NEWSLETTER 72

OUR WEBSITE (DTMGallery.com) NOW HAS A SEARCH ENGINE!
As of 10/26 you will be able to search for items by Artist Name, or
Title, or Keyword In Description text (or an "Everything Search"
which encompasses these first three searches), or Label, Or ANY
COMBINATION OF THESE SEARCHES, as well as other sub-search features
like which items are LP/Vinyl, or only items included in the "Buy 6,
get 7th CD Free" Sale, etc, etc.
We've only loaded a small portion of the cornucopia to be found when
one visits the store - most of the recent 25 newsletters and the
complete catalogs of many of the main labels which we specialize in
and/or represent. We hope to add at least 200 items from our current
stock each week (including the contents of each latest newsletter)
until we catch up with our basic available stock somewhere in the
next few months.

You may begin using this immediately to search for stuff you remember
reading about in our newsletters (the information/compiled
newsletters at the site have never been in a [re]searchable order)
and we welcome your comments and criticisms as to how helpful you
find it. The search page is found at
http://DownTownMusicGallery.com/WWW_DMG_Search.cgi

Hey, We may even have a Log-in and Shopping Cart somewhere in the near future.

(Let's face it, we move slowly, when it comes to having the 'slick'
website - we spend all our energies actually getting the stuff on
premises and making the contacts to get just one title from some
artist or label somewhere in the world - something that no other
enterprise that only thinks of the bottom line, or creates the
illusion that their prices are lower for the while it takes them to
skirt bankruptcy (think Tower) or just go the way of all businesses
that promise too much too soon.)

NEW RELEASES, REISSUES & RESTOCKS FOR OCTOBER 2002

CYRO BAPTISTA - Beat the Donkey (Tzadik 7608) Featuring special
guests Marc Ribot, John Zorn, Erik Friedlander, Jamie & Vanessa Saft,
Peter Scherer, Romero Lubambo, Kevin Breit and Cyro's fabulous
percussion ensemble - Beat the Donkey! Brazilian madman percussion
wizard - Cyro Baptista, has played with just about everybody, a list
would fill this page. Seeing and hearing Cyro in the Bar Kokhba
Chamber Masada, Zorn improv sets and in the new Electric Masada, show
how much of an incredible and completely unique percussionist he
really is. His crazed percussion and chanting ensemble, Beat the
Donkey, have been around for the past few years and their sets are
always marvelous, intoxicating fun. This wonderful and wild release
blends the band with all sorts of special guests and is a blast.
"The Crab and the Shining Star" features Cyro's cool voice, some
sick/heavy fuzz guitar from Viva De Concini and pounding percussion
from Beat the Donkey. Cyro blows into bottles on "Sapo and the
Prince" to create the sunny, funky, subtle rhythm backing Luciana
Souza's enchanting voice and Romoero Lubambo's nylon string guitar.
Marc Ribot provides the central groove and lovely solo on his nylon
string guitar on "Cyrandeiro", another breezy Brazilian tune. One of
the great and distinctive things about Cyro is the odd percussion
instruments he uses - metal refrigerator drawers, ceramic pots,
metaliphones, piramids, vacuum cleaner hoses and exotic things like
surdo, pandeiro, hadgini, rayong and a tamborim machine. This allows
Cyro and his other percussionists to create unique worlds of
percussion based sounds. Four pieces feature just exotic percussion
and each one is fascinating and completely different in textures and
beats. "Sweet Cuica" has a hypnotic cuica or squeeze drum groove
with jaw harp, tubes and metal percussion. Ribot whips out his
trusty electric wah-wah guitar and wails on "O Canto Da Ema", but it
is the wacky vocals by Tisza Coela and Cyro that really provide the
strange magic. "Parar de Fumar" is another fun, Brazilian groove
tune with cute vocals, nylon string guitar, clarinet and subtle
percussion. Erik Friedlander on cello and Peter Scherer on synth add
their dreamy sounds to "Anatacia", while Kevin Breit (steel or slide
guitar), John Zorn (squealing sax) and Toninho Ferragutti (accordion)
add their unique sounds to "Mr. Bugaloo". The final piece "Funk
I/Live at La Plaza" is another intoxicating percussion fest by Beat
the Donkey and also includes their performance on video as well. Go
Cyro Baptista, Beat the Donkey and friends, your completely groovy
magic has been captured! CD only release for $14.

DANNY ZAMIR & SATLAH - Children of Israel (Tzadik 7169) This is the
third amazing Satlah release for Tzadik. This is an expanded version
the regular trio (Danny now playing more soprano sax plus alto,
Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz on contrabass & Kevin Zubek on drums) plus an
entire six member all-star saxophone chorus featuring John Zorn,
Marty Ehrlich, Ned Rothenberg, Doug Weiselman, Paul Shapiro and Anat
Cohen. The other thing which makes this cd different from the first
two, is that it consists of Danny's arrangements of traditional
Israeli tunes suggested by his mom. Right from the opening, sound of
this release is incredibly warm, pure and enchanting. This gem was
co-produced by Zorn and Bill Laswell and they have done a magnificent
job. Danny's soprano, which he has picked up more recently sings
with maturity and depth, amazing for one so young. As his soprano
soars on top, the chorus of saxes also answer with rich, beautiful,
waves of passionate colors. The rhythm team also continue to mature
with immense support, that throbbing bass and those dancing drums are
always weaving their lines around Danny's sax exultation. On a few
of these songs, Zorn's fire-breathing alto sax screams and erupts
adding just the right amount of spice to this delicious stew. On
"How Pretty are the Nights", Mr. Zorn's horn pushes the already
powerful inner spirit into heavenly bliss. Danny's superb soprano
has that intoxicating Trane-like snake-charming tone on "A Happy
Song" as Shanir plays some hypnotic, mystical acoustic bass.
'Children of Israel' is destined to be one of this year's best
releases and one of the jewels of the immense and ever-expanding
Tzadik catalogue. CD only release for $14.

FRANK DENYER - Fired City (Tzadik 7082) Composer, theoretician,
inventor and instrument maker - Frank Denyer is a legendary figure in
the Giacinto Scelsi/Harry Partch tradition. His music is utterly
unique, intensely personal and often requires specialized new
instruments of his own design, as well as radical playing techniques.
'Fired City' presents six of his most dynamic compositions, performed
by the Barton Workshop (Christian Wolff specialists) and supervised
by the composer himself. This British born composer has studied
ethnomusicology at Wesleyan, African music in Nairobi and is a
Professor of Composition at Dartington College in England. "Towards
the Darkness" is three double bassists, three flutes and two
percussionists. This piece is stark and filled with suspense and
considering there are only eight players, there is a rich palette
dark utterances. "Beneath the Fired City" is for just two
non-standard percussionists and is quite minimal with each sound
surrounded by a sea of silence. "Quick, Quick, the Tamberan is
Coming" is for four overdubbed bass flutes, those large deep-toned
ones, we so rarely see/hear. This piece is quite haunting with those
flutes quietly buzzing, humming and floating in slow moving flutters
which build density as it evolves. "The Hanged Fiddler" is a trio
piece for violin, sustained viola and percussion. The strings are
constantly being shifted as their notes are bent up and down a most
eerie way. "Resonances of Ancient Sins" is the most extreme piece
here with a number of almost violent outbursts, but still minimal.
It is filled with low sonorities from a contrabass sax, bass tuba,
flutes and someone hitting a box. "Prison Song" is the longest work
and is for a quintet of flute, clarinet, trombone/melodica, muted
violin and percussion. This piece also evolves slowly with
occasional notes once again bathed in silence and floating in the
distance. I can certainly see/hear how fans of Scelsi or Morton
Feldman would enjoy the carefully placed notes on a large open canvas
of silence. CD only release for $14.

ANTHONY BRAXTON - Solo [Koln] 1978 (Leo Golden Years 17) This is a
much anticipated solo alto sax set live in Cologne, Germany from 1978
featuring eleven works in 78 minutes, nine original Braxtons
compositions plus Dizzy's "You Go to My Head" and Coltrane's
"Impressions". Longstanding saxophone innovator and explorer,
composer and visionary, Mr. Braxton's career began in the late
sixties with his first solo sax tour-de-force, "For Alto" (1968), a
double album set on Delmark, that inspired, challenged and even
angered jazz sax heroes of the time and ever since. Mr. Braxton
unleashes a solo sax release about once a decade and each one has
been a gem. His solo alto sax sets at the NY Ethical Culture Society
earlier this year were one of this year's best concerts and will be
released on Parallactic in the future. A decade after Braxton's
first solo sax debut, we see/hear how much he has expanded his
palette of sax explorations. Each of these pieces balances a variety
of textures, themes and ideas. On "Comp. No. 77a", he moves between
a smooth toned cool-school sound and occasional stutters, splats and
quick, spiraling lines. Not all of Braxton's pieces are difficult
ones, "Comp. No. 138m" is lovely, haunting ballad with an enchanting,
warm tone. "Comp. No. 106d" is an amazing work for quick, cascading
boppish lines that rarely lets up for nearly ten minutes. Obviously,
Braxton has studied the history of modern jazz sax playing and finds
an infinite number of avenues to explore. Much of what we find here
is astonishing in the way he keeps digging deeper into the many
layers of his alto sax's mysterious journey. At 78 minutes, this is
an exhaustive but very worthy journey. CD only release for $15.

ANTHONY BRAXTON NINETET - [Yoshi's] 1997 Vol. 1 [2 CD set] (Leo
343/344) Featuring Mr. Braxton, JD Parran, Brandon Evans, James Fei,
Jackson Moore & Andre Vida on various reeds, Kevin O'Neil on electric
guitar, Joe Fonda on contrabass and Kevin Norton on drums/percussion.
This brilliant set contains two long (72 minute) "ghost trance"
works, "Composition No. 207" and "Composition No. 208". After last
year's deluge of some dozen plus recordings from
visionary/composer/saxist Anthony Braxton, this year there has just
been a few, so us Braxton fan-addicts can breathe and absorb a bit.
This year's Braxton booty has had only '8 Standards/Wesleyan 2001' (2
CD set) on Barking Hoop and 'Six Compositions GTM 2001' on Rastascan
(4 CD set).

Mr. Braxton has been exploring his latest development, the
"Ghost Trances Series" throughout the late nineties, with nearly a
dozen releases so far, six on his own Braxton House label alone.
"Ghost Trance" deals with his ensemble playing a certain repeating
phrase over and over together at the beginning and then the lines
mutate as the piece evolves. This is a simplified version of what
becomes much more complex as it does change, with solos erupting and
different combinations of players connecting on various levels. This
release begins with the nine-tet playing their difficult, fractured
and circus-like lines together and it soon becomes more streamlined
and easier to follow. There is a certain amount of droning going,
which does give this a trance-like haze, as it rises and falls in
waves. Besides numerous sax, flute and clarinet solos from the six
reeds players, pure-toned jazz guitarist Kevin O'Neil, bassist Joe
Fonda and percussionist Kevin Norton also provide fascinating
textures and inspired solos throughout. Much of this music is closer
in sound to contemporary classical, with a bit of Zappa's sly humor
as just the right amount of spice. Both of these two cds are long,
one track journeys which require patience and time and for me both
are completely captivating throughout. Two CD only set for $28.

