MAKE THOSE SUMMER DOLDRUMS DISAPPEAR WITH GREAT NEW DISCS FROM HOOKER/CAMPBELL/HWANG, JOHN LINDBERG QUARTET, STAN TRACEY & EVAN PARKER, RENE FLEMING & BILL FRISELL, ANOTHER FREE ZONE APPLEBY, ADRIAN BELEW, NAKATANI/CHEN/ALCORN, PEOPLE (HALVORSON & SHEA), GREG BURK-SWALLOW-MOSES TRIO, ACID MOTHER TEMPLE, VOLCANO THE BEAR plus HISTORIC RECORDINGS from SOFT MACHINE, VAN DER GRAAF, JACQUES BERROCALL, LA DUSSELDORF, 3 from DONOVAN, 4 from FAIRPORT CONVENTION, RICHARD THOMPSON (MORRIS ON), SHIRLEY COLLINS & DAVEY GRAHAM and MORE GREAT BLUE NOTE REISSUES & SALES CDs GALORE!




THE GIFT [WILLIAM HOOKER/ROY CAMPBELL/JASON HWANG] - Live At Sangha: Nov 6th 2004 (Bmadish 02) This swell downtown all-star trio features William Hooker on drums, Roy Campbell on trumpets & flute and Jason Hwang on electric violin. All three of these fine fellows are leaders of their own, while this band is an inspired live trio offering. Just one long piece with no title. They begin quietly, mysteriously and build organically from there. Jason Hwang makes his violin speak by putting through a wah-wah pedal and other devices to alter the sound somewhat. Roy's creative trumpet playing and Jason's electric violin swirl around one another, always connected by a web of William's spinning drums. Word is that their set at this year's Vision Fest was another of the festival's highlights. We can easily hear why with this grand offering at hand. - BLG
CD $14

JOHN LINDBERG with BAIKIDA CARROLL/STEVE GORN/SUSIE IBARRA - Winter Birds (Between the Lines 71203/Germany) Featuring Baikida Carroll on trumpet & flugelhorn, Steve Gorn on bansuri flutes, soprano sax & clarinet, John Lindberg on contrabass & compositions and Susie Ibarra drums & percussion. This master bassist, John Lindberg's second disc with this superb quartet and about his 15th date as a leader. The quartet had just played thirteen concerts throughout Europe and sound particularly strong in the studio afterwards. They start with a sort of suite, called "BAM!", "Quatre" is an odd, suspense-filled oft-kilter almost funk thing. John writes rather quirky songs, which move in strange ways. Both Baikida (trumpets) and Steve (reeds) have a more restrained sound, a warm tone that gives the quartet a more cerebral, dreamy vibe. The bass and drums are often the central force, providing the thread that holds it all together. Many of the pieces are very short, they just seem to create a certain mood and then quickly fade away. I hadn't heard Mr. Gorn play clarinet before this, but his playing is most impressive with that Jimmy Giuffre-like glow and grace. The title track features a fine, subtle percussion solo from Susie, as well as exquisite, spacious horns. "Resurrection of a Dormant Soul" has an amazing drums and bass duo that really works well in the first section, then expands to a strong quartet with more fine flugel and some enchanting wood flute. John's bowed bass and Steve's bansuri flute sound just right together on the haunting piece, "Ether", with Susie also joining on those gamelon gongs, adding to the mystery. A quietly provocative offering that is perfect for inner dream sequences. - BLG
CD for $16

STAN TRACEY & EVAN PARKER - Crevulations (PSI 05.04/UK) A sequence of piano and tenor saxophone free improvisations recorded in concert at the Appleby Jazz Festival in 2004. This is the second extraordinary disc from this duo of two giants of British modern jazz and/or improvised music.
CD for $18

EVAN PARKER/BARRY GUY/PAUL LYTTON/PHILIPP WACHSMANN/JOEL RYAN - Free Zone Appleby 2004 (PSI 05.05/UK) Free improvisations by: Evan Parker -- soprano saxophone, Barry Guy -- bass, Paul Lytton -- percussion, Philipp Wachsmann -- violin and electronics, and Joel Ryan -- live processing of pre-recorded samples and live input. There are four duos with Ryan and the four trios without him. Another incredible improv date from Evan Parker's wonderful label.
CD for $18

BILLY BANG - Vietnam: Reflections (Justin Time 212) This is the second part of ace violinist, Billy Bang's tribute to his experiences during the Vietnamese war. The all-star cast features Billy on violin, James Spaulding on alto sax & flute, Henry Threadgill on flute, Ted Daniel on trumpet, John Hicks on piano, Nhan Thanh Ngo on dan tranh, Curtis Lundy on bass, Ron Brown on percussion, Michael Carvin on drums and Co Boi Nguyen Lee on vocals with Butch Morris conducting. Besides Billy, Ted, Michael, Ron & Butch are also Vietnam vets. Nhan and Co Boi are both from Vietnam, helping to bring their worlds closer together. The songs are amongst Billy's best, with some marvelous heartfelt melodies. Billy on violin, James on alto sax & flute, Ted on trumpet, Henry on flute, Nhan on dan tranh (a small koto-like instrument) and John Hicks on piano all take inspired solos on most of these songs. Mr. Bang does a wonderful job of blending some more mysterious far eastern melodies with some melancholy jazz tunes/writing. One of the year's most enchanting discs, certain to touch all of those gentle souls around our troubled planet. - BLG
CD for $16

RENEE FLEMING with BILL FRISELL/FRED HERSCH - Haunted Heart (Decca 440602) Renee Fleming's latest recording, Haunted Heart, explores terrain that will be unfamiliar to many of her listeners, but is actually an integral part of what makes her the singer she is today. Haunted Heart is a very personal album of ballads, standards and popular songs performed here with the help of jazz mavericks Bill Frisell (guitar) and Fred Hersch (piano). "I've long wanted to make this recording of some of the music that has inspired me over the years, but the priorities of my principal repertoire, which have led me to the operatic and recital stages, have taken precedence. Still, I've always continued to listen to my favorite singers, such as Sarah Vaughan, Betty Carter, Mark Murphy and Ella Fitzgerald. More recently, Shirley Horn and Kurt Elling keep me scanning the papers for news of their public appearances. I try to keep up with jazz instrumentalists, too, and Brad Mehldau's recordings often accompany me on my world travels as do those of Fred and Bill, the two great musicians with whom I've been fortunate to collaborate on this album." Renee Fleming.
[In stock Monday]
CD for $17

ADRIAN BELEW - Side Two (Sanctuary) The follow up to Adrian's (focalist for King Crimson for 24 years] well-received Side One which featured Danny Carey (Tool) and Les Claypool (Primus). Employing the same virtuosity that made him a sought-after player with such legends as David Bowie, David Byrne, Trent Reznor, Frank Zappa and of course, Crimso, Side Two continues to find Adrian pushing the limits of modern guitar playing and exploring new musical landscapes.
[In stock Monday]
CD for $16

TATSUYA NAKATANI/AUDREY CHEN DUO With SUSAN ALCORN - Limn (H&H 6) Finally! One of the best kept secrets in free improv, vocalist/cellist Audrey Chen, has an album release! It's a perfect representation of her broad and experimental sound palette, ranging from cutting-edge lowercase concepts (a la Liz Tonne, Carol Genetti) to classic Euro-improv split-second splatter on both voice and cello. The 15 shortish tracks truly cover the gamut with a flow and focus rare for free improv discs. Her duo work with celebrated percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani is an ideal way to discover why there's been such a buzz in Baltimore and elsewhere since she burst onto the scene about 3 years ago fresh out the conservatory, taking her chops with her but leaving the rest of her musical training behind to immerse herself in raw, uninhibited, passionate free improv. I've seen both of these musicians perform many times in diverse contexts and they almost always have me on the edge of my seat with their tense, dramatic, often cathartic style across the full range from quiet and sparse to loud and slashing. Chen has a command of dozens of harsh, scrapey, scratchy, buzzing, rubbed, otherworldly, gorgeous, and microscopically detailed sounds, as does Nakatani, one of the few cats who has truly mastered bowed metal percussion, using gongs, cymbals, and Tibetan singing bowls to get a full range of textural delights and rich, sonorous drones. Nakatani has a knack for bringing in resonant bass drum pitter-patters at just the right time and has an arsenal of extended techniques to rival almost any experimental percussionist. The disc has moments of abstract, solemn ritualistic music that revels in all these glorious edgy acoustic timbres. "Dragon's Den" is pure magic, a slow, lingering drama of quiet sounds that are both edgy and gentle, sustaining its focus for six minutes before shifting into frantic mode for the last minute. The bubbling babbling vocals on "Liplash" are the kind of sounds that would be comedic if they weren't delivered with such rapid-fire, precise, ululating, dizzying virtuosity. This disc should be a smash hit with anyone into experimental vocal music or Nakatani's work with Blue Collar, Peter Kowald, James Coleman's Zuihitsu, or the trio with Jack Wright and Michel Doneda. There's not a weak moment here, and even the packaging is great, a gatefold sleeve with elegant design and artwork. As a mind-blowing bonus there are even two tracks with Susan Alcorn, a veteran pedal steel guitar player (associated with Oliveros, Cutler, Chadbourne, etc) who contributes impossibly rich, sustained tones with a ringing, bell-like attack to the heavenly abstract textural blends with bowed gongs and bowed cello on the opening track, and fills the last track with subtle, edgy nosedives and scrapes. One of the truly essential improv releases of the year, a total goldmine! Just, wow! -Michael Anton Parker
CD $15

YUKIJURUSHI: THE BRONX BOSSA NOVA BAND [EIJI OBATA/TODD NICHOLSON/TATSUYA NAKATANI] - Mott Haven (H&H 5) This is downtown's finest experimental percussionist, Tatsuya Nakatani's alleged bossa nova band, and surprise, surprise that just what it is. Taqtsuya tells us that this band works a lot more than any of his other bands, so who knows. It consists of Eiji Obata on guitar, Todd Nicholson on upright bass and Tatsuya on drums & vocals. To me this sounds like music that is played at Latin weddings or Jewish bar or bat mitzvahs, very laid back. The trio use ambient sounds in between most of the tunes to give this a natural sorta vibe. The music here is often quite minimal, with some tasty mellow electric guitar, mood music to groove to. Eiji sounds like he is playing lap steel or dreamy , ultra-subtle slide guitar on a few of these pieces. In some ways this is very much like that blend of lounge music and soft surf guitars that was so popular a few years back. If Jim Hall did a session for Martin Denny, it just might sound like this. Are you game?!? - BLG
CD $15

