Bruce Lee G & Van O' Fans return from the amazing Victo Fest 2008 to find..

Four new Tzadiks! Mario Pavone w/ Paul Bley & Matt Wilson! Dave Liebman/Ellery Eskelin Qt! Okkyung Lee LP! Kevin Drumm! Chicago/Luzern Exchange! Sunny Murray's Untouchable Factor! Ray Russell Qt! & even more...




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Downtown Music Gallery Presents:

This Sunday, May 25th at 6pm for free -
AB BAARS & IG HENNEMAN DUO!
A rare treat with two of The Netherlands' finest musicians!


Tuesday, June 17th at 7pm for free -
HANS KOCH - SOLO CLARINETS & SOPRANO SAX!
Rare solo set from Swiss reeds hero of Koch/Schutz/Studer!


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Four New Tzadik releases!

PHANTOM ORCHARD [ZEENA PARKINS/IKUE MORI] - Orra (Tzadik 7718; USA) Friends and colleagues since 1988, Ikue Mori and Zeena Parkins are two of the strongest musical voices out of the downtown scene. Lynchpins of bands as diverse as DNA, Skeleton Crew, Electric Masada, Hemophiliac and Bjork, their duo project Phantom Orchard is the perfect outlet for their unique and personal musical languages and their rapport is evident in each and every track. Here they create eleven compositions of unique cutting edge music with the help of some of the brightest lights in improvised music. Mystery, lyricism and electronic soundscapes from this most dynamic of all dynamic duos. TZADIK ORACLES SERIES
CD $14

ELLIOTT SHARP - String Quartets: 2002 - 2007 (Tzadik 8052; USA) This is the second CD in a series presenting the complete string quartets of composer /performer/producer, and instrument builder Elliott Sharp, one of the busiest and most consistently inventive figures in the downtown scene Elliott has forged a unique language blending computer science, fractals, improvisation and mathematics, and his dynamic compositions for string quartets are some of the best work in his catalog. Brilliantly performed by the dynamic Sirius Quartet who has a history with Sharp's music that goes back decades, this is intense and imaginative new music from one of the most unique compositional voices working today. TZADIK COMPOSER SERIES
CD $14

HAINO KEIJI/TATSUYA YOSHIDA - Uhrfasudhasdd (Tzadik 7265; USA) A new recording by a legendary duo! Following up on their acclaimed CD New Rap, two of the Tokyo Underground's most extreme artists get together again for another twisted exploration of the outer limits of sound. Performing on voice, guitars, drums, keyboards, samplers, theremin and more, Haino and Yoshida take full advantage of studio techniques and digital editing in creating this bizarre and masterful suite of songs and instrumentals. Ghostly, intense and howlingly funny! TZADIK NEW JAPAN SERIES
CD $14

DANIEL ZAMIR With URI CAINE/GREG COHEN/JOEY BARON - I Believe (Tzadik 8125; USA) Daniel Zamir, whose first three CDs for Tzadik contain some of the most passionate and sophisticated blending of Jewish Music and Jazz ever recorded returns to Tzadik after a five-year hiatus in Israel to present his complex musical vision with a dynamic new quartet. Joined by three of the most exciting musicians in the New York Jazz scene, pianist Uri Caine, bassist Greg Cohen and percussionist extraordinaire Joey Baron, Zamir's music takes on a more mature and spiritual quality. This is New Jewish instrumental music at its very best. TZADIK RADICAL JEWISH CULTURE SERIES
CD $14


OKKYUNG LEE - I Saw The Ghost Of An Unknown Soul And It Said... (Ecstatic Peace 92 B; USA) "Anyone who has seen and heard Korean improviser & composer Okkyung Lee blow collective minds with her supremely amazing cello noise, energy, vibration, friction and true sound feeling music knows that in a world of wild and mind-snapping improvisers, Okkyung is one of the most exciting players to arrive down the rocky road in some time. After being in music schools from the age of 3 to 25, Okkyung found her artistic freedom in NYC's Lower East Side, where she moved in 2000. Since then, she has performed and recorded with numerous artists such as Laurie Anderson, Derek Bailey, Steve Beresford, Nels Cline, Chris Corsano, Fred Frith, Shelley Hirsch, Susie Ibarra, Thurston Moore, 'Butch' Morris, Jim O'Rourke, Beth Orton, Christian Marclay, Ikue Mori, DJ Olive, Zeena Parkins, Marina Rosenfeld, and John Zorn. Okkyung released her debut CD, Nihm, on Tzadik; a duo recording with Christian Marclay on My Cat is an Alien label's split LP series called Rubbings, a CD of her own compositions in collaboration with artist Colin Stinson for his art book Dust to Dust, and now this solo cello vinyl-only LP I Saw The Ghost Of An Unknown Soul And It Said.... This LP contains some of her most deep and resonant, at once furious and hushed string, bow and wood music recorded to date. Beautiful and frightening, daring to be both."
LP $14



