A Dynamite Week of Discs from:

Satoko Fujii & Myra Melford! Fred Anderson Trio & Qt CDs! Michael Musillami Trio + 3! Splinters: Tubby Hayes/Trevor Watts/Kenny Wheeler/Stan Tracey/Jeff Clyne/John Stevens/Phil Seamen!!! Gunter 'Baby' Sommer & Assif Tsahar!

Ted Daniel Loft Trio! Ras Moshe Ensemble DVD! Fully Celebrated Orchestra! NY Trumpet Ensemble with Peter Evans! The Unknown Instructors with Mike Watt, Joe Biaza & David Thomas, Four Mike Westbrook Music Theatre Discs and Even More Gems...!




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Downtown Music Gallery FREE In-Store Performance Schedule
C'mon down to 13 Monroe St!

[2nd Ave bus M15 to Market St stop one block away, or F train to East Broadway stop 4 blocks away]


Tonight Friday, May 22nd at 6pm:
WADADA LEO SMITH / JACK DeJOHNETTE'S 'AMERICA' CD RELEASE SIGNING!
Wadada Leo Smith will talk about the making of this historic disc and will sign copies of this newly released disc on Tzadik. Come meet & greet the great Wadada Leo Smith!


This Sunday, May 24th at 6pm:
MAGIC HOUR featuring:
LOUIE BELOGENIS / MICHAEL ATTIAS / NATE WOOLEY / STEVE SWELL!


Sunday, May 31st at 7pm:
JD PARRAN & ANGELO BRANFORD!
BAG Legend meets Downtown Guitar!


Sunday, June 7th at 6pm:
ROB PRICE & CHRIS CAWTHRAY!
NY Guitar wunderkind Meets Torontoan Drummer!


Monday, June 8th at 6pm:
HUMANIZATION QUARTET are Clean Feed Recording artists featuring:
Rodrigo Amado on tenor sax, Luis Lopes on guitar, Aaron Gonzalez on basses & Stefan Gonzalez on drums!


Sunday, June 28th at 6pm:
TOM HAMILTON & BRUCE EISENBEIL!
Pogus CD Release Celebration for this wonderful Guitar & electronics Duo!


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WADADA LEO SMITH / JACK DeJOHNETTE - America (Tzadik 7628; USA) Featuring Wadada Leo Smith on trumpet & flugelhorn and Jack DeJohnette on drums. The last eight of the Bush Administration have seen the US go through some pretty rough times. For the last six months many things here and around the world have gotten even worse. Everyone I speak with about this seems to affected by this. Everyone. Listening to this fabulous disc by the mighty Wadada Leo Smith and wonderful Jack DeJohnette, I get the feeling that this is the response to our present mess.
"America Parts 1, 2 & 3" is the trilogy that opens this disc. This is one extraordinary duo, the dialogue back and forth is endlessly fascinating, the production and balance - perfect! There is an honest, bluesy and exquisite sound to Wadada's trumpet, as if he is revealing something precious deep inside for us to see and feel and share. Mr. DeJohnette is of course one of the best and most in-demand of all jazz drummers and here plays superbly with grace, craft and creativity. The tone of Wadada's trumpet is still magnificent, his resourcefulness remains undiminished. Every time I play this disc, I marvel at the incredible music and legacy that shines through, like a search light blasting through a fog of confusion. Wadada Leo Smith will talk about the making and inspiration for this disc here at DMG tonight, Friday, May 22nd at 6pm and will sign copies if you wish. His Golden Quartet will perform tomorrow night, Saturday, May 23rd at Symphony Space at 8pm. Time to ring some changes and experience some fine music. Two important events not to be missed. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $14


SATOKO FUJII & MYRA MELFORD - Under The Water: Piano Solos And Duos [Ltd Ed of 500 #d copies] (Libra 202-024; Japan) Featuring Myra Melford and Satoko Fujii on pianos and recorded live at Maybeck Studio in Berkeley, CA on September of 2007. The Maybeck Studio in Berkeley is long renown for concerts and recordings of the finest jazz pianists alive, from Jaki Byard to Hank Jones to Stanley Cowell, more than forty in their solo series. Both of these extraordinary pianists have diverse backgrounds and lead numerous ensembles. Piano duos are relatively rare, although Satokoi has recorded with her former teacher, Paul Bley way back when... Hence this is quite a rare occasion for both musicians here.
This disc consists of three duos and one solo from each pianist. "Yadokari" starts with both women playing inside their pianos. The sound is filled with magic and suspense and is rather percussive in sound. The production is marvelous, it sounds as if we are sitting up close equidistant from each pianist. One pianist and the other mutes the strings as she plays adding a mysterious prepared piano type of sound. The piece gets more dense and intense as they start to race up and down the keyboard in waves. Beautifully cosmic. Satoko's solo piece is called "Trace a River" which is the title of a trio disc she has with Mark Dresser & Jim Black. This is a great piece with some difficult written sections and layers of dynamic textures or changes. "The Migration of Fish" is a wonderful title for another fine duo excursion which develops organically with inside-the-piano effects used as occasional sonic spice and some dark eruptions as well. Myra's "Be Melting Snow" is a wonderful story-like solo piece which starts in the low end of the piano and works its way up the keyboard. This endlessly dynamic disc ends with another short duo that moves in a couple of different directions at once with waves within waves. I can't recall the last time I heard a disc of a two piano performance but this is without a doubt one that transcends any I've heard before. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $16

[also, we have lowered our prices on Satoko's Japanese Libra label - from $18 to $16, so stock up now before they go up - see list further below]


MICHAEL MUSILLAMI TRIO + 3 With MARTY EHRLICH/RALPH ALESSI/MATT MORAN/JOE FONDA/GEORGE SCHULLER - From Seeds (Playscape 20109; USA) Guitarist composer Michael Musillami and his longstanding trio with Joe Fonda and George Schuller follow 2007's The Treatment, their critically acclaimed collaboration with renowned violinist Mark Feldman, with From Seeds, the debut of the Michael Musillami Trio +3 featuring Ralph Alessi, Marty Ehrlich and Matt Moran.
This newly formed sextet performs six new, original compositions Musillami conceived specifically for this ensemble. "Composing and arranging all new music for a cohesive group that combines vibes, trumpet, and alto with a guitar trio meant taking things to a whole new level," he explains. "I needed three players with the sound, experience and confidence to not only play this music, but also put their stamp on it without taking away from what the trio does best. Marty, Matt and Ralph were perfect choices."
"I caught this sextet live at the Cornelia Street Cafe and was knocked out by their set. Listening to this CD it is easy to see and hear why. Mr. Musillami's writing is just incredible, complex and no doubt difficult to play. The opening section of "Splayed Fingers" has the band shifting through a variety of quick changes that are breathtaking to observe. The first solo from Matt Moran on vibes is impressive but it is the way the rest of the sextet swirling tightly around him that most engaging. Musillami's fabulous trio is always at the center of storm, keeping everything in focus and shifting effortlessly between tempos too difficult to imagine. Musillami sets up things so that each soloist (Marty on alto sax & Ralph on trumpet) can dive into their solos and surf the treacherous waters without having to worry about the unpredictable currents. There are too many marvelous solos throughout, especially by Mr. Musillami, to describe here but I will say this: thoughtful listeners will be at the edge of their seats from the beginning to the righteous end of this fantastic disc. It doesn't get any better than this!" - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $15



New and recent on Asian Improv Records!

