NEW! Halvorson/Radding/Wooley! Evan Parker/John Wiese! Marc Edwards/Weasel Walter! Dorner/Lehn/Minton! DeJohnette/Patitucci/Perez!

Rozanne Levine/Mark Whitecage/Perry Robinson! Braxton/Oxley/Roidinger! Magnus Broo! Luciano Berio! Douglas Ewart! ..and last copies: Music&Arts label!


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EVAN PARKER/JOHN WIESE - C-Section (Second Layer 01; UK) Featuring Evan Parker on tenor & soprano saxes and John Wiese on electronics, tape and MSP. Although British saxist extraordinaire, Evan Parker, certainly needs no introduction, noise musician, John Weise, also has an impressive resume with dozens of discs released under his own name, as well as collaborations with Merzbow, Sunn O))), KK Null, Lasse Marhaug, Pain Jerk & Wolf Eyes, a noisy bunch to say the least.
Over the past few years, Evan Parker, has been working with more electronic musicians and assorted sound manipulators, so this collaboration should come as no surprise. What is surprising is how well it works to both of their advantages. It says on the CD to be played at maximum volume, so that is what I did at home. Starting with "The Jist", Evan's spiraling soprano is at the center of the storm with thick yet well-sculptured swirling layers of electronic/noise sounds. The electronic/noise sounds are rather industrial in their sonic textures, it often sounds as if the sounds are erupting with controlled violence. Another thing that this reminds me of is music concrete, popular in France in the fifties and sixties, when composers manipulated sounds by splicing tape. What I dig about this is the way Evan plays soprano, twisting and bending his notes, as well as repeating certain phrases, it works perfectly with John's equally twisted sonic landscape. "Little Black Book" is shorter and more restrained, yet just as effective with fractured sax and more spacious electronics in a rich yet subtle tapestry. On "No Shoes" it sounds like John is taking Evan's sax sounds and manipulating them further, looping certain lines in a more hypnotic way. The final piece, the oddly titled "Dog Cesarean" is the longest and most focused, evolving slowly through different sections. The music has a sort of calm center with kaleidoscopic noise swirling around the sax. Brilliant or too much, I guess that depends on your mood or stamina. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $17


New from Switzerland On HAT!

MARY HALVORSON/REUBEN RADDING/NATE WOOLEY - Crackleknob (Hat ology 662; Switzerland) One listen to this CD and that element of trust and synchronicity immediately comes through. This is the kind of music that can only come from musicians who know each other well. It is like dropping in on an intimate conversation. Ideas get launched and then get immediately picked up, morphed, and woven back in. There is also a striking compactness to the pieces. Free improvisation rarely displays the level of succinct structural sensibility at play here. Wooley comments, "In general, we work at making the cleanest, most elegantly simple piece of music that we can. It's not something we've ever been implicit about, but I think that is just the general attitude about improvising that we all share." Here are three musicians who know how to listen, how to work together to develop a collective arc, and how to tie it all together to create abstract, spontaneous pieces that span the length of a pop song. - Michael Rosenstein
CD $20

ANTHONY BRAXTON With TONY OXLEY/ADELHARD ROIDINGER - Seven Compositions (Trio) 1989 (hat ology 658; Switzerland) [reissue] The great avant-garde reed player Anthony Braxton (who on this set switches between alto, C-melody sax, clarinet, flute, soprano and sopranino), bassist Adelhard Roidinger and drummer Tony Oxley play five of Braxton's complex originals, Oxley's "The Angular Apron" and the standard "All the Things You Are." As usual Braxton's improvising is quite advanced and original but is colorful and fiery enough to always hold on to open-eared listener's attention. This is one of literally dozens of stimulating Anthony Braxton sessions currently available. -- Scott Yanow
CD $20

LUCIANO BERIO & EDISON DENISSOV//ENSEMBLE FUR NEUE MUSIK ZURICH - La Vie En Rouge: Works For Voice And Chamber Ensemble (hat [now] 168; Switzerland) Luciano Berio "Time after time, I find myself returning to folk music. I want to take possession of this treasure-store, using my own resources. Even though I know it cannot come true, I have a utopian dream, namely to forge a single entity from our own music and the folk tradition." America, the Auvergne, Sicily, Sardinia, Armenia and Azerbaijan: their diverse geographical origins reflect the multi-cultural society that Luciano Berio and his wife and preferred interpreter, Cathy Berberian, belonged to.."My transcriptions are analyses of folk songs, and at the same time convey the atmosphere, the 'aroma' of this music as I understand it."
Edison Denissow: The composer combines strict technique, echoes of Debussy and Webern, a casual chanson style, bebop, the Marseillaise (maestoso), the speaking and singing voice, colourful instrumentation, chromatic paraphrases that are squashed down as far as crotchets, and entirely new sounds to form an idiosyncratic, close-knit musical language that is every bit the equal of Vian's in its fundamental blackness and malignance. - Thomas Gartmann
CD $20

MORTON FELDMAN/HILDEGARD KLEEB - For Bunita Marcus (hat (now) 174; Switzerland) [reissue] This piano work, composed near the end of Feldman's life, is perhaps his signature composition for the instrument, and reveals his truly original method of opening up time and space by restricting the movement of sound within them. As Feldman grew older and his compositions became longer (for example, the 4 CD-long "For Philip Guston"), his obsession with the space between sounds (how long it took to hear one before another was introduced) became a driving force in his work. It moved him to constrain the palette he wrote from, in this case to contain only two pitches (C sharp and D), and within these two pitches, an equally restrictive and systematic sequence of meters (alternating 3/8, 5/16). Add to this his direction to the pianist to push the keys just enough to make the slightest sound (ppp), and directions to the listener to playback at very low volume, and you have a very small world to peer into.
The paradox is what emerges from this tiny space, played out over an hour. Time and space drop away. Inside the intervals where notes are played, and chords are built in miniature, is the role that silence itself plays, where it becomes the biggest presence in the work. PianistHildegard Kleeb understands these methods instinctually; there isn't so much as an extra nuance here. Her ability to exercise the tension and restraint in performing such a lengthy work creates for the listener an endless expanse. For Bunita Marcus reveals Feldman thinking not only of musical forms, but also of memory forms, in which memory is formed as a relationship, not of the fragment to the whole, but rather, from fragment remembered as fragment to the next, unto the entire work. While Feldman would make time "disappear" into his works, his intent here is not so much putting weight on time itself, but on time as a visual analogy of structure and duration. With For Bunita Marcus, he has created a memory system in which lapses are freely accepted, because resolution doesn't happen within a structured piece of music, but in the memory of silence itself. -- Thom Jurek
CD $20


STEVE LACY QUINTET With AMBROSE JACKSON/IRENE AEBI/KENT CARTER/JEROME COOPER - Wordless - Six Pieces From The Tao [Instrumental]: Paris January 4th 1971 (Futura GER 22; France) Featuring Steve Lacy (soprano sax), Ambrose Jackson (trumpet), Irene Aebi (cello), Kent Carter (contrabass) & Jerome Cooper (drums). The 'Six Pieces From The Tao' suite [or parts of] are also on record as solo versions [the albums Lapis; Solo At Mandara; also Axieme Vols1&2 which doesn't properly identify the titles] and a vocal group version [included on the two disc set The Way on Hat]
'Wordless' was originally released on Marge as an LP, but original copies are quite rare. This six part suite has been performed and recorded numerous times, but this was an earlier, instrumental version without vocals, hence the title of this disc. I recognize some of the music from later discs but this version is perhaps the most intense and exuberant one that I've heard. One of the interesting things about this disc is it features the trumpet of Ambrose Jackson, a fine musician who has worked with Marion Brown, the Art Ensemble, Gunter Hampel and the Charlie Persip Big Band. Another interesting thing is the (early) appearance of Irene Aebi, Lacy's longtime partner, on cello before she switched to playing violin only. The rhythm section features American ex-pat bassist Kent Carter and Revolutionary Ensemble drummer Jerome Cooper. Quite a rare line-up. Mr. Cooper is in fine form as he spins waves of rhythmic lines with both Lacy and Jackson swirling their lines around him. Steve Lacy's tone and approach is more twisted and further out than I've heard from him later on. The interplay between Lacy and Jackson on horns is consistently engaging as they seem to push each other further and further out, yet there is a tight connection as well. Without a doubt 'Wordless' is one of the most intense and riveting recordings that we've heard from Steve Lacy and his mighty quintet! - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $18


