MISSSING THE VICTO FEST? TAKE HEART WITH:

SACO YASUMA With ROY CAMPBELL/ANDREW BEMKEY/KEN FILIANO/MICHAEL THOMPSON!
GROUND ZERO - 1992 + !
FRANCOIS HOULE/EVAN PARKER/BENOIT DELBECQ!
FRED ANDERSON/HARRISON BANKHEAD - The Great Vision Concert 2003!
KEN VANDERMARK/PANDELIS KARAYORGIS - Foreground Music!
FRANCOIS HOULE/EVAN PARKER/BENOIT DELBECQ - La Lumiere De Pierres!

AND SO MUCH MORE...INCLUDING A HAT CD SALE!!!




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DON'T MISS THE...

AMBIANCES MAGNETIQUE FESTIVAL at THE STONE! May 25-27 and May 30
Three evenings of music from Artists on the Ambiances Magnetiques label of Montreal, featuring movers and shakers from the vibrant Quebec scene.
$10 admission per set!

Attention fellow adventurous music fans!

Something rare, precious, beautiful and quite extraordinary will be taking place at The Stone from May 25th - May 30th. Quebec's longest running and most consistently engaging label, Ambiances Magnetiques, will present four nights of incredible music at The Stone, New York's premiere performance space for new music. What label, besides Tzadik, can boast nearly 500 releases for nearly two decades?!? Ambiances Magnetiques has featured the cream of Quebec's creative music community: Jean Derome, Rene Lussier, Joan Hetu, Pierre Cartier, Antoine Berthiaume, Andre Duchesne, Martin Tetreault, Justine, Robert Marcel Lepage, as well as recordings by Fred Frith Guitar Qt, Derek Bailey, Otomo Yoshihide, Zeena Parkins, Ikue Mori & Louis Sclavis. As I am leaving for the Victoriaville New Music Festival tomorrow, I always look forwards to sets by any musician who records for this label, since the music is always so strong. The last time an Ambiances Magnetiques Fest was supposed to happen, was the week of September 11th, 2001 at Tonic during a month-long Canadian Arts celebration. Sadly, we know why it didn't happen then, but thanks to this month's curator at The Stone, Fred Frith, it will finally happen at The Stone during the last weekend of May. Here's a letter from the label and the upcoming schedule. - Bruce Lee Gallanter

"The Ambiances Magnetiques collective has been invited by Fred Frith to present a concert series at the Stone from May 25 to 27 and May 30th. So the collective got together under the expert eye of Productions Super Musique and put up a nice event.

Seven of us Ambiances Magnetiques, and 2 friends will give 7 concerts covering a wide array of style and aesthetics including the release of the new Antoine Berthiaume and MaryClare Brzytwa CD. Performances will range from sextet to duet free improvisation including noise, vocal and electronics. Berthiaume and Brzytwa will release their CD on the May 30. Here are the details..."


5/25 Friday
8 PM
SuperMusique Ensemble
Nicolas Caloia (double bass) Isaiah Cecceralli (drums) Jean Derome (saxophones, flutes, objects) Lori Freedman (clarinets) Joane Hetu (alto saxophone, voice) Danielle Palardy Roger (percussion)
Game pieces and shape-shifting improvisation developed over twenty years of practice.
10 PM
Jean Derome Trio
Jean Derome (saxophones, flutes, objects) Nicolas Caloia (double bass) Isaiah Cecceralli (drums)
"irresistible swing"


5/26 Saturday
8 PM
FReC
Nicolas Caloia (double bass) Lori Freedman (clarinets) Danielle Palardy Roger (percussion)
"rattles and inventions"
10 PM
Nous per¨ons les oreilles
Jean Derome (saxophones, flutes, objects) Joane Hetu (alto saxophone, voice)
"a secular incantation, a banquet of sound"


5/27 Sunday
8 PM
WONDEUR Quartet
Charity Chan (piano) Lori Freedman (clarinets) Joane Hetu (alto saxophone, voice) Danielle Palardy Roger (percussion)
New manifestation of this legendary group
10 PM
SuperMusique Ensemble
Charity Chan (piano) Nicolas Caloia (double bass) Isaiah Cecceralli (drums) Jean Derome (saxophones, flutes, objects) Lori Freedman (clarinets) Joane Hˇtu (alto saxophone, voice) Danielle Palardy Roger (percussion)


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Truly Saddening: ROD POOLE, the amazing microtonal-directed musician and guitarist, was MURDERED in a street-rage incident in Hollywood. The perpetrators - a husband and wife were arrested soonafter. Furthering the irony, the day after this happened, we received a copy from Rod of the newest release on his JustGuitar label, a solo LP a just intonation guitar solos

Please visit the Rod Poole tribute page:

http://www.biink.com/poole/index.htm


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PETER BROTZMANN/JOE MCPHEE/KENT KESSLER/MICHAEL ZERANG - Guts (Okka Disk 12062; USA) "This disc was recorded live at the Empty Bottle in Chicago by Malachi Ritschter on Aug. 3, 2005. Featuring 59 mins. of great new music
CD $15

KEN VANDERMARK/PANDELIS KARAYORGIS - Foreground Music (Okka Disk 12065; USA) "Beautiful duo material from old friends Karayorgis on piano and Vandermark on reeds. Recorded in Boston on Jan. 14, 2006."
CD $15


FRED ANDERSON/HARRISON BANKHEAD - The Great Vision Concert 2003 (Ayler 52; EEC) More on this next week, but Bruce loved this set in his Vision Fest 2003 review, so why wait??!?!?
CD $20


THREE NEW ONES ON EVAN PARKER'S 'PSI' LABEL!

FRANCOIS HOULE/EVAN PARKER/BENOIT DELBECQ - La Lumiere De Pierres (PSI 07.02; UK) (2005) FRANCOIS HOULE (clarinets), EVAN PARKER (tenor saxophone), BENOIT DELBECQ (prepared piano).
Delbecq and Houle had often discussed expanding their collaborative concept to include a third person, so in 2005, when composer Michel Frigon invited them to perform at his Innovations concert series in Montreal with Evan Parker, they seized the opportunity to record this new trio formation. The result is something very special. Collectively these musicians inhabit a highly distinctive sound world and their sonic explorations bring us some of the most exquisite, intricate and beautiful music one could ever hope to hear. 67 minutes.
CD $20

LAWRENCE CASSERLEY/SIMON DESORGHER With EVAN PARKER/PHILIPP WACHSMANN/DAVID STEVENS - Music from ColourDome (PSI 07.01; UK)
LAWRENCE CASSERLEY (signal processing instrument), SIMON DESORGHER (flute & bass flute), with EVAN PARKER (soprano saxophone), DAVID STEVENS (computer processing), PHILIPP WACHSMANN (violin).
Lawrence Casserley and Simon Desorgher have been performing in and around Peter Jones's inflatable structures since the early 80s, and as Directors of the Colourscape Music Festivals have invited many performers to work with them and create new performance possibilities in these intensely special environments. Evan Parker, Philipp Wachsmann and David Stevens are among them, and various combinations of these players have occurred in many contexts before; but it was in the ColourDome in Exeter in July 2006 that we first played together as a quintet. ColourDome is a vibrant and special atmosphere in which to work, and that day in Exeter was very hot; the intensity of the colour and the heat are embedded in these performances. Maybe that explains the intensely coloured music, and the way in which our individual sounds frequently melt into one! 61 minutes.
CD $20

BARK! [REX CASWELL/PHILLIP MARKS/PAUL OBERMAYER] - Contraption (PSI 07.03; UK) The second CD by the trio of REX CASSWELL (electric guitar), PHILLIP MARKS (percussion) and PAUL OBERMAYER (samples). London, 2004. BARK! take their group virtuosity to new areas, creating beautiful jagged, sharp edged textures propelled by some of their tightest, strangest, most powerful rhythmic designs yet. James Brown meets the spirit of Modernism! 44 minutes
CD $20



GROUND ZERO [OTOMO YOSHIHIDE'S] - 1992 + (Doubt 114; Japan) This CD includes unissued live performances and studio recordings (12, 13) right after Otomo formed GROUND-ZERO. This happened before the release of their first album, called "Ground-Zero" (God Mountain). Their playing is in the rough and sound quality is not quite best, but this materials should be kept a record of their intence performances of earlier GROUND-ZERO for future ages. This is remembrance of fresh / poisonous earlier GROUND-ZERO after interval of 15 years.
Oromo Yoshihide (guitar, turntables); Hirose Junji (sax); Kato Hideki (bass, voice); Uemura Masahiro (drums); Yamataka EYE (voice)
CD $22



NEW ON DUNMALL'S LTD EDITION [85 copies] 'DUNS' LABEL!

PAUL DUNMALL/TONY LEVIN/MILES LEVIN - The Golden Lake (Duns 055; UK) Limited edition CD-R.
CD $15

PHILIP GIBBS - Thoughts And Feelings (Duns 054; UK) Limited edition CD-R.
CD $15

Also, copies still available of...

PAUL DUNMALL/PHILIP GIBBS - Music On Two Pianos (Duns 052; UK) Limited edition CD-R. Yes, you read the title right: Gibbs and Dunmall ONLY play pianos on this recording.
CD $15

PHILLIP GIBBS/JOHN ADAMS - Seen a mouse (Duns 030; UK) Limited edition CD-R. Phil Gibbs, acoustic guitars; John Adams, electric and acoustic guitars, mandobanjo. Recorded on 6 April 2003 at Victoria Rooms, Bristol.
CD $15


BRUCE COATES/JOHN EDWARDS/DAVID RYAN - Warwick And London 2003 (Octogonal 01; UK) Coates soprano and alto saxes, Edwards bass, Ryan Bb and bass clarinets
CD $15



THREE GRRREAT NEW RELEASES ON CUNEIFORM:

STEVE LACY/ROSWELL RUDD QUARTETS - Early And Late [2 cd set] (Cuneiform 250/251; USA) 80% of the material on these two discs is live recordings from 1999 and 2002 with J J Avenel on bass and John Betsch on drums; the last 23 minutes of Disc 2 is four demos cut in 1962, with Denis Charles on drums and Bob Cunningham on bass, consisting of three Monk tunes and one by Cecil Taylor!!! Until his death in 2004, soprano saxist Steve Lacy worked with trombonist Roswell Rudd as often as circumstances would permit, from their start together in Dixieland-style bands in the 1950s to the more adventurous styles that both master players are known for. This album of all previously unreleased material with great sound presents work spanning a 40-year period. The majority of this album (nearly 2 hours) is taken from concerts from 1999 and 2002 and features the great 'free-bop' quartet they co-led that featured the rhythm section of Lacy's longtime sextet, Jean-Jacques Avenel on bass and John Betsch on drums. This band's repertoire here features a number of compositions by Lacy as well as one each by Roswell, Thelonious Monk and Herbie Nichols. Additionally there is over 20' of studio recordings (so far, the only studio recordings ever released!!) by the famous 'School Days' quartet (Lacy, Rudd, Bob Cunningham-bass and Denis Charles-drums) from October, 1962! This album was compiled and produced for us by noted Lacy expert Jason Weiss, who contributes short liner notes and pulled together the best performances from the different shows. An essential, swinging, free-jazz release.
2 CD set for $21

UPSILON ACRUX - Galapagos Momentum (Cuneiform 245; USA) Upsilon Acrux have been in existence for a decade in various formations, from a duo to an octet. Their current lineup of dual guitars, bass and drums is described by the band themselves as "our favorite version" of the group and it's a polyrhythmic squirly monster. This is Upsilon Acrux's fifth album of aggressive, intricate, athletic, complex and composed post-punk instrumental rock. Galapagos Momentum fuses the animalist attack of punk rock with a daring complexity and unusual instrumental techniques and sonorities. The music that results is very powerful but upon further listening, you'll realize that it features strangely beautiful melodies that unfurl like some anaerobic Martian flower. These guys will turn your brain to paste and you will be happy that they did!
CD $15

ALEC K REDFEARN And The EYESORES - The Blind Spot (Cuneiform 244; USA) This marvelous large ensemble from Providence, Rhode Island has been in existence for a decade now, bringing their very original music to audiences in the US and Europe. The Blind Spot is their 6th release and their second for Cuneiform and it's also surprisingly different from The Quiet Room. It includes a few shorter songs but the main focus of the album is a very ambitious work entitled "I am the Resurrection and the Light", which is a song cycle for a large ensemble featuring a number of different players: appearing are accordion, violin, viola, French horn, guitar, alto sax, bassoon, contrabass, drums, 'loops, processing and other eletronic mayhem' and layers and layers of vocals from up to 4 vocalists (Alec and 3 female voices). This song cycle is a eulogy and meditation about drug addiction and death from drug addiction and related causes. A compelling, powerful, demanding and ultimately beautiful and moving work. No one else sounds like The Eyesores and with this album, no one combines such purity of vocal and instrumental work with such a sense of impending uneasiness (and I mean this as the highest compliment!).
"They offer experimental future folk with elements of real dirt and sweat -- and a touch of mania. Highly recommended" - All Music Guide
CD $15


NEW RELEASES ON MOONJUNE:

PHIL MILLER'S IN CAHOOTS - Conspiracy Theories (Moonjune 013; USA) The group's latest disc, 2007's Conspiracy Theories, features Miller's most ambitious writing to date, and ensembles ranging in size from quintet to sextet, septet and octet; even an eleven-piece ensemble. Miller welcomes back some old mates including Dave Stewart (tuned percussion), Richard Sinclair (bass), Barbara Gaskin (vocals), Doug Boyle (guitar) and Didier Malherbe (woodwinds), while introducing a new musical friend, Annie Whitehead (trombone).
CD $15

JASON SMITH With GARY HUSBAND/DAVE CARPENTER - Tipping Point (Moonjune 011; USA) With the release of "Tipping Point-Live at the Jazz Bakery," drummer Jason Smith makes his voice emphatically heard. Flanked by Gary Husband on piano and Fender Rhodes, and Dave Carpenter on acoustic bass, Smith leads his cohorts through a set of unconventional standards, executed with a deft blend of audacity and authenticity. From the moment the music commences, the conventions of the classic piano trio are shelved in favor of bold, expressionistic strokes; the musicians unravel meter and melody into a whimsical triple helix of bending, arcing, swooping lines, converging at unexpected junctures that demand both a mastery of technique and a joyous sense of adventure.
CD $15