PEOPLE [MARY HALVORSON/KEVIN SHEA] - Declaration of Independence (I + Ear 01) Let's call it math pop. Guitarist Mary Halvorson and drummer Kevin Shea are old hands at gee-whiz instrumentalism, but the purpose of this duo is to make catchy and exciting songs that flirt with pop convention. They have totally succeeded and their debut album is destined for heavy rotation among creative rock aficionados who will hem and haw about which slot it deserves in their year-end top 5. In the NYC post-jazz/improv underground Halvorson is known and cherished for playing in all kinds of experimental ensembles, often with fellow Wesleyan alumni who have also drunketh from Braxton's wine bottle of unrestricted and rigorous creativity. To the rest of the world, she's known as the bearer of burning, spiky Morris and Cline inspired jazz-rock fury on her hollow-body electric guitar that drives Trevor Dunn's Trio-Convulsant to its ecstatic peaks of post-rock poetry. On this album there are no dazzling solos, no crushing power chords, and no post-Bailey scrabbles; instead, Halvorson revels in the sorts of muddy, dull, bassy, austere chordal stylings of countless 90s underground rock bands who staked out the parameters for textural guitar rock songcraft. While she caresses both melody and discord at slow to medium tempi, Shea (of Coptic Light, Storm and Stress, etc) goes nuts on the drum kit, piling meters on top of each other and rarely slowing down for a groove. It's an inversion of the standard foreground/background roles for guitar and drum kit that parallels Hella, but Shea's fabulous freakouts are more chaotic and less groovy than Zach Hill. On top of these slow/fast contrasts between guitar and drums is the even more exciting simultaneous juxtaposition of slow and clean vocals with Shea's speedy splatters. It's a truly original combination to my ears. Plenty of post-prog/math-rock thrills are to be had as they occasionally jump between angular themes and whip through accelerations and collapses, but with a lone instrumental in these 16 tracks, People is mostly about singing and words. Halvorson sings Shea's wacky/intellectual/esoteric/scary/perplexing words with her music-geek intonational savvy in a light, airy voice with a husky undercurrent. Rejoice! One of my all-time favorite rock bands is TFUL282 and so I can't begin to express my joy at hearing People carry on that rarefied tradition, getting tied in Polvo-esque sturm-and-drang knots one moment only to hit a heavenly sunny pop plateau the next moment. Shea's idiosyncratic imagery finds equal and corresponding expression in the lyrics and the elaborate artwork, and he even sings on a few numbers, in a voice so compellingly mock-serious I can only cite the criminally obscure avant-pop wonders of Steaming Coils. There are precious few male/female harmony parts, so I hope to hear more on their next album. Vocally, lyrically, and instrumentally this is a fresh, fun, and brilliant album, an oasis in the desert of avant-pop that balances creativity with catchiness. These songs are stuck in my head, which is exactly where they belong. The sooner you put them in yours the happier you'll be. (Released on both CD and vinyl.) -Michael Anton Parker
CD $13

GREG BURK TRIO [w/ STEVE SWALLOW & BOB MOSES] - Nothing, Knowing (482 Music 1037) Featuring Greg Burk on acoustic piano & compositions, Steve Swallow on electric bass and Bob Moses on drums. Pianist Greg Burk studied with Paul Bley & Yusef Lateef, taught at Berklee College of Music in Boston and currently resides in Rome. He released two solo piano discs himself and has two CDs on Soul Note, which you might not have noticed as Black Saint/Soul Note had lost their US distribution for the past few years. Both Steve Swallow and Bob Moses you should well know since they are amongst the finest on their respective instruments and can be found on dozens of sessions throughout their nearly forty year careers in creative music-making. They were both members of various Gary Burton Groups in the late sixties to mid-seventies. The first note we hear is that golden toned bass that Swallow forever casts his spell with as Greg taps mystically inside the piano. This is quite a magical trio that weaves subtle waves as the tide rises and falls. Both Greg on piano and Steve on bass take superb solos throughout this fine offering. "Prelude to Surrender" is an interesting solo piano piece in which each hand moves together yet apart in different directions. "Truth Be Told" is a long piece in which we can hear the trio moving and making discoveries together. From a luscious, dream-like first section that builds beautifully in intensity and tempo as it escalates higher. A magnificent work that is simultaneously free yet completely focused. Mr. Burk has written some superb songs here, quite thoughtful, with rich melodies at the center that the trio embraces and sail away with. On "Look to the Neutrino" , Swallow plays this quaint melody as Burk embellishes it around him with Moses delicately weaving a rhythmic thread like a master tailor. The more I listen to this treasure, the more ideas I hear in different layers or sections. Without a doubt, one of the finest piano trio offerings I've heard in a long while. - BLG
CD for $14 (in stock early next week)

MAYA HOMBURGER/BARRY GUY/PIERRE FAVRE - Dakryon (Maya 0501/Switzerland) Featuring Maya Homburger on Baroque violin, Barry Guy on contrabass and special guest Pierre Favre on percussion. This is the second disc of Baroque violin and contrabass from Maya and Barry, the first was on ECM ('Ceremony'). This is also the first disc on Barry Guy's Maya label since the couple moved to Switzerland. This is a most exquisitely well-recorded disc, all acoustic and perfectly balanced. "Veni Creator Spiritus" is a hymn-like piece and Pierre Favre's percussion matches the gentility, grace and inventiveness of the violin and bass just right. "Passacaglia" was composed by H.I.F. Biber in the late 1600's and is a solo piece for Baroque violin. It is both elegant and melancholy and quite touching. Barry's "Inachis" is a duo for violin and bass and was originally found on a solo disc by Maya of Bach sonatas and partitas. The string duo sound superb and magical together as blend their strings into one ghost-like wonder. The title piece, "Dakryon", is for violin, bass, percussion and pre-recorded sounds and is an epic-length excursion through a mysterious world of drifting strings, provocative percussion and occasional, strange samples used like spice. Dario Castello's "Sonata Seconda" was also written in the 17th century and another beaut. Barry's "Peace Piece" for bass and percussion is a marvelous duo offering, rich in string and wooden tones. "Crucifixion/Mystery Sonata X" is a suite also be Biber and is a duo for violin and bass. Again, Maya and Barry play superbly together, deft, delicate, somber, eerie and quite beautiful. We close with "Ember", a solo percussion piece that brings things to a fine, minimal yet mystical conclusion. - BLG
CD for $17

AHMED ABDULLAH'S EBONIC TONES - Tara's Song (TUM 009/Finland) Featuring Ahmed Abdullah on trumpet & vocals, Alex Harding on baritone sax, Billy Bang on violin, Alex Blake on double bass and Andrei Strobert on drums. This is former Sun Ra trumpeter Ahmed Abdullah's 10th date as a leader and he is using the talents of different members of previous projects. Ahmed always chooses to cover a diverse array of jazz composers and on this one he covers Ornette Coleman, Frank Lowe, Thelonius Monk, Gigi Gryce, Sun Ra, as well as a couple of originals. Gigi Gryce's "Sans Souci" opens and is pretty straight ahead, laid back and kinda nice, with Andrei playing with his hands on the drums adding a nice touch. Ornette's classic gem "Lonely Woman" is stretched out and done gracefully and spaciously. The violin, bari sax and trumpet frontline sound righteous as they play that universally sad melody. All three frontline players take long, inspired solos, pouring it out from their hearts and souls. I hear you all speaking in tongues. The title track, "Tara's Song" was composed by Ahmed for his daughter Tara born a day after the September 11th disaster. It is another immensely stirring, melancholy sorta ballad with touching solos from Billy Bang and Ahmed on muted trumpet. Frank Lowe's "Nothing but Love" is an odd avant-funk sorta piece, that should have the folks up and dancing. Both Sun Ra songs, "Tapestry" and "Fate in a Pleasant Mood" are fine late night mood pieces with some groovy Sun Ra like vocals by Ahmed. The epic length, "The Cave" is another slow motion work of spaciousness with superb sizzling solos from the bari sax, muted trumpet and Billy's eerie violin. They bring the festivities to a close with totally groovin' classic, "Iko Iko", which is a nice way to bring us back down to mother earth. - BLG
CD for $18

SOUND INFUSION - Creative Music Recorded Live @ Elixir Smart Bar 2003 - 2004 (earthtones 004) An excellent series and compilation disc hosted by James Ilgenfritz at the Elixir Smart Bar in the Tribeca section of Manhattan. Featuring solos, duos and trios with Daniel Carter & Reuben Radding, Jessica Pavone & Mary Halvorson (both have worked with Braxton), Nate Wooley (solo), James Ilgenfritz - solo, trio w/ Steve Swell & Chris Peck & a duo w/ Jonathan Goldberger, plus Ken Filiano, Matt Bauder, Mike Pride, Zach Wallace, Jonathan Moritz and Aaron Ali Shaikh. In between the nooks and crannies, we often find many a fine improviser playing at different obscure venues around this town. This is a particularly strong batch of crafty players, known and lesser-known, yet each piece is a formidable listen. - BLG
CD $12

MORITZ EGGERT - I Belong This Road I Know (Between the Lines 71201; EEC) Contains five pieces from pianist/composer Eggert: Hammerklavier, based on a traditional folk blues; La Risposta, commissioned by Elsbeth Moser; Riff, premiered in 2002 by Duo; Fast Forward, written for Nicolas & Christoh Altstaedt; and There Was a Building, commissioned by MATA Music. I will review this myself once we get a promo, I do recall his first disc on BTL as being pretty great, though.
CD $16




RECENT DISCS BY EXTRAORDINARY MODERN COMPOSERS LIKE...

ALVIN LUCIER - Nothing Is Real... (Wergo 6660/Germany) "The focus of the pieces by composer Alvin Lucier on this new Wergo CD is the phenomena of resonance -- sympathetic vibration -- in many variations. 'Time and again, I find myself having to pare away any musical gestures in a work in order to uncover the true idea in a piece,' says Lucier. The composer knows which ideas he wants to liberate. But the process of causing the environment to resound is always a collaborative, interactive project. It needs someone who is creatively engaged, even obsessed, to make Lucier's music of ideas a music of the ears. Percussionist Matthias Kaul is just such a person, and this new disc, Nothing Is Real..., will open up many ears to Lucier's compositional brilliance."
CD for $22

GIANCINTO SCELSI - Suono Rotondo / Solo Works & Trio Improvisations (Wergo 6672) Giacinto Scelsi would have celebrated his hundredth birthday in January 2005 - an occasion for an homage, which would bring us close to Scelsi by taking up his principles of self-effacing improvisation and dressing them up in individual clothing. A living homage in the sense that it tries to get close to Scelsi, but only to play freely in a very personal way. The three well-wishers are Michael Kiedaisch (percussion), Stefano Scodanibbio (double bass), and Michael Svoboda (trombone). Mike Svoboda remarks, "The improvisations should sound like composed music, with well-rounded form, a clear concept, and balance. We played an improvisation, and then we pursued a promising idea."
CD for $22

TERRY RILEY & STEFANO SCODANIBBIO - Diamond Fiddle Language (Wergo 6675) Recorded over a period of a year and a half in three separate locations around the globe, this album highlights a pair of musicians at the height of their powers. Terry Riley and Stefano Scodanibbio have mastered their instruments to the point of transcending them, so that it would be simplistic to define their work together as duets for contrabass and keyboards. Each of them coaxes such a complex range of timbres, hues and textures from their instruments that it's hard to believe such a variety of sounds is created by only two interpreters. European avant-garde meets American minimalism; an 18th-century double bass teams up with a 21st-century synthesizer; jazz, Indian raga and extended techniques are inextricably linked. Riley and Scodanibbio each bring a wealth of diverse experiences from their very separate backgrounds.
CD for $22

STEVE REICH - Steve Reich and Musicians, Live 1977 - Kitchen Archives (Orange Mountain 018) "Steve Reich, one of the foremost composers of our time and an important 'first generation' minimalist composer has performed at The Kitchen Center for the Arts many times during his career. The Kitchen, an interdisciplinary organization known for its commitment to experimental work, has an archive of audio and video recordings that cover its three-decade existence. Orange Mountain Music in collaboration with The Kitchen's curators has found several wonderful recordings and among them are these made by Steve Reich and Musicians, Live 1977. This is the second disc in this exciting new series from Orange Mountain Music.
CD for $20