JACK DeJOHNETTE/JOHN PATITUCCI/DANILO PEREZ - Music We Are [CD + DVD] (RKM/Golden Beams/Kindred 1150; USA) Jack DeJohnette teams up, for the first time on record, with world renowned jazz masters, bassist John Patitucci and pianist Danilo Perez on "MUSIC WE ARE". An intensely musical meeting of the minds, the recording finds Jack at the height of his creative and musical powers.
CD $16


ROZANNE LEVINE & CHAKRA TUNING With MAK WHITECAGE/PERRY ROBINSON/ROSI HERTLEIN - Only Moment (Acoustics 417; USA) Featuring Rozeanne Levine on clarinets & ocarina, Mark Whitecage on clarinets, soprano sax & bird whistle, Perry Robinson on clarinets, wooden flute & ocarina and Rosi Hertlein on violin, voice & percussion. I know Rozeanne Levine from her long association with sax wiz Mark Whitecage. I've only heard her play once live, although I've heard Mr. Whitecage and Mr. Robinson many times through the years and Rosi Hertlein on occasion as well. As a big fan of the clarinet in modern music and especially the work of Perry Robinson and Mark Whitecage, I knew I was in for a pleasant surprise. All of this music is original and half is written by Rozeanne, the rest in collaboration with the other players involved. The first piece, "Blues Lullaby in F" is a lovely, somber piece for solo clarinet which I found to be completely sublime. "Thunder Talks" begins with just subtle percussion, ocarina, voice and other exquisite earthy sounds. It has an organic elegance that I find to be ever so fine, like meditating on the sounds of the forest. On "Lost Freedoms" we hear a few layers of clarinets that sound orchestral, with superb harmonies. There is a unique blend and sound here that is quite magical. Perhaps it is the subtle electronics that Mark Whitecage employs that makes this so special. Although each clarinet is distinct with its own sound, the combination of three strong players makes this a particularly wonderful tapestry. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $14


MARC EDWARDS/WEASEL WALTER GROUP With PAUL FLAHERTY/DARIUS JONES/RAS MOSHE/MARIO RECHTERN/PETER EVANS/TOM BLANCARTE/ANDREW BARKER - Mysteries Beneath The Planet (ugExplode 33; USA) [limited CD-R ed.] Featuring Peter Evans on trumpet, Paul Flaherty, Darius Jones, Ras Moshe & Mario Rechtern on saxes, Tom Blancarte on bass and Marc Edwards, Andrew Barker & Weasel Walter on drums. This over-the-top free/jazz blow-out was recorded at two gigs in NYC in May and September of 2008. Wow, just think about it: 2 or 3 drummers, 2 heavy sax players, acoustic bass and the amazing Peter Evans on trumpet! The irrepressible Weasel Walter comes to town a couple of times a year, put together an incredible line-up of NY's most intense free musicians and consistently comes with inspired and ridiculous results. Both powerhouse drummers, Marc Edwards and Weasel, whip up a frenzy of free-flowing insanity that sounds dynamite! Even more extreme is "Luminous Predator" with three drummers erupting at once. Ras Moshe (tenor) and Mario Rechtern (sopranino) spew layers of sax lines in cosmic swirls, unstoppable and with awesome power. It sounds like a fight to the finish, just how much can we take in?!? Music like this makes me feel good to be alive. Marc Edwards is one of the most propulsive drummers alive and he is at the center of the cyclone with Weasel and Andrew (Barker) spinning superbly around him. This has to be one of the most riveting performances ever, the energy is just staggering. This track and another called "Coral Reef" were recorded by Robert O'Hare, so that you can hear drummer in a different place, giving us bit of breathing space between each instrument. There are stars on this disc as everyone involved get a chance to shine and ride the dangerous waves while the hurricane swirls hundreds of miles per hour around them. An unbelievable experience that must be reckoned with... - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $14

and, back in stock

HENRY KAISER/DAMON SMITH/WEASEL WALTER - Plane Crash (ugExplode 30; USA) Featuring Henry Kaiser on electric & acoustic guitars, Damon Smith on acoustic & electric basses and Weasel Walter on drums. Guitar legend Henry Kaiser gives his most intense performance in decades on this no-holds-barred studio session featuring the Bay Area's number one ass-kicking rhythm section. The record vacillates between nuclear-warlike Masayuki Takayanagi/Sonny Sharrock/Keiji Haino blasts of dissonant guitar pyrotechnics and viciously quiet all-acoustic tracks which will please fans of the SME/Derek Bailey/Company aesthetics. There are no licks here - just 100% abstract experimental improvisation for those who need their music to be fast, muscular, challenging, articulate and otherwordly. "Word from our good pal Weasel Walter is that this is the heaviest guitar freak-out disc that Henry Kaiser has ever done. Sounds amazing to me and you should be as excited as we are." - BLG
CD $15



New on the UK label Another Timbre!

Originally I thought that Another Timbre could be considered an English version of Erstwhile: a premier label focusing on lower case improv. Another Timbre has continued to evolve and expand in a separate direction, giving older members of the British experimental scene (Max Eastley, Phil Minton), a chance to work with younger participants from the international network of gifted explorers. This new batch of discs is consistently strong and spirited, with the musicians extending the sounds of their instruments in endlessly surprising ways. - BLG

New:

TOOT [AXEL DORNER/THOMAS LEHN/PHIL MINTON] - Two (Another Timbre 14; UK) Featuring Axel Dorner on trumpet, Thomas Lehn on analogue synth and Phil Minton on vocals. "The top shelf in the world of improvisation......A wonderful excursion into improvised music, of course music that requires full attention but which has so much beauty captured in it. After 54.29 minutes you are left breathless." - Frans de Waard, Vital Weekly
CD $17

ANNETTE KREBS/RHODRI DAVIES - Kravis Rhonn Project (Another Timbre 15; UK) Featuring Annette Krebs on guitar, objects, mixing board & tape and Rhodri Davies on electric harp & electronics. Ms. Krebbs is a unique electro-acoustic guitarist who has performed mostly in duos with Allessandro Bosetti, Taku Unami, Toshimaru Nakamura, Andrea Neumann, Taku Sugimoto and the group Phosphor. Rhodri Davies plays (electric) harp in his own way and has worked with IST, Derek Bailey, Ingar Zach, Paul Dunmall, Graham Halliwell, Matt Davis and Burkhard Beins. Certainly an interesting cast of lower case and upper crust improvisers.
Once again, the mystery unfolds as we try and figure who is playing which sound. Sampled radio transmissions, distant ominous drones, tapping on the (harp or guitar) strings cautiously, unknown voice snippets in different languages, soft static, strings rubbed with metal, quietly harsh electronic fragments, delicate and carefully placed suspended sound/objects and silence used just right. I love the way this sounds more like a written modern classical work since each sound is so well placed. Quite a marvel in more ways than one. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $17

MATT DAVIS/MATT MILTON/BECHIR SAADE - Dun (Another Timbre 12; UK) matt davis - trumpet & field recordings; matt milton - violin; bechir saade - bass clarinet & flute
"Everything is very abstract...but endowed with its own intimate coherence and a precise and natural flow that makes 'dun' a small marvel. Very beautiful." - Alfio Castorina, Kathodik
"What silence would sound like when surrounded by three master musicians.. Stunning and heart-stopping music." - Tom Sekowski, Gaz-eta CD $17

EKG [KYLE BRUCKMANN/ERNST KAREL] - Electricals (Another Timbre 16; UK) Featuring Kyle Bruckmann on oboe, english horn & analogue electronics and Ernst Karel on trumpet & analogue electronics. Chicago-based improviser Kyle Bruckmann certainly does get around, having collaborated with the likes of Kurt Johnson, Olivia Block, Jeb Bishop, Scott Rosenberg, Gino Robair, Werner Dafeldecker and Tatsuya Nakatani, to name but a few. I am much less familiar with Ernst Karel, although this turns out to be the fourth disc from EKG. Even though Kyle and Ernt play acoustic instruments like oboe and trumpet, it is often difficult to tell what exactly they are playing since nothing is as it appears. Eerie, spacious, electronic and other odd sounds are carefully placed upon clouds of silence, drifting or floating in the air. Static, quiet yet effective spurts, analogue synth fragments, music concrete snips, all well crafted and selectively placed. We rarely if ever hear something that sounds like an oboe or trumpet, not that it matters when the outcome is this mysterious and engaging. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $17

SEBASTIAN LEXER/SEYMOUR WRIGHT - Blasen (Another Timbre 13; UK) sebastian lexer - piano + seymour wright - alto sax.
"As mature and spacious as vintage AMM.......Blasen is convincing and exciting proof that there is still much to discover in the post-AMM lowercase world." - Dan Warburton, The Wire.
"The first of the two tracks here is one of the strongest things I've heard in while....remarkably cohesive and, for all its spareness, full and tactile. Beautiful work." - Brian Olewnick, Just Outside
CD $17

