Happy Thanksgiving to all! This is our double-size two-weeks-in-one Cornocupia newsletter! Will the wonders never cease here at DMG?!?:

Lawrence 'Butch' Morris 2CD Conduction! William Parker does Curtis Mayfield! Peter Evans! Mateen/Carter! Joe McPhee! Tyshawn Sorey!

Drew Gress! Steve Lehman! Carla Bley! Bennie Maupin! Dewey Redman! Four New Tzadik CDs incl. Eyvind Kang, Richard Crandell! Steve Swell's Nation Of We! Toshinori Kondo! Biota! The Necks! Michel F Cote! Carl Stone!

Eve Egoyan! Hardedge & Graham Haynes! Faust/Nurse With Wound! Marcel Du Champ! Books by Cornelius Cardew, and Eddie Prevost! McCoy Tyner Blue Note Box!

Our 50 Recommended Gifts List!




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Last 4 Tzadik releases for 2006!

EYVIND KANG - The Yelm Sessions (Tzadik 8042; USA) Another important piece of the elusive and hermetic Eyvind Kang puzzle. This newest studio project from one of the most consistently interesting young composer & performers working today is instantly Kang's most adventurous, varied and ambitious recordings to date. Featuring many of his most illustrious musical associates as well as several orchestral ensembles from around the world, this new CD brings Kang's exuberant gift for orchestration and lyricism together with a keen sense of the miraculous. Kang's star is rightfully on the rise.
TZADIK COMPOSER SERIES CD $14

JOSE MACEDA - Drone and Melody (Tzadik 8043; USA) This is the second Tzadik release of music by one of the most original and under-appreciated composers of the twentieth century. With his passing in 2004, several of his most passionate musical collaborators have been continuing Maceda's legacy and they come together here to present his most ambitious and greatest large scale work - Strata. Beautifully recorded In Manila at the University of the Philippines directed by Maceda's long-time collaborator Ramon Santos and Mills College colleague Chris Brown, this is a long awaited follow-up to the seminal Gongs and Bamboo release from 2001. Also included are two beautifully recorded pieces for western instruments from Maceda's last decade - Sujeichon for five pianos based largely on Korean court music, and Music for Two Pianos and Four Percussion Groups. Another essential release by this maverick compositional master.
TZADIK COMPOSER SERIES CD $14

RICHARD CRANDELL - Spring Steel (Tzadik 8041; USA) Another remarkable recording by the quirky Oregon composer/performer Richard Crandell, whose first delightful CD for Tzadik Mbira Magic hit several Best Ten lists for 2004. Adapting and retuning traditional Shona instruments, Crandell draws upon the work of Steve Reich, Terry Riley and John Fahey to create a hypnotic minimalist world through the use of repetition, variation and phasing. Charming and original, this is beautiful and subtle music from a recently rediscovered maverick composer out of the early days of west coast minimalism. TZADIK COMPOSER SERIES
CD $14

DAVID BUCHBINDER - Odessa/Havana (Tzadik 8121; USA) Trumpeter, composer, long-time leader of the Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band and founder of the famed Ashkenaz festival of New Yiddish Culture teams with award winning pianist/composer Hilario Duran to explore the exciting nexus of Cuban/Klezmer fusion. Inspired by the Jewish mambo craze of the 1950's, the music here moves from Bulgar to Bembe, Sher to Son Montuno, Hora to Habanero. A brilliant blend of two cultures, this is an exciting release by a band that will appeal to fans of Latin, jazz and Jewish music alike. TZADIK RADICAL JEWISH CULTURE SERIES
CD $14



Five Exciting New Releases from Rai Trade in Italy:

LAWRENCE 'BUTCH' MORRIS - Conduction/Induction [2 CD set] (Rai Trade 09; Italy) After a few years with minimal releases, Butch Morris is back with two fabulous 2-disc sets and both are on Italian labels. Both are extraordinary and, of course, both were worth the wait and the cost of these pricey imports. The first disc here features Butch's downtown all-star cast: J A Deane (live sampling), Jason Hwang (violin), Okkyung Lee (cello), Cooper-Moore (tese), Brandon Ross (guitar), Thomas Chess (oud), Shahzad Ismally (keyboard, Matt Moran (vibes), Tyshawn Sorey (drums) and others. This is "Conduction No. 135, Sheng Skyscraper" and was recorded at the Biennale Musica di Venezia in Italy in September of 2003. Right from the first note of those twisted strings (Okkyung Lee probably), we know we are in store for something special. Soon others strings and samples start swirling around one another in an incredible focused blend of extremes. Whoa! If you've been fortunate to watch Mr. Morris conduct in his own striking way, you know how he can bring the best out his assorted ensembles. Even just listening to the results, we can hear threads of interconnections going on. Tyshawn's incredible drums spin below and whip up a storm of percussive lines as Butch adds layers of what sounds like flutes, as well as exotic instruments like erhu, kora, balafon, oud and guzheng. Butch has a unique and distinctive way of controlling the chaos. Even when combining instruments from different cultures, he is able to find a common ground that turns this unwieldy ensemble into a marvelous and tasty concoction. This disc just might be (one of) Butch's finest moments!
Disc 2 is titles "Induction #2/1, Emyoueseyesee.it" and was recorded live at Angelica Festival on May 14th of 2006. It has 18-member all Italian cast, the only names I recognize are Gianni Gebbia (alto sax) and Fabrizio Spera (drums). This ensemble features different instrumentation like saxes, flute, oboe, 3 guitras, 2 basses, synth, computer, vibes & two drummers. It sounds even tighter, more focused and somewhat Zappa-like in more ways than one. If I didn't know better, I would think that much of this is completely scored. After a near-violent sounding intro, it begins to quiet down and turn into some suspenseful, spacious weaving of cosmic strands. I am most often reminded of the best of modern classical composition in overall sound and attention to details. The balance between acoustic and electric or electronic instruments is consistently well integrated and the production is just perfect. It breathes and flows organically. Although this disc sounds quite different from the first disc, it is again one Butch Morris' best ever. An extraordinary double disc set. - BLG 2 CD Set for $30

WILLIAM PARKER With LEWIS 'FLIP' BARNES/DARRYL FOSTER/SABIR MATEEN /DAVE BURRELL/HAMID DRAKE/LEENA CONQUEST/AMIRI BARAKA - The Inside Songs Of Curtis Mayfield: Live In Rome (Rai Trade 11; Italy) It has been a long time coming and finally we have the much anticipated Curtis Mayfield tribute by William Parker and his special ensemble. Us William Parker fans have been hearing about this project for years and wondering what it will be like, since it has never been performed in New York, William's hometown. I was fortunate enough to hear this band play at the Guelph Jazz Fest in September of this year (2007) and I was most impressed. I, myself, have been a longtime fan of Curtis Mayfield, partially due to a roommate of mine from Tunisia that I boarded with when I did a semester in England in 1975/76. Tzadouk felt that Curtis Mayfield was the best songwriter that America had produced so we listened to Curtis' records more seriously than I had done in the past. So, I was more than intrigued to hear what William could do with these great songs. For this project, William organized a serious sextet taken from the Little Huey Orchestra, as well as his small units and added two vocalists, free/jazz poet/scholar Amiri Baraka and singer, Leena Conquest.
Opening with the stark, soulful vocals of Leena on "The Makings of You", with just Hamid's skeletal drums to accompany her. (The Chambers Brothers version of) "People Get Ready" was the first Curtis Mayfield song that really touched me. William's ensemble does a great, funky version with strong vocals by both Leena (sung) and Amiri (mostly spoken word). "There's a storm coming" Amiri repeats and we know he is right. "Inside Song #1" features some Dave Burrell's feisty piano, Hamid's slamming drums, Lewis Barnes' spirited trumpet solo with William's probing bass holding it all together. The music here is joyous and the ensemble play it with great passion and that creative spirit. Leena sings "We the People Who are Darker than Blue" with sassiness and grace while Amiri inserts his own illuminating poetry at length throughout this long piece. Amiri gives us a great deal to consider with his incisive words. He makes many strong points, not that I always agree. What I dig about this project and band is that they combine the best of many worlds, from to soul and gospel to free and swinging jazz. Everyone here gets a chance to solo, but it is the songs and melodies themselves that shine through and touch our hearts and minds in their righteous ways. - BLG
CD $17

SABIR MATEEN/DANIEL CARTER - Sound On A Sunday (Rai Trade 05; Italy) Featuring Sabir Mateen on clarinet, alto & tenor saxes, flute, piano, drums & voice and Daniel Carter on trumpet, piano, alto & tenor saxes, flute, drums & voice. This disc was recorded live at the New York is Now! Festival in Rome in April of 2004. Sabir and Daniel have continued to front the legendary downtown free/jazz quartet Test for more than a decade and stay busy playing with a wide variety downtown's best musicians. Both of these fine fellows love to play and live to play live. I caught a great set by Test last month and they never cease to blow me away. Both men refer to each other as "brothers" in the liner notes and we can hear their special connection throughout this fine disc. Staring with some insane-sounding vocal gibberish, the duo slowly takes off for parts unknown and known. The duo soon switches to alto clarinet and piano and play some fine restrained, contemplative sounds that build to a joyous section of wailing tenor sax and swell free piano. Since both of these spirited players like to switch off on a half dozen instruments each, it is hard to tell who is playing what at times, but it really doesn't matter since they remain inspired throughout. You can tell that they have been playing together for a long while, since there is a great balance, a push and pull, that brings them together and helps to escalate our spirits. This is tasty medicine for those who need to have their spirits uplifted. - BLG
CD $17

JOE McPHEE SURVIVAL UNIT III With FRED LONBERG-HOLM/MICHAEL ZERANG - Don't Postpone Joy! (Rai Trade 06; Italy) Featuring Joe McPhee on tenor sax & pocket trumpet, Fred Lonberg-Holm on cello and Michael Zerang on percussion. Reeds and brass pioneer, Joe McPhee, has been recording for about four decades and has some 45+ discs as a leader. The name Survival Unit goes all the back to the beginning of Joe's long career, using it for the third time here. This thorny trio played at the Vision Fest this year (2007) and their set was an odd one, not very easy to figure out. This set was recorded live at the Sala Vanni in Firenze, Italy in November of 2005. The thoughtful and provocative liner notes by Joe McPhee force us to consider that "Today, civil and human rights abuses and wars dominate and threaten as virulently as ever." I find this music to be equally powerful and probing as Joe's word tell us. Joe has picked two of Chicago's best improvisers who he has worked with in Brotzmann's Chicago Tentet. Each of the four pieces here is over fifteen minutes long and each explores fertile terrain in diverse ways. The ghost spirits of the sixties are set free to wander amongst current ghosts of today. "Variations on Harriett" features some superb pocket trumpet by Joe while Fred spins a skeletal web on cello and Michael sets an unnerving pace on percussion. Sometimes Fred plucks or walks, sometimes he bows those cosmic spirits that only inspired strings can accomplish. Sometimes he plucks and bows at the same time. This is a most magical trio, perfectly balanced and free to move between haunting melodies and free-form episodes. When switches to tenor, he brings some of the Ayler-like bravado that infects us with a joyous celebration of life. The good times, the bad times, they are all there rolled into one ball of fire and ice. 79-minutes might seem like a long time in the scheme of things, yet I find this music to be consistently inspired and riveting throughout. - BLG
CD $17

PASQUALE INNARELLA With ROBERTO BELLATALLA/MICHELE RABBIA - Music Of The Angels (Rai Trade 01; Italy) Featuring Pasquale Innarella on soprano & tenor sax, Roberto Bellatalla on contrabass and Michele Rabbia on drums. I was not familiar with the leader of this trio before this disc, but I know of the bassist, Roberto Bellatalla, from work he has done with Elton Dean, Paul Dunmall and John Law. The drummer we know from his work with Stefano Battaglia. This trio performs mostly songs by other saxists like Albert Ayler, Archie Shepp, Anthony Braxton, Eric Dolphy and Roscoe Mitchell. Starting with Ayler's classic "Angels," Pasquale opnes unaccompanied and has a strong, vibrant Ayleresque tone. Bellatalla bows and adds eerie harmonic textures while Michele plays hushed percussion in the distance. Archie Shepp's "You're What This Day is All About" is played poignantly and playfully on (that Trane-like) soprano sax and builds to a powerful conclusion as the tempo increases. Ayler's "Heart Love" has a joyous Caribbean groove and makes me want to dance. The drummer uses his hands on the drums on this one and it sounds just right. Anthony Braxton's "Composition 23 E" sounds like an odd choice for this trio, but it shows that they know how to deal well with eerie sounds. The high-pitched soprano sax, bowed bass and spinning cymbals, drift superbly into free yet focused territory. Eric Dolphy's "245" starts with an inspired free intro, and soon features Pasquale's sublime toned tenor playing that exquisite melody with a lyrical, haunting quality. "Unico" is a long piece composed by the entire trio and begins with eerie, spacious sounds and slowly builds to through some inspired free and cosmic space. The program concludes with Roscoe Mitchell's "Odwalla", a luscious, prayer-like song with a most memorable melody. It seems like the right way to bring this fine disc to grand close. - BLG
CD $17



3rd and 4th releases from the amazing Firehouse12 label!

