is one of the world's most well known venues for new improvised music. 'Meeting at Off Site', the monthly improvisational performance series hosted by Tetuzi Akiyama and Toshimaru Nakamura, has in recent years been Off Site's main event. The six tracks on this CD are edited recordings of the Meetings of May through October, 2002. This is the final collection of original-format Meetings, in which hosts Akiyama and Nakamura improvised with one or two guest musicians from Japan or overseas. (Subsequently, the format was changed to a solo session by a guest musician.) In other words, it is the final segment of a trilogy. Here is the 'Off Site sound,' characterized by extreme quietness and sparsity of sound. As a document of internationally recognized cutting-edge improvised music, Meeting at Off Site Vol. 3 should not be missed. Guest musicians are Hakon Kornstad, Masafumi Ezaki, o.blaat, Sachiko M, Oren Ambarchi, Keiichi Sugimoto, Paul Hood, and Gunter Muller.
Japanese import CD for $17

TOSHIMARU NAKAMURA - Side Guitar (IMJ 513) Nakamura's main instrument of late has been what he calls the 'no-input mixing board.' Rather than input external sound sources into the mixer, he treats it as a self-contained instrument by controlling its internal feedback -- the result being a truly original performance style. Over the past four years, Nakamura has released the solo NIMB CDs No-Input Mixing Board (on the Zero Gravity label), No-Input Mixing Board 2 (a bruit secret), Vehicle (cubic music), and No-Input Mixing Board [3] (Alcohol). These releases and his many live performances in Japan and abroad have been widely acclaimed. Nakamura started out as a guitarist and still plays his guitar from time to time. 'Side Guitar' is the solo guitar album he's been itching to make. The title comes from the term used in the sixties and seventies, in the heyday of Japanese 'Group Sounds' bands, for backup -- or rhythm -- guitar players. This is Nakamura's homage to the 'side guitar' playing he once aspired to. Don't be misled, however, by the album title, or by the track title 'Rhythm Guitar'. This is still the Nakamura of the no-input mixing board: the sound, consisting mainly of feedback from the guitar, is uniquely abstract. As you listen, you'll catch sight of a musician who remembers his 'side guitar' -- idolizing self of 30 years ago as he pursues the joy of making sound.
Japanese import CD for $17

STEVE REICH/AMANDINA PERCUSSION GROUP- Music For 18 Musicians (Hungaraton 32208) Performed by the Amadinda Percussion Group with guests, recorded live in Budapest, 1990. "For the most part I have no interest in 'live' recordings. My ensemble has made many of them over the years for various European Radio stations and I never listen to them. (Perhaps I should) Whenever my ensemble records we have always recorded in a multi-track studio. However, once in a great while, a fine recording is made of a miraculous concert - and this is what we have on this CD. Studio enhancements are replaced by a magic performance. The performance is so astoundingly good and played with such amazing energy, that one is simply swept along." -- Steve Reich in July of 2003. "Perhaps, better than the original" - Manny & Bruce from DMG
Hungarian import CD for $17

HENRY BRANT - The Henry Brant Collection, Volume 1 [2 CD set] (Innova 408) When this was released last month, I borrowed the press blurb from FE for a description, but due to number of rave reviews from a few of our informed customers/friends and thanks to our friends at Innova for the promo, I have decided to review this myself. Montreal born composer Henry Brant moved to NY in 1929, composed and conducted for radio, film, ballet and jazz groups, as well as teaching at Julliard, Columbia and at Bennington College from 1957-1980. Since 1950, Mr. Brant has been composing spatial music which deals with the planned positioning of performers throughout the concert space. This double disc is comprised of two such works, "Northern Lights Over the Twin Cities" (1985) and "A Plan of the Air" (1975). "Northern LightsÉ" is 96 minutes long, broken into 14 sections with texts taken from National Geographic, astronomy magazine and encyclopedias. "Battle of Gods" is a rather ominous and eerie section of deep ghost-like voices and mesmerizing orchestral clouds made from percussion, horns and strings. Instrumental interludes like "Ionized Atoms" for percussion and piano are filled with swirling, disorienting sounds, often short, yet most effective. "Rarefied Air" is for two jazz ensembles that seem to move in different directions together. The strange texts that Brant uses, as well as the layers of odd operatic vocals blend ancient and modern myths into a new alien landscape that is both fascinating and troubling and will take some time to absorb fully. "A Plan of the Air" is for widely separated instrumental and vocal groups with two conductors. Once again, distant, floating voices, a dozen flutists and a few dozen woodwinds, horns and percussionists create a spooky, alien world. Philip from Innova mentioned that the second volume of the Brant collection should be out by next year, which should give us enough time to take this one in.
2 CD set for $20.

ZEITGEIST - If Tigers Were CloudsÉ (Innova 589) Premiere new music ensemble celebrates "eight decades of women in experimental music". Featuring compositions by Pauline Oliveros, Yoko Ono, Annie Gosfield, Eleanor Hovda, Beth Custer, Mildred Couper, Johanna M. Beyer and an improvisation on instruments built by Arthur Ferris. Each piece is quite different, from Annie's "Five Will Get You Seven" for two percussionists and bass clarinet, a child-like boisterous work which moves through sparse and quirky sections. Pauline Oliveros' "Sound Fishes" is much more agitated and intense than her usual deep listening ambiance. Mildred Couper is one of the first female pioneers of modern classical music, her "Xanadu" from 1930 is for two pianos tuned a _ tone apart, which has a strangely hypnotic and slightly bent vibe. As a longtime fan of bay area based Beth Custer, her immensely charming "Swim" begins with some delightful vocals which slowly mutate into some more mysterious, floating sounds. Eleanor Hovda's "If Tigers Were CloudsÉ" reminds me of the way Lois Veirk's works subtly shift as they evolve melting patterns. Yoko Ono's "Pieces for Orchestra" is a short Fluxus piece which seems to deal with exquisite snippets/textures like balloon rubbing or paper ripping. A thoughtful presentation and a mixed bag of quirky sonic surprises are in store.
CD for $14

TETSU INOUE & ANDREW DEUTSCH - Installation Sound (Institute for Electronic Arts 05) 'Installation Sound' documents Tetsu Inoue's sound installations from around the world. Included are installation works for the Diapason Gallery and Engine 27, both in New York and Castello di Rivoli Museum in Italy from 2003. In addition, there are several collaborative tracks by Tetsu Inoue and Andrew Deutsch which exemplify what might be called 'isolated energy' compositions. Overall, this work exhibits beautiful combinations of sounds scatter threw space and time focused through the extraordinary compositional lens of Tetsu Inoue. Graphic inserts, which are designed and printed on high quality paper and hand assembled by Deutsch at the Institute for Electronic Arts are also included plus digital photography by Tetsu Inoue with treatments and image processing by Andrew Deutsch.
CD for $10