OCTANTE [RUTH BARBERAN/ALFREDO COSTA MONTEIRO/FERRAN FAGGES/MARGARIDA GARCIA] - Lunula (Another Timbre 17; UK) ruth barberan - trumpet, speaker & microphones; alfredo costa monteiro - accordion & objects; ferran fages - electronics; margarida garcia - bass
CD $17

MAX EASTLEY/RHODRI DAVIES - Dark Architecture [Ltd Ed CD-R] (Another Timbre B2; UK) Featuring Max Eastley: sound sculptures & arc and Rhodri Davies on electric harp. Max Eastley has been working with his own invented instruments and sound sculptures for more than thirty years, collaborating with David Toop (Obscure label LP from 1975), as well as Evan Parker, Hugh Davies, Paul Lytton & Paul Lovens. Rhodri Davies string harp with extended techniques and has played in IST and with Derek Bailey, John Butcher, Chris Burn, Cor Fuhler and Paul Dunmall.
Not being to see what exactly Max Eastley is playing, we can only hear the results. Also, Rhodri Davies, who once played with the trio IST at Tonic, also plays odd sounds on his harp. The sounds that this duo make are fascinating but not so easy to describe. I hear what sounds like toys, bells, ringers, banging on boxes, bowed material, a bicycle buzzer, rubbed surfaces, small fan tapping on metal, etc. It sounds like (Fluxus artist) Jo Jones Tone-Deaf Music Company, where the instruments play themselves. What I like about this is that the sounds evolve slowly and spaciously and have a natural sounding effect. A careful, cautious and splendidly formed musical landscape. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $11

ALFREDO COSTA MONTEIRO - Centre Of Mass [Ltd Ed CD-R] (Another Timbre B1; UK) alfredo costa monteiro - cymbal & resonating objects. "One 30 minute work of overtones generated through the use of motorized objects on a large cymbal. Divided in various parts, each emphasizing the various possibilities of scraping and scratching the surface. A highly concentrated set of sounds on a highly condensed disc. Great stuff." - Frans de Waard, Vital Weekly
CD $11

also available

CONTEST OF PLEASURES [JOHN BUTCHER/XAVIER CHARLES/AXEL DORNER] - Tempestuous (Another Timbre 01; UK) john butcher - saxophones; xavier charles - clarinet; axel dorner - trumpet
"Each musician has an achieved purity of sound so that he might stand as a model of what soprano, trumpet or clarinet should sound like.. The sum total is an ineffable masterpiece, an unusual collocation of the original and beautiful." - Stuart Broomer, Point of Departure
CD $17

HUGH DAVIES - Performances 1969 - 1977 [Ltd Ed CD-R] (Another Timbre R1; UK) To accompany the release of the 'for hugh davies' cd, an archive cd-r featuring all of Hugh Davies' recordings from 1969-1977 that were used in the production of the cd. Seventy-nine minutes of historic music, previously unissued and featuring five solos by Hugh plus a duet with Richard Orton for two 'shozygs" - one of the many simple but extraordinary instruments that Hugh invented. Unmissable.
CD $12

HUGH DAVIES//ADAM BOHMAN/LEE PATERSON/MARK WASTELL - For Hugh Davies (Another Timbre 11; UK) A unique celebration of the work of Hugh Davies, one of the great pioneers of improvised music who died three years ago. Solo recordings of Hugh from three decades ago are played back to a trio of musicians whose work has been influenced by Hugh, and they improvise around his music to create a living homage to his memory. Beautiful, strange and challenging music.
hugh davies - invented instruments + adam bohman - prepared balalaika & amplified objects; lee patterson - amplfied objects; mark wastell - cello. Recorded in north london, january 2008
CD $17

ANGHARAD DAVIES/TISHA MUKARJI - Endspace (Another Timbre 05; UK) This is a duo of violin and inside piano. With its fairly calm surface of slow, sparse, soft, long notes without arches or climaxes there's a good chance this will appeal to listeners who enjoy Morton Feldman's middle and late period piano/violin works. As far as the differences, the music here is much more textural and instead of lucid pitch logic it revels in indeterminate microtones. It's somewhere in between the extreme extended technique abstractions of the current era and the more conventional timbres of earlier eras. As can be expected from direct percussive access to piano strings, sometimes there is a Harry Partch flavor when the sounds are resonant pitches, but still feel unfamiliar. At other times, the texture is squarely in the current realm of rub/scrape frictionalism. The album works as a single flowing suite and can work either as gentle ambient music made up of ugly, queasy acoustic sounds (a common aesthetic these days but rarely with purely acoustic instruments), or as a tense, micro-detailed sound world rewarding strenuous attention. I think it's excellent both ways. - Michael Anton Parker
CD $17

RHODRI DAVIES/MATT DAVIS/SAMANTHA REBELLO/BECHIR SAADE - Hum (Another Timbre 04; UK) This is a complex quartet sound of extended techniques on mostly acoustic instruments. Even though the acoustic instruments sometimes create an illusion of electronics, real electronic timbres are a pretty small part of the mix and only supplied by Matt Davis, who also uses trumpet. Rhodri Davies plays harp with various objects and preparations; he seems responsible for most of the mechanical percussive textures but never of the typical plucked variety. Bechir Saade plays bass clarinet. Samantha Rebello plays flute. . Overall, this is an excellent example of detailed, fresh, powerful music that works through the visceral excitement of timbrally and architecturally crafted sound detached from emotion and narrative. - Michael Anton Parker
CD $17

SOPHIE AGNEL/PHIL MINTON - Tasting (Another Timbre 02; UK) This is one of the best piano/vocals duos that I've ever heard..No assertion can really express the wealth of minute details and the stunning reciprocal reactivity that identifies this splendid record." - Massimo Ricci - Touching Extremes
CD $17

CLIVE BELL/BECHIR SAADE - An Account Of My Hut: Imporvisations For Shakuhachi And Ney (Another Timbre 08; UK) clive bell - shakuhachi; bechir saade - ney. Recorded london, june & october 2007 "Haunting, exhilerating but mostly calm improvisations that see the two musicians become a single unit, An Account of my Hut is naked and honest music of the highest timbre." - Tom Sekowski, Gaz-eta
CD $17


AMI YOSHIDA/TOSHIMARU NAKAMURA - Soba to Bara (Erstwhile 56; USA) Ami Yoshida - voice; Toshimaru Nakamurano-input mixing board
"We all know that the voice is one of the original instruments. Ami Yoshida takes it to a realm that few dare to travel. That metallic scraping sound of metal on metal is Yoshida's voice! If you didn't hear her take a breath, you would think that the sounds she is creating was a micro-tonal saxophonist biting their reed. Although 20 minutes into this disc there is a variation to her approach,sounding like Yoshida shaking the death rattle. Toshimaru Nakamura plays more a supporting role in this duo with his swooping hums and hisses, creating a backbone for Yoshida to work off. With one solid 50 minute track, with lots of breathing room, it was the perfect soundtrack for my 3 a.m. mindset." RECOMMENDED! -chuck bettis/dmg
CD $13


WREKMEISTER HARMONIES [J R ROBINSON] - Recordings Made In Public Spaces: Volume One [CD + DVD] (Atavistic 188; USA) "Chicago-based sound artist J.R. Robinson has been creating live, ambient tonefields in museums around the US and Europe over the past two years -- including the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, the Guggenheim Museum in New York, the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, the Pompidou Center in Paris and The Art Center Berlin. Robinson has injected these recordings into collaborations with some like-minded heavy hitters in the noise, post-rock and jazz worlds such as David Yow (Jesus Lizard/Scratch Acid), Mark Shippy & Pat Samson (US Maple), Azita Youssefi, John Herndon & Jeff Parker (Tortoise), Keefe Jackson, Fred Lonberg-Holm and Ken Vandermark. The end result (dubbed Wrekmeister Harmonies), is a distinctive hybrid of sound art and avant-garde musics, evoking the essences & influences of masterworks like Joe McPhee's Nation Time, Lou Reed's Metal Machine Music and the sound collages of Stockhausen. Recordings Made In Public Spaces Volume One is the debut collection of these recordings, and is presented as a CD+DVD double-disc release."
CD+DVD set for $16