FRED ANDERSON TRIO With CHAD TAYLOR/TATSU AOKI - Birthday Live 2000: An Official Bootleg Album [Limited Edition] (Asian Improv LTD ED; USA) Recorded Live at Velvet Lounge on 3/22 & 25, 2000
There's something about the kind of conversations you can have with old friends--you can skip straight to the heart of the matter. As is the case with this trio of Fred Anderson, Tatsu Aoki and Chad Taylor who performed many times together at the Velvet Lounge. On this particular date at the turn of the millennium, it was the birthday of the heart and soul of the Velvet, tenor sax legend Fred Anderson. This very limited edition archival recording (we call it an official bootleg) is being made available as part of the celebration of Fred's 80th year of life on our planet. It is a true collectors item as only limited copies were made-- and they are being sold to benefit Fred and our beloved Velvet Lounge. [PS- there will be no other edition of this recording
] Ltd Ed CD $35

FRED ANDERSON QUARTET With FRANCIS WONG/CHAD TAYLOR/TATSU AOKI - Vol Three: Live At The Velvet Lounge (Asian Improv 74; USA) The first two volumes - with Fred and Tatsu - are already out-of-print, so get this while you can! [review next week]
CD $15

TATSU AOKI/BASSER - Basser - Live II: In Concert At The Museum Of Contemporary Art, Chicago (Asian Improv 67; USA) Tatsu Aoki-acoustic bass and taiko drum; Hide Yoshihashi-taiko drum and percussion; Amy Homma-taiko drum and percussion; Ryan Toguri-taiko drum and percussion
CD $15

JON JANG With FRANCIS WONG/JIM NORTON et al - Paper Son Paper Songs (Asian Improv 69; USA) Jim Norton soprano sax; Francis Wong tenor sax and flute; John L Worley Jr trumpet and flugelhorn; Wayne Wallace trombone; Jon Jang piano; David Belove electric bass; Deszon Claiborne multiple percussion 'paper son paper songs', a three piece movement,`commissioned by the eastside arts alliance, commemorating the centennial anniversary of the 1906 san francisco earthquake that destroyed chinatown...' comprises the first three numbers of the recording, the familiar flower drum song, the first movement. the third movement, eye of the snake, is introduced by david belove's funky dance line bass extending later into an r'n'b solo.
deborah wong, an ethnomusicologist, writer of the linear notes, uses the words `transformation' `regeneration' and 'metamorphoses' in describing jang's music. listening to the recording, my impression was that jang began with chinese folk songs, paused and introduced various changes as improvisation, as the naturalization process and after some reflection returned to the altered theme, leaving this listener aware that jang was fully capable, had he wanted, of abandoning the folk song for the jazz idiom, since there's no doubt in listening to the jon jang seven that this a a jazz septet at work.
CD $15


FULLY CELEBRATED ORCHESTRA [JIM HOBBS/TIMO SHANKO/DJANGO CARRANZA] - Drunk On The Blood Of The Holy Ones (AUM Fidelity 54; USA) "Long one of Boston's musical gems, The Fully Celebrated (Orchestra) have always been Jim Hobbs: alto sax, Timo Shanko: bass, and Django Carranza: drums. A jazz band playing the rock clubs like the young punks they were, developing along the way into the sages they have become. Following a series of European and self-releases, Drunk On The Blood Of The Holy Ones is their auspicious AUM Fidelity debut: a stellar set of all new compositions, recorded live in the studio and then mixed utilizing the latest dub technology. The album cannot be pegged as each track is a fully different/fully realized aural experience of AUM level engage. Principal composer/band leader Jim Hobbs is an untouchably gifted master of the alto saxophone, producing a holy array of sounds from his horn that the instrument was not originally designed to manifest. The Fully Celebrated wield an incomparable arsenal of ways and means to transform the here and now through mighty song and trio massage. Joyous bounce and sway, punkolodic riffage, mesmerizing incantation/cosmic groove & a stone flux version of the classic Stalag riddim, dubfully rendered in Brooklyn on the eve of Election '08 with dew of '09 in mind. The CD also contains an embedded music video: the animated skateboard groove and flex film Can You Do The Mackie Burnette? which also features cornetist Taylor Ho Bynum, who was a member of The FCO for a few years at the dawn of this century."
CD $14


SPLINTERS [TUBBY HAYES/KENNY WHEELER/TREVOR WATTS/STAN TRACEY/JEFF CLYNE/JOHN STEVENS/PHIL SEAMEN] - Split The Difference (Reel Recordings 13; Canada) Splinters is remembered, indeed lionized by knowing UK jazz fans, as the monumental musical meeting of tenor giant Tubby Hayes, trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, saxophonist Trevor Watts, pianist Stan Tracey, bassist Jeff Clyne, and legendary drummers John Stevens and Phil Seamen. Split The Difference is the rare recording Trevor Watts made of the group's first public appearance, at London's 100 Club on May 22nd, 1972. Two extended sets of continuous collective improvisation comprise this full-length CD release; the first opportunity to experience this leaderless ensemble of British jazz greats with their special musical personalities summoned to create group music with robust, telepathic energy, as informed by the great history of modern jazz. Their cauldron of emotionally-extroverted playing, as it boils over a torrent of exuberant double drumming from John Stevens and Phil Seamen, is a sheer wonder for the ear to behold. Moreover, such exhilaration is preserved in a dynamic recording that allows the listener to bear witness to this once-in-a-lifetime event. Reel Recordings' remastering care was guided by the sonic requirements for the music itself, which was captured as an analog tape recording. Including personal reflections from Trevor Watts, and 100 Club concert photographs by Jak Kilby, Split The Difference guarantees an experience to be filed under: essential!
CD $17


GUNTER 'BABY' SOMMER With ASSIF TSAHAR/JEAN CLAUDE JONES et al - Live in Israel: Kadima Music Salon July 2008 (Kadima 19; Israel) Featuring Gunter 'Baby' Sommer on drums, Assif Tsahar on bass clarinet, Steve Horenstein on baritone and soprano saxes, Yonatan Albalak guitar, Yoni Silver bass clarinet, Yonatan Kretzmer tenor saxophone and JC Jones bass. Israeli bassist, JC Jones, continues to invite great improvisers from around the world (like Joelle Leandre, Barre Phillips & Ned Rothenberg) to play and record in Israel for the Kadima label with great results. This disc features solos, duos, trios and quartets with FMP legendary drummer Gunter 'Baby' Sommer and some of Israels' finest musicians. Commencing with a trio of Sommer with Steve Horenstein on bari sax and JC on bass, we are off to a strong start. Gunter does a splendid job of pushing the trio through a series of different rhythmic sections that keep changing yet are connected. He worked perfectly with bassist JC Jones who also bows powerfully and interacts with Steve's great bari sax. The quartet with Assif Tsahar on tenor, Steve on soprano, JC on bass and Gunter on drums is another spirited piece, starting with restraint before launching to the stratosphere. Powerful and superbly captured, sound-wise. If I didn't know any better, I would think that this is a long lost classic from the loft jazz days of the seventies. "Sommertime" is an exquisite, thoughtful and most creative solo drums piece with a bit of vocal punctuation, six minute short story. "Bast" is a long trio for bass clarinet or tenor, bari sax and drums which again works marvelously well at balancing the talents of the trio, mostly on the more restrained side. Superb cymbal work from Gunter here. "Yo Yo Yo" features a quartet of Israeli players whose names all start with "Yo" (hence the title) and with whom I was not previously familiar. Bass clarinetist Yoni Silver is quite good while Gunter plays great mallets along with him. Guitarist Yonatan Albalak and tenor man Yonatan Kretzmer also play with a fine, simmering and subdued spirit. The final duo with Assif on tenor and Gunter is also a perfect closer to this strong disc with Assif blowing hard with that great Trane-like tone. JC Jones' Kadima label consistently releases gems of international improv at it best. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $15


TED DANIEL TRIO - The Loft Years: Vol 1 (Ujamaa 1002; USA) Recorded live at Sunrise Studio, NYC in September of 1975 and featuring Ted Daniel on trumpet, flugelhorn & French hunting horn, Richard Pierce on bass and Tatsuya Nakamura on drums. "The Loft Years" took place mostly during the seventies in a variety of lofts throughout lower Manhattan where a series of avant/jazz musicians performed in small, intimate spaces that they often ran themselves. There were dozens of these spaces like Studio Rivbea, Environ, Artist House, Soundscape, the Brook, Studio Henry, Inroads... I attended many of these gigs and it was my initiation to this then small, homegrown scene. This disc was recorded at one such space called Sunrise Studio which I vaguely recall. Ted Daniel was an integral part of this scene and has been releasing discs from that important era. This is Ted's fourth disc from the "loft years" and again he has captured that adventurous spirit just right.
This disc consists of four long tracks, two originals, one by Ornette and one by Sunny Murray. Beginning with Ornette's "Congeniality" from his early years on Atlantic, this fine trio is burning through the changes fiercely. Bassist Richard Pierce can be heard of a few of Ted Daniel's previous discs from the same era, but I can't say that I was familiar with their drummer, Tatsuya Nakamura. This not surprising since there were dozens (hundreds?) of loft jazz players that have long since disappeared. Ted Daniel is overflowing with fire, energy and creative ideas as he soars above the burning rhythm team. This is the way I remember the loft jazz scene: fire music bursting with unrelenting energy and power! Drummer Tatsuya reminds me of Marc Edwards as he pushes Ted's trumpet higher and more furiously. Pierce takes a strong acoustic bass solo with Tatsuya accompanying him minimally, followed by a most impressive drum solo. Sunny Murray's "Jiblet" is a piece with twisted by tight rhythms, no doubt difficult to play yet the trio navigates the complex rapids with ease. Again the interplay between Mr. Daniels and Mr. Nakamura is simply incredible as they play their streams of notes tightly together. I dig the spinning percussion that starts off "The Moor" featuring Ted's haunting muted flugelhorn and some cosmically strummed contrabass. The final tune is called "O.C." and just might be dedicated to Ornette Coleman. Again the trio spins their lines tightly together with invigorating force. If you long for the days when you could hear music like this on a weekly basis, this disc will do the trick. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $15