NGUYEN LE PURPLE - Celebrating Jimi Hendrix (Act 9410) Featuring Nguyen on elctric guitars, Michel Alibo on el. bass and Terri Lyne Carrington on drums & vocals, plus guest vocalists, Meshell Ndegeocello on el. bass, Karim Ziad on gumbri & African percussion and Bojan Zulfikarppasic on pianos. This was recorded in both Paris, where Nguyen & Michel live and in NY where Terri Lyne & Meshell probably live. I must admit that I was unfamiliar with fusion guitarist Nguyen Le before this, especially since his technical prowess and tone put him smack dab in the middle of those fusion players I often ignore. What's interesting is that Terri Lyne's lead vocals sound great, who knew she could sing as well as the plays those powerful drums?!? Starting with "1983É(A Merman I Should Turn to Be)", we begin our cosmic journey with some loose, inspired playing from this fabulous power trio, actually quartet with swirling acoustic piano added. Both exotic vocalists, Aida Khann and Corin Curschellas, also have wonderfully sensuous voices, something that would've made Jimi smile and often sing in other languages than English. Nguyen also plays (the often dreaded) guitar synth, but uses it minimally, adding just the right amount of sonic spice. Nguyen takes a number of Jimi's unique sounds and effects and uses with respectful taste, taking a number of superb note-bending solos. As big Hendrix fan myself, I found that Nguyen has chosen ten of my favorite Hendrix tracks and done an excellent job on each one. My favorite renditions include "Burning of the Midnight Lamp", "Voodoo Child (slight return)", which opens with a gumbri (north African stringed instrument!) and "Third Stone from the Sun", yet this is certainly a truly inspired gem throughout! (We got a half dozen of these discs from a friend, so who knows how long they will lastÉ)
French import CD for $16.



IMPORTANT RARETIES & LIMITED RESTOCKS TO GRAB WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!!!

SKULI SVERRISSON - Seremonie (Extreme 039) Icelandic electric bass hero, Skuli Sverrisson, has had an unusual career that has stretched some true extremes. He went from playing in that ambient/space music group Mo Boma (4 cd's for the Extreme label) to playing with fusion guitar ace Alan Holdsworth. He then moved to NY during the mid-nineties and formed Pachora, a middle-eastern/Euro sounding quartet with Chris Speed, Brad Shepik and Jim Black. Besides Pachora, who remain as one of downtown's most successful bands, Skuli keeps busy a variety of other bands or projects. He has a few solo/duo releases out on Scandinavian labels from recent years, which seem to have no US distribution at present, which is sad since we would love to both own and sell such discs. 'Seremonie' was Skuli's first (and only?) solo electric bass guitars (w/ samples) offering from 1996 for the Extreme label and has been long out-of-print and nearly impossible to track down. It is filled with shimmering, layers of fretless electric basses floating in a hypnotic dream world. Strangely beautiful, quietly intense and somewhat alien in nature. Mr. Sverrisson will lead his own ensemble at Tonic this Saturday January 17th at 8pm with a stellar cast featuring Chris Speed on clarinet, Peter Scherer on piano, Okkyung Lee on cello, Amedeo Pace on guitar and John Hollenbeck on percussion. We have only three new copies of this gem to offer youÉ
Very rare CD only release for $25

MO BOMA - Myths of the Near Future, Part Two & Part Three (Extreme 030 & 035) [2 cds] With music dedicated to "the memory of the plants, animals, and indigenous peoples whose extinction is caused by man," Mo Boma mixes elements of ambient and world music combined with the same sort of ambient classicism that drove much of Tangerine Dream's best work. But what sets the trio apart from more self-indulgent groups of the instrumental music genre is the incorporation of live instruments. Skuli Sverrisson's subtle, unobtrusive bass work recalls the bottom-end gurglings of Bill Laswell, while Carsten Tiedemann (who also contributes vocals, percussion, and African lute to the mix) plays guitar like a young Robert Fripp. But it's the synth work of Jamshied Sharifi that provokes Tangerine Dream comparisons, as his mature phrasing and textural layering sound like the product of a classical music background. The group uses source recordings from Central Africa as one element of its sound, but rather than the shallow gimmickry of groups like Deep Forest, such assimilations seem natural in the context of Mo Boma's exotic musical environments. A welcome addition to the ethno-ambient canon."- Bret Love/All Music Guide.
Limited number of these long out-of-print classic CDs only releases for $14 each

IVO PERELMAN/WILLIAM PARKER/RASHIED ALI - LIVE! (Zero In 2) An incredibly intense free/jazz trio live offering featuring Ivo Perelman on tenor sax, William Parker on acoustic bass and Rashied Ali on drums. This was recorded by yours truly on my trusty old Sony portable TCD5-M cassette deck on my birthday (no less) during one of those great Knitting Factory What is Jazz Festivals on June 19th of 1996. Some young cat from Austin, Texas released this gem and then disappeared. The sound was cleaned up a bit and still sounds f**king amazing today! Ivo Perelman has become a successful painter over the past few years and recently came out of retirement with another new double trio gem out on Boxholder. A cd release celebration set will take tentatively place at Tonic on March 20th!
Limited number of this long out of print CD only release for $20

TELEVISION - Television (Capitol 98396) Relatively great reunion studio release from the most inventive and progressive of all US so-called punk bands born out of the CBGB's scene. This was from the time of Television's first reunion tour in 1992 and they were still as amazing in concert as they were in 1979 when I caught them at My Father's Place in Long Island, which is captured on 'The Blow Up' cd and lp set. They have also toured twice again over the past two years and continue to blow minds live still. It always a blast to hear both Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd trading their stinging lead guitars and pulling off those inspired solos. Verlaine's vocals also sound splendid. Both of Television's classic studio efforts, 'Marquee Moon' and 'Adventure' were reissued last year with numerous bonus tracks and Rhino Handmade also released a rare live cd last year, available only through Rhino's own website. We found only three sealed copies of this Dutch import so don't wait!
Sealed Dutch import CD for $20.

NILS PETER MOLVAER - Khmer [ltd 2 CD set] (ECM; US) ltd first run of el-trumpet player Molvaer's phenomenal solo debut on the ECM label included a 2nd CD of remixed cuts off the first disc [which are NOT found on the German-only 'Remixes' CD we once carried] that had been sold as a CD ep in Europe only.
OOP 2 CD set for $16

KENNY WHEELER/LEE KONITZ/DAVE HOLLAND/BILL FRISELL - Angel Song (ECM; US) Sometimes it's wise to be wary of great line-ups when they're doing a Manfred Eicher production [occassionally wimpy!] but not here. One of the top albums of '97! Supposedly in-print, this is the first time we've had copies [but not the quantity we asked for] in 4 years!
CD for $16

MARILYN CRISPELL/GARY PEACOCK/PAUL MOTIAN With ANNETTE PEACOCK - Nothing Ever Was, Anyway: The Music of Annette Peacock [2 CD SET] (ECM; US) Stunning interpretations of Ms. Peacock' tunes by longtime admirerer Crispell, many of which ["Blood", "Touching", "Cartoon", Albert's Love Themewere originally written for her common-law husband Paul Bley's 60's repertoire - whom she met when the teen bride of Gary, who was Ayler's basssist at the time, and has been Bley's bassist on and off for over 40 years. Annette herself sings on the title cut' s closing version, capping an otherwise instrumental odyssey through dark plains and slowly moving, yet highly emotional terrain. Regularly $28 we have some copies for..
2 CD set for $20



A FEW BILL LASWELL RELATED OUT-OF-PRINT COMPACT DISCS: ONLY 1 TO 5 COPIES OF EACH!