MARIO PAVONE TRIO ARC With PAUL BLEY/MATT WILSON - Trio Arc (Playscape 100807; USA) Featuring Mario Pavone on contrabass, Paul Bley on piano and Matt Wilson on drums. This is a completely improvised and consistently engaging sessions from three veteran modern jazz heroes and bandleaders. Contrabassist extraordinaire, Mario Pavone's career began in the mid-sixties. He moved to New York in 1967 to become a part of the emerging avant/jazz scene with the Jazz Composers Orchestra Association. In 1968, Mario joined Paul Bley's trio with Barry Altschul and played a gig in Montreal which was recorded and released as an album called, 'Canada,' an outstanding but obscure LP long out-of-print. Some forty years later, Mario and Paul Bley have gotten back together and created this new trio date with Matt Wilson, a great drummer with whom both musicians have worked in the past.
No words were said between these musicians when this studio date took place and no words were needed. There is a sense of exploration and challenge that runs throughout this disc. An edge of your seat type of excitement from explosive to cautious, moving in waves together. Often, this disc doesn't sound wholly improvised sense the musicians think musically and come up with magical instant melodies. There is no leader here, as each member of the trio directs the flow and navigates the rapids at different times. Ebb and flow, rise and fall, emerge and submerge, it all feels most natural in the way things unfold. This is my favorite piano trio disc of 2008, without any doubt. - BLG
CD $15



New Liebman/Eskelin Quartet release!

DAVE LIEBMAN/ELLERY ESKELIN With TONY MARINO/JIM BLACK - Renewal (Hat ology 654; Switzerland) Featuring David Liebman (tenor sax); Ellery Eskelin (tenor sax); Tony Marino (double bass); Jim Black (drums, percussion). There is a common understanding that we all share of freedom and spontaneity framed within underlying structures accompanied by a loving nod to the jazz legacy. The compositions heard on this CD evidence a diversity of idioms and styles unified by a common aesthetical approach. This is a group where straight ahead and free jazz clearly intersect with a feeling of immediacy and urgency that is palpable. Enjoy the music. - David Liebman
We covered a lot of ground on Different But The Same (hatOLOGY 615) but due to the fact that Tony and Jim are now contributing compositions I think Renewal has even more scope and is a more personal statement from the group. Tony's Palpable Clock is a ten bar blues and Jim's Cha is a melodic essay written in 7/4. Dave's Dimi and the Blue Men reflects his recent trip to Mauritania while Renewal is one of his signature deep ballads. Of my own pieces, The Decider is a multi-sectioned composition while Instant Counterpoint begs the question of whether it is written or completely improvised. Even I don't know for sure. - Ellery Eskelin
CD $20

also available..

DAVE LIEBMAN/ELLERY ESKELIN With TONY MARINO/JIM BLACK - Different But The Same (Hat ology 615; Switzerland)
CD $20


SCORCH TRIO [RAOUL BJORKENHEIM/INGEBRIGT HAKER FLATEN/PAAL NILSSEN-LOVE] - Brolt! (Rune Grammofon 3074; EEC) The third album from this free spirited power trio is a masterful example of passionate improvisation and breathtaking interplay. The hand in glove rhythm section of Paal Nilssen-Love (drums) and Ingebrigt Haker Flaten (bass) has graced a large number of recordings over the years and Finish guitar maestro Raoul Bjorkenheim has been around since recording with Edvard Vesala and Krakatau for ECM back in the days. As with their previous albums Scorch Trio and Luggumt, Brolt is an old school analog recording -- the band set up in one room, instruments and amps miked with vintage microphones, playing live and recording to analog multi-track tape with no overdubs and editing and then mixing down to quarter-inch analog tape with no overdubs or editing. There's a slightly different vibe to Brolt than that of its predecessors, maybe caused by the change of studio or the fact that they specifically set out to make it more of an ensemble recording where all instruments are treated equally. They went into the studio straight after a short, but very hectic tour of Europe and Japan, which may explain the more loose, live feel of many of the tracks.
Bjorkenheim was raised on Hendrix, Zappa and rock music before he discovered Miles, Coltrane, Mingus and Eric Dolphy. He has written film scores and orchestral music and recorded with Bill Laswell, Henry Kaiser, Jah Wobble, Peter Erskine, Paul Schutze, Mats Gustafsson and others. Haker Flaten is a member of The Thing, Atomic, School Days and Free Fall and has his own quintet. He has played with Edvard Vesala, Krakatau and Tony Oxley and many others. Nilssen-Love is the most profiled player on the Norwegian jazz scene. A member of The Thing, School Days, Frode Gjerstad Trio, Atomic and several others, the two most important things for him are energy and creative freedom -- both vital ingredients in the Scorch Trio musical vocabulary.
CD $17

and..