THE RAS ENSEMBLE [RAS MOSHE With CLIF JACKSON/TOR SNYDER/DAVE MILLER] - Live At The Sanctuary [DVD] (MediaSanctuary; USA) Featuring Ras Moshe on tenor & alto sax & flute, Tor Yochai Snyder on guitar, Clif Jackson on bass and Dave Miller on drums. Ras Moshe is a young member of the downtown network who has played here at DMG probably more than any other leader. Ras and his cohorts are always inspired when they play here, so it should come as no surprise when I viewed this fine DVD and was knocked out once again. I know guitarist Tor Snyder also from his gigs here as well as his old guitar orchestra gigs. I wasn't familiar with the rhythm team of Clif Jackson and Dave Miller, although I do recognize Dave & Clif from seeing them around the town. The first piece has a fine, simmering laid back groove with a fine, long slow-buring solo from Ras on tenor with Tor strumming layers of lines on his Klein guitar. This a strong quartet and they take their time to reach for the stars, The DVD is intimate and shot up close with multiple cameras for different angles. Ras starts off "Frequent Flyer" with a fine, long unaccompanied tenor solo, his tone warm and his playing strong and spirited. Eventually this turns into a fine duo with the drummer, soon adding the bass and finally the guitar. The fury and force of the quartet is remarkable and well captured. Tor takes a powerful and intense guitar solo strumming as if his life depended on it. This is spiritual music and is filled with the ghosts of the past as well as the current crop of talented free spirits. This a most impressive effort that is bound to spread the word of the Ras Moshe Ensemble. A version of this ensemble will be playing at this year's Vision Fest, their debut at the evening part of this ongoing and important festival. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
DVD $15


NEW YORK TRUMPET ENSEMBLE [MARK GOULD/PETER EVANS/CJ CAMERIERI/DAVE TAYLOR/MOPPA ELLIOTT] - All Praise Be Thine (8Bells 07; USA) Mark Gould, Peter Evans, CJ Camerieri trumpets; Dave Taylor bass trombone; Moppa Elliott bass. In 2004, Peter, CJ,. Moppa and I started improvising together in a context that, for a lack of a better term, could be called 'free'. We tried to avoid relying on 'licks' and cliches. We were attempting to combine our disparate musical histories into a fresh and coherent musical language. A daunting challenge, perhaps a bit grandiose in intention but great fun nonetheless. Peter Evans brought in a lot of his music that served as a road map for much of our endeavor.
We did a few gigs in clubs in Manhattan and Brooklyn. The music was well received and for the most part quite interesting. For me, after 30 years playing for the opera it was like undergoing a ritual purification. Music from a different universe will do that.
In the middle of 2005, the NYTE invited bass trombonist, David Taylor to join the group. I have known Dave Taylor for 40 years and I thought it would be a perfect fit. New musical vistas opened right away. With the addition of a bass voice (and what a voice!) the band achieved a better musical balance. And a healthier spiritual balance. We laughed more. The young guys (Peter, CJ and Moppa) were entertained by our stories of the 'good ol' days'. Taylor and I savored the youthful energy of our young colleagues. The music began to breathe. Here is a session from October 2005. I hope you enjoy the results. Special thanks go to Jon Nelson for making this project possible and to Brian McWhorter for his help in post production. And to both of them for cajoling me to overcome my reluctance to share the fruits of our labors." - Mark Gould
CD $12


UNKNOWN INSTRUCTORS [MIKE WATT/GEORGE HURLEY/JOE BAIZA/DAN McGUIRE] With DAVID THOMAS - Funland (Smog Veil 68; USA) "The third sprawling improv free jazz and punk workout from the likes of Joe Baiza, George Hurley, Mike Watt and Dan McGuire, with special guests David Thomas and Raymond Pettibon."
CD $13



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The Last Record Company is a vinyl label set up by Rune Grammofon. Each release is limited to 500 copies only and comes in a lavish, thick, individually hand-numbered gatefold sleeve with artwork by Grandpeople. Each release also includes a 16-page art-booklet. The music is exclusive to this release and will not be available in other formats until the vinyl edition is sold out, possibly not even then. We are proud to present the first three releases on The Last Record Company, all by very prominent figures in the flowering contemporary music scene in Norway.


MAJA S.K. RATKJE - Cyborgic [Ltd #'d Ed of 500] (Rune/Last Record Co 03; EEC) Presenting a rare live recording and her first solo album for Rune Grammofon for quite some time, Cyborgic finds Maja S.K. Ratkje in top form for The Last Record Company imprint. Since her recording debut as a member of SPUNK 10 years ago, she has continuously challenged us with groundbreaking solo performances and also in projects such as Fe-Mail and with Lasse Marhaug. 2008 saw her composer portrait River Mouth Echoes released on John Zorn's Tzadik label. Limited to 500 copies only and housed in a lavish, thick, individually hand-numbered gatefold sleeve with artwork by Grandpeople. Also includes a 16-page art-booklet.
LP $35

ULTRALYD [KJETIL MOSTER/KJETIL BRANDSDAL/ANDERS HANA/MORTEN OLSEN] - Renditions [Ltd #'d Ed of 500] (Rune/Last Record Co 02; EEC) Ultralyd are Kjetil Moster (saxophones/clarinet), Anders Hana (guitars), Kjetil Brandsdal (bass) and Morten J. Olsen (drums/electric vibraphone). On their debut for Rune Grammofon's The Last Record Company imprint, they continue to develop the sonic explorations that started with their brilliant Conditions for a Piece of Music album (2007) and continued with "Conditions for a Piece of Music II" off Money Will Ruin Everything 2. Just as comparable to dark metal dronemasters as to contemporary composers. Limited to 500 copies only and housed in a lavish, thick, individually hand-numbered gatefold sleeve with artwork by Grandpeople. Also includes a 16-page art-booklet.
LP $35

STIAN WESTERHUS - Galore [Ltd #'d Ed of 500] (Rune/Last Record Co 01; EEC) This is the debut solo guitar recording from one of Norway's hardest-working young improvisers, currently a member of Jaga Jazzist, Puma, Monolithic, and more. More recently, Westerhus has put more energy into challenging the electric guitar alone on stage. Blessed with little or no respect for the instrument, his performances balance raw expressiveness, virtuosity and melodic instinct with his Norwegian heritage and growing up listening to Slayer. Sinewy guitar-menace. Mastered by Helge Sten aka Deathprod.
LP $35


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BLG & Chu Bettis review recent keepers!


MICHAEL BATES' OUTSIDE SOURCES With RUSS JOHNSON/QUINSIN NACHOFF/JEFF DAVIS - Live In New York 13/9/2008 (Greenleaf P04; USA) The final track of this release, "Damasa," fades out due to the "tape" running out; however, Included as a bonus track, "Lucifer," is an outtake from the Clockwise sessions. Featuring Russ Johnson on trumpet, Quinsin Nachoff on sax & clarinet, Michael Bates on bass & compositions and Jeff Davis on drums. This disc was recorded live at the Cornelia Street Cafe in the West Village in September of 2008 by our pal Scott Friedlander. This is Canadian-born bassist Michael Bates fourth disc as a leader and the second with the same quartet. The only one consistent member is another fine Canadian musician, Quinsin Nachoff, who has a couple of superb discs of his own. "Bloodletting" starts with some eerie, bent trumpet from Russ Johnson and swell, swaggering tenor sax from Quinsin. The righteous horn harmonies are bluesy and remind me of New Orleans funeral music. The quartet is fine form on "The Russian School" which recalls those intricate, spirited songs of acoustic Masada. "Fellini" features some subtle yet spirited muted trumpet and clarinet, broken into small twisted sections. This is a marvelous quartet and each member is intrgral to their sound. Michael's charts are consistently challenging and the quartet play with creative spirit throughout, sounding as if they have been playing for many years previously. This is another one of those under-recognized treasures that shouldn't be overlooked. Considering that this is a live recording, the sound is clean, warm and quite perfect. Nice work Scott. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $12