MAT MANERI with JOE McPHEE - Sustain (Thirsty Ear 57122) Featuring
Mat Maneri on acoustic & electric violas, Joe McPhee on soprano sax,
Craig Taborn on keyboards, William Parker on double bass and Gerald
Cleaver on drums. 'Sustain' is a suite where every one section is an
ongoing theme called "Alone". Mat's viola enters playing alone -
eerie, floating drones, one at a time, some sort of microtonal notes,
away from any obvious melodies. In between the alone sections are
the quintet offerings. "In Peace" has that viola drone at the center
with mysterious soprano sax, electric piano and a hushed rhythm team
providing subtle support. Mat is playing some wah-wah electric viola
as the entire quintet goes for an "In a Silent Way" like dreamy vibe.
All of the "Alone" sections are solo pieces and each is a gem. The
"(Construct)" part features Craig Taborn on immensely haunting
acoustic piano, pedal down and bathed in glowing sustain and most
eloquent with some dark eruptions. "Nerve" really explodes with
intense wah-wah el. viola, torrential el. piano and the immense
rhythm team force. This entire cd has a slightly disturbing, moody
haze which permeates and drifts in like a ghosts in a haunted house.
CD only release for $15.

BILL LASWELL/SACRED SYSTEM - Dub Chamber 4: Book Of Exits (ROIR 8280)
Egigayehu Shibabaw , better know as Gigi opens this latest entry in
the SS/DC series with the most soulful/prayerful vocalization I've
yet heard from her, and then the most sensitive and creative 'dub'
music, not the power-chopping thunder licks from the previous
efforts, procedes to capture the listener in a spell that is unbroken
for the rest of the disc! It's a small focused trio that makes the
beautiful music here: Bill on guitar (!) and keyboards as well as
bass, and percussionists Karsh Kale and Aiyb Dieng, and Gigi
vocalizations at appropriate times throughout. We've been listening
to our advance copy for several weeks, and no one who's heard it has
failed to stop, be stunned, and ask, regardless of their personal
affinities. CD for $15

BUCKETHEAD - Electric Tears (Meta 015) As our pal, superhero and
heavy metal/shredding guitar god, Buckethead, hits the road with
those bad boys - Guns & Roses, the meditation-based Meta label
releases his most laid back and mellow solo guitars project in years.
The new legion of Buckethead fans will be mighty surprised and
perhaps a bit disappointed. Each piece creates a melancholy mood, by
using a variety of devices - hypnotic echoes, a touch of sustain, a
bit of wah-wah, some bluesy refrains, but just occasional soloing.
There are a few layers of guitars, nothing is too dense or fast or
very intense. There is a delicate acoustic theme that pops up from
time to time, that has a new age-like vibe, dreamy with a touch of
the blues thrown in. I wondered why the Bucket-man called this
'Electric Tears', but it does make sense since this is a sad,
eloquent variation on a few themes, all of which deal with a
universal blues or refrain for the sad world in which many of us
live. CD only release for $14.

R.U.B. [ROTHERBERG/UCHIHASHI/BENNETT] - Are You Be (animul records
103) Some of you will remember percussionist, sampler wiz and former
downtowner Samm Bennett from work with Tom Cora in Third Person,
Elliott Sharp in Semantics or in Samm's band Chunk. Mr. Bennett
married a Japanese woman and moved to Japan in the past decade, we
only hear from him on occasion from his work with Japanese players
like Haco and Altered States guitar great Kazuhisa Uchihashi. Kazu
recently visited NY, played a marvelous solo set here at DMG, as well
as with an all-star downtown ensemble at Tonic and here also plays
daxophone, as well as guitar and bass with effects. Ned Rothenberg
is another longtime downtown reeds hero who has recently added
clarinet to his alto sax and bass clarinet to his small arsenal of
instruments. Ned is a master of the mesmerizing, circular breathing
sax technique and this release begins with his revolving lines with
Kazu's humming guitar sonics. I have always felt that Samm's
specialty is the way he creates odd enchanting lines and utilizes his
sampler by picking mystifying sounds. He is perfect foil for Ned and
Kazu, as he chooses his nifty drum and sampler rhythms to create
crafty beats to jam with. Ned and Kazu often switch roles as one
will solo while the other plays along the beat established by Samm.
Sometimes Kazu will set up the groove ("work-a-day") on his guitar,
while Ned spins lines on top and Samm just adds his own sly rhythmic
spice. Samm even adds a few drum'n bass lines to "undercurrent"
which shifts tempos a few times and has a hazy sort of vibe. Samm
and Kazu set up a soft, dreamy groove on "fond illusion" while Ned
weaves elegant clarinet spice to this somber delight. Both Ned and
Kazu play their twisted toned lines together on "mal venus", while
Samm plays that subtle, funky beat. There is a mysterious ambiance
on "blue grit" with strange, soft electronic samples, alien bass
clarinet sounds and spacey drones floating. "reacharound" has an
enticing melody the Ned plays on alto, as Samm sets up another somber
drum sampler pattern to sway to and Kazu plays a hypnotic backwards
guitar solo. "gobble" is an aptly titled piece for squeaky daxophone
and clarinet fragments. All three players weave their fractured
lines cautiously on "scenic route" which is skeletal, hushed and just
slightly bent. What I dig about 'are you be' is that it has a
certain odd charm, which rarely gets too far out, something that many
of those old downtown classics used to excel in. CD only release for
$15.

BILL COLE'S UNTEMPERED ENSEMBLE - Seasoning the Greens (Boxholder
031) This is double reed specialist - Bill Cole's fourth
extraordinary release for the Boxholder label and it features Bill on
digeridoo, sona, hojok, shenai & nagaswarm, Cooper-Moore on handmade
instruments, Sam Furnace on alto sax, Joe Daley on tuba, William
Parker on acoustic bass and Warren Smith & Atticus Cole on drums &
percussion. It was recorded live at the Flynn Space in Burlington,
Vermont and once more the Untempered Ensemble take us on an exotic
journey. Opening with the cosmic low-end drones of digeridoo, mouth
bow and tuba, which flutter, hum and create a natural world of jungle
dreams. Our journey is continuous, flowing from section to section,
each one different but connected, each one a different rhythmic
scheme from another land - Korean, south Indian, Ghanaian, Colombian
and downtown, domestic freedom. "The Triple Towers of Kyongbkkang"
has a peaceful theme written by Warren Smith based on traditional
Korean rhythms and has a lazy, righteous vibe - glowing tuba, flute
and some double reed softly weaving their enchanting spirits
together. A more uptempo, south Indian groove is next with that sly,
haunting, riveting double reed solo with some infectious bouncing
horns surrounding it. A Ghanaian funeral theme is next and it has
another slow walking groove and Bill's reed thing is slowed down with
each note being slightly bent as the tuba plays an inspired solo.
That snake charming double reed returns for next section and the vibe
is one of joyous release. yeah! The Colombian rhythm section has an
infectious Latin groove with some tasty double hand percussion
exchanges. The "Free" sections begins with Cooper-Moore's delicate
horizontal harp which is ultra subtle and prepares us for our trip
into heavenly bliss. The final section, "A Man Sees a Snake, A Woman
Kills ItS", is a down home blues tune with heartfelt solos from Sam
Furnace's alto sax and Bill Cole's shenai. A great and earthy way
end our rhythmic/spiritual journey around the world in an hour. CD
only release for $14.

LOU GRASSI'S POBAND & JOHN TCHICAI - comPOsed (CIMP 262) The current
version of the Poband includes special guest John Tchicai on reeds &
most compositions, Perry Robinson on clarinet, Paul Smoker on
trumpet, Art Baron on trombone, the late Wilber Morris on bass and
Lou on drums. This is local drum great Lou Grassi's sixth release as
a leader for the CIMP/Cadence empire, but this one is different as it
features mainly composed pieces, instead his improv excursions.
Right from the start, "Daddy No Mana", we know we are in store for
something different - the opening riff is rather dixieland-like, but
soon frees up and has that central groove with the clarinet and
trombone dancing around each other nicely. What's interesting is
that there is a series of inter-connecting horn parts, as each reed,
trumpet and trombone play their quirky lines together. "Yolo's
Bayou" has a soft, second line beat with a long burnin' trumpet solo
from Mr. Smoker and more cerebral tenor sax solo from Tchicai.
"Drunk & Happy" starts in the more restrained free terrain, with
chattering horns, animated clarinet, ever-flowing drums and
eventually some sharp charted section erupts to bring it all
together. "Tidens Tand" has another old time groove with Tchicai
making some funny vocal sounds to get the groove going, the horns
once again swirl around each other, pushing each other higher.
"Oxbow Incident" is one of the two improvised pieces here and it
begins with hushed, natural bird-like sounds, ocarinas, flutes, muted
trumpet and odd murmuring vocals. "Stealing Beauty Parts 1 & 2"
start with a fractured marching beat, but yield to more frenetic
freedom soon thereafter, with an intense drums and tenor sax duo
exchange that really explodes, as does Smoker's flailing trumpet duo
with drums, pretty powerful playing. "Red Sky in Morning" closes and
once again is from the freer area, with spiraling horns flying on top
of inspired free rhythms. Go ahead! Another inspired outing from
the ever-evolving PoBand with John Tchicai helping to provide more
focus. CD only for $14.

RON MILES [with BILL FRISELL] - Heaven (Sterling 5151) Exquisite duo
excursion for just trumpet and guitars. This has been out for some
six months or so, but we have just been able to get copies to sell.
Ron Miles is a fine Colorado based trumpet player with a couple of
fine releases out under his own name that mix jazz/funk/electronica.
Ron was also in Bill Frisell's Quartet, the one without a rhythm
section, from a few years back. Bill plays with his usual bag of
eloquent restraint and resourcefulness. If I could just find that
used copy/promo I got way back when, a longer review might happen. I
do remember digging it. CD only release for $15.

JOE McPHEE/TRIO X - In Black and White/ On Tour in Ann Arbor and New
York (Cadence 1144) Trio X is Joe McPhee's main unit which features
Joe on saxes and trumpet, Dominic Duval on contrabass and Jay Rosen
on drums. They are one of the finest free/improv/avant/jazz trios
currently in our midst. Joe McPhee has been blowing up a storm on
tenor & soprano sax and trumpet for more than three decades, his
creative spirit remains undiminished. I just saw him in an
incredible quartet set last week with Roy Campbell, William Parker
and Warren Smith and he is also a member of the Peter Brotzmann's
amazing Chicago Tentet. Both Dominic and Jay are a perfect match for
Joe, ever pushing and pulling, exploding and laying back, combining
their own magic with his. This cd combines the best of two colossal
lives sets from the Vision Fest in NYC and the Edge Fest in Ann
Arbor. I remember the Vision set very well, since it was one of
that year's most inspired sets! Incredible! CD only release for $14.

ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE - Electric Heavy Land CD (Alien 8 Recordings #34)
'Electric Heavy Land' is one of the most over top releases to come
out of the Temple so far, and is perhaps Kawabata Makoto's heaviest
groove-oriented material since the classic Mainliner debut of 'Mellow
Out'. The recording is made of three tracks that at times will have
listeners reminiscing over the likes of early Mudhoney and Monster
Magnet's 'Spine of God'-era sound. It's the one of the catchiest
records from the incredibly prolific psych unit in recent times and
can be best compared to the heavier tracks on 'Absolutely Freak Out
Zap Your Mind' the bordering-on-metal sound the band often seems to
take on in live situations. Acid Mothers Temple are playing at the
Knit tonight (10/17/02) and you me and my pal Jason are pretty
fucking excited!! CD only release for $14.