PETER EVANS QUARTET - The Peter Evans Quartet (Firehouse12 04-01-004; USA) New York-based trumpeter/composer Peter Evans' first recording as a leader, The Peter Evans Quartet, introduces his group of the same name, featuring guitarist Brandon Seabrook, bassist Tom Blancarte and drummer Kevin Shea. Evans describes the band's music, which it has performed at the annual Festival of New Trumpet Music among many other prominent New York venues, as using "a combination of influences that are near and dear to the all the members of the group (the great recorded Jazz of the 50's and 60's, abrasive noise music, wild and kinetic free improvisation) to give the listener something searing, intense, and honest."
Peter Evans is known to critics as "a trumpeter with a broad command of expressive timbres and textures" (Nate Chinen, New York Times) whose work "displays a hair-raising combination of chops, breathless energy and perverse humor" (Time Out New York). He first gained widespread attention for his talents through the release of his 2006 solo trumpet CD, More is More (Psi), but those in the know are also familiar with his diverse range of work in the worlds of baroque, contemporary classical and creative improvised music since moving to New York in 2003. He was recently included in DownBeat's June 2007 feature on the 25 trumpeters to watch, and is a member of groups such as Carnival Skin, Moppa Elliott's Mostly Other People Do The Killing and the New York Trumpet Ensemble among many others. His own groups include his working quartet and duos with Blancarte, trumpeter Nate Wooley and saxophonist Dave Reminick.
CD $14

TYSHAWN SOREY QUARTET - That/Not [2 CD set] (Firehouse12 FH12-04-02-005; USA) New York drummer/pianist/composer Tyshawn Sorey steps out as a leader for the first time with That/Not, leaving behind his role as a drummer with some of the most respected names in creative music to document his own work as a composer and conceptualist. Sorey and the members of his year-old quartet, trombonist Ben Gerstein, pianist Corey Smythe and bassist Thomas Morgan, explore a wide range of pieces, both notated and freely improvised, on a collective journey that defies conventional notions of genre and perception. "My objective with this music is to question who and why we are, to question the very nature of what it means to perceive something," Sorey explains. "The music here is our life and soul expressed in sound."
Sorey has developed a reputation as a bandleader and composer in his own right after earning critical notice earlier in his young career as a drummer with such prominent groups as Steve Coleman & Five Elements, Dave Douglas' NOMAD, and Fieldwork. Critics note that "his pen is equally schooled in mathematics and poetry" (Time Out New York) and "he has lately been producing serious results as a composer" (Nate Chinen, New York Times). He is currently fulfilling multiple commissions for his quartet and various other ensemble configurations, as well as a solo drum set composition to be premiered by world-renowned percussionist Peter Jarvis in early 2008. Sorey has also premiered his own works as a solo pianist at such high-profile venues as The Stone and the annual Vision Festival in New York.
2 CD set for $20


STEVE LEHMAN With DREW GRESS/TYSHAWN SOREY - On Meaning (PI 25; USA) Alto saxist, Steve Lehman, consistently evolves and comes up with creative, spirited and diverse discs. This is Steve's sixth disc as a leader and each disc so far has been a strong, focused effort. His work with Anthony Braxton and Fieldwork is also outstanding. This disc was just dropped off and we can't wait to hear it. Review next week.
CD $15


DREW GRESS With TIM BERNE/RALPH ALESSI/CRAIG TABORN/TOM RAINEY - The Irrational Numbers (Premonition 90775; USA) With The Irrational Numbers, composer/bassist Drew Gress adds another stellar album to his already impressive discography of smart and uncompromising modern jazz. Utilizing the same core group of players who appeared on Gress' previous Premonition album, 7 Black Butterflies -- Tim Berne, Craig Taborn, Tom Rainey and Ralph Alessi -- Gress succeeds in developing the language of jazz by adapting his group's unlimited improvisational range to his lyrical and vibrant compositional structuralism. I've listened to this disc twice and I am convinced that it is one of this year's best. I'll do a longer review next week.
CD $16



Exclusive Limited Edition!

STEVE SWELL'S NATION OF WE With ROB BROWN/SABIR MATEEN/ROY CAMPBELL Jr/PETER ZUMMO - Live At The Bowery Poetry Club, January 15th 2006 (Ayler 05; EEC) Limited edition CD-R copy autographed By Steve Swell. Featuring a stellar cast: Saxes: Rob Brown, Will Connell, Saco Yacusma, Sabir Mateen, Ras Moshe; Trumpets: Roy Campbell, Lewis Barnes, Matt Lavelle; Trombones: Dick Griffin, Peter Zummo, Steve Swell, Dave Taylor; Piano: Chris Forbes; Bass: Matt Heyner, Todd Nicholson and drums Jackson Krall.
This is Steve Swell's extraordinary downtown all-star large band (16 piece) and they are truly something else, quite a powerful presence. Steve writes in the notes that he hoped to bring together musicians from different camps or communities. The title of this four-part work is "Declaration of Interdependence" and it is an hour-long suite of heavy, interdependent playing. Everyone in the ensemble except for drummer Jackson Krall gets a chance to solo and the solo order is listed in the notes. Roy Campbell takes the first high-flying solo while the band swirls quickly and tightly around him. Ras Moshe burns on tenor for the next solo while the layers of horns crash light waves around him. Like the Little Huey Orchestra, it sounds as if Steve has written particular harmonies and parts for the rest of the band while each soloist does his or her thing. At times, I am reminded of Brotherhood of Breath with the way that the band sounds as if it is about to explode, yet somehow the various layers of lines remain connected. There are too many amazing solos here to mention, but I was blown away time and again throughout this phenomenal effort. What is surprising is when the band mellows down to a simmer during a few sections, like when Chris Forbes solos on electric piano and the band plays these somber sounds in the distance. By the way, this is a download only release that we were able to get just these copies into the hands of the few who order it in time. So please don't hesitate. (11/13/07) - BLG
(Ltd edition of 20 copies, signed by Steve Swell)
CD $20


TOSHINORI KONDO - Silent Melodies (Off 04; EEC) Toshinori Kondo, a highly-acclaimed Japanese electric trumpeter, has been playing and recording all over the world with musicians as diverse as Bill Laswell (bass), John Zorn (saxophone), Derek Bailey (guitar), Herbie Hancock (keyboard), Peter Brotzmann (saxophone), DJ Krush, Hotei Taizo (guitar) and Eishiba (the greatest Japanese samisen player), to name but a few. In 1984, he formed a band called IMA (International Music Activities) in Japan and went on a world tour. The band's sound, fusing all sorts of musical elements such as rock 'n roll, jazz and DJing, gained great attention and was used for several commercial spots in Japan. He disbanded IMA in 1993 and moved to Amsterdam. He has been pursuing and sharpening his own musical style since then and started a project called Blow The Earth, playing electric trumpet in outdoor natural environments. In 2001, Kondo was requested by the 14th Dalai Lama to produce one part of the international peace festival called "The World Festival of Sacred Music" held in Hiroshima, Japan. In 2003 he was awarded Kikaku-sho (Best Project) at the 45th Japan Record Award and in 2005 he started the "Pikadon Project" for the 60th anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Since 2006, he has been based in Amsterdam and Tokyo, and is always enthusiastic about collaborating with many different artists, regardless of artistic genre, in search of new sounds. Silent Melodies is a collection of songs using only his electric trumpet and nothing else. There are no overdubs and no other instruments but his breathing power, some effects and his fantastic playing technique.
CD $16


HARDEDGE & GRAHAM HAYNES - Paralyzed By The Approach Of The Inevitable [Ltd 1000 copies] (Hardedge 07; USA) This is the third fine disc by Hardedge (Velibor Pedevsky) and Graham Haynes. Hardedge does sound design, which here means that he plays turntables and does sonic manipulation while Graham Haynes plays cornet and electronics. This disc was recorded live on WKCR-FM (at Columbia University) in August of 2007. "Paralyzed" is one 45+ piece and I was amazed to hear this duo work so well together. Starting with a continuous looped trumpet note, with eerie electronic sounds floating around and moving around the stereo spectrum. A dense low-end drone is slowly being manipulated while raspy trumpet wind is looped and slowly stretched out, vibrating ominously. I dig the way Graham occasionally plays these angelic cornet flutters, as the electronic quicksand around him bubbles and hums. The sound(s) the duo make is/are a journey-like a story - the scenery slowly emerges, changes and evolves. What I like about this is that it is often sparse and no sounds are too dense or out-of-place. The intent and execution seem perfectly balanced. - BLG
CD $15


STEVE KUHN & STEVE SWALLOW - Two by 2 (Sunnyside 3526; USA) There's no need to introduce these two master musicians to jazz audiences. The pianist Steve Kuhn, in addition to having a great career as a leader that continues in the halls, clubs and festivals of America, Europe and Japan, was a sideman of choice for John Coltrane, Stan Getz, Art Farmer and Art Blakey. For his part, Steve Swallow, also an alumni of Farmer and Getz groups, has been a unique bass player (electric) ever since his early days with Paul Bley and Jimmy Giuffre, as well as a highly regarded composer. The duo format of this CD allows both musicians to express their individualism in complete empathy with each other.
CD $16


A Great Grab-bag of Progressive Discs from ReR, AM & other fine labels:

BIOTA - Half a True Day (ReR B6; UK) Six years in the making, the visual/sonic art group Biota have finally completed their Sixth CD for ReR. Unique in their history and method, Biota painstakingly construct complex, organic structures that mix extensive studio processing and musique concrete techniques with a highly eclectic orchestra of acoustic and electronic resources - from kit drums, through mediaeval winds, strings and barrel organs to early experimental electronic instruments. Their works are always performance driven and interleaved with successive stages of lamination, imbrication, and radical pre- and post-processing, Quietly ploughing their own furrow for decades, Biota resemble no one, follow no one and, if the sonic arts were like the visual arts, would by now be a national treasure.
CD $16

THE NECKS [CHRIS ABRAHAMS/LLOYD SWANTON/TONY BUCK] - Townsville (ReR Necks8; UK) The Necks in quiet mood recorded at a concert recording in Townsville, Thuringowa, Northern Queensland in Australia Though many Necks' pieces open with - or eventually arrive at - some discernable groove, Townsville just floats in a state of suspension from beginning to end. It's like watching the ocean as wave follows wave follows wave: each the same; each different; assymetric. Bassist Lloyd Swanton who, on this occasion, provides the motif that set Townsville running says he had had no idea where it would lead: 'One of the deep joys for me' he said, 'after twenty years of making music with this group, is that we're still completely unable to predict where our pieces will go.'
CD $16

STEVE MacLEAN ENSEMBLE - Bridges [2 CD set] (ReR SM2/3; UK) These recordings collect works spanning two decades of composition and experimentation that balance traditional musical resources (the band, compositional skills, instrumental techniques, acoustic and amplified instruments) and the new technologies (computers, software, processing). The first CD showcases polyrhythmic, careful compositions (like those on his last ReR CD, Opposite of War), which still noone has tried to emulate. The second is more meditative, abstract and electronic, moving from Koto through electric and acoustic guitars - with and without radical effects processing - to piano and virtual orchestra, putting various softwares through their paces.
2 CD set for $18


FAUST/NURSE WITH WOUND [NWW] - Disconnected [Limited edition w/ 2 bonus tracks] (Art-errorist 07/ReR; EEC) "Faust was among the most adventurous and creative German bands of the 70s, and after disappearing for a decade and a half, they reunited in the 90s and made several startlingly good albums. Today, drummer Werner 'Zappi' Diermaier and bassist Jean-Herv- Peron are the only original members, joined by Amaury Cambuzat from the band Ulan Bator. Nurse With Wound, formed three decades ago, is the brainchild of Steven Stapleton, now augmented with Colin Potter; NWW recordings are notoriously varied, often sprawling, haunting, and strange, with a love of musique concrete and disquieting sounds. Disconnected features four songs, each over ten minutes long, and this special edition includes two extra tracks, the second of which, recorded live at this year's RIO festival in France and mixed by Udi Koomran, is especially good!"
CD $20 (Limited edition w/ 2 bonus tracks)

FAUST - Od Serca Do Duszy [2 CD Set] (Lumberton 008; UK) "This double CD set catches legendary German experimental rock outfit Faust's debut concert in Poland, from Krakow's Loch Ness Club, on the 15th November 2006. Spread over both discs, we are afforded a perfect opportunity to hear a blend of the band's classic songs and material previewed from their new studio album played energetically and with a vigor reflecting precisely how happy they were to be in a completely new environment which, in turn, welcomed them with open arms. The entire concert was recorded and mixed professionally by two of Poland's most experienced sound engineers, Piotr Papier and Marcin Cheblowski. The release itself also arrives courtesy of Poland's AudioTong label, with whom it is shared and wouldn't have happened without."
2 CD Set $22



CARLA BLEY'S LOST CHORDS With STEVE SWALLOW/ANDY SHEPPARD /BILLY DRUMMOND + PAOLO FRESU - Lost Chords Find Paolo Fresu (ECM/Watt 34; USA) "While trying to write new music for The Lost Chords, I kept hearing a trumpet. It wasn't the usual trumpet sound I hear when I write for Big Band. It was elegant and eloquent. Earthy yet ethereal. Suddenly I could hear this beautiful sound leaking out of Andy' Sheppard's headphones. I realized it was Paolo Fresu." Carla Bley did the obvious thing, inviting the Italian trumpeter to join her group for a recording at Gerard de Haro's Studios La Buisonne near Avignon, and on the European tour to mark its release.
CD $17

BENNIE MAUPIN - The Jewel In The Lotus (ECM 1043; Germany) Bennie Maupin has been a musicians' musician for decades, and a highly inventive contributor, on bass clarinet and saxes, to some important records - including Miles Davis's Bitches Brew, Herbie Hancock's Mwandishi and Marion Brown's Afternoon Of A Georgia Faun (ECM 1970), and sessions with Sonny Rollins, Lee Morgan, McCoy Tyner and dozens more. His recordings as a leader, however, have been infrequent. All the more reason to celebrate the return of this album to the catalogue, Maupin's very first leader date, now making its debut appearance on CD. "A more selfless album is hard to imagine", said Down Beat in 1975. "On The Jewel In The Lotus, the sound is supreme, and all the players strive to achieve a thorough blending". Produced by Manfred Eicher in New York in 1974, the disc's personnel is drawn from the circle around Herbie Hancock in the period, but the music has a character all its own, and still sounds entirely contemporary; Bennie Maupin reeds, voice, glockenspiel; Herbie Hancock piano, electric piano; Buster Williams bass; Frederick Waits drums, marimba; Billy Hart drums; Bill Summers percussion, water-filled garbage can; Charles Sullivan trumpet
CD $17

DEWEY REDMAN QUARTET - The Struggle Continues (ECM 1225; USA) "A solid, thoughtfully-programmed showcase for one of the most capable and encyclopedic of modern saxophone stylists. Mr. Redman has a warmly commanding sound and a broad idiomatic range, from ballad lyricism to bebop chord changes to modal playing to free-form. The news here is his growth as a composer and his ability to focus the energies of a band sparked by the great Ed Blackwell on drums." So wrote the New York Times in 1983 of Dewey Redman's The Struggle Continues, a disc that followed powerful Redman performances on ECM with Keith Jarrett's American Quartet and the Old And New Dreams band. Redman's quartet repertoire, largely written by the leader, is capped by a tune from another great saxophonist: Dewey Square by Charlie Parker. Recorded 1982, and never before released on CD. Featuring Dewey Redman tenor saxophone; Charles Eubanks piano; Mark Helias double-bass; Ed Blackwell drums.
CD $17