CARL RUGGLES/DONALD BERMAN - The Uncovered Ruggles (New World 80629) "The scores for the unknown works on this recording began as posthumous realizations by John Kirkpatrick from the disparate Ruggles sketches. With Kirkpatrick as trusted editor, Ruggles had showed preliminary sketch ideas to him over the years, some via letters. He left remaining drafts and miscellaneous fragments toward these acknowledged works at his death. Counting the material marked for Affirmations (or Evocation #5, or in one place, Visions-the title Kirkpatrick favored) there are more than a thousand potential contributions to this piece alone. Considering the mountain of viable sketches, his past collaborations with the composer, and a thirst to hear more music of the reticent Ruggles, Kirkpatrick assembled various sketches into performable editions. They are remarkably tight in construction. Kirkpatrick described his approach to pulling Ruggles's works together "like stringing pearls." This CD offers the first recordings of four substantial piano works, two songs, and a work for violin and piano realized by John Kirkpatrick."
CD $15

DAVID BEHRMAN - My Dear Siegfried [2 CD Set] (XI 129) "David Behrman has been active as a composer and artist since the 1960s. Over the years he has made sound and multimedia installations for gallery spaces as well as musical compositions. Sam Behrman and Siegfried Sassoon met in 1920, when Behrman, then a young writer working at The New York Times, was sent to interview Sassoon at the start of the English poet's postwar American lecture tour. Many years later, each author wrote about this youthful meeting, which inaugurated a long-lasting friendship and a correspondence, mostly conducted via trans-Atlantic letters between England and America, which continued into the 1950s. My Dear Siegfried provides a performance environment in which musicians interact with texts by the two authors and with music software designed to respond to the performers' actions. In QSRL a sensor listens to what the performer is doing and a computer music system provides responses to information the sensor takes in. Viewfinder is a sound installation using software based on homemade synthesizer music of the early 1970s. In A New Team Takes Over, homemade synthesizer modules were used in this piece to distort recordings made off the air of press conferences by members of the new Nixon administration following the American election of 1968. Touch Tones, from the early days of music done with the help of newly-available, small, inexpensive "microcomputers," made use of a kind of primitive artificial intelligence scheme. Pools of Phase Locked Loops was one of four pieces made in response to commissions to the artists of the Sonic Arts Union (Robert Ashley, Alvin Lucier, Gordon Mumma and me.) The recording is from a live performance at Radio Bremen in May 1972." See the informative review of this disc in the July issue of The Wire.
2 CD set for $15


FOUR RELEASES FROM GAVIN BRYARS OWN LABEL GB:

GAVIN BRYARS - Biped: Music For The Dance By Merce Cunningham (GB 02; UK) Gavin Bryars' numerous recordings have been among the best-selling CDs by any contemporary composer. Two of his albums, The Sinking of the Titanic and Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet, have sold more than 250,000 copies. Gavin Bryars, born in Yorkshire in 1943, started as a jazz bassist and later studied composition with John Cage. He has composed prolifically for the theater as well as the concert hall, and has written three full-length operas. BIPED was commissioned by the Merce Cunningham Dance Ensemble for the dance by Merce Cunningham. It is one of the first new musical compositions commissioned by them since the death of John Cage in 1992.
CD for $17

GAVIN BRYARS & JUAN MUNOZ/BALANESCU QUARTET - A Man In A Room, Gambling (GB 04; UK) Gavin Bryars numerous recordings have been among the bestselling CDs by any contemporary composer. Two of his albums, The Sinking of the Titanic and Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet, have sold more than 250,000 copies. Gavin Bryars, born in Yorkshire in 1943, started as a jazz bassist and later studied composition with John Cage. He has composed prolifically for theater, dance and the concert hall, and has written three full-length operas. This highly original composition project resulted from a mutual friends suggestion that Bryars collaborate with sculptor Juan Munoz, who was interested in working on a sound project for possible radio broadcast. Munoz wrote ten texts, each describing the manipulation of playing cards. His recorded voice was then manipulated to fit certain musical patterns that, in addition to the original music, include a quotation at the end of the Fifth Symphony of Sibelius. Juan Munoz died suddenly in August of 2001, aged 49, cutting short further planned collaborations with Gavin Bryars. Recorded in London, 1992. The Balanescu Quartet is one of the most celebrated and accomplished quartets specializing in new and modern music. They have released dozens of recordings on major and independent labels, and have also crossed over into the pop world, working with the Pet Shop Boys and David Byrne.
CD for $17

GAVIN BRYARS - Oi Me Lasso (GB 05; UK) 'Oi Me Lasso' is representative of a series of Gavin Bryars works inspired by the unaccompanied laudes (songs of praise to the Virgin Mary) popular in the later Middle Ages, particularly the 14th century collection known as Laudes Cortonese. Composing some 50 of these modern interpretations of the laudes has become an ongoing project for Bryars, slipped in between other projects he is working on. Each lauda is dedicated to the performer(s) for whom it was written, always including soprano Anna Maria Friman.
CD for $17

GAVIN BRYARS/ARTURS MASKATS/VALENTIN SILVESTROV//LATVIAN RADIO CHOIR - On Photography (GB 07; UK) BRYARS: On Photography, And so ended Kant's travelling in this world, Three poems of Cecco Angiolieri MASKATS: Da ispravitsa molitva moja SILVESTROV: Diptychon The Latvian Radio Choir is one of the world's finest choral ensembles, noted for the extraordinary beauty of its choral sound, the precision of its ensemble, the perfection of its intonation, the subtlety of its phrasing, and the striking individuality of its soloists. Gavin Bryars has proposed a series of recordings with the Latvian Radio Choir featuring his own works and those of Latvian and other composers. This is the first in the series!
CD for $17




ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE & THE COSMIC INFERNO - Just Another Band from the Cosmic Inferno CD (Important 058) "Just Another Band From The Cosmic Inferno is the debut album from the brand new configuration of the Acid Mothers Temple. Drained creatively like 'dinosaurs on the brink of extinction,' Kawabata Makoto decided to disband the highly successful Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso UFO lineup and replace it with something far heavier and much more powerful. Replacing the original lineup are deep-psych heavyweights including members and ex-members of The Boredoms, Ghost, Mainliner and Zeni Geva. With these ultra-heavy epic jams Kawabata Makoto has marked a new direction for his celebrated psychedelic collective."
CD for $14

THE BIRDS - Birds Birds Birds In the World (Important 059) "The first full length from the Japanese/Norweigan super-group The Birds. Comprised of Cotton Casino of The Acid Mothers Temple and Per Gisle Galaen of Slowburn, The Birds are reminiscent of other Norwegian groups like Deathprod, Supersilent and Alog though their unmistakeable and unpredictable meld of psychedelic melodies, guitar noise, Eno-esque synth dirge, Cale-drone, musique concrete and rock sets them apart. Birds Birds Birds In The World was produced by Kai Mikalsen of Sketch, Jazzkammer/Del member Lasse Marhaug and mastered by Supersilent/Deathprod producer Helge Sten. Artwork by the world famous graphic artist/collectible figurine designer Pete Fowler. The first 1000 will be packaged in deluxe 3-D artwork."
CD for $14

VOLCANO THE BEAR - Catonapotato (Digitalis 014) "Volcano the Bear was formed in 1995 with the constant idea of being a group with uncompromising and boundless ideas, and they've always tried to aim for a live environment where they can do whatever they please. This results in a live show that, beyond grandiose sonic qualities, blends the very essence of key words such as surreal, shifting moods, myriad of instruments, humor, beauty and to a certain degree, even self-indulgence. That said, these sonic transgressors are not for everyone. If you're a fan of free-form improvisations, free jazz, weird drones, pagan folk, whimsical acoustic pieces, disjointed percussive riffs, crackling electronics and actually own more than one record by either the Sun City Girls, This Heat, Faust, Residents, The Shadow Ring or Captain Beefheart, then you owe it to yourself to check out these cats."
CD for $14

VVV - Resurrection River (Mego 075Austria) VVV is: Alan Vega, Mika Vainio and Ilpo Vaisanen. This is the follow up to the 1998 VVV album Endless, which was released by Mute. Recorded over three years ago, this monumental meeting finally sees release on Mego. Resurrection River documents the May 2002 meeting of Suicide member and electronic pioneer Alan Vega with sine-wave surfers Pan Sonic (Finlanders Mika Vainio and Ilpo Vaisanen). Together, the three are a trembling triumvirate of sound. The work, nine tracks in all, is named after the river in Alaska, a river created by the power of glaciers. It's no coincidence, perhaps, that the work itself is as glacial as Vega's howlingly human intonation giving way to the heavy influence of Vainio's pointillism and Vaisanen's devotion to decay. This is post-techno sound art colliding with and amplified by endless throbs of voltage. A tribute to electromotive force from three standard-bearers of noise collage. Of course, such a release can only be credited to Mego, the Austrian label that brought you the Endless Summer of Fennesz, the sound experiments of Jim O'Rourke, Tujiko Noriko and another summit-like collaboration: Ghost Orchid from Zeena Parkins and Ikue Mori. After immersing yourself in this remarkable recording, VVV might well stand for Veni, Vidi, Vici. They came, they saw, they blew out your bass cones. All tracks by Alan Vega, Mika Vainio, Ilpo Vaisanen; Recorded at 6/8 Studios, New York, May 2002.
CD for $16

MILK FROM CHELTENHAM - Triptych of Poisoners (Alga Marghen 057/Italy) "Milk fron Cheltenham is the first in a series of Alga Marghen editions documenting the activities of the It's War Boys underground label, founded by Amos (of The Homosexuals fame) in the late 1970s. The original LP was issued in an edition limited to 300 copies. The material was recorded from 1979 to 1981 but wasn't released until 1983 due to problems with the silkscreened sleeve. The band only put out this record, a real hidden gem. Lepke said that he wanted it to sound like a Beach Boys LP by using lots of different studios but it was mostly done on a cassette machine with a primitive 'surround' function. Lepke is the man who does the impossible every time he picks up a tin, carton, bottle or instrument. The first person with enough originality to adopt 'anything' to his own idiosyncratic style. Retired to an obscure basement, still without peers in the world. Lounge makes rhythms that by this time need no words of praise with a wallop, that when left, makes the usual praise words disintegrate. A mix of inestimable ability with feelings as wild as it is rare. 'Salamander' has that certain something that most people can never have even if they practice for an eternity. Most important in his influence, most endearing in his emotional impact and most convincing in his new-found authority. If The Homosexuals were a strange prospect, and their music should fit into a similar spot as that of angry young men like Wire and Magazine who carried their penchants for art-school angst in the midst of proto-thug posturing, Milk from Cheltenham were an even more extreme band. Not only progressive with a certain artistic notion (a reference could be found in This Heat, Family Fodder and Chris Cutler's bands Henry Cow and the Art Bears) but also closer to more primitive sound experimentations of a cryptic and sinister Residential perspective. This release finally documents one of the most important projects developed in the scene explored by The Homosexuals. Amos&Sara, Sara Goes Pop, Nancy Sesay & The Melodaires and more hidden mysterious activities will soon be available through Alga Marghen.
Digipak first edition limited to 500 copies."
CD for $17