DANIEL CARTER/PETER KOWALD/JONATHAN LaMASTER/LAURENCE COOK -
Principal Hope (Sublingual 012) With the recent passing of free
spirit, constant traveler, inspired teacher and contrabassist bassist
extraordinaire, Peter Kowald has left us a large and growing legacy
of recordings, videos and memories of outstanding gigs throughout
(and more often recently here in the US) his long and colorful
career. This wonderfully sublime and richly recorded studio date was
actually released almost six months ago, but due to distribution
problems, hasn't been available to us until now. Although, we are
all saddened by Peter's recent death, this release is amongst his
best, as it does a fine job of capturing his and the rest of this
fine quartet's unique magic. Reeds and trumpet master, Daniel
Carter, is perhaps the busiest of all downtown musicians, constantly
gigging and sitting in with just about anyone and everyone, no matter
what type of music they play. Jonathan LaMaster plays acoustic and
electric violins, leads the Saturnalia String Trio (who backed Daniel
on a cd last year) and runs the low-key but consistently cool
Sublingual label from Cambridge, Mass. Drummer/percussionist
Laurence Cook has been around for a few decades and has recorded with
Jemeel Moondoc and Thurston Moore in recent years. Commencing with
"Awakening", the quartet explode with a dynamic force, Daniel's tenor
sax and Jon's violin weaving intense lines around each other (rather
Ayler-like) as the busy, pulsating rhythm team ascend and enhance the
free spirit of release. "Spirit of Hope" is a beautiful, haunting
piece for flute, spidery strings and insect-like percussion. "New
Flakes on Dirty Snow" is an even further out, quick spinning and
sailing freely. The quartet tone down and show more solemn and
lyrical side on the delicate "M.S. Darling". Peter's delightful,
melodic bass strumming radiates at the center of "Danse de la
Liberte", as Daniel's warm toned tenor, Jonathan's buzzing violin and
Laurence sprawling drums levitate us all higher into a more hopeful
world. Kowald creates some odd, other world effects on "Schone Tone"
for bowed bass and bass clarinet - somber, dream-like and mildly
alien. There are some truly cosmic moments here, especially on "The
Many and the Few" with bit of strange echo adding a haze to the muted
trumpet, gently mutated strings and floating cymbals. Jonathan plays
bowed el. violin on "Atlantis by Sine Wave", which has an eerie,
dream-world like ambiance. What is great about this cd is that
although Daniel Carter is more often known for his more extreme
blasting in Test and Other Dimensions, he plays much restraint here,
showing a side we often don't see/hear. As is customary for most of
Peter Kowald's performances for the past few years, we get his
enchanting throat-singing into his bass on the next to final piece,
"A Prayer for Universal Peace", which a wonderful prayer-like,
fluttering sequence of melancholy beauty. This is a thoroughly
magical work and a fitting way to remember our good friend and
inspiration - Peter Kowald. Also included is some concert footage
and biographical info on all artists involved. Slimcase CD only
release for $13.

GERRY HEMINGWAY - Songs (between the lines 024) Featuring James Emery
on guitars, John Butcher & Ellery Eskelin on tenor saxes, Herb
Robertson on trumpet, Wolter Weirbos on trombone, Thomas Lehn on
analogue synth, Kermit Driscoll on basses, Lisa Sokolov on vocals and
Gerry Hemingway on drums, voice, music and lyrics. Gerry tells us
that he has been working on this unusual project for quite a while
and that it will, no doubt come as a surprise to anyone accustomed to
his other bands or projects. I have always been fascinated by the
feisty avant/jazz singer Lisa Sokolov, who I've heard with William
Parker's Little Huey Orchestra and was knocked out by her exuberant
set at this year's Vision Fest. "Succotash" opens with a cool,
subtle, funky groove - both Lisa's voice and Herb's muted trumpet
getting' down and dirty. Gerry uses a drum machine/sampler on many
of these tunes, with the essence of taste, no sequencer, just that
well placed beat as seasoning or a subtle groove here and there.
Gerry himself sings/speaks through some odd device on "Anton", is
stripped down with some angular sax squawks on top of it's
suspenseful beat. Gerry creates a somber groove on "In Your Arms" by
sampling some vocal percussion sounds. Both Wolter's trombone and
James' acoustic slide guitar back Lisa's bluesy, dreamy voice in a
fine, funky, smoky way. It makes me wanna do a slow dance with some
fine woman. Lisa sounds ever soulful throughout this slightly
twisted but funky delight. James plays especially eloquent, bluesy
acoustic guitar on "Hall of Mirrors" which is a melancholy treat.
Gerry has put much thought into his lyrics as well, covering war due
to greed, the confusion that the complexities of life provide and a
variety of thorny subjects that will take some time to absorb.
"Thump It" has a couple of intricate lines that bounce together
between two themes at once, the horns play their funky lines together
as Emery runs a quick stream of notes throughout. Lisa adds a great
deal of soul, passion and sly power to these songs, as well as
providing a few different voices or characters to consider. What's
interesting is that Gerry has gotten some of players, who known more
for their intense improv skills to actually deal with his subtle,
enchanting melodies. Wolter Weirbos playing some funky trombone and
even Thomas Lehn playing subtle synth squiggles. At 76 plus minutes,
there is quite a bit to take in here, but it is consistently engaging
throughout, though often on a more subtle level. I was and am a
sucker for intelligent pop music and this does qualify. CD only
release with lyric booklet for $15.

FIELDWORK [VIJAY IYER/AARON STEWART/ELLIOT HUMBERTO KAVEE] - Your
Life Flashes (Pi Recordings 5) This excellent all-star trio features
current NY jazz piano wiz Vijay Iyer (from Roscoe Mitchell's Note
Factory, Burnt Sugar & leader of an amazing quartet), Aaron Stewart
plays impressive tenor sax (for Muhal Richard Abrams) and Elliot
Kavee has played dynamic drums for numerous sessions (Joseph Jarman &
Henry Threadgill) since moving here from the bay area a few years
back. Considering there is no bass player present, the trio do a
fine job writing and playing intense and fully fleshed out pieces
that push all three members of this solid trio. Vijay is the main
composer, writing all but two of the ten tunes, with Aaron writing
the other two, but all three must shape these pieces. Right from the
opening, "In Medias Res", Vijay has written a difficult, quick moving
piece with tight, intricate, overlapping lines that all three members
play with gusto. "Accumulated Gestures" also has the trio connecting
on a couple of levels, as one persons solos, the other two must
always play the underlying current, which always shifts, tempo-wise
and dynamically. Even when they appear to have a freer episode, it
snaps back to the chart on a dime. All three all well matched,
playing as one dynamo. The currents are always shifting between
quick, tight sections and more organic moving waves. Vijay often
does a marvelous job of having his right dance around Aaron burning
tenor while his left hand pounds out the rhythmic scheme with
Elliot's powerful drums, sometimes those roles are switched. This is
a pretty exciting endeavor throughout and another winner from the
that label of gems - Pi Recordings. CD release for $15.

ASSIF TSAHAR CONDUCTS THE NEW YORK UNDERGROUND ORCHESTRA - the
labyrinth (hopscotch 12) This immense nineteen piece orchestra
includes such noted players as Okkyung Lee on cello, Todd Nicholson
on bass, Matt Lavelle on trumpet, Charles Waters and Oscar Noriega on
clarinets plus many newcomers like Reut Regev on trombone and Tatsuya
Nakatani on percussion, both of whom have impressed me over the past
year. The NY Underground Orchestra consists of seven strings, three
basses, two flutes, three trumpets, two clarinets, trombone and
percussion. 'the labyrinth' is broken into ten sections or "paths".
A "labyrinth' is a puzzle one must navigate through in order to find
the end, this music also takes difficult paths. Strange strings
glisten and shimmer, drifting like ghosts This music seems to deal
more with textures than solos and often sounds like more restrained
contemporary classical music which never swings but moves cautiously.
Strings slowly swirl, sometimes are plucked, the trombone moans, as
the tempo quickens, the 'bone starts to soar with eerie strings
sustained and bent into odd shapes. The trumpeters erupt through
"the 5th path", as the agitated strings swirl around them. Assif
mentions being inspired by Sun Ra, William Parker and Butch Morris in
the liner notes and we can hear some of those Butch Morris-like
shifts in direction throughout, perhaps cued by Assif's hands. There
are points when things start to get stranger, like the somewhat alien
textures of "the 7th path", which hover like a disturbing dream
sequence. Towards the end of this sprawling work, the orchestra
begins erupting in more agitated flashes, more chaotic and more
dense, yet there remains an inner thread which holds it together,
sometimes obvious, sometimes buried. CD only release for $14.

HUGH RAGIN - Sound Pictures for Solo Trumpet (hopscotch 13) Solo
trumpet records are pretty rare and often for good reason, as I would
imagine they are pretty challenging to pull off. Bill Dixon has that
six cd set, certainly an extreme example, Baikida Carroll has an old
double album on Hat-hut and Leo Smith has a Tzadik cd from last year.
More recently younger players have picked up the challenge - Greg
Kelley, Axel Dorner and Fritz Hautzinger, but those cats deal more
with electronics and minimal extremes. Hugh Ragin has been around
for a long while, has recorded with Anthony Braxton and David Murray
in the past, has a few releases on Black Saint and CIMP, a recent
quartet cd with Assif Tsahar, Hamid Drake and Peter Kowald, but seems
to be under-recorded. Trumpet players from Miles Davis to Mongezi
Feza to Leo Smith to Dave Douglas have utilized those echoplex
devices and effects and Hugh Ragin has also been enticed by those
layers of echoes. On the opening piece, "For the Joy of Sound Space
& Music", he lets loose flurries of notes which shimmer with echoes,
creating a haze of spiraling notes. "Parisian Sunrise" is a somber,
warm toned ballad, stark, sad and taken at a slow pace, so that each
note is caressed and well placed in space. Hugh has composed a suite
of "Rhythm Units" in nine parts, each one deals with a different
vibe, feeling or idea. Sometimes Hugh will stretch a note out
acoustically and bend it or twist it into an odd shape, but never
losing sight of the melodic core. By part "#4", he starts to really
stretch certain notes with elastic ease, reminding me a bit of Lester
Bowie's odd fragments. Sometimes those notes are stretched beyond
recognition, like those minimalist players do. "Ballad for Miles" is
a beautiful, eloquent, muted trumpet lullaby, quietly echoed with
graceful reflections. "Perpetual Motion" is a variation of a piece
by Paganini and a difficult exercise of quick streams of notes.
"Emergency Exit" is a good way to end things with two layers of
lines, one is a hypnotic sequential repeating phrase on top of some
quick flutters of buzzing notes. CD only release for $14.

CHAINWORKS - Red Room/Live in Baltimore (Sachimay 9358) Chainworks
are/is Dan DeChellis on keyboards, Brian Moran on electronics and
Matt Hannafin on exotic percussion. Dan runs the ambitious and
ever-evolving Sachimay label, once from Boston and now a local hero.
Both he and Matt have played as a fine duo here at DMG. I recall
Matt as having one of the strangest percussion setups I've seen with
odd cymbals, chains and pieces of metal. There has been a
renaissance of unusual improv and sonic explorations in Baltimore
over the past few years, culminating with the annual High Zero
Festival (at the very same Red Room), which occurred last month and
features some thirty hard-core improvisers from around the world,
many on their own home-made instruments. Chainworks should certainly
feel right at home in this environment. It is often hard to tell who
is doing what, since all three players create alien textures. When
Dan plays his (sampled) piano, it does become easier to identify.
These three long pieces move slowly through different atmospheres,
quiet yet sinister in places. Matt seems to bowing, rubbing or
tapping his cymbals, using chains and doing small gestures of minimal
percussive sounds. Brian appears to be providing static, electronic
squiggles and occasional sonic eruptions. Their sound rarely gets
dense or too extreme. It is not until midway into the second piece
that they finally explode in near violent waves, which doesn't last
for very long. By the third piece, Dan plays some almost normal and
melodic piano passages, subtle and sly, which slowly evolves through
some more mesmerizing soundscapes. Overall, this is another chapter
in the better explorations of downtown style improvisations. CD only
release for $10.