ALEXANDER HAWKINS ENSEMBLE - No Now Is So (FMR 270; UK) Featuring Alexander Hawkins on piano, Orphy Robinson on steel pan, Otto Fischer on electric guitar, Hannah Marshall on cello, Dominic Lash on acoustic bass and Javier Carmona on drums. The odd instrumentation here is what this sextet unique, consider this: piano, steel drum, el. guitar and cello in the front-line. I am not familiar with most of the players in this fine UK unit, although we do know Orphy Robinson from a few discs with Bruise (Tony Bevan & John Edwards) and Clear Frame (Lol Coxhill & Hugh Hopper), as well as Otto Fischer playing with Derek Bailey in Derek's homemade CD-R series. Turns out that Alexander Hawkins and Dominic Lash were/are also members of the Convergence Quartet with Taylor Ho Bynum and Harris Eisenstadt, as well as the Barkingside quartet on Emanem.
Mr. Hawkins wrote half of the pieces on this disc with a few group improvisations and a couple of covers by Sun Ra and Wadada Leo Smith. "Prelude" is an intense free and focused opener with some great over-the-top piano and the rest of the sextet spinning furiously around. Alexander's "Sarah Teaches Kirsty to Read" sounds like Anthony Braxton's Ghost Trance Music, something I have yet to hear anyone imitate and they do a fine job of capturing that twisted repeating phrase. I can't recall very much avant or free music that features a steel drummer so it is rare pleasure to hear Orphy's steel pan simmering throughout this disc sometimes interacting with Alex's piano or Hannah's cello. Wadada's lovely "The Prince of Peace" is a delightful piece which features some exquisite guitar, steel pan and cello. The four group improvs are all spirited, focused and most engaging. Mr. Hawkins' own piece are perhaps the best since his composing is so thoughtfully constructed. I dig the odd harmonies on "120:4", since there are layers of intricate cross-connected parts that sound simple but are not so. Sun Ra's "Love in Outer Space" is a perfect the to cover with its sublime melody, it is an unexpected delight. What amazes me is this: FMR consistently comes up with unrecognized treasures from musicians we often know so little about. May their jewels never cease. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $16

MOTSOL [STINE JANVIN MOTLAND/STALE LAIVIK SOLBERG] - Strap On (FMR 219; UK) Motsol is Stine Janvin Motland on vocals and Stale Laivik Solberg on drums with the help of Frode Gjerstad on co-production. Vocals and drums are the two oldest and most primal of instruments. I have had a long-standing love of experimental (or extended technique) female vocals, from Yoko Ono to Joan LaBarbara to Diamanda Galas to Shelley Hirsch to Sainko Namchylak to Maja Ratke. Listening to this unique Scandinavian duo, Ms. Motland seems to come from a similar place. This is an acoustic duo and I am quite impressed with their odd, charming sound. At times, Stine's vocal antics reminds me of those twisted cartoon characters that Phil Minton always conjures. There is something both hilarious and startling about the sounds and screams that Ms. Motsol makes. Mr. Solberg is also a crafty drummer who never overdoes it, he just plays enough to communicate and create an ongoing dialogue. There is also a joyous, innocent quality to this, nothing seems forced or fake. It is as if Stine were an animal who has no problem expressing herself in the most natural of ways. Certain discs or certain sounds just feel right and can't really be explained with words. This is one such gem. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $16


MERZBOW [MASAMI AKITA] - 13 Japanese Birds Pt 4: Karasu (Important 241; USA) Japanese Birds is a 13 month series of releases inspired by Olivier Messaien's Catalogue D'Oiseaux [begun in January 2009]
"Merzbow's crow chirps and screams in it's symbolic demonic manner, casting a eerie shadow of despair in the world you are aware of. My favorite so far out of the bird series, "Karasu" sounds better recorded and ideas of tonal overlap come across more cohesively to my ears. As I adorn my corpse paint and create my magick circle, "Karasu" plays to set the mood for the ritual. We missed him at this year's No Fun Fest, but hopefully he will return to states soon. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! -Chuck Bettis/dmg
CD $14

MERZBOW [MASAMI AKITA] - 13 Japanese Birds Pt 3: Yurikamome (Important 236; USA) Japanese Birds is a 13 month series of releases inspired by Olivier Messaien's Catalogue D'Oiseaux.
"One day after leaving DMG, I saw a Seagull running down the middle of the street due to a broken wing. What could I do to help this wounded bird? I asked myself would it end up as someone's dinner or perhaps a Sangria sacrifice? These scenarios disturbed me. Merzbow's seagull, "Yurikamome" enters the street running with 4/4 beats that turn into unrelenting blast beats over a speed boat engine's synth hiss, giving me no doubt of his strength for survival. In Merzbow's sonic world it is nature rebelling via his machines. RECOMMENDED!" - Chuck Bettis/dmg
CD $14

MERZBOW [MASAMI AKITA] - 13 Japanese Birds Pt 2: Fukurou (Important 233; USA) Japanese Birds is a 13 month series of releases inspired by Olivier Messaien's Catalogue D'Oiseaux.
"It was Captain Beefheart who instructed his guitar players to fashion their playing after birds. Those were wise words from a wise man. Perhaps Merzbow decided to apply this method to electronics. With "Fukuro", Masami Akita pays respect to my favorite mystical winged creature (the owl). Continuing his instrumental assault of electronics and drums emulating bird calls, the sound of heartbeats, and flapping wings; Masami soars further into the depths of extremes he helped carve a niche for. Although the opening track "Govosukehoukou" soldiers on as a continuation of the ideas explored in his cd "Suzume" (after all, "Fukuro" was only recorded the month after), it is not until tracks "Variation No. 1" and "Variation No. 2" does he actually spreads his wings, expanding his trajectory as the ever expanding all seeing noise eye in the sky. RECOMMENDED!" - Chuck Bettis/dmg
CD $14

MERZBOW [MASAMI AKITA] - 13 Japanese Birds Pt 1: Suzume (Important 230; USA) Japanese Birds is a 13 month series of releases inspired by Olivier Messaien's Catalogue D'Oiseaux.
"Masami Akita is a busy man. With thirteen scheduled releases this year for the Important label alone, he continues to be my beacon for endurance, cranking out at least one album a month. The first in this series is called "Suzume", which translated to english means sparrow. Merzbow chooses to return to his roots as a drummer while continuing his pioneering electronic mayhem; which hints at my fantasy duo of Milford Graves & Oskar Sola teaming up to redo the sound design for Hitchcock's "Birds". Those who dig Masami's early forays into drums and electronics, such as his duo with KK Null on the album "Deus Irae" should equally dig this disc. Lots of mind-numbing intricacies, dense, but not a melt-your-face-off Merzbow release. RECOMMENDED!" - Chuck Bettis/dmg
CD $14


ANGEL OV DEATH [ANDREW D'ANGELO/MIKE PRIDE/JAMIE SAFT] - Live In Space And Time (At The Stone) [DVD] (Veal 06; USA) Jamie Saft, Mike Pride, & Andrew d'Angelo are Angel Ov Death. Need I say more? Their fever-pitched cauldron of jazz-metal-blues comes across with great passion in this black and white audio visual document. So far this is the only release of Angel Ov Death, so this is a tease for what future documents will bring. Filmed live, right here in NYC, with multiple cameras at the infamous Stone. I happened to be there, but for those who weren't, there is this dvd. RECOMMENDED! - Chuck Bettis/dmg
DVD $16


CDCM COMPUTER MUSIC - Vol 5: Inner Voices - Music From The Winham Laboratory At Princeton University (Centaur 207; USA) Originally released in 1990. Featured works: "just-more-idle-chatter" (1987) by Paul Lansky ; "Approximate Rhythms" (1989) by Brad Garton; "Elmore (1987) by Andrew Milburn; "Night Machines" (1987) by Martin Butler; "Still Life With Piano" (1989) by Frances White; "Contraption" (1988) by Alicyn Warren; "Wasting" (1987) by Brad Garton, Paul Lansky, Andrew Milburn.
CD $18


ALIO DIE & AGLAIA - Private History Of The Clouds (Infraction 37; USA) Japanese-style gatefold packaging. "Infraction Records curates this new entry to the already considerable body of collaborations involving Alio Die. There have already been communings with the likes of Robert Rich, Mathias Grassow, and Vidna Obmana. Here, though, Stefano Musso's fellow-travellers are lesser known but closer to home. Aglaia is an Italian duo with a trio of albums on his Hic Sunt Leones label; Gino Fioravanti and Gianluigi Toso come trailing credentials in therapy, writing, painting, and teaching, to say nothing of alchemy and ortho-bionomy. In contrast with Musso, who has fully two decades of musical endeavors behind him, they're comparative novices. But you wouldn't have thought it. Theirs is a music whose apparent stasis enfolds within it endless subtle micro-variations. They bring with them from previous HSL releases an appealing aquatic/amniotic sound dimension, characterized by a combination of electronic sounds (analogies as the sleeve notes would have it) and processed acoustica moving as if in virtual circular breathing. Slow waves of soundflow suggestive of psycho-acoustic energy (if you're a believer, otherwise just go with the flow) come with peripheral fragments of sonorities, carried on the wind, drifting as if at the edges of sleep, recalling the way echo plays in open landscapes. That's part of the method of this animist collective's historical unfolding of its subjects' textures and trajectories, yielding a series of luminous aerated tracts. Animists see a spiritual force residing in every element of the physical world. Nature is believed to be alive, imputing an inner life to leaves, lakes and the like. Dwelling on Private History Of The Clouds brings this to mind before even entering its audio world, particularly in light of Alio Die's predilection for 'passion, nature and awakening' and Aglaia's for worlds of feeling ('mondi sensibili,' as a previous album was called). But, lest this kind of talk scare off those averse to nature-hugging, note that the musical Grace inspiring this project is more a familiar of Pandit Prath Nan and Brian Eno than of Wyndham Hill and Hearts of Space.
CD $16