KOENJIHYAKKEI [KOENJI HYAKKEI: TATSUYA YOSHIDA et al] - Nivraym (Skin Graft 95; USA) Finally - a U.S.editon of this out-of-print CD! The 3rd and powerful album of YOSHIDA's physical progressive band. With the guest musicians OGUCHI Kenichi (key) from KENSO and Tokyo Nammy (vo), the more richly layered arrangement was realized. It's no longer appropriate to call it post-Magma; it's a totally new tribal music, the new form of "tribal rock."
CD $13


COREY WILKES & ABSTRAKT PULSE - Cries From Tha Ghetto (Pi 29; USA) "Featuring Corey Wilkes on trumpet & flugelhorn, Kevin Nabors on tenor sax, Scott Hesse on guitar, Junius Paul on bass, Isaiah Spencer on drums and Jumaane Taylor tap dancing. Chicago trumpeter, Corey Wilkes, is currently in the Art Ensemble of Chicago as well as playing with Roscoe Mitchell in one of Roscoe's other bands. I was disappointed with Corey's debut disc on Delmark from last year, it was too diverse and a bit slick in part. So, I was quite surprised by his second offering, this one of the year's most unexpected delights. Corey sounds as if he has learned form the entire history of jazz as each piece here deals with different eras or styles. "First Mind" is a great, swinging sort-of Blue Note groove with some swell guitar by Scott Hesse and a fine solo by Corey and laid back tenor solo from Kevin Nabors. There are a few short free pieces that sound fine an involve some tap dancing as well. "Sick JJ" is actually a scary freer piece with strange horns over an intense swirling rhythm team. "Levitation" also swings hard and Corey's trumpet is up front and sounding great like Freddie Hubbard in his heyday, with another fine tenor solo backed by strong jazz guitar chords underneath. "Rain" is a subdued, bluesy ballad with haunting muted trumpet, sublime tenor and drifting guitar. The title piece is a fine, sixties sounding song fueled by strong mallet-work under a great groove and memorable theme. Each of the four "Abstrakt" pieces captures a different player soloing freely and with inspired results. Corey's trumpet playing is consistently strong, his tone clear and direct and he sounds as if he has the history of jazz trumpet at his disposal. What is also winning here is the soloing by Kevin Nabors on tenor and the soloing & comping by guitarist Scott Hesse, two new names for me. Oddly enough, the only cover on this disc ("Villa Tiamo") is by Lester Bowie, the late Art Ensemble trumpeter who Corey has replaced. It is another fine ballad with warm, lovely horn playing by both the trumpet and tenor. Overall, this disc has a mostly laid back, late night vibe and sounds as if it could've been recorded in the sixties or anytime thereafter. There is consistently strong interplay between the frontline trumpet, sax & guitar, as well as superb and spirited backing by the talented rhythm team." - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $15


NATE WOOLEY/FRED LONBERG-HOLM/JASON ROEBKE - Throw Down Your Hammer And Sing (Porter 4022; USA) Featuring Nate Wooley on trumpet, Fred Lonberg-Holm on cello & electronics and Jason Roebke on bass. For many years, it was sax players, drummers and guitarists who were the focal point of advances in jazz and other creative musics. In recent times, there is a deluge of trumpet players who are defining a new dawn of expressive diversity and creativity. Besides local/international heroes like Dave Douglas, Roy Campbell, Ron Horton, Ralph Alessi & Dave Ballou, there are a few cats who consistently push the envelope like Herb Robertson, Peter Evans, Thomas Heberer (now living here) and the renaissance man himself, Nate Wooley. Check out Nate's recent resume for some extraordinary collaborations: Paul Lytton, Steve Swell, Tatsuya Nakatani, Mary Halvorson, Bruce Eisenbeil, Steve Gauci, Daniel Levin & Audrey Chen. Whoa!
For this fine disc, Nate called upon two of Chicago's finest improvisers, cellist, Fred Lonberg-Holm and bassist Jason Roebke, both diverse collaborators. This disc features five long pieces. "Tacones Altos" sounds like agitated insects at play, strange yet very focused and intense. Both Fred and Jason do a fine job of making odd sounds on their strings, bowing, plucking, bending and rarely playing in any sort of conventional way. This music is often careful and cautious, as if each sound is special and well-selected. At times, it is hard to tell that Nate is playing trumpet since he is playing sounds that are indescribable and untrumpetlike. What amazes me is that this trio have invented their own unique, alien world that is consistently fascinating. It draws you inside and paints new scenery for your mind's eye. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $15


TOM HAMILTON/BRUCE EISENBEIL - Shadow Machine (Pogus 21051; USA) Featuring Tom Hamilton on Nord modular synthesizer and Bruce Eisenbeil on guitar. Tom Hamilton has been working with synths and sonic manipulations for quite a long time, collaborating with JD Parran, Roscoe Mitchell, Peter Zummo, Bruce Arnold and Thomas Buckner. Guitar ace, Bruce Eisenbeil, remains one of downtown's most creative and consistent players, whether leading his own bands or collaborating with Steve Swell, Milford Graves, Blaise Siwula, Dave Fox or Nate Wooley. This disc was recorded live in the studio and it is one of this year's (2009) most challenging efforts.
Opening with "Dusting Off Dada", Bruce is already spinning quick, fractured layers of line while Tom creates bent, yet minimal electronic sounds. If love comes in spurts so too does this music with sharp twists and turns and other bent sound manipulations. For "Dry Mouth" Bruce creates interesting textures by rubbing and tapping on his strings with objects while Tom adds subtle synth spice to the tasty brew. I dig when Bruce carefully places ongoing phases and layers of lines while Tom creates an effective dreamworld counterpoint. The pictures they paint are fascinating, exotic and challenging all at the same time. There is a continuous dialogue that keeps reinventing itself in a myriad of different ways. A most impressive canvas to behold. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $13


MAGNUS BROO QUARTET - Painbody (Moserobie 60; France) Featuring Magnus Broo on trumpet, Torbjorn Gulz on piano, Mattias Welin on electric bass and Jonas Holgersson on drums. Over the past few years Swedish trumpeter has collaborated with Ken Vandermark, Steve Gauci, Fredrik Nordstrom and Marilyn Crispell as well as being a member of Atomic & Firehouse. This appears to be Mr. Broo's sixth disc as a leader, recording for the Ayler, Dragon and Moserobie labels. I have only heard a couple of his discs as a leader, but have admired his other collaborations and especially Atomic, one of the finest modern jazz ensembles from Scandinavia. Nothing of his previous work prepared me for his excellent new offering.
I didn't recognize any of the other musicians on this disc but was pleasantly surprised by their playing. "Africa" opens and does have an infectious South African sort of groove and melody. Magnus' warm, folky, fragile tone reminds me of Don Cherry, who did some time living in Sweden in the seventies and working with musicians there. This quartet does have joyous, jubilant sound that makes me smile. Magnus wrote six of the nine songs with the other written by their pianist, Torbjorn. The title track has quick, hard swinging tempo that keeps shifting faster and slower. When Magnus solos, he keeps pushing harder until his notes start to crack, the band finally slowing down for the pianist to take a fine, majestic solo. The melody of "Das Boot" reminds me some sixties hit single, with a hook that I can't get out of my head. It is an exuberant, rockin' tune with a great trumpet solo that sounds as if it is about to fall apart at any moment. Magnus dedicates "Second Wind" to his late father and it is a lovely, somber ballad with a stark, haunting melody. Torbjorn's amazing, two handed piano is featured on "Clockwise" which challenges the band to play tight, complex lines together throughout. Magnus' trumpet solo is extraordinary, short and right to the point. Even the couple of songs that are laid back have melodies that can't be easily forgotten and consistently superb piano and trumpet solos. I've played this disc in the store a half dozen times so far and marvel at the inventiveness and superb melodies. Folks are always surprised to hear this gem from an unknown (to them) trumpet player like the marvelous Magnus Broo and his great quartet. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $17

also available..