ERNESTO DIAZ-INFANTE & CHRIS FORSYTH - "march" (evolving ear 04/pax
recordings 90256) This is the second release from east coast/west
coast experimental guitar duo who have also played here at DMG.
Although San Francisco based Ernesto has a bunch of rather new
age-like solo piano cds out, when he played here at DMG last week
(10/6/02) with balloonist Ricardo Arias, he played his acoustic
guitar in only unconventional ways, never plucking any normal notes.
Both Ernesto and Chris Forsyth are members of Dan DeChellis' Focus
Quintet and Chris is also a member of WOO Revelator and All Time
Present. On "march" Ernesto plays acoustic guitar once more, as well
as piano and drums and Chris also some piano, as well as electric
guitar. There are some thirteen pieces here, none with titles, like
the previously reviewed cd by Chainworks. It sounds as if Chris
playing with on/off or toggle switch on his electric guitar just
coaxing occasional sonic eruptions. Ernesto also seems to rubbing or
tapping the strings of his acoustic guitar from time to time.
Ernesto also sings or whispers with hushed vocals, as well as adding
ultra subtle percussion punctuation at times. Everything moves in
slow motion, a few notes scattered here and there, delicate fragments
drift on a sea of silence. There are a few occasional alien sounds
which are difficult to identify, perhaps it is some odd guitar
manipulation, hard to tell. Each sounds is well placed and evokes a
series of impressive, disjointed images. At 66 minutes, this does
seem to go on for it too long, although most of it is interesting if
one is patient enough to wade through slow moving, free floating
specks of electric and acoustic detritus. CD only release for $10.

ALL TIME PRESENT - distant microphones pick up both (Evolving Ear 05)
This is Chris Forsyth's group and it is their second release. It
features a line-up of three guitars - Chris, Rich Gross and Ethan
Sklar and two drummers - Toshi Makihara & David Gould. Chris has a
duo with guitarist Ernersto Diaz-Infante and also plays in WOO
Revelator. I believe Toshi is from Philly and once played with Dr.
Chadbourne and I recall David Gould from a jazz trio that Elliott
Sharp once had. This fascinating release was recorded live at
various spaces in NY, Baltimore, Philly and DC from 1999-2001.
Obviously improvised with a good deal attention to detail, close
listening and quick response. There are moments when this sounds
like one of those magical Dead space jams, with a few layers of
connecting spirits at work. There is little soloing going on here,
it is more about creating moods, textures and blending ideas/sounds
into one unified tapestry. What I like about this is that it is
pretty focused and rarely gets too loud or too noisy. CD only
release for $10.

CONTEMPORARY CLASSICAL and ELECTRONIC RELEASES for OCTOBER 2002:

JOHN CAGE - The Orchestral Works: Three (Mode 108) Cage scored "108"
for the largest number of players in any of the "Number Pieces" - its
duration of 43'30" makes an oblique reference to his groundbreaking
"4'33" (that silent work 1952). "108" can be played on its own or
with either of two solo works from the same year, "One (for cello)"
and "One for the sho", a mouth organ with bamboo pipes that acts as
one of the harmony-producing instruments in Japanese gagaku. Both
solo works were composed for artists very important in Cage's final
years -- cellist Michael Bach and Mayumi Miyata, who had pioneered
the sho as a contemporary concert instrument. "When One?" is
performed with "108", it becomes a concerto but a very unusual one,
and a fine example of Cage's aesthetic. The orchestra disappears
entirely in two sections of the piece, but not to herald a grand
cadenza: the sho music continues much as it had before, a quiet,
serene, almost timeless utterance. Indeed, the regal simplicity of
the sho makes it an ideal instrument for Cage, who tried to make his
final work like writing on water -- an action, incomparably graceful,
that would leave no traces. CD only release for $15.

LARRY POLANSKY - Change (Artifact 1023) Mr. Polansky's 'morphing'
pieces, for instruments and computers, are collected on his third
solo offering on Artifact Recordings. These works explore musical
change in diverse and strange ways. Several
were written with a computer, using formal, mathematical, and
software morphing techniques. Performers include the composer with
Daniel Goode (clarinet), Empi Esguerra (voice), Sarah Cahill (piano),
Nick Didkovsky (guitar), Leo Ciesa (drums), Greg Anderson (bass) [the
last three from Dr. Nerve] and Tom Erbe (sound). CD only release for
$14.

FREDERIC RZEWSKI - Rzewski Plays Rzewski: Piano Works, 1975-1999 [7
CD set] (Nonesuch 79623) Contemporary classical piano master,
maverick composer, current professor in Belgium and member of the
legendary Music Electronica Viva, Frederic Rzewski, pokes fun at the
terms "contemporary music" and modern "jazz" in his long
article/interview in the June issue of the Wire. These terms and
that music has been around too long and evolved too much to have any
real meaning anymore. As an extraordinary pianist, Rzewski has
performed the challenging music of Ligeti, Cornelius Cardew,
Stockhausen, Anthony Braxton, Terry Riley and LaMonte Young. He
moved to Rome in the mid-sixties and was an original member of Music
Electronica Viva (MEV) with Richard Teitelbaum, Alvin Curran and
Allen Bryant, an influential and controversial improv/new
music/electronic ensemble that helped define the crazed spirit of
their time. Frederic has been composing his own music all along,
which have and continue to deal with political issues, improvisation,
minimalism and diverse influences never bound by one particular style
or genre. This newly released seven cd set is a 25 year
retrospective of Rzewski's composing and piano playing, considering
there is only a handful of his recordings currently in print, 'Piano
Works' is a treasure chest of his diverse output. I have gotten
through and been amazed by the depth, spirit and inventiveness found
here, it is quite overwhelming. Titles can often be deceptive, not
revealing how much is actually here. The first disc is called "North
American Ballads" and these pieces are much more than just ballads,
they are so much richer and filled with evolving episodes/scenery
which move through different emotional and intellectual terrain.
"Mayn Yingele" is an absorbing 26 part suite that also moves through
a variety of sections - elegant and ultra-subtle in part, a familiar
theme is explored, from melancholy to melodrama and beyond. "A
Fantasia" has sprite sections, brooding moments, dense, dark and
rambling parts, serious and intense at times. We get four parts (two
hours) from Rzewski's four hour ongoing work, "The Road", an epic
length work that slowly works its way through sections which have
evolved through the long time it has taken to compose this as yet
unfinished work. It is like a novel that presents a complex story,
with different characters that develop as time moves forward.
"Thirty-Six Variations on "The People Divided Will Never Be
Defeated!" is perhaps, Frederic's most popular work, based on a
revolutionary Chilean song, which he dices and slices through some 36
different and imposing variations. An immensely challenging work
that is filled with layers of ideas, connections and quotations. "De
Profundis" is the perfect conclusion to this daunting collection, as
it is the most natural sounding, involving the many different streams
that run through Rzewski's music, often eloquent, with a spoken
story, both humorous and fascinating. This is a grand collection
that will take a while to fully appreciate, but is rich in
multi-faceted splendors. Specially priced seven CD mini-box set for
$50.

TERRY RILEY - Atlantis Nath CD (SRI Moonshine Music 001) Limited
edition first pressing of the debut release on Terry Riley's new
label. A thousand copies were made, all signed and numbered. Largely
intended to be sold mail order only, only a few copies will be
circulating. Sri Moonshine Studios is happy to announce it's first
release, 'Atlantis Nath', recorded, mixed and edited during the
period of 1993-98 in Nice France at the CIRM studios. This is Terry's
first big studio production since the 1978 'Shri Camel' release and
is a 74-minute seamless journey featuring voices, strings,
synthesizer, piano and loops from India. The CD is packaged in a
natural paper 6-panel foldout with radiant Asian inspired
illustrations meticulously designed and rendered by New York artist,
Chris Harvey. Included on the recording is the final scene of Terry's
opera based on the life and works of Adolf Woelfli, 'The Crucifixion
of My Humble Self' as well as 'Emerald Runner,' 'Ascención' and
'Remember this O Mind.' Produced by Terry and the masterful CIRM
Studios team of Luc Martinez and Michel Redolfi, this recording
shines with state of the art sonics and performance. Terry sings and
plays all voice, piano and synthesizer parts on these tracks with
guest appearances by the Nice Opera String Quintet and Frédéri L'Epée
on guitar." Limited edition CD only, signed and numbered by Terry
Riley for $45.

ALVIN LUCIER - Vespers And Other Early Works (New World 80604) Alvin
Lucier is best known for his pioneering work in the mid-sixties in
the exploration of sonic environments, particularly sounds that we
would never perceive under ordinary circumstances. 'Vespers and Other
Early Works' restores to the catalog several of his key works from
that time. In 'Vespers' (1969) performers with Sondols
(sonar-dolphin), hand-held pulse wave oscillators, explore the
acoustic characteristics of given indoor or outdoor spaces by
monitoring the echoes of the pulse waves off the walls, floors and
ceilings, as well as any objects or obstacles in range of the sound
waves. In 'Chambers' (1968), battery-operated radios, tape recorders,
and electronically powered toys of various kinds are hidden in paper
bags, shoes, kettles, and small suitcases and other small resonant
environments. 'North American Time Capsule' (1967), for voices and
vocoder, is described metaphorically by Lucier as a message to
listeners who don't know about us. '(Middletown) Memory Space' (1970)
is for any number of instrumental players with recordings of
environmental sounds. 'Elegy for Albert Anastasia' (1961-1963) is
described as composed 'for electromagnetic tape using very low sounds
most of which are below human audibility.' Completely fascinating
sonic explorations to fathom. Liner notes by Robert Ashley. CD only
release for $15.

DAVID TUDOR - Microphone [LP only] (Get Back 417) American
Experimental pianist David Tudor is well known for his extensive
collaboration with John Cage beginning in the early 1950's and
historic performances of groundbreaking works by Pierre Boulez, La
Monte Young and Karlheinz Stockhausen. In 1968, Tudor collaborated
with John Cage and Marcel Duchamp on "Reunion" and by the end of the
1960's, Tudor was focusing exclusively on composing and performing
his own electronic works, often a mix of audio and visual elements,
performed with his own self-designed instruments. Much of his major
work was composed for the Merce Cunningham Dance Company of which he
became musical director after Cage's death in 1992. The pioneering
'Microphone' was conceived during his work on the Japan Expo in 1970.
LP only reissue for $14.

SARAH PEEBLES - Insect Groove (C74 007) Observing an ecological
system and the act of listening to music have much in common; both
reveal their subtleties over time as a reward for the attentive eye
and ear rather than presenting themselves in a single instant and
they both require a sense of relationship of their parts to the
whole. Sarah Peebles' 'Insect Groove' is a set of sonic landscapes
for the ear that is, in the words of The Wire, "A rewarding interface
between digital abstraction, group improvisation, 21st century
program music, Zen performance and ecological manifesto." The disc
collects a series of works by Sarah Peebles and an A-list of
collaborators from the experimental music community (British composer
and text artists David Toop and the extended guitar work of Nilan
Pererra) plus the work of Jin Hi Kim and Ko Ishikawa, traditional
musicians known world-wide for their commitment to bringing the
sounds of their respective traditional Korean and Japanese court
instruments into the new century. The eight tracks on 'Insect Groove'
combine Sarah's performance on the sho, an ancient Japanese mouth
organ found in the Japanese gagaku orchestra, with her own Max
patches that she uses to access clusters of natural and mechanical
samples. CD only release for $14.