GROUP DOUEH - Treeg Salaam (Sublime Freq 048; USA) Group Doueh's follow-up to their now-legendary debut LP is here. While most would think it damn near impossible to top the former release, in terms of sheer "shock and awe," Treeg Salaam (trans. "Streets Of Peace"), blows hot and dusty from the infernal sand-swept dunes of the Western Sahara. Compiled from Group Doueh's personal archives, these five tracks (note: sidelong piece on the flip), are as brain-shifting in their ecstatic brilliance as any music ever heard. From the wah-stroked lead-off track to the blazing dexterity of "Ragsa Jaguar," the whole of the first side is an entrance to the lip-puckering tea den of Saharan trance heaven. Salmou Baamar's (Doueh) guitar/tinidit runs explode in cosmic shrapnel, raining down on the temporal nodes of the listener's brain. On side 2, we have a 20-minute, smoky, slow-burning, psychedelic excursion into the great unknown. A meditation on the arid and inhospitable landscape that inspires this music and its people. This is a one-time pressing of 1,500 copies. Pressed on 180 gram vinyl and comes in a gatefold full-color jacket with great photos of the musicians.
LP $24

OMAR SOULEYMAN - Highway to Hassake: Folk & Pop Sounds of Syria [2 LP set] (Sublime Freq 031; USA) Omar Souleyman is a Syrian musical legend. Since 1994, he and his musicians have emerged as a staple of folk-pop throughout Syria, but until now they have remained little known outside of the country. To date, they have issued more than five-hundred studio and live-recorded cassette albums which are easily spotted in the shops of any Syrian city. Born in rural northeastern Syria, he began his musical career in 1994 with a small group of local collaborators that remain with him today. The myriad musical traditions of the region are evident in their music. Previously released on CD by Sublime Frequencies in 2007, now available on 2LP.
Here, classical Arabic mawal-style vocalization gives way to high-octane Syrian dabke (the regional folkloric dance and party music), Iraqi choubi and a host of Arabic, Kurdish and Turkish styles, among others. This amalgamation is truly the sound of Syria. The music often has an overdriven sound consisting of phase-shifted Arabic keyboard solos and frantic rhythms. At breakneck speeds, these shrill Syrian electronics play out like forbidden Morse-code, but the moods swing from coarse and urgent to dirgy and contemplative in the rugged anthems that comprise Souleyman's repertoire. Oud, reeds, baglama saz, accompanying vocals and percussion fill out the sound from track to track. Mahmoud Harbi is a long-time collaborator and the man responsible for much of the poetry sung by Souleyman. Together, they commonly perform the "Ataba," a traditional form of folk poetry used in Dabke. On stage, Harbi chain smokes cigarettes while standing shoulder to shoulder with Souleyman, periodically leaning over to whisper the material into his ear. Acting as a conduit, Souleyman struts into the audience with urgency, vocalizing the prose in song before returning for the next verse. Souleyman's first hit in Syria was Jani (1996) which gained cassette-kiosk infamy and brought him recognition throughout the country. Sublime Frequencies is honored to present the Western debut of Omar Souleyman with this retrospective disc of studio and live recordings spanning 12 years of his career, culled from cassettes recorded between 1994 and 2006. This collection offers a rare glimpse into Syrian street-level folk-pop and Dabke -- a phenomena seldom heard in the West, not previously deemed serious enough for export by the Syrians and rarely, if ever, included on the import agenda of worldwide academic musical committees
2 LP set for $28
also available on CD for $15


TAKE ME TO THE WATER [V.A.] - Immersion Baptism In Vintage Music And Photography 1890-1950 [CD + Book] (Dust To Digital 013; USA) The latest release from Grammy Award-winning reissue label Dust-to-Digital gives music fans another reason to rejoice. A stunning 96-page hardcover book of historic baptism photographs, taken between 1890 and 1950 and compiled from the collection of noted folk art collector Jim Linderman, is accompanied by a CD of rare gospel and folk recordings from original 78 RPM records (1924-1940), featuring artists Washington Phillips, Carter Family, Tennessee Mountaineers, and more. Produced by the 2009 Grammy winner for "Best Historical Album," Steven Lance Ledbetter. The CD could easily be seen as the seventh disc of Goodbye, Babylon (DTD 001CD), Dust-to-Digital's critically-acclaimed and Grammy-nominated box set from 2003. Original 78 RPM records came from the collections of Joe Bussard, Steven Lance Ledbetter, Frank Mare and Roger Misiewicz. "Whether you have ever actually experienced a baptism or not, whether you are a believer or not, these pictures and the music that accompanies them transmit all the emotional information: the excitement and the serenity, the fellowship and the warmth, the wind and the water ... You would have to have a heart of tin not to recognize this as one of the happiest collections of archival photographs ever assembled." --From the introduction by Luc Sante. 96-page hardcover book (8.75 x 6 inches) with 75 sepia photograph reproductions from 1890-1950; CD includes 25 songs and sermons from 1924-
CD+BOOK for $32


DAMON [DAVID DEL CONTE] - Song Of A Gypsy (Xenos 01; USA) "Damon. This is the artistic name of David Del Conte, a genius American gypsy musician who is responsible for probably the rarest and most sought-after psychedelic music album of all time. We're talking about his debut album, Song Of A Gypsy, which was originally released in 1969. This album has a totally unique sound, with the 'crooner-like' voice of Damon, the omnipresent melodic fuzz guitar of Charlie Carey and truly atmospheric melodies. Vernon Joynson, on his latest Fuzz Acid & Flowers book, says about this album: 'If there really is such a thing as psychedelic music, this is surely it. The Damon album is an essential purchase.' This is a new CD version of the album. Reproduction of the original first pressing, in textured carton and golden graved lettering, gatefold cover with brief liners in the inside."
CD $20


THE FOLKLORDS - Release The Sunshine (Lion Prod. PACE 47; Canada) "Fourteen perfect examples of dreamy, sunshine-infused pop psychedelia with a folk bent, originally released by independent Canadian label Allied Records in 1968. When we first issued this terrific album on CD many years ago, our booklet featured the few scraps of information on the band we could find. We challenged 'anyone out there' to find some information on this elusive and intriguing band. Well, we're pleased to say that someone took us up on that offer, and that someone was band leader Tom Waschkowski (credited on the album as Tom Martin). He graciously offered us a band history, lyrics, some terrific photos and best of all, a rare pre-album single that the trio had self-released. This allows us to offer up as perfect a reissue of this album as humanly possible. The Folklords Release the Sunshine is a captivating album, a notion shared by the many collectors world-wide who fight for original copies, which are few and far between. Strange thing is, if someone were to say to us that the Folklords album was released by Creation Records in 1987, it would be difficult to argue. Why?, you well may ask. Our answer: the chiming guitars, the rattle of tambourine, the dreaminess, and the meandering harmony vocals of Martha Johnson place the Folklords closer to Biff Bang Pow, the Jesus and Mary Chain, the Revolving Paint Dream or even My Bloody Valentine's debut, Ecstasy and Wine (granted, at a much slower speed, and without the rampant fuzz guitar). Glorious remastered sound, as the twelve LP tracks were taken directly from the master-tapes; the two bonus tracks come from the rare, privately issued non-LP single, which features haunting, drum-less versions of 'Forty Second River' and 'Unspoken Love,' both of which were re-recorded for the original Allied album. A 16-page booklet includes a band history lyrics, and comments on the songs by Tom Martin."
CD $16