SACO YASUMA With ROY CAMPBELL/ANDREW BEMKEY/KEN FILIANO/MICHAEL THOMPSON - Another Rain (Leaf Note 208; USA) Featuring Saco Yasuma on alto sax, xaphoon (bamboo sax) and compositions, Roy Campbell on trumpets, Andrew Bemkey on piano, Ken Filiano on acoustic bass and Michael T.A. Thompson on drums. Each week, some local musician hands me his or her CD and I am always surprised that I hadn't heard of this person before. Last Sunday (5/6/07), Ms. Saco Yasuma gave me her self-produced CD and again, I was surprised by her fine playing, composing and choice of personnel. Saco's band features a great downtown all-star cast with Roy Campbell (Other Dimensions, etc), Andy Bemkey (Rashied Ali's Trane Tribute band), Ken Filiano (Nine Winds bass great, now in NYC) and Michael Thompson (Dennis Gonzalez & many others).
Saco wrote all but one of these pieces and each is unique in its own way. "Invisible Matters" has a most memorable theme with a spirited, warm-toned, slow-burning solo from Saco on alto sax and some sparkling piano from Mr. Bemkey. Saco & Roy play righteous harmonies together sound superb. "Liquid Entity" has a sort-of funky groove with the unstoppable Andy Bemkey on some inspired, spinning, gospelish piano and a quick, spiraling pocket trumpet solo from Roy that pushes Saco to go even further out on her alto. "Fat Orange Moon" features the soulful poetry and voice of Golda Solomon, backed by the exquisite harmonies of the quintet. Saco's warm tone here is especially endearing, giving the tune an old Pharoah Sanders/Leon Thomas-like vibe. Each piece has a rich melody to savor, no small task considering that this is Ms. Yasuma's most auspicious debut. As Saco takes a fine solo on "The Fifth Season" the rest of the quintet spin tightly around her, both free and focused at the same time. Bassist Ken Filiano also sounds wonderful throughout, whether soloing or just weaving his bass-lines around the rest of the spectacular rhythm team. Saco's bamboo sax sounds great playing along with Roy's muted trumpet and Andy's bass clarinet on "Calm Water", which has another magical melody that is difficult to forget once you hear it. If I didn't know any better, I would think this was a long lost Blue Note session from the late sixties and that my friends is high praise indeed. Where do all these strong new voices come from?!?! Just be glad that they are here and dig right in. - BLG
CD $14


BOLIVAR ZOAR [MARYCLARE BRZYTWA/AVA 'HOUND DOG' MENDOZA/THERESA WONG] - Bolivar Zoar (self released; USA) Review next week
CD $12


SECRET CHIEFS 3 [TREVOR DUNN/DANNY HEIFETZ/TREY SPRUANCE] - Path Of Most Resistance (Web Of Mimicry 27; USA) Secret Chiefs 3 have been running covert operations for twelve years now. For a band that tosses their releases out into the mirage of human civilization with little or no fanfare, it's no wonder that Secret Chiefs 3 have remained off the music medias radar, and have weathered innumerable musical fads without so much as a flinch. History has shown that the bulldozers will eventually come to break up cults like this, destroying their compound and seizing their weapons cache. Secret Chiefs 3 have therefore recognized the need to publicly gather some of their most universally recognizable doctrines into one affirming document. Path of Most Resistance is just such an offering to the public. Unbeknownst to too many, this music is lush, gigantic, heartfelt, and organic, and cant be written off as mere musical gymnastics. People who may not be so geeked-out on the sophisticated hologram of ancient Pythago-quasi-Dastgah or modern western poly-tonal temperaments going on in this music, who judge things more on just whether it?s good listening or not, now have a clean welcome mat rolled out, and bodyguards to usher them past the scowling elites, past the annoying zealots, and straight to the garden where the heart of this music beats. Culled from SC3's four main studio recordings, plus some enhanced CD bonus material (out-of-print live tracks, obscure cover versions, and two live videos), Path of Most Resistance will delight new and seasoned SC3 listeners alike.
CD $15


F W MURNAU, dir.//WILLEM BREUKER KOLLEKTIEF music - Faust [DVD] (BVHaast 0705; Netherlands) [NTSC]
DVD $18

JOZEF VAN WISSEM - Stations Of The Cross [ltd #d 500 copies] (Incunabulum 04; Netherlands)
CD $16


GUY DE BIEVRE With PETER ZUMMO/ANNE LA BERGE/J D PARRAN/XAVIER VERHELST - Very Slow Disco Suite (Canal Street; USA)
CD $12


HARRIS EISENSTADT - The All Seeing Eye + Octets (Poo-Bah 007; USA) As it turns out, The All Seeing Eye + Octets is the last recording I made while living on the West Coast. It was a very fruitful period from 1999-2005/06. I lived in New York on and off in 2005, and moved for good fall 2006. I feel very fortunate to have had many wonderful musical opportunities while in Los Angeles. I'm proud that this recording features a broad cross-section of creative musicians there.
At first it was my intention to record the 5 songs from Wayne Shorter's The All Seeing Eye and leave it at that. Seemed an ambitious enough undertaking. I've been inspired by that music for years, and wanted to pay tribute by re-imagining it with new forms and different instrumentation.
In the process of preparing for rehearsals, performance, and recording, I realized that I had at my disposal an ensemble of vast instrumental range and skill. I decided to arrange two large ensemble pieces of mine, Without Roots and What We Were Told, for octet, and added a second trumpet and conductor. We went into Paramount Studio C, a wonderful old Hollywood live room full of wood and stone, and recorded The All Seeing Eye + Octets in one long, fulfilling day.
The intention is for the listener to approach this music as two separate programs. Listen to the 5 tracks that make up The All Seeing Eye. Take a break. Then listen to Without Roots and What We Were Told.
I chose to steer clear of the saxophones and trombone from the original 1965 recording and instead decided on a woodwind trio (clarinet, bass clarinet, and bassoon). I wanted to blend the inner voices in the ensemble as much as possible, and to balance that much wood with just the right amount of metal: trumpet(s) and vibraphone. The balance made for an ideal mixture; sheer and lush at the same time. String bass and drumset provide the underpinning. The only clear strategy was to approach the music in less of a hard-swinging, quiet interludes, solo-after-solo sort of way and more as open-ended chamber music with grooves, which ends up mirroring the overall structure of my two octets.
Without Roots and What We Were Told were both written for large ensembles originally (21 and 15 musicians respectively). Arranging them for octet offered the chance to streamline the compositions, so by the time of the recording session the pieces were in fighting trim.
CD $15

WARREN SMITH - WIS On Monk: Solo Percussion [DVD] (Freedom Arts; USA)
DVD $18



NEW ON SUB ROSA:

LUC FERRARI - [Vol 3] Didascalies (Sub Rosa 259; Belgium) This is the last release in Sub Rosa's three-part series of instrumental works by this important artist. Luc Ferrari is considered one of the most legendary musical figures of the twentieth century, whose work and aesthetic continues to influence several generations of contemporary composers. Director of the Groupe de Recherche Musicales which he established with Pierre Schaeffer in Paris from 1958-1966, he is also one of the masters of musique concrete who influenced and expanded the genre with electro-acoustic instrumentation. Right from the start, the idea had been to release three very different CDs: one horspiel, one of concrete music (new and older pieces) and one CD of instrumental works. Les Anecdotiques was the first step: a vast sound-film of more than an hour that explores in 15 steps the intensity of re-composed sounds from his continual travels around the world, with additional electronic structures. Son Memorise was a retrospective of concrete and electronic compositions. Didascalies now brings together "Rencontres Fortuites," "Didascalies" and "Tautologos III" - two recent works for piano, viola and electronics, and one open-ended work - which featured at a concert at the Boendael Chapel in Brussels. A few months later, this release was assembled with Ferrari's supervision at the legendary Breme studios with final development at La Muse en Circuit. Performed by Jean-Philippe Collard-Neven (piano) and Vincent Royer (viola)
CD $15

Still available:

LUC FERRARI - [Vol 2] Son Memorise (Sub Rosa 252; Belgium) This is the second of three Sub Rosa releases of instrumental works by this important artist. Luc Ferrari is considered one of the most legendary musical figures of the twentieth century, whose work and aesthetic continues to influence several generations of contemporary composers. Director of the Groupe de Recherche Musicales which he established with Pierre Schaeffer in Paris from 1958-1966, he is also one of the masters of musique concrete who influenced and expanded the genre with electro-acoustic instrumentation. Right from the start, the idea had been to release three very different CDs: one horspiel, one of concrete music (new and older pieces) and one CD of instrumental works. Les Anecdotiques was the first step: a vast sound-film of more than an hour that explores in 15 steps the intensity of re-composed sounds from his continual travel around the world, with electronic additional structures. This album is the second step -- one that offers a retrospective -- the previously unreleased "Promenade Symphonique dans un Paysage Musical" from 1976-78, the final "Presque Rien #4" and a fresh reflection dating from the last months of 2002, "Saliceburry Cocktail," a large-scale composition exploring the idea of hideout, scrambled listening -- a tortuous entanglement of concrete and electronic. The forthcoming third and final release will be three recent instrumental compositions for electronics, piano and viola which were recorded under Luc's supervision -- the last works he ever recorded, as he passed away in August 2005.
CD $15

LUC FERRARI - [Vol 1] Les Anecdotiques (Sub Rosa 207; Belgium) Even if his art is historically linked to the music concrte school, Luc Ferrari (born in Paris in 1929) is above all a man with a freedom of spirit rarely equaled in the history of music, who has repeatedly left what he excelled at for new territory still unexplored; thus he is par excellence the composer of new fields of investigation. Ferrari joined the Groupe de Musique Concrte in 1958 and remained a member until 1966; he collaborated with Pierre Schaeffer in setting up the Groupe de Recherches Musicales (1958). By 1963-4 he had begun Htrozygote, an extended tape piece in which ambient sounds unfold in narrative form, suggesting a dazzling variety of incidents, all unexplained. He was Professor of Composition at Cologne's Rheinische Musikschule from 1964 to 65. In 1965 and 1966 he produced Les Grandes Rptitions, a series of television documentaries with Grard Patris on the subject of contemporary music, specifically Olivier Messiaen, Edgard Varse, Karlheinz Stockhausen and Cecil Taylor. Luc Ferrari's diverse work and aesthetics continue to have a singular impact on the young generations of electronic musicians and artists. The corpus of his work is immense and includes hundreds of compositions of all kinds. "Les Anecdotiques", his last composition, is a vast sound-film of more than an hour who explores in 15 steps the intensity of re-composed sounds from his continual travel around the world -- with electronic additional structures.
CD $15

And repressed:

NAM JUNE PAIK - Works 1958-1979 (Sub Rosa 178; Belgium) This is a wide panorama of Nam June Paik work as musician -- 'Hommage i John Cage' (1958-1959), 'tude for Pianoforte' (1959-1960) and 'Simple' (1961) are good exemple of neodada music and de-structuration in the late 50's, this is basically irreverent audio-collages. 'Prepared Piano for Merce Cunningham' (1977) captures an improvised performance by Paik on a de-tuned piano. While 'Prepared for Merce Cunningham' was later mixed and edited for use by Cunningham, this raw, straight-to-tape version is favored by Paik. 'Duett: Paik/Takis' (1979) this is the only piece already released (by 20 years ago on a limited vinyl edition). Paik improvises on piano and voice, while Takis performs on his metal sculptures. Nam June Paik, was born in Seoul, Korea in 1932. After a move to Japan, where he studied the work of composer Arnold Schonberg, Paik came to Germany in 1956 to continue his studies in the history of music. His interests soon turned away from the university setting, to less traditional forms of music leading him to the Westdeutsche Rundfunk's Studio for Electronic Music, where Karlheinz Stockhausen was working. To date, there have been only a handful of limited edition LP and cassette releases of Paik's music, primarily documenting collaborative performances with colleagues and friends such as Joseph Beuys and Charlotte Moorman. This is the first CD release of Paik's music and the first ever release of the early tape collage pieces that were to inform the video and performance works that he has continued to produce over the last forty years
CD $15


VLADIMIR GODAR//IVA BITTOVA/SOLAMENTE NATURALI CHAMBER ORCHESTRA/BRATISLAVA CONSERVATORY CHOIR - Mater (ECM 1985; USA)
CD $17


ELIANE RADIGUE - Jetsun Mila [2 CD set] (Lovely Music 2003; USA) "Performed (Arp synthesizer) and recorded digitally by Eliane Radigue. Jetsun Mila is inspired by the life of Milarepa, a great yogi and poet of Tibet who lived in the 11th century. The story of his life as told to his closest disciple, Rechungpa, represents one of the most famous works within Tibetan culture. The Mila Kabum, or Namthar, has been translated into several Western languages, including English and French. Eliane Radigue's 84-minute musical evocation of Milarepa's life is in nine sections, with prelude, which correspond to major periods of the life of this famous yogi. The sections flow from one to the other without breaks, one giving birth naturally to the next."
CD $25


LOUIS & BEBE BARRON - Forbidden Planet: Original MGM Soundtrack [sndtck] (GNP 001; USA) "The original soundtrack to this science fiction movie, recorded in 1956. This was the first all-electronic score for a commercial Hollywood film. An all-time classic of experimental electronic music. 'If you want to study the history of electronic music, most music historians would probably tell you to check out the works of Iannis Xenakis, Karlheinz Stockhausen, John Cage, Milton Babbitt, Edgar Varese, and other academic composers. These works were and are still essential listening for anyone interested in the serious side of electronic music. For me, however, electronic music--the kind that people actually listen to and enjoy--began with Louis and Bebe Barron's soundtrack to the 1956 film, Forbidden Planet. This soundtrack actually sounds like outer space, aliens, spaceships, and the future--or, at least, what we think of when we think of outer space, aliens, spaceships, and the future. Space travel--real space travel--probably will sound a lot like loud air conditioners. But until we actually start travelling in space, our fantasies will continue to be filled with wailing synthesizers, bubbly echoes, blips, bleeps, pops, and clicks--the sounds the Barrons popularized on this soundtrack.' -- Michael Heumann/Stylus"
CD $15


SUN RA - The Creator Of The Universe: The Lost Reel Collection Vol 1 [2 CD set] (Transparency 301; USA) Disc one: June 10th 1971 live in San Francisco
Disc two: Sun Ra teaching class at UC Berkley May 1971!
CD $17