ZBIGNIEW KARKOWSKI - Consciously Unconscious/Unconsciously Conscious
(Metamkine 033) Zbigniew Karkowski is a Polish-Swedish
composer/musician presently living and working in Tokyo, Japan. He
has worked professionally in the areas of written contemporary music,
industrial music, pop music and experimental performance for the last
15 years. Karkowski has presented his work in more then 30 countries
on nearly all continents. He is convinced that it is a responsibility
of an artist in present time to travel and move and work around the
world in order to learn and understand different cultures and
traditions and discover truth about us and our planet. He is not
interested in traditional definition of what is music, in his opinion
all theory and systems of music as a cultural concepts have to be
destroyed. So in his latest work his main concern is on realizing
drama with sound electronic and acoustic walls with scores based on
architectures of ruins. 3" CD only release for $8.

BERNHARD GÜNTER/STEVE RODEN/RICHARD CHARTIER - For Morton Feldman
(Trente Oiseaux 024) "Presents one piece by each artist and I am
amazed how well these pieces, in spite of being quite different in
style, work together to constitute a whole. They also express the
influence Morton Feldman's sublime works have had (and still have) on
us in our personal ways of creating music. Richard Chartier's "How
Things Change" is a rather intimate, pensive piece made of abstract
electronic sounds and long stretches of silence, while Steve Roden's
"Stasis" is probably the most hypnotic and atmospheric set of slowly
orbiting loops he has ever created. I, who likes to say that the
safest thing to expect from me is the unexpected, have composed a
piece for winter rain, small brook and sho, which is titled "Fuyu no
Ame" (For Morton Feldman), a piece that belongs to what I have called
my 'enhanced musique concrète' strain of work, but sounds like else
nothing I have done." -- Bernhard Gunter. CD only German import
release for $15.

VOICE CRACK/GÜNTER MUELLER - Buda_Rom (For Four Ears 1344) Both Andy
Guhl and Norbert Moeslang from Voice Crack play "cracked everyday
electronics", while Gunter Mueller plays select percussion and
electronics. This fascinating collaboration has been working since
1995 and was documented on several cds - 'Table, Chair & Handstands"
with Jim O'Rourke and with Erik M in the quartet Poire Z (cd on
Erswhile). This is the first time they have worked as a trio and
this release features long pieces recorded live in Budapest plus four
remixes done by Voice Crack. CD only Swiss import for $14.

BANG ON A CAN - Classics (Cantaloupe 21010) Perhaps too difficult for
the academy, the Bang-on-a-Can All-Stars emerged from the scruffy
environs of downtown New York playing a new kind of music, with a new
kind of energy, for a new kind of audience. This is the music that
made them famous -- their breakthrough CDs for Sony Classical, newly
packaged and re-mastered onto one 74-minute disc. Featuring music
from Bang on a Can co-founders Michael Gordon, David Lang and Julia
Wolfe plus acclaimed composer-clarinetist Evan Ziporyn, and
innovators Nick Didkovsky, Annie Gosfield and Lois Vierk. With this
music, Bang on a Can cracked open a powerful new world. Hear why. CD
only reissue collection for $15.

ROBERT ASHLEY & PAUL DE MARINIS - In Sara, Mencken, Christ and
Beethoven There Were Men And Women (Lovely Music 4921) New definitive
cd reissue of this original Cramps label album from 1974, an early
classic from Robert Ashley (previous cd version on Cramps is now
deleted). This deluxe slipcase version features an 110 page book,
reproducing the original Wolgamot text along with fascinating liner
notes explaining the whole project from Keith Waldrop and Robert
Ashley. The cd features one long composition with Ashley reading a
text by poet John Barton Wolgamot. The poem has128 stanzas; each
stanza is made up of the same phrase, into which are introduced four
variables, three are names or groups of names or constructions of
names, and the fourth variable is formed by the adverb of the active
verb. The result is considered "one of the most unusual and difficult
linguistic textures in the English language". The underlying music is
supplied by Paul DeMarinas on Moog synthesizer. Here's Ashley on De
Marinas: "{Paul} has elaborated seven different modular combinations,
each of which can be controlled by programmed impulses. These derive
from the sound of the reading of the poem passed through the
regeneration high frequency filter and successively translated into a
series of command impulses." CD only release for $25.

DOWNTOWN ENSEMBLE - Downtown Only (Lovely Music 3081) The DownTown
Ensemble was formed in 1983 by co-directors Daniel Goode and William
Hellermann. The Ensemble has several points of focus: music for open
(unspecified) instrumentation, emerging composers, commissions,
graphic scores, ritual/intermedia music, and large ensemble works.
While the Ensemble has a consistent core of players, performances
always involve a variety of other artists. There have been over fifty
such collaborations since the group's inception. This Lovely Music CD
presents four of them. Features works by Daniel Goode, William
Hellerman, Mary Jane Leach and Peter Zummo. CD only release for $14.

NEW RELEASES and A REISSUE FROM SOME IMPORTANT NON-DOWNTOWN FOLKS:

EVAN PARKER/PHIL WACHSMANN/TEPPO HAUTO-AHO - The Needles [2 CD set]
(Leo 348/349) One live disc and one studio disc featuring Evan on
soprano & tenor saxes, Phil on violin and Teppo on contrabass.
British saxophone colossus, Evan Parker, really needs no introduction
as he has been exploring his distinctive sax sound since the
mid-sixties. Violinist,
Phil Wachsmann, has also been a prominent member of the British
avant/improv/jazz scene for almost as long and was a member of London
Jazz Composers Orchestra, as well as with Evan's Electro-Acoustic
Ensemble, where he also plays electronics. I don't know Finnish
bassist Teppo Hauto-Aho very well, but I was most impressed with his
playing for Cecil Taylor a few years back. The live disc consists of
three long pieces recorded at the Kerava Jazz Festival in Finland in
June of 2000 and the sound is perfect. All three members of this
trio listen and react ever so closely and seem to play as one focused
triangle. They sail, soar, splatter, explode, squiggle, swirl, spin
and constantly move together. I have not heard Evan sound any better
than this and he often plays with more restraint than usual. All
three often play swirling lines in which it is nearly impossible to
tell who is doing what, as their sounds and textures are quite
similar. The studio disc features three short solo pieces by each
member of the trio and two long trio works. The solo pieces give us
better idea of what each of the three really sound like and can do by
themselves. The two trio pieces are also well recorded, with immense
amounts of gripping fireworks on display, which never too intense or
overwhelming. Certainly, an extraordinary experience throughout.
Two CD only set for $28.

EVAN PARKER - Six of One (PSI 02.03) Solo soprano sax recorded in St.
Judes on the Hill Church in London on June 18th of 1980. This is a
reissue of a rare Incus lp # 39, plus a seven minute unreleased track
from the same session. Long out-of-print and finally available on CD
only for $17.

IVO PERELMAN & LOUIS SCLAVIS - The Ventriloquist (Leo 345) A most
impressive international all-star quintet featuring Ivo Perelman on
tenor sax, Louis Sclavis on bass clarinet, Christine Wodrascka on
piano, Paul Rogers on contrabass and Ramon Lopez on drums. Each
member of this fabulous quintet are leaders in their own right and
all but Sclavis have recorded for Leo in the past. Brazilian born
sax hero, Ivo is an intense improvising saxist with dozens of
releases out. Mr. Sclavis is considered by many to be one of the
best clarinetists in Europe, also has dozens of releases, hails from
France and currently records for ECM and Victo. Paul Rogers plays
his extraordinary custom-made contrabass for Keith Tippett and Paul
Dunmall and also has become one of most impressive bassists in
Europe. Although I am unfamiliar with Christine and Ramon, they both
sound pretty amazing throughout. Both Ivo and Louis have strong,
well worn tones that sound great together as they bounce and blend
ideas back and forth and together in rich colors/harmonies/spirits.
Paul Rogers bowed and plucked bass consistently provides an undertow
of deep currents and often intense energy. There are a number of
explosive sections, as well as sections of more restrained, yet
highly focused improv. Christine does a marvelous job of playing
inside the piano and Ramon reminds me of Paul Lovens when he puts
cymbals and cowbells on top of his drum set and plays those. An
incredible story unfolds and builds throughout this powerful
excursion. CD only release for $15.

PAUL DUNMALL & TONY BIANCO with PAUL ROGERS & MARCIO MATTOS - Hour
Glass 2002 [2 CD set] (Emanem 4208) Two outstanding hour long studio
trio sessions featuring Dunmall on tenor sax, Mattos on double bass &
electronics and Bianco on drums from February of 2002 and Dunmall on
soprano sax, Rogers on custom made A.L.L. 6 string bass and Bianco on
drums from April of 2002. Two incredible hour long pieces organized
by the fabulous British drummer Tony Bianco featuring that colossal
British sax master Paul Dunmall with two different contrabass
legends, one each session. Two cd set for $26.

PAUL ROGERS - Listen (Emanem 4078) The entire sensational solo double
bass set from the 1999 Le Mans Festival, plus an equally amazing near
twenty minute solo bass performance from a decade earlier at a cozy
London pub. Along with Barry Guy, Paul Rogers has become the
incredible British contrabassist to watch over the decade. Rogers is
Keith Tippett's bassist of choice in the consistently colossal
Mujician quartet and of course, he is the main musical partner with
UK sax god - Paul Dunmall. Both Pauls blew us all away at the Vision
fest earlier this year and a week later at the AlterKnit, it was
their first time in NY together and few will forget their legendary
performances. 67 minutes of unreleased solo A.L.L. custom made six
string bass with sympathetic strings added. CD only release for $17.

PAUL LOVENS/JOHN EDWARDS/PAUL HUBWEBER - PaPaJo (Emanem 4076) An
astounding drums/double bass/trombone trio of three of Europe's
finest improvising avant/jazz masters. Lovens is a legendary drummer
who has been an integral part of the Euro Free Music scene since the
sixties and has played with Cecil Taylor, Eugene Chadbourne, Evan
Parker and the Globe Unity Orchestra. John Edwards is a fine double
bassist who has also worked with sax greats - Evan Parker, Paul
Dunmall and Jon Butcher. I don't know Mr. Hubweber very well, but
his trombone playing here puts him up there with UK legends Paul
Rutherford, Nick Evans and Radu Malfatti. This is an entire 74
minute concert recorded in Bremen on the final day of a six day, six
concert tour and this trio was in wonderful form. CD only UK import
for $17.

SYLVIE COURVOISIER & MARK NAUSEEF - Birds of a Feather (Unit 4102)
Swiss born avant piano sensation, Sylvie Courvoisier, has become a
major force on the downtown/Tonic scene over the past few years. She
continually amazes us both on and inside the piano at Zorn improv
sets, in her duo with husband Mark Feldman and in Mephista with Ikue
Mori and Susie Ibarra. Here she joins forces with former CMP
all-star percussionist Mark Nauseef who used to perform with Dark and
oudist Rabih Abou-Khalil. Mark also plays some electronics as well.
Sylvie is master of suspense as she manipulates sounds inside the
piano with percussion, blocks of wood and assorted objects. Both her
and Mark deal with a dynamic array of percussive sounds, from sparse
to highly charged eruptions. Mark seems to be using a sampler well
selected percussive sounds. Both players listen closely and often
explode a one force. All but three of the 19 pieces here are pretty
short, so that the duo often create quick change soundscapes that
never last very long. Many of these pieces are minimal with short
blasts surrounded by moments of cautious silence. Both players
choose each sound with a great deal of selective suspense and drama.
CD only release for $16.

THE ALL ANGELS CONCERTS - various performers [2 CD set] (Emanem 4209)
These are the highlights from a concert series curated by IST members
harpist Rhodri Davies and cellist Mark Wastell. Featuring duos by
Steve Beresford & Roger Turner, John Butcher & Matt Hutchinson, Oren
Marshall & Mark Sanders, plus solos from Eddie Prevost (AMM
percussionist), John Russell, Alan Tomlinson, Veryan Weston and
others. Previously unreleased performances from 1999-2001. Two CD
only UK import set for $26.