JARDINE - Look In The Window (Lion Prod. 624; Canada) "Jardine's album was recorded in three glorious weeks in June 1969, at Sounds Aquarian Studios, a stone's throw from that justifiably famous fashion hub, Carnaby Street. The sessions were fun. Polydor was supposed to release the album. Musicians dropped in to say 'hello' and ended up on the record (uncredited) -- among them Peter Frampton, Andrew 'Andy' Bown (Herd and Status Quo), and Brian Appleyard (drummer from East of Eden). Singer Mickey Cox had been in Robert Plant's pre-Led Zeppelin group The Band of Joy -- it was Cox, in fact, who became their singer when Plant left the band. But suddenly, thanks to band management problems, the LP was shelved. Keith Law, who had written all of the songs, joined Velvett Fogg for their only album, and Jardine was forgotten. Now, forty years later, you can be among the first to discover the brooding excellence of these tracks, music both strange and sinister, with moments of fragile beauty. There are some very pretty songs here (haunting melodies abound), but there is no escaping the dark side of life ('Masochists of Strangulation,' 'Execution of the Child,' and monumental dirge 'Blackbirds of Jardine,' which tells of self-same birds, and the fact that they will 'destroy you, and leave you pain, pain, pain'), songs perhaps more akin to the band Comus than to anything else we have encountered from the psychedelic era. There are also heavy guitar solos, churning organ, flute and flowing sitar, for good measure. A 16-page booklet includes a band history lyrics, and comments on the songs by Keith Law. A lost jewel of late-1960s UK psychedelia, from a short-lived but charismatic band!"
CD $16


NOT GIVEN LIGHTLY [V.A.] - A Tribute To The Giant Golden Book Of New Zealand's Alternative Music Scene [2 CD set] (Morr 90; Germany) Morr Music presents a 2CD compilation paying tribute to the great, highly-influential New Zealand indie-pop bands of the 1980s, whose steadfast DIY aesthetic paved the way internationally for the future development of all modern indie bands to follow. CD1 features cover versions of New Zealand's most beloved songs from that era by Morr's best current artists, and CD2 features previously-unreleased tracks that look towards the future of indie-pop. In New Zealand, the archetype of what was called indie-pop was established. Labels such as Flying Nun, Xpressway, IMD and Corpus Hermeticum rose up in response to punk, and bands such as The Clean, The Chills and Tall Dwarfs helped forge what would be called the "Dunedin Sound," characterized by jangly guitar, straight-ahead bass lines and no-nonsense drums. Because of New Zealand's isolation, new music from the UK and U.S. only trickled in sometimes years after the fact, and out of the earnest desire of a passionate few to create an autonomous Kiwi scene (and the disinterest of overseas major labels), punk, pop, etc., was born in garages and pressed on screen-printed 7"s out of ingenuity and necessity. Everyone knew each other, everyone played in each other's bands, and everyone was influenced by each other's sound -- simple, lo-fi, untouched and singular, and completely apart from the rest of the world. There was promise in songs like "Not Given Lightly" by legendary scenester and The Enemy and Toy Love founding member, Chris Knox or "Pink Frost" by The Chills, and it was eventually heard by compatriots in the U.S. -- Pavement, Yo La Tengo and Sonic Youth referred to New Zealand's alternative music scene directly. In Germany, artists as well as heads of labels adapted a similar DIY model. Markus Acher, who is part of this compilation with Lali Puna, played together with Graeme Jefferies (Nocturnal Projections, This Kind Of Punishment, The Cakekitchen). Suddenly, lo-fi was everywhere. The Morr Music label would not have been thinkable without this DIY-idea. Not Given Lightly features modern-day reinterpretations of seminal tracks from Jean Paul Sartre Experience, The Chills, The Verlaines, Tall Dwarfs, Chris Knox, The Bats, Graeme Jeffries, The Clean, Peter Jefferies, Robert Scott, and David Kilgour, played by Lali Puna, People Press Play, Tarwater, It's A Musical, B.Fleischmann, The Go Find, Guther, The Wooden Birds, Butcher The Bar, Sin Fang Bous, Borko, Masha Qrella, Saroos, American Analog Set, Bobby & Blumm, Contriva, Isan, and Electric President. Other artists include: Benni Hemm Hemm, Radical Face, Seabear, Surf City, Seafault, and Populous
2 CD set for $20



Last Copies of these Later Gems from The Mike Westbrook Music Theatre:

British jazz composer, longtime bandleader and pianist, Mike Westbrook, has been leading and recording his bands since the mid-sixties with some two dozen discs to his name. In the sixties, his band included such heavy UK jazz players like John Surman, Mike Osborne, Paul Rutherford, Alan Skidmore, Kenny Wheeler, Harry Miller, Mike Gibbs and John Marshall. Although Mr. Westbrook is primarily known as a jazz composer, his music has consistently evolved through different stages and styles. After completing his masterworks like 'Marching Song' (1969 26-piece orchestra) and 'Citadel/Room 315' (1975 19-piece orchestra), Westbrook slimmed down his bands, became involved with (and married) vocalist Kate Westbrook and has even collaborated with members of Henry Cow. I have long collected and enjoyed his large output and was intrigued when one of my distributors offered us four obscure Westbrook titles at discount prices. After checking out all four, I am still impressed with Mike Westbrook's consistently challenging music even though it was not what I expected...

MIKE WESTBROOK MUSIC THEATRE With BRIAN GODDING - The Dance Band: Pierides (Jazzprint 119 VPT; UK) Featuring Mike Westbrook - piano & tuba; Kate Westbrook - vocals, tenor horn & piccolo; Peter Whyman - saxophones & clarinet and Brian Godding - guitar & guitar synth. Brian Godding remains one of my favorite guitarists, his career has taken many odd twists and turns. From the psychedelic pop of the Blossom Toes to the progressive sounds of BB Blunder, Keith Tippett's Centipede and Mirage, Godding has played on numerous Westbrook records. The "Pierides" were the nine muses of ancient Greece, the concept and lyrics were chosen and written by Kate Westbrook, the music by Mike. This was first recorded and self-released by the Westbrook's in 1986. Westbrook's quartet features the instrumentation of piano or tuba, tenor horn or piccolo, saxes or clarinet and guitar with vocals. "Terpsichore: Dance" features dreamy clarinet, synth and piano all playing in quaint harmonies with bits of tasty guitar added. Reeds wiz, Peter Whyman, who also plays on various Westbrook discs, is often the main soloist. "Calliope: Amazon Girl" starts with some eerie synth drones but soon features the dramatic voice and serious words of Kate Westbrook. For "Euterpe: Erotic Music / Song for a Stripper', Kate is hilarious as she paints an honest picture of a titillating burlesque woman with suggestive words and her twisted vocalese. On "Thalia: Lindy Hop" the quartet actually play Benny Goodman's "Air Mail Special" which might seem like an odd choice but still fits in a weird sort of way. "Pastoral Festival" features an elegant, melancholy sax, piano and synth/guitar trio with some superb soprano sax from Mr. Whyman. Ms. Westbrook's voice is used on just four of the twelve pieces here and although perhaps an acquired taste, she is an integral part of this music. This music was created for the Extemporary Dance Theatre and the quartet toured with this company. The music itself, stands on its own and although it is not my usual brand of progressive sounds, I found it quite engaging nonetheless. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $10

MIKE WESTBROOK MUSIC THEATRE - The Ass (Jazzprint 118 VPT; UK) Featuring Peter Whyman - clarinet, soprano & alto saxes, Kate Westbrook - voice, tenor horn & bamboo flute, Trevor Allan - accordion, clarinet & voice, Lesia Melnyk - voice, violin & mandolin, Mike Westbrook - voice, piano & tuba with Stephen Boxer as D.H. Lawrence. 'The Ass' is based on the poems of D.H. Lawrence and produced for the stage in 1985. D.H. Lawrence wrote "The Ass" just after WW1 when he was living in Sicily, Italy. Lawrence loved Sicily, although life there was dark and violent, so too is the poem "the Ass" and the music by Mr. Westbrook, with English lyrics by Kate Westbrook. The quintet consists mostly of piano, accordion, violin and two rreds players on clarinets, saxes and bamboo flute. The music on "The Ass Dreams" is serious, dark and mesmerizing. The spoken words by Stephen Boxer (as Mr. Lawrence) are minimal strong writing by Westbrook. Peter Whyman on soprano & alto saxes & clarinet is consistently spirited as is the playing by Trevor Allen on accordion. I like the way Westbrook blends strains of music from southern Europe with English theatre, modern jazz and some classical influences. Both Mr. Boxer and Ms. Westbrook narrate and sing on occasion, the words describing "The Ass' as an everyman figure haunted by pride, humiliation, desire, never forgetting his past. I can't really compare this to anything else, since I rarely listen to any like musical theatre. I am reminded of Kurt Weil & Berthol Brecht's songs at times. I often get the feeling that the strides that Mike Westbrook made in the sixties and seventies with his various bands, have continued, since this music is also carefully arranged, impressively crafted and well played by his superb quintet. Even without the visual charm of the staged version of this work, the music and voices are consistently engaging, even if some of the words and singing are at times too real or too dark. A minor masterwork, yes indeed. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $10