MAGNUS BROO QUARTET - Sugarpromise (Moserobie 16; EEC) Featuring Magnus Broo on trumpet, Torbjorn Gulz on piano, Mattias Welin on electric bass and Jonas Holgersson on drums.
CD $17

MAGNUS BROO QUARTET - Levitation (Dragon 365; Sweden) Magnus Broo trumpet; Torbjorn Gultz piano; Mattias Welin bass; Jonas Holgersson drums
CD $19

MAGNUS BROO QUARTET - Sudden Joy (Dragon 339; Sweden) Magnus Broo trumpet; Torbjorn Gultz piano; Mattias Welin bass; Jonas Holgersson drums
CD $19

FREDRIK NORDSTROM QUINTET With MAGNUS BROO/MATTIAS STAHL/FILIP AUGUSTSON/FREDRIK RUNDQVIST - Moment (Moserobie 18; EEC) with Magnus Broo, Mattias Stahl, Filip Augustson, Fredrik Rundqvist, and guest Alberto Pinton
CD $17

FREDRIK NORDSTROM VIBB [VIRTUAL IMAGINATION BIG BAND With MAGNUS BROO/FREDRIK LJUNGKVIST et al] - VIBB: Virtual Imagination Big Band [2 CD Set] (Moserobie 50; EEC) Featuring Magnus Broo - trumpet, Staffan Svensson - trumpet, Mats Aleklint - trombone, Fredrik Ljungkvist - clarinet & tenor sax, Fredrik Nordstrom - alto & tenor saxophone, Alberto Pinton - clarinet, contra-alto clarinet & baritone sax, Mattias Stahl - vibraphone, marimba & harpsichord, David Stackeas - electric guitar, John Lindblom - electric guitar - Filip Augustson - double bass and Thomas Stronen - drums
2 CD set for $24

FREDRIK NORDSTROM With BOBO STENSON/MATTIAS WELIN/JON FIELD - Blue (Moserobie 58; EEC) Featuring Fredrik Nordstrom on tenor sax & soprano sax, Bobo Stenson on piano, Mattias Welin on bass and Jon Field on drums.
CD $17

FREDRIK NORDSTROM QUINTET With MAGNUS BROO/MATTIAS STAHL/INGEBRIGT HAKER FLATEN/FREDRIK RUNDQVIST - No Sooner Said Than Done (Moserobie 29; EEC)
CD $17


ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE & THE MELTING PARAISO U.F.O. - Lord Of The Underground: Vishnu And The Magic Elixir (Alien8 84; Canada) "Acid Mothers Temple returns with a new release, their fourth for the label. The album is made up entirely of new studio recordings that have captured the band in fantastic form. The band is captured flying at full speed dishing out three slabs of Turkish psych meets Krautrock, served up Acid Mothers Temple style. The opening cut, 'Eleking The Clay' is a smoker that bears some resemblance to their well known 'hit,' 'La Novia.' The speed guru, a.k.a. Kawabata Makoto, is on fire and mesmerizes us with his speed and furry on this track. His guitar playing is so quick it becomes difficult to differentiate the actual notes being played as you are overtaken by the speed and repetitious nature of the track. In this respect it also brings to mind their fantastic rendition of the Terry Riley's minimalist anthem 'In C.' The same notes repeating over and over until they start to coalesce and take new shape. Next up is a short piece written by bass player and multi-instrumentalist Atsushi Tsuyama who is credited with playing monster bass, voice, acoustic guitar, alto recorder, flute, toy trumpet and kazoo. If you have ever witnessed the band live, you are aware of what a huge presence bassist Atsushi Tsuyama is within a live context and it is equally the case on Lord Of The Underground. This track, entitled 'Sorcerer's Stone Of The Magi,' serves as an intermission if you will; it is a nice gentle piece of outsider folk that allows you brace yourself for the epic closing track 'Vishnu And The Magic Elixir.' The final cut takes it's time to deliver its message and sees the band in familiar territory. Here they play with some of their more playful influences, such as Frank Zappa and Incredible String Band, and blend them with their patented spaced out electronics that have graced many of their records."
CD $15


JONATHAN HARVEY//SPECTRUM - Bhakti (NMC 01; UK) Performed by Spectrum (conductor Guy Protheroe). "A mystical exploration of the Sanskrit Hymns of the Rig Veda for chamber ensemble and quadraphonic tape by Jonathan Harvey, whose long-standing connections with IRCAM and studies with Pierre Boulez are perfectly demonstrated here." "Anybody who is genuinely concerned about the future of British music should unhesitatingly add Bhakti to their record collection." -- Tempo 1989
CD $22

STEPHEN MONTAGUE - Southern Lament (NMC 118; UK) Performed by Philip Mead, piano; Monica Acosta, voice; Elysian Quartett; Nancy Ruffer, flute/piccolo; London Sousa Band, Stephen Montague, piano, prepared piano, electronics. "This collection of Stephen Montague's music for piano explores his roots in the Southern USA -- including spirituals such as 'Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen' -- and the legacy of American experimental composers such as Charles Ives and John Cage with wit and energy. Pianist Philip Mead (also heard on 'Lucifer') is joined by singer Monica Acosta, flautist Nancy Ruffer, the Elysian Quartet, the London Sousa Band, and the composer himself on electronics and piano."
CD $22


LARRY AUSTIN - Ottuplo! et al: CDCM Computer Music Vol 35 (Centaur 2830; USA) Adagio: Convolutions on a Theme by Mozart for clarinet and computer (2004-05) Roma Due, electronic music on tape (1965, rev. 1997); Tableaux: Convolutions on a Theme for alto saxophone & octophonic computer (2003-04) Art is a self-alteraton is Cage is... for solo contrabass and fifteen recorded contrabasses on tape (1982-83, rev. 1993) Threnos for bass clarinet, real and virtual, in memory of the victims of September 11, 2001 (2001-02) Les Flutes de Pan: Hommage a Debussy for flute and octophonic computer music (2005-06) The Smith Quartet; F. Gerard Errante, clarinet; Stephen Duke, alto saxophone; Robert Black, contrabass; Michael Lowenstern, bass clarinet; Jacquiline Martelle, flute (piccolo) Larry Austin (b. 1930, Oklahoma), composer, was educated in Texas and California, studying with Canadian composer Violet Archer (University of North Texas), French composer Darius Milhaud (Mills College), and American composer Andrew Imbrie (University of California-Berkeley). He also enjoyed extended associations in California in the 'sixties with composers John Cage, Karlheinz Stockhausen and David Tudor.
CD $17


EUGENE CHADBOURNE & THE CHADBOURNES With TOM CORA/KRAMER/DAVID LICHT/JOHN ZORN et al - LSDC&W - The History Of The Chadbournes In America.. PLUS! [2 CD set] (Chadula 1980; USA) REVISED EDITION NOW INCLUDES ALL OF THE DOUBLE LP CUTS!
Recorded in studio for the most part with Tom Cora, David Licht, and Mark Kramer [Mr ShimmyDisc] forming the core of the LSD C&W band and a bunch of rock and country musicians (including John Zorn) filling in the gaps, LSD C&W: The History of the Chadbournes in America came out in 1987 as a two-LP set. At the time, the Doctor was in a great creative period, churning out album after album of crazy country-rock covers and mad improvs. This project is country-oriented, but it doesn't prevent a hefty Beatles medley, a couple of Hendrix songs, or even a tune by Albert Ayler (that's jazz, folks). Roger Miller, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash rank among the artists whose songs go through Chadbourne's grinder. Wacky guitar solos, weird tape editing, excited tempos, some fantastic cello playing from Cora, and that special kind of humor you get whenever you try to fix the words "avant" and "Western" together, that's what this album has to offer. More anarchic than Vermin of the Blues or 69th Sinfunny -- and therefore a little less good -- this set remains the best document of the Chadbournes. ~ Francois Couture, AMG
This CD-R reissue on the Doctor' label, House of Chadula, adds most of the extra material from 1981 concerts with Cora, Licht, Kramer, and Zorn found on the now withdrawn Chadula 3 CD version.
CD $20


MARTY EHRLICH With WAYNE HORVITZ/MARK FELDMAN/BOBBY PREVITE/MARK DRESSER/NED ROTHENBERG et al - The Long View (Enja 9452; Germany) With Mark Feldman, Bobby Previte, Pheeroan AkLaff, Ray Anderson, Wayne Horvitz, Erik Friedlander, Mark Helias, Marcus Rojas, Ned Rothenberg, Mark Dresser, Andy Laster, Michael Sarin, James Zollar, J D Parran, Eddie Bobe, Ralph Farris, Eddie Allen, Sam Furnace, John Clark, Clark Gayton, and Robert DeBellis. Whew! This brand-new, currently import-only item features a long-form, six movement suite inspired by and in collaboration with six paintings done in conjunction with these musics by Oliver Jackson, a charter member of B.A.G. (Black Artists Group, whose members included Julius Hemphill), one of which is included in the foldout booklet. This is an amazing work of strength, maturity, and sublime arrangement from reedman/flautist Marty (we don't expect less!); one can easily place it in stature alongside classic jazz composer orchestra recordings (like the JCOA albums of the '70s) but it is quite contemporary, very fresh and up to the moment. Each movement is played by variations in line-ups of the all-star assemblage!
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.