TIM OLIVE & FRITZ WELCH - Sun Reverse the Footpedal (Evolving Ear 09; USA) This lowercase free improv from the duo of Brooklyn's Fritz Welch (percussion, more or less) and Canada and Japan's Tim Olive (electric guitar, more or less) is like a soundtrack to a documentary about clock repair or metallurgy--you hear tools being laid on the bench, some scratching, scraping, and rustling of metallic objects, lots of clicks, taps, and pops. But these lads aren't fixing or building anything; they're simply passing time in a very pleasant way with fairly friendly sounds. Like a lot of other recent improv, the focus is exposing a world of hidden sounds and playing with their unique and surprising dynamic contours and timbres, trying to let new forms of musical logic unfold. As is typical for free improv of any aesthetic persuasion, some moments thrill and some bore, but the thrilling moments definitely predominate here so I can heartily recommend it to fans of the genre who are in the market for new sound combinations. I find I appreciate this album best when I don't listen too carefully; instead of keeping me on the edge of my seat, it's a drama-free accompaniment to everyday life that often grabs my attention with some fabulous sound episode, drifting between background and foreground in a satisfying way. In contrast to the biological tension of animal behavior I hear in some free improv, it's a relaxed music with an aleatoric flavor of machines allowed to do their own thing, but sporadically bumped, tapped and tinkered with so it doesn't get predictable. Olive's palette is heavily slanted towards the kinds of jarring, clipped sounds on electric guitar Kevin Drumm is noted for introducing to the improv vernacular, but he keeps them muted, polite, and gentle. Welch is an unusually crafty fellow, occasionally getting some voice-like rubbed and bowed sounds into the mix and generally using his percussive objects to make unidentifiable tiny sounds that blur the boundary between acoustic and electroacoustic. It's an unpretentious exchange of precise pointillistic prickles that often reveals the inner life of close-miked metallic surfaces. Released on Evolving Ear, a flagship label for the new generation of experimental improv from NYC with intelligent, compact, visually rewarding packaging. An outstanding alternative to silence. -Michael Anton Parker
CD $10





HISTORIC RECORDINGS & OTHER ODDITIES OF NOTE:


JACQUES BERROCAL - Catalogue (Alga Marghen 058/Italy) "Released in 1979 in a limited edition on his own d'Avantage label, Catalogue, with its overt theatricality is every bit as wild as the previous Paralleles. Not really jazz, not rock, having nothing to do with contemporary music either, Catalogue is a kind of sonic postcard which features not the group of the same name but instead numerous Berrocal associates including Potage (co-founder of the d'Avantage label in 1976), Parle, Ferlet, Pauvros and recording engineer Daniel Deshays, plus many musicians from the French underground collective scene of the 1970s. Not content with manhandling a toy piano on 'Tango' (which features mind-blowing accordion from Parle), abusing an arsenal of instruments including saw blades, pistols, shower attachment and even gingerbread, Berrocal pushes his own voice way over the edge on 'Incontrolablslaooo' and 'Faits Divers,' moving from a 60-a-day smoker's cough to a terrifying sequence of gargles and vomits. The grungy free rock of 'No More Dirty Bla Blaps,' the Portsmouth Sinfonia-like spoof Dixieland of 'Rideau,' the distressing punk of 'Signe Particulier' and all manner of fields recordings and cut-ups in Berrocal's Artaudian theatre style, combining the excesses of glam and punk cold-wave to post-1968 Situationist perspective. With the same creative attitude documented through the mythic d'Avantage label (1976-1979) Berrocal later accumulated an extensive archive of unreleased recordings, some of which finally surface now on this new edition.
Catalogue represents the most experimental and complex of Berrocal's records, as historical as contemporary modern, classic and at the same time as fresh and strange as if it had been recorded last week. During the same year Steven Stapleton frequently travelled to Paris to meet Jaques Berrocal and discuss a possible collaboration. In 1980, Berrocal travelled to London with his pocket trumpet and Tibetan oboe and recorded with Stapleton, Heman Patak and John Fothergill on NWW's second album, but that's another story."
CD for $17

CHINA SHOP - 21 Puffs on the Cassette Masters (self-produced) This somewhat legendary yet obscure NY band was formed by Steve Cohen and Naux Maciel in 1979. Their original drummer was Rich Edson, who was tossed out and then joined Konk & Sonic Youth. He was replaced by Mike Allison. The band put out one EP called "Atomic Notions", which was touted by Christgau and is included here. China Shop played dozens of gigs around the town (CB's, Peppermint Lounge, Maxwells, etc.), some great, some not-so. They often sabotaged their own gigs due to a variety of things, like playing in odd tunings and excessive embibing. I caught many of these sort of bands at that time, some who ended up famous and some who disappeared into oblivion. China Shop mix avant-funk with other twisted punk-edged goofiness as well as some progressive ideas. I hear some Contortions in there, as well as some Residents-like strangeness, Nuax was actually a pretty inventive guitarist, altering his tone and sound from song to song, layering a variety of twisted parts on top of one another. Steve's swell electric bass is often at the center providing a fine melodic/rhythmic pulse so that Naux can keep those varied guitar parts flowing, bending and twisting into unpredictable little gems. Now that bands like DNA are finally getting the well needed recognition they have long deserved, why not some of the more obscure post/punk bands of yesteryear like China Shop?!? Riddle me that. - BLG
CD-R for $10



NEW ON THE CLASSIC UK BROADCASTS LABEL 'HUX'!...

SOFT MACHINE & HEAVY FRIENDS [MIKE RATLEDGE/ROBERT WYATT/HUGH HOPPER/ELTON DEAN/MARC CHARIG/NEVILLE WHITEHEAD/PHIL HOWARD/RONNIE SCOTT/PAUL NIEMAN/ROY BABBINGTON] - In Concert 1971 (Hux 067; UK) [An abridged version of this concert was previously released on CD on the Windsong label] This is a live session recorded for the BBC at London's Paris Theatre on March 11th 1971. John Peel introduced the concert as being by "Soft Machine and Heavy Friends". This is a unique recording in that, for this BBC session, the band augmented and fragmented and performed with other great jazz musicians, including Ronnie Scott on tenor sax.
It actually begins with the Elton Dean Group (which a year later evolved into Just Us) - Dean, Mark Charig, Neville Whitehead and Phil Howard - plus Mike Ratledge on electric piano for an incredible version of "Blind Badger". Then Dean, Ratledge and Howard are joined by Hugh Hopper and Robert Wyatt for "Neo Caliban Grides"
Then follows the ubiquitous SM 30-minute+ medley of the time "Out Bloody Rageous/Eamonn Andrews/All White/ Kings And Queens/Teeth/Pigling Bland/10:30 Returns To The Bedroom" with the regular Dean-Ratledge-Hopper-Wyatt quartet augmented by - from "Teeth" onwards - Roy Babbington, Marc Charig, Paul Nieman, Neville Whitehead, and Ronnie Scott!!! A very strong performance that features some of the most jazz-oriented music Soft Machine ever produced!
The final track is the unbroadcast encore "Slightly All The Time/Noisette", which was performed by the Soft Machine quartet.
The accompanying 12 page colour booklet includes brief notes from Robert Wyatt, Hugh Hopper and Elton Dean, who all recall their own memories of this recording. Also featured in the booklet are further extensive liner notes and band photographs.
UNTOLD THUMBS UP!! - MannyLunch & Bruce!
CD for $17

VIOLENT FEMMES - BBC live (Hux 065; UK) The Violent Femmes formed in 1981 in Milwaukee. The following year, they supported The Pretenders on tour, after Chrissie Hynde & James Honeyman Scott had discovered them busking in the local streets. The trio then released their eponymous debut LP - a masterpiece of minimal, mostly acoustic, Americana which borrowed from influences as diverse as 50s rock'n'roll, doo-wop, gospel, old-time folk music, The Velvet Underground and punk. That album eventually went on to achieve platinum status. By 1991, their 10th anniversary, the Femmes had five successful studio albums and a best of compilation under their belt. During the summer of '91, the band played a sell-out tour of the UK including one show at London's Town & Country Club. That concert was recorded by the BBC and is now released here for the first time. This CD, which includes a great version of their classic anthem Blister In The Sun, captures the essence of the band live, and the powerful relationship with its audience. The accompanying 12 page booklet includes comprehensive liner notes, rare photographs and full recording details.
CD for $17

HERON - Black Dog (Hux 066; UK) Heron originally formed in England in 1968 and have since been described in the pages of Mojo magazine as one of the most collectable bands around, with their original vinyl albums now fetching upwards of $300. Thirty years after their original formation, Heron recorded this new album in the village of Black Dog in Devon, England. As keyboardist Steve Jones put it, reliving our past but bringing it up to date. The band has retained its unmistakably English sound and the songs are as unique as ever; still as relevant today as they were 30 years ago. Like many of their earlier albums, Black Dog was recorded outdoors and has a unique musical style of simple, pastoral, folk-rock, with a gentle, 'English summers day' feel. It's a delightful record, which will thrill fans of the original band and deservedly win them a coterie of new followers. This new album has a booklet that includes a full history of the band, along with profiles and photographs.
CD for $17





IMPORTANT REISSUES, RESTOCKS & MORE HISTORIC RECORDINGS


THREE MORE EAGERLY AWAITED 'VAN DER GRAAF' REMASTERS!!!..

PETER HAMMILL With VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR [DAVID JACKSON/HUGH BANTON/GUY EVANS/ROBERT FRIPP] - Fool's Mate (Charisma 1037; UK) [2005 REMASTER with bonus early Van Der Graaf demo versions: "The Birds" "Sunshine" "Happy" "Re-awakening" and "Summer Song (In The Autumn)"] Although not on par with his best albums (1977's Over, 1978's The Future Now, etc.), this solo debut, Fool's Mate, shows Van der Graaf Generator's Peter Hammill taking his first steps toward later prog rock perfection. What makes Fool's Mate different than VdGG's material is that it's more mainstream, and for the most part, piano and acoustic guitar-based. But Hammill is still able convey the grandness of classic VdGG, as heard in the sweeping sounds of "Re-Awakening." And Hammill never grows predictable. The tracks "Sunshine" and "Imperial Zeppelin" show that he doesn't take himself as seriously as many of his then-contemporaries (an important reason why Hammill's music has held up far better over the years than some other prog rockers). But Hammill's lyrics weren't as sophisticated and developed as they would later come to be, which is understandable, since it is his very first solo outing, after all. And the album's closing song, "I Once Wrote Some Poems," hinted at the style Hammill would pursue more thoroughly on future releases (venomous vocals set against contrasting music). Fool's Mate is not as bad as some Peter Hammill purists make it out to be, especially give the guesting of Robert Fripp on guitar, but casual fans should check out Over or The Future Now first. ~ Greg Prato, AMG
CD $22

VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR [PETER HAMMILL/DAVID JACKSON/HUGH BANTON/GUY EVANS] - Godbluff (Charisma 1109; UK) [2005 REMASTER with two live bonus cuts from Rimini 9th August 1975: "Forsaken Gardens" and "A Louse Is Not A Home"] Following the release of Pawn Hearts, bandleader Peter Hammill took time out to develop a solo career, choosing to focus his energy on darkly introspective works that seemed to be intended to examine the personal consequences of his life. When it came time for reuniting the members of Van Der Graaf, this change in direction had its effect on the band's post-1975 music. While the musical structures continued to be complex and dense, there seemed to be far less accent on the demonstration of musical skill than had formerly been the case. Indeed, the album opened with daring quietness, with David Jackson's flute echoing across the stereo space, joined by Hammill's voice as he whispered the opening lines. There was sturm und drang to come, but the music had been opened up and the lyrics had developed more focus, often abandoning metaphor in favor of statement. Godbluff was a bravura comeback -- only four cuts, but all were classics. ~ Steven McDonald, AMG
CD $22

VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR [PETER HAMMILL/DAVID JACKSON/HUGH BANTON/GUY EVANS] - Still Life (Charisma 1116; UK) [2005 REMASTER with bonus track "Gog" (Live from Bangor 10th May 1975)] VDGG's second step on the mid-'70s comeback trail saw Peter Hammill attempting to meld the introspective and the cosmic throughout, though this did not stop him from taking a dead run at a grandiose concept or two -- the consequences of immortality on the title track, and the grand fate of humanity on the epic "Childlike Faith In Childhood's End." The theme of humane cooperation informed the opening "Pilgrims," while "La Rossa" is an epic tale of desire fulfilled (a story that would be concluded on Hammill's solo album, Over). The true highlight, however, is the beautiful, pensive "My Room (Waiting for Wonderland)," with its echoes of imagination and loss. Hammill did not achieve such a level of painful beauty again until "This Side of the Looking Glass" on Over. ~ Steven McDonald
CD $22

[still to come next month..VDGG expanded reissues of World Record, Quiet Zone-Pleasure Dome, and the live Vital!]


CARAVAN - Better By Far (Eclectic 1018; UK) Eclectic Discs is proud to release the CD debut of Caravan's 1977 studio album. Unavailable for over 20 years, this album features fine examples of Pye Hastings' songwriting craft such as 'Nightmare' (still a favourite of the band's live act), 'Better By Far' and 'Behind You'. The release also features the Geoffrey Richardson classic 'The Last Unicorn' and Jan Schelhaas' 'Man in a Car'. Digitally remastered by Paschal Byrne (who has remastered all of Caravan's Universal reissues), this welcome release is long overdue and features liner notes and unseen photographs.
CD for $17


KING CRIMSON [ROBERT FRIPP/JOHN WETTON/BILL BRUFORD/DAVID CROSS] - Starless And Bible Black (DGM/Inner Knot; USA) [same transfer from the 2001 edition, but nice to have it back in print!] The classic '70s Crimso line-up of Robert Fripp guitar and mellotron; John Wetton bass and vocals; Bill Bruford drums, and David Cross on violin and mellotron continue their foray into a range of styles from pre-hardcore metal tunes intpo contemporay classical tone poems and orchestral-sensibilty ballads. Unknown at the time of release was that many of the cuts from this predominantly instrumental album were recorded in concert (3 from the Amsterdam Concertgebouw of 11/22/73, recently presented in it's entirety on the 2 CD set 'The Nightwatch', and one cut from Zurich in that same week) and all audience sound was removed! And the album is mind-boggling enough without knowing that!
CD $14


LA DUSSELDORF - La Dusseldorf (East West 44121/Germany) New WEA Germany reissue of the self-titled first album (of three). Previously reissued on Captain Trip -- and long deleted on that label. La Dusseldorf was Klaus Dinger's (ex-Neu!) super group, who released three albums from 1976-81. This first album was originally released in 1976 from Decca/Nova; followed by Viva and Individuellos. A trio of Klaus Dinger (guitars, vocals), Thomas Dinger (percussion, vocals, light), and Hans Lampe (percussion, electronics), recorded in 1975, La Dusseldorf took off from the remnants of Neu! 75 with a dreamy metronomic shifting sound that has held up over all this time quite well. One of the all-time Krautrock classic albums.
CD for $20

LA DUSSELDORF - Viva (East West 44113/Germany) Legit WEA Germany reissue (previously reissued -- and long deleted -- on the Captain Trip label). Viva is the second La Dusseldorf album from 1978. A continuation of the trio sound of Klaus Dinger (vocals, guitars, perc.), Thomas Dinger (percussion, vocals), and Hans Lampe (drums, percussion), with guest augmentation on bass, synths, piano, etc. Accessible, crystal-edged synthetic monotones in a Kraftwerk-ian mode.
CD for $20





FIRST, BLUE NOTE CDs WE'VE BEEN WAITING A LONG TIME FOR...BACK IN PRINT!!!
[These 6 Blue Notes in stock Monday]

DON CHERRY With PHAROAH SANDERS/GATO BARBIERI/HENRY GRIMES/ED BLACKWELL - Symphony For Improvisors (Blue Note 63823) 2005 RVG rmstr. For his second album, Symphony for Improvisers, Don Cherry expanded his Complete Communion quartet -- tenor saxophonist Gato Barbieri, bassist Henry Grimes, and drummer Ed Blackwell -- to a septet, adding vibraphonist Karl Berger, bassist Jean Francois Jenny-Clark, and tenor saxophonist Pharoah Sanders (who frequently plays piccolo here). The lineup has a real international flavor, since Barbieri was from Argentina, Berger from Germany, and Jenny-Clark from France; Cherry had gigged regularly with all three during his 1964-1965 sojourn in Europe, and brought them to New York to record. With all the added firepower, it's remarkable that Symphony for Improvisers has the same sense of shared space and controlled intelligence as its predecessor, even when things are at their most heated. Once again, Cherry sets up the album as two continuous medleys that fuse four compositions apiece, which allows the group's improvisational energy and momentum to carry straight through the entire program. The "Symphony for Improvisers" suite is the most raucous part of Cherry's Blue Note repertoire, and the "Manhattan Cry" suite pulls off the widest mood shifts Cherry had yet attempted in that format. Even though the album is full of passionate fireworks, there's also a great deal of subtlety -- the flavors added to the ensemble by Berger's vibes and Sanders' piccolo, for example, or the way other instrumental voices often support and complement a solo statement. Feverish but well-channeled, this larger-group session is probably Cherry's most gratifying Blue Note. ~ Steve Huey, AMG
CD $12

FREDDIE REDD QUARTET With JACKIE McLEAN/MICHAEL MATTOS/LARRY RITCHIE - Music From 'The Connection' (Blue Note 63836) The second of two studio recordings of Redd's music for the play and film of Jack Gelber's 'The Connection' [the first - a quintet lineup - was done for the UK label Boplicity in 1960 as well] 2005 RVG rmstr. Freddie Redd composed the music for Jack Gelber's The Connection, a gritty play about musician junkies. Gelber had originally thought that the play would feature real musicians -- who would also double as actors in minor roles -- improvising on blues and jazz standards in the tradition of Charlie Parker, but Redd convinced him to use an original score. The two weaved Redd's original compositions into the score, making it an integral part of the play, but the music holds up superbly on its own. Using the direction "in the tradition of Charlie Parker" as a starting point, the pianist wrote seven pieces of straight-ahead bop, wide open for improvisations, and then assembled a sterling quartet featuring himself, alto saxophonist Jackie McLean, bassist Michael Mattos, and drummer Larry Ritchie. The end result was a set of dynamic straight-ahead bop. While both Redd and McLean show signs of their influences -- the pianist blends Monk and Powell, while the saxophonist has built off of Bird's twisting lines -- they have developed their own voices, which gives the driving, bluesy bop on Music From the Connection an edge. McLean's full, robust tone often dominates, but he never overshadows Redd's complex, intricate playing, and both musicians, as well as Mattos and Ritchie, effortlessly keep up with the changes from hard-hitting, up-tempo bop numbers to lyrical, reflective ballads. Musically, Music From the Connection might not offer anything unexpected, but whenever straight-ahead bop is done this well, it should be celebrated. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AMG
CD $12

ART BLAKEY & THE JAZZ MESSENGERS - The Big Beat (Blue Note 63800) 2005 RVG rmstr. Perhaps the best known and most loved of Art Blakey's works, The Big Beat is a testament to the creative progress of one of the best jazz drummers of all time. Now over 40 years old, The Big Beat is as thunderous as ever. Here, Blakey combines his rhythm with tenor saxaphonist Wayne Shorter's brilliant composing to make what could only be termed a "structurally raw" album. Each track rips through bebop as quickly as Blakey ripped through drum heads. "Dat Dere" and "Lester Left Town" stand out as true canons for hot jazz. Two alternate versons of "It's Only a Paper Moon" round out the album, both brimming with the fluid integrity of the song and the drive only Blakey could provide. As one of the few drummers to step out and lead, not just play backup, Art Blakey created a true jazz treasure in The Big Beat. ~ Christopher Fielder, AMG
CD for $12

HERBIE HANCOCK - Inventions And Dimensions (Blue Note 63798) w/ Paul Chambers, Willie Bobo, Osvaldo "Chihuahua" Martinez [2005 RVG rmstr] For his third album, Inventions and Dimensions, Herbie Hancock changed course dramatically. Instead of recording another multi-faceted album like My Point of View, he explored a Latin-inflected variation of post-bop with a small quartet. Hancock is the main harmonic focus of the music -- his three collegues are bassist Paul Chambers, drummer Willie Bobo and percussionist Osvaldo "Chihuahua" Martinez, who plays conga and bongo. It is true that the music is rhythm-intensive, but that doesn't mean it's dance music. Hancock has created an improvisatory atmosphere where the rhythms are fluid and the chords, harmonies and melodies are unexpected. On every song but one, the melodies and chords were improvised, with Hancock's harmonic ideas arising from the rhythms during the recording. The result is risky, unpredictable music that is intensely cerebral and quite satisfying. Inventions and Dimensions displays his willingness to experiment and illustrates that his playing is reaching new, idiosyncratic heights. Listening to this, the subsequent developments of Miles Davis' invitation to join his quartet and the challenging Empyrean Isles come as no surprise. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AMG
CD $12

DONALD BYRD - Fuego (Blue Note 63802) 2005 RVG rmstr. This CD reissue brings back a typically excellent Donald Byrd Blue Note session; virtually all of the trumpeter's most rewarding dates were for that label. Teamed with altoist Jackie McLean, pianist Duke Pearson, bassist Doug Watkins and drummer Lex Humphries, Byrd plays six of his originals with the most memorable ones being "Fuego," "Funky Mama" and "Amen." An above-average hard bop set that still sounds fresh nearly 40 years later. ~ Scott Yanow, AMG
CD $12

GRANT GREEN - Sunday Morning (Blue Note 63815) 2005 2005 RVG rmstr. Grant Green's fourth album, Sunday Mornin', was the first time Green recorded (as a leader) with a piano instead of an organ. Joined by pianist Kenny Drew, bassist Ben Tucker, and drummer Ben Dixon, Green makes Sunday Mornin' less of a soul-jazz session than his previous work, instead turning in a solid -- if not quite exceptional -- set of modal hard bop and laid-back grooves. Pianist Drew's sparse chording leaves plenty of room for Green's lilting tones to ring out, and since Green's approach relies on single-note lines rather than chords, the whole session ends up with a spacious, light feel. Half of the original six tracks are Green originals, including the Martin Luther King-inspired "Freedom March" and the gospel-tinged title track; the others are well-known repertory: "God Bless the Child," Miles Davis' "So What," and Eddie Harris' then-recent hit adaptation of the theme from "Exodus." Green is tasteful and elegant as always, and the results make for an enjoyable addition to his discography, even if there are more distinctive Green albums available. ~ Steve Huey, AMG
CD $12