SCORCH TRIO [RAOUL BJORKENHEIM/INGEBRIGT HAKER FLATEN/PAAL NILSSEN-LOVE] - Brolt!: Expanded Edition [2 LP set; ltd ed of 500 copies] (Rune Grammofon 3074; EEC) [THIS DOUBLE LP CONTAINS AN XTRA 4 CUTS - 33 MINUTES - NOT FOUND INCLUDED ON THE CD EDITION!]
(these are limited & almost gone - 5/23/08)
2 LP set for $27



HEAVEN AND [TONY BUCK/STEVE HEATHER/MARTIN SIEWERT/ZEITBLOM/ ALEXANDER HACKE] - Sweeter As The Years Roll By (Staubgold 87; Germany) Heaven And are Tony Buck (drums, percussion); Steve Heather (drums, marimba, percussion); Martin Siewert (guitars, lap steel, electronics, keyboard); Zeitblom (bass, keyboards) and Alexander Hacke (vocals). Sweeter As The Years Roll By is their debut full-length release for the Staubgold label and it's a phrase that many will associate with wine. The music of the 21st century has evolved to become the proverbial "old wine in new skins" -- since remixing, cut'n'paste, and other methods of producing new culture by using the old, have become available to almost everyone. Because of the "digital revolution," the layman can now easily become the mixer and magician. The music of Heaven And is inspired by the diverse music styles all conglomerated in our culture -- elements of the diverse musical styles from the last five decades are clearly discernible. Listening to the first track "As If A Star," one can make out a vast range of influences: a psychedelic backwards guitar cuts through the whirr of a cymbal reminiscent of jazz and trance music, while in the second half, a layer of guitar sounds hovers over it all, which reminds one of the sounds emanating from the Fender amps of the bands belonging to the so-called Americana movement. At the same time, the track comes across as an update of those stoic monster tracks of early '70s Krautrock. (And when it comes to minimalism, the bass line beats any of Holger Czukay's in terms of sparseness.) "Bring Back Those Happy Days" with its manic, almost exploding guitar and its rompish, hippie-like percussion orgy, is quite another cup of tea. Art Ensemble Of Chicago meets Keiji Haino? Or Pharoah Sanders meets Sonny Sharrock meets Boredoms?
CD $17



The Chicago Luzern Exchange, impressive Young Turks of the Chicago New Jazz scene, were passing through NYC on tour, and left us with the last copies of their tour-only goods

CHICAGO LUZERN EXCHANGE [JOSH BERMAN/KEEFE JACKSON/MARC UNTERNAHRER/FRANK ROSALY] - Live At WIST Graz Austria 2006 (Molk 01; USA) [ltd ed CD-R]
CD $12

JOSH BERMAN/KEEFE JACKSON - Keefe Jackson/Josh Berman (self released; USA) [ltd ed CD-R]
CD $12

JOSH BERMAN GROUP//KEEFE JACKSON QUARTET - Josh Berman Group/Keefe Jackson Quartet [ltd #d of 100 copies] (self released; USA) [ltd ed CD-R] spit CD: Josh Berman Group [Berman, Keefe Jackson, Jason Adasiewicz, Anton Hatwich, Nori Tanaka] 4 tracks; and Keefe Jackson Quartet [Jackson, Jeb Bishop, Jason Roebke, Nori Tanaka] 5 tracks
CD $15

FRANK ROSALY - Milk Work I, II, III [3 CD set] (Molk; USA) Limited edition in metal binder. Instructions for use are to play all 3 CDs at the same time in one space!
3 CD set $40

774th STREET QUARTET [GUILLERMO GREGORIO/KEEFE JACKSON /THOMAS MEJER/ARAM SHELTON] - A Rare Thing (Bloody Murder 101; USA)
CD $15