KOPALECTRIC [V.A with MARC DUCRET/ANDERS NILSSON et al] - Music From The KopaFestival 2006 - Volume 2 (Kopasetic 016; Sweden) This fabulous disc features three ensembles recorded live at the same festival in Malmo, Sweden in September of 2006: Marc Ducret + LIM, Anders Nilsson's Aorta and Elektra Hyde. Marc Ducret plays on the first three 10-minute pieces with LIM: who feature Henrik Frisk on tenor sax, David Carlsson on electric bass and Peter Nilsson on drums. "Getting' Tage" opens with some strong swirling playing a spacious interplay between Ducret's guitar and Frisk's tenor sax. Mr. Frisk wrote all three pieces for LIM and Ducret fits in just right. "Nephilim" is slow, eerie and filled with suspense. Both Ducret and Frisk take some great understated solos. I really dig Frisk's writing, his tunes have a unique way of unfolding slowly so that each note counts like the words in a story. Marc Ducret takes another of his amazing twisted (blues/noise/jazz) guitar solos on "Shulaffel" that just makes me feel so good. Swedish guitar great, Anders Nilsson, has been living and playing in NY for many moons but still fronts the great Swedish jazz/rock quartet Aorta, who have two great discs out on this same label. Aorta performs a colossal 21-minute piece called "Riding the Maelstrom" on this disc. Starting with a spirited solo electric guitar intro, the quartet launch into a powerful, tight guitar and tenor sax (Mattias Carlsson) led storm. The band is completed by two other brothers, David Carsson on electric bass and Peter Nilsson on drums. Fusion fans take note, this quartet wails and sounds like some of the best fusion bands of the seventies without resorting to any of the usual clichŽs. Anders takes an amazing guitar solo here that must be heard to be believed. The third band, Elektra Hyde, is quite different than the other two here. Although they use regular instruments like guitar, trumpet, bass and drums, they all also play electronics. "Elektra" hovers with spacious electronic soundscapes. Staffan Svensson, sounds like Jon Hassell or Nils-Petter Molvaer, with his effects/echoes added to his trumpet sound. This piece is deals more with textures and space and is interesting, but not nearly as amazing as the other two bands. - BLG
CD $15


DANIEL KELLY With SHANIR BLUMENKRANZ/EYAL MAOZ - Duets With Ghosts (3x9 Records 264; USA) Featuring Daniel Kelly on piano, keyboards, sampler & sound documents, Dave Wood on 8-string guitar & guitar synth, Shanir Blumenkranz on bass and Chris Michael on drums plus Eyal Maoz on guitar for one piece. I remember Daniel Kelly playing at the old DMG in a trio with Okkyung Lee and Eyal Maoz, after the three had moved from Boston to NY. Daniel has given me a handful of promos throughout the years and each one has been interesting. The last time I heard him play live was at the Vision Fest playing with Ellen Christie. The title of this disc 'Duets with Ghosts' refers to the fact that Daniel uses tapes of different voices from his family and past as an inspiration for many of the pieces here. "Dada Mechanica" uses the twisted vocalese of Dada poet Francois Dufrene for the opening. The quartet plays a sort-of drum'n bass groove while Daniel adds some eerie synth and James Joyce reads bits from "Finnegan's Wake". This sounds to me like what Matt Shipp has tried to do on some of his Thirty Ear discs, only it works better here. "Early" takes a work/chant from a parchman farm prison and adds Dave Woods' great fractured blues guitar to the hypnotic repeating groove. "Amadou" is a quiet, poignant tribute to a fallen hero who was murdered during Guilanni's watch. "58 Years" features a (separate) conversation between Daniel's great-grandfather and Daniel's wife's grandmother, when both were over 90-years old. Daniel taps into these ancient voices and adds some sublime keyboards and guitar to the effective blend of two streams. Daniel does a great job of mixing free/jazz piano and synth on "Sixth Sense," which later turns into a great Latin-jazz sequence. Daniel takes the theme from Beethoven's "Symphony No. 7" and transforms it into his own vehicle for a splendid improv with the quartet, taking a powerful solo towards the end. "Scratch" features some great noise guitar from Eyal Maoz as well as some bent keyboards from Daniel, powerful bowed bass from Shanir over a primal beat. "Hammer Ring" is a homage to Texas prison inmates recorded by Alan Lomax. As the inmates chant "Hammer Ring", Daniel adds some sublime music and subtle slide guitar to the proceedings. Daniel Kelly does an incredible job of actually dueting with the many ghosts that he has captured on this fine disc. - BLG
CD $10


MARCUS SCHMICKLER - Altars of Science [DualDisc: CD/DVD] (Editions Mego 082; Austria) The work of Cologne-based Marcus Schmickler has over the years crossed the boundaries between classical and pop, improvisation and techno. He is active as a solo artist under his own name, as well as working under the Pluramon moniker with Julee Cruise, plus countless collaborations in the field of electronic improvisation. Altars of Science is Schmickler's first purely electronic release since 1998's prize-winning Sator Rotas. A fascinating tour de force of modern computer music composition. Intense in its outlook, yet polished in its execution, it is an essential addition to any serious collection of 21st century audio. This special dual sided DVD+ format disc contains two versions of the same piece; one side has a stereo mix playable on all CD playing devices while the other side features the mind-blowing multi channel mix, playable on DVD players in 5.1.
CD $17



Three mighty fine, yet very different solo offerings:

BRUNO CHEVILLON - Hors-Champ (D'Autres Cordes 101; France) Featuring the amazing Bruno Chevillon on double-bass, electric bass and electronics. Along with Barry Guy, Peter Kowald, Paul Rogers and Joelle Leandre, Bruno Chevillon is one Europe's finest contrabassists. I've been lucky to hear him live with Louis Sclavis & Jean Derome up at the Victo fest, and have heard him with Marc Ducret, Daniel Humair, Pascal Contet and Jean-Marc Foltz on recordings. I've been looking forward to this solo offering since discovering Franck Vigroux's label that just released this disc. Finally hearing it, it is not what expected. It is still quite strange and wonderful in ways that are occasionally unnerving. On "Dentro ci Son le Voci", we hear one line of majestic bowed bass with layers of electronic, mutated electric bass sounds. On two of these pieces has someone named Antye Greie-Fuchs does a bit of spoken word vocals in German. It is often difficult to tell if it is a bass we are listening to, since the sounds have been manipulated into bizarre sounds. On "Germania", it sounds as if we are submerged under water. Vigroux has edited and produced this disc and gives Bruno's basses an alien, other-worldly sound at times. On "Seuils" there are layers of bowed strings with thick echoes added to make things even further out. If you are looking for a disc that shows off Mr. Chevillon's bass prowess, this is not the one. It is a most convincing soundscape of astonishing, strange and electronic-based sounds. - BLG
CD $17

MICHELLE WEBB - Transformations [CD-R] (Sixth Patriarch Records; USA) Featuring Michelle Webb on 14-string fretless guitar, 6-string resonator guitar and 6-string fretless banjo. I can't tell you too much about Michelle Webb, except that she resides in New Mexico and plays guitar unlike anyone else. This is the second disc that we've gotten from her. On "Improvisation #2," Michelle lets each note hang in space as she taps quietly on her electric guitar. The suspense goes deeper as she slowly adds haunting flourishes, tapping that one bass note for added mystery. For "Shelby's Lung Collapses," there are layers of electronic noises added to the minimal bent string sounds, the devices are much thicker than the string sounds themselves. I dig the way Michelle slyly balances layers of feedback and electronic noise into a fascinating blend of mutant sounds. Each of her four numbered "Improvisations" is more stripped down to just strumming and tapping the strings and evoking a series of somber ghosts as they drift from one world to the next. The four "Improvisations" balance well with the other often dense and occasionally disturbing pieces. "Southern Trees" features some sublime slide and acoustic (resonator?) guitar. There is something quite sad and lovely about this piece, it is as if we are glancing into the distance and waiting for the world to end. Each of these pieces seem to evoke a slightly different vibration or place, some place both alien and strangely familiar at the same time. For those of us who need a bit of transformation, this disc should do the trick. It certainly did for me. - BLG
CD $12

JOE GIARDULLO - No Work Today: Nine For Steve Lacy (Drimala 05-347-02; USA) 'No Work Today' is Giardullo's homage to Steve Lacy, with whom the younger reedman played in 2004. To listen to "Weather", one gets a picture of Giardullo's deep-listening interests, the way a piece of a phrase can be mined for its purely sonic possibilities. ''No Work Today' is an entirely different exercise in instrumental possibility, for it is an investigation into phrases and organization, motifs rather than pure sound. Lacy tunes like Prospectus and Hurtles are starting points for an extension of Lacy's idiom somewhere into another place on the soprano spectrum, while Giardullo opens with a composition based on Monk's Work (the title track, its namesake a piece that yielded many Lacy improvisations). Giardullo takes the quirks and snips that Lacy provides and rather than spacing them out, breaking them or bending them (which might be the obvious choice), builds long spiraling lines that are not only more dense than one might expect, but also hit Lacy on another point of the harmonic spectrum entirely. In other words, rather than dissonant voicings and metrical movement, Giardullo appears to be searching for something almost modal. No Work Today pays homage to something similar to the open door that Monk provided for Lacy, namely a view to the other side. (out-of-print, we have just a few copies)
CD $15


SCORCH TRIO [RAOUL BJORKENHEIM/INGEBRIGT HAKER FLATEN/PAAL NILSSEN-LOVE] - Live in Finland [Limited Edition] (SCD 001; USA) Featuring the amazing Raoul Bjorkenheim on electric guitar & electric viola da gimbri, the incredible Ingebrigt Haker Flaten on electric bass & electronics and the colossal Paal Nilssen-Love on drums & percussion. An unbelievably intense Finnish/Norwegian power trio at their best, taken from three dates during their tour of Finland in December of 2006. Edited & mastered by Bob Musso with a great cover by Jeff Schlanger, Music Witness. Clocking in at about 60 minutes.
It begins with eerie guitar drones and spacious percussion, slowly building into a haunting, free space jam. "Roh" features some strange bowed electric viola da gimbri, an instrument custom-made for Raoul. Paal's dynamic percussion is closed mic'd, well-balanced and is blended perfectly with Raoul's simmering gimbri, as the trio builds to an intense, cosmic conclusion and then it glides back down once again. On "Kurnutus", Raoul makes his guitar growl with a wah-wah while Paal plays his propulsive drums and Ingebrigt makes some dark, twisted sounds on his bass with some electronic noises hovering. They eventually evolve into a great rocking groove that is both majestic and orgasmic. Yeah, go ahead and get it on! When they finally hit their stride, it is truly a joyous moment and release of pent-up energy! "Ulvoo" also begins slowly and spaciously and builds to a grand and intense series of waves, higher and higher. The mighty Scorch Trio just finished their triumphant Japanese tour & word is that they blew some minds over there. Raoul just came to visit us and left us with his last 15 copies of this limited and now out-of-print disc.
CD $20


CHARLES TYLER ENEMBLE With ROY CAMPBELL Jr/RICHARD DUNBAR /CURTIS CLARK/WILBER MORRIS/JOHN BETSCH - Live At Sweet Basil Vol 1 (Bleu Regard 1964; EEC) March 12th, 1984
CD $20

CHARLES TYLER ENEMBLE With ROY CAMPBELL Jr/RICHARD DUNBAR /CURTIS CLARK/WILBER MORRIS/JOHN BETSCH - Live At Sweet Basil Vol 2 (Bleu Regard 1965; EEC) March 12th, 1984
CD $20


VON FREEMAN - The Best Of Von Freeman On Premonition [2 CD + DVD set] (Premonition 90773; USA) The "Best of Von Freeman on Premonition" is a wide ranging box set of music and video covering an important portion of the legendary performer's distinguished career. A living history of jazz music (born 1922), Freeman was fortunate to have the music brought to him at an early age. His father worked nights as a security guard at the famed clubs along 35th and State and would invite legends such as Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller and Lester Young home for a hot meal and a warm environment. To say the least, young Freeman sucked it all in. With tenor saxophone -- a "Chicago" tenor -- he became a key figure on the City's vibrant jazz scene, in a mind-blowing variety of styles. Between 2001 and 2006, Premonition released four Freeman albums all to critical acclaim. These recordings magnified Freeman's cult popularity into something a great deal more. If you would know the essence of "Vonksi" - what he means, says, and is -- just start here.
Includes: Over 135 minutes of music on 2 CDs culled from Freeman's four records on Premonition [Live At The Dakota; The Great Divide, Good Forever; The Improvisor] released between 2001-2006 including 3 Bonus tracks never before released on CD: "Moose the Mooche," "It's Impossible," and "This is Always"
Featured artists include Jimmy Cobb, Jason Moran, Richard Wyands, Bobby Peterson, John Webber, among others. The DVD includes two extended and never before released film clips of Freeman. Title 1 is a 15 minute video of the ceremony celebrating the street renaming of 75th St in Chicago as "Von Freeman Way" and features an extended oration by Freeman that is touching, smart and historic. Title 2 is a video presentation of a live, 45-minute interview with Freeman conducted by critic Neil Tesser for the Jazz Institute of Chicago. The interview is wide ranging and informative. The then 82-year old Freeman talks extensively about the many musicians he's worked with over his long career including Sun Ra, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Gene Ammons, Johnny Griffin and Capt Walter Dyett, a legendary Chicago educator, among others.
2 CD+DVD set for $25


JIMMY BENNINGTON & JULIAN PRIESTER - Portraits and Silhouettes (Thatswan 1005; USA) On Portraits and Silhouettes, the soft-spoke veteran is joined by the relatively youthful, 37 year-old Jimmy Bennington, whose incisive percussion work gently propels the session. A resident of Chicago-Priester's hometown-Bennington is at his best as an effervescent foil to Priester's glowing, often laconic statements. On the title track, he sustains a whitewash of cymbal noise while punctuating and responding to Priester's statements with mallet accents or a well-placed bass drum thwack. The modus operandi is the same on "Mood Indigo" and "Blount"-a Bennington original in homage of Sun Ra-and on each, the trombonist responds with vigorous, bop-inflected retorts. The duo format suits both men well, as does the repertoire-a series of originals, covers and free improvisations that caters to their shared avant-garde leanings. On record and in person (with drummer Aaron Alexander) Priester revels in the freedom the tunes and lack of harmonic backing allow. His solos grow organically, unencumbered by fixed forms or expectations. They soar to unexpected vistas, take strange turns and end up where you least expect them: who could ask for more? - Matthew Miller, AAJ-NY
CD $13