BILL LASWELL'S JAZZONIA - Jazzonia (Douglas; US) Unique combination taking the jazz tradition of the past and updating them for the present, with hip-hop beats and the like. This mixture has often enough resulted in lukewarm acid jazz or, worse yet, cynical cash-ins, although gems can be found. Thanks to Laswell's unique vision, however, the music on this disc is nothing short of amazing. [one opinion among many conflicting ones - Mannylunch] With Karl Berger ,Byard Lancaster,Bill Laswell, Graham Haynes, Bootsy Collins, D.X.T.Grandmaster Melle Mel, Amina Claudine Myers, Brandon Ross et al
OOP CD for $25

GOLDEN PALOMINOS - Golden Palominos (Celluloid 5002) Finally back in stock! This was the first downtown super-group (from 1983), led by drum ace Anton Fier and featuring an incredible cast/double band - John Zorn (alto sax & bird calls), Arto Lindsay (skronk guitar & vocals) up front, Bill Laswell & Jamaaladeen Tacuma on electric basses and Anton & David Moss on drums & percussion. Guests include Fred Frith on guitars & violin, Nicky Skopelitis on guitars, Michael Beinhorn & Mark E. Miller on assorted things. They were without a doubt the NY's finest progressive/avant/jazz/rock/funk of that year and only played a few gigs before Anton disbanded them and put together an entirely new crew.
THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE COMPLETE, CLASSIC 1ST ALBUM ON CD!
OOP CD for $15.

BILL LASWELL/PETE NAMLOOK - Psychonavigation 2 (Fax PW 24, Germany) Yes! We found a handful of this original [and only pressing - although Psyconav 1 has had many editions, #2 has never been reissued anywhere!] ltd. ed. of 2000 copies inside a box of our tax records from 1995 when cleaning up the mess of boxes we brought over from our old space last year. You aint gonna git a second chance [except on eBay for a lot more!]
OOP CD $15

BILL LASWELL/PETE NAMLOOK - Psychonavigation [1] (Rocket/Subharmonic, US) Yes! We found a handful of this ltd. ed. version of the US pressing [originally released by FAX in Germany] whose cover is molded of heavy rubber and depicts a micro-organic landscape in bas-relief - no two covers alike
OOP CD $15

THIRD RAIL - South Delta Space Age (Antilles) Featuring James "Blood" Ulmer on guitar & vocals, Bill Laswell on electric bass & production, (P.Funk's) Bernie Worrell on organ & clavinet, Amina Claudine Myers on organ & vocals and Joseph "Ziggy" Modeliste (from The Meters) on drums. Although this was the first collaboration with "Blood" and Laswell and it is certainly a mishmash of styles; however, given the title, it appears that the juxtaposition of dirty blues-based grooves and spacey psychedelic jazz-funk is entirely intentional. While the album occasionally seems to have more ideas than it knows what to do with, most of them do work. These nine lengthy tracks aren't geared towards soloing, but there is a fine funky swamp/blues vibe at the center. The Hendrix-like rocker "First Blood" and the trance-like opener "Dusted" are the dual high points. Those looking for hair-raising soloing will likely be disappointed, but anyone interested in collective improvisation and soulful rock-influenced jazz should be interested.
OOP CD for $20

GEORGE CLINTON With BILL LASWELL - Get Yo Ass In The Water And Swim Like Me (Douglas; US) Originally destined to be a vinyl mini-album but not released, this poorly distributed item from '97 suffered an ignominious fate as well. 3 versions of the title cut plus the tune "Iceberg Dead Ahead" all co-written by Clinton and Laswell, with the Laz doing all the music! appx 24 minutes.
OOP CDep for $20

GOLDEN PALOMINOS - Drunk With Passion (Charisma; US) Between the first four '80s albums on Celluloid and the rest of their '90s albums on Restless, Anton Fier and crew made one for the Charisma label that almost immediately went out of print when the label dropped them. With Laswell, Richard Thompson and Nicky Skopelitis, Carla Bley, and even Bob Mould and Michael Stipe!
OOP CD for $20

SXL - Into The Outlands (Celluloid) An impressive, yet often overlooked Laswell project that featured Ronald Shannon Jackson & Ayib Dieng on drums & percussion, L. Shankar on electric violin, Bill on el. bass and the great Korean percussion ensemble, SamulNori. Similar to the funk/world blend of albums like Bill's 'Hear No Evil' solo effort, this is a joyous celebration. The first of the two side-length tracks, "Voice of Thunder," opens with Laswell's quartet establishing a fine post-Milesian groove for about ten minutes before a break in which SamulNori stakes a claim to the rhythm. It's one of the central conceptual victories of this music that Laswell was able to see a connection between his brand of free funk and a Korean music centuries old. These drummers are quite able to give Jackson a run for his money and then some (check out their superb disc on CMP, 'Rhythm of Changes'). The second cut, "Speed of Light," reverses the prior order, beginning with SamulNori in full splendor, their unusually (to Western ears) tuned drums and gongs a-clatter with strong, vibrant rhythms. Toward the end, they're joined seamlessly by Laswell's band to ride out the piece in delirium.
CD release for $10 / 7 for the price 6 CD sale




CLASSIC FUSION DISCS from HELLBORG'S DAY EIGHT & BARDO LABELS FEATURING THE LATE, GREAT SHAWN LANE - IN STOCK!!

One of the sad moments of 2003 was hearing about the untimely death of fusion guitar god Shawn Lane. Electric bassist extraordinaire Jonas Hellborg's phenomenal post/fusion power with Shawn Lane and Jeff Sipes (a/k/a Apt. Q-42) were one of the best electric jazz trios of the nineties and all six of their releases were incredible. I first caught Hellborg with (John McLaughlin's) reformed Mahavishnu Orchestra and later with the John McLaughlin (acoustic) trio with Trilok Gurtu on percussion. Jonas blew me away both times with his phenomenal bass playing. I also caught Jonas' trio with Lane & Sipes at Wetlands a couple of times during the nineties and was again completely knocked out by this brilliant trio who re-invented what was still great about fusion at this late date. Jonas' own old label Day Eight put out a number of great releases with great musicians like Ginger Baker and Bill Laswell and many of Bill's cohorts. Eventually Day Eight folded and Jonas started the Bardo label, which continues to release a variety of Jonas' great projects/bands. Bardo has recently reissued a few of the Day Eight gems once again and intends on reissuing most (all?) of their old catalogue. Below is the list what is currently available from Bardo and below that some lengthy reviews to tempt you with. All are presently in stock and we will try to keep it that way for as long as we can. We are also investigating the rumour that other Day Eight titles that were long thought to be out-of-print may be available in limited quantities to us - stay tuned!