RICHARD BLIWAS - Was Is (Rising Rose Records 05; USA) Another fine contribution from local legend and composer, Richard Bliwas. This is a complete solo offering with Richard Bliwas on piano, Vox organ, synth bass, guitar, percussion and vocals. In the past, Richard has utilized the talents of some of downtown's best like Dave Tronzo, Michael Blake and Ben Allison. This is Richard's second solo offering. Mr. Bliwas is not easy to describe or pin down. "Rubber Vendor" consists of layers of charming ghost-like drifting vocals and dreamy electric piano and organ. It sounds as if he is using a typewriter as a percussion instrument on "Wire Doll." Richard likes to play a few layers of organ and piano lines at the same time so that there is a number of swirling and intersecting waves that flow around one another simultaneously. Richard's spooky vocals are often bathed in waves of echoes that are often mesmerizing and occasionally totally spaced-out. I dig the laid-back, dreamy ambiance, although I sometimes feel as if I am about to drown in the haze. - BLG
CD $12


ECSTASY MULE - Contemplates Hunting & Drinking When the Rainbow is Enuf [CD-EP] (Batterrie Records 004, USA) Ecstasy Mule is Len 37 (Seigfried) and Casey G (Kurt Gottschalk) on acoustic & electric guitars, bouzouki, Korg and electronic effects. This is their third release and again they surprise me with their wacky inventiveness. This 38+ minute disc consists of four different versions of "Missouri Couple Against Hunting & Drinking" with three different vocalists utilized. On the first track, Reid Gray reads what sounds like a police reports of the knuckleheaded mishaps of those who shouldn't own guns and end up hurting themselves. The music is contemplative and dark, giving us time to consider these sad adventures. The music seems to get darker and more treacherous on each piece. Motoko Shimuzu's voice is somewhat spooky on the second track with guest percussion from our own Mikey IQ Jones (from Brown Wing Overdrive). Kristen Persino does the spoken word thing on the third track and reminds me of one of my grammar school teachers, somewhat scary but real. Len and Casey do a fine job of evoking the darker side of life when threatened by idiots with guns. Track 4 features mostly layers of looped talking with some distant beats. Strange and fun sounds for strange and fun times. - BLG
CD-EP $8


YOSHI WADA - The Appointed Cloud (EM 1076; Japan) This is the first-ever release of the extraordinary 1987 performance of Yoshi Wada's interactive sound installation The Appointed Cloud, recorded in the Great Hall of the New York Hall of Science. This majestic recording captures 60 minutes of sound produced by a self-made 80-pipe organ, a pipe gong, sirens and a massive suspended metal sheet, all triggered by a computer program designed by David Rayna. The CD also features Wada, Bob Drombowski and Wayne Hankin on bagpipes, plus Michael Pugliese (percussion). Dramatically structured, shifting and intense, The Appointed Cloud features massive low frequencies and regal percussion vying with the ululations of bagpipes, all resounding in the huge, reverberant space of the Great Hall with its 24-meter ceiling. This CD, the second Yoshi Wada release as a joint production of EM Records and Omega Point (the first being the reissue of 1982's Lament For The Rise and Fall of the Elephantine Crocodile), is sure to delight all who enjoy drones, dynamics and drama. "His creation explores the effects of low, rumbling bass sounds and the higher, ringing tones of the organ as they reverberate off the curving walls of the space ... The work continues Wada's fascination with producing sub-sonic sounds -- sound frequencies so low that it seems the sounds are produced by the inner ear rather than an outside source." -- from the liner notes
CD $21


MAURICIO KAGEL - Ludwig van / A Report by [DVD] (Winter & Winter 915006; Germany) "Ludwig Van" is a 90-minute film directed by Mr, Kagel. A person is walking around with camera filming things about Beethoven: a statue, books in a store window, people staring at the film-maker, folks listening to Beethoven records, going to a Beethoven museum, seeing coins and different busts of Beethoven, a jukebox, a bathtub filled with small casts of Beethoven heads, paper sculptures made from Beethoven's written music, traveling on a boat, silhouettes of musicians on the boat, discussions of Beethoven and much more. It gives one quite a bit to think about. All in all, this is an extraordinary celebration of the great Argentina-born composer Mauricio Kagel and his many facets. - BLG
DVD $30