MIKE WESTBROOK MUSIC THEATRE - Good Friday 1663 (Jazzprint 120 VPT; UK) Music written for a television presentation, with music by Mr. Westbrook. Featuring Chris Biscoe on sax, John Alley on keyboards, Anthony Kerr on Simmonds kaj, Barbara Thompson on recorder, Jon Hiseman - programming & producing and Mike Westbrook - second keyboard with Kate Westbrook and Simon Grant singing. This was recorded in March of 1993 with a libretto (in English) by Helen Simpson. Again, it is the music of Mike Westbrook that stands out here with the strange, sad tale of Belinda sung by Kate Westbrook in her quietly, expressive high voice. Besides Kate's sad tale, the music is mostly performed on charming harpsichord-like synth, flute and sax. Belinda's sad story is due to her horrible husband which she describes in unfortunate detail. While on holiday with her Aunt Champflower, Belinda falls for the enchanting Celadon. Although I listen to so little opera, I did feel that the story-line and singing were integral to enjoyment of this disc as much as the music itself which is fine but often used minimally. Time to listen again and go with the flow instead of trying to be critical. It just might make more sense and be even better than I would have imagined beforehand. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $10

MIKE WESTBROOK & COMPANY - Platterback (Jazzprint 117 VPT; UK) This is the Westbrook project (originally only a mail-order release) that started life as a Blackheath Concert Halls commission in 1998. It takes a contemporary Brecht/Weillian look at a group of travellers heading by train from an imaginary countryside to an imaginary city at the time of an imaginary impending war. Mike and Kate Westbrook have been creatively using the traditions of jazz, poetry, cabaret and music-theatre for years, and this project represents one of the high points of their work. The ensemble consists of accordion, cello, tuba, voices and piano - the sonorities of the first two replacing Westbrook's more usual horns. It draws some vivid impressions of careering trains, receding happiness, hope, nostalgia and doubt from Kate Westbrook's story and lyrics. Karen Street's accordion is a constantly evocative ensemble colour, as is John Winfield's voice - with its capacity to veer from former Westbrook singer Phil Minton's anguished free-fall to a soulful purr. The love song My Sum and Substance has something of the ringing simplicity of the Westbrooks' Blake material, while the hoe-down cello figures (eventually finding their way to a classical elegance) and thumping accordion beat give Stiltsville Yodel a leaping eagerness. The lyrical counter-melodies between cello and accordion in Streams of Lovely Lucienne are among the set's most striking episodes. This is perhaps not quite as characterful, musically explosive or capable of absorbing you in the fortunes of the cast as some Westbrook ventures, but it is still typically quirky and unexpected." - John Fordham/Guardian
CD $10


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Back in Stock from the French Futura/Marge Label:

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 (included in the Saravah CD box set Scratching The Seventies); Hooky (Emanem 4042, and two of the six are on Weal & Woe (Emanem 4004); Solo At Mandara (LP on Alm); also Axieme Vols1&2 (Red 123120) which doesn't properly identify the titles. There is also an excellent vocal quintet version included on the two disc set The Way (Hat ology 604); that label also has a later solo version on Remains (Hat Art 6102).
'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

SONNY SHARROCK TRIO - Dance With Me Montana: Expanded Edition (Futura/Marge 20; France) This first ever CD edition includes 5 previously unreleased versions of cuts from the LP! 1982 studio recording with Kendall Buchanan on el bass and Levender Cope on drums. earliest version of the kinds of materials [including the tune 'Dick Dogs'] that would become the stock-in-trade of his Sonny Sharrock Group in the early '90s
CD $18



Satako Fujii & Natsuki Tamura's Libra label back catalog - at lowered prices!

DOUBLE DUO [ANGELO VERPLOEGEN/MISHA MENGELBERG/NATSUKI TAMURA/SATOKO FUJII] - Crossword Puzzle (Libra 104-017; Japan) Featuring Misha Mengelberg and Satoko Fujii on pianos and Angelo Verploegen and Natsuki Tamura on trumpets. Sometimes an improvising group is even greater than the sum of its parts and it is even better still.. this is so true here! - BLG
CD $16

SATOKO FUJII - Indication: Piano Solo (Libra 201-102; Japan) This is a warmly re-mastered reissue of Ms. Fujii's last solo piano effort from 1996 (out-of-print for many years) and it shows an often breathtaking side to Satoko's fine piano playing. On "Indication" she plays a traditional Japanese folk song, as well as a few ballads and appears to be in a relaxed and calm space on much of this special studio date.
CD $16

SATOKO FUJII & PAUL BLEY - Something About Water (Libra 202-101; Japan) An important reissue of Satoko's first effort (long out-of-print) with her former professor from New England Conservatory, the wonderful Paul Bley. Eight duos and three solos from Satoko, show her immense promise and grand abilities were already in place. There is obviously some special magic that going o here between two great pianists, you can hear the communication and communion of spirits blending and weaving back and forth.
CD $16

SATOKO FUJII ORCHESTRA [WEST] - South Wind (Libra 215-104; Japan) This is a beautifully re-mastered reissue [2004] of Ms. Fujii's 1997 recording (out-of-print for many years) with Briggan Krauss, Oscar Noriega, Tony Malaby, David Castiglione, and Andy Laster on saxes; Natsuki Tamura, Herb Robertson, Dave Ballou, and Steven Bernstein on trumpets; Satoko and guest [2 cuts] Yuko Yamaoka on piano; Stomu Takeishi on bass, and Aaron Alexander on drums! "Composer, arranger, and pianist Satoko Fujii leads her first big band on South Wind, a set that is as shocking as it is delightful. Based on her two solo outings and her duet with Paul Bley, there is no limit to Fujii's abilities as a composer, pianist, or bandleader. Bravo." Thom Jurek, AMG
CD $16

SATOKO FUJII ORCHESTRA NY With TONY MALABY/ELLERY ESKELIN/OSCAR NORIEGA/BRIGGAN KRAUSS/ANDY LASTER/NATSUKI TAMURA/HERB ROBERTSON/STEVEN BERNSTEIN/DAVE BALLOU et al - Summer Suite (Libra 215-023; Japan) Featuring Briggan Krauss & Oscar Noriega on alto saxes, Ellery Eskelin & Tony Malaby on tenor saxes, Andy Laster on bari sax, Natsuki Tamura, Her Robertson, Steve Bernstein & dave Ballou on trumpets, Curtis Hasselbring, Joey Sellers & Joe Fiedler on trombones, Satoko Fujii on piano & compositions, Stomu Takeishi on bass and Aaron Alexander on drums. It may seem hard to believe, but this is the 7th discs from Satoko Fujii's New York Orchestra. Satoko's great New York Orchestra has not played in New York in quite a while, we can only hope that they get an opportunity to do so in the not too distant future. In the meantime, you can get this treasure and enjoy their many layers of talent. - BLG
CD $16

SATOKO FUJII ORCHESTRA TOKYO - Live!! [CD + DVD] (Libra 215-015/016; Japan) For me, the only well-known personnel for this version of Satoko Fujii's (Tokyo) Orchestra is saxist Sachi Hayasaka, who has a fine disc on Tzadik, besides Satoko & her husband Natsuki Tamura, who are on all of Satoko's orchestra discs. The instrumentation is the same as her NY Orchestra: 2 altos, 2 tenors & 1 bari sax, 4 trumpets, 3 trombones, piano, bass and drums. This disc was recorded live at the Pitt Inn in Shinjuku, Japan in June of 2005. Like Satoko's new New York Orchestra CD, each piece features two soloists. The enclosed DVD features a visualization of the same performance and is also well done. Another grand effort by Satoko Fujii's dynamite Tokyo Orchestra. - BLG
CD + DVD for $30

SATOKO FUJII QUARTET With NATSUKI TAMURA/TAKEHARU HAYAKAWA/TATSUYA YOSHIDA - Angelona (Libra 204-014; Japan) Third thunderous quartet date from Satoko's grand Japanese quartet featuring Natsuki Tamura on trumpet, Satoko Fujii on piano & compositions, Takeharu Hayakawa on electric bass and Tatsuya Yoshida (from Ruins) on drums. This quartet is different from any of Satoko's other bands, due to the addition of that mind-blowing Ruins rhythm team, Takeharu and Tatsuya, who push the quartet into more aggressive and spirited terrain. As always, Satoko Fujii and her extraordinary quartet deliver the goods and keep all of us smiling. - BLG
CD $16

