342 Bowery, New York, NY 10012-2408
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Email: dmg@downtownmusicgallery.com
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JOHN ZORN'S MAGICK! ELLIOTT SHARP'S RADIO HYPER-YAHOO! FRED VAN HOVE! ALI N'DIAYE & ELEMENT! ERNEST DAWKINS' NHE! KAHIL EL ZABAR & DAVID MURRAY! JOELLE LEANDRE & GIANNI LENOCI! TIM BRADY 'S SYMPHONY! HENNEMAN/HONSINGER/OLIVER! KNITTING FACTORY RE-ISSUES!!! RARE AND RESTOCKED OGUNS!... AND A FREE CD GIVEAWAY FOR ALL ORDERS!
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BUT FIRST, A 'RESERVE-YOUR-COPY NOW' ANNOUNCEMENT:
ALBERT AYLER - Holy Ghost: "Trane was the Father. Pharoah was the Son. I was the Holy Ghost" [10 CD set + large book] (Revenant 213) A completely unreleased and immensely impressive box-set, spanning the entire career of free-jazz sax god Albert Ayler. Various incarnations of bands and musicians from Finland 1962, Denmark 1964, The Netherlands & Germany 1966, New York 1964 & 1968, Cleveland, 1966 and even more. None of these nine CDs have ever been released legitimately, just some as bad sounding bootlegs. The sampler CD, which has been making the rounds, is filled with lots of incredible out-jazz wailing, so we can only imagine how much we can handle over nine CDs worth [+bonus 10th disc!]. Word is that the 200+page enclosed book and superbly designed box that it comes in are both things of great beauty.
"By 1958, Albert Ayler and his horn had made some rounds: from boy prodigy to teenage member of Little Walter's Blues Band, from 'Little Bird' of Cleveland to featured U.S. Army Band soloist. Then he resolutely set out to forget everything he ever learned about how to properly play the sax so he could channel symphonies to God out of his horn. Seeking nothing short of Truth in music, Ayler shortly became THE catalytic force in defining the sound of the tenor in Free Jazz, and was a heavy influence on John Coltrane's later work. Holy Ghost is the first comprehensive attempt to construct a monument in sound to Albert Ayler, including his never-before-heard first and last recordings, book-ending rare and unissued music from every stage of his career. 9 CDs of rare and unissued recordings, 208 page full color hardbound book, new essays by Amiri Baraka, Val Wilmer, and other Ayler scholars, 10th bonus disc with Ayler as a member of the U.S. Army Band, all housed in a lavish 9.5" square by 3" deep Spirit Box cast from a hand-carved wooden original."
Street date is Tuesday, October 5th, we just might get them in a couple of days early, who knows?!?
Pre-order price until 10/5/04 (reserve now) for this incredible 9 CD box-set is
$ 95.00
[Shipping charges for this item will be above our normally stated guidelines, as you can well imagine its weight with hardcover book included!]
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NOW IN-STOCK!!!
JOHN ZORN - Magick (Tzadik 8006/Composer Series) Astonishing! 'Magick' features two extraordinary works from our main man, composer, musician and label head, John Zorn: "Necrononomicon" (2003) performed by the Crowley String Quartet and "Sortilege" (2001) performed by Mike Lowenstern and Tim Smith on bass clarinets. Zorn continues to explore the world of Magic(k), Alchemy and Shamanism, while trying to unravel the great Mystery of music. No easy task and it is obvious that Zorn works extremely hard at exploring esoteric traditions that are catalysts for change, the results of which are found here. "Necrononomicon" is a five-part suite that opens and closes with an extremely intense blast of near violent power that is quite exhilarating. The three mid-section pieces are more restrained in part and especially haunting, yet they are just as breathtaking. Zorn's composing talents have matured so that his jump-cut style, which was so prominent in the 80's and early 90's, seems more balanced as just a part of his current style or technique. Both "The Magus" (part 2) and "Incunabula" (part 4) are calm on the surface, yet bristle with an undercurrent nervous energy that is on the verge of exploding. It does indeed explode on "Conjurations" (part 1) and "Asmodeus" (part 5), as well as on "Thoughts Forms" (part 3), which blends both extremes quite well. "Sortilege", for two bass clarinets, casts a spell of "sorcery and witchcraft". Both players do a wonderful job of bringing this challenging to life, weaving difficult intersecting lines, twisted harmonies, tightly constructed passages that remind me of the Mothers on 'Uncle Meat'. Some might complain that at 31 & a 1/2 minutes, this CD is too short. I think not, it feels like the perfect length for both pieces, nothing is superfluous in any way. Could this be John Zorn's greatest works yet? Only time will tell.
CD for $14
PETER BROTZMANN - 14 Love Poems / Plus Ten More (FMP 125) Truly historic reissue of one Brotzmann's rarest FMP albums, recorded in August of 1984, plus ten bonus tracks added. Solo alto, tenor & baritone saxes, tenor mouthpiece, A & E-flat clarinets, bass clarinet and taragato. Dedicated to poet Kenneth Patchen. Although the FMP website claims that this gem was to be released on June 23rd of this year, we have finally just gotten our copies is in as of today.
German import CD for $17
ELEMENTS OF THE 7TH - Rhythm Process = 2x(y)+3 (Quadraphonic 1102) Featuring Sabir Mateen (tenor sax), Roy Campbell (trumpets), Clark Gayton (trombone), Atiba Wilson (flutes), Matt Shipp (piano), Brian Carrott (vibes), Clifford Pusey (guitar), Alex Blake, Bill Dotts & Clyde Bullard on basses and Michael Thompson, Charles Hopkins, Ras Tschaka Tonge, Neil Clark & Michael Foley Kolade on drums & percussion. This gem was produced and arranged by Alioune N'Diaye, with Ali and Atiba Wilson writing four of the six long tracks and Matt Shipp composing the other two pieces. Ali N'Diaye runs this Brooklyn based label and put out an LP a couple of years ago with some of the same folks found here. 'Rhythm Process' opens with a 25 minute epic called "3", which was written by Ali and Alex Blake, contrabassist supreme for Pharoah Sanders. "3" is a fine, slow and sensuous funky, jazz groove with nice, long, slow-burn solos from Roy on trumpet, Sabir on tenor, infectious wah-wah rhythm guitar from Clifford and Atiba on flute. "The Move" is another phat, groove fest with sly solos from Brian on vibes, Atiba on flute and Clark on trombone. Both versions of "The Move" are completely cool. Kinda reminds me of Osibisa and makes me wanna get down and dance. Matt Shipp's "Astro Nugget" and "Blue 19" are both infectious groove tunes and it is nice to hear Matt playing some wonderful swinging piano. Atiba's "Back to Black" is the funkiest tune here and has a slamming beat, with Roy getting down on his righteous muted trumpet and even Sabir squealing and screaming and getting funky at the same time. 'Rhythm Process' is as happening as anything Matt Shipp has put out on the Thirsty Ear Blue Series, here's hoping that Elements of the 7th get the distribution they well deserve.
CD for $14
FOUR NEW DISCS FROM THE GREAT FOLKS AT DELMARK:
KAHIL EL'ZABAR & DAVID MURRAY - We Is / Live at the Bop Shop (Delmark 557) Featuring Kahil El'Zabar on congas, drums & assorted percussion and David Murray on tenor sax & bass clarinet. Chicago based percussion hero, Kahil E'Zabar, has been at it for more than 25 years, leading bands like the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble and the Ritual Trio, as well as his other projects with numerous duos & trios (Billy Bang, Hamiet Bluitt, Pharoah Sanders & Ari Brown). Tenor sax giant, David Murray, remains perhaps the most popular and certainly most recorded of all the loft jazz sax heroes to emerge from that scene during the mid-seventies. This fine live duo set was recorded at the Bop Shop in Rochester, NY in March of 2000. Each of the five pieces is long and based on different earth grooves provided by Kahil with David's righteous tenor sax and bass clarinet riding superbly on top of each hypnotic groove. I dig the way Kahil often answers David with his organic background vocal sounds, keeping a running dialogue with David's heartfelt and warm toned reeds. There is a beautiful balance and blend of jazz, blues and gospel influences emanating from this tasty and often touching music. Besides congas, Kahil is also a master of the sanza, that African thumb piano, which we get to hear at length on "Blues Affirmation", in which David's tenor reaches back to the old school golden tone of Coleman Hawkins. Kahil also plays some ferocious traps on "We Is" and "Sweet Meat", where David gets his chance to do some heavy blasting on that great tenor sax of his. Davis also shines on "One World Family" on his bass clarinet, playing a dancing solo effort that is a pure delight. An excellent and perfectly recorded duo effort from two masters.
CD for $15
ERNEST DAWKINS' NEW HORIZONS ENSEMBLE - Mean Ameen (Delmark 559) This is the third New Horizons Ensemble release for the Delmark label, I knew we were indeed in-store for another treat, as the two previous titles were also great ones. Saxist, Ernest Dawkins, has worked with the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble as well as Kahil El'Zabar's Ritual Trio. This new version of the New Horizons Ensemble (NHE), is a more compact one featuring Ernest on alto & tenor saxes, Maurice Brown on trumpet, Steve Berry on trombone, Darius Savage on bass and Isaiah Spencer on drums. The title tune is first and we are off to great start with some fast paced, hard swinging and tight, rambunctious horns intertwining just right. Ernest takes his first of numerous inspired solos, spinning furiously, pushed higher by the fabulous rhythm team, who are ever intricate and uplifting. The two other horn players who also pull off consistently powerful solos are Maurice Brown on trumpet and Steve Berry on trombone. Both Ernest and Steve compose complex pieces that keep the quintet on their toes throughout. The tunes often have shifting rhythm lines with the bassist playing both the melody and the rhythmic scheme simultaneously, as the drummer must navigate the current and undertow as it moves in waves. One can get dizzy trying to balance the different currents. "Jeff to the Left" is a suspenseful, laid back, bluesy and lovely ballad dedicated to Chicago Underground guitarist Jeff Parker. "The Messenger" has one of those great, Jazz Messengers-like funky, infectious grooves that is bound to make one smile, with more great horn solos right outta that sixties Blue Note sound. "Buster and the Search for the Human Genome" is the closer and the one long piece that moves through different sections. It begins at a medium tempo before it launches through some super quick segments with burning solos from Ernest's alto sax. It consistently shifts between faster and slower tempos effortlessly, keeping the horn players on their toes as it changes. An amazing tour-de-force from this outstanding quintet that remains fascinating throughout its 66 minute duration.
CD for $15
JEFF PARKER & SCOTT FIELDS - Song Songs Song (Delmark 558) This strange electric guitar duo recording is perhaps one the oddest and most un-jazz-like of the vast Delmark catalogue, which mostly deals with jazz and blues dates from the fifties onwards. Chicago-based Jeff Parker does have some jazz credentials, playing with the Chicago Underground and Fred Anderson, yet he can't really be pegged as most of the current Chicago underground continues to pursue diversity and unpredictability. Wisconsin based Scott Field is also a great improviser, as well as a unique composer, his more than a dozen releases also embrace diverse approaches and an-ever changing cast of players to work with. Each of the six pieces here also cover a variety of approaches. Jeff's "LK" is a calm, haunting and even jazz-like in its rather melodic guitar tone, it is a sort of ballad that is quietly deconstructed as it evolves. "Untitled, 1968" sounds like it could be Fred Frith and Henry Kaiser (maybe a Dead space jam?), with all those volume pedal swirls, free yet focused noise sections, but never going too far out. By "Untitled, 2004", they start to go further out, faster, freer and more intense, but never losing sight of each other as they work together, trading ideas and licks, suspending time as they weave lines together into one sound/blend. "Untitled, 2001" has both Jeff and Scott playing with that warm, relaxed jazz guitar tone, Les Paul meets Joe Pass? Actually, they move through a variety of approaches quickly, casting off one idea after another. "Untitled, 1955" is a long work that again shows a quite a bit of unorthodox techniques, twisted harmonies, intricate noise-work, both subtle and intense abstractions, q & a sections, quickly tapped harmonics, alien textures and some nice quiet and spooky moments. Jeff Parker and Scott Fields work quite well together, combining forces and blending their sound into one story-like journey. In a blindfold test, most folks would have little clue who they really are listening to.
CD for $15
DEEP BLUE ORGAN TRIO - Deep Blue Bruise (Delmark 556) Featuring Chris Foreman on Hammond B3 organ, Bobby Broom on guitar and Greg Rockingham on drums. I got to admit that I've been spoiled since I heard John Patton's 'Minor Swing' CD which was produced by John Zorn and also features Zorn's funkiest and hottest straight ahead sax playing ever. As far as contemporary organ jazz goes, I haven't heard anything I've liked outside of Dr. Lonnie Smith, John Patton, Wayne Horvitz & John Medeski in many years. I just keep going back to Larry Young, when I get that organ jones. This Deep Blue Organ Trio do sound pretty authentic, though and they do have that instrumentation that was so popular in the sixties - organ, jazz guitar and drums. They cover and do some straight readings of old standards like "These Foolish Things", "Willow Weep for Me" and "Polka Dots and Moonbeams". What is a bit surprising is that they cover Prince's "Rasberry Beret" and "Light My Fire" by The Doors. They do jazz versions of these tunes and do a pretty cool job. Guitarist Bobby Broom is the only member of this trio that I am previously familiar with and he does take a number of swell jazz/blues solos. If you get that groovy organ jones (as in need), then this laid back gem should surely do the trick.
CD for $15
NEW!!! FROM OUR MAIN MAN E#!...