ALEJANDRO JODOROWSKY, dir.//JODOROWSKY/DON CHERRY/RON FRANGIPANE et al, music - The Films of Alejandro Jodorowsky: El Topo/The Holy Mountain/Fando Y Lis/La Cravate [4 DVD + 2 CD set] (Anchor Bay; USA) A special limited edition collector's box set, The Films of Alejandro Jodorowsky, contains El Topo, The Holy Mountain and Fando Y Lis on DVD, fully restored and remastered from new HD transfers in anamorphic widescreen video, with Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 audio (El Topo is 125 minutes in Spanish, The Holy Mountain is 114 minutes in English, Fando Y Lis is 93 minutes in Spanish). The box set also includes 2 music CDs containing the soundtracks for El Topo (composed by Jodorowsky and originally issued on LP by the Beatles Apple records) and The Holy Mountain (credited to free jazz god Don Cherry and Archies [!] keyboardist Ron Frangipane along with Jodorowsky), as well as a DVD of Jodorowsky's never-before-released first film, La Cravate.
Subtitles on the discs are available in English, French, Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese.
"John Lennon championed him, Dennis Hopper used him and Marilyn Manson loves him. Alejandro Jodorowsky is one of cinema's most controversial and influential filmmakers. In 1968 his scandalous debut FANDO Y LIS caused a riot in Mexico. His ultra-violent underground hit EL TOPO dragged the hippy generation into the '70s, single-handedly invented the American Midnight Movie phenomenon and transformed its creator into a counterculture icon. With THE HOLY MOUNTAIN, his pop-alchemical follow-up, Jodorowsky tore apart the very fabric of film. After 35 years in the wilderness, the maverick visionary is back to shock and bedazzle audiences all over again." -Ben Cobb, Anarcy and Alchemy: The Films of Alejandro Jodorowsky
LA CRAVATE (1957): Jodorowsky's debut work, is a short silent adaptation of a Thomas Mann story about a Parisian urchin who makes her living selling human heads. Marthe Mercure and Jean-Marie Proslier star. AKA: "Les Tetes Interverties," "The Severed Heads."
FANDO Y LIS: Directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky (EL TOPO, SANTA SANGRE), this strange classic was "lost" for 30 years. It tells the tale of a young man and his paraplegic lover who search through a destroyed world for a mythic city called Tar, where it is believed that all of one's wishes can come true. Instead, along the way, they are corrupted and driven mad; starring Sergio Klainer and Diana Mariscal. The film caused a riot upon its premiere at the 1968 Acapulco Film Festival. The DVD includes audio commentary with the director and the La Constellation Jodorowsky documentary.
EL TOPO: With its combination of surreal imagery and assault on the ideals of the Western, EL TOPO may appear to be equal parts Luis Bunuel and Sam Peckinpah, but it's all Alejandro Jodorowsky. In addition to his directing duties, Jodorowsky contributes to the film's writing, music, editing, and costumes, as well as starring as El Topo ("the Mole"). El Topo journeys across the desert to battle a group of gunfighters, but it's not the plot that's important in this midnight movie classic. The masterful blend of brutal violence and beautiful images make Jodorowsky's film essential viewing for anyone looking beyond the offerings of the megaplex. Decades have passed since its first screening, but EL TOPO hasn't lost any of its ability to shock and amaze. This DVD contains audio commentary by the director, the original theatrical trailer (with English voice-over), a 2006 on-camera interview with the director as well as an exclusive new interview, a photo gallery and original script excerpts.
THE HOLY MOUNTAIN: This 1973 film continues the strange and surreal tradition that cult director Alejandro Jodorowsky began in his FANDO Y LIS and EL TOPO. Marrying mysticism with religious imagery, THE HOLY MOUNTAIN centers on the Thief, a man who is messianic in both appearance and ideals. He meets the Alchemist (Jodorowsky), who wishes to rid people of all the trappings of modern living and take them on a spiritual quest. Like Jodorowsky's other work, the plot is secondary to the visuals, which are at once bizarre and beautiful. The DVD includes audio commentary with the director, deleted scenes with commentary, the original theatrical trailer (with English voice-over), the Tarot short with commentary, a restoration process short, restoration credits, a photo gallery and original script excerpts.
(After The Holy Mountain, Jodorowsky attempted to film Frank Herbert's Dune, which if completed would have floored cult-cinema junkies worldwide. Artists recruited included H.R. Giger and Moebius, both of whom would go on to work on Ridley Scott's 'Alien' along with screenwriter Dan O'Bannon. Pink Floyd was to score the film, and the cast was an absurdist parade: David Carradine, Mick Jagger, Alain Delon, Orson Welles, and Salvador Dali (who demanded $100,000 for an hour's shoot). Nothing this strange - and colossally expensive, and 14 hours long - could live, and the film adaptation of Dune would have to wait for David Lynch to come along a decade later.
Since the late '80s, Jodorowsky has written many sci-fi and fantasy 'graphic novels' [long form comic book stories in hardcover editions], some illustrated by Moebius, mostly published in Europe)
4 DVD + 2 CD set for $45


CHARLES MINGUS - Mingus In Paris: The Complete 'America' Session 1970 [2 CD set] (Sue Mingus/Sunnyside 3065; USA) "In the last days of October 1970, Charles Mingus came to France with the group that recorded this album. For several years, not much was heard of him, and the alarming stories began to travel around: he was 'ill' and 'finished' as a jazzman. When he recorded for America/Musidisc the bassist proved he was still able to satisfy the most demanding fans."
Original Liner Notes: The iconoclast bassist/composer/bandleader Charles Mingus (1922-79) would have been eighty-five years old on April 22, 2007. The release of Charles Mingus in Paris: The Complete America Session is a pleasing birthday present to the legions of Mingus devotees. Joining the leader on this important date, recorded for the America label on Halloween at Studio Decca in the City of Lights, and originally released as two discs, are his longtime drummer Dannie Richmond (1935-88), pianist Jaki Byard (1922-99), alto saxophonist Charles McPherson (1939- ), trumpeter Eddie Preston (1928- ), and a rare appearance by the seldom-heard Kentucky tenor saxophonist Bobby Jones (1928-80). This remastered 2-CD edition, contains the entire session -- eight master tracks and eighteen alternate takes. As Stephane Ollivier writes in the liner notes, "...here reissued for the first time in its entire, intimate dramaturgy, the recordings constitute precious and moving testimony to one of the least-documented periods of his exceptional career." When Mingus cut these sides in France he was depressed, paranoid, nearly broke, without a major record label, and was still mourning the death of his saxophonist/flutist Eric Dolphy, who died in Germany in 1964.
But these tracks signaled Mingus's rebirth. Save for the stark rendition of the standard Tony Bennett-associated ballad, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," the remaining seven selections and the first CD are all gems from the Mingus songbook: the passionate, Charlie Parker elegy "Reincarnation of a Lovebird," and the equally Bird-like eighteen minute "Blue Bird," the medium tempoed swinger "Peggy's Blue Skylight," written for a friend who wanted to erect a blue canopy from a fighter cockpit in her home, the spectral slow drag, "Love is a Dangerous Necessity," and "Pithecanthropus Erectus," Mingus' groundbreaking, programmatic opus that chronicles in his words "[m]an's evolution, superiority complex, decline and destruction." Those immortal selections, anchored and highlighted by his rich and riveting basslines, showcase all of Mingus' comprehensive and complex musical dimensions, where bop, gospel, the avant-garde, field hollers, European classical motifs, and rhythm and blues sift and weave with an originality and elasticity that musicologist Andrew Homzy refers to as "plastic music."
Now available in an expanded CD form, Charles Mingus in Paris: The Complete America Session, represents a pivotal link in that legacy. "This session had another value," Ollivier wrote in the liner notes, "the message it announced, and what it finally allowed people to glimpse - the lasting definitive return of Mingus to the forefront of creation in jazz. From this point on, everything would undergo an incredible evolution."
2 CD set for $20



NEW ON HUX

INCREDIBLE STRING BAND [MIKE HERON/ROBIN WILLIAMSON et al] - Across The Airwaves: BBC Radio Recordings 1969-1974 [2 CD set] (Hux 089; UK) The Incredible String Band was arguably one of the most engaging groups to emerge from the esoteric 1960s. Basically the duo of Mike Heron and Robin Williamson, their sound was comprised of haunting Celtic folk melodies augmented by a variety of Middle Eastern and Asian instruments.
In the late 60s, the ISB became major players on the burgeoning underground scene, sharing bills with the likes of Pink Floyd at London's UFO club and acquiring cult status with the cognoscenti after the 1967 release of their album, '5,000 Spirits Or The Layers Of The Onion'. John Peel soon became a big fan and was quick to get them to record sessions for his BBC Radio 1 shows.
The Incredible String Band adopted an adventurous approach to their BBC radio sessions, using them to try out new, non-album material or radically rearrange older songs, encompassing a remarkable variety of instrumentation and genres.
This double CD contains 13 previously unreleased recordings and has been compiled and released with the full co-operation of the band. The accompanying 24 page booklet includes rare photographs, comprehensive liner notes and a full BBC sessionography, plus an additional note from Mike Heron and lyrics to several of the featured songs. CD $22 PENTANGLE [BERT JANSCH/JACQUI McSHEE et al] - One More Road/Live 1994 [2 CD set] (Hux 089; UK) Recently honoured for Lifetime Achievement at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, the legendary status of the original Pentangle is beyond question.
Less known, though, are the great albums made by the reconstituted Pentangle between 1984-94. Built around original members Jacqui McShee and Bert Jansch, with guitarist Peter Kirtley, drummer Gerry Conway, and Nigel Portman Smith on bass, the group created a magical sound all of their own.
This double CD brings together the highlights from this Pentangle line-up; Their final studio album, the epic 'One More Road', with their swansong, 'Live 1994'. These discs capture the band performing old favourites and overlooked gems with a fantastic new energy.
As Bert Jansch recently said of the One More Road album; "It more than holds its own against the classic albums made by the first line up".
Both CDs have been digitally re-mastered and are now reissued together on CD for the first time, with the full agreement of the band.
The accompanying 20 page booklet features extensive liner notes, including interviews with the band, plus an additional note by Jacqui McShee, lyrics to many of the featured tracks and rare band photos.
CD $22

PENTANGLE [JOHN RENBOURN/BERT JANSCH/JACQUI McSHEE et al] - The Lost Broadcasts 1968-1972 [2 CD set] (Hux 049; UK) This double CD of Pentangle's BBC recordings is comprised primarily of rare and previously unheard tracks [36 of the 41 cuts!]. From 1968 to 1973 Pentangle were prolific session guests on BBC radio, their unique fusion of sounds providing access to programmes covering folk, pop and progressive rock. When BBC cupboards were trawled for these recordings in the early nineties they were almost bare - a mere handful of tracks [5] survived in the tape archive (released on the Band Of Joy/Strange Fruit labels). More recently, however, a further twelve tracks, in pristine sound, were discovered buried deep in the BBC archives. Another two dozen then surfaced in a private collection - recorded off-air, with a remarkably clear signal, from original AM. Here at last, among classics from all six of their albums, including one previously never-released title, is a representative history of the Pentangle [Bert Jansch, John Renbourn et al] at the BBC. The accompanying 12 page booklet includes comprehensive liner notes, a full discography of Pentangle's BBC recordings, and several rare photographs.
CD $22

PETER IVERS BAND With YOLANDE BAVAN/TIM MAYER/ASHA PUTHLI - Knight Of The Blue Communion (Hux 088; UK) Many music fans will know Peter Ivers as the writer of 'In Heaven (Lady in the Radiator Song)', which he originally composed for David Lynch's classic film, Eraserhead. The song was later immortalised, of course, by fellow Bostonians, the Pixies.
Ivers may not be a household name, but during his short life he made an impact on many fronts. He was a musician, arranger, composer, screenwriter, catalyst, TV presenter, spotter of new talent, a black belt in karate and a yoga master. Talking to people who knew and worked with him even 24 years after his untimely death, the superlatives still come gushing forth: such epithets as 'perfect'; 'a totally unique and refreshing individual'; 'a legend in the making'; 'a genius in many fields' freely trip off the tongue about him.
Peter's first big music industry break came in 1969, when Epic Records signed him to record his debut solo LP, Knight of the Blue Communion, the first ever legitimate CD reissue of which is now released on Hux Records. This special 'digi-pack' format features a reproduction of the original LP sleeve. The accompanying 20 page CD booklet features extensive liner notes, including interviews with the featured singers and musicians, along with the original LP liner note by Peter Ivers, full lyrics to every track and rare photos.
CD $18

DOCTOR STRANGELY STRANGE - Halcyon Days (Hux 092; UK) We are proud to announce news of this previously unreleased album by Dr Strangely Strange, dating from their classic period, 1969/70. Halcyon Days will contain the following archive tracks (mostly produced by Joe Boyd) which were recently discovered in the Island vaults.
CD $18

TOM T HALL - We All Got Together and.../The Storyteller (Hux 091; UK) Tom T. Hall is known as a classic Country Music singer/songwriter, with a keen eye for detail and a knack for narrative. The composer of 11 #1 hits, he has written songs for dozens of country stars, including Johnny Cash, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Waylon Jennings & Alan Jackson.
Before getting his break as a songwriter, he had studied journalism. Perhaps it was this, together with his fascination with American literature, which helped fashion Hall's erudite, cerebral yet concise and economic approach to his lyric writing.
Very early on in his career, Hall picked up the sobriquet of the Storyteller, and the title The Storyteller was used for one of two albums that Mercury released in 1972, the other being We All Got Together And... Both of these albums registered on the upper reaches of the country music chart in 1972.
Over the following decades, Tom T Hall went on to release several more great albums. But it is his work in the 1970s for which Hall will always be remembered, and it doesn't come any better than the two albums presented here on this CD.
Now digitally re-mastered, these two exemplary albums are now reissued together on one CD for the first time. Included here is the Country #1 song, Old Dogs, Children And Watermelon Wine, considered by many fans to be Hall's finest recording.
CD $18

..AND, RESTOCK ON THESE PAST HUX TREASURES..