LUIGI NONO - Quando Stanno Morendo (Stradivarius 57007; Italy) In October 1981 - in the heydays of Solidarnosz - Luigi Nono receives the commission to write a composition for a music festival in Warsaw. On September 13 Jaruzelsky seizes power. The festival is cancelled and Luigi Nono loses contact with the friends who had invited him. Which only stirs his desire to complete the work. He dedicates it to 'the Polish friends and comrades who resist in exile, in hiding, in jail, at work - who continue to hope amidst hopelessness, who continue to hope despite their disbelief'. One year later, on October 3, Luigi Nono's work is performed - as if it were by default - in Venice. It is christened 'Quando stanno morendo. Diario polacco nr.2', lasts for nearly half an hour, and is written for four female voices, cello, bass flute and 'live electronics'.
CD $16


ASTOR PIAZZOLLA // ASTORIA - Adios Nonino (Fuga Libera 606; EEC) A string quintet, a grand piano, and the fluttering chromatic accordion of leader Christophe Delporte: at first sight Astoria's approach is classical, like the background of its members. The group's first Piazzolla CD was awarded Disc of the Month in October 2006 by Argentine tango magazine La Salida. This second album, with the added sensation of percussionist Santo Scinta, was recorded during a concert at the Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles.
CD $16


ARTHUR HONEGGER - Rugby (Alpha 802; EEC) The Grand Orchestre Symphonique performs Honegger's "Rugby," "Pacific 231," "Symphony No. 3 Liturgique" and "15 Songs for Voice & Orchestra". In the third leg of our pilgrimage in search of long lost sound, we brought down from the shelves of the abundant archive service of the Discoth�que Centrale de Radio France, a series of recordings related to the composer, director and pianist Arthur Honegger. The wax engravings of the Rugby or Pacific 2.3.1 symphonic movements are famous (or at least knownÉ) but music and record lovers will notice in this new volume in the collection Ç P�cheurs de perles È this rare Decca version of Symphony n¡3 Ç Liturgique È under the direction of the author. Also to be discovered are fifteen rare melodies, presented and sung here by voices chosen by Honegger, all the more interesting since the composer himself sat at the piano. These are tones from the past in moving and ideal live interpretations. A priceless witness of Arthur Honnegger's way of thinking about music.
CD $16


LEONARD BERNSTEIN // LUCERNE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA - Kaddish (Nimbus Records 5807; UK) Schšnberg, Weill, Bernstein - In memory of the persecuted and downtrodden of this world. Arnold Schšnberg, Kurt Weill, Leonard Bernstein - three Jewish fates, three eminent, albeit very different, 20th century composers. Schšnberg and Weill, both born in Europe and forced to emigrate after the National Socialists seized power, went on to develop rather contrasting forms of musical expression in their American exile, with Schšnberg continuing steadily on the path of atonality which he had initially embarked on in Europe. Weill found a new direction as a Broadway musical composer and could well be considered as a predecessor of Leonard Bernstein. Arnold Schšnberg, in turn, was an important paragon for the aspiring composer Kurt Weill who for a while considered studying under Schšnberg in Vienna. The plan fell through due to Weill lacking the financial means to cover the expensive private lessons.
CD $15


ELIANE RADIGUE - Chry-Ptus [2 CD Set] (Schoolmap 02; Italy) Double CD of early Radigue music -- classic Buchla synthesizer sounds from one of the greatest minimalist composer/performers ever. There are a total of 4 versions of the "CHRY-PTUS" piece here, spread over 2 discs: two of the original 1971 versions, a 2001 Radigue realization and a 2006 realization by Giuseppe Ielasi. "Originally two tapes which are to be played simultaneously, with or without synchronization, which does not affect the structure of the work, but creates changes in the game of sub-harmonics and overtones. Three variations on this piece were performed at the New York Cultural Center in 1971, with variations of amplitude and location modulation as well as synchronization. Realized on the Buchla Synthesizer at New York University. The booklet contains a text by painter Paul Jenkins, who also realized the watercolor on the front cover, written on occasion of Radigue's first concert in New York, April 6th, 1971."The last we tried to mention this disc, it sold out before we had a chance to get any copies.
2 CD Set for $25

AKIRA RABELAIS - Hollywood (Schoolmap 03; Italy) "The birth of Akira Rabelais' Hollywood has its roots in the composer's lifelong interest in field recordings and in the desire to create a piece of work dedicated to Los Angeles: Texas-born Rabelais has used a Tascam recorder to capture almost four hours' worth of sounds on Hollywood Boulevard, between Betty Grable's and of Rod Serling's stars. These original recordings have been lightly edited, cut and mastered into a composition that encapsulates the sounds of casual chats, drunken tourists, peddlers, passing cars, music coming from surrounding shops. An extremely dynamic and always changing soundscape dedicated to 'the pleasure of being present.' Akira Rabelais, composer and software developer based in Los Angeles, has released records on Ritornell, Orthlorng Musork and Samadhisound. He has collaborated, among others, with Bjork, David Sylvian, Harold Budd and Stephan Mathieu."
CD $20