ELLIOTT SHARP - Radio Hyper-Yahoo (Zoar 24; USA) E# and company redefine Americana in this wide-ranging and hard-hitting program of songs and rants inspired by Jonathan Swift's pungent and timeless "Gulliver's Travels." Speakers and singers include performer and actor Eric Bogosian, hip-hop poet-queen Tracie Morris, character actor Steve Buscemi reading from William Burroughs, monster vocalist Eric Mingus, poet raver Maggie Estep, Nuyorican dadaist Edwin Torres, gypsy beatnik Eszter Balint, apocalyptic bard Jack Womack, singer Lisa Lowell (veteran of Bruce Springsteen & David Johansen), and original Lounge Lizard Steve Piccolo. Underpinning all of the words are music tracks ranging from the brutal electro beats of Tracie Morris' "Got It? Get It!", the grinding funk of Eric Bogosian's "No Crime", the stark soundscape of Steve Buscemi's "In The Film", the rootsy steel-guitar driven rock of Lisa Lowell's "In The Country", and the Hungarian Delta blues of Eszter Balint's "Estimated Time Of Wait." Instrumental highlights include the psychedelic surf number "Escalation" and the Miles-ian "Ask Me." The music is completely crafted by composer and multi-instrumentalist Elliott Sharp with his unmatched sonic vision and performed by him on instruments ranging from guitars, basses, saxophones, zither and banjo to computer processers, analog synthesizers, drum machines, and hacked speak-n-spell's. Guests on selected tracks include DJ Gak Sato and drummer Sim Cain. "A mix of weird blues, unimaginable soundscapes, extraordinary textures and nailed-to-the-wall literary polemics - in total, an amazingly satisfying experience. ALL 10 THUMBS UP!!! - Mannylunch
CD FOR $14
...AND SOME MORE RARITIES FROM ELLIOT'S PRIVATE STASH... [5 copies each]
ELLIOTT SHARP'S TERRAPLANE - Terraplane (Homestead 215; USA) [Long out-of-print, last few copies supplied by E# 'imself!] Terraplane is an instrumental trio (E#, David Hofstra, and Joseph Trump), who plays bluescovers as well as originals by E#. There's a lot of influences present, Muddy Waters, Jimi Hendrix, Robert Johnson, Albert Collins, to name a few. "Their names alone are poetry, their music has sustained me for years. - this record offers a small tribute"
Out-of print CD for $20
ELLIOTT SHARP/CARBON - Truthtable (Homestead 202; USA) [Long out-of-print, last few copies supplied by E# 'imself!] Recorded and mixed at Baby Monster NYC, engineered by Bryce Goggin The personnel of the TOCSIN band continues to work together even though all the members pursue their own musical visions in various projects and bands. We recorded the songs for TRUTHTABLE in September of 1992 after a few weeks of rehearsal and sample programming. KJ brought her cyberblues-from-hell vocals to two numbers. The songs were recorded live in one or two takes with overdubbing for vocals and some solos plus SoundTools to edit and process the mixes. In some cases, SoundTools was used to create the new songs from fragments using: a few bars each of a few drum grooves; odd sounds from everyone else sampled, sequenced, and twisted; the whole thing re-mixed and edited. Musicians: Electric harp: Zeena Parkins Electric bass: Marc Sloan Drums: Joseph Trump Sampler: David Weinstein Voice (3,6): KJ Doubleneck guitarbass, voice, lapsteel, ac guitar, sampler, computer processing: E#
Out-of print CD for $20
FRED VAN HOVE - Spraak & Roll [2 CD set] (WIM 030304) This marvelous two CD set features some incredible solo piano from the amazing Fred Van Hove. The first CD (Spraak) was recorded in August & September of 2003 and features some 15 shorter pieces, each one a marvel of inventiveness with many diverse avant piano excursions. The second CD (Roll) was recorded in August & September of 2003 and March of 2004. Here we find two shorter pieces and one extensive, long work (46+ minutes). Mr. Van Hove works well both on the keyboard of his acoustic piano, as well inside the piano. Fred Van Hove is among the finest of all European avant/jazz pianists, but is sadly under-recorded, having only a half dozen releases in print under his own name for the three-decade+ career. It was amazing to hear/see him live at both Victo and the Fest Fests earlier this year. Unfortunately, we were only able to get three copies of this treasure from our distributor and it is very limited.
2 CD set for $30
JOELLE LEANDRE & GIANNI LENOCI - Sur une balancoire (Ambiances Magnetiques 126) Featuring the incredible Joelle on contrabass & voice and Gianni on piano & objects. It seems that French contrabassists supreme, Joelle Leandre, loves the duo situation and consistently finds players worldwide worthy of her collaborations. Up at the Guelph Jazz Fest a couple of weeks ago, she played a marvelous duo set with violinist India Cooke. Joelle seeks out great partners, both well-known and little known. Check out this short list: Rudiger Carl, Irene Schweizer, Mark Nauseef, Carlos Zingaro, Giorgio Occhipinti, Tetsu Saithoh and Francois Houle. Can't say that I've heard of Gianni Lenoci before, but he does have three trio CDs out on Splasch and is a member of the Eugenio Colombo Quartet. Besides modern jazz, Gianni performs the music of modern composers like Morton Feldman and John Cage. The title of this CD means "certain to swing", but I believe they this is meant in jest. This CD consists of 14 shorter pieces. Each piece shows the different styles, approaches and sonic palette that both of these players draw from. Plucking, bowing, rubbing and banging on her bass strings as Gianni also plays inside the piano with assorted objects as well as a variety of cautious, quietly intense and occasionally dreamy sounds on the piano keyboard. Although this is the first time that Joelle and Gianni had worked together, it is certainly hard to tell, since they work so well together. Another wonderful collaboration from the consistently great Joelle Leandre.
CD for $14
TIM BRADY / NOUVEL ENSEMBLE MODERNE - Playing Guitar: Symphony #1 (Ambiances Magnetiques 125) Featuring two extraordinary works: "Playing Guitar" is for electric guitar, sampler, live electronics and large chamber ensemble and "Frame 1 - Resonance" is for electric guitar, electronics and piano. "Symphony 1" is actually about "playing guitar" or sampled guitar with the fifteen piece large chamber group utilized here. This is Tim Brady's 10th CD in print and this just might be his best yet. His symphonic writing is particularly strong, varied and adventurous. What makes this so special is the way his guitar fits perfectly as a part of the ensemble and as a soloist in the center of the action or story. The other thing that works so well here is the way Tim has programmed his sampler and filled it with a variety of strange guitar sounds, which often don't sound like a guitar, but are used selectively to add sonic spices to his fascinating creation. Fripp fans will certainly be smiling as they listen to the "Second Movement" with its Frippish guitar solo. This is an absolutely fantastic work that I would hope would be perfect for next year's Victo Fest. "Frame 1 - Resonance" for piano, guitar & electronics is a more restrained and eerie work, in which the piano is echoed by sinister guitar sounds and weird samples.
CD for $14
UPSILON ACRUX - volueris avis dirae-arum (Planaria Recordings 022) Third fabulous offering from this young San Diego based instrumental prog quartet. Personnel includes Paul Lai on guitar, Nick Lejejs on Moog synth, Eric Kiernowski on bass and Jesse Applehans or Derek Burns on drums. Intricate playing, complex arrangements, feisty, occasionally funny and often over-the-top. That ancient synth (the Moog) does have a rather dated sound (mid-70's?), but these lads do know to use it in their ever tight and explosive sound. Their songs are never too long, but still go through numerous changes in direction. They do cover Italian prog and sci-fi soundtrack legends Goblin, yet without all the bombast. Although they certainly are inspired by a great deal of progressive bands throughout its thirty year history, they don't really sound like any one of those other bands. They love to tour, so please go see them when they come to your town. I won't miss them next time around.
CD for $14
HENNEMAN STRIJKKWARTET - Pes (Wig 05) This unique Amsterdam-based string quartet features Mary Oliver on violin & viola, Ig Henneman on viola, Tristan Honsinger on cello and Wilbert de Joode on double bass. Both Mary Oliver and Tristan Honsinger are currently members of the ICP Orchestra and Wilbert de Joode, Mary & Tristan are all longtime members of the creative Dutch scene. I was unfamiliar with Ms. Ig Henneman before this release, however it turns out that she has worked with IVCP and Ab Baar's Tentet in the past and that this is her fifth release for the Wig label (one of her quintet & three of her tentet). 'Pes' was recorded in 1999 and released soon thereafter, but our distributor has just gotten copies for the first time. Although, Ig has composed all 12 pieces here, they are brought to life by the marvelous improvised playing of her quartet. "Slow and Cautious" is just that, fragile and filled with space, quiet and enchanting. "Canzon" spins layers of lines quickly at first, before it slows down to some bent drones and then transforms into a medium tempo majestic theme with an abrupt wind-down. "Seam by Seam" is a dark and suspenseful piece, with some bent and scary string work. Ig enjoys writing pieces that provide some thorny harmonies for the string quartet, with bent bowed notes moving in disturbing waves against one another. Tightly written sections quickly emerge from the molasses like sliding strings sections. There are a few pieces that are quite delicate and spacious, as if we are hearing them from a distance. At times, like on "Morns Like These", they pile on the drama pretty deeply, yet the melody remains quite haunting. Consistently fascinating. Perhaps we can bet those earlier Wig CDs.
Dutch import CD for $16
GIANT SAND - Is All Over The Map (Thrill Jockey 142) 'Is All Over the Map' is Giant Sand's upteenth record and perhaps their most focused work to date. Who says getting old is all bad? Working with John Parish again, whom helped make the brilliant Chore of Enchantment, ring leader Howe Gelb leads a new cast of Sandmen and woman through the proverbial song desert. The revolving door continues to revolve, but what never leaves is the great spirit and songwriting one has come to expect from Giant Sand/Howe Gelb recordings.
CD for $14
THALIA ZEDEK - Trust Not Those in Whom Without Some Touch of Madness (Thrill Jockey 148) The band is made up of Daniel Coughlin (drums) and Dave Curry (viola), both of whom play with an assurance and familiarity which add mournful viola and driving drums to the hypnotic rhythms of Zedek's guitar and deliberate vocals. Her songs, like the blues, speak not about the struggle to survive, but to the struggle of surviving. This is not a surprise coming from Thalia Zedek, an artist of enduring quality, who is one of the most compelling and strong performers wielding a guitar today.
CD for $14
ON FILLMORE - Sleeps With Fishes (Quake Basket 021) "String and Gong" is culled from over a hundred hours of collective intimacy as well as distance. On Fillmore's latest 'Sleeps with Fishes' is a pixilated paean to lullabies, location, and liberation... a bed of sound recorded at rivers Chicago and Mississippi whispers under the players, Darin Gray and Glenn Kotche. Building on the foundation of the Box 100 series and Eponymous Debut releases ... Gray and Kotche alchemize brotherhoods of Monk's 'Ugly Beauty,' Kenny Wheeler's Around 6 and a gurgling reduction of Contemporary Compositional Music at 16 RPM . On Fillmore is Darin Gray (Grand Ulena, Dazzling Killmen, Loren Mazzacane-Connors) and Glenn Kotche (Wilco, Barnes-Kotche Duo, Jim O'Rourke). Sleeps With Fishes is the third On Fillmore release.
CD for $14
KNITTING FACTORY REISSUES - AT LAST- ON THE 'EVOLVER' LABEL!! the bean counters at Instinct Records, which purchased the Knit - clubs and label properties, including Shimmydisc - a couple of years back, have finally seen fit to re-release a few of the titles - we hope this program will keep on going...
ARTO LINDSAY TRIO With MELVIN GIBBS & DOUGIE BOWNE - Aggregates 1-26 (Evolver 2020; USA) Arto Lindsay returns to his no-wave roots - on the first effort bearing his name up front! - with this 1995 collection of pithy portraits in noise. Having already forged the skronk template with DNA in the early '80s, Lindsay finds new vistas for his avant guitar musings in the company of bassist Melvin Gibbs (Defunkt, Sonny Sharrock, the Rollins Band) and drummer Dougie Bowne (Lounge Lizards, Marianne Faithfull). Not as monolithic or rock inclined as Gibbs' earlier guitar trio outing with Power Tools -- which also included Ronald Shannon Jackson and Bill Frisell -- these 26 brief excursions feature a disjointed but mindful Lindsay wreaking guitar-noise alchemy atop interactive grooves woven by Bowne and Gibbs. As both this nod to the past and future electro bossa releases demonstrate, the three way noise/Brazilian/pop approach of Lindsay's Ambitious Lovers' records has informed much of his mature solo work -Stephen Cook, AMG
CD for $12
HASIDIC NEW WAVE [FRANK LONDON/GREG WALL] - From the Belly of Abraham (Evolver 2022; USA) After eight years of breaking new musical ground and establishing their own unique voice, Hasidic New Wave takes another bold, giant step forward with their latest work, "From The Belly Of Abraham." Frank London and Greg Wall continue their own brand of high-energy Hasidic / Jazz fusion, but they've raised the stakes yet a notch higher this time: they've enlisted a group of Senegalese drummers to augment the line-up. Brought in by drummer Aaron Alexander, these percussionists from the Sabar tradition meld with the band to create an exciting and revolutionary new sound which will undoubtedly bring new fans into the group's existing hardcore fan base. [The other 3 Knit HNW titles - Jews & The Abstract Truth, Kabalogy, and Psycho-Semitic - will be re-released by Hallowe'en; we can't wait!]
CD for $12
SEX MOB [STEVEN BERNSTEIN et al] - Solid Sender (Evolver 2023; USA) "Avant-jazz, funk, rock'n'roll and an infectious sense of humor commingle in the music of Steven Bernstein's Sex Mob." - Billboard "Armed with three chords and the truth" - Village Voice Sex Mob creates high-energy, "dirty jazz" that is inventively sexy and irresistably accessible. Sex Mob continues it's genre-defying escapades on their second record release, "Solid Sender." with the intensity of Louis Armstrong's Hot Fives, the sonic invention of Tricky and the world's only slide trumpet virtuoso, Steven Bernstein, Sex Mob demonstrates why they are the most exciting live band playing instrumental music today. "Solid Sender" is the result of two years of evolution from the 1998 release "Din of Inequity"
CD for $12
CUONG VU - Pure (Evolver 2021; USA) CUONG VU is a Vietnamese born jazz trumpeter who during the 90's gained recognition as a rising talent in New York1s Downtown Jazz music scene. Having studied under Joe Maneri at the New England Conservatory of Music, VU has worked with many top jazz artists . In the early 90's Vu was a member of Orange Then Blue and Jeff Song's Lowbrow. Always prolific Vu has also led many of his own bands including Scratcher and Vu-Tet. CUONG VU's debut release Bound received critical respect with it's avant-jazz stylings. His Knitting Factory debut, PURE, shows where VU comes from as well as where he is heading. Claiming influences as diverse as Beethoven and Prince, VU uses the trumpet as a vehicle for his music. Taking an obvious lead on PURE, the 28-year old trumpeter creates his own niche with pieces that are best described as ambient excursions in jazz. VU incorporates reverb and delay into his trumpet sound on PURE, creating broad sounds that are at times reminiscent of 1970's Miles. This is a release that easily stands alone as an improvisational work in todays competitive jazz market.