JIMMY BENNINGTON QUINTET - Midnight Choir (OA2 22007; USA) Featuring Jimmy Bennington, Seth Paynter, Bruce Melville, John Benjamin and David Klingensmith. There is little information included about the music on Midnight Choir to prepare you for the listening experience (though there is a bio of Jimmy Bennington), and the disc starts right off quite abstractly. The first two tracks are attributed to Seth Paynter (sax) and are of a sparse, non-rhythmic, free kind that is more expressionist than anything else. "The Mind" is made of sax/bass duets, bass solos, drum solos, vocalisms, and the trio playing seemingly without regard to each other. Yet it hangs together, somehow anchored by an insistent low sax note. "Two Fascinations" has more rhythm behind a repeated trombone figure with sax "melody" opening with what follows being the improvisations with Melville sounding a lot like George Lewis and Paynter virtually ignoring the rhythm. Music this stark, wide open and loose is not very inviting at the start of a record.
However, the centerpiece (literally) of the record is a very dark, haunting version of John Coltrane's "Equinox." Paynter is now on tenor saxophone, joined by Melville and the rhythm section. The sound is again stark and wide open, but I did not want it to end. Bennington is a very subtle drummer, playing quite softly and behind the front men, coming forward only occasionally. Klingensmith also plays softly, more implying the pulse, and hence between him and Bennington a loose, elastic rhythmic feel is developed which drifts in and out of strong pulse. In front of this, Melville and Paynter can do what they want, always informed by the opening motive of the falling minor third, knowing that the rhythm section will follow, or at least not be shaken by them. Bennington takes a longish solo with some accompaniment by the bass that had me holding my breath. It was towards the end of this solo that I realized how intense everything had been up to this point. Now I was hooked.
"Ganges," by Paynter, is clearly derived from "Equinox," and shares it dark mood and intensity, gradually growing in volume and density, sounding a bit more like an Indian raga than a Coltrane tune. The static harmony is reinforced by Benjamin's piano, sounding like a sitar's droning strings at times. Once again, the intensity of the music was a surprising wave washing over me. This amazing music managed to pin me in my seat by subtlety rather than force.
The last tune, written by Michel Legrand, comes as a welcome respite, despite being played on a very poorly regulated piano. Its mood comes out of nowhere, and I found myself laughing because, after the initial relief of hearing a standard tune and a regular rhythmic feel, the same intensity kept growing and growing. While seemingly a small record, Midnight Choir ultimately packs a wallop for the listener who stays with it. - Bud Kopman, All About Jazz
CD $13


JAN KUIJKEN - Vertigo ('Carbon 7' ; EEC) Jan KUIJKEN (Cellos, piano, noises), George VAN DAM (Violins), Paul DE CLERCK (Viola), Dirk DESCHEEMAEKER (Clarinet, Bass Clarinet), Pierre BERNARD (Flutes), Ande PICHAL (Horn). It has been 10 years since Jan KUIJKEN'S first album "LOUISE AVENUE - Let's Take One More..."; during this time he has taken part in different musical ensembles and formulas, both in concert and in the studio. And since 1996 he has gained a solid reputation as a composer for dance and theatre performances where he has had the opportunity to compose and create in different ways. The album "Vertigo" is the fruit of the work he has done for several theatre and dance pieces. And to make the music from these pieces work on a CD, each composition has been rethought and reworked. Written for specific instruments, and even for specific musicians, the music is constructed on a base of composition and improvisation, of serenity and tension. The composition is sometimes fixed, sometimes free, and is built more around a way of playing it rather than the definition of all the parameters of a musical score. And on the one hand there is a definite relationship between the instruments which reminds us of Jan's "classical" background, but at the same time the way the pieces are articulated is contemporary in its non-metricality. The superimposition of these two poles creates simultaneously a sense of security and of the improbable, imbalance in an equilibrium. And all this is accentuated by the almost complete absence of percussion or rhythmic base; the pieces develop around climaxes and emotion. Improvisation plays a primordial role. Particularly with this group of musicians, KUIJKEN has understood how to communicate to them the way of confusing the listener by playing a structure with such liberty that one has the impression that it is improvised, and of improvising with such a clear vision that it seems to have been written. To bring everything together, KUIJKEN has rewritten over certain improvisations, and has overdubbed cellos to emphasize the work and sound of this instrument. "Vertigo" is like a series of contrasted tableaux, from the pared down to the complex, from lightness to intensity. Each piece is its own world, with its perspectives and colors, but all of the music on the album is clearly Jan KUIJKEN's, one of the many facets of his art - that of the creation of music for performance, for dance and theatre."
CD $20


RASHOMON [MATT THOMPSON] - The Ruined Map (Film Music Volume 1) (Mirrors 701; UK) This limited edition of 500 copies is by Matt Thompson, who was the co-founder of Guapo, along with Dave Smith and who left the band after recording Black Oni with them. This is his first post-Guapo work.
"Rashomon is the latest project of Guapo founder member Matt Thompson. The Ruined Map (Film Music Volume) is a bewildering mix of prog rock, electronic noise, waltzes, East European folk, trad metal, drones, psych rock and free jazz, similar in intention to soundtrack visionaries such as Toru Takemitsu and Ennio Morricone. Each of the eight tracks is based on a different film - not specifically in the form of soundtracks, but rather as companion pieces to the psychic states invoked by the more bizarre outer reaches of narrative cinema. The ideas and filmic techniques of directors such as Seijun Suzuki, Albert Zugsmith and Hiroshi Teshigahara are applied to musical processes in the form of pans, zooms, narrative discontinuities etc."
CD $15


MICHEL F COTE - (Juste) Claudette (AM 168; Canada) "(juste) Claudette" is acid, coarse and rough. It has swing and bite. It's a fast and (not-so-always) willing quartet. They play loud, they hit hard, and they smell strong (but not all the time). Claudette can also be tender, judging from the two ballads included (a Vincent Gallo cover and an approximate reading of a piece by Morton Feldman). So, it's also a record for the girls (and not only Claudette). Alexandre St-Onge on double-bass, Bernard Falaise on electric guitar, Jesse Levine on electric organ, Michel F Cote on drums and pocket trumpet (Gordon Allen will be the live trumpeter). That's it for the manpower. Style-wise, Claudette is not easily labeled. As usual, I'm avoiding sure-fire categories. This is nameless music. The musicians and the band have names, but the music they create doesn't. There, now figure it all out! All right, in the name of kindness and to reassure those who absolutely need markers, we'll pretend that (juste) Claudette is at the crossroads of Bruire, Klaxon Gueule and Flat Fourgonnette. Although, it would be pure luck if it happened to be true. Let's say that (juste) Claudette is resistance to repetition."
CD $15

GUIDO DEL FABBRO - Agregats (AM 167; Canada) "Agregats presents 13 pieces orchestrated for acoustic instruments, with a touch of electronics, performed by a shapeshifting ensemble directed by Guido Del Fabbro. A tentet at its largest, this group brings together individuals from various generations and musical backgrounds, all highly talented performers and improvisers. Flautist Jean Derome and Pierre Tanguay on percussion and objects are pillars of the local "musique actuelle" scene and renown jazzmen; accordionist Luzio Altobelli, clarinetist Pierre-Emmanuel Poizat (both from Manouche and Fanfare Pourpour), and clarinetist Guillaume Bourque (Manouche, Lara), are well versed in world and pop music; trombonist Nicolas Therrien plays jazz and Brazilian music; Philippe Brault on doublebass works in pop music; cellist Sheila Hannigan plays tango, classical music, and pop; drummer Stefan Schneider (Bell Orchestre, Iks, Jorane) does modern jazz and post-rock. The ensemble is rounded up by Guido Del Fabbro on violin and electronics.
The music, mirroring the group's lineup, combines several musical currents, without ever forcing them into the melting pot. Guido Del Fabbro's work as an arranger focuses on the possible combinations of tones highlighting the melodic aspect of the repertoire, which has a foot in traditional folk music and another in avant-rock territory. An intense work performed by an unmatched ensemble, whose conductor will definitely surprise you."
CD $15

MARTIN TETREAULT / KID KOALA - Phon-O-Victo (Victo 107; Quebec) Featuring Martin Tetreault and Kid Koala on turntables. This has been put for a month or so, but the promo just arrived this week and listening to it, I am glad that it did. This was recorded at the 2005 Victo Festival, which I did attend as I do every year and I did witness this show. Considering that this was three Victo Fests ago, I do remember enjoying it, but not exactly what went down. Both turntablists are Canadian and at least a generation apart. I've heard/see Martin Tetreault on a number of occasions, but had only heard of that young whippersnapper, Kid Koala. Martin is known to play his turntable itself and often without using records. For this set, both DJ's decided to use records and selected certain albums since they were playing on stage in a cinema. Teteault decided on records by artists that had played at Victo previously like Anthony Braxton, Eye, Univers Zero, Otomo and Fred Frith. The results are most surprising often quite fascinating. Each piece is a spicy blend diverse samples. A jazz drum solo, a spoken word demonstration record, static sounds sped up and slowed down, layers of crackling record sounds, odd electronic snippets and assorted sections of music. Themes rarely last very long and both DJ's work quite well together twisting their sounds into a strong mix. Both are restless improvisers who match wits with striking results. My favorite section is when they work with some old blues records and get into a great earthy groove and still turn things inside out. Word is that some Canadian distributor has already sold some 500 copies, which is even more surprising for a CD of so-called "new music." Much better that anyone could have anticipated. - BLG
CD $15


GENKIN PHILHARMONIC - Genkin Philharmonic (8Bells; USA) Features covers of King Crimson, Frank Zappa, Nick Didkovsky, Charles Ives, Serge Prokofiev and Radiohead. Genken Philharmonic is a ten-piece avant garde/progressive rock band, inspired by Frank Zappa, heavy on horns and rhythm. This is Jon Nelson's third independent project [outside of his work with Meridian Arts Ensemble] following Metalofonico and Gran Calavera Electrica.
This entire disc was recorded live at different locations, so the sound is inconsistent, yet the music remains spirited and complex throughout. Jon Nelson's "Song for a Dead King" is a Zappa-like prog-rocker with twisted singing and hilarious spoken-word lyrics about Elvis Presley. Nick Didkovsky's "Plague" featured some great guitar by Ken Pasciak, as well as some intricate percussion playing. It is rare to hear any band covering King Crimson, especially later period Crimson, but Genkin do great job with Vrooom" and "Thrak". Genkin also cover two Zappa pieces, "Echidna's Arf" and "Marqueson's Chicken", both difficult pieces done well. The main complaint I have is the sound quality on a few of these pieces that were taken from the middle of a talking audience. A well-produced studio recording would show the Genkin Philharmonic to be one of the best progressive bands of the year. - BLG
CD $10


ROBIN CRUTCHFIELD - For Our Friends in the Enchanted Otherworld (Hand/Eye 32; USA) "Robin co-founded the experimental no-wave art band, DNA, and later collaborated with varied artists (including Steven Brown of Tuxedomoon and filmmaker Jim Jarmusch) in the guise of his Dark Day project. His new solo explorations have been described by Devendra Banhart as 'beguiling, powerful, hypnotic, mesmerizing, commanding, delicately unnerving, lilting, mellow,' and 'tense as hell.' A tiny treasure box from a lost garden, this album finds Robin further exploring his unique world; one of delicate harp compositions, glissando & deep drones. Soundscapes for daydreamers of this & other worlds."
CD $14


HER [YVETTE PEREZ/PETER ZUMMO/DON TRUBEY/TIM NOE] - Songs About The Mysteries Of Housework And Nature (Persian Cardinal 02; USA) Review by Mikey soon.
CD $14


ATTENTION SCREEN [DON FIORINO/BOB REINA/CHRIS JONES/MARK FLYNN] - Live At Merkin Hall (Stereophile 018; USA) Featuring Don Fiorino on guitar, lap steel, lotar & taro patch ukulele, Bob Reina on piano, Chris Jones on fretless bass guitar and Mark Flynn on drums. Radio I-Ching (w/ Don Fiorino, Andy Haas & Dee Pop) is/are one of the greatest of all local ensembles and I am proud to be their friend. They played at DMG a couple of weeks back (10/4/07) and did another of their spirited and diverse sets. I was intrigued when Don left me a copy of this disc by another band that he plays in. Once a year, Stereophile magazine selectively chooses a band to record and release a disc by. Stereophile is a serious high-end audio magazine and their recordings are done with immense care. This disc was recorded live at Merkin Hall, a relatively small theatre that is just north of Lincoln Center and features mostly contemporary classical and modern jazz. I was not familiar with any other members of Attention Screen, before hearing this disc. The 20-pages of liner notes are most informative in discussing each member as well as the technical side of how this disc was recorded. Hence, the sound is superb, well-balanced and warm throughout.
I find the music to be often stunning and most magical, the way great improv should be. "Mansour's Gift" is delicate and spacious. Don is playing his lotar, an exotic stringed thing from Morocco, while Bob plays elegant piano, Chris plays sublime fretless bass and Mark does some fine mallet-work on the drums and cymbals. The quartet slowly builds to further out conclusion with a couple of quotes thrown in. I dig the relaxed atmosphere of much of this, giving things a dream-like haze. On "Fruit Forward," the quartet balances between cautiousness and more intense free weirdness. The further that Don goes out by bending notes and making noises on his guitar, the more Bob plays melodically on piano, making an odd yet effective balance. "Nells' Bells" starts with some lovely ukulele strumming over a soft shuffle, with some lovely bass and piano soon entering, making an elegant blend overall. Don plays some fine bluesy slide on "Bounced Again" while the rest of the band quietly rocks along. The slow-burning groove on this piece feels just right as it simmers superbly. Each piece combines a variety of genres and unexpected directions as they flow from one section to the next. There are many nice surprises in store as things organically evolve and end up where you least expect them. Pay attention to Attention Screen, you will not be disappointed with their dynamic mixed bag of gems. - BLG
CD $12


GACHUPIN [w/ TONY MAIMONE/BRIAN DEWAN] - Gachupin (self released; USA) Pronounced ga-choo-peen, this is a fun-filled, Brooklyn-based, world-music sounding ensemble featuring Jon Petrow & Lynn Wright on guitars, Brain Dewan on keyboards, Miguel Gandelman, Scott Harrell, Sam Sadigursky, John Martin & occasional guest Frank London on horns, El Yoky on alegre, Tony Maimone on bass and Chris Michael on drums. When ace electric bassist, Tony Maimone, stopped in last week and laid this disc on me, I had no idea what to expect. I recall Tony from his days with Pere Ubu and the Killer Shrews, but haven't seen him in many years. The only other member of this band I knew of previously is Brian Dewan, from a handful of crafty pop records he's made over the past decade. When I first put this on, I thought I had put on a King Sunny Ade-like Afro-pop disc. "Irish Juju" opens is aptly titled as it has those swell swirling layers of interlocking guitars and horns, as well as an infectious funky groove. Each piece on this disc features another great groove, a couple of nifty contrapuntal guitars, sly keyboards (especially organ) and a Stax-like horn section. This is the type of band you want to play at your party to get everybody dancing and smiling. The other thing that makes this special is warm, earthy reggae-like production and selective echo added to spice things up just right. - BLG
CD $10