DONOVAN - Sunshine Superman (EMI 73566/UK) 2005 digital remaster of the first Donovan album, originally released on Epic in 1966. This is the first in a series of UK-only reissues, celebrating Donovan's 40th year in music (all featuring deluxe bookets of notes & photos). This one featues 7 bonus tracks. " 'Sunshine Superman' is regularly cited as one of the finest albums of the psychedelic era from which the then 20 year-old singer enjoyed massive hit singles in the US. 'Paced by the title track, one of Donovan's best singles, 1966's Sunshine Superman heralded the coming psychedelic age with a new world/old world bent: several ambitious psychedelic productions and a raft of wistful folk songs. Producer Mickie Most fashioned a new sound for the Scottish folksinger, a sparse, swinging, bass-heavy style perfectly complementing Donovan's enigmatic lyrics and delightfully skewed, beatnik delivery." - All Music Guide.
CD for $16

DONOVAN - Mellow Yellow (EMI 73567/UK) 2005 remaster of Donovans' second album, originally released by Epic Records in 1967. Part 2 of the UK-only series celebrating Donovan's 40th year in music. "...with Donovan's voice richer and more resonant than ever in this new transfer, and the arrangements by John Cameron and John Paul Jones now fully exposed and heard in all the timbres that were present in the studio; this is a sonic delight as well a spellbinding mix of psychedelia, blues, folk, Eastern music, and pop like nothing else that Columbia or any other major label - except EMI and Capitol with the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper album - was releasing in 1967. It's been augmented with ten bonus tracks, three previously released ('Epistle to Dippy,' 'Preachin' Love,' 'There Is a Mountain'), but making their debut with truly killer sound so that you can even hear the action on the strings of the acoustic guitar deep in the mix of 'There Is a Mountain,' and six previously unissued demos, solo acoustic, and some works-in-progress, including early incarnations of evolving songs such as 'Good Time' and another attempt at 'Superlungs' where Donovan gets into some surprising pop and garage rock grooves, respectively.' -All Music Guide.
CD for $16

DONOVAN - The Hurdy Gurdy Man (EMI 73568/UK) 2005 remaster, originally released by Epic Records in 1968. UK-only reissue, with 7 bonus track, detailed booklet of notes. "A product of several contacts between Donovan and Eastern culture, principally growing out of his discovery of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the album also reflected the product of several infatuations and a highly experimental mindset, and all of it flows forth here in ravishing detail - the chants, ragas, and drones heard in between the more folk-oriented ballads - all in high-resolution digital audio, which now makes this album sound like one of the most delightfully spacey and intoxicating releases of its era, and there was no shortage of records shooting for those effects; but heard here the way they were meant to be, these songs now strike a careful balance between substantive, defined ballads, and bolder effect pieces that work more directly on the psyche. It's all not unlike the effect of drugs, and makes this one of the truest products of its era in terms of its effect on the listener.' -All Music Guide. "In terms of musical styles, the album is probably Donovan's most wide-ranging. From the full-on rock to the title track to the ornate pop of 'Jennifer Juniper,' via jazz, calypso and Celtic/eastern fusion."
CD for $16


FAIRPORT CONVENTION - Before The Moon: Ebbets Field, Colorado 1974 [Ltd 2 CD edition] (Pilot 133; UK) Featuring Sandy Denny, Trevor Lucas, Jerry Donahue, Dave Swarbrick, Dave Pegg and Dave Mattacks. On this very same tour Fairport Convention came to my college, Glassboro State and were supposed to open for Bruce Springsteen who didn't show. So Fairport headlined and got to play over two hours, completely wowing the ground and winning over many new fans. Original vocalist, Sandy Denny, was back in the band, as was her husband Trevor Lucas, another wonderful vocalist with a great, deep voice. Jerry Donahue was on lead guitar, an immensely talented guitarist who was a perfect replacement for their original guitar great, Richard Thompson. At that concert, as well as on this superb double disc, the band gets a chance to stretch out. Great songs, great singing and a number of inspired solos from Donahue on guitar and Swarbrick on fiddle. The enclosed booklet includes a lengthy interview with Dave Pegg and lots of historic pix. What more could you want, you rascal you?!? - BLG
2 CD set for $16 7 for 6 SALE

RICHARD THOMPSON, ASHLEY HUTCHINGS, JOHN KIRKPATRICK, BARRY DRANSFELD AND DAVE MATTACKS - Morris On (Fledg'ling 3037/UK) Originally released in 1972 by Universal Island Records. "Thirtieth anniversary reissue of this folk-rock classic. Morris On is one of the great eccentric masterpieces of British electric folk music -- Morris music has never been as soulful (or as much fun) as this. This edition has sleevenotes from Ashley and has been carefully remastered from the original master tapes."
CD for $16

SHIRLEY COLLINS & DAVY GRAHAM - Folk Roots, New Routes (Fledg'ling 3052/UK) "Another classic record from 1965. An experimental recording conceived by Austin John Marshall bringing together Shirley's haunting traditional song with Davy's guitar improvisations. Folk Roots, New Routes opened the door for Fairport Convention's Liege and Lief and Pentangle's debut. For this carefully remastered, slipcased edition Fledg'ling have restored the original artwork, added a new sleeve-note essay and previously unpublished photographs."
CD for $16

HOME SERVICE - Alright Jack (Fledg'ling 3015/UK) The Home Service that went into Raezor Studios in Wandsworth in December 1985 to make their third LP was a band with a pedigree second to none in its field of English music. That third LP was Alright Jack and it found the band on a creative streak. At the time of its release critics hailed it as one of the seminal albums in its field, one to rival the best albums that Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, the Albion Band or Richard Thompson had produced. The passage of time has borne out how perceptive those assessments were, for like those other classic albums, it proved more than a 'genre album.' In a quintessentially British tradition Alright Jack proved a classic. They had decided that the album's centrepiece would be a setting of folk songs by Percy Grainger for large wind ensemble. Grainger, a highly complex character with enough quirks and eccentricities to fill the pages of a sizeable psychological study, had been regarded as one of the finest pianists of his day and the preserved evidence in the form of piano-rolls and recordings demonstrates a pianistic virtuosity on an Olympian scale. What is more, he had been a true visionary in the field of folk song collecting, for, in an era when many collectors allowed their preconceptions about the lower classes, good taste and musical orthodoxy to colour and distort their results, Grainger's attitudes were positively revolutionary. For example, other collectors, it would seem, often bowlderized language which might offend or doctored or rejected as aberrations, modes or time signatures which failed to comply with scholarly expectations or theories.
CD for $16

BERT JANSCH - Running From Home: An Introduction To... (Castle; USA) Bert Jansch, who is one of the most influential figures in contemporary British folk music, brought an unsurpassed combination of virtuosity and eclecticism to the acoustic guitar, both as a solo artist and as a member of Pentangle. A talented songwriter and affecting vocalist, Jansch wrote sparse and dark material that recalled the folky side of Donovan, although Bert Jansch was less pop-oriented than the psychedelic pop troubadour. Bert Jansch's influence was not only immense in the British folk scene; it also extended to the rock world. Both Jimmy Page and Neil Young have acknowledged Bert Jansch as a major influence.
CD $14


BETTY WRIGHT - My First Time Around (Water 151CD) "Having recently collaborated with the heavyweights of soul music's new school, Betty Wright's name has never been so high profile. In the past few years, she's performed on and produced both of young British soul singer Joss Stone's albums, as well as collaborating with Erykah Badu, The Roots, and legendary vibes player Roy Ayers. This, her very first album released in 1968, was recorded when the singer was just 14 years old, but she was already performing with the fiery soul she would be known for throughout her career. Includes her first chart single, 'Girls Can't Do What The Guys Do,' and features detailed liner notes. First time on CD."
CD for $15

MEMPHIS HORNS - Memphis Horns (DBK Works 516) "Arguably the greatest soul horn section ever, the Memphis Horns were a critical part of the Stax/Atlantic Records formula during the '60s and '70s. Featuring the duo of trumpeter Wayne Jackson and tenor saxophonist Andrew Love, they appeared on songs by virtually every Stax artist, as well as backing King Curtis and Aretha Franklin in the '70s. Their self-titled debut for Atlantic Records was originally released in 1970 and features hot instrumental versions of songs they originally recorded for Stax: Otis Redding's 'I Can't Turn You Loose,' Sam & Dave's 'Soul Man,' Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham's 'Cry Like Baby,' as well as some cooking original southern soul of their own! First time on CD."
CD for $16


JACKIE-O MOTHERFUCKER - Liberation (ATPR 010) Reissue of Jackie-O-Motherfucker's 2001 Liberation, originally released on Road Cone. This album was highly acclaimed for its superior production, and marks the band's slow move towards more song-oriented and loosely-composed material. It's a dreamier, organic, more transitional record that proudly displays Jackie-O's emotional sophistication and ever-expansive chops. Multi-intrumentalists Tom Greenwood and Jef Brown and various Jackie-O collective members use vibraphone, fiddle, organ, turntables, sitar and reed to augment and illustrate a variant cacaphony, even dipping into free-jazz territory. Liberation picks up where Fig. 5 left off, except with more lone, anthemic post-rock simultaneously invoking elements of Spaceman 3, Can, Dirty Three, Derek Bailey, the Art Ensemble of Chicago and Amon DØØl. Far more hazy than their previous releases, Liberation cemented the band as an ever-revolving cast of collaborators willing to participate in a free-flowing experiment in free-jazz, folk, psych-rock, post-rock, and distorted Americana.
CD for $15

JACKIE-O MOTHERFUCKER - fig. 5 (ATPR 011) This is the ATP Recordings reissue of the masterful Fig. 5, released in 2000 on Road Cone and previously out-of-print. Since 1994 Jackie-O-Motherfucker have been a spiraling collective, inspired by an impossibly diverse array of sound and vision - free jazz and rock, graffiti, space rock, folk music, xerox art, text/sound art, hip-hop, performance and video art, electronic and primitive music, you name it. The wider distribution and visibility afforded by the efforts of Road Cone delivered the band's artifacts to a worldwide audience, with much critical acclaim. Core members Tom Greenwood (guitar, vox, turntables), Brooke Crouser (vox, keyboards, reeds), and John Flaming (reeds) are featured on this record: music you put on the stereo to go about your business - folding laundry, whatever - not even realizing you are listening until you're sitting on the edge of the bed completely lost in the sound. While one wishes for better fidelity, it's hard to argue with the Pitchfork kids terming this album a "masterpiece" (revolutionary 9.2 rating!) It's up to you to decide whether it is in fact the "secret national anthem."
CD for $15