CD for $12
...AND THE SHIMMYDISC TITLES ARE REISSUED ON THE "PARENT" INSTINCT LABEL...
DANIEL JOHNSTON - 1990 (Instinct 623; USA)
CD for $12
DANIEL JOHNSTON - Artistic Vice (Instinct 624; USA)
CD for $12
KING MISSILE - Mystical Shit/Fluting On The Hump (Instinct 625; USA) Unlike the Knit/Shimmy CDs, this edition combines two albums on one CD!
CD for $12
BONGWATER - Power Of Pussy (Instinct 622; USA) A classic from the Kramer/Ann Magnusson duo!
CD for $12
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OH YEAH, ABOUT THAT FREE CD GIVEAWAY
[No, we didn't find a box of trashy promos no one would want!]
This is a STELLAR RECORDING by composer/bandleader/percussionist FRANKLIN KIERMYER!
FRANKLIN KIERMYER - Santification (Sunship 99002; USA) Featuring Fima Ephron on bass, John Esposito piano, Michael Stuart on sax, and Mr Kiermyer - who has led groups with Pharoah Sanders, and Dave Douglas - on drums!
For a limited time you can have this item for FREE if you request it along with any other item[s] you are ordering and paying for from our list of nearly 11,000 goodies at our database - which includes everything listed in this newsletter - you merely pay the additional $1 shipping charge [up to $3 for international orders] that it costs for us to include it in your package!
[We will be sending it along with a 2nd CD entitled Building Bridges: Through Unity In Diversity produced by GreatDrum.org without counting this in the shipping charge] Normally $14.00, we will send it you FREE UPON REQUEST as an addition to any order
[Or you can ask for one with any purchase in the store!]
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BACK IN STOCK DIRECTLY FROM OGUN/CADILLAC..
MIKE OSBORNE: TRIO & QUINTET With HARRY MILLER/LOUIS MOHOLO/MARC CHARIG et al - Border Crossing/Marcel's Muse (Ogun 15; UK) Possibly THE most awaited classic '70s Brit-Jazz reissue in years! Two of Brit alto monster Mike Osborne's super-rare Ogun LPs unabridged on 1 CD! 'Border Crossing', with his main - and legendary - rhythm section of the early '70s, bassist Harry Miller and drummer Louis Moholo, is a powerhouse spectacle. Recorded live at the Peanuts Club 9/28/74 'Marcel's Muse', a quintet recording from 5/31/77, is another tour-de-force and features Harry Miller, guitarist Jeff Green, trumpeteer Marc Charig, and the late Peter Nykyruj on drums [to which this CD edition is dedicated]
CD for $18
JOE HARRIOTT QUINTET Featuring PHIL SEAMAN & PAT SMYTHE - Swings High (Cadillac 203; UK) Incredible Brit quintet date from July 20th 1967! Joe Harriott [the famous alto saxist from the original '60s lineup of the Joe Harriott/John Mayer Indo-Jazz Fusion group] with Pat Smythe piano, Stu Hamer trumpet, Phil Seaman drums and Coleridge Goode bass.
CD for $18
THE NEW STAN TRACEY QUARTET - For Heaven's Sake (Cadillac 04; UK) '96 release of pianist Tracey's qt with Gerard Presencer trumpet and flugelhorn, Andrew Cleyndert bass, Clark Tracey drums
CD for $18
DAVID MURRAY - The London Concert [2 CD set] (Cadillac 08/09; UK) 1978; quintet w/Lawrence Butch Morris, Curtis Clark, Brian Smith, and Clifford Jarvis. Amazing! This CD set has 50 minutes more than the original 2 LP set!
"20 Thumbs UP!!!" - Mannylunch 2 CD set for $30
LOUIS MOHOLO'S VIVE-LA-BLACK - Freedom tour: live in South Afrika 1993 (Ogun 006; UK) Louis Moholo, leader, drums, vocals; Thebe Lipere, African percussion; Claude Deppa, trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals; Sean Bergin, tenor saxophone, flute, concertina, vocals; Toby Delius, tenor saxophone, vocals; Jason Yarde, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, vocals; Roberto Bellatalla, double bass; Pule Pheto, piano.
CD for $18
LOUIS MOHOLO/EVAN PARKER/PULE PHETO/GIBO PHETO/BARRY GUY QUINTET - Bush fire (Ogun 009; UK) Louis Moholo/Evan Parker/Pule Pheto/Gibo Pheto/ Barry Guy Quintet Louis Moholo, drums; Evan Parker, tenor and sopranoa saxophones; Pule Pheto, piano; Gibo Pheto, bass; Barry Guy, bass, picolo bass.
CD for $18
LOUIS MOHOLO meets KEITH TIPPETT/MERVYN AFRICA/PULE PHETO - Mpumi (Ogun 014; UK) Extraordinary drum and piano duos from that marvelous South African expatriate percussion wizard Louis Moholo with two young South African pianists, Afrika and Pheto, plus three more amazing duets (a 45 minute 'suite')with our favorite piano hero on this planet - the almighty Keith Tippett! Louis Moholo is the only surviving member of the Blue Notes, legendary South African avant/jazz/soul These lusciously recorded studio sessions were recorded in September of 1995 and it has taken some seven plus years to finally get them released. It was worth the long wait!
CD for $18
DEDICATION ORCHESTRA [LOUIS MOHOLO/KEITH TIPPETT/EVAN PARKER et al] - Ixesha (Time) [2 CD set] (Ogun 102/103; UK) Maggie Nicols, voice; Julie Tippetts, voice; David Serame, voice; John Law, voice, additional piano; Harry Beckett, trumpet; Claude Deppa, trumpet; Jim Dvorak, voice, trumpet; Pat Higgs, trumpet; Henry Lowther, trumpet; Kenny Wheeler, trumpet; Ian Hamer, trumpet; Mark Charig, cornet, tenor horn; Dave Amis, trombone; Roland Bates, trombone; Malcolm Griffiths, trombone; Paul Rutherford, trombone; Andy Grappy, tuba; Dave Powell, tuba; Neil Metcalfe, flute; Lol Coxhill, soprano, tenor saxophones; Mike Williams, alto saxophone; Elton Dean, alto saxophone; Evan Parker, tenor saxophone; Sean Bergin, tenor, alto saxophones; Chris Biscoe: baritone saxophone; Keith Tippett, piano; Paul Rogers, double bass; Louis Moholo, drums, voice.
2 CD set for $28
DEDICATION ORCHESTRA [LOUIS MOHOLO/KEITH TIPPETT/EVAN PARKER et al] - Spirits rejoice (Ogun 101; UK) Phil Minton, voice; Maggie Nicols, voice; Julie Tippetts, voice; Guy Barker, trumpet; Harry Beckett, trumpet; Claude Deppa, trumpet, voice; Jim Dvorak, trumpet, penny-whistle; Kenny Wheeler, trumpet; Django Bates, E-flat peckhorn; Dave Amis, trombone; Malcolm Grifiths, trombone; Radu Malfatti, trombone; Paul Rutherford, trombone; Dave Powell, tuba; Neil Metcalfe, flute; Lol Coxhill, soprano sax, tenor; Ray Warleigh, alto sax, flute; Elton Dean, alto sax; Evan Parker, tenor sax; Alan Skidmore, tenor sax; Chris Biscoe, baritone sax; Keith Tippett, piano; Paul Rogers, bass; Louis Moholo, drums, voice.
CD for $18
PHIL LEE/JEFF CLYNE - Twice Upon A Time (Cadillac 01; UK) 2 copies left!
CD for $18
FRANCINE LUCE With KEITH TIPPETT/LOUIS MOHOLO/EVAN PARKER/PAUL RUTHERFORD/PAUL ROGERS/CLAUDE DEPPA - Bo kay la vi-a (Ogun 012; UK) Francine Luce, voice, water; Evan Parker, tenor and soprano saxophones, water; Claud Deppa, trumpet, flugelhorn, water; Paul Rutherford, trombone; Keith Tippett, piano, music box; Paul Rogers, double bass; Louis Moholo, drums, percussion.
CD for $18
CHRIS McGREGOR'S BROTHERHOOD OF BREATH - Live at Willisau (Ogun 001; UK) Chris McGregor, piano, leader; Dudu Pukwana, alto saxophone; Evan Parker, tenor saxophone; Gary Windo, tenor saxophone; Mongezi Feza, trumpet; Harry Beckett, trumpet; Marc Charig, trumpet; Nick Evans, trombone; Radu Malfatti, trombone; Harry Miller, bass; Louis Moholo, drums. Recorded live at Willisau, Switzerland, 27 January 1973.
CD for $18
HARRY MILLER [Feat. KEITH TIPPETT/MIKE OSBORNE/LOUIS MOHOLO/RADU MALFATTI/WILLEM BREUKER/TREVOR WATTS/SEAN BERGIN/HAN BENNINK/MARC CHARIG/MALCOLM GRIFFITHS/JULIE TIPPETTS [DRISCOLL]/WOLTER WIERBOS] - The collection 1941-1983 [3 CD Box Set] (Ogun HMCD 1/2/3; UK) This 3CD set, including 28-page booklet, was released on 30 November 1999 as a memorial to Harry Miller and to mark the 25th anniversary of Ogun Records. It includes all of four previously released Ogun LPs led by Harry Miller, in addition to the entirety of his LP for the Vara Jazz label:
HMCD 1: HARRY MILLER - Children at play [tracks 1-5] Harry Miller, double bass, flute, percussion effect HARRY MILLER'S ISIPINGO -Family Affair [tracks 6-9] Harry Miller's Isipingo: Harry Miller, bass; Marc Charig, trumpet; Mike Osborne, alto saxophone; Malcolm Griffiths, trombone; Keith Tippett, piano; Louis Moholo, drums.
HMCD 2: RADU MALFATTI/HARRY MILLER - Bracknell breakdown [tracks 1,2] Harry Miller, double bass; Radu Malfatti, trombone HARRY MILLER SEXTET - In conference [tracks 3-7] Harry Miller Sextet: Harry Miller, bass; Willem Breuker, soprano and tenor saxophones, bass clarinet; Trevor Watts, alto and soprano saxophones; Julie Tippetts, voice; Keith Tippett, piano; Louis Moholo, drums.
HMCD 3: HARRY MILLER QUINTET Down South Harry Miller, bass; Marc Charig, cornet, alphorn; Wolter Wierbos, trombone; Sean Bergin, tenor, alto and soprano saxophones; Han Bennink, drums.
3 CD set for $40
KEITH TIPPETT'S ARK - Frames (Music for an imaginary film) [2 CD set] (Ogun 010/011; UK) Keith Tippett, piano, harmonium; Stan Tracey, piano; Elton Dean, alto saxophone, saxello; Trevor Watts, alto and soprano saxophones; Brian Smith, tenor and soprano saxophones, alto flute; Larry Stabbins, tenor and soprano saxophones, flute; Mark Charig, trumpet, tenor horn, Kenyan thumb piano; Henry Lowther, trumpet; Dave Amis, trombone; Nick Evans, trombone; Maggie Nicols, voice; Julie Tippetts, voice; Steve Levine, violin; Rod Skeaping, violin; Phil Wachsmann, electric violin, violin; Geoffrey Wharton, violin; Alexandra Robinson, cello; Tim Kramer, cello; Peter Kowald, bass, tuba; Harry Miller, bass; Louis Moholo, drums; Frank Perry, percussion.
2 CD set for $28
...AND A HANDFUL [5 EACH] OF THESE RARE LP EDITIONS...
BLUE NOTES [CHRIS McGREGOR/LOUIS MOHOLO/DUDU PUKWANA] - Blue Notes For Johnny (Ogun 532; UK) Tribute concert for the late Johhny Dyani. Sadly, since that time, both Chris and Dudu died within months of each other in 1993, leaving Louis the only surviving member. Long may he live! NEVER RELEASED ON CD!
LP $20.00
MIKE OSBORNE/STAN TRACEY - 'Original' (Cadillac 1002; UK) NEVER RELEASED ON CD!
LP $25.00
MIKE OSBORNE/STAN TRACEY - Tandem: Live At The Bracknell Festival (Ogun 210; UK) NEVER RELEASED ON CD!