CARL STONE - Al-Noor (In Tone Music 10; USA) "Carl Stone is one of the pioneers of live computer music, and has been hailed by the Village Voice as 'the king of sampling' and 'one of the best composers living in [the USA] today.' He has used computers in live performance since 1986. Stone was born in Los Angeles and now divides his time between California and Japan. He studied composition at the California Institute of the Arts with Morton Subotnick and James Tenney and has composed electro-acoustic music almost exclusively since 1972. Al-Noor contains Carl Stone's newest explorations into the dismantling and re-composition of global song and melody, and their relationships to other resonant rhythmic and harmonic phonemes. Stone's computer technology brings forth the transformation of beats, measures and sonic landscape into phase-shifted liquid journeys and sonic monuments. From solitude to shred, sounds gradually shift forth creating new scenes of distant mystery. Movement births stillness. Order becoming anarchy becomes paradise. Other-dimensional voices beat within a new world of texture and space. This is that. Here is there. Those become these. This CD of 4 new compositions represents Stone at one of the most creative periods of his career."
CD $14


McCOY TYNER With GARY BARTZ/WAYNE SHORTER/ALICE COLTRANE/HERBIE LEWIS/FREDDIE WAITS et al - Blue Note Recordings: Expansions/Cosmos/Extensions/Asante [Ltd #'d 3 CD set] (Mosaic Select 025; USA) [LIMITED TO 5000 #'D COPIES] This set covers the last two years of McCoy Tyner's tenure with Blue Note, beginning with the pianist's Expansions, the first album on which his own identity as a leader-composer-pianist came ringing through.
With Woody Shaw, Gary Bartz, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter (on cello), Herbie Lewis and Freddie Waits, he fashioned a new sound, inspired by, but not mimicking his work with the John Coltrane Quartet. McCoy blended modality, Eastern music, African elements and spirituality into a music that was unmistakably his own.
Unfortunately neither this album nor its extraordinary follow-up Extensions with Bartz, Shorter, Alice Coltrane (on harp), Carter and Elvin Jones received the recognition they deserved at the time. So three more superb dates sat in the vaults Asante, with Andrew White, Ted Dunbar, Buster Williams, Billy Hart and Mtume was issued in 1974. The rest of the music on this set was finally issued on the 1976 double album Cosmos. One session features a sextet with Bartz, White and Hubert Laws; the other is a magnificent date which adds two reeds and string quartet to Tyner's trio and includes the first version of "Song For My Lady." In 1972, McCoy signed with the Milestone label and gradually his fortunes began to change. McCoy's new sound had found a receptive audience; record sales increased and McCoy was able to keep a band together and working. By the late seventies, he was one of the most popular and best-paid acoustic jazz artists in the world. The music in this set, five brilliant, innovative sessions over a 25-month period, represents the seeds of that success.
3 CD set for $48


ERIK SATIE//EVE EGOYAN - Hidden Corners (Recoins) (Musica Viva 1153; Canada) For about twenty years, the principal benchmark, or yardstick for the Satie piano music has been the recordings made by Aldo Ciccolini - the Italian-born, naturalized French pianist. In the 1980s, Ciccolini recorded the complete piano music by Satie for EMI, bringing the name and music of Satie to a larger audience. And ever since, his name and Satie's have almost become synonymous. Other pianists recorded Satie, but the Ciccolini recordings always came out on top. They seemed to capture that wonderful, whimsical and satirical quality of Satie better than anyone else. Or until now. Canadian pianist Eve Egoyan's new CD gives Ciccolini's reputation, stature and legacy a good run for the money.
This recent all-Satie disc from CBC Records is first class. I should say, right away, that the more popular Satie pieces like the "Gymnopedies" and "Gnossiennes" are not included. Hopefully they'll be featured on a sequel disc in the near future. This one, the first, presents a more direct and focused view of Satie - one that I found refreshing and original. Missing are the usual trappings of Satie as a kind of dreamy, weird, pseudo- Impressionist, played with the sustain pedal stuck down. Clarity is always front and centre here. And Eve Egoyan uses a huge range of tone colors, shades and effects, with a marvelous sense of musical line and shape. It's like listening to Satie with new ears. Refreshing, innovative, creative and original. Highly recommended - the full 5 stars. - Rick Phillips, Sound Advice - CBC Radio
CD $15

EVE EGOYAN - The Art Of Touching The Keyboard: New Music For Piano (Eve 0104; Canada) The keyboard prowess of Toronto-based pianist Eve Egoyan is beyond dispute. That she deploys her phenomenal interpretive and technical skills to so much new music is admirable, earning the profound gratitude of composers who have entrusted their works to her. The music on this, her latest recording, ranges from brazenly accessible to calmly hermetic. Jose Evangelista's Nuevas monodias espanolas (1999), a breezy group of settings of 21 Spanish melodies (only one lasts more than 60 seconds), is easy to like. Using little harmony or accompaniment, Evangelista fragments the melodies into wide splays of octaves, embellishing and tweaking them imaginatively without sacrificing the spirit or integrity of the originals. - Robert Jordan
CD $15

also back in stock, check out the reviews for these in our databaseÉ

EVE EGOYAN//ALVIN CURRAN/MICHAEL FINNISSY/STEPHEN PARKINSON - New Music For Piano: thethingsinbetween (ArtifactMusic 19; Canada)
CD $15

EVE EGOYAN//JAMES TENNEY/JO KONDO/MARTIN ARNOLD/MICHAEL FINNISSY - Weave: World Premiere Recordings (Eve 0106; Canada)
CD $15

RUDOLPH KOMOROUS//EVE EGOYAN - Wu (Candareen 9092; Canada)
CD $15



MARCEL DUCHAMP - Musical Erratum + In Conversation (LTM/Salon 2504; EEC) LTM is pleased to announce the release of a new CD by influential avant-garde artist Marcel Duchamp, featuring two interpretations of his Musical Erratum for piano, together with four spoken word extracts. Written in 1913, the Musical Erratum for piano forms part of the sequence of notes and projects which led to Duchamp's celebrated artwork, La Mariee misea nu par ses celibataires, meme ('The bride stripped bare by her batchelors, even', often called The Large Glass). La Mariee, is also the sub-title of the 1913 piano work. Abstract, elusive and even 'inachievable' according to the artist, the Musical Erratum consists of two scores. In the first, notes are replaced by numbered keys, and virtuoso performance is discouraged in favor of novel mechanical instrumentation. The second offers a form of random composition, by which numbered balls are dropped into the moving wagons of a toy train. Famously, Duchamp described the whole as "a very useless performance, in any event." Two versions are included on this new CD, including a conventional (but non-virtuoso) performance on piano, and another on which spinning rotary discs brush the piano strings to produce extraordinary tones. The extended 74-minute CD also includes four spoken word extracts by Duchamp (English language), including a fascinating lecture delivered in Houston in 1957, The Creative Act, and a lengthy interview recorded in 1959
CD $17


MATHIAS SPAHLINGER - Farben der Fruhe (Neos 10710; Germany) Live recording of "Farben der Fruhe" (for seven pianos), from 2007. "In the end, Spahlinger did indeed reveal something new between the rubble of tonal organization and the new construction of an architecture of sound and noise, something that had never previously been heard in this form. By doing so, he probably created a caesura not only within his own creative work but in the production of music today as a whole. The present multichannel surround recording from March 20, 2007, with the pianists of the premiere is a pioneering act of musica viva in Munich."
CD $20



3 Meaty Reads:

CORNELIUS CARDEW - A Reader: A Collection Of Cornelius Cardew's Published Writings (Matchless/Copula; UK) A collection of Cornelius Cardew's published writings, edited by Eddie Prevost. With commentaries and responses from Richard Barrett, Christopher Fox, Brian Dennis, Anton Lukoszevieze, Michael Nyman, Eddie Prevost, David Ryan, Howard Skempton, Dave Smith, John Tilbury and Christian Wolff. Introduction by Michael Parsons. "The English composer Cornelius Cardew (1936-1981) was among the most adventurous, controversial and innovative musicians of his generation. After an initial association with Stockhausen and the European avantgarde, he became engaged with the aesthetic ideas of John Cage and the New York School. A leading figure in the experimental music of the 1960s, Cardew is widely acknowledged as a pioneer of indeterminacy, graphic notation, free improvisation and performer involvement. As well as extending the boundaries of music in unprecedented directions, he inquired deeply into its social relevance and meaning. His passionate and untiring quest for wider social significance led him eventually to become a political activist. In the 1970s he repudiated his earlier experimental work and adopted a more traditional musical language. He joined a revolutionary Marxist-Leninist party and devoted himself to political action, at the same time searching for ways to express his commitment in musical terms. At the height of his political involvement he died tragically at the age of 45, killed by a hit-and-run driver near his home in East London. This reader brings together a diverse collection of Cardew's major essays and writings from different stages of his career, together with commentaries by other writers associated with his work. It reflects developments, changes and contradictions in his thinking about music from the late 1950s to the end of his life. As a companion volume to John Tilbury's biography -- Cornelius Cardew: A Life Unfinished, Copula, 2006 it provides essential material for the study of Cardew's life and ideas; it also makes a significant contribution to discussion of the wider issues involved in the relationship between music, ideology and political commitment." Illustrated 390 pages, paperbound.
BOOK $50

EDDIE PREVOST - Minute Particulars: meanings in music making in the wake of hierarchical realignments and other essays (Matchless/Copula; UK) Eddie Prevost (AMM)'s 2nd book of writings to be published by Matchless. Paper-bound, 178 pages. The first half of the book is a series of essays relating to the subtitle; the 2nd half is a collection of additional essays (written 1984-2002) on: The Ganelin Trio, John Zorn, Keith Rowe & John Tilbury, etc. -- including various album liners notes, magazine articles, etc.
"The only way we have any purchase on the world is by our own actions. And just the thought of the usual strategies for political and cultural response - applying the democratic process - in the face of the overwhelming odds of tradition and existing economic and political power is immobilizing. Our activities must be closer to home, closer to our being. To borrow from William Blake: it is in the development of 'the minute particulars' that we have real power. As musicians our power is in how we decide to create sound. Now we place a sound next to another. How we chime with or divert a musical course in dialogue with others - while at the same time developing the structure, the nature and the dynamic of dialogue itself. As an audience too we must decide how we discern and positively support these practical efforts in music-making, and insist upon such aesthetic priorities. If these considerations begin to command our musical lives and even become the basis for musical appreciation and cultural critique, then the power of those who wish to do things to others is challenged by the determination of those who choose to do things with others."
BOOK $35

EDDIE PREVOST - No Sound is Innocent: AMM and the Practice of Self-Invention/Meta-musical Narratives/Essays (Matchless/Copula; UK) Published by a Matchless imprint, Copula, this book documents the history and underlying philosophy of AMM by its percussionist and founding member Eddie Prevost. Essential for anyone curious about the internal fabric and inspiration of AMMusic. No cover price; 192 pages, trade paperback.
"The idea of the performer of a written work as technical executor, or as a kind of curator (as Brendel puts it), precludes the possibility of free dialogue. If musical works [were to] be perceived less as marketable or sacred objects, and more as possible views of the world on which to reflect, greater freedom might develop. Eddie Pervost's book, with great skill and imagination, provokes the readers into contemplating such questions." - Piano Journal
"This is an inspiring, modest and (to use a word that Prevost is not ashamed to use) beautiful book. Nothing in it is more beautiful than his own cry of resistance: "I am something other than what you tell me I am."" - The Wire
BOOK $35


MELODII TUVA [V.A.] - Throat Songs and Folk Tunes from Tuv (Dust To Digital 009; USA) Recordings from 1969 of Tuvan folk music and throat-singing with liner notes by Dr. Pekka Gronow of the University of Helsinki. With the advent of the folk music revival in the 1960s, a new interest in Tuvan music swept through Asia and Eastern Europe. Capitalizing on this appeal, these 16 recordings were issued in 1969 in the Soviet Union. Dust-to-Digital is proud to reissue for the first time on compact disc these traditional performances including several khoomei songs plus one modern take on the classic Tuvan sound. In khoomei, the singer simultaneously produces two more distinct musical notes: a low, sustained bass note and a flute-like higher note. Tuvan sheep-herders often practiced khoomei in an effort to calm animals and appease spirits. The effect is hypnotic, eerie, and drone-like, unlike any sound you've heard come out of a cowboy. The Republic of Tuva lies between Russia and Mongolia in the Altai Mountains, at the geographical center of Asia. Tuva is a land of mountains, lakes and rivers. Although the geographical area of Tuva is as large as the state of Florida, it has only 300,000 inhabitants
CD $15


SKERIK/BOBBY PREVITE/JAMIE SAFT [aka THE BETA POPES]//CHIKARA IAWI, dir. - Live In Japan 2003 [DVD] (Word Public 01; USA) 90 minutes, NTSC. Filmed at Club Citta, Kawasaki, Japan December 13th 2003.
This is a well-produced DVD featuring Bobby Previte on drums, Jamie Saft on keyboards and Skerik on sax, live from their tour of Japan in December of 2003. Starting with some suspenseful canned opening sounds, we see the trio backstage and walking triumphantly onto the stage in front of a screaming crowd. When they begin, they are certainly one heavy trio! Bobby plays a pounding groove while Jamie plays demented, mutant keyboard sounds and Skerik blasts some treated sax on top. The screen is split so that we often see two or three musicians at the same time. Skerik often looks possessed and plays colossal Godzilla-like sounds from his sax. Bobby slowly alters the groove and gets into a Al Foster-like El. Miles thing. Behind the trio on a big screen we an assortment of strange animated images. In the next section, the trio mellows out as Bobby starts another more restrained killer groove with Jamie slowly inserting a few well-selected synth (bass) notes at a time as they build things back up again. Skerik plays some wah-wah sax in most mysterious and melodic way. Skerik has a completely distinctive sound as he alters his sax in ways that always sound just right with Jamie's synth and Bobby's drums. Sometimes Skerik whispers scary sounds into his sax mic, thus altering his voice and adding another strange element to this already weird yet winning music. I dig the way this DVD was shot and edited so that the angles of each shot contain a different and always fascinating series of images to view. 90 minutes long and consistently enchanting. - BLG
DVD $20