FUCHSIA - Fuchsia (Night Wings 002/Italy) First legit reissue of this UK folk album, originally issued in 1971 on Kingdom Records. Digipak with 16 page book of lyrics, notes and photos. "Their sole 1971 LP straddled gothic beauty and horror, and remains a surreal blend of joy and madness, a bewitching compound of gothic acid-folk, Canterbury whimsy and pop melody, complete with Pre-Raphaelite female backing vocals and highly ornate string arrangements...Fuchsia was unpredictable yet teemed with melody: eloquent string arrangements and rock rhythms collided and meshed with results veering from tempestuous to pastoral. 'Gone with the Mouse', and 'A Tiny Book' brought Syd Barrett-esque naivetØ, 'Shoes and Ships' and the Durant/Chudley Louise-era collaboration 'Another Nail' were set to sweeping orchestral arrangements, while 'The Nothing Song' hovered in the realm of psychedelia . Then they added dreamy pop-rock with Chudley's 'Me and My Kite'(also from the Louise repertoire) and Durant's 'Just Anyone'..." - John O'Regan/Mojo.
CD for $19

FUCHSIA - Fuchsia, Mahagonny & other gems (Night Wings 004) The second, previously unreleased Fuchsia CD following the self-titled debut from 1971. "From one of the greatest '60s/'70s progressive/psych folk outfits comes this fantastic CD. A long awaited release it includes three Fuchsia demos (all three unreleased songs!), Five tracks recorded in 1975 and based around Brecht-Weill works, two tracks from Bob Chudley (ex-Louise with Tony Durant and Chris Cutler) and one track, a beautiful Albion Band-like ballad composed by Durant, but actually sung and played by the real Albion Band. 24 bit digitally re-mastered by Tony Durant the CD comes in a jewel case with a huge 16-page booklet."
CD for $19


FRESH MAGGOTS - Fresh Maggots (Sunbeam Records 5002/UK) "Long established as a cult classic and collector's grail, Mick Burgoyne and Leigh Dolphin's sole album is presented here with their full co-operation. Recorded in 1971 when they were just nineteen and fresh to the studio, Fresh Maggots is one of the best distillations of folk and psychedelia ever recorded. Varying in tone from heavy rock ('Frustration') to protest ('Everybody's Gone To War'), social commentary ('Dole Song') and pastoral ('Rosemary Hill'), it's a highly unusual and powerful record that enjoyed extravagant acclaim on release but sold poorly and has never been officially issued since. Original pressings are notoriously badly pressed, so this reissue is sure to be rapturously welcomed by all lovers of acid folk."
CD for $17


STIFF LITTLE FINGERS - Flags And Emblems (Castle; USA) Includes bonus tracks including a rare interview with Jake Brown.
CD $12


HENRY FLYNT - You Are My Everlovin'/Celextial Power [2 CD set] (Recorded 01) First volume in a series subtitled: New Americam Ethnic Music. "Two 45 minute sets of live improvised 'avant-garde hillbilly and blues music' featuring Henry Flynt on (a rather gained) violin, one (YAME) is a duo with an unaccredited tambura player (drenched in reverb/background acoustics), the other (CP) featuring 1 track of violin, and 2 tracks of volume pedal guitars -- all performed by Flynt (drenched in reverb/background acoustics). Henry Flynt is a vanguard American conceptual artist, key Fluxus participant, ally to both La Monte Young (esp. in the early New York years, contributing to the key Fluxus document; the La Monte-edited An Anthology) and George Maciunas (several mid 60s collaborations including 'Communists Must Give Revolutionary Leadership in Culture'), author of many pamphlets and public propaganda works (Blueprint for a Higher Civilization, Down with Art), magazine articles ('Extracts from Personhood's Self Cancellation', perhaps more relevant 'The Meaning of My Avant-Garde Hillbilly and Blues Music'), recently obsessed with furthering the ideals of Meta-Technology. An interesting set of performances, both extended extemporizations on extended alpha-state ascension through excessive application of overtone-series note relationships/harmonics over a single chord/form. Close in spirit to La Monte perhaps, closer in application to something like Tony Conrad or Arnold Dreyblatt, only with a unique country-fried holler-bent that's at once alienating to art-music lovers but at the same time much more personable. An important cultural and historic link, one of the only fully realized Fluxus audio documents (despite it's 10+ year delay to the 'classic' era) available in the CD age. Seminal" - Hrvatski
2 CD set for $20




LAST COPIES OF THREE OUT-OF-PRINT 'BANG ON A CAN FESTIVAL' CDs ON THE DEFUNCT CRI LABEL:

BANG ON A CAN - Live Volume 1 (CRI/Emergency 628) Featuring Tom Johnson's "Failing", William Doerrfeld's "Evening Chant", Scott Lindroth's "Relations to Rigor", Michael Gordon's "Strange Quiet", Julia Wolfe's "The Vermeer Room", Evan Ziporyn's "LUV Time" and Allison Cameron's "Two Bits". 78 minutes long and pretty engaging throughout. Each piece explores a different idea, approach or provocative problem. Like the festival itself, each piece is performed by a different soloist or group. The pieces are taken from different Bang On A Can fests from 1987 - 1991. A most impressive debut disc. - BLG
CD for $15

BANG ON A CAN - Live Volume 2 (CRI/Emergency 646) Featuring Shelley Hirsch and David Weinstein: "Haiku Lingo", Lois V Vierk: "Red Shirt IV", Jeffrey Brooks: "Composition for Two Pianos", Elizabeth Brown: "Migration", Jeffrey Mumford: "a pond within the drifting dusk" and Phil Kline: Bachmans' "Warbler".
CD for $15

BANG ON A CAN - Live Volume 3 (CRI/Emergency 672) Featuring Nick Didkovsky's "I Kick My Hand", Bunita Marcus' "Adam & Eve/il", Mary Wright's "Lizard Belly Moon", Orlando Jacinto Garcia's "Colores Ultraviolados", Paul Reller's "Carcass" and Linda Bouchard's "Tung Ta".
CD for $15




MORE TITLES ADDED TO OUR '7 for the price of 6' CD SALE LIST!...


(You can also pick from over 700 [other] eligible items from the "7 For The Price OF 6" CD SALE LIST!!! - meaning for every 7 you pick, the lowest priced 7th is FREE!!!)



TEMPEST [JOHN HISEMAN/ALLAN HOLDSWORTH et al] - Tempest (Castle 515; UK) Tempest (no relation to the US band of the same name) were most notable for their band members. Formed by Jon Hiseman between Colosseum and Colosseum II, he brought in an at the time very young Allan Holdsworth on guitar. This their first album was released in 1973. It found Hiseman very much holding the reins, writing most of the lyrics, and assuming production duties. The result is quite a heavy album, with less in the way of jazz influences than Colosseum's work. At times the music has suggestions of MOUNTAIN and Coverdale/Hughes era DEEP PURPLE. Generally considered disappointing at the time of its release, the album has actually stood the test of time rather well. Paul Williams rich, jazzy voice can be something of an acquired taste, but on tracks such as the opening "Gorgon" and the almost commercial "Up and on", the power of his voice comes to the fore. Holdsworth's guitar is generally kept in check, but "Up and on" and "Strangher" allows him some freedom. Mark Clarke takes on vocal duties for the delicate "Grey and black". His voice is less distinctive than Williams', but suits a softer track like this well. The final track, "Upon tomorrow" is the most progressive and adventurous track on the album, with something of a CHICAGO jazz rock feel to it. - Bob McBeath, Progarchives
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE


TEMPEST [JOHN HISEMAN/OLLIE HALSALL] - Living In Fear (Castle 724; UK) This second effort of Tempest sees Ollie Hallsall ex-Patto replace both Winter and Holdsworth as well as taking on the vocals duties (albeit shared with Clarcke). With the major changes in the band between their first album and this one, their style also changed radically from a jazz rock orientated band to straight forward rock. Although Hiseman and Clarke remain from the first album, it's the late Halsall who dominates things. "Dance to my tune" is the most prog track here, with some good guitar and fine synthesiser. The Beatles "Paperback writer" gets a real dusting down, becoming a heavy rock track, while "Stargazer" is a highly melodic Mark Clarke piece. Incidentally "Stargazer" was covered superbly by Clarke's former band-mate Ken Hensley on his "Eager to please" album, with a wonderful brass section ending. There are at times hints of Free/Bad Company on the album, but little to link back to Colosseum. 'Living in fear' benefits greatly from the multi-talented Halsall's instrumental work... - Bob McBeath, AMG
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.


JOHN McLAUGHLIN - Devotion (Neon; EEC) 2nd of John's three classic solo albums from 69-71, this has the early jazz-rock line-up predecessor to Mahavishnu Orchestra of: Jerry Goodman violin, drummer/composer Buddy Miles (Hendrix' Band Of Gypsies and Electric Flag), Larry Young (a member w/ Mclaughlin in the classic 1st lineup of Tony Williams' Lifetime), and Billy Rich on bass. All McLaughlin work from late 68 w/Miles through the 4 albums with the first lineup of Mahvishnu through 73 is indispensable, and this is no exception! Please forget about the cover photo of McLaughlin from 20 years later.
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE


MATERIAL - One Down (Movie Gold; EEC) Bill Laswell's genre-hopping group's 2nd album from 1982 was an avant disco/funk record, incidentally the recording debut of Whitney Houston, who sings a Soft Machine tune 'Memories' with sax solos by Archie Shepp [originally sung by Robert Wyatt and written by Hugh Hopper]!! Where else could you find such stellar talent as Fred Frith, Nile Rodgers, Nicky Skopelitis, Yogi Horton, Oliver Lake, Fred Maher, Daniel Ponce, Bernard Fowler et al rubbing shoulders? And watch out for the infectious over-the-top guitar solo by Ronnie Drayton on the CD bonus cut, the 9 minute 12"-only 'Busting Out' with killer Nona Hendryx vocals!
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE


JULIUS HEMPHILL - Coon Bidness [aka Reflections] (Freedom; Germany) w/ Arthur Blythe, Hamiet Bluiett, Abdul Wadud, Baikida Carroll, Philip Wilson & Barry Altschul!! Outstanding early effort from our man Julius!!!
CD $10 7 for 6 SALE


A BUNCH OF GREAT BLUE NOTES CDs ON '7 for 6' SALE - Including some not available in the U.S.

CANNONBALL ADDERLEY - Somethin' Else (Blue Note; EEC) One of the best known record dates in the history of modern jazz, the chemistry among Adderley, Miles Davis, Hank Jones, Sam Jones and Art Blakey is amazing. Their radical reworkings of "Autumn Leaves" and "Love For Sale" are masterpieces. Miles' title tune and Nat Adderley's "One For Daddy-O" are classics. xtra cut is "Alison's Uncle"
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.


ART BLAKEY & THE JAZZ MESSENGERS - Like Someone In Love (Blue Note; EEC) w/ Wayne Shorter, Lee Morgan, B Timmons, J Merritt; 2 xtra cuts.
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.


ART BLAKEY & THE JAZZ MESSENGERS - Moanin' (Blue Note; EEC) 10/30/58 classic w/ Blakey, Benny Golson, Lee Morgan, Bobby Timmons, Jymie Merritt;
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.


TINA BROOKS - True Blue (Blue Note; EEC) TINA BROOKS, tenor sax; FREDDIE HUBBARD, trumpet; DUKE JORDAN, piano; SAM JONES, bass; ART TAYLOR, drums; 2 xtra cuts.
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.


DONALD BYRD - Off To The Races (Blue Note; EEC) Not available in the U.S. w/ Jackie McLean, Pepper Adams, Wynton Kelly, Sam Jones, Art Taylor
CD $12.00 7 for 6 SALE.