LP $25.00
JUST A HANDFUL OF REISSUES, RESTOCKS and HISTORIC RECORDINGS:
TALKING HEADS - The Name Of This Band Is... [2 CD set] (Rhino/Warner Bros 76489; USA) It was those first four albums that established the band among critics and a fervent semiunderground following. And that's where The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads comes in. It was the perfect summary to the first phase of their career, presenting an LP of material performed by the original quartet (1977-1979) and an LP of material from the Remain in Light tours of 1980 and 1981 (featuring a greatly expanded band lineup). Finally, The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads is available on compact disc, and it may well have been worth the wait. Each version of the band is still given a disc of its own, but the longer running time of compact discs versus LPs means you're treated to almost double the original number of tracks. The first disc, which features the original quartet, is brilliantly expanded with the original LP sequencing completely intact and all the bonus tracks coming between the LP sides (except for "Heaven," the perfect album closer). There is no sense whatsoever that they were simply padding things for a longer running time, and it's just great hearing live versions of songs like "Mind" (with extended guitar solo), "The Big Country," and "The Book I Read" that have never been readily available in live form. As fantastic as the first disc is, the second one is perhaps even more exciting. The expanded band (ten musicians including Adrian Belew on lead guitar, right before his leap into King Crimson, and two backup singers) is amazing, not only adding power and punch to the Remain in Light material, but in most cases surpassing the studio versions (no mean feat). These live versions of "The Great Curve," "Houses in Motion," and "Crosseyed and Painless (all prominently featuring Belew) are nearly worth the price of admission alone, but the bonus tracks here are just as exciting. The original release had no overlapping songs on the two LPs, with the large version of the band sticking solely to tunes from Remain in Light and Fear of Music. Now you're treated to arrangements of "Psycho Killer," "Stay Hungry," and "Warning Sign" as performed by the expanded lineup, not to mention live versions of "Animals," "Cities," and "Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)." The band is on fire throughout the performances, and fans of Belew's guitar playing will practically be giddy with ecstasy. These are some of his finest performances strictly as a guitarist, and although Remain in Light was the only studio album he played on, he beautifully adds his own touches to "Stay Hungry" and especially "Psycho Killer." Byrne also contributes some cool guitar, sometimes using a great delay sound, and again, the clear separation of instruments lets you really hear the details. Finally, a re-release that actually manages to vastly improve on an already excellent album - The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads is not only a vital document of an important, groundbreaking band on its way up, it's one of Talking Heads' best albums, easily surpassing the soundtrack album to Stop Making Sense - no mean feat! They were a young and hungry band making a name for themselves, pushing the boundaries of pop music and performing with palpable energy. Highly recommended! - Sean Westergaard, AMG
2 CD set for $24
NOEL McGHIE & SPACE SPIES - Trapeze (Next Music 13/France) Sublime space/jazz from 1975 featuring Jorge Joao on alto & soprano saxes, Itaru Oki on trumpet, Georges Edouard Nouel on electric piano, Louis Xavier on bass and Noel McGhie on drums & compositions. Can't say I can recall much about this drummer, but it turns out he has played with Steve Lacy, Mal Waldron, Clifford Thorton, Archie Shepp and Byard Lancaster. This French-based quintet is truly an international band - Jorge from Brazil, Itaru from Japan, while Georges & Louis are both from Martinique. This music has nice laid back and haunting quality, lovely harmonies and playing from the soprano sax, trumpet and dreamy electric piano. "Dancer" has an enchanting, somewhat funky groove with the sly trumpet using some el. wah-wah type of effect. The electric piano also has that nice hypnotic echoplex sound that Herbie Hancock was using around the time of 'Sextant' or 'Headhunters'. This music is more about mood and grooves, somber without being commercial or slick. Turns out that Noel McGie (or McGhee) is still alive and well and playing in France today. Thanks to Andrey Henkin for research.
CD for $15
FAIRPORT CONVENTION - Fairport Convention (Polydor 68291/Germany) This was Fairport's debut album 1968 and it now includes four bonus tracks (16 altogether), "Suzanne" (Leonard Cohen), "If I Had A Ribbon Bow", "Morning Glory" (Tim Buckley) and "Reno, Nevada". Sleeve notes are from co-founder Ashley Hutchings. Recorded in Nov. 1967, produced by Joe Boyd. Featuring a pre-Sandy Denny line up of: Ian MacDonald [later Matthews] (lead vocals, jews harp), Judy Dyble (lead vocals, electric & acoustic autoharps, recorder, piano), Richard Thompson (vocals, lead, electric & acoustic guitars, mandolin), Simon Nicol (vocals, 12 & 6 string electric & acoustic guitars), Tyger Hutchings (bass guitar, jug) and Martin Lamble (percussion, violin). "When you think of Fairport it's usually as a rural bunch getting it together in a country cottage. But it's as a fully-fledged house band of the Summer of Love that they first hit the national consciousness. As key members of Joe Boyd's UFO/Middle Earth club axis they were often seen as an anglicized Jefferson Airplane. While the twin vocal talents of Ian Matthews and Judy Dyble (who went on with boyfriend Ian McDonald to join the pre-King Crimson quintet version of Giles, Giles & Fripp, and then formed Trader Horne) mirrored Slick and Kantner, the closest they came to the West Coast vibe on their eponymous debut was the slinky jazz shuffle "It's Alright Ma, It's Only Witchcraft" (with its line about the sound they'd found 'down Frisco way'). What's actually occurring on this first disc is a young band of extraordinary diversity combining the cream of contemporary singer songwriters (Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell et al. Fairport were always a great covers band) with traditional, jazz, folk and psychedelia. What is amazing is how Richard Thompson's guitar is already a potent weapon in such young hands." -- Chris Jones/BBC.
German import CD for $16
FAIRPORT CONVENTION - What We Did On Our Holidays (Island 294/UK) This is the second and best Fairport album, originally released in 1969. Includes three great bonus tracks ("Throwaway Street Puzzle", "You're Gonna Need My Help" & "Some Sweet Day"). Packaged with a 16-page booklet of notes (by original bassist Ashley Hutchings) and photographs. Fifteen fabulous tracks, produced by the well regarded Joe Boyd. "With 'What We Did On Our Holidays', the crystal clear but somewhat 'uptight' sound of Dyble had been replaced by the proper folk singing of the wonderful Sandy Denny. She brought her own accomplished tales of English history ("Fotheringay", later the name of Sandy's own band) and the ability to make a traditional arrangement song sound delicately authentic. The Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell songs remain, but Thompson's guitar is already becoming a far richer instrument. His solo on "Eastern Rain" straddles the cosmic/folk gap with aplomb and remains of one folk/psych's best moments. What's more, Thompson's own songwriting was blossoming fast. Future Fairport classics such as "Meet On The Ledge" make their first appearance here and Joe Boyd's production allows the deceptive simplicity to shine." -- Chris Jones/BBC.
UK import CD for $16
FAIRPORT CONVENTION - Unhalfbricking (Island 293/UK) This was the third Fairport album, originally released in 1969. It includes two bonus tracks (covers of Bob Dylan's "Dear Landlord" and Roger McGuinn's "The Ballad of Easy Rider"). Packaged with a lovely 16-page booklet of notes and photographs. Again perfectly produced by Joe Boyd. "By 'Unhalfbricking' Fairport had already redrawn the arbitrary lines that divided folk and rock in the same way that their heroes, The Band, had done in the States. Thompson, by now, was a fully-fledged master of his craft (at the age of 20!): Bob Dylan's "Genesis Hall" being the first of his really melancholy masterpieces. Yet, such was the wealth of talent in the band that only one other of his contributions was featured. Denny provided her signature tune "Who Knows Where The Time Goes" and "A Sailor's Life" (featuring future long-serving member Dave Swarbrick on violin) proved conclusively that a traditional song leant itself perfectly to the kind of extended jamming normally reserved for more testosterone-fuelled blues workouts by the likes of Cream." Chris Jones/BBC.
UK import CD for $16
FAIRPORT CONVENTION - Liege & Lief (Island 291/UK) This is the 4th fabulous Fairport album, also originally released in 1969. It includes two previously unreleased tracks from the original album sessions. Packaged with a 16-page booklet of notes (by Ashley Hutchings & Joe Boyd) and amazing photographs. "British hippies who started out emulating Jefferson Airplane, Fairport Convention escalated their homeland connections with each outing, culminating in this, their fourth album and a watershed for British folk-rock. Hindsight offers the ironic possibility that the Dylan covers of its predecessor, 'Unhalfbricking', opened a window onto the earlier Irish-English-Scots roots of the American music they loved and 'Liege & Lief' jumps through that window triumphantly. "Come All Ye" underscores their affinity for the Band yet is joyfully rooted in their own fertile folk traditions, echoed in a mix of classic songs from members Sandy Denny, Ashley Hutchings, and Richard Thompson, and given direct homage in the extended ballads "Matty Groves" and "Tam Lin", which evoke Neil Young & Crazy Horse in kilts. Fiddler Dave Swarbrick's arrival as a fulltime member adds new richness and a wonderful foil for Thompson's superb guitar leads. A medley of jigs and reels showcases their flair for hot-wiring traditional British Isles dances, a fixture ever since." -- Chris Jones/BBC.
UK import CD for $16
FAIRPORT CONVENTION - House Full: Live at the LA Troubadour (Island 289/UK) The Fairport catalog is no longer available on Hannibal in the US, now superceded by this excellently prepared by this Island re-master series. 'House Full' is a digitally re-mastered reissue of a live album, first released in 1986 (featuring material recorded live at the LA Troubadour in 1970), with new liner notes by longtime Fairport producer Joe Boyd. "Fairport live in any of its incarnations seems to have been an awesome thing. But this was the noblest Fairport of them all, in terms of sheer virtuosity and jaw-dropping chops -- and this album documents that to the hilt. It doesn't get any tighter or better on stage and with guitarists Richard Thompson & Simon Nicol and the three Daves -- Swarbrick on his demon fiddle dancing with and around RT and SN's guitars and Pegg on bass & Mattacks on thundering drums providing a bottom and a beat that has to be experienced to be appreciated -- Fairport mounted a sonic attack that is almost frightening coming from a 'folk' band. Granted, absent Sandy Denny, neither Richard nor Swarb really fills that gap on vocals, but what this band has in its own right that the Liege & Leaf Fairport didn't exploit as fully is its sheer power and virtuosity. 'House Full' is an important document of a transitional time in Fairport's history, as is its 1970 studio complement, 'Full House'.
UK import CD for $16
DMG RECOMMENDED NYC GIG LIST FOR SEPTEMBER 24th and Beyond:
Fri Sept 24th-
OSCAR NORIEGA/CHRIS SPEED/MATT MORAN at Tonic at 8pm - superb all-star trio of bass clarinet/clarinet & tenor sax/vibes!!
URI CAINE GROUP at 10:30 at Cornelia St. CafØ (29 Cornelia St.)
SPANISH FLY (STEVE BERNSTEIN/MARCUS ROJAS/DAVE TRONZO) at Tonic at 10 & midnite! Decade long downtown all-star trio are always great live; slide guitar hero Tronzo rules!
Saturday Sept 25th-
THREE FOR STEVE LACY with GILLES LAHEUERTE, JOE GIARDULLO and JOE MCPHEE will present three soprano saxophone solo reflections and meditations, and finally a soprano saxophone trio at the home of Alain Kirili and Ariane Lopez-Huici from 4 to 6pm at 17 White St. in Tribeca, NYC; In 2000, Steve performed solo Monk and The Beat Suite here with his wife Irene Abi; he will surely be with us in spirit.
PAK, Ahleuchatistas, Friendly Bears & Behold...The Arctopus at the Knit's Old Office at 9pm - PAK is practically the greatest rock band in the world right now. Ahleuchatistas is excellent instrumental math rock with elements of Don Cabarello and Forever Einstein. Friendly Bears is RIO-influenced avant-prog. Behold...The Arctopus is instrumental avant-metal. Could this be the avant-prog concert of the year? - this blurb brought to you by Michael Anton Parker.
INCREDIBLE STRING BAND at Joe's Pub at 7:30 & 9:30 w/ Mike Heron & Clive Palmer but no Robin Williamson!?!
Sunday Sept 26th-
STEW CUTLER solo electric guitar here at DMG at 7pm for free! Stew is an amazing jazz/blues/funk guitarist who has two great CDs out & used to wail with (Wayne Horvitz's) The President!
CB's Lounge Free-Style Series (313 Bowery) starts at
7pm w/ hanuman ensemble: andy haas, david gould, don fiorino, mia theodoratus, dee pop, matt heyner;
8pm - morcilla: matt lavelle, francois grillot, andre martinez, chris forbes, lauren martinez;
9pm - gerald cleaver quartet;
10pm - blaise siwula, adam lane & toshi makihara!!! Another amazing line-up!
SHELLEY HIRSCH & OKKYUNG LEE/OREN BLOEDOW/ THE LAST TOWN CHORUS/SLOW SIX - at Tonic at 8pm!! Shelley (vocalist extraordinaire) & Okkyung (cello) representing two generations of improvisors; Oren Bloedow is a great singer/songwriter/guitarist who heads Elysian Fields!
Tuesday Sept 28th-
Aaron Alexander's Midrash Mish Mosh at Tonic at 8pm w/ Frank London (trumpet), Brad Shepik (guitar), Curtis Hasselbring (guitar / trombone), Aaron Alexander (drums), Mike Sarin (drums), Greg Wall (reeds), Fima Ephron (bass) & Merlin Shepherd (clarinet) - excellent new CD out on Tzadik!
Santi Debriano's Circlechant at the New York Baha'i Center - 53 East 11th Street (bet. University & Broadway) at 8 & 10pm!
STEVE BERNSTEIN' S SEX MOB at the Iridium (1650 Broadway @ 51st) at 8 & 10pm!!
Le Quan Ninh, Tatsuya Nakatani & Sean Meehan at Tonic at 10pm - extraordinary trio of distinctive percussionists - not to be missed!
Wednesday Sept. 29th-
William Hooker, Roy Campbell & Jason Hwang at Tonic at 8pm - heavy trio!
PAMELIA KURSTIN / COREY FOGEL / DANNY TUNICK at Tonic at 10pm - this fine trio features theremin wonder Pamelia plus Corey on drums & Danny on piano & vibes!
Friday October 1st-
Steve MacKay's Radon plus Barbez plus Nik Turner & Spaceseed at Tonic at 8pm - Steve McKay is the saxist in The Stooges & Nik Turner is an original member of Hawkwind!
RAFAEL TORAL solo drone guitar at Tonic at midnite!
Saturday Oct 2nd-
CONFERENCE CALL w/ GEBHARD ULLMAN, MICHAEL J. STEVENS, JOE FONDA & GEORGE SCHULLER for free at Goethe House (1014 5th Ave.) at 7pm!!
Sunday October 3rd-
CHRIS KELSEY & FRANCOIS GRILLOT CIMP CD Release set here at DMG at 7pm for free! Chris plays soprano sax & is a great reviewer & Francois is one downtown's best bassists!