CHRIS GESTRIN With PEGGY LEE/GORDON GRDNA/DYLAN VAN DER SCHYFF - After The City Has Gone: Quiet: Solos, Duos Trios [2 H-SACD set] (Songlines 1568; Canada) [this is a Hybrid SACD (H-SACD) which means it is playable on ordinary CD players as well] Featuring Chris Gestrin on piano & prepared piano performing solos, duos and trios with Ron Samworth on guitar, Peggy Lee on cello, Gordon Grdina on guitar & dobro, Joseph Pepe Danza on shakuhachi & ney, Miles Black on piano, Jon Bentley on saxes, Bill Clark & JP Carter on trumpets, Jesse Zubot on violin, Jeremy Berkman on trombone and Dylan van der Schyff & Bernia Arai on drums. Vancouver-based pianist, Chris Gestrin, has a fine quintet disc out also on Songlines, as well as being a part of Michael Blake's current sextet CD on the same label. I assume all 12 members of this current project are also based in the same area, I know about half of them (Peggy, Ron, Dylan & Jesse) from previous projects also on the Songlines label.
Each of these two discs is about 60-minutes long and each features more than a dozen segments, each with varying personnel. Each piece is less than 7 minutes and each sounds different. Since all of the pieces have from 1 to 3 players, we get to hear what is distinctive about each musician. Gestrin varies his approach on each piece, depending on who he plays with. On a duo with cellist, Peggy Lee, both play percussively on their respective instruments. When Chris plays with two trumpeters, all three play long suspended tones. There is a superbly composed trio with Jon Bentley on piano and Bernia Arai on drums, that is exquisite and melancholy. Chris plays quietly inside the piano while Joseph Pepe Danza plays a ney (Indian flute) on "Viewpoint," it is a sublime, haunting collaboration. The majority of these pieces are on the more restrained side, yet all are fascinating in their way. - BLG
2 CD set for $32



Chuck Bettis reviews more discs from the Cycling 74' Label:

WILLIAM KLEINSASSER - Available Instruments (Cycling 74 006; USA) "This CD presents two works that represent an interest in intergrating traditional acoustic performance with the metaphoric, developmental, and sonic potentiial offered by digital technology." The above quote is taken from the liner notes of Kleinsasser's "Available Instruments". With the same finesse he sums up his music in one sentence, he composes two tightly woven compositions for an orchestra with seamless electronics. The title track opens up with a piano and electronics duet, which sounds so intertwined that even for the uptight purist would accept electronics as a legitimate instrument. Each instrument interaction compliment the others. The second composition on this disc, "Double Concerto", is more grandiose with its sonic liberation and slow build from soloist to large ensemble. Cinematic in feel, William Kleinsasser will have you repeatedly studying his "Available Instruments". Another fine release from the Cycling 74 label. This is Highly Recommended! - Chuck Bettis / DMG
CD $12

LESLIE STUCK - Pas (Cycling 74 008; USA) "Pas" is music made for dance pieces by several different choreographers. I approached Leslie Stuck's cd with mild apprehension, since having previous knowledge that these pieces are for dance, I feel that a lot of music for dance with out the visual of dancing feels incomplete. That said, once knowing the music is for dance (be it Butoh or any other modern dance) I usually have no problem visualizing the dancers movements. Anyway, "Pas", for the most part, stands on its own musically. Stuck starts off the disc with a sparse electronic bass and percussion track with mild processing on a track called "Special X". This is actually my least favorite piece from the entire disc. Yet, the rest to follow made a bigger impact on me. As one dives deeper into "Pas" we proceed into a realm which softly touches the atmosphere of what maverick Ikue Mori has pioneered. The breath of the music is controlled and leans heavy on ambience and percussion. Percussive samples with a slight Liquid Sky feel permeate "Soothing The Enemy", the disc's second track. The pulsing bass and piano samples sound organic, despite these being algorithmic compositions. Still further in we venture the denser the compositions and complexities get, especially with the the fourth track "Convolution". Closing the disc is perhaps Leslie's opus; "Mondriaan", which is a surprise of dueling strings and electronics which make me reminiscent of the string pieces in Ennio Morricone 80's film soundtracks (Once Upon A Time In America or The Mission to be exact) . Highly Recommend! - Chuck Bettis / DMG
CD $12

JOHN SHIRLEY - Sonic Ninjitsu (Cycling 74' 009; USA) When was the last time you smiled while listening to music? Shirley's music pilfers the tradition of cohesive schizophrenic music with the nod to Nurse With Wound, perhaps even sprinkling in a bit of Secret Chiefs 3. "Sonic Ninjitsu" musical map leads us down many roads and with stealth precision introduces some musical jokes in the vein of Zappa. Although, these jokes may be picked up on more quickly by those familiar with software stock sounds from example patches to a few hoakey guitar and drum samples in here, but what did you expect from a record called Sonic Ninjitsu. No need to worry, the joke is not on us, it is for us to laugh along with John Shirley, making the mundane seem insane and innovative and extremely enjoyable. This is a bold move to use such sounds, but they sound fresh and have a twist of a personalized touch. Whether a processed guitar/autoharp cut up, classical ensemble, or straight up solo electronics, John Shirley brings joy to the ear with the clarity of his compositions. This record is awesome! For fans of John Oswald's "Plunderphonics", Secret Chiefs, or the vibe of Dr. Eugene Chadbourne's music. Highly Recommended! - Chuck Bettis / DMG
CD $12

And back in stock

CRATER [JHNO/SCOTT AMENDOLA] With NELS CLINE/DEVIN HOFF et al - Proceed ('Cycling 74' 010; USA) "Magnifico! Powerful! Dynamite!"- BLG
CD $12


THE VALERIE PROJECT - The Valerie Project (Drag City 355; USA) "Greg Weeks (of Espers) is describing the genesis of a new musical review entitled The Valerie Project. Inspired by a classic of Czech New Wave cinema, Jaromir Jires' Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (1970), Greg, joined by members of Espers and other Philadelphia groups such as Fern Knight, Grass, Fursaxa, Timesbold, Woodwose and Rake (as well as enigmatic electronicist Charles Cohen), conceived a new soundtrack to the film. Valerie and Her Week of Wonders is an allegorical coming of age film; a work populated by bewitched earrings, weasels, vampires, frisky maidens, friskier huntsmen, wicked aunts, bespectacled eagles and the handsomest moustache this side of 1970, the year the film debuted. Key to The Valerie Project's conception is how reframing the film's action with an alternate soundtrack draws new interpretations from a work of depth and changeable meaning. Lubos Fiser's original score is lovingly recalled and ambitiously targeted by the group as a sound cycle to be equalled every time they play it. The tone is dense and ornate, expansively acid-charged - 'a symphonic version of Magma' at its zenith. In particular, the film's themes of lost innocence and pastoral living struck a chord with Weeks and his fellow players. 'There's a current movement towards responsible living... a need and desire to reorient to a world that is too chaotic, too oppressive, too technologically stifling,' says Weeks. 'It's a new version of the "back to the land" phenomenon only with lessons learned. Valerie taps into so much of that. It projects a political and cultural message that is all the more relevant today.'"
CD $14
Also available as 2 LP set for $20

SIX ORGANS OF ADMITTANCE - Shelter From The Ash (Drag City 355; USA) "Shelter From The Ash features a most fluid combination of electric and acoustic Six Organs of Admittance styles. Chasny went into the studio with the songs both in his mind and also demoed out, a different way of working than in previous sessions. Sure, improvisations were still a big part of the sound; within the song structures, they create dynamic sparks from the other side of the inspiration. Additionally (if you must know), standard tuning played a part for the first time in history - but don't worry, this doesn't mean that Six Organs of Admittance has come in from the drone-storm - far from it! The man who was once 'Torn By Wolves' in an unknown key is now 'Coming To Get You,' no matter what it takes - with a tuning any man could play, but few would use as he does."
CD $14
Also available as LP for $16

MAJOR STARS - Mirror/Messenger (Drag City 355; USA) "Now giant-size and louder than ever, Major Stars plunge further down the path of their second, larger life with Mirror/Messenger. Their new sextet record features the same triple-guitar frontline and fervid vocalizations from Sandra Barrett as did 2006's Syntoptikon - but with more songs then ever before found on a single Major Stars album (as many as two albums, in several cases). Mirror/Messenger is an assault on popular music, with considerable muscle exerted to create a jukebox-ready duck-and-shuffle - if the needle don't get tossed out the groove, that is."
CD $14
Also available as LP for $16

BONNIE 'PRINCE' BILLY [WILL OLDHAM] - Ask Forgiveness [CD ep] (Drag City 354; USA) "Following the many intensities of The Letting Go and its three singles and EP, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy went to Philadelphia to cool out with a record of covers versions. But the combination of summer days, Philadelphia streets and the way Bonnie was ambushed in the cooling process, producing eight sizzlers instead and creating the need to 'ask forgiveness.' Redolent of the haze hovering o'er the city of brotherly love, Ask Forgiveness was recorded on the fly at Hexham Head. With a basic alignment of Bonnie and Meg Baird on acoustics and vocals and Greg Weeks on electric guitar, aided and abetted by Maggie Wienk on cello at times, the colors begin shifting and flashing right away, with acoustics glinting and a bit of electric guitar tone, running clean to resonant to Leslie and back; a light touch on the faders bringing vocals and guitars to and fro in perfect time. Covering a handful of diverse songwriters (Newbury, Guemundsdittir, Anzalone, Ochs, Billy, Haggard, Caldwell and Kelly), Bonnie makes each one of their songs his own simply, through the process of having taken it within and loving it - and then singing it out again, in good company."
CD $12
Also available as 12" vinyl for $12



Historic & Archival Recordings:

DZYAN - Time Machine/Electric Silence (Germanofon 941150; Germany) "Two classic LPs on one disc, complete and un-edited! Full-color jewelcase packaging features all original LP cover art. Dzyan's classic second and third LPs together and complete on one CD, with all original album cover art! 'When the [original] band eventually disintegrated, Reinhard Karwatky was the only member remaining. So, he drafted in jazzers Eddy Marron (ex-Jochen Brauer Sextet and Vita Nova) and drummer Lothar Scharf (from Virgo), who didn't stay long, and was in turn replaced by the much more original percussionist Peter Giger. On Time Machine [1973] they played, to quote Eddy Marron: 'in the Kriegel-Doldinger-Association-Et Cetera jazz-rock style,' a very inventive fusion, the spirit of Kraut rock in a radical jazz-fusion. While Peter Giger worked on other commitments as a session musician for ECM and on tour with Eberhard Weber, ex-Dave Pike Set drummer Marc Hellmann filled in. By the time Giger returned, the Dzyan sound had changed considerably, as both Reinhard and Eddy had been experimenting with ethnic musics and a wider range of instruments. Mellotrons, sitar, and the mysterious 'Super String' were added. The third album Electric Silence [1974] was even more out on a limb, bringing weird avant-garde elements together with jazz, rock and various ethnic musics; all together in an extreme melting pot of styles, ideas and fertile imagination. Running from free-jazz through medieval cum raga-rock (cf. Third Ear Band) and intense rock improvisation it is indeed one of the landmarks in experimental rock." --The Crack In The Cosmic Egg
CD $18

ACHIM REICHEL & MACHINES [A. R. & MACHINES] - AR3 (Germanofon 941098; Germany) Available again with improved mastering! For Achim Reichel's 1973 release, and first on his vanity label Zebra, the talented Okko Bekker and noted Krautrock producer Thomas Kuckuck were invited along with many others, with the results being a higher-level mix of echo-guitar excursions, imaginative ensemble playing and kosmische folk-blues. Essential A.R
CD $18

KRAFTWERK - Kraftwerk/Kraftwerk 2 [2 CD set] (Germanofon 941001/2; Germany) Their first two legendary LPs! The 'oscilloscope' gatefold artwork from the rare Vertigo 'swirl' double-LP re-package is used for the first time ever on a compact disc reissue.
Disc 1: "After disbanding Organisation (Tone Float, RCA UK-only release/1970) the duo Ralf Hutter und Florian Schneider adopted the name Kraftwerk (Power Plant). The album was recorded between July and August of 1970 in their new Dusseldorf studio. It was co-produced and engineered by Conrad Plank. When released in late 1970 the LP sleeve was designed by Ralf and showcased their adopted trademark -- the traffic cone. From the very opening notes of the LP, it is evident that the duo had put much of the meandering uncertainties of Tone Float behind them, arriving at a more disciplined form of music. Side one opens with 'Ruckzuck', a piece which was to become a live favorite of the duo. The 12 minute 'Stratovarius' follows and gives the impression of a more ordered structure than on the Tone Float LP. The tempo speeds up and slows down to various climaxes, ending with a plaintive violin and flute played over a minimal percussive beat. Side two opens with 'Megahertz' which begins with a low oscillating note slowly developing into waves of industrial sound. This finally gives way to a quiet passage which has an almost classical minimal tune, showing an early understanding of the sort of basic melody lines they were later to use to such effect. On the last track noise swoops from speaker to speaker, tension building as stabs of industrial sound are joined by a tribal drum beat. The intensity and direction of the duo was now clear as the track steps out of the shadows of their contemporaries as a portrayal of industrial sound."
Disc 2: "When the Kraftwerk 2 album was released, Ralf and Florian had rejoined forces to continue Kraftwerk's music ideas. The LP was recorded at their own studio in Dusseldorf (KlingKlang) and the Star Music Studio in Hamburg. It was produced in just seven days between the 26th September and 1st of October 1971. It was co-produced by Conrad (Conny) Plank who once again played an important role. The Kraftwerk 2 album was originally released on the Philips label and is a musical extension of the first Kraftwerk LP. The LP is totally instrumental and Ralf is credited with rhythmusmashine (rhythm machine) as well as a host of other instruments. With no conventional drumming at all -- the first 17 minute track 'Klingklang' has an altogether softer sound than most of the first album. The track's constantly shifting tempo is due to the changing beat of the drum machine, giving the impression that it is a machine that is actually driving the music forward. This was in 1971 a totally new phenomenon and it is very much the 'Kraftwerk sound' being born."
2 CD set for $28