ERNST REIJSEGER & FRANCO D'ANDREA - I Love You So Much It Hurts
(Winter & Winter 77) Ernst is a fabulous Dutch cellist, who was once
a member of the wonderful ICP Orchestra and the Clusone Trio. The is
his third wonderful release for the award-winning Winter & Winter
label, after a solo effort and a collaboration with a Sardinian
choir. This time Ernst collaborates with an equally great Italian
jazz pianist Franco D'Andrea, who has upwards of twenty fine modern
jazz releases under his belt. The duo perform originals plus covers
of "Night and Day", "In a Sentimental Mood" and "You Do Something to
Me." An excellent duet. CD only release for $15.

JON ROSE & STEVE HEATHER - Strung (Sublingual 011) This features a
fabulous eclectic ensemble of Mary Oliver (ICP Orchestra) on viola &
Hardinger fiddle, Cor Fuhler on keyolin, turntables & piano innards,
Andy Moor (The Ex) on electric guitar, Alex Waterman on cello, Anna
McMichel on regular violin, Richard Barrett on string samples,
Allison Isadora on electronically enhanced violin, Steve Heather on
percussion, drums & whipolin (disemboweled cello with hurdy gurdy
attachment) and Jon Rose on various stringed instruments too numerous
and too difficult to describe easily, plus a quartet of virtual
string players. 'Strung' another one of Jon Rose's bizarre offerings
- a small orchestra of highly modified or "excited" strings and
percussion. Featuring 24 short pieces of revolving string players,
exploring the inexhaustible sonic possibilities of their modified
instruments. Completely fascinating and nearly impossible to
describe who is doing what to their unique hybrid instruments.
Slim-case CD only release for $13.

FRANK PERRY - Temple of the Ancient Magical Presence (FMR 78) This
fascinating cd consists of new and old music for solo percussion,
duos and trios featuring Ovary Lodge (Keith Tippett & Roy
Babbington), Evan Parker (sax/duo), Paul Lytton & Paul Lovens
(percussion trio), David Toop & Jin Hi Kim (?/komungo trio), Trevor
Taylor (percussion/duo) and Cathy Stevens & Chas H. Dickie
(violin/viola & cello trio). Frank Perry was the incredible
percussionist for Keith Tippett's magical free improv trio - Ovary
Lodge, who recorded two albums around 1972. Perry has an incredible
set-up of hundreds of cymbals, drums and assorted percussion
instruments. This collection of unreleased works spans sessions in
recorded in1972, 1980, 1990 and 2000. Tippett complete-ists (like
Manny & myself) might want to know that the Ovary Lodge track is only
6 _ minutes long, however the fabulous duo with Evan Parker is almost
18 minutes. Consistently engaging throughout. CD only UK import
from the impossible to keep in stock FMR label for $17.

MISCELLANEOUS ARTISTS THAT FALL UNDER NONE OF THE ABOVE CATEGORIES

JOHN SCHULLER - lesser angel of failure (world misery recordings 001)
When I first got this promo in the mail, I glanced at the return
address from world misery recordings and thought, "Oh no, not more
death metal poop to toss into circular file?!?" Lucky for me, Manny
insisted I hear it and we were completely blown away by this bizarre
treasure. Can't say that I've heard of Seattle based John Schuller
before, but his wonderfully weird cd does include the playing of
violin visionary Eyvind Kang and Bill Horist, another name that
sounds rather familiar. Beginning with "another hanging", we get an
enchanting electric guitar and piano tinkling intro, which is later
overtaken by restrained but heavy feedback mutations, with some lead
guitar squirming out of the thick mass/mess. By the time we get to
the title track, we get someone named Brad Mowen singing in a
bizarre, dweezling (invented?) language, a sort of alien lullaby.
"vanilla sufi" features exotic zither sounds, distant droning
electronics, ritualistic drumming whatnot, all in a mesmerizing haze.
While John plays warped piano on "e tempo di morire", Brad once again
mumbles/laughs with his alien voice like a deranged mental patient.
Things get even stranger on "civil war bukakke" with layers of more
mutant transmissions, screechy death-rattle violin and swirling
carnival psychosis. There is a central enchanting yet disturbing
melody, which is played by Eyvind's completely tortured violin and
John's somber, sustained el. guitar squall. On "kweekamae mao", we
get more ridiculous layers of alien vocals from John and Brad,
recalling some early Residents-like weirdness. Schuller claims
inspiration from the Sun City Girls (amongst others) who are also
living in Seattle and I can hear some Secret Chiefs in there as well.
Considering I had never heard of John Schuller before, this is
certainly a surprising treasure of grand alien transmissions from
another world. CD only release for $13.

KING CRIMSON - Happy With What You Have To Be Happy With (Sanctuary;
US) This is a CD EP clocking in at 34 + minutes with 10 tracks, many
of which are short sound/voice collages. But the four main pieces
that take up most of the length of this sorta preview to next year's
full length CD The Power To Believe include a newly re-recorded
studio version of Lark's Tongues In Aspic IV, which is absolutely
killer and makes the pristine version found on Construction Of Light
two years ago sound way lifeless by comparison; as well as Potato
Pie, which halfway through turns into a Led Zeppelin blues cruncher
(!) with Adrian Belew -as-Jimmy Page guitar (Custard Pie?); an
alternate version of Eyes Wide Open (with Adrian on acoustic
alongside the band) from what will appear next year, and the
Tool-like title track. Robert Fripp continues with the Zen art of
hiding in this work, but after several live and studio products, Pat
Mastelloto and Trey Gunn finally make an outstanding impression as a
world class rhythm section. Worth it just to hear Lark's IV played
with fire-breathing gusto! CD only release for $10

TOMAS SAUTER/SAMUEL JOSS/LUKAS BITTERLIN - TOY Out Goes the Rat (Unit
4130) Tomas plays acoustic & electric guitars, Samuel plays acoustic
bass and Lukas plays drums and they are from Switzerland. Youthful
Tomas has been coming in our store regularly and just laid three cds
on me to check out. Turns out he is a tasty jazz acoustic guitarist
who has obviously been listening to Bill Frisell and Pat Metheny. He
writes all of the tunes here and they are laid back, highly melodic,
sorta folky, bluesy things. If this were a blindfold test, many of
us would have guessed it be the next Frisell release with Tony Scherr
on acoustic bass and Kenny Wollesen on way subtle drums. When picks
up his electric guitar on "blue demon", it is still pretty laid back,
as he plays just a few notes at a time and lets them drift. Nice
vibe throughout, but it does lack that same fire that Frisell has
lost over the past few years. CD only release for $14.

THE MASTERS OF SACRED STEEL - None but the Righteous (RopeAdope
Records 93123) Curated by John Medeski, the sensational 17 track
collection showcases the legends of gospel pedal and lap steel from
the Arhoolie archives. Simple defined, "sacred steel" is a sect of
gospel music that puts pedal steel guitar upfront, instead of the
organ, the usual lead instrument in gospel. Until the 1990's, this
amazing music was known only to the members of the House of God and
Jewel Dominion Church communities. In the these Pentacostal churches
across the land, this music has been an essentila part of their
services for nearly 100 years. This astounding, heartfelt collection
features both the elder originators of this style and their
spectacular up-and-coming innovators. I am completely bowled over by
this dynamic collection.-BLG CD only release for $16.

OLD & IN THE GRAY - self/titled (Acoustic Disc 51) This superb
bluegrass treasure reunites Peter Rowan, David Grisman and Vassar
Clements from the original acoustic revolutionaries - Old & In the
Way. Herb Robertson fills in on banjo and vocals for the late Jerry
Garcia and Brynn Bright fills on acoustic bass. Classic covers
include a nifty version of "Honky Tonk Women", "Pancho & Lefty" and
"Rainmaker." CD only release for $15.

REISSUES, RESTOCKS and HISTORIC RECORDINGS FOR 10/02:

JOHN COLTRANE - A Love Supreme/Deluxe Edition [2 CD set] (Impulse!
314 589 945) 'A Love Supreme' was John Coltrane's colossal album
length suite and his gift to G-d. It is an amazing and inspirational
treasure and perhaps Trane's best-known work. It was first released
in 1965 and paved the way for the quest of spirituality through
immense and intense free/jazz explorations. Disc one features this
suite in its entirety and this truly fine re-mastered version has
warm, passion filled sound. That cerebral, repeating bass note theme
has a hypnotic, heart-beat-like pulse at the center. The inner
mounting flame of universal hope hovers, soothes, uplifts and burns
bright. Disc two features John Coltrane's classic quartet's (McCoy
Tyner, Jimmy Garrison & Elvin Jones) only live performance of 'A Love
Supreme', with guests Archie Shepp on tenor sax and Art Davis on
second bass, plus four alternate studio versions of parts of the
suite. This is first time the live version has been released
legitimately and the sound is much better than the bootleg versions
which some Trane collectors own. This live version of 'A Love
Supreme' is even deeper and more intense than the studio version.
Certainly a must-have for all of us who worship at the Temple of
Trane. To be released next Tuesday, October 29th. Two CD only set
for about $24.

STEVE LACY TRIO - "bye-ya" (Free Lance 025) An excellent studio date
for Steve Lacy's superb long-standing Paris-based trio with
Jean-Jacques Avenel on contrabass and kora, John Betsch on drums and
Steve Lacy on soprano sax from 1996. Featuring mostly originals by
Steve, one by Jean-Jacques and of course, two by Thelonius Monk -
"Bye-Ya" and "Trinkle Tinkle". For many of us, this trio can do no
wrong, they sound as if and have been playing together for a long
while. The title track, Monk's scrumptious "Bye-Ya", swings in an
effervescent way with the drummer spinning and dancing around the
central thread, what a joy to behold. Steve Lacy's tone is so
singular, so voice-like, that it radiates the human spirit as it
sings, caressing and gently bending each note with elegant and
passion-filled grace. The rhythm team also do a beautiful job of
providing an elastic shadow, which adds soft shades to Steve's
eloquent aplomb. One of highlights here is the lovely, enchanting
African-like folk tune "Pi-Pande", which Jean-Jacques plays on (the
harp-like) kora. Steve's partner, Irene Aebi, sings on two tracks as
well, adding her somewhat more serious sound to this special brew.
French import CD-only release with no domestic distribution at
present for $16.

STEVE LACY/ERIC WATSON - "Spirit of Mingus" (Free Lance 016) I have
been a Charles Mingus fanatic since picking up a dozen of his
releases in the early seventies and seeing/hearing his group live at
the Vanguard, the Village Gate and at Carnegie Hall during the same
period. Like the other incredible jazz composers of the last century
(Duke Ellington and Thelonius Monk), Mingus composed and performed so
much incredible music, that many of us Mingus freaks must have all of
his recordings from the mid-fifties to the early eighties. I am
always intrigued by a tribute to Charles, especially when they are
heart-felt as this one. This fine duo set was recorded live in Paris
in 1991 and features Steve Lacy on soprano sax and Eric Watson on
piano, both Americans who live(d) in Paris. Mingus' music embodies
the history of jazz and is filled with earthy, singing, swagger,
passion and fire. This resourceful duo cover a variety of
challenging and quirky songs from Charlie's long career. Steve and
Eric do a fine job of stripping some of these tunes down to their
haunting, lyrical essence. "Self Portrait in Three Colors" gets a
poignant reading, ever so delicate and dreamy. Part of the magic of
these tunes is the unique way they push the players to come up with
daredevil solos, both soprano sax and piano, do a marvelous job
throughout. French import CD-only release with no domestic
distribution at present for $16.