MATCHING MOLE [ROBERT WYATT/PHIL MILLER/DAVE McRAE/BILL MacCORMICK] - On The Radio: BBC (Hux 083; UK) Robert Wyatt formed Matching Mole in 1972, shortly after he left Soft Machine and just before launching his solo career. Matching Mole bore some similarities to his later work with Soft Machine. In fact, Wyatt came up with the name 'Matching Mole' as a subtle pun on the French translation of 'Soft Machine' - 'machine molle'. Matching Mole released two great albums in 1972, before Wyatt disbanded the group and set out as a solo artist. But it is this Hux compilation which Wyatt now describes as the definitive Matching Mole album. 'On The Radio' is a compilation of rare BBC recordings, including 3 John Peel studio sessions and a live concert. Two tracks never before released commercially are included.
The band includes Dave Sinclair (ex Caravan), Phil Miller (Hatfield & The North and National Health), Bill MacCormick and Dave MacRae
This special 'digi-pack' format features an original cover photograph by Robert Wyatt, who also compiled the running order. The accompanying 12 page CD booklet features extensive liner notes by Matching Mole bassist, Bill MacCormick, plus rare period photo's and comprehensive recording details.
CD $18

SOFT MOUNTAIN [HUGH HOPPER/ELTON DEAN/HOPPY KAMIYAMA/TATSUYA YOSHIDA] - Soft Mountain (Hux 084; UK) Legendary Soft Machine veterans Elton Dean and Hugh Hopper joined forces in 2003 with wildly creative keyboardist/composer Hoppy Kamiyama and master drummer, Yoshida Tatsuya to create Soft Mountain. Their debut recording is now released here for the first time.
Elton Dean & Hugh Hopper are well known amongst jazz rock fans. In addition to forming half of the classic Soft Machine line-up (with Robert Wyatt & Mike Ratledge) they have also worked with Brotherhood of Breath, Keith Tippett & Long John Baldry's Bluesology (Dean) and Stomu Yamashta, Kevin Ayers & Isotope (Hopper). Soft Mountain named themselves after Hoppy Kamiyama, whose name translates into God Mountain in English. Hoppy has made about 200 CDs over a nearly 24 year career, so it's hard to say which is the greatest and most influential recording by this musician, who practically invented the modern concept of the keyboardist/composer/producer.
Tatsuya Yoshida was without doubt one of the most important drummers on the Japanese scene in the final decades of the 20th century, having spearheaded at least half a dozen of that country's most important groups, including Acid Mothers Temple & The Ruins.
This limited edition digi-pack features a liner note from Hugh Hopper CD $18

SOFT MACHINE [MIKE RATLEDGE/ROBERT WYATT/HUGH HOPPER/ELTON DEAN] With MARC CHARIG/NEVILLE WHITEHEAD/PHIL HOWARD/RONNIE SCOTT/PAUL NIEMAN/ROY BABBINGTON - Soft Machine & Heavy Friends: BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert 1971 Complete (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 plus 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.
CD $18

SOFT MACHINE [MIKE RATLEDGE/HUGH HOPPER/JOHN MARSHALL/KARL JENKINS] - Soft Stage: BBC In Concert 1972 (Hux 070; UK) This live BBC concert was recorded at London's Paris Theatre on 20.7.1972, just a few months before the live and studio material for the band's album Six was put together.
The Six album is widely regarded as a great record, but as the critic Duncan Heining says in his liner notes to Soft Stage, this CD is actually even better.
This concert was the fifth by this incarnation of Soft Machine, with Karl Jenkins joining Mike Ratledge, Hugh Hopper and John Marshall, adding his considerable skills on woodwinds and keyboards, not to mention his talents as composer.
This performance also showcases the exceptional Hopper-Marshall rhythm section. "Slightly All The Time", from the pre-Fifth days, is almost unrecognizable. The rest of the set is a mixture of compositions, mostly bearing only minor resemblance to the originals, from Fifth and Six Album.
Although only weeks into its existence, this line-up of Soft Machine was already a very solid unit, as this performance testifies.
The accompanying 8 page booklet includes extensive liner notes & rare band photos.
CD $18

SOFT MACHINE [KEVIN AYERS/MIKE RATLEDGE/ROBERT WYATT/HUGH HOPPER/ELTON DEAN/LYN DOBSON/NICK EVANS/MARC CHARIG] - BBC Radio 1967-1971 [2 CD set] (Hux 037; UK) Band members on these recordings include Kevin Ayers, Mike Ratledge, Robert Wyatt, Hugh Hopper, Brian Hopper, Elton Dean, Marc Charig, Lyn Dobson, and Nick Evans. This first volume contains all the sessions recorded for John Peel's 'Top Gear' programme. This features several previously unreleased recordings, including the 1967 session with Kevin Ayers on bass, guitar and vocals. The running order is mostly chronological, but has been tinkered with by Robert Wyatt, "for reasons of aural satisfaction".
The cover design features an abstract 'photograph' by Robert Wyatt and the booklet includes a liner note each from Hugh Hopper and Kevin Ayers. It also has detailed liner notes by Mark Ellingham and several band pictures by the great photographer, Mark Ellidge.
It's finally here! As most everyone knows by now, the Soft Machine were generally inadequately served by their official releases. The earliest Top Gear set (synonymous with 'the Peel Sessions') was one of the first and most important additions to their legacy.
And it was a mind-blower. This is an expanded repackaging of the double CD set that came out on Strange Fruit in the early 90's. This includes everything that still exists in the BBC's vault from Robert Wyatt's tenure in the band. In addition you get 25 minutes of the band's 1st session in 1967 with Kevin Ayers (never before released and in great sound, taken from the reel in Bob Woolford's archive, since the BBC had long ago destroyed their copy), a couple of solo Wyatt tracks (1 never before released), two great sessions from the trio of Hopper/Wyatt/Ratledge, the incredible 21' long session by the septet
(heard as originally broadcast for the first time in one piece) and a lot of material by the classic quartet (Dean/Hoppper/Ratledge/Wyatt), including a previously unreleased track and another track with over 5' of material that was previously faded out restored back. All in all this adds over 50' of material not previously available on the previous [Strange Fruit] edition and they have even managed to find some photos I hadn't seen before and it sports a cover photo by Robert Wyatt. Very highly recommended!!! CD $22

SOFT MACHINE [MIKE RATLEDGE/HUGH HOPPER/ELTON DEAN/PHIL HOWARD/JOHN MARSHALL/KARL JENKINS/ROY BABBINGTON/ALLAN HOLDSWORTH] - BBC Radio 1971-1974 [2 CD set] (Hux 047; UK) Members on these recordings include: Elton Dean, Hugh Hopper, Phil Howard, Mike Ratledge, Karl Jenkins, John Marshall, Roy Babbington, and Allan Holdsworth!! Following the successful release earlier this year of HUX037, this second volume now completes the set of Soft Machine's BBC sessions.
Recorded between 1971 & 1974, this double CD includes 3 Peel sessions, plus one session recorded for BBC Radio 3's Jazz In Britain' programme. With the exception of the first two tracks here, none of these recordings have ever been released before.
This compilation provides striking evidence of the pace at which the band was changing during this period. It plots a drastic change in the sound of the band, from their free jazz leanings of 1971 to the jazz rock fusion of '74. This album has been compiled with the full help of the band, who have been fully involved at every stage of development. The 12 page full colour booklet includes rare photographs from the band's own archive, plus a brief note from Soft Machine's John Marshall.
Yes, it is finally here! The incredible seminal British (Canterbury originally) jazz/rock/fusion sensation SOFT MACHINE caught live in BBC studios during their transitional period encompassing Soft Machine 'Five' through 'Bundles'. Collective personnel features Mike Ratledge on fuzz/organ, el. piano & synth, Elton Dean on alto sax & saxello, Karl Jenkins on keyboards, oboe & bari sax, Hugh Hopper & Roy Babbington on basses, John Marshall & Phil Howard on drums and Allan Holdsworth on lead guitar. Included is a swell booklet with informative liner notes from Canterbury website host Americ Leroy and nifty pix.
Commencing with "As If" and "Drop" from 'Five' and a previously unreleased piece called "Welcome to Frillsville", the Dean/Hopper/Ratledge/Howard version take off with some truly spirited, hypnotic playing. The fuzz organ and fuzz bass buzz together cosmically with Elton's reeds sailing on top and Phil's cerebral drumming swirling below. The Softs final incredible drummer John Marshall adds his powerful playing to the next session as Karl Jenkins also pushes their direction by becoming the main composer. Karl is another strong soloist on oboe, soprano & bari saxes. Great to hear equally inventive and intense renditions of material from 'Five' and 'Six' played by the next quartet Jenkins/Ratledge/Hopper/Marshall.
Soft Machine 'Six' won many awards (best Euro electric avant/jazz combo) when it came out in 1973 and hearing this colossal quartet, it is easy to see/hear why. Roy Babbington, who guested on 'Four' and 'Five' on acoustic bass, replaces Hopper on both basses starting with 'Seven' and fits perfectly with his strong and solid playing. Disc 2 begins with some a fat fuzz bass intro from Roy and then sly subtle funk of "Down the Road" from 'Seven' with a fine recorder solo by Karl and another fuzz organ solo from Mike. The Softs never lose their signature circular vibe and since the earlier days when Elton switched off on el. piano, Mike and Karl also play some superb double keyboards. 'North Point' is a mysterious piece for dreamy percussion and electronics which turns into "The Man Who Waved at Trains" from 'Seven' which burns ultra fast and has an excellent oboe solo from Karl. The crown jewel of this great double CD is the outstanding 17minute version of "Hazard Profile" which features an extraordinary long, liquid/wicked, ultra-quick guitar solo from Allan Holdsworth. Recorded in October of 1974, this shows that although the critics had written off 'fusion' as being a dead formula, this piece ranks among the finest of all so-called 'fusion' epics. Although, this double cd clocks in at a little over 80 minutes, it is an incredible work throughout and a must-have for Soft Machine fan-addicts worldwide!
CD $22

ELTON DEAN'S NINESENSE With ALAN SKIDMORE/MARC CHARIG/RADU MALFATTI/KEITH TIPPETT/HARRY MILLER/LOUIS MOHOLO et al - Live At The BBC (Hux 046; UK)
British saxophonist Elton Dean has long been the spearhead of free jazz in England. He began his professional career with Long John Baldry's Bluesology (*) in 1967, then went on to help form the Keith Tippett sextet before becoming a key member of Soft Machine in 1969.
In the mid 70s he formed 'Ninesense', one of the most influential cutting-edge jazz bands of the period. This album is comprised of two sessions ['75 & '78] recorded by BBC Radio 3's Jazz In Britain programme and contains the first recording, as well as almost the last, of this spectacular ninetet.
Players on both sessions include: Marc Charig (cornet, tenor horn); Radu Malfatti (trombone); Elton Dean (alto saxophone, saxello); Alan Skidmore (tenor saxophone); Keith Tippett (piano); Harry Miller (bass); Louis Moholo (drums).
Additionally, on the '75 session:
Mongezi Feza (pocket trumpet); Paul Nieman (trombone)
...And on the '78 session: Harry Beckett (trumpet); Nick Evans(trombone)
It has a total running time of 55 minutes and the accompanying 8 page booklet features a brief note from Elton Dean, plus extensive liner notes by The Times' jazz critic, Alyn Shipton.
CD $18

DREAMTIME [JIM DVORAK/NICK EVANS/KEITH TIPPETT/GARY CURSON/ROBERTO BELLATALLA/JIM LeBAIQUE] - Cathanger '86' (Hux 055; UK) Outstanding effort featuring Keith Tippett on piano (all but two tracks), Nick Evans on trombone, Gary Curson on saxes, Jim Dvorak on trumpet, Roberto Bellatalla on double bass and Jim Lebaigue on drums. The first recording from Nick Evan's Dreamtime was called "Bunny Up" from 1983, but I don't recall ever seeing this long lost record. The group was then a quintet and added piano master Keith Tippett in 1986, Evans and Tippett have been playing together since 1969 in a variety of bands led by Keith. The third Dreamtime release came out in 1998 on Slam and is called 'Zen Fish'. 'Cathanger '86' is a fascinating studio effort with Manny and my favorite pianist KT on all but two tracks, but it is most wonderful throughout. It has some of that same incredible energy that makes Tippett's 'Dedicated to You..' one of our favorite records of all time. The sextet burns right from the start! I know of bassist Roberto from his work with Elton Dean and trumpet player Dvorak from his time with Phil Miller's In Cahoots. The saxist and drummer are unfamiliar to me, but play incredibly well. I also hear that great gospel meets free vibe that the Brotherhood of Breath (Nick was indeed a member) specialized in, on a few of these tunes.
CD $18

ELTON DEAN & SOPHIA DOMANCICH - Avant (Hux 063; UK) Former Soft Machine sax-man Elton Dean began his professional career with Long John Baldry's Bluesology in 1967. He later became a charter member of the Keith Tippett sextet before going on to play a crucial role in Soft Machine between 1969 &1972. The French pianist Sophia Domancich has worked with Elton on and off over the past 20 years. During this time, she has become closely associated with the Canterbury scene and has played with most of the key figures of the genre, including Pip Pyle, Hugh Hopper, Richard Sinclair, Phil Miller & Didier Malherbe. 'Avant' features a recording of a live concert that the duo performed in France last year. This fully improvised show was the first time they had ever performed as a duo. This is a superbly recorded live set with perfect sound. "Avant-Apres" is a marvelous, majestic work for supreme alto sax and bold and beautiful piano, slow, hypnotic and hauntingly lyrical. This is a well-matched duo works together extremely well. It doesn't get much better than this. - BLG
CD $18

ELTON DEAN - Sea Of Infinity (Hux 050; UK) This is the 50th release on the Hux label, but it's our first brand new album (as opposed to a reissue or an unearthed archive recording). Sea Of Infinity was recorded last year and confirms that Dean's playing is as sublime as ever.
Elton Dean began his professional career with Long John Baldry's Bluesology in 1967. He left that band and helped to form the Keith Tippett sextet. Between 1969-1972, Elton formed part of the now legendary Soft Machine line-up (Wyatt, Hopper, Ratledge, Dean).
Tracks 1 & 4 feature the Elton Dean Quartet, with Mark Hewins (guitar), Marcio Mattos (double bass) and Tony Bianco (drums). Track 2 is just Elton & Mark, displaying a fluidity that comes with 25 years of playing together. Elton & Mark are joined on track 3 by the American poet, Sibyl Madrigal.
An immensely spirited half live and half studio session from our favorite Canterbury sax giant and the first release for new material, as opposed to the wonderful historic sessions (Soft Machine, Caravan, Nucleus & Elton Dean's Ninesense) that HUX has produced so far. Each member of Elton's fabulous quartet have long histories as well seasoned improvisers with both Elton and other British greats. Mark Hewins is by now a longtime member of the Canterbury scene, having worked with Richard Sinclair, Hugh Hopper, doing a Gong reunion tour, as well as a fine duo effort with Elton from a couple of years ago. Marcio Mattos can be heard on numerous cds on Slam & Emanem, and did a fine duo set with Elton at Tonic a couple of years back booked by yours truly. Tony Bianco has worked with Paul Dunmall on both Duns & Emanem cds. 'Sea of Infinity' features three 20 plus minute tracks and is perhaps the best free/fusion outing I've heard in a long while. There is an obvious simpatico between the sax and electric guitar, ever swirling and sailing together, weaving their spirits righteously The acoustic bass and drums also consistently spin intensely together, buzzing and burning, pushing Elton and Mark higher and higher into the heavens and beyond. Mark Hewins processes his guitar on occasion and does a fine job of adding some spooky spice at just the right moments, but still knows when to wail with Elton. Not for the timid, although the sax & guitar duo track is nicely laid back and magically eerie. - BLG
CD $18