MARGARET LENG TAN // EVANS CHAN - director - Sorceress of the New Piano, The Artistry of Margaret Leng Tan (Mode 194; USA) 'Sorceress of the New Piano' (2004), 90 min., is a fascinating documentary by Evans Chan about new music specialist Margaret Leng Tan. Margaret is well known for her toy piano performances of music by John Cage and others, but also for pieces that use extended techniques such as prepared, plucked, bowed and/or strumming the piano. I always find it fascinating to see what all those mysterious and strange sounds are and how they are made. Not just an overview of Tan's impressive work with the music of modern composers Cage, Henry Cowell, George Crumb, Jed Distler, Ge Gan-ru, Philip Glass, Guy Klucevsek, Stephen Montague, Somei Satoh, Tan Dun, Toby Twining, Lois V Vierk and others, but also a great introduction to modern "new" classical music. Cameo guest commentaries by various composers, critics and performers. Bonus film The Maverick Piano (2006), 50 min., features six full-length performances of pieces by Cage (In a Landscape with Great Small Works, In the Name of the Holocaust, Music for Piano No. 2), Gan-Ru (Gu Yue "Pipa"), Erik Satie (GymnopŽdie No. 3 with Great Small Works) and Toby Twining (Satie Blues with Great Small Works). I know there's a lot of music documentary and live performance DVDs out there, but there should be more like this one. Guest review - David Beardsley
DVD $22


RICCARDO DILLON WANKE - Caves (Sedimental 051; USA) "Riccardo Dillon Wanke's Caves was composed and recorded in 2006 in Alfama (historical district of Lisbon, Portugal) using acoustic and electric guitars, saxophones and natural sound elements starting from pure radical improvisation evolving into the investigation of drones and static and looped music related to minimalism. At the center of these works are the binaural beats in musical composition, the results lying between classical composition, minimalistic improvisation and a 'folk' sensitivity. The five tracks of Caves explore this in various ways. Its music plays with the relation between different geometries: expanded drones and concrete sounds, acoustic melodies and looped music. The project is music with a sort of irrational tension within a composed piece, built as a musical space made with few elements. On the surface, its aura seems immediately knowable and known, yet Wanke has delivered a much more complex, nearly radical gesture."
CD $14

KYLE BOBBY DUNN - Fragments & Compositions (Sedimental 052; USA) "Fragments & Compositions is a collection of long-processed recordings that began at several universities and art centers visited frequently from 2005 to 2007. Working with classically-trained musicians recruited on a whim, Dunn recorded the often awkward sounds of the sessions and sparse notes of the musicians as Dunn dictated. The music addresses amongst other aspects: the pace of meeting people and their vanishing, the human condition, the nothingness of being, indifference, the ephemeral, the bleak and the misery of mid-winter and mid-summer. Yet also the warmly humanist acceptance of these negative terms and things. Sedimental has been following Dunn's sensitive and world-wise drone works closely for many years, and with this brilliant new release we hope to expand his presence on many levels." "...there's an austere classical air to Dunn's compositions, recalling the geometry of cathedral domes and the interlaced ribs of vaulted ceilings." --The Wire
CD $14


KEVIN DRUMM - Imperial Distortion [2 CD set] (Hospital 134; USA) Kevin Drumm is a versatile electronic musician who creates very intense music. With "Imperial Distortion" he presents the listener with focused undulating minimalist synth drones that rests the mind and excites the ear. A beautifully submersive, and dare I say relaxing, compositions which requires an attentive ear for all the subtleties occurring. The Hospital label has been documenting an array of electronic sounds, this one seems to pay homage to the early minimal electronic pioneers. With the daunting photos of trash in the mud, some non-descript military procession, and presumably Kevin Drumm's bedroom (notice the Deicide poster and the analog synth...contradictions or not?), you may expect different music to be heard on this disc, but this is not a typical noise release! Well, except on disc 2, track 3, 12 mins and 40 seconds into the track, there is a short burst, to bring you back to reality, like a hypnotist snapping their fingers. For newbies, this one that may ease you deeper into his catalog. For fans of Cluster, Eno, Moebius, etc. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - Chuck Bettis/DMG
CD $16