THE RESIDENTS - Tweedles [Ltd CD + Book Edition] (Mute; EEC) UK-only limited hard-bound book edition pressing of the rockin' retinas' 2006 release comes packaged in a hardback book cover. 16 tracks filled to the brim with the Residents' unique brand of musical dementia (Residentia?). In other words: brilliant as usual. Features 'Susie Smiles', 'Forgiveness', 'Marke Of The Male', 'Keep Talkin' and more. Pretty wild and disturbing imagery and concept; the parental advisory sticker is NOT a joke..
"Animal Lover and Demons Dance Alone seemed to show something of a new direction for the Residents: a comparative vulnerability when measured against the majority of their output. If you were expecting them to continue down that path, think again. Tweedles! is a disturbing look into the psyche of a clown wannabe and emotional vampire who uses sex to ruin the lives of others while somehow feeding his twisted needs and desires. On one hand, Tweedles (the clown) is utterly detached from his actions, matter-of-factly describing the shattered lives left in his wake and seeming to derive pleasure from it. On the other hand, he seems to understand that society sees him as evil, even if he doesn't quite feel that way himself. The songs and narrative explore this conflict. Thematically, Tweedles! looks back to the outright carnality of God in Three Persons, except it's at the opposite end of the emotional spectrum from the "Holy Kiss of Flesh". Musically, Tweedles! continues with the addition of acoustic instruments that were reintroduced on Animal Lover, with some really nice piano on the first couple tracks (of course, there are plenty of creepy synths and electronics throughout). Some of the songs feature the Film Orchestra of Budapest, adding an entirely new element to the Residents' sound. "Mark of the Male" (nice in-joke) makes use of some slamming beats and metallic guitars, and weaves the sound of the orchestra in and out. As usual, the songs seem deceptively simple on the surface, but the arrangements and orchestrations really show off the Residents' musical skills in surprisingly varied settings ("Susie Smiles" even has a bluesy element). Tweedles! is the Residents at their darkest and most disturbing, but is also one of their most rewarding albums from a purely musical standpoint. If you didn't already think clowns are creeepy, you will after listening to this."-Sean Westergaard/All Music Guide [Mute]
CD $15.00 7 for 6 SALE.


THE TAJ MAHAL TRAVELLERS - Live Stockholm July, 1971 [2 CD set] (Drone Syndicate 01/02; Germany) New repress and LOWER PRICE! "Led by infamous Fluxus member Takehisa Kosugi, Tokyo's Taj Mahal Travellers were one of the prime examples of a band more heard-of than actually heard. Their vinyl legacy (the 1972 LP July 15, 1972 released on CBS/Sony Japan; the 1974 2LP August 1974 released on Columbia Japan and recently reissued by P-Vine as a 2CD; one side of the mythical Oz Days Live 2LP compilation released on Oz in 1973 and recently bootlegged as a single LP) could dig a hole in your wallet deeper than the Grand Canyon. However, the recent reissues have spread the gospel and so here is the chance to hear the young Taj Mahal Travellers live in Stockholm during their 'tour' through Europe in 1971. It's one 2-hour long improvised track. Enough free-floating higher key bliss to keep every grown-up space cadet happy for a lot longer. This 2CD set is limited to 1000 copies."
From Julian Cope's Japrocksampler: "This album is a discorporated, cerebral dance whose rhythm sounds like six weather Gods emulating the cover of Deep Purple's Fireball by zooming around Silverstone circuit just inches above the track, each urging himself on by making engine noises: 'Eee-oww-urghh-ow!!!!!!!' Opening with Ryo Koike's horizontally played bowed double bass, it's my fave of Taj Mahal Travellers' three releases, better even than the obstinate medication of the first official LP JULY 15, 1972, because there's twice as much of it. Meditatively, it's extremely useful too: at the entrance portals of this live record, Ryo Koike uses his bass to invoke phlegm phantoms and cranny demons from the butt walls of Cronosian caverns; conjuring a sound as Biblical as Conrad Schnitzler's bizarre bowed cello on T. Dream's Electronic Meditation. Gradually, hesitatingly, almost imperceptibly, a violin theme installs itself, establishing over the next quarter of an hour clop-clopping hooves of hollow rhythm that conjure up the image of frustrated pastoralists driving their reluctant donkeys around the highest and most precipitous cliff edges, as their valuable cargoes sway and shudder and threaten to come untied at any moment. Recorded a full year before their first official LP, I think this in concert album is a far better and more confident shamanic statement, for this Stockholm recording melded together all six group members in such a way that no single musician rises from the primal soup long enough to establish his singular muse. The vocal effects are truly stunning, evoking everything from comb-and-paper voices playing Zeus in the sixty-metre deep Dhikhtean Antron to braying cartoon coyotes laughing to their deaths."
2 CD set for $18


DOUGLAS R EWART & INVENTIONS CLARINET CHOIR With ANTHONY BRAXTON/ROSCOE MITCHELL/HENRY THREADGILL et al - Angles of Entrance (Aarawak 004; USA) Featuring Anthony Braxton, Roscoe Mitchell, Henry Threadgill, Don Byron, J.D. Parran, Ed Wilkerson, Mwata Bowden & Mr. Ewart on clarinets, plus Malachi Favors on acoustic bass. I can recall Douglas's wonderful flute playing & flutes making over 20 years ago at an amazing AACM festival at Columbia University. There is a small history of modern clarinet ensembles--like that one with David Murray & Jimmy Hamilton, and Perry Robinson's Licorice Factory, but Douglas' Inventions Clarinet Choir feature seven giants of the AACM reknown on clarinets only, with the Art Ensemble's Malachi Favors on acoustic bass, recorded live in Atlanta and Merkin in recent years. Douglas composes much compelling and often dense music for these greats to pull off, they all rise to the occasion. They can all swirl in and around each other, like fish swimming in schools in a stream, often concentrating on one small sonic area at a time. Both the writing & playing continually push all players to the limits of what can actually be done on seven clarinets. Timbres and ideas range from warm to humorous to modern classical-like bent harmonies. There is one solo alto clarinet piece by Douglas, recorded in a hallway at the Banff school/fest, which is haunting, beautiful & shimmering in natural echo resonance. This is Douglas Ewart's second release in the past year and it is yet another treasure from a current AACM alumni, who hasn't been documented enough! - BLG
CD $15

DOUGLAS R EWART - Bamboo Meditations At Banff (Aarawak 003; USA) Longtime AACM master of his many self-made flutes, this is an elegant, magical display of natural sounds floating through a pure environment. Solo meditative, ambient, ancient, acoustic, pure produced by bamboo, bass & transverse flutes, shakuhachis, and nature's own percussion. The breath of life blows through the winds of healing. Refreshing, delicate, tender, environmental reverberations only. Liner notes by Shaku Joseph Jarman. Thanks Douglas, for dropping these off. Peace. - BLG
CD $15

DOUGLAS R EWART & INVENTIONS - Newbeings (Aarawak 005; USA) This is mostly a solo offering with the legendary AACM flute-master, Doug Ewart playing sopranino sax, piano, electronics, percussion, transverse flutes, voice and poetry; plus ten vocalist reciting in different languages on one piece. One of the great things about working here at DMG is that we get a great deal of used discs coming through our doors. This gives us an opportunity to listen to even more music that we are often curious about and Manny ends up putting more information about each disc in our ever-growing database, now past the 25,000 point. Although this disc is really from 2001, this is the first time we have seen it and the first time we are offering it. Each disc that I've heard from Douglas Ewart (5 on Arawak, 2 on Black Saint w/ George Lewis & 1 on Innova) has been special and often spiritual. This one is also superb and quite mesmerizing. Doug layers his sopranino sax on "7", so that we feel like we are floating in space. All the pieces flow into one another. "New Beings" has rich layers of ghost-like voices, rainsticks and other hypnotic sounds washing around us like warm waves of soothing waters. The mysterious sopranino sax on "Quaco" is bathed in somber echoes, thus adding a magical, mystical quality. There are very few recordings of solo sopranino sax, making this one even more special. - BLG
CD $15


DIETER MOEBIUS/CONNY PLANK - Rastakraut Pasta (Water 238; USA) "Rastakraut Pasta is the first release from the duo of Dieter Moebius and Conny Plank, originally released on Sky Records in 1980. Moebius and Plank had worked together before on numerous records, with Moebius playing and Plank producing on works from Cluster and Harmonia. As the title suggests this album is heavily influenced by dub and reggae and those rhythms are incorporated into the ambient space-rock one would expect from these German pioneers of kosmische musik."
CD $15