Sunday Free-Style Series at CB's Lounge starts at
7pm - Charlie kohlhase/matt langley duo;
8pm - john o'gallagher;
9pm - dee pop & borah bergman;
10pm - aaron ali shaikh, joe tomino,, matt moran & john hebert!
Sue Garner & Angel Dean plus The Chris Stamey Experience at Tonic at 8pm!
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BUT FIRST, A 'RESERVE-YOUR-COPY NOW' ANNOUNCEMENT:
ALBERT AYLER - Holy Ghost: "Trane was the Father. Pharoah was the Son. I was the Holy Ghost" [10 CD set + large book] (Revenant 213) A completely unreleased and immensely impressive box-set, spanning the entire career of free-jazz sax god Albert Ayler. Various incarnations of bands and musicians from Finland 1962, Denmark 1964, The Netherlands & Germany 1966, New York 1964 & 1968, Cleveland, 1966 and even more. None of these nine CDs have ever been released legitimately, just some as bad sounding bootlegs. The sampler CD, which has been making the rounds, is filled with lots of incredible out-jazz wailing, so we can only imagine how much we can handle over nine CDs worth [+bonus 10th disc!]. Word is that the 200+page enclosed book and superbly designed box that it comes in are both things of great beauty.
"By 1958, Albert Ayler and his horn had made some rounds: from boy prodigy to teenage member of Little Walter's Blues Band, from 'Little Bird' of Cleveland to featured U.S. Army Band soloist. Then he resolutely set out to forget everything he ever learned about how to properly play the sax so he could channel symphonies to God out of his horn. Seeking nothing short of Truth in music, Ayler shortly became THE catalytic force in defining the sound of the tenor in Free Jazz, and was a heavy influence on John Coltrane's later work. Holy Ghost is the first comprehensive attempt to construct a monument in sound to Albert Ayler, including his never-before-heard first and last recordings, book-ending rare and unissued music from every stage of his career. 9 CDs of rare and unissued recordings, 208 page full color hardbound book, new essays by Amiri Baraka, Val Wilmer, and other Ayler scholars, 10th bonus disc with Ayler as a member of the U.S. Army Band, all housed in a lavish 9.5" square by 3" deep Spirit Box cast from a hand-carved wooden original."
Street date is Tuesday, October 5th, we just might get them in a couple of days early, who knows?!?
Pre-order price until 10/5/04 (reserve now) for this incredible 9 CD box-set is
$ 95.00
[Shipping charges for this item will be above our normally stated guidelines, as you can well imagine its weight with hardcover book included!]
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NOW IN-STOCK!!!
JOHN ZORN - Magick (Tzadik 8006/Composer Series) Astonishing! 'Magick' features two extraordinary works from our main man, composer, musician and label head, John Zorn: "Necrononomicon" (2003) performed by the Crowley String Quartet and "Sortilege" (2001) performed by Mike Lowenstern and Tim Smith on bass clarinets. Zorn continues to explore the world of Magic(k), Alchemy and Shamanism, while trying to unravel the great Mystery of music. No easy task and it is obvious that Zorn works extremely hard at exploring esoteric traditions that are catalysts for change, the results of which are found here. "Necrononomicon" is a five-part suite that opens and closes with an extremely intense blast of near violent power that is quite exhilarating. The three mid-section pieces are more restrained in part and especially haunting, yet they are just as breathtaking. Zorn's composing talents have matured so that his jump-cut style, which was so prominent in the 80's and early 90's, seems more balanced as just a part of his current style or technique. Both "The Magus" (part 2) and "Incunabula" (part 4) are calm on the surface, yet bristle with an undercurrent nervous energy that is on the verge of exploding. It does indeed explode on "Conjurations" (part 1) and "Asmodeus" (part 5), as well as on "Thoughts Forms" (part 3), which blends both extremes quite well. "Sortilege", for two bass clarinets, casts a spell of "sorcery and witchcraft". Both players do a wonderful job of bringing this challenging to life, weaving difficult intersecting lines, twisted harmonies, tightly constructed passages that remind me of the Mothers on 'Uncle Meat'. Some might complain that at 31 & a 1/2 minutes, this CD is too short. I think not, it feels like the perfect length for both pieces, nothing is superfluous in any way. Could this be John Zorn's greatest works yet? Only time will tell.
CD for $14
PETER BROTZMANN - 14 Love Poems / Plus Ten More (FMP 125) Truly historic reissue of one Brotzmann's rarest FMP albums, recorded in August of 1984, plus ten bonus tracks added. Solo alto, tenor & baritone saxes, tenor mouthpiece, A & E-flat clarinets, bass clarinet and taragato. Dedicated to poet Kenneth Patchen. Although the FMP website claims that this gem was to be released on June 23rd of this year, we have finally just gotten our copies is in as of today.
German import CD for $17
ELEMENTS OF THE 7TH - Rhythm Process = 2x(y)+3 (Quadraphonic 1102) Featuring Sabir Mateen (tenor sax), Roy Campbell (trumpets), Clark Gayton (trombone), Atiba Wilson (flutes), Matt Shipp (piano), Brian Carrott (vibes), Clifford Pusey (guitar), Alex Blake, Bill Dotts & Clyde Bullard on basses and Michael Thompson, Charles Hopkins, Ras Tschaka Tonge, Neil Clark & Michael Foley Kolade on drums & percussion. This gem was produced and arranged by Alioune N'Diaye, with Ali and Atiba Wilson writing four of the six long tracks and Matt Shipp composing the other two pieces. Ali N'Diaye runs this Brooklyn based label and put out an LP a couple of years ago with some of the same folks found here. 'Rhythm Process' opens with a 25 minute epic called "3", which was written by Ali and Alex Blake, contrabassist supreme for Pharoah Sanders. "3" is a fine, slow and sensuous funky, jazz groove with nice, long, slow-burn solos from Roy on trumpet, Sabir on tenor, infectious wah-wah rhythm guitar from Clifford and Atiba on flute. "The Move" is another phat, groove fest with sly solos from Brian on vibes, Atiba on flute and Clark on trombone. Both versions of "The Move" are completely cool. Kinda reminds me of Osibisa and makes me wanna get down and dance. Matt Shipp's "Astro Nugget" and "Blue 19" are both infectious groove tunes and it is nice to hear Matt playing some wonderful swinging piano. Atiba's "Back to Black" is the funkiest tune here and has a slamming beat, with Roy getting down on his righteous muted trumpet and even Sabir squealing and screaming and getting funky at the same time. 'Rhythm Process' is as happening as anything Matt Shipp has put out on the Thirsty Ear Blue Series, here's hoping that Elements of the 7th get the distribution they well deserve.
CD for $14
FOUR NEW DISCS FROM THE GREAT FOLKS AT DELMARK:
KAHIL EL'ZABAR & DAVID MURRAY - We Is / Live at the Bop Shop (Delmark 557) Featuring Kahil El'Zabar on congas, drums & assorted percussion and David Murray on tenor sax & bass clarinet. Chicago based percussion hero, Kahil E'Zabar, has been at it for more than 25 years, leading bands like the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble and the Ritual Trio, as well as his other projects with numerous duos & trios (Billy Bang, Hamiet Bluitt, Pharoah Sanders & Ari Brown). Tenor sax giant, David Murray, remains perhaps the most popular and certainly most recorded of all the loft jazz sax heroes to emerge from that scene during the mid-seventies. This fine live duo set was recorded at the Bop Shop in Rochester, NY in March of 2000. Each of the five pieces is long and based on different earth grooves provided by Kahil with David's righteous tenor sax and bass clarinet riding superbly on top of each hypnotic groove. I dig the way Kahil often answers David with his organic background vocal sounds, keeping a running dialogue with David's heartfelt and warm toned reeds. There is a beautiful balance and blend of jazz, blues and gospel influences emanating from this tasty and often touching music. Besides congas, Kahil is also a master of the sanza, that African thumb piano, which we get to hear at length on "Blues Affirmation", in which David's tenor reaches back to the old school golden tone of Coleman Hawkins. Kahil also plays some ferocious traps on "We Is" and "Sweet Meat", where David gets his chance to do some heavy blasting on that great tenor sax of his. Davis also shines on "One World Family" on his bass clarinet, playing a dancing solo effort that is a pure delight. An excellent and perfectly recorded duo effort from two masters.
CD for $15
ERNEST DAWKINS' NEW HORIZONS ENSEMBLE - Mean Ameen (Delmark 559) This is the third New Horizons Ensemble release for the Delmark label, I knew we were indeed in-store for another treat, as the two previous titles were also great ones. Saxist, Ernest Dawkins, has worked with the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble as well as Kahil El'Zabar's Ritual Trio. This new version of the New Horizons Ensemble (NHE), is a more compact one featuring Ernest on alto & tenor saxes, Maurice Brown on trumpet, Steve Berry on trombone, Darius Savage on bass and Isaiah Spencer on drums. The title tune is first and we are off to great start with some fast paced, hard swinging and tight, rambunctious horns intertwining just right. Ernest takes his first of numerous inspired solos, spinning furiously, pushed higher by the fabulous rhythm team, who are ever intricate and uplifting. The two other horn players who also pull off consistently powerful solos are Maurice Brown on trumpet and Steve Berry on trombone. Both Ernest and Steve compose complex pieces that keep the quintet on their toes throughout. The tunes often have shifting rhythm lines with the bassist playing both the melody and the rhythmic scheme simultaneously, as the drummer must navigate the current and undertow as it moves in waves. One can get dizzy trying to balance the different currents. "Jeff to the Left" is a suspenseful, laid back, bluesy and lovely ballad dedicated to Chicago Underground guitarist Jeff Parker. "The Messenger" has one of those great, Jazz Messengers-like funky, infectious grooves that is bound to make one smile, with more great horn solos right outta that sixties Blue Note sound. "Buster and the Search for the Human Genome" is the closer and the one long piece that moves through different sections. It begins at a medium tempo before it launches through some super quick segments with burning solos from Ernest's alto sax. It consistently shifts between faster and slower tempos effortlessly, keeping the horn players on their toes as it changes. An amazing tour-de-force from this outstanding quintet that remains fascinating throughout its 66 minute duration.
CD for $15
JEFF PARKER & SCOTT FIELDS - Song Songs Song (Delmark 558) This strange electric guitar duo recording is perhaps one the oddest and most un-jazz-like of the vast Delmark catalogue, which mostly deals with jazz and blues dates from the fifties onwards. Chicago-based Jeff Parker does have some jazz credentials, playing with the Chicago Underground and Fred Anderson, yet he can't really be pegged as most of the current Chicago underground continues to pursue diversity and unpredictability. Wisconsin based Scott Field is also a great improviser, as well as a unique composer, his more than a dozen releases also embrace diverse approaches and an-ever changing cast of players to work with. Each of the six pieces here also cover a variety of approaches. Jeff's "LK" is a calm, haunting and even jazz-like in its rather melodic guitar tone, it is a sort of ballad that is quietly deconstructed as it evolves. "Untitled, 1968" sounds like it could be Fred Frith and Henry Kaiser (maybe a Dead space jam?), with all those volume pedal swirls, free yet focused noise sections, but never going too far out. By "Untitled, 2004", they start to go further out, faster, freer and more intense, but never losing sight of each other as they work together, trading ideas and licks, suspending time as they weave lines together into one sound/blend. "Untitled, 2001" has both Jeff and Scott playing with that warm, relaxed jazz guitar tone, Les Paul meets Joe Pass? Actually, they move through a variety of approaches quickly, casting off one idea after another. "Untitled, 1955" is a long work that again shows a quite a bit of unorthodox techniques, twisted harmonies, intricate noise-work, both subtle and intense abstractions, q & a sections, quickly tapped harmonics, alien textures and some nice quiet and spooky moments. Jeff Parker and Scott Fields work quite well together, combining forces and blending their sound into one story-like journey. In a blindfold test, most folks would have little clue who they really are listening to.
CD for $15
DEEP BLUE ORGAN TRIO - Deep Blue Bruise (Delmark 556) Featuring Chris Foreman on Hammond B3 organ, Bobby Broom on guitar and Greg Rockingham on drums. I got to admit that I've been spoiled since I heard John Patton's 'Minor Swing' CD which was produced by John Zorn and also features Zorn's funkiest and hottest straight ahead sax playing ever. As far as contemporary organ jazz goes, I haven't heard anything I've liked outside of Dr. Lonnie Smith, John Patton, Wayne Horvitz & John Medeski in many years. I just keep going back to Larry Young, when I get that organ jones. This Deep Blue Organ Trio do sound pretty authentic, though and they do have that instrumentation that was so popular in the sixties - organ, jazz guitar and drums. They cover and do some straight readings of old standards like "These Foolish Things", "Willow Weep for Me" and "Polka Dots and Moonbeams". What is a bit surprising is that they cover Prince's "Rasberry Beret" and "Light My Fire" by The Doors. They do jazz versions of these tunes and do a pretty cool job. Guitarist Bobby Broom is the only member of this trio that I am previously familiar with and he does take a number of swell jazz/blues solos. If you get that groovy organ jones (as in need), then this laid back gem should surely do the trick.
CD for $15
NEW!!! FROM OUR MAIN MAN E#!...