PSYCHIC WARRIOR [ALEX MAGUIRE/ELTON DEAN/FRED T BAKER/LIAM GENOCKEY] - Psychic Warrior (Hux 059; UK) This is a brand new recording from the formidable free jazz quartet of Alex Maguire on Hammond organ & Fender electric piano, Elton Dean on saxello & alto sax, Fred Baker on electric & acoustic bass guitars and Liam Genockey on drums. Psychic Warrior is the first album from this quartet and this is studio date from September of 2003. All four of these musicians have rich and deep histories. Alex Maguire is the leader and main composer here and can be heard on a few different discs from Elton Dean, as well as a duo disc with Michael Moore. Fred Baker is one of the finest electric bassists to emerge from the UK over the past two decades and can be heard with Elton in Phil Miller's In Cahoots. Legendary British drummer Liam Genockey has worked with Trevor Watts in Amalgam, as well as with Steeleye Span for a bit. The title track is a laid-back blues tune with some lovely alto sax from Elton and elegant electric piano from Alex. We don't get to hear that distinctive Hammond organ sound very much nowadays, so this is a treat. Another rare combination is the hearing a great bassist working well with an organist, since during the sixties most jazz organists often didn't use a bassist, using their pedals to play bass lines. The incredible Fred Baker shines throughout and weaves dynamic lines connecting the organ and the drums in an inspired way. The interplay is ridiculously cool. What I dig about this disc is that it is a strong jazz date, nothing too out, yet inspired playing and strong soloing throughout, as well as some refreshingly memorable melodies from the pen of Alex Maguire. - BLG
CD $18

PIP PYLE's EQUIP OUT With ELTON DEAN/PAUL ROGERS/PATRICE MEYER - Instants (Hux 062; UK) Pip Pyle was a key figure in the Canterbury Music scene. In fact, as a founder member of Hatfield And the North and National Health, he deserves mention as one of the greatest progressive rock drummers. In 1994, his band, Equip Out, performed a live show in Paris that is now released here for the first time. This particular line-up features Pip on drums, Elton Dean on saxello & alto saxes, Patrice Meyer on electric guitar & Paul Rogers on acoustic bass only ever did a handful of gigs. Although this is a mainly improvised date, there are a series of riffs or sketches that are at the center of each piece. French guitarist Patrice Meyer has worked with Hugh Hopper in a few projects and is another of those unsung jazz/rock/fusion guitar heroes. He plays with taste and creativity throughout and plays a number of superb fusiony solos. Contrabassist supreme, Paul Rogers, who be heard with Keith Tippett's Mujician, as well as on dozens of discs with Paul Dunmall is another extremely gifted musician. Paul adds something different to Equip Out, a band that has most often used an electric bassist in the past. Besides taking a number of superb solos, Rogers rises to the occasion and plays more melodically than his freer excursions, fitting like a glove into this great quartet. Former Soft Machine & Keith Tippett Group sax legend, Elton Dean, sounds wonderful in every project/band he plays in. Elton and Patrice play amazingly well together, consistently interweaving layers of lines together, playing sympathetically throughout. There is nothing very outside or free here, making this a delight for electric jazz or even fusion fans worldwide. - BLG
CD $18

KEVIN AYERS - Too Old To Die Young: The BBC Concerts [2 CD set] (Hux 006; UK) This 2-CD set features three live concerts recorded by the BBC in 1972, 1975 and 1976.
The '75 and '76 concerts have never been released before in any form, while the 1972 show was available several years ago but since deleted.
The first disc features the classic "Whole World" band with Mike Oldfield on guitar whilst the second disc has [pre-Police] guitarist Andy Summers.
The 8-page booklet
"Working and playing with the "Whole World" group was one of the most creatively exciting times in my young musical career.
Off stage we shared laughter, curry and buckets of cheap wine. Onstage, there were flashes of inspired creativity and quite a bit of madness"
CD $22

KEVIN AYERS - The BBC Sessions: 1970-1976 [2 CD set] (Hux 073; UK) Kevin Ayers is one of Rock's most important innovators, helping to launch Soft Machine, as their original bassist/vocalist, and later working with noted progressive musicians like Mike Oldfield and Steve Hillage.
This 2 CD set of BBC radio sessions, compiled with the help of Kevin Ayers, tracks Kevin's discography from 1970 (when his band included his former Soft Machine friends) through to 1976.
Featured here are several previously unissued recordings, including the earliest surviving example of Kevin's post-Soft Machine output.
Among the musicians featured with Ayers on this compilation include Robert Wyatt, Mike Oldfield, Mike Ratledge, Andy Summers, Hugh Hopper, Lol Coxhill, David Bedford, Elton Dean, Archie Leggett, Ollie Halsall & Zoot Money. The accompanying 16 page full colour booklet includes comprehensive liner notes, full recording details and previously unseen photographs.
CD $22

NUCLEUS [IAN CARR et al] - The Pretty Redhead: Live At The BBC 1971 & 1982 (Hux 038; UK) 1971 tracks: Ian Carr (t, fl); Brian Smith (ss, ts, fl); Karl Jenkins (bar, ob, p, elp); Chris Spedding (g); Jeff Clyne (b, eb); John Marshall (d).
1982 tracks: Ian Carr (t, fh); Tim Whitehead (ss, ts); Mark Wood (g); Joe Hubbard (elb); John Marshall (d). The doyen of British jazz-rock groups, Nucleus was formed in 1969 by trumpeter Ian Carr. He was joined by Chris Spedding, John Marshall and Karl Jenkins. (The latter two went on to join Soft Machine a few years later.) In 1970, Nucleus won the band competition at the Montreux Jazz Festival. The following year, they recorded their debut BBC session, which is now released here for the first time. This is one of the last times that the founder members of Nucleus appeared together, as guitarist Chris Spedding left soon afterwards.
If the first session here gives us the opportunity to hear a well-established Nucleus line-up reinterpreting some of its best-known material, the second session (also released here for the first time) is even more of a treat, as this particular version of the band never recorded commercially, and it is Ian's only known recording of his piece, The Pretty Redhead. "I'm very pleased with it", Ian says now in his liner notes, "It generates terrific feeling." The release of these BBC recordings shows both the original line-up and a much later edition of the band playing at their fiery best for a radio audience. All in all, a delight for Nucleus buffs, and a fine introduction to the band's work for newcomers.
The accompanying 8 page booklet includes a note by Ian Carr and several rare photos from the band's own archive. The extensive liner notes are by Alyn Shipton, jazz critic for The Times.
CD $18

NUCLEUS [IAN CARR et al] - Hemispheres: Live 1970-71 (Hux 078; UK) This incredible all-star sextet features Ian Carr on trumpet, flugelhorn & direction, Chris Spedding on electric guitar, Brain Smith on tenor & soprano saxes, Karl Jenkins on electric piano & oboe, Jeff Clyne on acoustic & electric basses and John Marshall on drums. An outstanding offering from two early live dates of England's finest jazz/rock group, featuring future members of Soft Machine. What makes this disc special is that we get songs from two soundboard recordings from a year part, March, 1970 and February, 1971, both from European tours. Both recordings are superb and we get inspired live versions of tunes from the first two Nucleus albums, as well as various pieces that never made it onto any of the Nucleus studio dates. 1970 was the year saw the release of Miles Davis' 'Bitches Brew', as well as Soft Machine's 'Third', both seminal recordings and the dawn of jazz/rock, later referred to as "fusion". Nucleus also helped to invent this exciting new genre and both of these dates are proof that they blending the best elements of both worlds into something fresh and intense.
Starting with "Cosa Nostra", they are off and sailing with Ian Carr playing an amazing Miles-like solo and the rhythm team burning profusely. The title track from "Elastic Rock" is next and it has a great, sly groove and theme with a fine tenor solo from Brian Smith and a spirited, bluesy guitar solo from Spedding. I recognized the exquisite "Twisted Track" by Chris Spedding from the first Battered Ornaments record, the next band that Spedding joined after leaving Nucleus. Jenkins' mysterious oboe solo has that great middle-eastern double reed vibe that is completely enchanting. Jenkins' demanding "1916" is another gem with the furious guitar led-rhythm team churning quickly as Carr takes another stellar solo.
The other set from 1071 begins with Jenkins' classic "Song for a Bearded Lady", which was later renamed and featured on the Softs' 'Bundles' album, when Jenkins was a member of Soft Machine. Karl Jenkins plays some great mutated electric piano along with Spedding's swirling electric guitar. "Tangent' features another smokin' solo from Brian Smith on tenor. Mr. Smith was the only member of Nucleus, except for their leader Ian Carr, to remain in the band for their decade long duration. I am quite surprised that he never recorded an album under his own leadership as he is a most gifted soloist. The great guitarist, Chris Spedding, is also marvelous throughout, both playing rhythm and lead solos. Spedding would soon leave the jazz world and play on hundreds of sessions for rock, folk and almost anything else interesting. "Snakehips Dream" is a great funky, groove tune with wah-wah electric piano, steamy rhythm guitar and some mighty fine soloing from Ian Carr on trumpet and Brian Smith on soprano. This excellent hour-long CD ends with "Hemisphere", another previously unrecorded gem with some wonderful horn harmonies and another sinuous oboe solo from Karl Jenkins, as well as great slinky guitar and rich tenor from Brian Smith. Another gold nugget form Nucleus. - BLG
CD $18

GENTLE GIANT - Out Of The Fire: The BBC Concerts [2 CD set] (Hux 008; UK) This 2-CDset features two live concerts recorded by the BBC in 1973 and 1978.
The 1973 gig has never been released before whilst the 1978 show appears in its entirety for the first time, featuring the previously unreleased "Funny Ways".
The 8-page booklet includes background liner notes, full recording details and an introduction by Gentle Giant's drummer John Weathers.
CD $22

GENTLE GIANT - Totally Out Of The Woods: The BBC Sessions [2 CD set] (Hux 018; UK) This is a much welcome expanded edition of the previous single CD version called "Out of The Woods" which now has all (hence "Totally") the BBC studio sessions!
Formed from the remnants of Simon Dupree and the Big Sound and centred on the talents of the three Shulman brothers, Gentle Giant is the archtypal prog-rock band. With shifting time signatures, polyphonic vocal harmonies, use of mediaeval and classical textures and rock guitar they achieved some success in the Seventies. This companion 2-CD release to "Out Of The Fire" (Hux 008) features BBC sessions originally recorded for Radio 1's "Sounds Of The Seventies". Featuring almost 20 minutes of previously unreleased recordings including a rare live demo of "Free Hand".
The 8-page booklet includes liner notes by Gentle Giant's Gary Green and rare photographs.
CD $22



SOFT MACHINE [KEVIN AYERS/MIKE RATLEDGE/ROBERT WYATT] - Volume One [1/First] (Water 195; USA) "Their classic 1968 debut. Emerging from London's UFO Club scene at the same time as Pink Floyd, the Soft Machine was a near perfect merging of psychedelic rock, jazz, pop and avant-garde stylings. Featuring the trio line-up of Robert Wyatt, Kevin Ayers, and Mike Ratledge, this debut album was, as the original liner notes state, 'the sound of music updated by the music of sound. The Soft Machine deftly combine '60s psych-pop, jazz, and rock into a unique sound that stands up to repeated listenings more than most music today. The instrumentals are awesome -- interplay between organ, drums, bass and vocals make for intricate rockers with priceless moments. Wyatt's lispy voice is off-putting at first, but endearing on more listens, aided by his clever and often witty lyrics. Songs like 'A Certain Kind,' 'Save Yourself,' 'Lullabye Letter,' and 'Why Are We Sleeping' are great '60s psych-pop, with good hooks, but still original sounding."
CD $15

SOFT MACHINE [MIKE RATLEDGE/ROBERT WYATT/HUGH HOPPER] - Volume Two [2/Second] (Water 196; USA) "Originally released in 1969 following the departure of Kevin Ayers, Soft Machine's second album is a more experimental and ambitious work than its predecessor. With Robert Wyatt as the driving creative force and the addition of Hugh Hopper on bass, Volume Two (blending psych, jazz, and pop with enough whimsy and humor) is progressive rock at its finest. A classic of the Canterbury Scene. Featuring new liner notes. During the time between their first and second albums, Soft Machine toured with The Jimi Hendrix Experience and even briefly employed future Police guitarist Andy Summers as a replacement for Daevid Allen. Bassist and songwriter Kevin Ayers left the band and was replaced by Hugh Hopper, a move that put to rest the psychedelic pop era of Soft Machine: from here on out, the band would be heavily influenced by jazz. Volume Two is as much a transitional release for Soft Machine as their debut album, as it represents the band at a period just before they developed their mature style."
CD $15



STOCKS FOUND OF RARE LASWELL'S PRAXIS RELEASES:

PRAXIS [BILL LASWELL/JOHN ZORN/BUCKETHEAD/BOOTSY COLLINS/MICK HARRIS/YAMANTAKA 'YAMATSUKA' EYE/BERNIE WORRELL/BLIND IDIOT GOD] - Sacrifist (Subharmonic 7002; USA) [2006 reissue] The second disc of Bill Laswell and Buckethead's project Praxis is much less of a band effort and much heavier in tone. Laswell calls in some of his associates for various tracks, which makes this more a revolving-door project. Many tracks are speed/thrash metal at their noisiest; most notable of these is "Rivet," which combines Buckethead's ultra-heavy guitar riffs and shredding solos with sounds of shattered glass for an unbelievably aggressive experience. There's also a short dub interlude ("Iron Dub") and a hip-hop freakout with lots of scratching and high-pitched shrieks ("The Hook"). P-Funkers Bootsy Collins and Bernie Worrell (both also featured on the first disc, Transmutation) each contribute one lengthy track: "Deathstar," with Bootsy's free-form bass explorations, and "Crossing," featuring Bernie's psychedelic improvisation on a distorted Hammond organ. Also thrown into the mixture are Mick Harris (Napalm Death, Scorn) and Yamatsuka Eye (the Boredoms) screaming at the top of their lungs, plus John Zorn on some shrill alto parts and game calls, the band Blind Idiot God, and lots of frightening ambient sounds, noises and samples out of Shinya Tsukamoto's cult movie Tetsuo: The Iron Man. All this adds to the overall assault on your senses. Though this is a great disc, it will put most beginners off by its mind-numbing intensity; even advanced listeners may get lost! Only those who feel comfortable with aggressive noise may really enjoy this.
(There's WAS a more recent CD reissue [NOT what we are offering here!] which is to be avoided: all of the tracks are put into one lengthy CD track, with very low sound quality, and half of "Crossing" is missing. This reissue can be easily identified by looking at the back cover, which has the name "John T. Matarrazzo" [the person who bought the JEM and Celluloid labels in bankruptcy] on it; he was not credited on the first release, his name here is a legal dodge!)
CD $15