SUNNY MURRAY'S UNTOUCHABLE FACTOR With OLIVER LAKE/ARTHUR BLYTHE/FRANK FOSTER/DON PULLEN/CECIL McBEE/FRED HOPKINS - Apple Cores (Baystate; Japan) Recorded in NYC, Blank Tapes Studio 1/1/78. Sunny Murray-d Frank Foster-ss Oliver Lake-as Jimmy Vass-as Youseff Yancy-tp,flh,theremin,various electro-acoustical sound manipulating devices Don Pullen-p Monnette Sudler-g Cecil McBee-b Hamiet Bluiett-bs, Arthur Blythe-as Fred Hopkins-b Abdul Zahir Batin-fl,whistles,perc Sonny Brown-d
(Limited edition Japanese import)
CD $33


RAY RUSSELL QUARTET - Turn Circle (Vocalion SML8436; UK) Turn Circle is the debut album of the quartet led by guitarist and composer Ray Russell. Recorded in 1968 for CBS's Realm Jazz series and arguably Ray's finest jazz album, it mixes compositions by such notable figures as Wayne Shorter (Footprints) and Charles Lloyd (Sombrero Sam) with Ray Russell originals. The best known of these is the suite in three movements A Day in the Working Life of a Slave of Lower Egypt. This remarkable work blends modal writing and free collective improvisation to stunning effect while showcasing the individual talents in the quartet, which are Roy Fry (piano), Ron Mathewson (double bass) and Alan Rushton (drums).
CD $20



I just discovered these discs (5/08) while doing some research about the 33Jazz/Records label - a great but under-valued British jazz label that has close to 100 discs, yet some of the better ones are now out-of-print. Unfortunately, these are the last copies of some great British gems, so dig in quicklyÉ

DICK HECKSTALL-SMITH - Celtic Steppes (33Jazz Records 027; UK) Featuring the late and legendary British saxist Dick Heckstall-Smith and his 20-piece orchestra w/ Ray Warleigh, Don Weller, Peter Lemer, Claude Deppa, Lucky Ranku and even more. As a longtime fan of Dick Heckstall-Smith, I was surprised to find this outstanding disc overlooked by most folks who know about modern British jazz. Mr. Heckstall-Smith has had a long and diverse career reaching back to the early sixties: from the Graham Bond Organization to Alexis Korner Blues Inc. to Colosseum to solo efforts and collaborations with John Stevens, amongst the high points. This disc turns out to be one of his crowning achievements.
'Celtic Steppes' is a three movement (sort of) symphony that explores ancient to modern Celtic cultures through an immense and stellar jazz orchestra with seven saxes, five brass, keyboards, guitars, bass, percussion, drums and an even a bagpipes player. Although this work is 32-minutes long, I found the music to be consistently enchanting and tastefully executed. The layers of saxes and bagpipes sound like they are made for each other. We have about a half-dozen of these as of 5/25/08, so don't hesitate. - BLG
CD $17

THE DON WELLER BIG BAND - "Live" (33Jazz Records 032; UK) Featuring Don Weller, Art Themen, Peter King, Henry Lowther, Malcolm Griffiths, Bryan Spring & many more. Don Weller is one of the unsung heroes of British jazz. He is a superb tenor saxist, a fine composer and a multi-bandleader, his long career stretches back to the sixties. This great disc was recorded live at the Bulls Head in London in October of 1996. This disc is one of the best modern jazz big band discs that I've heard in a long while. The Don Weller Big Band is tight, spirited and swings hard with many a fine solo by Don Weller, Art Themen (tenor sax), Peter King (alto sax), Henry Lowther & Steve Waterman (trumpets) and Malcolm Griffiths (trombone). 70-minutes long & consistently strong. - BLG
CD $17


LIVING IS HARD [V.A.] - West African Music in Britain, 1927-1929 (Honest Jon's 033; UK) Honest Jon's has prepared a series drawing on some of the earliest recordings in the EMI Hayes Archive -- recovered from more than 150,000 78s -- staggering music from Iraq, Turkey, Caucasia, Lebanon, Iran (including sides made in Old Street, London, in 1909), Egypt and the Belgian Congo. This series opener presents the music of the West African underground of 1920s Britain, recorded at Hayes and released on the Zonophone label (which exported nearly all the records to West Africa). You can hear Caribbean influences here, the promise of highlife there, but Living Is Hard mostly disavows fusion and assimilation. And by contrast with antecedents in the history of black music in Britain -- minstrelsy and spirituals, for example, ragtime and jazz -- these recordings are unhitched from the protocols of a white listenership. These are startling, trenchant, elemental roots -- carrying troubled news home, along with signs of the new African nationalism -- and an enthralling glimpse of other lives, other times. Artists include: Oni Johnson, Isaac Jackson, Ben Simmons, Harry E. Quashie, Douglas Papafio, Prince Zulamkah, The West African Instrumental Quintet, The Ga Quartet, Domingo Justus, James Tucker, John Mugat, Kumasi Trio, James Thomas, Nicholas De Heer, George Williams Aingo and James Brown.
CD $17