ELLIOTT SHARP - Radio Hyper-Yahoo (Zoar 24; USA) E# and company redefine Americana in this wide-ranging and hard-hitting program of songs and rants inspired by Jonathan Swift's pungent and timeless "Gulliver's Travels." Speakers and singers include performer and actor Eric Bogosian, hip-hop poet-queen Tracie Morris, character actor Steve Buscemi reading from William Burroughs, monster vocalist Eric Mingus, poet raver Maggie Estep, Nuyorican dadaist Edwin Torres, gypsy beatnik Eszter Balint, apocalyptic bard Jack Womack, singer Lisa Lowell (veteran of Bruce Springsteen & David Johansen), and original Lounge Lizard Steve Piccolo. Underpinning all of the words are music tracks ranging from the brutal electro beats of Tracie Morris' "Got It? Get It!", the grinding funk of Eric Bogosian's "No Crime", the stark soundscape of Steve Buscemi's "In The Film", the rootsy steel-guitar driven rock of Lisa Lowell's "In The Country", and the Hungarian Delta blues of Eszter Balint's "Estimated Time Of Wait." Instrumental highlights include the psychedelic surf number "Escalation" and the Miles-ian "Ask Me." The music is completely crafted by composer and multi-instrumentalist Elliott Sharp with his unmatched sonic vision and performed by him on instruments ranging from guitars, basses, saxophones, zither and banjo to computer processers, analog synthesizers, drum machines, and hacked speak-n-spell's. Guests on selected tracks include DJ Gak Sato and drummer Sim Cain. "A mix of weird blues, unimaginable soundscapes, extraordinary textures and nailed-to-the-wall literary polemics - in total, an amazingly satisfying experience. ALL 10 THUMBS UP!!! - Mannylunch
CD FOR $14
...AND SOME MORE RARITIES FROM ELLIOT'S PRIVATE STASH... [5 copies each]
ELLIOTT SHARP'S TERRAPLANE - Terraplane (Homestead 215; USA) [Long out-of-print, last few copies supplied by E# 'imself!] Terraplane is an instrumental trio (E#, David Hofstra, and Joseph Trump), who plays bluescovers as well as originals by E#. There's a lot of influences present, Muddy Waters, Jimi Hendrix, Robert Johnson, Albert Collins, to name a few. "Their names alone are poetry, their music has sustained me for years. - this record offers a small tribute"
Out-of print CD for $20
ELLIOTT SHARP/CARBON - Truthtable (Homestead 202; USA) [Long out-of-print, last few copies supplied by E# 'imself!] Recorded and mixed at Baby Monster NYC, engineered by Bryce Goggin The personnel of the TOCSIN band continues to work together even though all the members pursue their own musical visions in various projects and bands. We recorded the songs for TRUTHTABLE in September of 1992 after a few weeks of rehearsal and sample programming. KJ brought her cyberblues-from-hell vocals to two numbers. The songs were recorded live in one or two takes with overdubbing for vocals and some solos plus SoundTools to edit and process the mixes. In some cases, SoundTools was used to create the new songs from fragments using: a few bars each of a few drum grooves; odd sounds from everyone else sampled, sequenced, and twisted; the whole thing re-mixed and edited. Musicians: Electric harp: Zeena Parkins Electric bass: Marc Sloan Drums: Joseph Trump Sampler: David Weinstein Voice (3,6): KJ Doubleneck guitarbass, voice, lapsteel, ac guitar, sampler, computer processing: E#
Out-of print CD for $20
FRED VAN HOVE - Spraak & Roll [2 CD set] (WIM 030304) This marvelous two CD set features some incredible solo piano from the amazing Fred Van Hove. The first CD (Spraak) was recorded in August & September of 2003 and features some 15 shorter pieces, each one a marvel of inventiveness with many diverse avant piano excursions. The second CD (Roll) was recorded in August & September of 2003 and March of 2004. Here we find two shorter pieces and one extensive, long work (46+ minutes). Mr. Van Hove works well both on the keyboard of his acoustic piano, as well inside the piano. Fred Van Hove is among the finest of all European avant/jazz pianists, but is sadly under-recorded, having only a half dozen releases in print under his own name for the three-decade+ career. It was amazing to hear/see him live at both Victo and the Fest Fests earlier this year. Unfortunately, we were only able to get three copies of this treasure from our distributor and it is very limited.
2 CD set for $30
JOELLE LEANDRE & GIANNI LENOCI - Sur une balancoire (Ambiances Magnetiques 126) Featuring the incredible Joelle on contrabass & voice and Gianni on piano & objects. It seems that French contrabassists supreme, Joelle Leandre, loves the duo situation and consistently finds players worldwide worthy of her collaborations. Up at the Guelph Jazz Fest a couple of weeks ago, she played a marvelous duo set with violinist India Cooke. Joelle seeks out great partners, both well-known and little known. Check out this short list: Rudiger Carl, Irene Schweizer, Mark Nauseef, Carlos Zingaro, Giorgio Occhipinti, Tetsu Saithoh and Francois Houle. Can't say that I've heard of Gianni Lenoci before, but he does have three trio CDs out on Splasch and is a member of the Eugenio Colombo Quartet. Besides modern jazz, Gianni performs the music of modern composers like Morton Feldman and John Cage. The title of this CD means "certain to swing", but I believe they this is meant in jest. This CD consists of 14 shorter pieces. Each piece shows the different styles, approaches and sonic palette that both of these players draw from. Plucking, bowing, rubbing and banging on her bass strings as Gianni also plays inside the piano with assorted objects as well as a variety of cautious, quietly intense and occasionally dreamy sounds on the piano keyboard. Although this is the first time that Joelle and Gianni had worked together, it is certainly hard to tell, since they work so well together. Another wonderful collaboration from the consistently great Joelle Leandre.
CD for $14
TIM BRADY / NOUVEL ENSEMBLE MODERNE - Playing Guitar: Symphony #1 (Ambiances Magnetiques 125) Featuring two extraordinary works: "Playing Guitar" is for electric guitar, sampler, live electronics and large chamber ensemble and "Frame 1 - Resonance" is for electric guitar, electronics and piano. "Symphony 1" is actually about "playing guitar" or sampled guitar with the fifteen piece large chamber group utilized here. This is Tim Brady's 10th CD in print and this just might be his best yet. His symphonic writing is particularly strong, varied and adventurous. What makes this so special is the way his guitar fits perfectly as a part of the ensemble and as a soloist in the center of the action or story. The other thing that works so well here is the way Tim has programmed his sampler and filled it with a variety of strange guitar sounds, which often don't sound like a guitar, but are used selectively to add sonic spices to his fascinating creation. Fripp fans will certainly be smiling as they listen to the "Second Movement" with its Frippish guitar solo. This is an absolutely fantastic work that I would hope would be perfect for next year's Victo Fest. "Frame 1 - Resonance" for piano, guitar & electronics is a more restrained and eerie work, in which the piano is echoed by sinister guitar sounds and weird samples.
CD for $14
UPSILON ACRUX - volueris avis dirae-arum (Planaria Recordings 022) Third fabulous offering from this young San Diego based instrumental prog quartet. Personnel includes Paul Lai on guitar, Nick Lejejs on Moog synth, Eric Kiernowski on bass and Jesse Applehans or Derek Burns on drums. Intricate playing, complex arrangements, feisty, occasionally funny and often over-the-top. That ancient synth (the Moog) does have a rather dated sound (mid-70's?), but these lads do know to use it in their ever tight and explosive sound. Their songs are never too long, but still go through numerous changes in direction. They do cover Italian prog and sci-fi soundtrack legends Goblin, yet without all the bombast. Although they certainly are inspired by a great deal of progressive bands throughout its thirty year history, they don't really sound like any one of those other bands. They love to tour, so please go see them when they come to your town. I won't miss them next time around.
CD for $14
HENNEMAN STRIJKKWARTET - Pes (Wig 05) This unique Amsterdam-based string quartet features Mary Oliver on violin & viola, Ig Henneman on viola, Tristan Honsinger on cello and Wilbert de Joode on double bass. Both Mary Oliver and Tristan Honsinger are currently members of the ICP Orchestra and Wilbert de Joode, Mary & Tristan are all longtime members of the creative Dutch scene. I was unfamiliar with Ms. Ig Henneman before this release, however it turns out that she has worked with IVCP and Ab Baar's Tentet in the past and that this is her fifth release for the Wig label (one of her quintet & three of her tentet). 'Pes' was recorded in 1999 and released soon thereafter, but our distributor has just gotten copies for the first time. Although, Ig has composed all 12 pieces here, they are brought to life by the marvelous improvised playing of her quartet. "Slow and Cautious" is just that, fragile and filled with space, quiet and enchanting. "Canzon" spins layers of lines quickly at first, before it slows down to some bent drones and then transforms into a medium tempo majestic theme with an abrupt wind-down. "Seam by Seam" is a dark and suspenseful piece, with some bent and scary string work. Ig enjoys writing pieces that provide some thorny harmonies for the string quartet, with bent bowed notes moving in disturbing waves against one another. Tightly written sections quickly emerge from the molasses like sliding strings sections. There are a few pieces that are quite delicate and spacious, as if we are hearing them from a distance. At times, like on "Morns Like These", they pile on the drama pretty deeply, yet the melody remains quite haunting. Consistently fascinating. Perhaps we can bet those earlier Wig CDs.
Dutch import CD for $16
GIANT SAND - Is All Over The Map (Thrill Jockey 142) 'Is All Over the Map' is Giant Sand's upteenth record and perhaps their most focused work to date. Who says getting old is all bad? Working with John Parish again, whom helped make the brilliant Chore of Enchantment, ring leader Howe Gelb leads a new cast of Sandmen and woman through the proverbial song desert. The revolving door continues to revolve, but what never leaves is the great spirit and songwriting one has come to expect from Giant Sand/Howe Gelb recordings.
CD for $14
THALIA ZEDEK - Trust Not Those in Whom Without Some Touch of Madness (Thrill Jockey 148) The band is made up of Daniel Coughlin (drums) and Dave Curry (viola), both of whom play with an assurance and familiarity which add mournful viola and driving drums to the hypnotic rhythms of Zedek's guitar and deliberate vocals. Her songs, like the blues, speak not about the struggle to survive, but to the struggle of surviving. This is not a surprise coming from Thalia Zedek, an artist of enduring quality, who is one of the most compelling and strong performers wielding a guitar today.
CD for $14
ON FILLMORE - Sleeps With Fishes (Quake Basket 021) "String and Gong" is culled from over a hundred hours of collective intimacy as well as distance. On Fillmore's latest 'Sleeps with Fishes' is a pixilated paean to lullabies, location, and liberation... a bed of sound recorded at rivers Chicago and Mississippi whispers under the players, Darin Gray and Glenn Kotche. Building on the foundation of the Box 100 series and Eponymous Debut releases ... Gray and Kotche alchemize brotherhoods of Monk's 'Ugly Beauty,' Kenny Wheeler's Around 6 and a gurgling reduction of Contemporary Compositional Music at 16 RPM . On Fillmore is Darin Gray (Grand Ulena, Dazzling Killmen, Loren Mazzacane-Connors) and Glenn Kotche (Wilco, Barnes-Kotche Duo, Jim O'Rourke). Sleeps With Fishes is the third On Fillmore release.
CD for $14
KNITTING FACTORY REISSUES - AT LAST- ON THE 'EVOLVER' LABEL!! the bean counters at Instinct Records, which purchased the Knit - clubs and label properties, including Shimmydisc - a couple of years back, have finally seen fit to re-release a few of the titles - we hope this program will keep on going...
ARTO LINDSAY TRIO With MELVIN GIBBS & DOUGIE BOWNE - Aggregates 1-26 (Evolver 2020; USA) Arto Lindsay returns to his no-wave roots - on the first effort bearing his name up front! - with this 1995 collection of pithy portraits in noise. Having already forged the skronk template with DNA in the early '80s, Lindsay finds new vistas for his avant guitar musings in the company of bassist Melvin Gibbs (Defunkt, Sonny Sharrock, the Rollins Band) and drummer Dougie Bowne (Lounge Lizards, Marianne Faithfull). Not as monolithic or rock inclined as Gibbs' earlier guitar trio outing with Power Tools -- which also included Ronald Shannon Jackson and Bill Frisell -- these 26 brief excursions feature a disjointed but mindful Lindsay wreaking guitar-noise alchemy atop interactive grooves woven by Bowne and Gibbs. As both this nod to the past and future electro bossa releases demonstrate, the three way noise/Brazilian/pop approach of Lindsay's Ambitious Lovers' records has informed much of his mature solo work -Stephen Cook, AMG
CD for $12
HASIDIC NEW WAVE [FRANK LONDON/GREG WALL] - From the Belly of Abraham (Evolver 2022; USA) After eight years of breaking new musical ground and establishing their own unique voice, Hasidic New Wave takes another bold, giant step forward with their latest work, "From The Belly Of Abraham." Frank London and Greg Wall continue their own brand of high-energy Hasidic / Jazz fusion, but they've raised the stakes yet a notch higher this time: they've enlisted a group of Senegalese drummers to augment the line-up. Brought in by drummer Aaron Alexander, these percussionists from the Sabar tradition meld with the band to create an exciting and revolutionary new sound which will undoubtedly bring new fans into the group's existing hardcore fan base. [The other 3 Knit HNW titles - Jews & The Abstract Truth, Kabalogy, and Psycho-Semitic - will be re-released by Hallowe'en; we can't wait!]
CD for $12
SEX MOB [STEVEN BERNSTEIN et al] - Solid Sender (Evolver 2023; USA) "Avant-jazz, funk, rock'n'roll and an infectious sense of humor commingle in the music of Steven Bernstein's Sex Mob." - Billboard "Armed with three chords and the truth" - Village Voice Sex Mob creates high-energy, "dirty jazz" that is inventively sexy and irresistably accessible. Sex Mob continues it's genre-defying escapades on their second record release, "Solid Sender." with the intensity of Louis Armstrong's Hot Fives, the sonic invention of Tricky and the world's only slide trumpet virtuoso, Steven Bernstein, Sex Mob demonstrates why they are the most exciting live band playing instrumental music today. "Solid Sender" is the result of two years of evolution from the 1998 release "Din of Inequity"
CD for $12
CUONG VU - Pure (Evolver 2021; USA) CUONG VU is a Vietnamese born jazz trumpeter who during the 90's gained recognition as a rising talent in New York1s Downtown Jazz music scene. Having studied under Joe Maneri at the New England Conservatory of Music, VU has worked with many top jazz artists . In the early 90's Vu was a member of Orange Then Blue and Jeff Song's Lowbrow. Always prolific Vu has also led many of his own bands including Scratcher and Vu-Tet. CUONG VU's debut release Bound received critical respect with it's avant-jazz stylings. His Knitting Factory debut, PURE, shows where VU comes from as well as where he is heading. Claiming influences as diverse as Beethoven and Prince, VU uses the trumpet as a vehicle for his music. Taking an obvious lead on PURE, the 28-year old trumpeter creates his own niche with pieces that are best described as ambient excursions in jazz. VU incorporates reverb and delay into his trumpet sound on PURE, creating broad sounds that are at times reminiscent of 1970's Miles. This is a release that easily stands alone as an improvisational work in todays competitive jazz market.