PRAXIS [BILL LASWELL/BUCKETHEAD/BRAIN] - Metatron (Subharmonic 7007; USA) Metalist trio of Bill Laswell, Buckethead, and Brain explore all related areas!
For the third manifestation of Praxis, Bill Laswell returned from the cut-and-paste trash metal of the second album, Sacrifist, to a band approach, as on the first, Transmutation. Concentrating on the core band of Buckethead, Brain and himself, he created an album which is close in spirit to the first one, but covers very different ground, and is also much weirder. From the touching opening ballad "Wake the Dead," we are in for a ride through everything Praxis has done before and much more: slow death metal riffs with damaged soloing on "Skull Creek," dub explorations on the relaxed "Cannibal" and the creepier "Warm Time Machine/Low End Transmission/Over the Foaming Deep," or mind-blowing shred guitar on "Turbine" and "Triad (The Saw Is Family)" -- the latter track toying, just like "Meta-Matic," with the listener's expectations by employing one killer riff after another without ever developing the way one expects. Calm interludes like "Cathedral Space" (hints of Colma) and the haunting "Double Vision" are included, as well as mysterious voice samples ("We Are Not Sick Men!") and some doses of Buckethead's typical silliness -- "Armed (TSA Agent #5)" has him playing the melody of "Jingle Bells" with a hilariously distorted sampler guitar, while "Warcraft (Bruce Lee's Black Hour of Chaos)" features kung fu screaming (an interesting connection to Yamatsuka Eye's performance on Sacrifist). On "Inferno/Heatseeker/Exploded Heart," Buckethead switches to electric bass and delivers a fascinating duel with Laswell. Throughout the album, Buckethead is awe-inspiring, playing not only with lightning speed and enormous precision, but also with dangerous intensity. The other two musicians are excellent as well, but the spotlight is clearly on Buckethead. The production, however, is the record's second star: there are interesting sounds abound (drilling sounds, oscillators, wind etc.), and each track (and virtually every guitar part) has a sonic identity of its own. Metatron is an incredible album (although beginners should start with Transmutation) and easily one of Buckethead's best showcases. -Chris Genzel, AMG
CD $15

PRAXIS [BILL LASWELL/BUCKETHEAD/BOOTSY COLLINS/BERNIE WORRELL/BRAIN] - Transmutation (Mutatis Mutandis) (Axiom 512 338; USA) Apart from an early experimental 12" [titled 1984] that has little to do with the later records, Transmutation (Mutatis Mutandis) was the first release of producer Bill Laswell's Praxis project, which he conceived and constructed around mystery guitar virtuoso Buckethead. Beautifully packaged (fascinating artwork by James Koehnline, freaky photography by Thi-Linh Le, and rebellious liner notes by Hakim Bey), this disc presented a band of top musicians at their most creative: apart from Buckethead, there are P-Funkers Bootsy Collins (bass) and Bernie Worrell (keyboards), plus drummer Brain (aka Brian Mantia) and turntable wizard Af Next Man Flip (aka Lord Of The Paradoxaka Afrika Babybam from the Jungle Brothers). From the searing heavy metal riffs that open the disc to the spaced-out noise collage that ends it, the band covers lots of territory: metal, rock, funk, hip-hop, jazz, noise intermezzos, back and forth, crossbred and interlocked. The first two tracks, "Blast/War Machine Dub" and "Interface/Stimulation Loop," change from heavy metal to funk effortlessly. The third, "Crash Victim/Black Science Navigator," turns from a breakneck-paced metal riff into a hip-hop scratching orgy without a second thought. "Animal Behavior" is certainly the most accessible track on the disc, relentlessly funky and featuring funny vocals by Bootsy. The second part of the track is a haunting ballad that points to Buckethead's later accomplishments on his solo release Colma. "Dead Man Walking," "Seven Laws of Woo," and "The Interworld and the New Innocence" are showcases for Buckethead's dangerous guitar shredding, alternating between majestic and breathless. "Giant Robot/Machines in the Modern City/Godzilla" prepares for the big showdown, with lots of mean guitar riffs standing against weird sounds and effects. The last track, "After Shock (Chaos Never Died)," then delivers an unusual outro by letting the rock-ish intro quickly dissolve into a strange sonic collage, featuring Worrell's Hammond organ improvisation augmented by heavily treated noises and sounds, scratches, and tape manipulations. In fact, the last track (which runs well over 15 minutes) may be the only thing that will put most listeners off, but in fact this track is the icing on the cake -- like the liner notes read, "Chaos Is Not Entropy...Chaos Is Continual Creation." ~ Chris Genzel, AMG
CD $18



SECOND HAND - Reality (Sunbeam 5031; UK) An acknowledged landmark of progressive acid rock, this 1968 classic combines top-notch songwriting with vicious guitar, swathes of mellotron and dense arrangements, to unique and unsettling effect. Late-period UK psychedelia with weird strings, flute melodies other synthie orchestral moments. Sunbeam's long-awaited official reissue includes comprehensive liner notes, rare photographs and two bonus tracks, making it a must-have for lovers of true British psychedelia.
CD $16


BARBARA & ERNIE [BARBARA MASSEY/KEITH JARRETT/JOE BECK et al] - Prelude To... (Fallout 2046; UK) This wonderfully soulful blend of folk, jazz, funk and psychedelia, orchestrated by the legendary Eumir Deodato, makes its long overdue CD debut here. Featuring the cream of America's early '70s session musicians including Barbara Massey, a session vocalist for artists such as Cat Stevens, and Ernie Calabria, a guitarist in Harry Belafonte's band in the '60s. The singers were backed up by a fine selection of guest appearances from jazz titans Keith Jarrett and Joe Beck. Prelude To... is a lost classic that has attracted ever-increasing interest from DJs, samplers and discerning collectors in recent years.
CD $16

MICHAELANGELO - One Voice Many (Fallout 2048; UK) This lost classic finally makes its CD debut here. Led by the aptly named Angel, the band only recorded one album, which has become one of the best-loved folk-rock albums of its era. Recorded in New York and produced by longtime Wendy Carlos collaborator Rachel Elkind, it's a haunting collection of autoharp-led pop songs, boasting strong melodies and powerful electric guitar, but sold poorly on release in 1971, causing the band to splinter.
CD $16



A NEW BATCH OF LIMITED VINYL RE-ISSUES FROM TAPESTRY:

BLODWYN PIG - Ahead Rings Out [Ltd 500 copies] (Tapestry 236; EEC) Originally released in 1969. "Blodwyn Pig were formed by Jethro Tull's original guitar player Mick Abrams immediately following Tull's initial release, This Was. Abrahams split, but the group he formed was no mere spin-off. Blodwyn Pig was every bit the equal of Jethro Tull. Abrahams was and is a first-rate blues guitarist. His electric guitar stylings are instantly recognizable, and he is also a master of acoustic fingerstyle blues guitar. Sax and flute man Jack Lancaster shared Ian Anderson's fondness for imitating jazzman Roland Kirk." 180 gram virgin vinyl, gatefold sleeve, limited edition of 1000 copies.
LP $26

CAPTAIN BEYOND - Captain Beyond [Ltd 1000 copies] (Tapestry 240; EEC) Originally released in 1970 "This is one of the greatest overlooked early 1970s hard rock masterpiece. From beginning to end this is a consummate performance. There is a power and consistency hardly ever found on debut albums. What's more, the production is remarkably sophisticated for its time, particularly in terms of the guitar work, which is chiefly reminiscent of Jimmy Page, and in some respects an advance over his work, but also thanks to richly-layered vocal harmonies of the sort that normally don't work in hard rock." 180 gram virgin vinyl, limited edition of 1000 copies.
LP $26

EAST OF EDEN - Mercator Projected [Ltd 500 copies] (Tapestry 239; EEC) "A milestone in the birth of 'progressive/art' rock, East of Eden's debut album, Mercator Projected has been cited by Mojo magazine as 'a ...masterpiece.' Released originally in 1969, the album established East of Eden (formed in Brighton by violinist and multi-instrumentalist Dave Arbus) as a major act, particularly in France, where the band had several top ten singles and major album success. An imaginative fusion of jazz, psychedelia and world music, Mercator Projected has been remastered from the original master tapes." 180 gram virgin vinyl, limited edition of 1000 copies.
LP $26

LOVE - False Start [Ltd 500 copies] (Tapestry 242; EEC) Originally issued in 1970. "One of the very few major rock groups to then feature a racially mixed lineup, Love was led by productive singer-songwriter Arthur Lee. After cutting three albums, the band fell apart. The original lineup's albums are very very good, including this one where Lee had the good luck to jive Jimi Hendrix into making a guest appearance ('The Everlasting First'). Lead guitarist Rowles puts across a Hendrix imitation that completely fooled me on 'Slick Dick' and 'Ride That Vibration.' The rest of the record is a lark, with Lee veering between funky sludge rock (the live cut 'Stand Out') and flaky soul harmonies ('Keep On Shining')." 180 gram virgin vinyl, gatefold sleeve, limited edition of 1000 copies
LP $26

MAHOGANY RUSH - Child of the Novelty [Ltd 500 copies] (Tapestry 243; EEC) "By 1971, Frank Marino's now famed Mahogany Rush was making a name for itself outside of the Montreal area, as the band began to have a following throughout the United States and beyond. The group became the first Canadian 'hard rock trio,' blazing the path for groups like Rush and Triumph that followed. This LP became one of the first Canadian albums to break into the U.S. market, with a huge success. MR were also one of the first to achieve international stardom, playing to huge crowds in Japan, Germany, England, Sweden and across the globe." 180 gram virgin vinyl, gatefold sleeve, limited edition of 1000 copies.
LP $26

THE MASTER'S APPRENTICES - A Toast to Panama Red [Ltd 500 copies] (Tapestry 241; EEC) Originally issued in 1972. "The Master's Apprentices are bona-fide Australian rock legends. As Stan Rofe said, the Master's Apprentices were Australia's Rolling Stones. They left an indelible mark on Australian music, and along with the Easybeats and the Twilights, they were one of the 'could-have-been' bands, who tried valiantly to break into the British and international charts. Like both those bands they were ultimately unsuccessful in their attempts, but one of the later members of the band, Glenn Wheatley, learned valuable lessons from their mistakes and has played a major role in the music industry and the media over the last 30 years." 180 gram virgin vinyl, limited edition of 1000 copies.
LP $26

QUINTESSENCE - In Blissful Company [Ltd 500 copies] (Tapestry 237; EEC) Originally issued in 1969. "Not many progressive rock bands took religious and spiritual influences further into their music than Quintessence. The band were mainly attracted to Hinduism, but they also made references to Buddhism and Christianity in some of their songs. Musically they blended early progressive rock with elements of eastern music, and their debut In Blissful Company remains a very representative example of their sound. Much like the Grateful Dead the on-stage performances were a vital and energising experience and much cherished by a large following in Britain." 180 gram virgin vinyl, gatefold sleeve, limited edition of 1000 copies.
LP $26

SKIP BIFFERTY - Skip Bifferty [Ltd 500 copies] (Tapestry 238; EEC) Originally issued in 1967. "Skip Bifferty might not exactly have been the Rolling Stones but they could have given the Idle Race or the Creation a run for their money. 'Guru' is the trippiest number here, a tabla-laden piece of minimalist psychedelia that's all voices chanting and pounding percussion, and it works. In all, it's cheerful psychedelia with a hard edge and some great virtuoso playing, pleasingly heavy guitar, soaring choruses, and eerie psych-pop lyrics evoking variant states of mind, somewhat akin to Pink Floyd's early singles laced with the kind of heavy edge that the Creation brought to the genre."
LP $26

SOFT MACHINE [MIKE RATLEDGE/ROBERT WYATT/HUGH HOPPER] - Volume Two [2/Second; Ltd 500 copies] (Tapestry 234; EEC) Originally issued in 1969. "During the time between their first and second albums, Soft Machine toured with The Jimi Hendrix Experience and even briefly employed future Police guitarist Andy Summers as a replacement for Daevid Allen. Bassist and songwriter Kevin Ayers left the band and was replaced by Hugh Hopper, a move that put to rest the psychedelic pop era of Soft Machine: from here on out, the band would be heavily influenced by jazz. Volume Two is as much a transitional release for Soft Machine as their debut album, as it represents the band at a period just before they developed their mature style." 180 gram virgin vinyl, gatefold sleeve, limited edition of 1000 copies.
LP $26

STONE CIRCUS - The Stone Circus [Ltd 500 copies] (Tapestry 235; EEC) Originally issued in 1969. "An obscure bit of psychedelic pop issued briefly at the end of the '60s, this one has a tighter groove and hipper sound than most of its contemporaries! The Stone Circus may have only left this one album behind in their career, but it's a plenty great one, and shows the group to be extremely focused and polished, with a highly rhythmic, and even a bit funky sound! Already known as The Funky Farm, the music they do here is a tight blend of basslines, snapping drums, organ, and guitar with bits of vibes thrown into the mix at a few especially great points in the set." 180 gram virgin vinyl, limited edition of 1000 copies.
LP $26


********************************


BIIIIIG HAT SALE!
ONLY FOR OUR NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS
The prices at our site are still gonna be marked $20 [$14 here] and $26 [$20 here], so you must copy the full listing including artist-title-price from this list to get the discount

When these titles are gone, they're gone for good! So order NOW!


BIIIIIG HAT SALE!

ONLY FOR OUR NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS
The prices at our site are still gonna be marked $20 [$14 here] and $26 [$20 here], so you must copy the full listing including artist-title-price from this list to get the discount

When these titles are gone, they're gone for good! So order NOW!