SATOKO FUJII QUARTET With NATSUKI TAMURA/TAKEHARU HAYAKAWA/TATSUYA YOSHIDA - Minerva (Libra 204-007; Japan) Released to coincide with the S.F.Q. European tour, Minerva is the second album from the outfit and features compelling, challenging music which is a unique combination of jazz, contemporary classical and traditional Japanese folksong.
Like the first album Vulcan, this is very much a group effort with all four musicians pushing the music in new directions and to new heights. Minerva was not only the Roman goddess of thunder, but also the goddess of domestic arts, and it is no coincidence that four of the track titles refer to weaving terms.
CD $16

SATOKO FUJII QUARTET With NATSUKI TAMURA/TAKEHARU HAYAKAWA/TATSUYA YOSHIDA - Vulcan (Libra 204-005; Japan) A clash of avant-garde jazz and free rock.... Vulcan is hotter than anything Satoko Fujii recorded before, closer to her recordings with her orchestra than her trio sessions. Strongly recommended for those who think they can handle it. - Francois Couture, AMG
CD $16

SATOKO FUJII SEXTET With NATSUKI TAMURA - Past Life (Libra 206-004; Japan) This features Satoko on piano, her longtime partner Natsuki Tamura on trumpet and Sachi Hayaska (Tzadik artist) on alto and soprano sax, Taisei Aoki trombone, Toshiki Nagata on bass, and Nobuo Fujii on drums. Another excellent offering from the consistently splendid Satoko Fujii and her engrossing sextet.
CD $16

SATOKO FUJII TRIO With MARK DRESSER/JIM BLACK - Illusion Suite (Libra 203-009; Japan) This is the third outstanding offering from avant/jazz wonder pianist Satoko Fujii's all-star downtown trio. The title piece is 34 minutes long and explores a variety of difficult and diverse terrain. I'm unsure how much of this is charted, but this trio moves intuitively throughout. The exquisite production here is just right and well-balanced, making this a perfect trio recording.
CD $16

SATOKO FUJII TRIO With MARK DRESSER/JIM BLACK - Trace A River (Libra 203-020; Japan) Featuring Satoko Fujii on piano, Mark Dresser on contrabass and Jim Black on drums. This one extraordinary piano trio. Right from the beginning of the first [title] track we know we are in store for something special. A few of these songs even have hummable melodies, which actually adds the the overall charm. The funny thing is that Satoko Fujii has more than a half dozen different ensembles to work with and each is quite different and engaging in their own way. - BLG
CD $16

GATO LIBRE [NATSUKI TAMURA/KAZUHIKO TSUMURA/SATOKO FUJII/NORIKATSU KOREYSAU] - Kuro (Libra 203-018; Japan) I am a huge fan of this band. Luckily for me, the 3rd CD by Natsuki Tamura's Gato Libre band (featuring wife & frequent collaborator Satoko Fujii playing accordion rather than her usual piano, alongside Kazuhiko Tsumurai on guitar and bassist Norikatsu Koreyasu) just may be their best yet. For the uninitiated, Gato Libre is Tamura's exploratory vehicle for investigating and incorporating the sounds of flamenco & tango into their music; while many would perhaps consider them a bit out of their element in such waters (Fujii herself recently spoke somewhat self-depricatingly regarding her accordion chops - bear it no mind, though!), it is this "outsiders looking in" stance that gives this music such a unique sound. Gato's previous albums all have thematically dealt with themes of alienation and loneliness, specifically the pleasure that one can extract from such states of mind rather than much of the turmoil usually associated. If you're a newcomer to the group, I cannot think of a better place to start. This is one of the best records I've heard of recent vintage, and I cannot recommend it more highly! -Mikey IQ Jones.
CD $16

JUNK BOX [NATSUKI TAMURA/JOHN HOLLENBECK/SATOKO FUJII] - Cloudy Then Sunny (Libra 203-019; Japan) Featuring Natsuki Tamura on trumpet, Satoko Fujii on piano and John Hollenbeck on percussion. Although Satoko composed all of the pieces on this disc, the music feels more exploratory and open-ended than her work with her other more recorded trio with Mark Dresser and Jim Black. Natsuki is especially rambunctious and never ceases to amaze us with the wide variety of odd sounds that he gets from his trumpet. One of the most engaging "outside" records I've heard in recent memory, yet completely focused and most often marvelous beyond ordinary words. - BLG
CD $16

JUNK BOX [NATSUKI TAMURA/JOHN HOLLENBECK/SATOKO FUJII] - Fragment (Libra 203-013; Japan) Superb first-time trio featuring our friends Natsuki Tamura on trumpet, Satoko Fujii on piano & all compositions and the ubiquitous percussionist/composer/multi-bandleader John Hollenbeck on drums. This is the ever-prolific pianist, Satoko Fujii's 35th disc as a leader or co-leader and again she never ceases to amaze us with her deep stream of ideas and/or projects. Each of the 10 pieces explores various dynamic texture and styles. Jeez, what an amazing trio it is!- BLG
CD $16

KOH With SATOKO FUJII/TED REICHMAN - Yamabuki (Libra 203-012; Japan) Koh is a charming singer and here she collaborates with Satoko Fujii on piano and Ted Reichman on accordion. What I find most amazing is that this disc brings out something quite different from Satoko Fujii than we've ever heard, her playing is just so warm, exquisite, rich and touching it is hard to believe that she also spars with master drummer Tatsuya Yoshida on many of her other projects. This is certainly much different than anything DMG has offered, yet it is as creative as the more 'avant' music that we usually offer.
CD $16

NATSUKI TAMURA & SATOKO FUJII - Chun (Libra 102-022; Japan) Featuring Natsuki Tamura on trumpet and Satoko Fujii on piano & all compositions. The overall sound is mysterious and invokes those ghost-like spirits perfectly. Satoko sounds like she is playing a gamelan instrument here and I get the feeling we are wandering through a solemn graveyard in the pale moonlight. 'Chun' is yet another gem from the wonderful Fujii/Tamura team. - BLG
CD $16

NATSUKI TAMURA & SATOKO FUJII - Clouds (Libra 102-006; Japan) The title of this release is clouds and all six of the pieces are named after different clouds. Everything here builds, flows and connects as it moves through a few contemplative moods or environments. Well done, once again, Natsuki and Satoko.
CD $16

NATSUKI TAMURA & SATOKO FUJII - How Many? (Libra 102-103; Japan) Natsuki is an amazing trumpter, Satoko's husband and her most constant musical partner. He is on many of her releases, except for the solo and duos with Paul Bley and Mark Feldman and her downtown trio. This is a recently remastered reissue [originally issued on Leo and now out-of-print] of their duo effort that preceeded "Clouds"!
CD $16

NATSUKI TAMURA QUARTET With SATOKO FUJII - Exit (Libra 104-010; Japan) This is trumpeter Natsuki's latest quartet recording [2003] with an all-Japanese line-up that has Takayugi Kato on guitar, wife Satoko Fujii on synth, and Ryojiro Furusawa on drums. Natsuki is a marvelous and extremely diverse trumpeter, who has solo, duo and quartet recordings with his wife and musical companion Satoko Fujii, as well as co-producing and writing arrangements and songs for all of Satoko's larger projects. Distant, solemn trumpet smears and mesmerizing electronics swirl slowly and float together in the mist. It is often difficult to tell the difference between the guitar and the synth, since both are bathed in an electronic haze. The trumpet occasionally reaching out above the clouds below.
CD $16

NATSUKI TAMURA QUARTET With SATOKO FUJII - Hada Hada (Libra 104-008; Japan) Even the most faithful fans of trumpeter Natsuki Tamura and pianist Satoko Fujii didn't see this one coming. Tamura's fourth album under his own name is not what you'd expect from this avant-garde jazzman. Taking a cue from his wife's then-recent flirting with progressive rock (the Satoko Fujii Quartet recordings and Toh-Kichi, her stunning live duo with Ruins' Tatsuya Yoshida), the trumpeter has electrified his trumpet, transmogrified his writing into a raucous form of extreme fusion, and asked Fujii to make her recording debut on synthesizer! This album is not for the faint of heart nor for the explorer of subtle textures. If Frank Zappa's saying that "jazz is not dead, it just smells funny" holds any truth, then Tamura is beating the hell out of its stinking body. A clear case of love it or hate it. Francois Couture, AMG
CD $16

NATSUKI TAMURA/ELLIOTT SHARP/SATOKO FUJII/TAKAYUKI KATO - In The Tank (Libra 104-011; Japan) This is a wonderful improvised live quartet session from March of 2001 featuring Natsuki Tamura on trumpet, E. Sharp on soprano sax & guitar, Takayuki Kato on guitar and Satoko Fujii on piano. Although Satoko & Natsuki are both playing acoustic instruments, as both guitarists play mainly electric ones, there is a good balance all the players on this fine disc. - BLG
CD $16


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