KRAFTWERK - Ralf und Florian (Germanofon 941023; Germany) "Kraftwerk's third album Ralf und Florian was released in November 1973 and its title is almost synonymous with a nickname for the duo. The front cover was taken by Florian's then-girlfriend Barbara Niemuller. The LP is a continuation of the ideas on the first two LPs, but the music has a much cleaner sound dominated by electric piano and soft electronic percussion. The first track 'Elektrisches Roulette' (Electric Roulette) is a rhythmically repetitive piece and I think that you can trace the later Kraftwerk sound in this song. The track features electronics, violin, electric piano and drums. It is very much a pop song and maybe the best track on the album. Next comes 'Tongebirge' (A Mountain Range Of Tones) and it has closer resemblance to earlier LPs. It has Florian's typical flute arpeggios treated to a heavy dose of echo. 'Kristallo' is also the name of a hotel close to the studio and the song featured clear repetitive keyboard arpeggios showing Ralf further developing the automation feel to his playing. The track ends like a catalog of various recording tricks including backward tapes. 'Heimatklange' (The Sounds Of Homeland) which closes side two demonstrates the duo's increasing grasp of dynamics. Side Two opens with 'Tanzmusik' (Dance Music) a strange song with very simple wooden and metallic noises. The rhythm box is naturally present and actual hand claps appear towards the end of the song. The final track 'Ananas Symphonie' features some slide guitar but most important is the emergence of a primitive vocoder through which the words 'Ananas Symphonie' are discernable."
CD $17

ORGANISATION [early KRAFTWERK] - Tone Float (Germanofon 941000; Germany) "Rare pre-Kraftwerk album from 1970, originally released only in the UK! On Tone Float, the line up consisted of Ralf Hutter on organ, Florian Schneider on violin and flute, Basil Hammoudi on vocals, Fred Monicks on drums and Butch Hauf on bass. The album features repetitive percussion and bass drum patterns, embellished with guitar, flute, violin and organ. Sections of the music are clearly '60s influenced and have an almost eastern feeling with scratchy violin and bongos. Tone Float was the last time that Ralf and Florian would rely on unrestrained expression and improvisation. With Organisation being a democratic five piece band, it was difficult to develop a disciplined approach. Any comparison between Tone Float and the later Kraftwerk sound is hard to draw."
CD $18


SUNS OF ARQA - Suns of Arqa Re-Mixes Muslimgauze (Soleilmoon 158; EEC) "When Satoshi Morita introduced Muslimgauze to Suns of Arqa he had a good hunch the two musicians would form a connection. Bryn Jones (Muslimgauze) and Michael Wadada (Suns of Arqa) were already deeply immersed in the kinds of rhythmic music made far from England's rainy shores. Jones' fascination with the cause of Palestine found an outlet through his prolific musical output, and Wadada's interest in Jamaican reggae and Eastern mysticism was likewise reflected in his own recordings. But they moved in different circles and had never crossed paths, despite living relatively close to one another. Bryn Jones in particular was well known for his reclusiveness and lack of curiosity about other music (and musicians), so it's no surprise that it took a Japanese label owner to bring them together. Morita knew both men individually, liked their music enough to release it on his label Gift, and intuitively saw the potential in a collaboration between the two. He arranged an introduction in 1996, and like a spark landing on dry tinder, a musical firestorm blew up that summer. Several collaborations by mail were produced in the two and a half years preceding Jones' sudden and unexpected death in January 1999 from a fungal infection of the blood. The final sessions are presented today on this CD. Suns of Arqa Re-Mixs Muslimgauze tips the scales at nearly 74 minutes, with 21 songs forming an unmistakable hybrid of the two bands' styles. Wadada's Caribbean beats pulse and flow alongside Jones' staccato gunshot rhythms in a true blending of the two artists' music. While it's true that Bryn Jones is gone, we take comfort knowing that Muslimgauze lives on in the creative expression of the multitude of musicians whose lives he touched. For Wadada, this album will stand as a lasting tribute to a friend and creative collaborator. At Soleilmoon, packaging and presentation are never overlooked. This CD is presented in a square black folder made of sugar cane fibers, and the whole thing is covered with a translucent vellum over-wrap. Only 500 copies of this handsome CD have been made."
CD $18

ARANOS - Mother Of Moons Bathing (Soleilmoon 145; EEC) "Aranos (pronounced Aranyosh) is a prolific composer and storied multi-instrument performer from the Czech part of Bohemia, by way of Ireland, where he lives near his friend and frequent collaborator Steve Stapleton of Nurse With Wound. Mother of Moons Bathing is his first release for Soleilmoon, but his lengthy discography includes releases issued by Beta-Lactam Ring Records, Brainwashed, Crouton, Klanggalerie, Noise Museum and United Dairies as well as his own label, Pieros. The album covers a lot of ground, and refuses to be categorized, unless 'Aranos' can be its own category. It opens with 'Awaking Horns,' a minimalist piece built around a simple repeating click track containing absolutely no horns whatsoever. 'New Boyfriend' begins as a jaunty ode to new-found love, but the conversation between mother and daughter turns dark as it's revealed that the new boyfriend has a dodgy past with little girls. 'Some Clowns Are Not Funny' and 'Almost Pulled Through' are a pair of scary electro-acoustic roller coaster rides that sound like they might have escaped from Steve Stapleton's little shop of horrors. The fifth song, 'Legs Thighs Splits' returns to the gently fun whimsy started with 'New Boyfriend,' but trades literal meaning for delicious texture and experimentation. 'I Saw Women's Rising Fry' is a song of fearlessly eccentric lyrics married to complex, brain-tingling instrumental arrangements. 'Ta-taa-ta, Taah merged' is a side dish of looped, sampled vocal minimalism leading into the the longest track on the CD, 'Towards Glittering Warm Dumplings,' a rolling trance-dance weighing in at more than 21 minutes. 'Invisibility Cloak of Time,' another minimalist electro-acoustic instrumental, closes the album. The total length of Mother of Moons Bathing is 71 minutes 41 seconds, and it's sheer bliss from start to finish."
CD $18


BOB DYLAN - The Best of Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour [2 CD set] (Chrome Dreams 5019; USA) "In May 2006, Bob Dylan's voice floated over the airwaves and into people's homes via the medium of radio. Nothing unusual there of course -- Bob's been on the radio for more than 45 years. But what was different this time was that Dylan was the host of the show, the DJ, the one playing the records by artists other than himself. Over the year that followed, Bob was back every week with a further choice of songs, hand-picked from his own collection and covering virtually every genre ever invented. This 2CD set takes one track from each of the 52 shows that Dylan presented, and in doing so gives a fascinating glimpse into the tastes and passions of a man who himself has become a musical style all of his own."
2 CD set for $20


THE SLITS - Return Of The Giant Slits: Expanded Edition [2 CD set] (Blast First; UK) The full 1981 album + a bonus CD that features ALL the archived dub versions and an american radio interview of the time that was subsequently used by CBS for a ultra rare promo disc. New graphic Artwork and two of the classic photos by Anton Corbijn from the NME magazine cover session. The 1981, second, and final, Slits studio album, featuring the same line up as their first album "Cut", Ari Up, Tessa Pollit and Viv Albertine. This record has often been overshadowed by the more controversial 1979 "Cut" album. It represents their natural development as artistes by focussing more on their interests in dub and "world music" sound eclecticism (featuring Steve Beresford and ex Pop Group drummer Bruce Smith ) that is well suited to their, by then, more accomplished playing style. Perhaps, in retropsect, the Jamaican half sister to The Raincoats recordings. A "lost"gem, ripe for reappraisal, of this still vastly influential and important group in both musical and sociological terms. Produced by Dennis Bovell and Dick O'Dell (Y Records)
CD $24


MARBLE SHEEP - Tokyo 1988 (Dirter Promotions 56; UK) "Brand new re-mastered and expanded edition of this long out-of-print seminal live CD from Japan's Marble Sheep (or to give them their full title on this release: Marble Sheep and the Run-Down Sun's Children). This was originally issued by Cold Spring back in 1995, and sold out within a week of release. This classic Marble Sheep line-up boasts the inclusion of some giants of the Japanese scene. Members of Zeni Geva, Incapacitants and Hijokaidan all grace the CD for this blistering performance. This is by no means a noise release though -- it is incendiary Japanese rock music in the tradition of the likes of High Rise, Fushitsusha and Acid Mothers Temple. The CD is lavishly housed in a beautiful mini-LP gloss laminated sleeve, with brand new full color artwork. It is rounded off with the inclusion of two previously unreleased tracks from the same period in the band's history. The special mini-LP packaging is exclusive to the first 1000 copies."
CD $16


BLACK MIRROR [V.A.] - Reflections in Global Musics (1918-1955) (Dust To Digital 010; USA) Recordings made between 1918-1955 compiled by Ian Nagoski. A compilation of 24 recordings from the first half of the 20th century of music from Syria, Bali, Scotland, Thailand, Ukraine, China, Cameroon, India, Turkey, Germany, Spain, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, Japan, Poland, Greece, Java, Portugal, Laos, Sweden and Burma, all newly transferred and mastered from 78 rpm discs, at least 18 of which have never been issued before on CD (all but one never having been previously reissued in the U.S.). Influenced by Pete Whelan's Origin Jazz Library, Pat Conte's Secret Museum of Mankind, Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music, Henry Cowell's Music of the World's People, Alan Bishop and Hisham Mayet's Sublime Frequencies label, Lance Ledbetter's Goodbye, Babylon, Michael Snow's The Last LP and much more. Sounds like zamr, naa phaat piphat, gong kebyar, Northumbrian piping, periya melam, rhumba, Carpathian weddings, Rulin opera, Uilleann piping, Bollywood, dan bau, Handel, rembetika, gusle, tembang sunds, flamenco, fado, prayer, djanger, kabuki and yien pwe.
CD $15


LIFTING THE VEIL [V.A.] - The Earliest Blues Guitarists (World Arbiter 2008; USA) Another exceptional archival release from Allan Evans' World Arbiter label. "After years of preparation, World Arbiter offers new vivid restorations of discs from Harry Smith's Archive. Pioneering legendary artists are heard in a variety of genres that created the blues. Our text contains selections from an astonishing discovery: an unknown 1951 oral history of Rev. Gary Davis, providing a candid, unparalleled insight into his life." Featured artists: Leadbelly, Rev. Gary Davis, Big Bill Broonzy, Gus Cannon & Blind Blake, Leola B. Wilson & Blind Blake, Buddy Boy Hawkins, Ramblin' Thomas, Edward Thompsom, William Moore, Charley Patton, Rube Lacy. Includes two previously unpublished recordings (Rev. Gary Davis from 1956/7 and Leadbelly from 1941), plus various obscure 78 tracks from Harry Smiths' collection (all recorded 1926-1929).
CD $17


IVOR CUTLER - Dandruff (Virgin; UK) Ivor Cutler was a octagenarian Scottish poet, humorist and songwriter. He is best known for his appearance in The Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour (as Mr. Buster Bloodvessel). Somehow, amongst all the other wonderful craziness that was going on there at the time, Ivor landed himself a contract with Virgin records, recording 3 much beloved albums, as well as appearing on Robert Wyatt's Rock Bottom. This one was his first. "One of the most unique figures on the pop music fringe, Ivor Cutler is a musician, singer, songwriter, poet, actor, painter, author of books for children, and humorist. His droll, often surreal, sometimes melancholy humor permeates all of his work. His singing voice, a mordant baritone with perhaps the thickest Scottish burr ever captured on tape, is as singular as his idiosyncratic worldview." - Stewart Mason, All Music Guide
CD $13 (limited amount of sale copies)


BACHDENKEL - Lemmings (Ork 06; UK) "A prog rarity by an English band in France, 1971, plus bonus tracks. From the ashes of Apple Music Publishing band The U (Don't) No Who (3 tracks on RPM 312 An Apple A Day), came Bachdenkel, who in 1969 relocated from Birmingham to France. During their time in France a number of recording sessions were undertaken, an early single resulted ('Through The Eyes Of A Child'), and eventually an LPs worth of material collected. The song 'Translation' was written following an association with choreographer Graziella Martinez (who had previously worked with The Soft Machine) working on a ballet of the same title. Already experimenting with mixing their influences from Beatles psych era, Joni Mitchell style songs, Eastern and hippie philosophies, Bachdenkel were further tempted by visiting musicians to Paris such as avant-garde jazz artists The Art Ensemble of Chicago and Anthony Braxton. The result is magnificent, great songs with beautiful and unusual lyrics, epic music, warm vocals, and a truly captivating listening experience."
CD $18


The following discs from Splasch & NuBop are restocked:

PAOLO ANGELI & HAMID DRAKE - Uotha (NuBop 01; Italy) Recorded on September 4, 2004 at the Sardinian Festival is an intense performance with many peaks by two masters of folklore and improvised music. The interplay between the Angeli's sardinian prepared guitar and the Drake's drumming is a vibrant delight: a soulful meeting of outstanding musicians " Featuring Paolo Angeli on Sardinian prepared guitar & voice and Hamid Drake on drums, percussion & voice. Recorded live at Sardegna e Jazz XIX in Sant' Anna Arresi in September of 2004. Paolo Angeli plays a few different modified guitars that he designed himself and has his own approach to playing. He has two fine solo discs out on ReR, where he has commissioned works from different downtown players/composers. He played a modified acoustic guitar with a series of sympathetic strings underneath and diagonal to the regular set at a Zorn improv night at The Stone during Don Cherry month and astonished some of us with his unique approach. On 'Uotha' he plays with Chicago's best and most in-demand drummer, the one and only Hamid Drake. This is a beautifully recorded duet, with sublime magic surrounding it. Paolo's tone goes from the pure acoustic sound with many melodic flourishes and dazzling jazz licks to a variety of odd sounds he coaxes from his other strings. This sounds like a match made in heaven, since they so well and often acoustically together. Paolo uses a distortion pedal on area occasion, adding a bit of unexpected insanity to the equation. On"The Many Faces of the Beloved", Hamid plays frame drum as Paolo plays with a bow on his guitar creating a cello-like sound, as Hamid sings in some ethnic language and it is a quite an enchanting piece. I love when Paolo creates these strange ghost-like sounds on his instrument, with Hamid playing some equally eerie sounds to match. This a most phenomenal duo effort that sounds like no-one else. Paolo Angeli has been coming to town more often over the past couple of years, don't miss a chance to check out this new guitar master." - BLG

CD $17

ALBERTO BRAIDA/LISLE ELLIS/FABRIZIO SPERA - Di Terra (NuBop 02; Italy) Contrabassist Lisle Ellis, has long been one of my favorite bassists, since seeing him with piano wiz Paul Plimley in the early days of the Victo festivals. He moved to the bay area during the nineties and founded the wonderful What We Live trio with Larry Ochs and Donald Robinson. Each of their half dozen discs, with and without guest trumpeters Leo Smith & Dave Douglas, was/is superb. In recent years, Lisle moved to San Diego to teach and runs a few different projects, including a trio with Marco Eneidi & Peter Valsamis called Sound on Survival and this trio with some fine Italian musicians. Just a few months ago, Lisle and his partner, Bonnie Wright, moved here to NYC, so we will be seeing him more often than ever. Hooray! This trio features Alberto Braida on piano, Lisle on contrabass and Fabrizio Spera on drums. This is a particularly strong improvised piano trio date. Navigating through free and focused terrain, always moving together. The trio explode on a few of these pieces, especially "super contact", which has that wonderful turbulent energy, as they all soar together as one ball of eruptions. What I like most about this is the way they work together and think in focused, song-form. There is an amazing intuitive thread that holds things together magically. They sound as if they are completing each others lines or ideas. This is a studio date with superb, well-balanced sound, as great and as adventurous as any piano trio I've reckoned with. A truly colossal effort. Lisle Ellis will hopefully be playing here with saxist Patrick Brennan in the near future, you don't want to miss that one. - BLG
CD $17

MATTHEW SHIPP/WILLIAM PARKER/GUILLERMO E BROWN TRIO - The Trio Plays Ware [David S Ware] (Splasch 862; Italy) Featuring Matt Shipp on piano, William Parker on double bass and Guillermo Brown on Brown on drums. Master pianist Matt Shipp seems to taking his time between new releases of his own as the Thirsty Ear Blue Series picks up speed. We haven't heard this new one yet, but we are just as excited as you. Matt tells me that the David S. Ware Quartet will have a triple live CD out on Thirsty be the end of the year with three different drummers - Susie Ibarra, Guillermo Brown and Hamid Drake.
CD $18

DAVID S. WARE - Live in the Netherlands (Splasch 825; Italy) An amazing solo tenor sax performance.
CD $18


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OUR GIFT LIST!