JONAS HELLBORG/SHAWN LANE With APT Q-258 [aka JEFF SIPE] - Zenhouse (Bardo 39; USA) Jonas Hellborg Ovation Acoustic Double Neck Bass Guitar, Shawn Lane Ovation Acoustic Guitar, Apt. Q-258 Percussion
CD $15.00

JONAS HELLBORG/SHAWN LANE/APT Q-258 [aka JEFF SIPE] - Time Is The Enemy (Bardo 137; USA) Now, Bardo Records presents a remastered edition of this group's second release, Time is the Enemy. The lineup is the same: Hellborg, Lane and Q-258. And the six cuts are recorded live, just as on Temporal Analogues of Paradise, featuring more of Hellborg's driving, motivic bass, Lane's single-line pyrotechnics, and Q-258's protean drumming. Don't expect to hear "Temporal Analogues Volume 2," though. Hellborg and Co. have solidified their vision, producing an instrumental work that is even more cohesive and exciting.But that doesn't mean that they've cut down on the jaw-dropping pyrotechnics. The tighter grooves and motifs have given these master improvisers more ideas to sink their teeth into. Especially the always-stunning Lane, who sent countless guitarists back to the woodshed with his hard-to-find solo debut "Powers Of Ten" (Warner Brothers, 1993).
CD $12.00 STOCK

JONAS HELLBORG/SHAWN LANE/JEFF SIPE - Personae (Bardo 41; USA) JONAS HELLBORG's wide-ranging musical interests and unequaled technical ability have found the bassist/composer playing alongside such disparate artists as John McLaughlin, Billy Cobham, Ginger Baker, Tony Williams, Reebop Kwaku Baah, John Lydon, and Bill Laswell. Hellborg has recorded over 20 albums as a leader and numerous as a sideman. Most recently, he has been working with Indian percussionist V. Selvaganesh (Shakti). SHAWN LANE first gained widespread recognition at the age of fourteen as lead guitarist for Black Oak Arkansas. Lane has since performed and recorded with Joe Walsh, Alex Chilton, Sam and Dave, Robert Duval, and the Highwaymen (Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, and Waylon Jennings), among others. JEFF SIPE, aka Apt. Q 258, perhaps best known as a member of Aquarium Rescue Unit, is widely acknowledged as one of the foremost drummers in popular music. With unrivaled chops and a knack for versatility, Sipe has worked with artists ranging from Derek Trucks to Col. Bruce Hampton to Leftover Salmon.
CD $15.00 STOCK

JONAS HELLBORG/SHAWN LANE/JEFF SIPE - Temporal Analogues Of Paradise (Bardo 136; USA) [Originally released on Day Eight] Temporal Analogues of Paradise is about truth in music. When Shawn and I started playing with Jeff, we were for the first time able to step out of the confinement of set compositions for entire concerts, and improvise in the true sense of the word. When you are immediately heard and responded to by 2 other people, like in a verbal conversation, you have to make a decision if you are going to speak your mind and heart or if you are going to do a preconceived routine. We had many moments of musically being true, honest and present.The joy of being in the rare moment of time that is now and expressing that without references to other moments, just now, is what happened to us on quite a few occasions during tours in '96.Paradise must be of no time, we are imprisoned in time. The closest we can get to the real thing would be the temporal analogues of paradise. When we played it we were there, listening to it I hope you can get close. "Shameless chops - grandstanding of the highest order underscored by near-telepathic interplay." Bill Milkowski, Pulse
CD $12.00 STOCK

JONAS HELLBORG/SHAWN LANE/V SELVAGANESH - Good People In Times Of Evil (Bardo 40; USA) This remarkable CD finds Jonas Hellborg, Shawn Lane, and V. Selvaganesh traversing heretofore uncharted musical landscapes and, in the process, creating one of the of the more unique and compelling collections of recorded music in recent memory.Those familiar with Hellborg's previous work won't be surprised to hear that the album defies categorization, but even longtime fans will be surprised at the casual grace and unnerving competency with which this trio deftly pickpockets from any number of dissimilar genres, producing a cohesive and utterly convincing whole.From the achingly beautiful opening track, "Aga of the Ladies," to "Bhakti Ras" (recorded live in Bombay with a guest appearance from renowned Indian sarangi player, Ustad Sultan Khan), GOOD PEOPLE in Times of Evil ignores conventions and sets a standard for creative improvised music which will leave others scrambling to catch up for a while to come.Jonas Hellborg Bass, Shawn Lane Guitar,V. Selvaganesh Kanjeera, Udu and Vocals
CD $15.00 STOCK

JONAS HELLBORG/ SHAWN LANE/ V SELVAGANESH/ V UMASHANKAR/ V UMAMAHESH - Icon (Bardo 43; USA) "Improvisation is the backbone of both Indian music and jazz," explains Hellborg. "True improvisation is a very difficult thing to achieve - it has to both build upon and defy tradition."The furious tempos, rapid-fire percussion, and dexterous bass and guitar lines would be worth a listen on their own merits, but the music on ICON is so much more than simply a display of virtuosity. Hellborg and Selvaganesh are credited as the primary composers of the four tracks and it is the pair's oblique, abstract sense of melody and ambitious rhythmic schemes that truly set this collection apart.
CD $15.00 STOCK

JONAS HELLBORG - Elegant Punk (Day Eight 004; USA) Hellborg's first solo album, The Bassic Thing, was released in 1981. By 1984, it was out of print and replaced with Elegant Punk. the first recorded at his Day Eight Music Studios in Lund, Sweden. In 1984 Hellborg had just started playing with John McLaughlin and was recording a documentation of his work as a solo bass performer for the last 3 years. The sessions for Elegant Punk took a week but all the material on the record was recorded in one late night session.
CD $15.00 STOCK

JONAS HELLBORG - The Silent Life (Day Eight 026; USA) Jonas Hellborg started performing solo concerts in 1980. At one such performance, The Montreaux Jazz Festival, he was heard by Michael Brecker, who then introduced him to John McLaughlin.. The solo bass work took a break for a few years out of the need for an instrument better suited for this musical concept than the electric bass. Luthier Abraham Wechter, well known for designing the "Shakti" guitar for John McLaughlin, agreed to build an acoustic bass guitar. The instrument was finished in 1988 and was featured on the Axiom Records release with Hellborg's The Word. The Silent Life was recorded early 1991 in three different sessions at Greenpoint Studio NY by Oz Fritz. This is Hellborg's third solo bass release. Jonas Hellborg Acoustic Bass Guitar
CD $15.00 STOCK