PETER ABLINGER/HILDEGARD KLEEB - Grisailles (1-100) fur drei Klaviere (1991-93) (Hat [now] 132 S; Switzerland) CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

TEODORO ANZELLOTTI - Push Pull (Hat [now] 131 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

CLARENCE BARLOW/JOSIETER HAAR/JOHN SNIJDERS - Musica Derivata (Hat [now] 126 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

BIG FOUR [MAX NAGL/STEVE BERNSTEIN/NOEL AKCHOTE/BRAD JONES] - Big Four (Hat ology 585 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

PETER BROTZMANN/JOE McPHEE/KENT KESSLER/MICHAEL ZERANG - Tales Out Of Time (Hat ology 589 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

JOHN CARISI/EDDIE SAUTER/CHRISTIAN WOLFF/STEFAN WOLPE//XASAX/ACCANTO - Counterpoise (Hat [now] 136 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

ALDO CLEMENTI/IVES ENSEMBLE - Madrigale (Hat [now] 123 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

CLUSONE 3 [MICHAEL MOORE/ERNST REIJSEGER/HAN BENNINK] - An Hour With... (Hat ology 554 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

CLUSONE 3 [MICHAEL MOORE/ERNST REIJSEGER/HAN BENNINK] - Rara Avis (Hat ology 523 S; Switzerland) CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]


MARC COPLAND TRIO With DREW GRESS/JOCHEN RUEKER - Haunted Heart & Other Ballads (Hat ology 581 S; Switzerland) CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

MARC COPLAND With DREW GRESS/JOCHEN RUEKER/JOHN ABERCROMBIE/DAVE LIEBMAN - And (Hat ology 593 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

MARC COPLAND/DAVE LIEBMAN QUARTET - Lunar (Hat ology 583 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

DANIELE D'AGARO/ERNST GLERUM/HAN BENNINK - Strandjutters (Hat ology 590 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

HERBERT DISTEL - Railnotes: La Stazione/Die Reise (The Journey) [2 CD set] (Hat ology 594 S; Switzerland)
2 CD SET FOR $20 [NORMALLY $26]

DAVE DOUGLAS' TINY BELL TRIO With BRAD SCHOEPPACH/JIM BLACK - Constellations (Hat ology 542 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

ELLERY ESKELIN With DREW GRESS/PHIL HAYNES - Forms (Hat ology 592 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

ELLERY ESKELIN With MAT MANERI/ERIK FRIEDLANDER/MARK DRESSER/MATT MORAN - Vanishing Point (Hat ology 577 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

ELLERY ESKELIN/ANDREA PARKINS/JIM BLACK - 12 (+1) Imaginary Views (Hat ology 584 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

ELLERY ESKELIN/ANDREA PARKINS/JIM BLACK - Arcanum Moderne (Hat ology 588 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

ELLERY ESKELIN/ANDREA PARKINS/JIM BLACK - The Secret Museum (Hat ology 552 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

MORTON FELDMAN/PETER RUNDEL/PELLEGRINI STRING QUARTET - Violin & String Quartet [2 CD set] (Hat [now] 137 S; Switzerland)
2 CD SET FOR $20 [NORMALLY $26]

MORTON FELDMAN/STEFFEN SCHLEIERMACHER - Early Piano Works (Hat [now] 138 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

JIMMY GIUFFRE 3 With PAUL BLEY/STEVE SWALLOW - Emphasis & Flight 1961 (Bremen & Stuttgart) [2 CD set] (Hat ology 595 S; Switzerland)
2 CD SET FOR $20 [NORMALLY $26]

GUILLERMO GREGORIO - Degrees Of Iconicity (Hat [now] 134 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

GUILLERMO GREGORIO Trio With MAT MANERI/PANDELIS KARAYORGIS - Red Cube(d) (Hat ology 531 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

GUILLERMO GREGORIO/MATS GUSTAFSSON/KJELL NORDESON - Background Music (Hat ology 526 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

RICHARD GROSSMAN TRIO With KEN FILIANO/ALEX CLINE - Even Your Ears (Hat ology 515 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

RICHARD GROSSMAN TRIO With KEN FILIANO/ALEX CLINE - Where The Sky Ended (Hat ology 541 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

LOU HARRISON/MAELSTROM PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE - Labrynth (Hat [now] 105 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

ROMAN HAUBENSTOCK-RAMATI/EBERHARD BLUM/IVEN HAUSMAN/JAN WILLIAMS - Graphic Music (Hat [now] 101 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

ROMAN HAUBENSTOCK-RAMATI/ENSEMBLE AVANT GARDE - Mobile For Shakespeare (Hat [now] 118 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

FRITZ HAUSER - Solodrumming (Hat [now] 129 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

SVEN-AKE JOHANSSON/AXEL DORNER/ANDREA NEUMANN - Barcelona Series (Hat ology 559 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

THEO JORGENSMANN & ECKARD KOLTERMANN - Pagine Gialle (Hat ology 553 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

THEO JORGENSMANN QUARTET - Snijbloemen (Hat ology 539 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

THEO JORGENSMANN QUARTET - To Ornette: Hybrid Identity (Hat ology 576 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

UDO KASEMETS/STEPHEN CLARKE - Pythagoras Tree: Works For Piano (Hat [now] 113 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

MATTHIAS KAUL - Solopercussion (Hat [now] 130 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

FRANZ KOGLMANN - O Moon My Pin-Up (Hat ology 566 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

FRANZ KOGLMANN & LEE KONITZ With TONY COE/BURKHARD STANGL/KLAUS KOCH et al - We Thought About Duke (Hat ology 543 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

FRANZ KOGLMANN With TONY COE/MISHA MENGELBERG/KLAUS KOCH/BURKHARD STANGL - L'Heure Bleue (Hat ology 571 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

JO KONDO/ENSEMBLE L'ART POUR L'ART - Chamber Music (Hat [now] 110 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

JO KONDO/SATOKO INOUE - Works For Piano (Hat [now] 135 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

LEE KONITZ/DON FRIEDMAN/ATTILA ZOLLER - Thingin (Hat ology 547 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

BERND KONRAD-HANS KOLLER UNIT With DIDIER LOCKWOOD - Phonolith (Hat ology 520 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

STEVE LACY - Clinkers (Hat ology 546 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

STEVE LACY 6 - We See: Thelonius Monk Songbook (Hat ology 569 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

JOHN LAW QUARTET With GERRY HEMINGWAY/JON LLOYD/TIM WELLS - Abacus (Hat ology 567 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

DAVE LIEBMAN/MARC COPLAND DUO - Bookends [2 CD set] (Hat ology 587 S; Switzerland)
2 CD SET FOR $20 [NORMALLY $26]

JON LLOYD - Four And Five (Hat ology 537 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

JOE MANERI QUARTET With MAT MANERI/ED SCHULLER/RANDY PETERSON - Tenderly (Hat ology 525 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

JOE MANERI/JOE MORRIS/MAT MANERI - Out Right Now (Hat ology 561 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

MAT MANERI TRIO With MATTHEW SHIPP/RANDY PETERSON - So What? (Hat ology 529 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

JOE McPHEE - Tenor & Fallen Angels (Hat ology 544 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

JOE McPHEE PO MUSIC With ANDRE JAUME/RAYMOND BONI/FRANCOIS MECHALI - Oleo & A Future Retrospective (Hat ology 579 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

RAJEESH MEHTA Solos & Duos With PAUL LOVENS - Orka (Hat ology 524 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

MYRA MELFORD EXTENDED ENSEMBLE With DAVE DOUGLAS/MARTY EHRLICH/LINDSEY HORNER/REGGIE NICHOLSON - Even the Sounds Shine (Hat ology 597 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

MYRA MELFORD TRIO With LINDSEY HORNER/REGGIE NICHOLSON - Alive In The House Of Saints: Expanded Edition [2 CD set] (Hat ology 570 S; Switzerland)
2 CD SET FOR $20 [NORMALLY $26]

MAX NAGL ENSEMBLE With NOEL AKCHOTE - Ramasuri (Hat ology 575 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

LAUREN NEWTON - Filigree (Hat ology 519 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

ANTHONY ORTEGA TRIO - New Dance! (Hat ology 565 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

ANTHONY ORTEGA TRIO - Scattered Clouds (Hat ology 555 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

POLWECHSEL [WERNER DAFELDEDECKER/JOHN BUTCHER/MICHAEL MOSER/BURKHARD STANGL] - Polwechsel 2 (Hat [now] 119 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

POLWECHSEL [WERNER DAFELDEDECKER/RADU MALFATTI/MICHAEL MOSER/BURKHARD STANGL] - Polwechsel [1] (Hat [now] 112 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

MICHEL PORTAL/LEON FRANCIOLI/PIERRE FAVRE - Arrivederci Le Chouartse (Hat ology 572 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

FRANCOIS RAULIN TRIO - Trois Plans Sur La Comete (Hat ology 582 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

STEFFEN SCHLEIERMACHER//JOHN ZORN/TOM JOHNSON/SVEN-AKE JOHANSSON et al - Enfants Terribles (Hat [now] 121 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

STEFFEN SCHLEIERMACHER//LOURIE/MOSSOLOV/POLOVINKIN/ROSLAVETZ - Soviet Avante-Garde 1 (Hat [now] 104 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

STEFFEN SCHLEIERMACHER//LOURIE/MOSSOLOV/POLOVINKIN/ROSLAVETZ - Soviet Avante-Garde 2 (Hat [now] 115 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

ARNOLD SCHOENBERG/PI-HSIEN CHEN - Works for Piano (Hat [now] 125 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

ARCHIE SHEPP - I Know About The Life (Hat ology 598 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

MATTHEW SHIPP STRING TRIO With MAT MANERI/WILLIAM PARKER - By The Law Of Music (Hat ology 574 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

MATTHEW SHIPP STRING TRIO With MAT MANERI/WILLIAM PARKER - Expansion, Power, Release (Hat ology 558 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

ERNSTALBRECHT STIEBLER/TEODORO ANZELLOTTI/MARIANNE SCHROEDER/HUUB TEN HACKEN - Im Klang (Hat [now] 109 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

SUN RA & His ARKESTRA - Sunrise In Different Dimensions (Hat ology 568 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

CECIL TAYLOR UNIT With JIMMY LYONS/RAPHE MALIK/RAMSEY AMEEN/SIRONE [NORRIS JONES]/RONALD SHANNON JACKSON - One Too Many Salty Swift And Not Goodbye [2 CD set] (hat ology 599 S; Switzerland)
2 CD SET FOR $20 [NORMALLY $26]

JAMES TENNEY/MARK SABAT/STEPHEN CLARKE - Music For Violin And Piano (Hat [now] 120 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

JAMES TENNEY/MATTHIAS KAUL - Solo Works For Percussion (Hat [now] 111 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

JAMES TENNEY/MUSIK FABRIK - Forms 1-4: In Memoriam Varese, Cage, Wolpe, Feldman [2 CD set] (Hat [now] 127 S; Switzerland)
2 CD SET FOR $20 [NORMALLY $26]

TRAPIST [MARTIN BRANDLMAYR/MARTIN SIEWERT/JOE WILLIAMSON] - Highway My Friend (Hat ology 586 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

PER HENRIK WALLIN & SVEN-AKE JOHANSSON// & PETER JANSON/LEIF WENNERSTROM - Proklamation I/Farewell to Sweden [2 CD set] (Hat ology 563 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

CARLOS ZINGARO & PEGGY LEE - Western Front, Vancouver 1996 (Hat ology 513 S; Switzerland)
CD $14 [NORMALLY $20]

JOHN ZORN With BILL FRISELL/ELLIOTT SHARP/WAYNE HORVITZ/ZEENA PARKINS/ARTO LINDSAY/CHRISTIAN MARCLAY/BOBBY PREVITE/GUY KLUCEVSEK et al - Cobra: Deluxe Edition [2 CD Set] (Hat ology 580 S; Switzerland)
2 CD SET FOR $20 [NORMALLY $26]


************RECOMMENDED NYC GIGS************


THE DOWNTOWN MUSIC GALLERY 'FREE IN-STORE MUSIC' CONTINUES:

THERE ARE NO SHOWS THE NEXT TWO SUNDAYS MAY 20th or 27th, BUT THERE IS A SPECIAL MONDAY SHOWÉ

Monday May 28th
MISHA FEIGIN - solo guitar

Sunday June 3rd at 6pm:
AMANDA MONACO & MATANA ROBERTS!
Rare set from this amazing guitar & alto sax duo!

Sunday June 10th at 5:30 (Note early starting time)
FORWARD ENERGY TRIO featuring:
JIM RYAN - alto sax & flute!
LISLE ELLIS - double bass!
BRUCE EISENBEIL - guitar!

Sunday June 17th at 6pm:
BRUCE LEE GALLANTER PRE-BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!?!
MYSTERY GUESTS!

Sunday June 24th - No Gig!
GO TO THE VISION FEST!


*****************


DMG'S CHUCK BETTIS & MIKEY 'IQ' JONES AT PLAY...

Saturday 5/19
8 and 10 pm
Improv Night at Stone Benefit
John Zorn (alto sax) Ikue Mori (electronics) Larry Ochs (tenor sax) Lisle Ellis (bass) Fred Frith (guitar) Zeena Parkins (electric harp) Chuck Bettis (voice & electronics)
Come and support the Stone in 2007 @ East 2nd & Ave C
TWENTY DOLLARS.

Tuesday 5/22
3-6pm
BROWN WING OVERDRIVE on WFMU 90.1
www.wfmu.org
Chuck Bettis (voice & electronics) Mikey IQ Jones
(electronics & objects) Derek Morton (electronics & banjo) FREE

Thursday 5/24
8pm
Bettis/Pride duo
Chuck Bettis (voice & electronics) Mike Pride (drums)
@ You Are Here aka The Maze
Chashama Gallery 122 44th st. & Broadway DONATION

Friday 5/25
8pm
BROWN WING OVERDRIVE
Chuck Bettis (voice & electronics) Mikey IQ Jones (electronics & objects) Derek Morton (electronics & banjo) @ You Are Here aka The Maze
Chashama Gallery 122 44th st. & Broadway DONATION

Sunday 6/3
8pm
BROWN WING OVERDRIVE @ Cakeshop 152 Ludlow st

Sunday 6/17
8pm
BROWN WING OVERDRIVE
@ Share at Reboot bar and restaurant 37 Ave A
www.share.dj FREE
www.chuckbettis.com
www.brownwingoverdrive.com
www.myspace.com/brownwingoverdrive


*****************


NO FUN FEST 2007 - May 17,18,19,20

at The Hook, 18 Commerce Street, Brooklyn

To get there: 'F' Train to Carroll Street stop + 10 minute walk
Or B61 Express Bus from From Williamsburg and Downtown Brooklyn areas will drop you off 1 block from club
[And there's always cab/car service - appx $8 from Park Slope or $12 from Lower Manhattan]

GO !!!


THURSDAY 17 starting at 7pm
Pain Jerk
Hair Police
Yoshimi + Kim Gordon
Hive Mind + Damion Romero
Lambsbread
Evil Moisture
Crumbling
Orphan Fairytale

FRIDAY 18 starting at 7pm
Incapacitants
Sissy Spacek
Carlos Giffoni
Raionbashi & Kutzkelina
Anti-Freedom
Mouthus + Axolotl
Grunt
Princess Dragonmon
Charlie Draheim

SATURDAY 19 starting at 7pm
Merzbow
Keiji Haino
Tom Recchion, Ju Suk Reet Meate and Oblivia
Religious Knives
Slogun
Sickness
Demons
The Rita
Gastric Female Reflex

SUNDAY 20 at starting at 6pm Thurston Moore
Burning Star Core + Zaimph
Aaron Dilloway
Enema Syringe
Leslie Keffer + Rodger Stella
Stegm
Hacky Pack Sac Sac
Deathroes
American Band+ AirConditioning


*****************


THE STONE is located at the NW corner of Avenue C & 2nd St.