MARK FELDMAN - Book of Tells (Enja 9385/import) This extraordinary cd
contains five works for a string quartet with Erik Friedlander and
Joyce Hammann as members (both also play in Zorn's string quartet
with Feldman). It seems as Mark has put a great deal of time and
work into this engaging music. Unfortunately, there is still no
domestic distribution for this fine release, and we only have a
handful. CD-only release for $16.

JOEY BARON-Killer Joey (Goo-Head) Featuring Steve Cardenas and Adam
Levy on guitars, Tony Scherr on bass & Joey on drums/compositions.
Self-released & only sold at their gigs, Masada's drum hero creates a
variety of funky jazz grooves to dig on! (Joey has bailed on NYC
until early next year and this is the last we'll see of these for an
indefinite period. GET 'EM NOW!!!) CD-only release for $14.

MARION BROWN QUARTET - Back to Paris (Free Lance 002) This features
Hilton Ruiz on piano, Jack Gregg on bass, Freddie Waits on drums and
Marion Brown on alto sax and all but one of the compositions. Marion
Brown is one of the avant/jazz sax giants from the ESP era of the
mid-sixties, who has had many a fine recording throughout his long
and diverse career. This live set was recorded in Paris in 1980 and
shows a more mainstream player, than his earlier records often
showed. Marion does a good job of weaving his often hard swinging
and passionate alto sax on top of sort-of funky back beat of
"Sunshine Road". "November Cotton Flower" is lovely ballad with
Marion's tone never sounding more touching and Hilton's piano solo is
also one of eloquent, lyrical and hushed beauty. "La Placita" has
that nimble, Caribbean groove, sort of like "St. Thomas" with a fine,
quick spinning solo from Marion. One of the oldest and most revered
of sax standards, "Body and Soul" is also covered here and gets a
playful, jubilant reading. Commencing with the title tune to an
older, bolder Marion Brown album called, "Sweet Earth Flying", which
is quite magical, mildly dark and dream-like. I know that Marion
Brown has been ill
over the past few years, so it nice to hear him playing with
gentility and grace here. French import CD-only release with no
domestic distribution at present for $16.

ALBERT AYLER - Nuits de la Fondation Maeght 1970 (Water 103) A
fantastic CD reissue featuring two classic late Albert Ayler's albums
(both originally released on the French Shandar label). Albert Ayler
on tenor sax, with Mary Maria on vocals, Call Cobbs on piano, Steve
Tintweiss on bass and Allen Blairman. Recorded live in France at the
Fondation Maeght in St. Paul de Vence (July 25th and 27th, 1970).
Stellar live performances capturing his two last gigs ever. Contains
new exclusive liner notes by Wire contributor David Keenan. Digitally
remastered. The LP reissues, Vol. 1 & Vol. 2, are sold separately
for $14 each, but the CD release includes both volumes for $14.

ERIC DOLPHY - Conversations (Get Back 2014) Although, due to his
tragically premature death in 1964, his own recording career lasted
just four short years, he is remembered as one of the most pioneering
multi-instrumentalists of the period, collaborating extensively with
Coltrane and Mingus. "Conversations", recorded in the spring of 1963
under the supervision of Alan Douglas, is one of the key works of his
career and features a stellar cast of... We currently have sale
copies on CD for $10, but this Italian import high quality vinyl
reissue sells for $14.

GONG - You (Get Back 621) Originally released in 1974 as part three
in the Radio Gnome Invisible trilogy. The group recorded the album
on a week-long acid trip in a cottage in England. Daevid Allen (who
left the band shortly after the album's release) later recalled the
recording session, "it was just a wonderful, wonderful trip and we
all played and played and played. And we connected so strongly
together out of the improvisations, we just improvised and recorded
it and then at the end of the day, we would listen to the recordings
and take the pieces out that we wanted to learn." However, the band
soon became split over David's lyrics and how he had decided to end
the tale of Zero the Hero's experience on Planet Gong. An incredible
psych/prog masterpiece and perhaps Gong's finest moment! Italian
import vinyl album reissue for $14.

SUN CITY GIRLS - Dante's Disneyland Inferno [3 LP set reissue]
(Locust 13) If you thought our little feverish bout with foolishness
would stop with the triple vinyl album reissue of '300,003
Crossdressers', you're horribly mistaken. What could we do in our
sickly state but quite naturally retread the retired 'Dante's
Disneyland Inferno' and give it a new engorged life as yet another
triple vinyl expedition through the terrors and horrors of the verbal
brain toast of Charlie Gocher in a Burroughs/Esquecum/Firesign
Theatre mixture of absurdity backed by a variety of instrumental
moods: bongo bohemia, noise, lounge, swing-swong, ooga booga rock,
children's melodies and all things in between. Its been 7 years since
its first digital transmission and the cloud of confusion only
thickens. Just think, these are 35 tracks that you can't just skip
through with your remote when things get too very because they do.
The legendary and incredible bizarre will play their first and only
east coast date at the Knit next month, so please get those tickets
soon! High quality three album set for $25.

CLASSIC MOUNTAIN SONGS - various artists (Smithsonian Folkways 40094)
Riding the wave of the renewed interest in traditional American
music, 'Classic Mountain Songs' from showcases a handful of the
greatest mountain ballads as performed by some of the most
influential folk singers and songwriters of the 20th century. This
collection features many classic performances from a wide variety of
regional instrumental and song styles. These diverse styles and song
types from the mountain communities of North Carolina, Virginia,
Kentucky and Tennessee include old-time fiddle and banjo pieces,
early bluegrass and traditional ballads, with a special emphasis on
Appalachian vocal traditions. Doc and Merle Watson, Roscoe Holcomb,
Clarence Ashley, and Dock Boggs, are just a few of the revered roots
artists who appear on this stellar compilation. This is an essential
album for both old and new fans of American mountain music.
Extensive notes, 24 tracks and over 70 minutes long. CD only
compilation for $13.

CLASSIC BLUEGRASS - various artists (Smithsonian Folkways 40092) It
all began in 1956 with the release of the historic Folkways album
'American Banjo: Three-Finger and Scruggs Style', the first-ever
full-length bluegrass LP. From that point on, Folkways Records was
synonymous with great bluegrass music. Folkways founder Moses Asch
released scores of bluegrass albums and this collection comprises the
cream of the crop from these recordings, including works from giants
of the genre such as Red Allen, Frank Wakefield, Bill Monroe, Doc
Watson, the Stanley Brothers and The Country Gentlemen. This is an
outstanding introduction to the wealth of great bluegrass Smithsonian
Folkways has to offer. CD only compilation for $13.

AREA - Area Boxset [4 CD boxset] (Akarma 1036) Formed in 1972, Area
was the single most influential Italian progressive rock band of the
era. Perhaps as well known for their leftist politics as for their
unique blend of progressive rock, free jazz and Mediterranean folk
music, these recordings capture Area at the height of their creative
prowess. The avant-garde vocals of their legendary singer Demetrio
Stratos also contributed to the band's unique sound. This boxset
containing their first four albums: 'Arbeit macht frei', 'Caution:
Radiation Area', 'Crac', and 'Areazione', includes the original
covers, lyrics and liner notes by the well-known Italian music
journalist Riccardo Bertoncelli. All four of these fantastic
releases are progressive classics!! A most impressive Italian import
4 CD boxset for $50.

FRED VAN HOVE - Complete Vogel Recordings (1972-74) [2 CD set]
(Atavistic UMS 229) In the early '70s, Belgian improviser and pianist
extraordinaire Fred Van Hove released three LP's on the Vogel label.
These recordings, issued in very small quantities, have become some
of the most sought-after and difficult to find items in the canon of
European improvised music. Even some of the hardest-digging vinyl
freaks haven't heard of these treasures- let alone own them.
Compiling the two solo Vogel records ('Fred Van Hove' and 'Live At
The University') and one record of duets with tenor saxophonist Cel
Overberghe ('Een Tweede Vogel'), as well as an even rarer 7-inch 45
by Van Hove and Overberghe, the 'Complete Vogel Recordings' offers a
rare document of one of the greatest pianists in free music from a
particularly fertile period in his career. In addition to the
tenor/piano duets, the record with Overberghe includes some musique
concrete and overdubbed parts, with the saxophonist on bass and drums
and Van Hove on organ; 'Live At The University' features Van Hove on
conventional piano, but also performing his special prepared piano
improvisation with ping-pong balls on the strings. Two CD only rare
reissue set for $20.

FENNESZ - Fennesz: Field Recordings 1995:2002 CD (Touch 16) 'Field
Recordings' brings together a range of material Christian Fennesz has
contributed to compilations, special projects and film soundtracks
between the years 1995 and 2002. Also, for the first time on CD, it
includes his debut 12" for Mego, the awesome 'Instrument', remastered
and a new track recorded specially for this release, 'Good Man'. It
is his first release since his classic 'Endless Summer' release on
Mego from 2001 and a prelude to his next studio album. CD only
release for $14.

THEORETICAL GIRLS - Theoretical Record (Acute Records 001) The
Theoretical Girls may just be the most influential group you've never
heard. This seminal New York City no-wave group from the late 70's
created songs and sounds that helped shape what we know today as
alternative or indie rock. Yet external politics and internal
pressures within the band thwarted the official public release of
their music until now. Following the initial punk and new wave
explosion that gave birth to bands like Television, the Ramones and
Blondie, a movement emerged from the NYC underground called no wave
(featuring bands like Lydia Lunch's Teenage Jesus and The Jerks,
James Chance and The Contortions, and DNA (featuring Arto Lindsay,
Tim Wright and Ikue Mori). Jeffrey Lohn, artist, composer and writer,
was at the heart of no wave. He hosted all night concerts in his
Chinatown loft where young musicians, improvisers, and artists would
gather and perform music. Lohn, a classically trained composer, was
very excited by new bands like the Ramones and wanted to combine his
classical compositions with the raw energy of punk rock. With Glenn
Branca (guitar, bass, vocals), Margaret Dewyss (organ, bass, vocals)
and Wharton Tiers (drums, vocals), he formed the Theoretical Girls.
At the time there were no bands on the NYC do-it-yourself scene that
better combined the accessibility of punk, new wave and plain old
rock and roll with such avant-garde takes on classical composition
and sheer noise. This combination made the Theoretical Girls both a
cutting edge assault of noise-rock and an incredibly catchy rock
band. This cd contains over an hour of Jeffrey Lohn's material, all
unreleased except for one song which appeared on a rare out-of-print
7" record over 20 years ago. Now, for the first time in decades, his
songs and sound will get the credit they are due. CD only release
for $14.

PAUL MOTIAN TRIO PLUS - Monk in Motian (W&W/JMT 919020) Featuring
Bill Frisell on guitar, Joe Lovano & Dewey Redman on tenor saxes,
Geri Allen on piano and Paul Motian on drums & direction. This was
drum-master Paul Motian's first release for JMT and it is indeed a
classic. Paul's fabulous trio with Frisell & Lovano add two special
guests, Geri & Dewey and the entire quintet a fabulous job of
reinterpreting ten of Thelonius Monk's gnarly gems - "Crepescule With
Nellie", "Ugly Beauty" and "Trinkle Tinkle". CD only reissue with
those great W&W high-class cardboard covers for $15.

HERB ROBERTSON BRASS ENSEMBLE - Shades of Bud Powell (W&W/JMT 919019)
Featuring Robin Eubanks on trombone, Brian Lynch & Herb Robertson on
trumpets, Vincent Chancey on French horn, Bob Stewart on tuba and
Joey Baron on drums. This was trumpet master, Herb Robertson's third
wonderful release for the JMT label and he keeps just getting better.
Using bebop piano giant - Bud Powell's legacy as a
composer/improviser/innovator, Herb's classic tribute makes a
statement on a few different levels. He creates revitalized (new)
music with what seems to unorthodox instrumentation (brass quintet &
drums) and on a deeper level, he explores the compositional and
harmonic implications of Bud Powell's distinctive music. CD only
reissue for $15.