ANDERS JOHANSSON With JONAS HELLBORG et al - Shu-Tka (Day Eight 031; USA) One of the most vital musical movements in the world in recent time has been the development of Heavy Metal music. Even if it is being snubbed by jazz and classical communities it has produced a lot of fantastic virtuosos and musical forms and expressions. One of these great virtuosos is Swedish drummer Anders Johansson. Anders Johansson spent five years in Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force earning his Heavy Metal credits before together with his brother Jens joining Jonas Hellborg's Group out of the need to do something more challenging. Johansson grew up on a variety of Jazz, Classical, Contemporary, different Ethnic music and various forms of Progressive rock and Heavy Metal. His father used to play him Ligeti and Stockhausen when he was only 5-6 years old.Sound is a miniature musical form in itself. It is at the same time a sonic mirror reflection of the instrument or the object being played. A great sounding instrument normally looks fantastic. If you turn this concept around you have the idea of a beautiful form that also sounds great. This is the basic premise of instrument maker Ahmed Alamnaghasi. SHU-TKA is a series of percussion pieces utilizing Ahmed Alamnaghasi's unique instruments. Anders Johansson percussion, Ahmed Alamnaghasi percussion
CD $15.00 STOCK

JONAS HELLBORG GROUP With ANDERS JOHANSSON & JENS JOHANSSON - Featuring Johansson & Johansson (Day Eight 033; USA) In 1988, after five years with John McLaughlin in duet and Mahavishnu, Jonas Hellborg formed his own group. In order to have freedom in the roles of orchestration within the ensemble, he choose a trio line-up of bass, drums and keyboards. Early 1988 Hellborg moved to New York to audition musicians for this group.After a few months he settled for drummer Kenwood Dennard, who had then recently worked with Jaco Pastorius and Sting, and Turkish pianist Aydin Esen, whose credits include Miroslav Vitous. This was to be the first edition of the Jonas Hellborg Group. The Group toured Europe playing mainly clubs and some festivals and TV shows. After two tours Hellborg felt the music sounded too much like fusion rather than a cross between heavy metal and east European folk music.The change came at a concert of heavy metal guitar hero Yngwie Malmsteen where Hellborg heard the two Johansson Brothers, Jens (keyboards) and Anders (drums) and realized that they where far too talented for that situation. The following years this outfit completed a few tours while Jens Johansson recorded and toured with DIO, Anders Johansson worked with Marty Friedman (Megadeath) and Blue Murder and Jonas Hellborg did records and tours with Ginger Baker, Bill Laswell, Tony Williams, Michael Shrieve, Buckethead and various others.Now finally this ensemble has recorded an album of this hybrid of twentieth century art music, death jazz and Asian folk music.Jonas Hellborg Bass, Jens Johansson Keyboards, Anders Johansson Drums
CD $15.00 STOCK

JONAS HELLBORG With GLEN VELEZ - Ars Moriende (Day Eight 034) Great Bass & frame drum duo!
CD $15.00 STOCK




THE 'PEARLS BEFORE SWINE' REPRISE TITLES ARE FINALLY REISSUED AS INDIVIDUAL CDS ON THE INFAMOUS 'WATER' LABEL!


PEARLS BEFORE SWINE - The Things Too (Water 111) Pearls Before Swine's third album (and their first for Reprise) was originally released in 1969. Dreamy psychedelia, organic American folk songs, political and social utopias, personal salvation and transformation, country-rock, and pure beatific vision are the elements that create Tom Rapp's sonic architecture here.
CD $15

PEARLS BEFORE SWINE - The Use Of Ashes (Water 112) Their fourth album (second for Warner/Reprise) and released in 1970 features songs written by Tom Rapp while living in Holland. Subversive, tender, moving, goofy, maddening and completely profound.
CD $15

PEARLS BEFORE SWINE - City Of Gold (Water 113) Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under foot and turn to attack you. This is the third Warner/Reprise album from Tom Rapp and Co. Originally released in 1971 and once again a true gem of precious folk/psych magic.
CD $15

PEARLS BEFORE SWINE - ...Beautiful Lies You Could Live In (Water 114) Pearls Before Swine's fourth and last Warner/Reprise album originally released in 1971. Ten Tom Rapp originals, plus a beautiful cover of Leonard Cohen's 'Bird On A Wire'. There is a dark angel's purity in these songs and all of them are of a piece musically and philosophically linked with all of the others.
CD $15

PEARLS BEFORE SWINE - When Jewels Were Stars [Ltd. Ed. 4 CD box set] (Water 200) After two incredible 'acid-folk' albums for the ESP label during the summer of love era, in 1969 Pearls Before Swine signed to Warner/Reprise. 'These Things Too', 'The Use Of Ashes', 'City of Gold' and 'Beautiful Lies You Could Live In' are enchanting singer/songwriter masterpieces with a cult of admirers as diverse as Patti Smith, Damon & Naomi, Sonic Youth, Steve Dalachinsky and yours truly! This box contains all those four Warner/Reprise albums (remastered from the original tapes and released on cd for the very first time), plus a detailed 60-page book with photos, memorabilia and liner notes by Lenny Kaye, Byron Coley, Savage Pencil, Bevis Frond, Mitch Myers, Joe Phillips, Damon Krukowski and Masaki Batoh, plus interviews with Tom Rapp and Elisabeth. Now if only Tom Rapp's superb 'Stardancer' album could also be reissued, we could all die happy! Limited to 2,000 copies. So save $10 over the individual releases and get a 60 pg. booklet and slipbox in the bargain!
4 CD box-set for $50.00 STOCK

THE 'WATER' LABEL HAS CHARTED A JAGGED COURSE OF REISSUES, BRINGING TO LIGHT WONDERFUL FORGOTTEN OBSCURITIES [like the Pearls Before Swine titles above] FROM EVERY GENRE - HERE'S THE REST:
[NOTE: We have only some titles in stock below, but are expecting more copies of these next week, so ordering the below may delay your order a few days in most cases]

TOM RAPP - Tom Rapp/Familiar Songs (Water 125; USA) After four blissfully stoned albums (all recorded for Reprise), 1972 seemed to be the perfect time for a Pearls Before Swine 'best of' LP. Rather than use previous recordings, Tom Rapp and pals entered the studio to re-record some PBS classics and the results become known as Familiar Songs (released here on CD for the first time). Featuring new liner notes from Tom Rapp on the origins of these 1972 recording sessions that are 'like that disturbing yearbook picture of you that you now see through a haze of nostalgia and good will'
CD $15

ALBERT AYLER - Complete Nuits de la Fondation Maeght 1970 (Water 103; USA) A fantastic CD reissue featuring two classic late Albert Ayler's albums (both originally released on the French Shandar label). Albert Ayler on tenor sax, with Mary Maria on vocals, Call Cobbs on piano, Steve Tintweiss on bass and Allen Blairman. Recorded live in France at the Fondation Maeght in St. Paul de Vence (July 25th and 27th, 1970). Stellar live performances capturing his two last gigs ever. Contains new exclusive liner notes by Wire contributor David Keenan.
CD $15