May, 2007 has been curated by Fred Frith


5/18 Friday (CP)
8 PM- ODE with Gerry Hemingway
Larry Ochs (saxophones) Trevor Dunn (acoustic bass) Lisle Ellis (bass & circuitry) Gerry Hemingway (drums)
10 PM- Lisle Ellis's Audible Means with Gustavo Aguilar
Ellery Eskelin (sax) Bruce Eisenbeil (guitar) Erik Deutsch (keyboards) Lisle Ellis (bass & circuitry) Gustavo Aguilar (drums/percussion/electronics)
Performing Lisle Ellis' Frames for Improvisation


5/19 Saturday
8 and 10 PM
Improv Night-a Stone Benefit
John Zorn (alto sax) Ikue Mori (electronics) Larry Ochs (tenor sax) Lisle Ellis (bass) Fred Frith (guitar) Zeena Parkins (electric harp) Chuck Bettis (voice & electronics)
Come and support the Stone in 2007. TWENTY DOLLARS.


May 20-23
WESTERN CIVILIZATION II

5/20 Sunday
1 PM
CREATIVE MUSIC WORKSHOP at The Stone
special guest Tony Moreno (drums)
The event will feature students and faculty from this new music program for high school and college students. CMW was created and is led by a partnership of five professional NYC jazz musicians: Bob Bowen, Brian Drye, Mike McGinnis, Jacob Sacks, and Khabu Doug Young. Launched in 2006, CMW is an innovative program, intended for serious students of creative music that focuses primarily on the creative process as it springs from the jazz tradition and the avant-garde. Students work and perform with the faculty, and a heavy emphasis is place on learning how to collaborate within ensembles of various sizes.
8 PM
Normal / MyrMyr
Normal: Fred Frith & Sudhu Tewari (home-made instruments)
MyrMyr: Agnes Szelag (cello, piano, electronics) Marielle Jakobsons (violin, harp, electronics)
10 PM
Normal & Agnes
Fred Frith & Sudhu Tewari (home-made instruments) and Agnes Szelag (voice, electronics) Caroline Penwarden (voice)
Lo-tech meets hi-tech, featuring the San Francisco Municipal Dump's one time resident artist and the next level of computer musicianship


5/22 Tuesday
8 and 10 PM
Cutter Heads
Fred Frith (acoustic guitar) Chris Brown (piano & electronics)
Mills College colleagues celebrating their new CD on the Intakt label


5/23 Wednesday
8 and 10 PM
CBD TRIO
Chris Brown (piano & electronics) Biggi Vinkeloe (alto sax, flute) Don Robinson (drums)
Rare NY appearance of this classic trio


5/24 Thursday
8 PM
Faded Music
Mike Lowenstern (bass clarinet, body percussion and electricity)
"the pre-eminent bass clarinetist of his generation and one of this country's leading producers of creative electro-acoustic music"
10 PM
Saadet Turqoz and Elliot Sharp
Saadet Turqoz (voice) Elliot Sharp (guitar)
"Our music is a mosaic and we are the guardians thereof"


May 25-27 and May 30
Northern Lights II
Three evenings of music from Ambiances Magnˇtiques of Montrˇal, featuring movers and shakers from the vibrant Quebec scene.

5/25 Friday
8 PM
SuperMusique Ensemble
Nicolas Caloia (double bass) Isaiah Cecceralli (drums) Jean Derome (saxophones, flutes, objects) Lori Freedman (clarinets) Joane Hetu (alto saxophone, voice) Danielle Palardy Roger (percussion)
Game pieces and shape-shifting improvisation developed over twenty years of practice.
10 PM
Jean Derome Trio
Jean Derome (saxophones, flutes, objects) Nicolas Caloia (double bass) Isaiah Cecceralli (drums)
"irresistible swing"


5/26 Saturday
8 PM
FReC
Nicolas Caloia (double bass) Lori Freedman (clarinets) Danielle Palardy Roger (percussion)
"rattles and inventions"
10 PM
Nous per¨ons les oreilles
Jean Derome (saxophones, flutes, objects) Joane Hetu (alto saxophone, voice)
"a secular incantation, a banquet of sound"


5/27 Sunday
8 PM
WONDEUR Quartet
Charity Chan (piano) Lori Freedman (clarinets) Joane Hˇtu (alto saxophone, voice) Danielle Palardy Roger (percussion)
New manifestation of this legendary group
10 PM
SuperMusique Ensemble
Charity Chan (piano) Nicolas Caloia (double bass) Isaiah Cecceralli (drums) Jean Derome (saxophones, flutes, objects) Lori Freedman (clarinets) Joane Hˇtu (alto saxophone, voice) Danielle Palardy Roger (percussion)


May 29-31
WESTERN CIVILIZATION III

5/29 Tuesday
8 PM
Son of Gunnar, Ton of Shel
Steini Gunnarsson (Iceland) (guitar, processing) Aram Shelton (Chicago) (reeds, processing)
"answers to questions you hadn't asked yet" 10 PM
Son of Gunnar, Ton of Shel
Aram Shelton (sax) Matt Bauder (sax) Steini Gunnarsson (guitar) Jordan Glenn (drums)
"answers to questions you hadn't asked yet"


5/30 Wednesday
8 PM
Slow, Children
MaryClare Brzytwa (guitar, flute, electronics, voice) Kanoko Nishi (koto, voice) Shayna Dunkelman (percussion, voice)
"as grotesque as they are adorable.."
10 PM
BeBe Donkey
MaryClare Brzytwa (flute, electronics) Antoine Berthiaume (guitar)
Antoine is celebrating his new release on Ambiances Magnˇtiques The last of six Stone appearances in May for the awesome MC


5/31 Thursday
8 PM
Anantha Krishnan
Anantha Krishnan (mridangam, tabla) Jordan Glenn (drums) Andy Strain (trombone)
Indian Mridangam prodigy Anantha Krishnan with two of the hottest players of the younger generation: improvisation outside the box 10 PM
Andrea Parkins and Alex Waterman
Andrea Parkins (electronically processed accordion, MaxMSP-processed samples) Alex Waterman (cello and electronics) The renowned sound artist, composer, and improvisor meets a founding member of the Plus Minus Ensemble for unpredictable high jinks


Performances take place at 8 & 10 PM from Tuesday - Sunday nights,
There are no advance tickets, first come, first served, there is no phone
There is no food or beverage served, just a serious listening environment
Admission for each set is $10, unless otherwise indicated
Check out the website for The Stone at thestonenyc.com


*****************


Dee Pop presents:
THE Freestyle MUSIC SERIES
"All types of creative music"
Every Sunday @ Jimmy's Restaurant
43 East 7th Street * NYC * 212-982-3006


May 20
7pm Borah Bergman, Daniel Levin, Jason Hwang, Dee Pop
9pm Harris Eisenstadt Victoria Day Trio with Mark Helias & Matt Bauder

May 27
7pm Skip Heller Trio with Marc Kaplan & Lucien Dowdell
9pm Bobby Previte, Mark Helias, Tony Malaby


*****************


ROULETTE
May Concerts 2007

MAY 2007 EVENTS [including the 'AVANT JAZZ - STILL MOVING' festival]

20 Greene St. (between Canal and Grand) 2 blocks west of Broadway

Unless otherwise noted, ALL SHOWS 8:30 PM

$15 at the Door

Harvestworks, DTW members, students, seniors: $10

Reservations: 212.219.8242
Roulette & Location One, members free
www.roulette.org www.location1.org


Friday, May18th

Ned Rothenberg - A Benefit for Roulette (all Tickets $15)
Exhaustively adventurous composer/reedist Ned Rothenberg presents solos, and two trios - one with Markas Rojas (Tuba) & Brahim Fribgane (Oud, Cahone) and the other with Min Xiao-Fen (Pipa) & Jim Staley (Trombone)


Saturday, May 19th

Matthew Welch and Wayang Kontemporer
Composer/bagpiper Welch presents two multimedia works inspired by Balinese shadow play, and the premiere of Borges and the Other, an opera performed by Welch's ensemble Blarvuster with Balinese dance by Desiree A. Seguritan and Borges's texts. Also a performance of Bhima Swarga, with Ikue Mori (electronic sound & animations of traditional Balinese paintings) & Gamelan Dharma Swara performing Welch's bagpipe inspired compositions for Balinese gamelan semara dana. Borges and the Other has been commissioned by Roulette with the support of the Jerome Foundation.


Sunday, May 20th

8 PM - Janis Mercer- While Away/On Friendship
While Away/On Friendship is a series of tape and piano & tape pieces influenced by travel, language, culture and friendship. Painter Tammy Nguyen collaborates with paintings for two works, Sound Portraits and Citytudes.

9:30 PM - Cyrus Pireh & Anthony Jay Ptak
Cyrus Pireh is the world's greatest living electric guitarist. Anthony Jay Ptak is an experimental thereminist, artist, and composer. Their sounds explore the relationship between electricity, touch and non-touch in a context of extreme sonic density.


Thursday, May 24th

Bernadette Speach
Her work as a composer embraces a variety of styles, and includes solo, chamber and orchestral works. In recent years PARALLEL WINDOWS - UNFRAMED for piano and orchestra was performed by Anthony de Mare and the Absolute Chamber Orchestra, and WITHIN for piano and orchestra was performed by Ursula Oppens and the Brooklyn Philharmonic under the direction of Lukas Foss. Her second string quartet, LES ONDES POUR QUATRE, was premiered by the Arditti String Quartet in Darmstadt, Germany (where Ms. Speach lectured as a part of the composition faculty) and at the Ravinia Festival, where it received its American premiere.


Friday, May 25th

Matana Roberts' BLACK MAN
One of the first "picture book" texts that Saxophonist Matana Roberts was given to read as a child was Joel Augustus Roger's Africa's Gift to America.
In this age of fifty bullet armed force brutality strategies =800, Saxophonist Matana Roberts has decided to pay homage to the positive role of black manhood in her life and her music. Based on the works J.A. Rogers, as well as her own personal research into the minds of men of the diasporic persuasion that she has admired and been inspired by she is using this as an artistic backdrop for reflection that she will piece together in a celebration of sound. Written for mini brass band, language ensemble and movement master.


Saturday, May 26th

Rocco Di Pietro with K. Supove

Rocco Di Pietro was born in Buffalo, New York in 1949. He studied composition and piano with Hans Hagen and Lukas Foss in Buffalo and at the Berkshire Music Center, Tanglewood. Recently, his work has developed on several fronts. Sound text radio works have developed simultaneously with his teaching at Columbus State College of electronic music and other courses in the Humanities.


*****************


ISSUE Project Room
400 Carroll Street - Brooklyn, NY 11213
Brooklyn-bound F / G trains to Carroll St.
Brooklyn-bound R train to Union St.

www.issueprojectroom.org

Telephone: 718-330-0313


Friday, May 18 _ashley paul_phantom orchard: ikue mori & zeena parkins
OLD HUNTER: Ashley Paul leads this tiny unit combining noise driven sax and drum improvisations, damaged electronics and split second shifts of texture.
PHANTOM ORCHARD: Ikue Mori is a legendary composer and computer musician of the downtown scene. along with the equally legendary Zeena Parkins, a multi-instrumentalist, composer, improvisor, well-known as a pioneer of the electric harp, they are the two-pwerson gropu Phantom Orchard
8:00 p.m.; $10

Saturday, May 19_zoe beloff_min xiao fen trio
zoe beloff_charming augustine_Stereo pic 16mm B/W Film Sound 40 minutes. _Cast: Tea Alagic, Greg Mehrten, Josh Stark, Steven Rattazi, Kevin Maher, Eileen White, Eliza Fernbach. Original Music: Miguel Frasconi
min xiao fen blue pipa trio_okkyung lee, cello, satoshi takeishi, percussion and electronics, 8:00 p.m.; $10

Thursday, May 24_isa freeling _mm serra_tessa hughes freeland
isa freeling_I CAN'T READ GERMAN, read by Isa Freeling, is an excerpt from her novella-in-progress which is a story about a one hundred year old woman who wakes up from a nap and finds that she is dead.
MM Serra is a filmmaker, writer, teacher, curator and director of the Film-Makers' Co-op, who has been central to the East Village experimental film scene for nearly a decade and a half.
Tessa Hughes-Freeland is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, and co-founder of the New York Film Festival Downtown. 8:00 p.m.; $10

Friday, May 25 _mv carbon_marina rosenfeld
M.V. Carbon is a Brooklyn based musician, composer and filmmaker who uses fragmented field recordings, analog synthesizers, samplers, tape manipulations, and photosensitive oscillators to assimilate structural chaos and decomposition.
Marina Rosenfeld is an artist, composer and turntablist based in New York City. Her work has explored the social and situational contexts of music-making and digital/analogue culture in a variety of formats, including performance, installation, composition, photography and video.
8:00 p.m.; $10

Wednesday, May 30
an evening of video/film works in dialogue with new music by women, curated by katherine liberovskaya and ursula scherrer
BETSEY BIGGS _NATHALIE BUJOLD_MELISSA CLARKE _ANGIE ENG _SANDRA GIBSON _JANENE HIGGINS_CHIKA IIJIMA _KATHERINE LIBEROVSKAYA _JENNIFER REEVES _URSULA SCHERRER
8:00 p.m.; $10

Thursday, May 31_jessica pavone
JESSICA PAVONE (Composer) _TILL BY TURNING:_ERICA DICKER (violin)_AMY CIMINI (viola)_TBA (cello)_KATHERINE YOUNG (bassoon)_EMILY MANZO (piano)
8:00 p.m.; $10


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Neues Kabarett music series presents

Matana Roberts, World Premiere Brecht Forum Commission Concert

Performance Saturday, May 19, 2007--9:00 PM--$10
at The Brecht Forum - 451 West Street between Bank and Bethune

www.brechtforum.org - 212-242-4201

"Neues Kabarett music series at The Brecht Forum is pleased to present the music of Matana Roberts, who explores her Choctaw, Cherokee and Chickasaw heritage in a mixed media performance piece entitled "Trail of Tear." This is a new chapter in her ongoing musical blood narrative - Coin Coin. The concert will feature Roberts on reeds, Chad Taylor on drums and percussion and visual artist Daniel Givens on projector. "Matana Roberts, a fearless and charismatic Chicago-born saxophonist who can reconcile all sorts of saxophone languages." - The New York Times