CD for $12
...AND THE SHIMMYDISC TITLES ARE REISSUED ON THE "PARENT" INSTINCT LABEL...
DANIEL JOHNSTON - 1990 (Instinct 623; USA)
CD for $12
DANIEL JOHNSTON - Artistic Vice (Instinct 624; USA)
CD for $12
KING MISSILE - Mystical Shit/Fluting On The Hump (Instinct 625; USA) Unlike the Knit/Shimmy CDs, this edition combines two albums on one CD!
CD for $12
BONGWATER - Power Of Pussy (Instinct 622; USA) A classic from the Kramer/Ann Magnusson duo!
CD for $12
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OH YEAH, ABOUT THAT FREE CD GIVEAWAY
[No, we didn't find a box of trashy promos no one would want!]
This is a STELLAR RECORDING by composer/bandleader/percussionist FRANKLIN KIERMYER!
FRANKLIN KIERMYER - Santification (Sunship 99002; USA) Featuring Fima Ephron on bass, John Esposito piano, Michael Stuart on sax, and Mr Kiermyer - who has led groups with Pharoah Sanders, and Dave Douglas - on drums!
For a limited time you can have this item for FREE if you request it along with any other item[s] you are ordering and paying for from our list of nearly 11,000 goodies at our database - which includes everything listed in this newsletter - you merely pay the additional $1 shipping charge [up to $3 for international orders] that it costs for us to include it in your package!
[We will be sending it along with a 2nd CD entitled Building Bridges: Through Unity In Diversity produced by GreatDrum.org without counting this in the shipping charge] Normally $14.00, we will send it you FREE UPON REQUEST as an addition to any order
[Or you can ask for one with any purchase in the store!]
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BACK IN STOCK DIRECTLY FROM OGUN/CADILLAC..
MIKE OSBORNE: TRIO & QUINTET With HARRY MILLER/LOUIS MOHOLO/MARC CHARIG et al - Border Crossing/Marcel's Muse (Ogun 15; UK) Possibly THE most awaited classic '70s Brit-Jazz reissue in years! Two of Brit alto monster Mike Osborne's super-rare Ogun LPs unabridged on 1 CD! 'Border Crossing', with his main - and legendary - rhythm section of the early '70s, bassist Harry Miller and drummer Louis Moholo, is a powerhouse spectacle. Recorded live at the Peanuts Club 9/28/74 'Marcel's Muse', a quintet recording from 5/31/77, is another tour-de-force and features Harry Miller, guitarist Jeff Green, trumpeteer Marc Charig, and the late Peter Nykyruj on drums [to which this CD edition is dedicated]
CD for $18
JOE HARRIOTT QUINTET Featuring PHIL SEAMAN & PAT SMYTHE - Swings High (Cadillac 203; UK) Incredible Brit quintet date from July 20th 1967! Joe Harriott [the famous alto saxist from the original '60s lineup of the Joe Harriott/John Mayer Indo-Jazz Fusion group] with Pat Smythe piano, Stu Hamer trumpet, Phil Seaman drums and Coleridge Goode bass.
CD for $18
THE NEW STAN TRACEY QUARTET - For Heaven's Sake (Cadillac 04; UK) '96 release of pianist Tracey's qt with Gerard Presencer trumpet and flugelhorn, Andrew Cleyndert bass, Clark Tracey drums
CD for $18
DAVID MURRAY - The London Concert [2 CD set] (Cadillac 08/09; UK) 1978; quintet w/Lawrence Butch Morris, Curtis Clark, Brian Smith, and Clifford Jarvis. Amazing! This CD set has 50 minutes more than the original 2 LP set!
"20 Thumbs UP!!!" - Mannylunch 2 CD set for $30
LOUIS MOHOLO'S VIVE-LA-BLACK - Freedom tour: live in South Afrika 1993 (Ogun 006; UK) Louis Moholo, leader, drums, vocals; Thebe Lipere, African percussion; Claude Deppa, trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals; Sean Bergin, tenor saxophone, flute, concertina, vocals; Toby Delius, tenor saxophone, vocals; Jason Yarde, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, vocals; Roberto Bellatalla, double bass; Pule Pheto, piano.
CD for $18
LOUIS MOHOLO/EVAN PARKER/PULE PHETO/GIBO PHETO/BARRY GUY QUINTET - Bush fire (Ogun 009; UK) Louis Moholo/Evan Parker/Pule Pheto/Gibo Pheto/ Barry Guy Quintet Louis Moholo, drums; Evan Parker, tenor and sopranoa saxophones; Pule Pheto, piano; Gibo Pheto, bass; Barry Guy, bass, picolo bass.
CD for $18
LOUIS MOHOLO meets KEITH TIPPETT/MERVYN AFRICA/PULE PHETO - Mpumi (Ogun 014; UK) Extraordinary drum and piano duos from that marvelous South African expatriate percussion wizard Louis Moholo with two young South African pianists, Afrika and Pheto, plus three more amazing duets (a 45 minute 'suite')with our favorite piano hero on this planet - the almighty Keith Tippett! Louis Moholo is the only surviving member of the Blue Notes, legendary South African avant/jazz/soul These lusciously recorded studio sessions were recorded in September of 1995 and it has taken some seven plus years to finally get them released. It was worth the long wait!
CD for $18
DEDICATION ORCHESTRA [LOUIS MOHOLO/KEITH TIPPETT/EVAN PARKER et al] - Ixesha (Time) [2 CD set] (Ogun 102/103; UK) Maggie Nicols, voice; Julie Tippetts, voice; David Serame, voice; John Law, voice, additional piano; Harry Beckett, trumpet; Claude Deppa, trumpet; Jim Dvorak, voice, trumpet; Pat Higgs, trumpet; Henry Lowther, trumpet; Kenny Wheeler, trumpet; Ian Hamer, trumpet; Mark Charig, cornet, tenor horn; Dave Amis, trombone; Roland Bates, trombone; Malcolm Griffiths, trombone; Paul Rutherford, trombone; Andy Grappy, tuba; Dave Powell, tuba; Neil Metcalfe, flute; Lol Coxhill, soprano, tenor saxophones; Mike Williams, alto saxophone; Elton Dean, alto saxophone; Evan Parker, tenor saxophone; Sean Bergin, tenor, alto saxophones; Chris Biscoe: baritone saxophone; Keith Tippett, piano; Paul Rogers, double bass; Louis Moholo, drums, voice.
2 CD set for $28
DEDICATION ORCHESTRA [LOUIS MOHOLO/KEITH TIPPETT/EVAN PARKER et al] - Spirits rejoice (Ogun 101; UK) Phil Minton, voice; Maggie Nicols, voice; Julie Tippetts, voice; Guy Barker, trumpet; Harry Beckett, trumpet; Claude Deppa, trumpet, voice; Jim Dvorak, trumpet, penny-whistle; Kenny Wheeler, trumpet; Django Bates, E-flat peckhorn; Dave Amis, trombone; Malcolm Grifiths, trombone; Radu Malfatti, trombone; Paul Rutherford, trombone; Dave Powell, tuba; Neil Metcalfe, flute; Lol Coxhill, soprano sax, tenor; Ray Warleigh, alto sax, flute; Elton Dean, alto sax; Evan Parker, tenor sax; Alan Skidmore, tenor sax; Chris Biscoe, baritone sax; Keith Tippett, piano; Paul Rogers, bass; Louis Moholo, drums, voice.
CD for $18
PHIL LEE/JEFF CLYNE - Twice Upon A Time (Cadillac 01; UK) 2 copies left!
CD for $18
FRANCINE LUCE With KEITH TIPPETT/LOUIS MOHOLO/EVAN PARKER/PAUL RUTHERFORD/PAUL ROGERS/CLAUDE DEPPA - Bo kay la vi-a (Ogun 012; UK) Francine Luce, voice, water; Evan Parker, tenor and soprano saxophones, water; Claud Deppa, trumpet, flugelhorn, water; Paul Rutherford, trombone; Keith Tippett, piano, music box; Paul Rogers, double bass; Louis Moholo, drums, percussion.
CD for $18
CHRIS McGREGOR'S BROTHERHOOD OF BREATH - Live at Willisau (Ogun 001; UK) Chris McGregor, piano, leader; Dudu Pukwana, alto saxophone; Evan Parker, tenor saxophone; Gary Windo, tenor saxophone; Mongezi Feza, trumpet; Harry Beckett, trumpet; Marc Charig, trumpet; Nick Evans, trombone; Radu Malfatti, trombone; Harry Miller, bass; Louis Moholo, drums. Recorded live at Willisau, Switzerland, 27 January 1973.
CD for $18
HARRY MILLER [Feat. KEITH TIPPETT/MIKE OSBORNE/LOUIS MOHOLO/RADU MALFATTI/WILLEM BREUKER/TREVOR WATTS/SEAN BERGIN/HAN BENNINK/MARC CHARIG/MALCOLM GRIFFITHS/JULIE TIPPETTS [DRISCOLL]/WOLTER WIERBOS] - The collection 1941-1983 [3 CD Box Set] (Ogun HMCD 1/2/3; UK) This 3CD set, including 28-page booklet, was released on 30 November 1999 as a memorial to Harry Miller and to mark the 25th anniversary of Ogun Records. It includes all of four previously released Ogun LPs led by Harry Miller, in addition to the entirety of his LP for the Vara Jazz label:
HMCD 1: HARRY MILLER - Children at play [tracks 1-5] Harry Miller, double bass, flute, percussion effect HARRY MILLER'S ISIPINGO -Family Affair [tracks 6-9] Harry Miller's Isipingo: Harry Miller, bass; Marc Charig, trumpet; Mike Osborne, alto saxophone; Malcolm Griffiths, trombone; Keith Tippett, piano; Louis Moholo, drums.
HMCD 2: RADU MALFATTI/HARRY MILLER - Bracknell breakdown [tracks 1,2] Harry Miller, double bass; Radu Malfatti, trombone HARRY MILLER SEXTET - In conference [tracks 3-7] Harry Miller Sextet: Harry Miller, bass; Willem Breuker, soprano and tenor saxophones, bass clarinet; Trevor Watts, alto and soprano saxophones; Julie Tippetts, voice; Keith Tippett, piano; Louis Moholo, drums.
HMCD 3: HARRY MILLER QUINTET Down South Harry Miller, bass; Marc Charig, cornet, alphorn; Wolter Wierbos, trombone; Sean Bergin, tenor, alto and soprano saxophones; Han Bennink, drums.
3 CD set for $40
KEITH TIPPETT'S ARK - Frames (Music for an imaginary film) [2 CD set] (Ogun 010/011; UK) Keith Tippett, piano, harmonium; Stan Tracey, piano; Elton Dean, alto saxophone, saxello; Trevor Watts, alto and soprano saxophones; Brian Smith, tenor and soprano saxophones, alto flute; Larry Stabbins, tenor and soprano saxophones, flute; Mark Charig, trumpet, tenor horn, Kenyan thumb piano; Henry Lowther, trumpet; Dave Amis, trombone; Nick Evans, trombone; Maggie Nicols, voice; Julie Tippetts, voice; Steve Levine, violin; Rod Skeaping, violin; Phil Wachsmann, electric violin, violin; Geoffrey Wharton, violin; Alexandra Robinson, cello; Tim Kramer, cello; Peter Kowald, bass, tuba; Harry Miller, bass; Louis Moholo, drums; Frank Perry, percussion.
2 CD set for $28
...AND A HANDFUL [5 EACH] OF THESE RARE LP EDITIONS...
BLUE NOTES [CHRIS McGREGOR/LOUIS MOHOLO/DUDU PUKWANA] - Blue Notes For Johnny (Ogun 532; UK) Tribute concert for the late Johhny Dyani. Sadly, since that time, both Chris and Dudu died within months of each other in 1993, leaving Louis the only surviving member. Long may he live! NEVER RELEASED ON CD!
LP $20.00
MIKE OSBORNE/STAN TRACEY - 'Original' (Cadillac 1002; UK) NEVER RELEASED ON CD!
LP $25.00
MIKE OSBORNE/STAN TRACEY - Tandem: Live At The Bracknell Festival (Ogun 210; UK) NEVER RELEASED ON CD!