Also available as 2 separate volumes on LP:

ALBERT AYLER - Vol 1: Nuits de la Fondation Maeght 1970 (Water 501; USA)
LP $15

ALBERT AYLER - Vol 2: Nuits de la Fondation Maeght 1970 (Water 502; USA)
LP $15

WILLIAM S. FISCHER - Circles (Water 123; USA) ground-breaking blend of concentrated funk, electronica, soul, and futureheaded jazz rock. William S. Fischer, musical director for 1960's soul funk experiments of Eddie Harris, Eugene McDaniels and Les McCann, released this amazing debut solo album for the Embryo label in 1970. Some of these songs would appear in the 1971 streets of New York drug movie Born To Win starring Robert De Niro & Karen Black. Featuring Ron Carter and Billy Cobham. First time on CD with liner notes and rare photos.
CD $15

EDDIE GALE - Eddie Gale's Ghetto Music (Water 117; USA) Having developed his skills amongst the cream of New York's hard bop players (jamming with John Coltrane and Jackie McLean), Eddie Gale helped ring in jazz's controversial new thing during the 1960s and 1970s on a series of influential releases. His inspired trumpet playing graced Cecil Taylor's 'Unit Structures', Larry Young's 'Of Peace And Love' and a series of recordings and performances with Sun Ra's Arkestra. He also cut a pair of under-acknowledged soul-jazz influenced albums as a leader for Blue Note at the end of the '60s. The first Eddie Gale Blue Note album was 'Eddie Gale's Ghetto Music' was released in 1968. It is a rich blend of funky grooves, a gospel street choir of singers and those late 60's free form freak outs. Recommended for fans of Sun Ra & Brother Ah, Coltrane's 'Love Supreme' and Max Roach's 'It's Time'. The original vinyl album goes for big bucks on eBay, this is the first time this Blue Note album has ever been reissued. Remastered from the original master tapes, featuring detailed liner notes and an interview with Eddie Gale. "Sun Ra Does 'HAIR' !"- MannyLunch
CD $15

EDDIE GALE - Black Rhythm Happening (Water 118; USA) '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. "Sun Ra Does 'HAIR' !"- MannyLunch
CD $15

JOHN HAMMOND - Sooner Or Later (Water 105; USA) Blues singer/guitarist John Hammond needs no introduction, Sooner or Later is his second Atlantic LP released in 1968. Ten songs of electric blues boogie with a rocking band. Features songs written by Chester Burnett, John Lee Hooker, Elmore James, Willie Dixon, Sonny Boy Williamson -- all in that funky and electrifying John Hammond style. Available on CD for the first time.
CD $15

JOHN HAMMOND - Southern Fried (Water 106; USA) A 1970 Atlantic Records blues rock classic that features Brother Duane Allman on lead guitar along with the legendary Muscle Shoals rhythm section including keyboardist Berry Beckett, bassist David Hood, and drummer Roger Hawkins. Hammond growls his way thru classics by Willie Dixon, Chester Burnett, Chuck Berry, Elvis and others. 12 tracks of blistering electric blues. First time on CD and remastered from the original master tapes
CD $15

HOLY MODAL ROUNDERS - The Moray Eels Eat The Holy Modal Rounders (Water 101; USA) The 1968 Holy Modal Rounders' only album for Elektra Records is a cult classic. No acid folk album mixed inspiration and lunacy in as downright deranged a fashion as The Moray Eels Eat The Holy Modal Rounders. As strokes of mad genius go, it was a winner, managing to just about walk the tightrope between art and chaos. A melange of mind-melting acid folk that might have hung together by a thread, but was usually exhilarating, with a cracked, brain-damaged mystique all its own. The Moray Eels Eat The Holy Modal Rounders was, in its own way, just as steeped in Americana as any of the ancient Appalachian folk records from which Peter Stampfel and Steve Weber had learned much of their early repertoire. Available on CD for the first time. Includes 2 previously unreleased bonus tracks. New detailed liner notes by '60s music historian Richie Unterberger.
CD $15

BYARD LANCASTER With SONNY SHARROCK & ERIC GRAVATT - It's Not Up To Us (Water 115; USA) First time on CD for this late 60's jazz classic originally released on Atlantic's Vortex label. Lancaster is a sax player, who is perhaps best known for his ESP-Disk' recordings with Sunny Murray and his work with Larry Young and Bill Laswell. On this rare 1968 classic album, Lancaster teams up with jazz-rock guitar maverick Sonny Sharrock and original Weather Report drummer Eric Gravatt. Another Vortex slightly psychedelic, rock influenced cutting-edge jazz recording. Remastered from the original tapes with new liner notes by Tim Plowman
CD $15

STEVE MARCUS - Tomorrow Never Knows (Water 120; USA) Saxophonist Steve Marcus spent the late 60's and early 70's touring and recording with Gary Burton, Herbie Mann and Larry Coryell as well as playing with guitarist Sonny Sharrock and vibe man Roy Ayers. This album was originally released on Atlantic's Vortex label in 1968 and makes its CD debut here. Produced by Herbie Mann and featuring Larry Coryell on guitar -- the 'jazz' band works its way thru free form psychedelic rock versions of songs by The Byrds ('Eight Miles High'), Donovan ('Mellow Yellow'), and the Beatles (an 11 minute freakout of 'Tomorrow Never Knows' and 7 minutes of 'Rain'). Fans of lounge-core kitsch will enjoy these late 60's pop music instrumental grooves, while modem jazz fans will love the Coltrane-like freak out of Marcus' sax work and rock fans will dig some of Coryell's most distorted and shredding guitar work. A 16 page booklet with new liner notes and rare photos is included.
CD $15

IAN MATTHEWS - Valley Hi/Some Days You Eat The Bear And Some Days....The Bear Eats You (Water 124; USA) Ex-Fairport Convention lead singer Ian Matthews recorded a pair of inspired albums for Elektra in the early '70s. Valley Hi was produced by Michael Nesmith and contains many original Matthews classics plus songwriting contributions from Richard Thompson, Jackson Browne and Randy Newman. Somedays You Eat The Bear.. continued the mellow L.A. country-rock sounds with songs by Tom Waits [!], Gene Clark and Crazy Horse with guest guitarist David Lindley among others. A unique blend of British folk and American country rock. Featuring a new detailed interview with Ian Matthews, complete lyrics, rare photos and more
CD $15