A BROKEN CONSORT [RICHARD SKELTON] - Box Of Birch (Tompkins Square 2110; USA) "Richard Skelton is an artist from Lancashire in the UK. He started his Sustain-Release Private Press in 2005 as a commemorative tribute to his late wife Louise, with the intention of publishing her artwork alongside his own musical offerings. Since its inception, he has released a slew of raw, beautiful recordings presented in lovingly-assembled, individualized editions. Operating under a variety of guises, including Heidika, Carousell, Harlassen and Clouwbeck, Skelton creates powerful, instrumental music out of densely-layered acoustic guitar, bowed strings, piano, mandolin and accordion, often laced with delicate, shimmering percussion. The result is something utterly unique -- a music which is both life-affirming and yet etched with memory and loss, evoking equal parts Arvo Part and Ry Cooder, Nick Drake and Henryk Gorecki. It is with A Broken Consort, perhaps, that Skelton most-assuredly draws these elements together, creating an ever-changing drift of rich textures and interleaved melody that effortlessly evokes the landscapes which inspired it. Box Of Birch, his second album in this guise, was originally published in a boxed edition that contained, among other things, birch twigs collected from the West Pennine Moors. For Skelton these things act as a synecdoche for the landscape itself, a physical connection to the places in which much of his music is recorded. In this new edition for Tompkins Square, Skelton has created an exclusive series of artworks which draw on the hidden histories of the English landscape, and their narratives of displacement and loss. The result is something which perfectly complements the music whilst adding another dimension, providing a fuller picture of the artist's vision."
CD $14
also available as LP for $17


AFRO BABY [V.A.] - The Evolution of the Afro Sound in Nigeria 1970-79 (Soundway 02; UK) "Nigeria in the 1970's had one the biggest recording industries on the continent as well as one of the most diverse. The fusion of African rhythms and culture with jazz, funk, soul, and rock was an Africa-wide phenomenon but nowhere was it more prolific and active than the cities and dancefloors of Nigeria. These twelve rarities highlight how the Afro -Sound influenced all areas of the music scene and how it progressed throughout a very creative and energetic decade. From funky afro-jazz, soul and afro-highlife to big, dancefloor afro-beat Nigeria led the way in West Africa at the time. Following the success of the Ghana Soundz album released last year on Soundway we have diverted our attention to highlighting the Scene in Nigeria during the seventies. This album features only tracks that have never been released outside of Nigeria -- and many of them were small underground releases there at the time appearing only on long deleted albums or 45's. All have been lovingly tracked down, licensed and re-mastered. The worldwide interest in Afro-beat and Afro-Funk continues and here we have gathered together a collection of some of the best examples of Funky music from Nigeria. "
CD $16

COLOMBIA! [V.A.] - The Golden Years of Discos Fuentes: The Powerhouse of Columbian Music 1960-76 (Soundway 08; UK) Soundway Records presents the tropical sound of Colombia. From the salsas and descargas of Cali, Medellin and Bogota to the Afro sounds and raw cumbias of Cartagena and Barranquilla, this is the sound of Colombian dancehalls and clubs in the '60s and '70s, when the legendary Discos Fuentes record label led the way. The sounds emanating from the barrios and beaches of Colombia are a unique mixture of Latin sounds and Afro rhythms, drawing influences from the New York and Puerto Rican Latin scenes, the highlife and rumba of West Africa and the calypso of the Caribbean, as well as the tropical rhythms of the Colombian cumbia, gaita, fandango and porro. Driving percussion, swinging horns, hot pianos and jumping bass lines -- this music was made for dancing.
CD $16

GHANA SOUNDZ [V.A.] - Afro-Beat: Funk & Fusion in 70's Ghana, Volume 1 (Soundway 01; UK) First release on the label, from 2004; repressed! "Soundway is a new label that aims to explore lost and obscure original Jazz, Funk, Afro and Latin recordings from around the world. Ghana Soundz is a painstakingly assembled collection of Afro-beat and Afro Funk, most of which has never been released outside of Africa and some of which is unreleased anywhere. This is the first of three planned volumes. The recent interest in Afro music has influenced a number of musicians from Damon Albarn to Masters At Work. This album will interest anyone with a love of funky global sounds, especially those who bought the recent Fela Kuti reissues. This package will also appeal to collectors as it includes a full 16 page booklet highlighting the history of the Ghana recording industry and reproductions of original LP sleeves which normally fetch massive prices." 2002 release and a modern classic.
CD $16

GHANA SOUNDZ [V.A.] - Afro-Beat: Funk & Fusion in 70's Ghana, Volume 2 (Soundway 03; UK) "Afro-music continues to inspire a number of musicians, producers and DJs around the globe. Ghana Soundz was an idea created by compiler and DJ Miles Cleret 3 years ago. Since then he has traveled throughout Ghana to assemble three collections of rare Afro-beat, Afro-funk and Afro-fusion, most of which were unreleased outside of Africa and quite a few have never been released in the world. The series forms a unique window on a scene previously unknown outside of Ghana until Volume One was released in 2003. Pounding rhythms, blaring horns and pumping vocals -- the music is a document of a time forgotten when flares and Cuban heels strutted the streets and night spots of Accra, the sizzling hot and humid capital of Ghana. Influenced as much by traditional rhythms and local highlife as by the music of Fela Kuti, James Brown and Santana, these tunes had almost been lost -- until now."
CD $16

NIGERIAN DISCO FUNK SPECIAL [V.A.] - The Sound of the Underground Lagos Dancefloor 1974-79 (Soundway 10; UK) Lagos, Nigeria, 1974-1979: the funk & disco capital of West Africa. More nightclubs, bars, spots and dancefloors than any place along the coast from Dakar all the way to Kinshasa. Nigeria Disco Funk Special is an amazing collection of heavy dancefloor grooves from urban Lagos in the '70s -- hot and driving slices of funk, disco and boogie that show just how vibrant the music scene was in one of West Africa's most populous and culturally diverse cities. In the '70s, it wasn't just James Brown who influenced the musicians playing in the nightspots of Lagos -- the loose-structured and elongated jams that he was pioneering in America had been a part of Nigerian music much longer than that. This album is the sound of Cuban-heeled and micro-minied Lagos youth soaking up the sound of the American discotheque and putting their own inimitable twist on the proceedings. The CD and double gatefold vinyl include rare tracks from famous musicians like Bongos Ikwue & The Groovies and Mono Mono's Joni Haastrup, as well as selections from cult bands like Asiko Rock Group, SJOB Movement and Jay-U Experience. Other artists include: The Sahara All Stars, T-Fire, Voices Of Darkness and Dr. Adolf Aonotu.
CD $17

NIGERIAN ROCK SPECIAL [V.A.] - Psychedelic Afro-Rock & Fuzz Funk in 1970s Nigeria (Soundway 11; UK) Nigeria Rock Special shines a light on the flipside of the well-documented sounds of highlife and Afrobeat coming out of Nigeria in the 1970s -- young bands caught up in the wave of psychedelic and progressive rock that was sweeping Europe and the States in the late '60s and early '70s. As time goes by, the many layers of musical output that formed around the world throughout the 1960s and '70s continues to be peeled back to reveal many welcome surprises. The explosion of rock n' roll that erupted out of the USA in the '50s fanned out around the globe from its epicenter and by the mid-1960s, kids all over the world were picking up guitars and checking themselves in mirrors. Nigeria was no exception. Spurred on by Cream drummer Ginger Baker's visits to Lagos and his band Airforce (featuring many Nigerian musicians), the sound of fuzzed-out rock reverberated around the universities and nightspots of Lagos and Ibadan. The craze that followed hit the youth and student population of Nigeria hard -- mixing fuzz guitar and heavy African rhythms with elements of Led Zeppelin, Traffic and The Chambers Brothers. Fifteen of the best cuts from the scene are available here for the first time in 30 years. Artists include: Ofege, The Action 13, The Hygrades, The Wings, Ofo The Black Company, The Elcados, Mono Mono, Tabukah "X", The Funkees, Colomach, Joe King Kologbo & His Black Sound, Question Mark, Original Wings, Tunji Oyelana and BLO.
CD $17