PAUL CHAMBERS SEXTET - Whims Of Chambers (Blue Note; EEC) w/ John Coltrane, Kenny Burrell, Donald Byrd, Horace Silver and Philly Joe Jone. 1996 rmstr.
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.


SONNY CLARK - Sonny's Crib (Blue Note; EEC) w/ J Coltrane, D Byrd, Curtis Fuller, Paul Chambers, A Taylor.
CD $12.00 7 for 6 SALE.


MILES DAVIS - Ballads & Blues (Blue Note; EEC) Early 50's recordings
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.


CURTIS FULLER - Volume 3 (Blue Note; EEC) Not available in the U.S. from 1957 w/Art Farmer, Sonny Clark, George Tucker, Louis Hayes
CD $12.00 7 for 6 SALE.


GRANT GREEN With LARRY YOUNG/ELVIN JONES - Talkin' About! (Blue Note; EEC)
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.


MILT JACKSON With THELONIOUS MONK/LOU DONALDSON/JOHN LEWIS - Milt Jackson [a/k/a Wizard of the Vibes] (Blue Note; EEC) Personnel: Lou Donaldson, alto sax; Milt Jackson, vibes; John Lewis, piano; Percy Heath, bass; Kenny Clark, drums (#1-9). Milt Jackson, vibes; Thelonius Monk, piano; John Simmons, bass; Shadow Wilson, drums (#10-17) & Kenny "Pancho" Hagood, vocal (on #15-17). This CD contains all of Jackson's April 7, 1952 Blue Note date with Lou Donaldson and the first edition of the Modern Jazz Quartet (#1-9), which included the original "Bags' Groove" and "What's New" as well as Thelonious Monk's complete July 2, 1948 session featuring the great vibist (#10-17), which introduced "Misterioso", "Evidence" and "Epistrophy".
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE


BLUE MITCHELL - Boss Horn (Blue Note; EEC) w/ Julian Priester, Junior Cook, Pepper Adams, Cedar Walton et al, last two cuts with Chick Corea, Gene Taylor, Mickey Roker
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.


HANK MOBLEY - Poppin' (Blue Note; EEC) Not available in the U.S. w/ Art Farmer, Pepper Adams, Sonny Clark, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones
CD $12.00 7 for 6 SALE.


WES MONTGOMERY - Fingerpickin' (Blue Note; EEC) w/ brothers Buddy and Monk Montgomery, Freddie Hubbard et al
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE


JACKIE McLEAN - Destination...Out! (Blue Note; EEC) 9/20/63 w/ McLean, Grachan Moncur, Bobby Hutcherson, Larry Ridley, Roy Haynes
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE


LEO PARKER - Let Me Tell You 'Bout It (Blue Note; EEC) Not available in the U.S. Baritonist Parker w/ John Burks, Bill Swindell, Yusef Salim, Stan Conover, Purnell Rice
CD $12.00 7 for 6 SALE


BUD POWELL - Bud Plays Bird (Blue Note; EEC) Previously un-issued until 1996, this trio session by pianist Bud Powell with bassist George Duvivier and drummer Art Taylor is better than his Verve recordings of the period,...
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE


IKE QUEBEC - Blue & Sentimental (Blue Note; EEC) w/ Grant Green, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones, Sonny Clark, Sam Jones, Louis Hayes
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.


SONNY ROLLINS - Vol 2 (Blue Note; EEC) J.J. Johnson shared the front line with this tenor master for an exceptional session that features a unique reworking of "Poor Butterfly" and a great original "Why Don't I." Horace Silver is the pianist, but Thelonious Monk replaces him on "Reflections" and both pianists alternate throughout a stunning version of "Misterioso." The rhythm section is Paul Chambers and Art Blakey!
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.


LENNIE TRISTANO And WARNE MARSH - Intuition (Blue Note; EEC) includes seven '49 Tristano cuts w/ L Konitz, W Marsh, B Bayer, A Fishkin, H Granowsky, D Best; and 12 tracks [ 8 stereo w/ 4 mono alternates] of the '56 Marsh album Winds Of Marsh [stereo] aka Jazz Of Two Cities [mono] w/ T Brown, G Tucker, R Ball, J Morton [no Tristano]. Said by many to herald the start of Free Jazz [pre-Ornette].
CD $10.00 7 for 6 SALE.


LARRY YOUNG - Into Somethin' (Blue Note; EEC) w/ S Rivers, Grant Green, E Jones.
CD $12.00 7 for 6 SALE


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DMG RECOMMENDED NYC GIGS FOR JULY 15TH - JULY 24TH, 2005

THE DMG RECOMMENDED CALENDAR OF GIGS FOR JULY 15TH - JULY 24TH, 2005

This Sunday July 17th at 6pm-
The Downtown Music Gallery FREE (as in no cost, doo-oud!) Music Series presents: THE AMANDA MONICO TRIO w/ MICHAEL BATES on bass & JEFF DAVIS on drums - Amanda is a wonderful local jazz guitar sorceress!


Next Sunday July 24th at 6pm-
The Downtown Music Gallery FREE (as in no admission) Music Series presents: JOHN HAGEN TRIO!
John is a great saxist who used to work with the Microscopic Sextet! The Downtown Music Gallery Free Music Series presents:


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Sunday JULY 17th

HOMEMADE INSTRUMENTS FESTIVAL
Featuring performances by Cooper-Moore, Kali Fasteau, Jackson Krall, and Skip LaPlante @ SPECIAL LOCATION
La Plaza Cultural & 9BC Garden, 632-636 E. 9th Street at Avenue C The Neues Kabarett Music Series will hold its inaugural Homemade Instruments Festival featuring Cooper-Moore, Kali Fasteau, Jackson Krall and Skip LaPlante.
This event will explore the myriad ways musicians use traditional and non-traditional materials to craft their own, unique instruments. The audience will experience a range of homemade instruments, from Cooper-Moore's hoe-handle harp and LaPlante's instruments made from trash to Fasteau's bamboo flutes and Krall's incredible drum kits. The event will celebrate the pro-environmental spirit inherent in New York City's besieged community gardening movement and will raise a mighty noise in support of green spaces, honoring materials that have been re-used or recycled to provide fresh life to new object


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MISTAH DEE POP presents FREESTYLE JAZZ: Improv Bop, Intergalactic Swing & Fractured Blues CBGB'S LOUNGE * 313 BOWERY * 212-677-0455
This wonderful series will come to an end in 3 weeks so why wait?!?

SUNDAY JULY 17
7pm - Hanuman Sextet: Andy Haas, Don Fiorino, Mia Theodoratus, Matt Heyner, David Gould, Dee Pop
8pm - Other Dimensions in Music: Roy Campbell, Daniel Carter, William Parker, Rashid Bakr
10pm - Chris Kelsey, Dom Minasi, Francois Grillot, Matt Lavelle, Jay Rosen


SUNDAY JULY 24
7pm - Dan DeChellis, Reuben Radding, Dee Pop
8pm - Amanda Monaco Quartet
9pm - Daniel Carter, Francos Grillot, Matt Lavelle, Federico Ughi
10pm - Ehran Elisha's EYECORE w/ Steve Swell, Ken Filiano & Mike Gamble


SUNDAY JULY 31

The Freestyle Jazz Finale featuring: Susan Alcorn, Tatsuya Nakatani, Joe Giardullo, Audrey Chen, Daniel Carter, Dom Minasi, Roy Campbell, Hayes Greenfield, Daniel Levin, Ursel Schlicht, Matana Roberts, Reuben Radding, Louie Belogenis, Kevin Norton, Joe Morris, Andy Haas,Sabir Mateen, Cooper Moore, Henry Warner, Ken Filiano, Angie Sanchez, Fay Victor & Dee Pop (performing short sets in various combinations through out the evening)


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Here are a few recommended gigs at Tonic, one of favorite music clubs
TONIC is located at 107 Norfolk St., between Rivington & Delancey, right around the corner from the F train stop at Delancey. Their phone number is 212-358-7501


Saturday July 16th-

8pm - SIR RICHARD BISHOP & AKRON FAMILY - Bishop plays great acoustic guitar here and is also the lead guitarist for the legendary SUN CITY GIRLS! Akron Family is a great folk/psych ensemble who collaborate with Michael Gira!

MIDNIGHT - BURNT SUGAR!! - Amazing avant-jazz/funk/space whatever, always great live!


Friday July 22nd-

LIGHTNING BOLT & AFRIRAMPO!!
Two incredible crazed & over-the-top duos, not to be missed!!


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Here's the schedule for The Stone from July 15th-July 24th:
The Stone is located at the corner of Avenue C & 2nd St.
There are no advance tickets, just first come, first served
Tuesday - Sunday only, sets are at 8 & 10pm, all sets are $10, unless otherwise noted.


7/15 Friday

8 pm
RUINS ALONE with guest Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz
Tatsuya Yoshida (drums, vocals) Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz (bass)
RUINS BASSIST WANTED TOUR
Pioneer of drum/bass duo is seeking a new bass player. RUINS founder Tatsuya Yoshida performs RUINS ALONE (playing RUINS songs with sampling bass); also playing RUINS songs with local bassist Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz and improv session. ($12)

10 pm
RUINS ALONE with guests Jesse Krakow and Ron Anderson
Tatsuya Yoshida (drums) Jesse Krakow (bass) Ron Anderson (guitar)
RUINS BASSIST WANTED TOUR
Pioneer of drum/bass duo is seeking a new bass player. RUINS founder Tatsuya Yoshida performs RUINS ALONE (playing RUINS songs with sampling bass); also playing RUINS songs with local bassist Jesse Krakow, special guest Ron Anderson, and an improv session. ($12)


7/16 Saturday

8 pm
Mark Feldman (violin) Anthony Burr (woodwinds)

10 pm
Mat Maneri (viola, violin)


7/17 Sunday

8 pm
Cornelius Duffallo (violin) Stephen Gosling (piano)
Performing music of Carter, Adams, and Feldman.

10 pm
Jacob Danziger (violin) Zach Wallace (bass, sound materials)
Solo performance with special guest Zach Wallace.


7/19 Tuesday

8 pm
Tyshawn Sorey's Obliquity
Ryan Clackner (guitar) Russ Losing (piano) Loren Stillman (alto saxophone) Carlo Derosa (bass) Tyshawn Sorey (drums, compositions)

10 pm
Schematic Musics for Quartet, Trio, Piano
Jacam Manricks (alto and soprano saxophones) Rubin Kodehli (cello) Tyshawn Sorey (drums, piano, trombone, compositions)


7/20 Wednesday

8 pm
Ben Perowsky (drums) Sylvie Courvoisier (piano)

10 pm
Anthony Coleman (piano)


7/21 Thursday

8 pm
Mark Dresser (bass)

10 pm
Catherine Jauniaux (voice)
"Solo based on letters I received from friends, lover, family, musicians..."


7/22 Friday

8 pm
Raz Mesinai (sampler, percussion)

10 pm
Oscar Noriega (woodwinds) Mat Maneri (violin, viola)


7/23 Saturday

8 pm
Craig Taborn (piano)

10 pm
Jim Pugliese (drums, percussion) Christine Bard (drums) Marco Cappelli (guitar)


7/24 Sunday

8 and 10 pm
Tony Conrad & Jim O'Rourke

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