EUGENE McDANIELS - Outlaw (Water 116; USA) First domestic release on CD by this 1970 funky rock black power classic. Probably best known as the writer of the Les McCann/Eddie Harris 1969 hit 'Compared To What', Daniels continues that song's groove-based political message on the Outlaw album. Produced by Joel Dorn and directed by William S. Fischer (1960's sideman for Eddie Harris, Joe Zawinul, Fathead Newman, Herbie Mann), Outlaw hits hard with late 60's black power messages and anti-government statements (with lyrics that still ring true today), all delivered in a hard hitting, but groovy rocking, slightly jazzy style with heavy weight Ron Carter on bass and the 'Welfare City Choir'. This album has been a favorite of underground DJ's and sampling stealers for many years. A Rock'n'Soul classic
CD $15

BOB NEUWIRTH - Bob Neuwirth (Water 109; USA) Until this 1974 album on Asylum, Bob Neuwirth was known as Bob Dylan's sidekick and co-author of Janis Joplin's 'Mercedes Benz'. With appearences by Rita Coolidge, Mama Cass, Don Everly, Richie Furay, Chris Hillman, Booker T., Kris Kristofferson, Ian Matthews, and Dusty Springfield among many others, this country-rock collection finds Bob Neuwirth sounding a bit like Willie Nelson on his original tunes and co-writing with Roger McGuinn and Kris Kristofferson. Original artwork. Contains liner notes. Remastered from the original tapes and on CD for the first time.
CD $15

JACK PALANCE - Palance (Water 119; USA) Best known as a legendary actor, Jack Palance did record an album in 1969 for Warner Bros. that recalls the wacky country-rock music vibe of Lee Hazelwood's albums of the same time period. Recorded in Nashville with the usual studio cats, the album is a playful country-rock romp not unlike other late 60's Nashville recordings. Fans of Lee Hazelwood, Johnny Cash and Scott Walker will love this album -really!!!. Featuring Palance's self penned classic song 'The Meanest Guy That Ever Lived'. A 20 page booklet with new and detailed liner notes (and rare photos) is included
CD $15

MELVIN VAN PEEBLES - What The ...You Mean I Can't Sing?! (Water 122; USA) Film producer/director Melvin Van Peebles invented the blaxploitation film genre with his groundbreaking 1970 Sweet Sweetback BadAss Song. He's also known for writing several novels & screenplays throughout the 70's (including Greased Lightning) and acting in films such as Lost Action Hero, Terminal Velocity and Boomerang. As a major influence on Spike Lee and Quentin Tarantino, Van Peebles remains a legend of African American cinema. On this rare 1974 album for Atlantic Records Van Peebles sings passionate reflections on the state of 70's black culture over some very funky grooves with strings and orchestration (think of the soundtrack to any Pam Grier flick). Harold Wheeler arranged the music with the same touch of class he brought to his work with Nina Simone, the soundtrack to The Wiz, and Bernard 'Pretty' Purdie. Fans of underground 70's soul and blaxploitation soundtracks will find much to love here. A 16 page booklet with new liner notes, rare photos and lyrics is included.
CD $15

CLARENCE REID [aka BLOWFLY] - Dancin' With Nobody But You Babe (Water 121; USA) Singer/songwriter/producer Clarence Reid had multiple musical personalities. One was as a Southern soul singer recording for Atlantic Records' Alston imprint. His charting singles were 1969's 'Nobody But You Babe' (from this album), 1972's 'Good Old Days' and 1974's 'Funky Party'. He co-wrote hits for Betty Wright ('Girls Can't Do What The Guys Do'), the million-selling 'Clean Up Woman,' 'Baby Sitter,' and 'Let Me Be Your Lovemaker.' In his other persona, he performed wild X-rated material under the pseudonym Blowfly. This 1969 Alston/Atlantic album makes its CD debut here. Like other classic r&b-soul albums of the time, this Clarence Reid work features the legendary Memphis Horns and some classic tunes like Tony Joe White's 'Polk Salad Annie', Smokey Robinson's 'Shop Around', the Beatles' 'Get Back', and Curtis Mayfield's 'I've Been Trying' as well as Reid's own hit 'Nobody But You Babe'. A 24 page booklet with new liner notes and rare photos is included.
CD $15

TERRY REID - River (Water 107; USA) Upon its original 1973 Atlantic Records release, one journalist said of Terry Reid's classic rock LP River that 'his velvet and sandpaper sound is irresistible as Rod Stewart, his delivery as nakedly emotional as Joe Cocker, and his musicianship as fine as Steve Winwood'. Aretha Franklin once said that 'there are only three things happening in London: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Terry Reid.' Produced by Tom Dowd and featuring slide guitarist David Lindley. Deluxe packaging 20-page booklet with rare photos and liner notes. First time on CD and remastered from the original master tapes. By the way, didja know?: Jimmy Page approached Terry in '68 to be the vocalist in the New Yardbirds [aka Led Zepellin] and he turned it down whilst recommending Robert Plant!
CD $15

SONNY SHARROCK & LINDA SHARROCK - Paradise (Water 104; USA) In the '60s, Sonny Sharrock was one of the top avant-garde guitarists and Miles Davis, Don Cherry, and Herbie Mann used his intense and wild playing. This is the classic album he recorded with vocalist wife Linda for the Atco label in 1975. The duo's free-form avant-garde guitar and vocals are blended with fusion/electric grooves on Moog, Rhodes piano, Clavinet and percussion. A jazz/funk/rock masterwork. Available on CD for the first time. New detailed liner notes by Byron Coley.
CD $15

JOSEPH SPENCE - Happy All The Time (Water 110; USA) Born in the Bahamas, Joseph Spence created an idiosyncratic and inimitable guitar style rife with percussive and improvisatory vamps around staid hymns and Caribbean folk standards. He was a guitarist's Thelonious Monk, his growling vocal counterpoint and surprising inventions are one of folk music's great delights. A major influence on Ry Cooder, Taj Mahal, David Lindley, and many more. Produced by Paul Rothchild (the Doors and Butterfield Blues Band) for Elektra, which originally released this album in 1964. Original artwork. Contains liner notes. Remastered from the original master tapes.
CD $15

THE ZODIAC - Cosmic Sounds (Water 102; USA) This collectively-hatched concept album (originally released by Elektra in 1967) matched psychedelic mood music with spoken prose and all manner of percussive, exotic and electronic instrumentation. Divided into 12 separate tracks, one for each astrological sign, this 'celestial counterpoint with words and music' (as the subtitle boasted) 'must be played in the dark' (as the back sleeve instructed in capital purple letters). The album, conceived by Elektra founder and president Jac Holzman, was produced by Alex Hassilev. And while Cyrus Faryar deep-voiced the spoken astrological narrative written by Jacques Wilson, Mort Garson assembled the group of musicians including Paul Beaver and percussionist Emil Richards. Its spacy yet tight groove could have fit The Zodiac tracks into the soundtrack of 1966 Sunset Strip documentaries but, in other respects, the album was futuristic, embellished by some of the first Moog synthesizer ever heard on a commercial recording, an assortment of exotic percussive instruments and sitar. The arrangements were further decorated by haunting harpsichord and organ, along with standard mid-1960s Los Angeles rock guitar licks. The cover, complete with psychedelic illustration of the twelve signs set on a black background with hand drawn groovy letters, was eye-catching even by Elektra's own high standards. Available on CD for the first time
CD $15




DMG RECOMMENDED CALENDER OF MUSICAL EVENTS FOR THE REST OF JANUARY, 2004:


Fri Jan 16th-

JIM STALEY & MARK FELDMAN at Lotus Studio at 8pm - 109 W. 27th St., 8th floor - call 212-627-1076 - Jim plays trombone & Mark plays violin and both are extraordinary players!