NIGERIAN SPECIAL [V.A.] - Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds & Nigerian Blues 1970-1976 [2 CD set] (Soundway 09; UK) "Nigeria in the 1970's had one the biggest recording industries on the continent as well as one of the most diverse. The fusion of African rhythms and culture with jazz, funk, soul, and rock was an Africa-wide phenomenon but nowhere was it more prolific and active than the cities and dancefloors of Nigeria. These twelve rarities highlight how the Afro -Sound influenced all areas of the music scene and how it progressed throughout a very creative and energetic decade. From funky afro-jazz, soul and afro-highlife to big, dancefloor afro-beat Nigeria led the way in West Africa at the time. Following the success of the Ghana Soundz album released last year on Soundway we have diverted our attention to highlighting the Scene in Nigeria during the seventies. This album features only tracks that have never been released outside of Nigeria -- and many of them were small underground releases there at the time appearing only on long deleted albums or 45's. All have been lovingly tracked down, licensed and re-mastered. The worldwide interest in Afro-beat and Afro-Funk continues and here we have gathered together a collection of some of the best examples of Funky music from Nigeria. "
2 CD set for $23

T.P. ORCHESTRE POLY-RHYTHMO - The Kings of Benin Urban Groove 1972-80 (Soundway 04; UK) "After the successes of Ghana Soundz Volumes 1 & 2 and Afro-Baby, Soundway are proud to present their highly anticipated fourth album! From the Republic of Benin, West Africa, T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo is one of Africa's least-known big-bands outside of their home country. Here, it's hoped to redress the balance with a collection that reflects their many poly-rhythmic moods. A mixture of hard Afro-Funk, driving Afrobeat, deep Afro-Latin and Cuban grooves all with a unique flavor that ruled the dance-floors of 70's urban Benin. Contained here are never before heard tracks re-mastered and available for the first time outside of Africa since being originally issued on small vinyl presses that have long become extinct."
CD $16


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Last Chance for these Out-Of-Print MUSIC & ARTS titles

Many good ones are already gone for good - don't miss out on theses below [and cry later!]

(Many of these are '7 for 6 Sale' which means for every 7 you pick one [the lowest price] will be FREE! You can also pick from any CD SALE items listed at our online Database or 7 for 6 SALE found elsewhere in this newsletter to complete your 7, or 14, etc)


RAN BLAKE & CHRISTINE CORREA - Roundabout (Music & Arts 4 807; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

ANTHONY BRAXTON With TED REICHMAN - Duo (1993) At The Leipzig Gewandhus (Music & Arts 4 848; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

JANE BUNNETT QUINTET With DON PULLEN/BILLY HART et al - Live At Sweet Basils (Music & Arts 4 828; USA)
CD $12.00 AVAILABLE

DEBRIS - Rapture In The Church Of Disreputable Dreams (Music & Arts 4 927; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

MARTY EHRLICH'S DARK WOODS ENSEMBLE With ERIK FRIEDLANDER/MARK HELIAS - Live Wood: 1996 European Tour [2 CD set] (Music & Arts 4 986; USA)
CD $18.00 AVAILABLE

DUKE ELLINGTON - Ontario 1954 [2 CD set] (Music & Arts 1051; USA)
CD $18.00 AVAILABLE

LISLE ELLIS BAND With JOE McPHEE/PETER APFELBAUM/MARCO ENEIDI/DANA REASON - Children in Peril (Music & Arts 1016; USA)
CD $12.00 AVAILABLE

MARCO ENEIDI/GLENN SPEARMAN CREATIVE MUSIC ORCHESTRA - Creative Music Orchestra: American Jungle Suite (Music & Arts 4 980; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

SCOTT FIELDS - Disaster At Sea (Music & Arts 4 961; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

SCOTT FIELDS ENSEMBLE With MARILYN CRISPELL/LARRY OCHS/MATT TURNER - Stephen Dembski's Sonotropism (Music & Arts 1007; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

JOE FONDA/MICHAEL JEFRY STEVENS GROUP With HERB ROBERTSON/MARK WHITECAGE/HARVEY SORGEN - Parallel Lines (Music & Arts 4 979; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

JOE FONDA/MICHAEL JEFRY STEVENS GROUP With HERB ROBERTSON/MARK WHITECAGE/HARVEY SORGEN - The Wish (Music & Arts 4 916; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

BEN GOLDBERG/TREVOR DUNN/ELLIOT HUMBERT KAVEE - Here By Now (Music & Arts 1004; USA)
CD $12.00 AVAILABLE

GEORG GRAEWE [GRAWE] - Gedaechtnisspuren (Traces of Memory): The 1995 San Francisco Concert (Music & Arts 4 968; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

BARRY GUY/MATS GUSTAFSSON/RAYMOND STRID TRIO With MARILYN CRISPELL - gryffgryffgryffs: The Fabled 1966 Sweden Radio Concert (Music & Arts 1003; USA)
CD $15

ART HODES With KENNY DAVERN/JIM GALLOWAY - The Final Sessions: Americana With Art Hodes (Music & Arts 4 782; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

ART HODES/JIM GALLOWAY - Live! From Toronto's Cafe Des Copains (Music & Arts 4 610; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

GLENN HORIUCHI ENSEMBLE - Hilltop View (Music & Arts 4 935; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

GLENN HORIUCHI TRIO & QUARTET With JOSEPH JARMAN - Mercy (Music & Arts 4 962; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

BILL HORVITZ BAND - Dust Devil (Music & Arts 4 993; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

JOSEPH JARMAN/GLENN HORIUCHI/FRANCIS WONG - Pachinko Dream Track 10 (Music & Arts 1040; USA)
CD $12.00 AVAILABLE

JOHN JENSEN - A Treasury Of Mainstream Jazz Piano: Ellington/Coltrane/Monk/Parker/Strayhorn/Coleman (Music & Arts 4 628; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

STAN KENTON - Broadcast Transcriptions 1941-1945 (Music & Arts 4 883; USA)
CD $12.00 AVAILABLE

OLIVER LAKE & DONAL LEONELLIS FOX - Boston Duets (Music & Arts 4 732; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

JOHN LINDBERG - Luminosity: Homage To David Izenzon (Music & Arts 4 970; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

ALLEN LOWE AND THE AMERICAN SONG PROJECT FEATURING ROSWELL RUDD - Dark Was The Night Cold Was The Ground (Music & Arts 4 811; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

NEWBAND//DEAN DRUMMOND/ANNE LeBARON/ELIZABETH BROWN/HARRY PARTCH - Dance Of The Seven Veils (Music & Arts 4 931; USA)
CD $15.00 AVAILABLE

KEVIN NORTON ENSEMBLE - Knots (Music & Arts 1033; USA)
CD $12.00 AVAILABLE

ORBIT [ROB BROWN/HEINZ GEISSER/GUERINO MAZZOLA] - Orbit (Music & Arts 1015; USA)
CD $12.00 AVAILABLE

IVO PERELMAN QUARTET With MARILYN CRISPELL/WILLIAM PARKER/GERRY HEMINGWAY - Sound Hierarchy (Music & Arts 4 997; USA)
CD $12.00 AVAILABLE

PAUL PLIMLEY/LISLE ELLIS/DONALD ROBINSON TRIO - Density Of The Lovestruck Demons (Music & Arts 4 906; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

DAN PLONSEY//IVORY BILL - Music For Saxaphones (Music & Arts 4 982; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

POSITIVE KNOWLEDGE [OLUYEMI THOMAS et al] - Another Days Journey (Music & Arts 4 842; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

POSITIVE KNOWLEDGE [OLUYEMI THOMAS et al] - Invocation #9 (Music & Arts 4 909; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

ROOM [CHRIS BROWN/LARRY OCHS/WILLIAM WINANT/SCOTT GRESHAM-LANCASTER] - Hall Of Mirrors (Music & Arts 4 700; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

JOE ROSENBERG'S AFFINITY - This Is Our Lunch (Music & Arts 4 940; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

JOE ROSENBERG'S AFFINITY With BUDDY COLLETTE - Tribute To Eric Dolphy (Music & Arts 4 939; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

JEFF SONG & LOWBROW With CUONG VU/DEAN LAABS et al - The Other Pocket (Music & Arts 4 975; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

SPLATTER TRIO & DEBRIS//ANTHONY BRAXTON - Jump Or Die: Plays Anthony Braxton (Music & Arts 4 843; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

STRING TRIO OF NEW YORK [JAMES EMERY/JOHN LINDBERG/REGINA DAVIS] With ANTHONY DAVIS - Anthony Davis' Happy Valley Blues + Ellington/Monk/Mingus (Music & Arts 4 994; USA)
CD $12.00 AVAILABLE

ERIC WATSON/JOHN LINDBERG - Soundpost: Works For Piano And Double Bass (Music & Arts 4 920; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

PAUL WHITEMAN//GEORGE GERSHWIN - Paul Whiteman Conducts George Gershwin: Live Performances 1934-1948 (Music & Arts 1042; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.

FRANCIS WONG QUARTET - Pilgrimage (Music & Arts 4 974; USA)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.


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