LP $25.00
JUST A HANDFUL OF REISSUES, RESTOCKS and HISTORIC RECORDINGS:
TALKING HEADS - The Name Of This Band Is... [2 CD set] (Rhino/Warner Bros 76489; USA) It was those first four albums that established the band among critics and a fervent semiunderground following. And that's where The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads comes in. It was the perfect summary to the first phase of their career, presenting an LP of material performed by the original quartet (1977-1979) and an LP of material from the Remain in Light tours of 1980 and 1981 (featuring a greatly expanded band lineup). Finally, The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads is available on compact disc, and it may well have been worth the wait. Each version of the band is still given a disc of its own, but the longer running time of compact discs versus LPs means you're treated to almost double the original number of tracks. The first disc, which features the original quartet, is brilliantly expanded with the original LP sequencing completely intact and all the bonus tracks coming between the LP sides (except for "Heaven," the perfect album closer). There is no sense whatsoever that they were simply padding things for a longer running time, and it's just great hearing live versions of songs like "Mind" (with extended guitar solo), "The Big Country," and "The Book I Read" that have never been readily available in live form. As fantastic as the first disc is, the second one is perhaps even more exciting. The expanded band (ten musicians including Adrian Belew on lead guitar, right before his leap into King Crimson, and two backup singers) is amazing, not only adding power and punch to the Remain in Light material, but in most cases surpassing the studio versions (no mean feat). These live versions of "The Great Curve," "Houses in Motion," and "Crosseyed and Painless (all prominently featuring Belew) are nearly worth the price of admission alone, but the bonus tracks here are just as exciting. The original release had no overlapping songs on the two LPs, with the large version of the band sticking solely to tunes from Remain in Light and Fear of Music. Now you're treated to arrangements of "Psycho Killer," "Stay Hungry," and "Warning Sign" as performed by the expanded lineup, not to mention live versions of "Animals," "Cities," and "Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)." The band is on fire throughout the performances, and fans of Belew's guitar playing will practically be giddy with ecstasy. These are some of his finest performances strictly as a guitarist, and although Remain in Light was the only studio album he played on, he beautifully adds his own touches to "Stay Hungry" and especially "Psycho Killer." Byrne also contributes some cool guitar, sometimes using a great delay sound, and again, the clear separation of instruments lets you really hear the details. Finally, a re-release that actually manages to vastly improve on an already excellent album - The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads is not only a vital document of an important, groundbreaking band on its way up, it's one of Talking Heads' best albums, easily surpassing the soundtrack album to Stop Making Sense - no mean feat! They were a young and hungry band making a name for themselves, pushing the boundaries of pop music and performing with palpable energy. Highly recommended! - Sean Westergaard, AMG
2 CD set for $24
NOEL McGHIE & SPACE SPIES - Trapeze (Next Music 13/France) Sublime space/jazz from 1975 featuring Jorge Joao on alto & soprano saxes, Itaru Oki on trumpet, Georges Edouard Nouel on electric piano, Louis Xavier on bass and Noel McGhie on drums & compositions. Can't say I can recall much about this drummer, but it turns out he has played with Steve Lacy, Mal Waldron, Clifford Thorton, Archie Shepp and Byard Lancaster. This French-based quintet is truly an international band - Jorge from Brazil, Itaru from Japan, while Georges & Louis are both from Martinique. This music has nice laid back and haunting quality, lovely harmonies and playing from the soprano sax, trumpet and dreamy electric piano. "Dancer" has an enchanting, somewhat funky groove with the sly trumpet using some el. wah-wah type of effect. The electric piano also has that nice hypnotic echoplex sound that Herbie Hancock was using around the time of 'Sextant' or 'Headhunters'. This music is more about mood and grooves, somber without being commercial or slick. Turns out that Noel McGie (or McGhee) is still alive and well and playing in France today. Thanks to Andrey Henkin for research.
CD for $15
FAIRPORT CONVENTION - Fairport Convention (Polydor 68291/Germany) This was Fairport's debut album 1968 and it now includes four bonus tracks (16 altogether), "Suzanne" (Leonard Cohen), "If I Had A Ribbon Bow", "Morning Glory" (Tim Buckley) and "Reno, Nevada". Sleeve notes are from co-founder Ashley Hutchings. Recorded in Nov. 1967, produced by Joe Boyd. Featuring a pre-Sandy Denny line up of: Ian MacDonald [later Matthews] (lead vocals, jews harp), Judy Dyble (lead vocals, electric & acoustic autoharps, recorder, piano), Richard Thompson (vocals, lead, electric & acoustic guitars, mandolin), Simon Nicol (vocals, 12 & 6 string electric & acoustic guitars), Tyger Hutchings (bass guitar, jug) and Martin Lamble (percussion, violin). "When you think of Fairport it's usually as a rural bunch getting it together in a country cottage. But it's as a fully-fledged house band of the Summer of Love that they first hit the national consciousness. As key members of Joe Boyd's UFO/Middle Earth club axis they were often seen as an anglicized Jefferson Airplane. While the twin vocal talents of Ian Matthews and Judy Dyble (who went on with boyfriend Ian McDonald to join the pre-King Crimson quintet version of Giles, Giles & Fripp, and then formed Trader Horne) mirrored Slick and Kantner, the closest they came to the West Coast vibe on their eponymous debut was the slinky jazz shuffle "It's Alright Ma, It's Only Witchcraft" (with its line about the sound they'd found 'down Frisco way'). What's actually occurring on this first disc is a young band of extraordinary diversity combining the cream of contemporary singer songwriters (Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell et al. Fairport were always a great covers band) with traditional, jazz, folk and psychedelia. What is amazing is how Richard Thompson's guitar is already a potent weapon in such young hands." -- Chris Jones/BBC.
German import CD for $16
FAIRPORT CONVENTION - What We Did On Our Holidays (Island 294/UK) This is the second and best Fairport album, originally released in 1969. Includes three great bonus tracks ("Throwaway Street Puzzle", "You're Gonna Need My Help" & "Some Sweet Day"). Packaged with a 16-page booklet of notes (by original bassist Ashley Hutchings) and photographs. Fifteen fabulous tracks, produced by the well regarded Joe Boyd. "With 'What We Did On Our Holidays', the crystal clear but somewhat 'uptight' sound of Dyble had been replaced by the proper folk singing of the wonderful Sandy Denny. She brought her own accomplished tales of English history ("Fotheringay", later the name of Sandy's own band) and the ability to make a traditional arrangement song sound delicately authentic. The Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell songs remain, but Thompson's guitar is already becoming a far richer instrument. His solo on "Eastern Rain" straddles the cosmic/folk gap with aplomb and remains of one folk/psych's best moments. What's more, Thompson's own songwriting was blossoming fast. Future Fairport classics such as "Meet On The Ledge" make their first appearance here and Joe Boyd's production allows the deceptive simplicity to shine." -- Chris Jones/BBC.
UK import CD for $16
FAIRPORT CONVENTION - Unhalfbricking (Island 293/UK) This was the third Fairport album, originally released in 1969. It includes two bonus tracks (covers of Bob Dylan's "Dear Landlord" and Roger McGuinn's "The Ballad of Easy Rider"). Packaged with a lovely 16-page booklet of notes and photographs. Again perfectly produced by Joe Boyd. "By 'Unhalfbricking' Fairport had already redrawn the arbitrary lines that divided folk and rock in the same way that their heroes, The Band, had done in the States. Thompson, by now, was a fully-fledged master of his craft (at the age of 20!): Bob Dylan's "Genesis Hall" being the first of his really melancholy masterpieces. Yet, such was the wealth of talent in the band that only one other of his contributions was featured. Denny provided her signature tune "Who Knows Where The Time Goes" and "A Sailor's Life" (featuring future long-serving member Dave Swarbrick on violin) proved conclusively that a traditional song leant itself perfectly to the kind of extended jamming normally reserved for more testosterone-fuelled blues workouts by the likes of Cream." Chris Jones/BBC.
UK import CD for $16
FAIRPORT CONVENTION - Liege & Lief (Island 291/UK) This is the 4th fabulous Fairport album, also originally released in 1969. It includes two previously unreleased tracks from the original album sessions. Packaged with a 16-page booklet of notes (by Ashley Hutchings & Joe Boyd) and amazing photographs. "British hippies who started out emulating Jefferson Airplane, Fairport Convention escalated their homeland connections with each outing, culminating in this, their fourth album and a watershed for British folk-rock. Hindsight offers the ironic possibility that the Dylan covers of its predecessor, 'Unhalfbricking', opened a window onto the earlier Irish-English-Scots roots of the American music they loved and 'Liege & Lief' jumps through that window triumphantly. "Come All Ye" underscores their affinity for the Band yet is joyfully rooted in their own fertile folk traditions, echoed in a mix of classic songs from members Sandy Denny, Ashley Hutchings, and Richard Thompson, and given direct homage in the extended ballads "Matty Groves" and "Tam Lin", which evoke Neil Young & Crazy Horse in kilts. Fiddler Dave Swarbrick's arrival as a fulltime member adds new richness and a wonderful foil for Thompson's superb guitar leads. A medley of jigs and reels showcases their flair for hot-wiring traditional British Isles dances, a fixture ever since." -- Chris Jones/BBC.
UK import CD for $16
FAIRPORT CONVENTION - House Full: Live at the LA Troubadour (Island 289/UK) The Fairport catalog is no longer available on Hannibal in the US, now superceded by this excellently prepared by this Island re-master series. 'House Full' is a digitally re-mastered reissue of a live album, first released in 1986 (featuring material recorded live at the LA Troubadour in 1970), with new liner notes by longtime Fairport producer Joe Boyd. "Fairport live in any of its incarnations seems to have been an awesome thing. But this was the noblest Fairport of them all, in terms of sheer virtuosity and jaw-dropping chops -- and this album documents that to the hilt. It doesn't get any tighter or better on stage and with guitarists Richard Thompson & Simon Nicol and the three Daves -- Swarbrick on his demon fiddle dancing with and around RT and SN's guitars and Pegg on bass & Mattacks on thundering drums providing a bottom and a beat that has to be experienced to be appreciated -- Fairport mounted a sonic attack that is almost frightening coming from a 'folk' band. Granted, absent Sandy Denny, neither Richard nor Swarb really fills that gap on vocals, but what this band has in its own right that the Liege & Leaf Fairport didn't exploit as fully is its sheer power and virtuosity. 'House Full' is an important document of a transitional time in Fairport's history, as is its 1970 studio complement, 'Full House'.
UK import CD for $16
DMG RECOMMENDED NYC GIG LIST FOR SEPTEMBER 24th and Beyond:
Fri Sept 24th-
OSCAR NORIEGA/CHRIS SPEED/MATT MORAN at Tonic at 8pm - superb all-star trio of bass clarinet/clarinet & tenor sax/vibes!!
URI CAINE GROUP at 10:30 at Cornelia St. CafØ (29 Cornelia St.)
SPANISH FLY (STEVE BERNSTEIN/MARCUS ROJAS/DAVE TRONZO) at Tonic at 10 & midnite! Decade long downtown all-star trio are always great live; slide guitar hero Tronzo rules!
Saturday Sept 25th-
THREE FOR STEVE LACY with GILLES LAHEUERTE, JOE GIARDULLO and JOE MCPHEE will present three soprano saxophone solo reflections and meditations, and finally a soprano saxophone trio at the home of Alain Kirili and Ariane Lopez-Huici from 4 to 6pm at 17 White St. in Tribeca, NYC; In 2000, Steve performed solo Monk and The Beat Suite here with his wife Irene Abi; he will surely be with us in spirit.
PAK, Ahleuchatistas, Friendly Bears & Behold...The Arctopus at the Knit's Old Office at 9pm - PAK is practically the greatest rock band in the world right now. Ahleuchatistas is excellent instrumental math rock with elements of Don Cabarello and Forever Einstein. Friendly Bears is RIO-influenced avant-prog. Behold...The Arctopus is instrumental avant-metal. Could this be the avant-prog concert of the year? - this blurb brought to you by Michael Anton Parker.
INCREDIBLE STRING BAND at Joe's Pub at 7:30 & 9:30 w/ Mike Heron & Clive Palmer but no Robin Williamson!?!
Sunday Sept 26th-
STEW CUTLER solo electric guitar here at DMG at 7pm for free! Stew is an amazing jazz/blues/funk guitarist who has two great CDs out & used to wail with (Wayne Horvitz's) The President!
CB's Lounge Free-Style Series (313 Bowery) starts at
7pm w/ hanuman ensemble: andy haas, david gould, don fiorino, mia theodoratus, dee pop, matt heyner;
8pm - morcilla: matt lavelle, francois grillot, andre martinez, chris forbes, lauren martinez;
9pm - gerald cleaver quartet;
10pm - blaise siwula, adam lane & toshi makihara!!! Another amazing line-up!
SHELLEY HIRSCH & OKKYUNG LEE/OREN BLOEDOW/ THE LAST TOWN CHORUS/SLOW SIX - at Tonic at 8pm!! Shelley (vocalist extraordinaire) & Okkyung (cello) representing two generations of improvisors; Oren Bloedow is a great singer/songwriter/guitarist who heads Elysian Fields!
Tuesday Sept 28th-
Aaron Alexander's Midrash Mish Mosh at Tonic at 8pm w/ Frank London (trumpet), Brad Shepik (guitar), Curtis Hasselbring (guitar / trombone), Aaron Alexander (drums), Mike Sarin (drums), Greg Wall (reeds), Fima Ephron (bass) & Merlin Shepherd (clarinet) - excellent new CD out on Tzadik!
Santi Debriano's Circlechant at the New York Baha'i Center - 53 East 11th Street (bet. University & Broadway) at 8 & 10pm!
STEVE BERNSTEIN' S SEX MOB at the Iridium (1650 Broadway @ 51st) at 8 & 10pm!!
Le Quan Ninh, Tatsuya Nakatani & Sean Meehan at Tonic at 10pm - extraordinary trio of distinctive percussionists - not to be missed!
Wednesday Sept. 29th-
William Hooker, Roy Campbell & Jason Hwang at Tonic at 8pm - heavy trio!
PAMELIA KURSTIN / COREY FOGEL / DANNY TUNICK at Tonic at 10pm - this fine trio features theremin wonder Pamelia plus Corey on drums & Danny on piano & vibes!
Friday October 1st-
Steve MacKay's Radon plus Barbez plus Nik Turner & Spaceseed at Tonic at 8pm - Steve McKay is the saxist in The Stooges & Nik Turner is an original member of Hawkwind!
RAFAEL TORAL solo drone guitar at Tonic at midnite!
Saturday Oct 2nd-
CONFERENCE CALL w/ GEBHARD ULLMAN, MICHAEL J. STEVENS, JOE FONDA & GEORGE SCHULLER for free at Goethe House (1014 5th Ave.) at 7pm!!
Sunday October 3rd-
CHRIS KELSEY & FRANCOIS GRILLOT CIMP CD Release set here at DMG at 7pm for free! Chris plays soprano sax & is a great reviewer & Francois is one downtown's best bassists!
Sunday Free-Style Series at CB's Lounge starts at
7pm - Charlie kohlhase/matt langley duo;
8pm - john o'gallagher;
9pm - dee pop & borah bergman;
10pm - aaron ali shaikh, joe tomino,, matt moran & john hebert!
Sue Garner & Angel Dean plus The Chris Stamey Experience at Tonic at 8pm!
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