We list about 2500 CD releases every year, all of them chosen by us based on the interests of the DMG adventurer, and all great [OK, almost all]...

Here's approximately 50 [that's Fifty] 50 KILLER items released this year GUARANTEED to be perfect X-mas/Hannukah/Kwaanza GIFTS! [..but you'll probably keep 'em for yrself! Hey! It takes one to know on..]

They come with the best recommendation possible: No matter who's in the store when we play them, EVERYBODY wants to know what's playing, and they wind up taking 'em home!

This is not BLG's mammoth Best Of 2007 list - expect that this coming February - but you can be Damn Sure these will lead the pack!

Order now so you can wrap it in time for the Holiday SeasonÉ


MUHAL RICHARD ABRAMS/GEORGE LEWIS/ROSCOE MITCHELL - Streaming (Pi 22; USA)
CD $15

JOHN LUTHER ADAMS - Red Arc/Blue Veil (Cold Blue 0026; USA)
CD $14

FRED ANDERSON/HARRISON BANKHEAD - The Great Vision Concert 2003 (Ayler 52; EEC)
CD $20

PAOLO ANGELI - Tessuti: Paolo Angeli plays Frith & Bjork (ReR PA3; UK)
CD $16

ARCANA [JOHN ZORN, Editor] - Arcana II: Musicians On Music [Book] (Hips Road; USA)
BOOK $35

BASEMENT RESEARCH [GEBHARD ULLMANN/STEVE SWELL/JULIAN ARGUELLES/JOHN HEBERT/GERALD CLEAVER] - New Basement Research (SoulNote 121491; Italy)
CD $16

TIM BERNE'S BLOODCOUNT With CHRIS SPEED/MICHAEL FORMANEK/JIM BLACK & MARC DUCRET - Seconds [2 CD + DVD set] (Screwgun 70019; USA)
CD $28

RAOUL BJORKENHEIM & UMO JAZZ ORCHESTRA With JUHANI AALTONEN/IRO HAARLA et al - The Sky Is Ruby (TUM 017; Finland)
CD $20

ANTHONY BRAXTON 12+1 TET - 9 Compositions (Iridium) 2006 [9 CD + 1 DVD box set] (Firehouse12 04-03-001; USA)
CD $120

ANTHONY BRAXTON/JOE FONDA - Duets 1995 [aka 10 Compositions (Duet) 1995] (Clean Feed 79; Portugal)
CD $17

BURNT SUGAR / THE ARKESTRA CHAMBER - Live from Minnegiggle Falls (Trugroid; USA)
CD $13

ANDREA CENTAZZO/MITTELEUROPA ORCHESTRA - The Complete Recordings 1979-1983 [6 CD Box Set] (Ictus 501; Italy)
CD $60

NELS CLINE SINGERS - Draw Breath (Cryptogramophone 133; USA)
CD $16

GRAHAM COLLIER With TED CURSON/JOHN SURMAN/TOMASZ STANKO/KENNY WHEELER et al - Hoarded Dreams: Live At The Bracknell Jazz Festival 1983 (Cuneiform 252; USA)
CD $13

RICHARD CRANDELL - Spring Steel (Tzadik 8041; USA)
CD $14

ELTON DEAN & THE WRONG OBJECT - The Unbelievable Truth: Live In Paris October 2005 (Moonjune 009; USA)
CD $15

DEATH AMBIENT [HIDEKI KATO/IKUE MORI/FRED FRITH] - Drunken Forest (Tzadik 7264; USA)
CD $14

DELTA SAXOPHONE QUARTET With Guest HUGH HOPPER - Dedicated To You..But You Weren't Listening: The Music Of Soft Machine (Moonjune 017; USA)
CD $15

EXPLODING STAR ORCHESTRA - We Are All From Somewhere Else (Thrill Jockey 181; USA)
CD $14

FANTASTIC MERLINS [NATHAN HANSON/JACQUELINE FERRIER-ULTAN/BRIAN ROESSLER/FEDERICO UGHI] - Look Around (Innova 670; USA)
CD $14

ERIK FRIEDLANDER - Block Ice & Propane (Skipstone; USA)
CD $12

FRED FRITH & CHRIS CUTLER - The Stone: Issue 2 - Live At The Stone December 15th, 2006 (Tzadik 0003 LTDED; USA) ALL PROCEEDS [100% of $20] FROM THE SALE OF THIS CD WILL GO DIRECTLY TO SUPPORT 'THE STONE' PERFORMANCE SPACE.
CD $21

STEVE HARRIS ZAUM SEPTET + ANDREA PARKINS - I Hope You Never Love Anything As Much As I Love You (Amazon 14; UK)
CD $16

HEALING FORCE [VINNY GOLIA/AURORA JOSEPHSON/HENRY KAISER/MIKE KENEALLY/JOE MORRIS/DAMON SMITH/WEASEL WALTER] - The Songs Of Albert Ayler (Cuneiform 255; USA)
CD $15

INDIGO TRIO [NICOLE MARGARET MITCHELL/HARRISON BANKHEAD/HAMID DRAKE] - Live In Montreal (Greenleaf P03; USA)
CD $12

JEWELS AND BINOCULARS [MICHAEL MOORE/LINDSEY HORNER/MICHAEL VATCHER] + BILL FRISELL - Ships With Tatooed Sails: Play music of Bob Dylan (Vol 3) (Upshot 02; USA)
CD $15

CARLA KIHLSTEDT/SATOKO FUJII - Minamo (Henceforth 105; USA)
CD $14

PETER KOWALD//LAURENCE PETIT-JOUVET, dir. - Off The Road/Chicago Improvisations/U.S. Tour 2000 [2 DVDs + 1 CD box set] (RogueArt 08; EEC)
2 DVDs + CD $45

JOELLE LEANDRE/KEVIN NORTON - Winter In New York 2006: At The Stone (Leo 499; UK)
CD $17

ROSCOE MITCHELL & THE TRANSATLANTIC ART ENSEMBLE With EVAN PARKER/BARRY GUY/CRAIG TABORN/PAUL LYTTON et al - Composition/Improvisation Nos. 1, 2 & 3 (ECM 1872; USA)
CD $17

ALIPIO C NETO QUARTET With HERB ROBERTSON/KEN FILIANO/MICHAEL TA THOMPSON - The Perfume Comes Before The Flower (clean feed 93; Portugal)
CD $17

EVAN PARKER/DEREK BAILEY/HAN BENNINK - The Topography Of The Lungs (1970) (psi 06.05; UK) (1970)
CD $20

EVAN PARKER/AGUSTI FERNANDEZ/BARRY GUY/PAUL LYTTON - Topos (Maya 0701; EEC)
CD $19

(((POWERHOUSE))) [KEN VANDERMARK/INGEBRIGT HAKER FLATEN/NATE McBRIDE/PAAL NILSSEN-LOVE et al] - Oslo/Chicago: (((Breaks))) [2 CD set] (Atavistic 177; USA)
CD $20

ROB REDDY'S SMALL TOWN With BRANDON ROSS/CURTIS HASSELBRING et al - The Book of The Storm (Reddy 02; USA)
CD $15

MARC RIBOT//ANAIS PROSAIC, dir. - The Lost String/Five Solo Pieces [DVD] (La Huit; USA) [Originally a 2 DVD-R set, this is now a manufactured silver DVD containng all the programming from both discs]
DVD $25

PAUL ROGERS/EDWARD PERRAUD - Two Loose (FMR 231; UK)
CD $16

NED ROTHENBERG & SYNC [JEROME HARRIS/SAMIR CHATTERJEE] With MARK FELDMAN/ERIK FRIEDLANDER - Inner Diaspora: Sync With Strings (Tzadik 8114; USA)
CD $14

KEITH ROWE - The Room (Erstwhile ERSTSOLO 01; USA)
CD $13

SUN RA QUARTET With JOHN GILMORE/MICHAEL RAY/LUQMAN ALI - Disco 3000: The Complete Milan Concert 1978 - Expanded Edition [2 CD set] (Art Yard CD02; UK)
CD $26

STEVE SWELL'S FIRE INTO MUSIC With JEMEEL MOONDOC/WILLIAM PARKER/HAMID DRAKE - Swimming in a Galaxy of Goodwill and Sorrow (RogueArt 09; EEC)
CD $16

T.E.C.K. STRING QUARTET [TOMAS ULRICH/ELLIOTT SHARP/CARLOS ZINGARO/KEN FILIANO] - T.E.C.K. String Quartet (clean feed 89; Portugal)
CD $17

TERRITORY BAND-5 [KEN VANDERMARK/AXEL DORNER/PAUL LYTTON/FRED LONBERG-HOLM et al] - New Horse For The White House [3 CD set] (Okka Disk 12080; USA)
CD $24

KEITH TIPPETT/JULIE TIPPETTS [DRISCOLL]/LOUIS MOHOLO-MOHOLO'S VIVA-LA-BLACK & CANTO GENERAL - Viva La Black Live At Ruvo (Ogun 020; UK)
CD $20

DAVID TORN With TIM BERNE/CRAIG TABORN/TOM RAINEY - Prezens (ECM 1877; USA)
CD $17

KAZUTOKI UMEZU KIKI BAND With KIDO NATSUKI - Demagogue (Zott 03; Japan)
CD $18

TREVOR WATTS/JAMIE HARRIS - Ancestry (Entropy 016; USA)
CD $15

ROBERT WYATT With PHIL MANZANERA/BRIAN ENO/PAUL WELLER et al - Comicopera (Domino; USA)
CD $15

OTOMO YOSHIHIDE'S NEW JAZZ ORCHESTRA [ONJO] - Live Vol 1: Series Circuit [2 CD set] (Doubt 115/116; Japan)
CD $26

OTOMO YOSHIHIDE'S NEW JAZZ ORCHESTRA [ONJO] - Live Vol 2: Parallel Circuit [2 CD set] (Doubt 117/118; Japan)
CD $26

JOHN ZORN//MIKE PATTON/TREVOR DUNN/JOEY BARON/IKUE MORI/JAMIE SAFT - Six Litanies for Heliogabalus (Tzadik 7361; USA)
CD $14

JOHN ZORN MASADA BOOK TWO: MARC RIBOT - Asmodeus: 'Book Of Angels' Vol. 7 (Tzadik 7362; USA)
CD $14





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



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

This Sunday, November 25th
6pm - WATSON JENNISON, soprano sax & flute, FRANCOIS GRILLOT, bass & TODD CAPP, drums

Next Sunday, December 2nd
6pm Ð ANDREW DRURY Ð Solo Percussion


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

November, 2007 curated by Jeremiah Cymerman

11/23 Friday
8 pm - Soundpainting Tentet: The Art of Live Composition
Michael Attias (woodwinds) Jeremiah Cymerman (clarinet) Sam Kulik (trombone) John O'Brien (percussion) Olivia De Prato (violin) David Grunberg (violin) Frantz Loriot (viola) Gil Selinger (cello) James Ilgenfritz (bass) Christian Pincock (laptop) Olle Karlsson (bass) Walter Thompson and Evan Mazunik compose an evening of Soundpaintings with an ensemble of New York's finest improvisers.
10 pm - Evil Eye Quartet w/ Jonathan Moritz (tenor sax) Ken Filiano (bass) Mike Pride (drums, glockenspiel) Taylor Ho Bynum (cornet, trumpet); Pride & Moritz co-lead this "jazz" quartet featuring original compositions by both - informed by the 6 years the two have been playing and developing, together and separate. The band will play pieces from their new CD "Doin' It All For My Baby" on KMB Jazz.

11/24 Saturday
8 pm - Samamidon-But This Chicken Proved False-Hearted (2007) Plug Research; Sam Amidon (sing, banjo, guitar) Thomas Bartlett (piano, wurlitzer, drum, accordion, electric guitar); Sam sings ancient American folksongs, Thomas makes sonic enigma and interference.
10 pm - Time of Orchids-Namesake Caution (2007) Cuneiform Records
Jesse Krakow (bass, vocals) Chuck Stern (vocals, keys, guitar) Bodie (drums) Eric Fitzgerald (guitar, vocals)

11/25 Sunday
8 pm - Kjell Bj¿rgeengen (visuals) Okkyung Lee (amplified cello)
Norwegian visual artist Kjell Bj¿rgeengen's art practice is an investigation of reality. Over the years he has collaborated with Evan Parker, Keith Rowe and Marc Ribot and many others musicians. After being the only audience member in Okkyung's solo concert a few years back, they are playing together for the first time at the Stone.
10 pm - Jessica Feldman & Special Guests - Jessica Feldman (video)

11/27 Tuesday
8 pm - Nate Wooley Solo (trumpet) small sounds, big sounds, and silence.
10 pm Ð Sparks - Tom Blancarte (bass) Peter Evans (trumpet)
Hyperactive duo improvisations for piccolo trumpet and double bass.