HILARY MAROON QUARTET at Tonic, 107 Norfolk St, at 8pm - excellent new jazz vocalist!

PABLO CALOGERO-STEVE BERNSTEIN-MARCUS ROJAS-ARTURO O'FARRILL-BILLY MARTIN at Tonic, 107 Norfolk St, at 10pm!

JEREMY STEIG/VIC JURIS/CAMERON BROWN/BILLY DRUMMOND at Cornelia St. CafŽ [between Bleecker and W 4th st] at 8:30 & 10:30 - Jeremy is a legendary jazz flutist who plays here all too rarely!


Sat Jan 17th-

BORAH BERGMAN/MAT MANERI/DEE POP at the Brecht Forum - 122 W. 27th St. 10th floor for two sets at 8pm - three great improvisers for a piano/violin/drums trio!!

SKULI SVERRISSON UNIT at 8pm at Tonic, 107 Norfolk St; excellent el bassist for Pachora steps out for rare date w/ Peter Scherer, Chris Speed, Okkyung Lee & John Hollenbeck!!

PAUL FLAHERTY/MATT HEYNER/CHRIS CORSANO at 10pm at Tonic, 107 Norfolk St, - Paul is a legendary saxist from up north who rarely plays here; Matt plays great bass w/ those No Neck nuts and Chris is an impressive drummer who works w/ Thurston & Sunburnt Hands...


Sunday Jan 18th-

OSCAR NORIEGA & CHRIS SPEED CLARINETS DUO here at DMG, 13 Monroe St., at 7pm for free!! Oscar plays inspired bass clarinet & has a great cd on Omnitone and Chris plays great clarinet w/ Pachora, Claudia Quintet, Dave Douglas plus a number of fine solo efforts - this will be an amazing & rare set!!

Sunday Nite Free-Style Series at CB's Lounge, 313 Bowery starts at
7pm w/ rob brown, daniel levin, satoshi takeishi;
8pm - steve lehman, drew gress, chris dingham, eric mcpherson;
9pm - sebastian noelle trio;
10pm - blue collar: steve swell, nate wooley, tatsutya nakatani!
This series is always a treat for new music fanatics like us!


Monday Jan 19th-

PAULINE OLIVEROS/SUSIE IBARRA/DAVE DOVE at Tonic, 107 Norfolk St, at 8pm - this should be a fine new trio of accordion/percussion/trombone! Dave is visiting us from Texas!


Tuesday Jan 20th-

CURTIS HASSELBRING w/Chris Speed/Trevor Dunn & John Hollenbeck at Tonic, 107 Norfolk St, at 8pm - this all-star quartet looks like a sure bet!


Wed Jan 21st-

Kenny Werner w/ Brussels Jazz Orchestra at 8pm at Tonic, 107 Norfolk St,

MARTY EHRLICH/ERIK FRIEDLANDER/NASHEET WAITS at Tonic, 107 Norfolk St, at 10pm! New trio for Marty which features the wonderful cello of Erik Friedlander & great drums of Nasheet!!


Thur Jan 22nd-

COOPER-MOORE TRIPTYCH MYTH w/ Tom Abbs & Chad Taylor at Tonic, 107 Norfolk St, at 8pm - incredible piano trio!!

CHARLES GAYLE TRIO at Tonic, 107 Norfolk St, at 10pm - free/jazz tenor sax & piano legend don't get around much anymore, but consistently plays with intensity & passion!


Fri Jan 23rd-

PAUL HAINES MEMORIAL CONCERT at Tonic, 107 Norfolk St, at 8pm w/ Evan Parker, Roswell Rudd, George Cartwright, Karen Mantler, Syd Straw & others! Paul was a gifted poet from Toronto who collaborated w/ Carla Bley on 'Escalator Over the Hill', as well with Curlew - should be a great night.

ZEENA PARKINS TRIO & FRED FRITH SOLO at the Leonard Nimoy's Thalia, 95th st & Broadway, at 8pm!!


Sat Jan 24th- THE DAY OF THE KAISER!!!

HENRY KAISER SOLO ACOUSTIC SET at 2pm here at DMG - 13 Monroe St. for free!! Our favorite bay area guitar hero pays us a rare visit!!

HENRY KAISER/RAOUL BJORKENHEIM/LUKAS LIGETI/JIM O'ROURKE at Tonic, 107 Norfolk St, at 8pm - like wow, this will be amazing, no doubt!

HENRY KAISER/ALAN LICHT/MARK DRESSER/CHARLES NOYES at 10pm at Tonic, 107 Norfolk St!!!


Sunday Jan 25th-

SEBASTIONE NOELLE SOLO/DUO here at DMG at 7pm for free - another fine jazz guitarist will do his thing here!!

FRED FRITH & JOHN ZORN DUO at Tonic, 107 Norfolk St, at 10pm for one set!!!!!


Wednesday January 28th-

MARC RIBOT/ROY CAMPBELL/HENRY GRIMES/CHAD TAYLOR Qt. at Tonic, 107 Norfolk St, at 8 & 10pm - this all-star quartet was inspired by Albert Ayler and aims to blow minds!!


Thursday January 29th-

MARK O'LEARY w/ STOMU TAKEISHI & MICHAEL SARIN at Tonic, 107 Norfolk St, at 8pm - Mark is a fine new jazz guitarist from Ireland who has worked with Uri Caine & Paul Bley!!


Friday January 30th-

SHELLEY HIRSCH & BARBEZ at Tonic, 107 Norfolk St, at 8pm - feisty downtown vocalist extraordinaire Shelly Hirsch doesn't get a chance to enchant us here as often as we'd like; here she works with the great band - Barbez!


Saturday January 31st

PAUL ROGERS Solo 6 String Contrabass & trio w/ Nick Didkovsky & Kevin Norton on Saturday January 31st at 7pm at Bowery Poetry Club - 308 Bowery Paul is one of the finest bassists we have ever seen/heard and this will be his solo debut for NYC!!!

Dean Bowman's Soul Trilogy w/ Charles Burnham & Jeff Haynes at Tonic, 107 Norfolk St, at 8pm - Dean is the great singer for Screaming Headless Torsos & E. Sharp's Terraplane!

RAZ MESINAI w/ DOUG WEISLEMAN, OKKYUNG LEE, SHAHZAD ISMAILY & BEN PEROWSKY at Tonic, 107 Norfolk St, at 10 - always a mesmerizing treat of exotic sounds!