GREG OSBY - Mindgames (W&W/JMT 919021) This is M-Base sax great, Greg
Osby's second fine studio date for JMT. The featured players include
Kevin McNeil on guitar, Geri Allen & Edward Simon on keyboards,
Lonnie Plaxico on bass, Paul Samuels on drums and Greg on alto &
soprano saxes. Still transcending boundaries, Osby continues to
explore new realms with spherical ballads, modern jazz/rock and funk
alternatives. Mysterious and compelling! CD only reissue for $15.

JIMI HENDRIX - Experience [2 CD set] (Sunspots 516) Featuring the
Jimi Hendrix Experience with Noel Redding & Mitch Mitchell, plus
special guests, Dave Mason, Chris Wood and Rocky Dzidzourno on
percussion. This was the Experience's final performance, performed
at Royal Albert Hall on February 4th, 1969. It was recorded and
filmed, but only shown once before it mysteriously disappeared for
good. This double cd includes the entire long show, with five tracks
that were left off the original lp version. Two CD only set in nice
album-like double cardboard cover for $20.

INCREDIBLE STRING BAND - U (Collector's Choice 288) This double
concept album release from 1970 veers wildly from flat-out raga
material to children's lullabies to exotic world/psych influences.
Intended as a soundtrack for a theatrical stage show called, "A
Surreal Parable in Song and Dance". Quintessential and never before
released on cd. Could this be the final chapter in the saga of the
Incredible String Band being released on cd?!? Two CD only set for
$20.

PATTO - Patto (Akarma 185) First phenomenal effort from 1970
featuring the legendary British jazz/blues/rock quartet - PATTO!!!
Patto featured the featured the gripping blues/rock vocals and
inspired lyrics of Mike Patto (later with Centipede, Boxer and a
stint w/ Spooky Tooth), plus the completely astounding jazz/rock
lightning lead guitar of Olly Halsall!! On their one long cut,
"Money Bag", Olly takes a nine minute guitar solo that still
astonishes everyone who hears it for it's super-human speed and
fluent stream of notes - is it sped up? Apparently not! Long
out-of-print and finally back, thanks to those fine folks at Akarma.
Italian import CD reissue copies in impressive cardboard album covers
for $17.

PATTO - Hold Your Fire (Akarma 190) Second fabulous release (1971)
from one of the greatest British rock/jazz/prog bands of all time
featuring the astonishing guitar work of Olly Halsall, the splendid
vocals and insightful lyrics of Mike Patto and the superb rhythm team
of Clive Griffiths & John Halsey who would later play with the
Rutles. Previously known as Timebox and later known as Boxer, Patto
were known for completely obliterating any other bands unfortunate
enough to appear on stage after or before them. No one could match
their blend of hard rock with jazz chops and great vocals with
intelligent and provocative lyrics. Legendary guitar hero Olly
Halsall played both faster and with a highly individual choice of
notes than anyone since. He joined John Hiseman's Tempest and was a
perfect foil for Kevin Ayers for many years after that. Hear why
Nels Cline, Gary Lucas and myself still rave about this incredible
and unrecognized guitar god! Sadly, both Halsall and Patto are now
dead and gone. We still have a reissue copy of the album/record with
great gatefold sleeve, on high quality import vinyl for $20. We now
(finally!) have Italian import CD reissue copies in impressive
cardboard album covers for $17.

AGITATION FREE - Malesch (Garden of Delights 069) Their debut was
pensive and relaxed masterpiece, originally released on Vertigo. The
32-page booklet abounds with photographs, discographies and tons of
details. From the master tapes, this is a new definitive reissue that
was previously released on Spalax and originally issued in 1972. "Not
willing to compromise, and heavily into the avant-garde (many members
studied with the influential Thomas Kessler), it took a long for
Agitation Free to finally get an album out. By that time they had
developed a cosmic styled rock with a strong ethnic element. Although
in the spirit of Ash Ra Tempel and Pink Floyd, they had their own
individual identity, with a largely improvised music that was
predominantly instrumental, featuring lots of electronics, keyboards
and dual guitars and a great flair for invention. 'Malesch' documents
their trip to North Africa and the Middle East, blending location
recordings together with their own compositions and improvisations
and is still quite a unique experience even today, combining cosmic,
avant-garde and ethnic musics with great invention." - Crack in the
Cosmic Egg (the ultimate progressive bible). CD only import reissue
release for $16

AGITATION FREE - Second (Garden of Delights 071) This was the band's
second masterwork and is even better than 'Malesch', the first
effort. It was originally released on Vertigo's swirled label and now
comes with an impressive 32-page colored booklet Like their first,
it was previously reissued on the Spalax label. Their second treasure
adds bouzouki, mellotron, 12-string guitar to their classic twin
guitar, heavy Krautrock sound. Recorded and released in 1973, a few
months after the first and incredible 'Malesch'. 'Second' is at the
frontiers of experimental, progressive and avant-jazz. If 'Malesch'
was experimental recording with a touch of progressive, 'Second' just
appears as a progressive recording with experimental touch, revealing
the incredible music of the band in an easier and even HIGHER way. CD
only import reissue release for $16

THE SHADOK MUSIC - compilation (Shadoks 036) Incredible cool budget
priced collection of impossible rare, completely unknown and
consistently great psychedelic bands mostly from the US, sometimes
other countries. This wonderful German label mostly releases
extremely limited high quality vinyl editions of impossible rare
psychedelic gems from the late sixties and seventies, that often cost
big bucks and disappear quickly. They have started doing CD reissues
as well over the past few years, that sell for more affordable prices
($14 or so). I just checked out their amazing 18 track comp of their
back and current catalogue and this has to be one the best psych
collections I have heard in years! The line-up includes bands
neither of us have ever heard of like Peacepipe, My Indole Ring,
Fate, The Brain Police, Merry Airbrakes and The Spoils of War. A
must have for those of us who long for those psychedelic relic
collections. CD only collection for $10.

THE IMPRESSIONS - The Young Mods' Forgotten Story (Sunspots 518)
Originally released in 1969, this was Curtis Mayfield's last amazing
effort with the Impressions, before embarking on a stellar solo
career. An excellent swan song that paved the way for great things
to come from Curtis & Co. Classic tracks include "Mighty, Mighty
(Spade & Whitey)", "Choice of Colors", "Seven Years" and the superb
title track. Italian import CD only reissue for $15.

GOPAL KRISHNAN - The Art of the Vichitra Veena [2 CD set] (Ocora
561048) Gopal Krisnhan, maestro of the vichitra veena (the 'strange'
veena, a rare zither played like a Hawaiian guitar) accompanied by
the wonderfully melodious tabla-playing of Latif Ahmed Khan. Recorded
April 16, 1985. Two CD set for $24.

TURKEY - Music from the Yayla (Ocora 561050) Ceremonial melodies from
villages in south-west Turkey, the captivating musical universe of
peasant communities featuring saz, (lutes of different sizes), violin
and sipsi (a small oboe). French import CD only mid-line reissue
for $13.

MONGOLIA - Shamans & Lamas (Ocora 561059) Two aspects of ritual
Mongolian music: shamanist seances (a blend of imitative animal
sounds, throat noise, heavy breathing and recitatives) and
Tibetan-influenced Buddhist liturgies. French import CD only
mid-line reissue for $13.

MADAGASCAR - Bara Country/various artists (Ocora 561089) Vivacious
festive music of the Bara, a southern people with a vast song
repertoire and several rare instruments (jejy musical bow, kilangay
xylophone-on-legs and kiloliky reed whistle ensembles. French import
CD only mid-line reissue for $13.

THE FOLLOWING SECTION (BELOW) CONTAINS LP/VINYL/RECORD ONLY TITLES:

KENNETH TERROADE - Love Rejoice [LP only] (Get Back 322) Recorded on
June 10, 1969 at BYG's Studio Saravah in Paris. Jamaican born tenor
saxophonist Kenneth Terroade appears here with Ronnie Beer, Evan
Chandley, Francois Tusques, Bob Guerin, Earl Freeman and Claude
Delcloo. Another avant-jazz classic from the great BYG catalogue!
Italian import LP only release for $15.

SUNNY MURRAY - Homage To Africa [LP only] (BYG 303) After three years
as a member of Albert Ayler's band (1964-1967), avant-garde jazz
drummer Sunny Murray traveled to France where he recorded for
Affinity and BYG. The amazing 'Homage to Africa' was recorded on
August 15, 1969 for BYG and features an incredible all-star cast of
Archie Shepp, Roscoe Mitchell & Kenneth Terroade on saxes, Alan Silva
on contrabass, Grachan Moncur III & Clifford Thorton on trombones,
Lester Bowie on trumpet, and the irrepressible Jeanne Lee on vocals.
Domestic LP only reissue for $12.

SUNNY MURRAY - (Never Give a Sucker) An Even Break [LP only] (BYG
332) Avant-garde jazz master drummer Sunny Murray was a major player
in the experimental jazz community throughout the 1960s. He played
with Cecil Taylor in the early sixties, helping to invent what we
call free jazz, spent three years as a member of Albert Ayler's band
(1964-1967) and put out one of the most free/out albums on the ESP
label as a leader! Murray traveled to France where, after releasing
two albums on the BYG label, he recorded 'An Even Break', (recorded
on November 22, 1969) for Affinity. His first release for the
Affinity label was actually Murray's third release of the year.
Featuring Byard Lancaster and Kenneth Terroade on saxes, Malachi
Favors on contrabass and Sunny himself on those tail-spinning
free-form drums. Domestic LP only reissue for $12.

THE IMPRESSIONS - Get Ready With The Impressions [2 LP set] (Get Back
8014) Double LP of the Impressions with Curtis Mayfield with 25
incredible tracks! When the Impressions formed in Chicago in 1958,
their minimalist and raw sound was radically different from most
other R&B acts at the time. Mayfield's signature falsetto and
politicized lyrics gave listeners a glimpse into the future of the
northern soul sound that would top the R&B charts in the decade to
come. Two LP only Italian import reissue for $20.

--

OUR WEBSITE (DTMGallery.com) NOW HAS A SEARCH ENGINE!
As of this Saturday 10/26 you will be able to search for items by
Artist Name, or Title, or Keyword In Description text (or an
"Everything Search" which encompasses these first three searches), or
Label, Or ANY COMBINATION OF THESE SEARCHES, as well as other
sub-search features like which items are LP/Vinyl, or only items
included in the "Buy 6, get 7th CD Free" Sale, etc, etc.
We've only loaded a small portion of the cornucopia to be found when
one visits the store - most of the recent 25 newsletters and the
complete catalogs of many of the main labels which we specialize in
and/or represent. We hope to add at least 200 items from our current
stock each week (including the contents of each latest newsletter)
until we catch up with our basic available stock somewhere in the
next few months.

You may begin using this immediately to search for stuff you remember
reading about in our newsletters (the information/compiled
newsletters at the site have never been in a [re]searchable order)
and we welcome your comments and criticisms as to how helpful you
find it.

The search page is found at
http://DownTownMusicGallery.com/WWW_DMG_Search.cgi

____________________________________________________________

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Regards,

--DMG.

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Downtown Music Gallery Tel: 212 473-0043 / 800 622-1387
13 Monroe St. Fax: 212-533-5059
New York, NY 10002-7351 Email: dmg@downtownmusicgallery.com
USA Web: DownTownMusicGallery.com

Hours: Sunday though Thursday noon `till 9pm, Fri. & Sat. noon to
10pm. Sundays we have in-store concerts from 7 to 8:30, please don't
call then. We're between Cooper Square, (aka 3rd Avenue), and 2nd
Avenue.