TONY ALLEN - Lagos Shake: A Tony Allen Chop Up (Honest Jon's 034; UK) Two years ago, Honest Jon's traveled to Lagos with the great drummer Tony Allen, to make his first recordings there since his time with Fela Kuti -- an album entitled Lagos No Shaking, a classic of contemporary Afrobeat. Since then, the label has widely commissioned numerous responses to those new sides: from legends of dance music culture like Basic Channel in Berlin, for example, and founding father of Detroit techno, Carl Craig; and young tigers like Dizzee Rascal's Newham Generals, MIA producer Diplo in Baltimore, and carioca sensations Bonde Do Role from Rio De Janeiro. There are also new recordings from Cairo, Saturn, Bogota and Kingston, Jamaica -- fresh interpretations or complete reworkings by the space jazz pioneer Salah Ragab, a street brass band descended from Sun Ra's Arkestra, highlife-inspired Afro-Colombian drummers from the village of San Palenque De Basilio, and a veteran of Count Ossie's Mystic Revelation Of Rastafari. Afrobeat, dub, jazz, chalupa, electro, highlife, techno, grime, carioca, champeta and funk from all corners, fizzing away together here... it could only be from Honest Jon's.
CD $17



More Psych/Blues/Jam/Pop Reissues!

CLARK-HUTCHINSON [ANDY CLARK/MICK HUTCHINSON] - A=MH2: Expanded Edition [2 CD set] (Sunbeam 5048; UK) This deluxe 2CD release of UK acid-blues masters Clark-Hutchinson also includes their rarely-heard unreleased 1969 debut, comprising the most comprehensive edition of their work ever assembled. As virtuoso musicians and members of Sam Gopal's Dream, Clark-Hutchinson (Andy Clark and Mick Hutchinson) were well-known to regulars at legendary London clubs such as UFO and Middle Earth when they decided to branch out as a duo. Recorded in two intense overnight sessions in May 1969, A=MH2 is a scorching blend of jazz, raga, blues and psychedelia that has long been established as one of the key recordings to have emerged from the UK psychedelic underground. It's presented here as a 2CD set, together with their March 1969 recording debut, an unreleased collection of acid blues that features some equally stunning musicianship. The package comes complete with detailed notes and previously-unpublished photos, making it the most comprehensive edition of this groundbreaking music ever assembled.
2 CD Set for $23


THE FAMILY TREE - Miss Butters (Cherry Red/Rev-Ola 185; UK) "A classic of West Coast psych-pop, and a much sought after gem. After the breakup of San Francisco garage groups The Brogues (Ain't No Miracle Worker), most members went on to Quicksilver Messenger Service; bassist Bill Whittington formed The Family Tree with Bob Segarini of The Ratz and the enigmatic Lee Michaels. The latter soon dropped out, and a couple of innovative singles for the mysterious L.A.-based Mira label brought them to the attention of not only RCA, but Sunbury music's Dick Campbell and his friend and big hope, Harry Nilsson. With input from Harry (at this time being hailed as a genius by The Beatles and writing songs for everyone from The Monkees and The Turtles on down) the band embarked on the semi-conceptual album Miss Butters, an amazing semi-lost gem of West Coast psych-pop genius and certainly on a par with Harry Nilsson's own records of the period. First EVER time on CD for this enigmatic and collectable group. Beautifully remastered from the original mono mastertapes (the stereo mix was done by an assistant engineer alone and is a travesty according to the band members!). Amazing packaging including previously unpublished photos and in-depth liner notes with with the participation of the legendary Bob Segarini. A must for all fans of West Coast psych-pop and garage, Harry Nilsson. Let's face it, if you were excited about The Merry Go Round, here's another slice of happiness for ya."
CD $17

THE GORDIAN KNOT - The Gordian Knot (Cherry Red/Rev-Ola 186; UK) "Originally from Mississippi, the Gordian Knot emerged in Los Angeles in 1967. They recorded this fascinating hybrid of Association-esque soft pop/soft psych/country rock with LA's finest studio musicians and the Hi-Lo's own Clark Burroughs in the producer's chair. The result is the finest harmony pop psych offering in the entire Verve catalog. Fronted by Jim Weatherly -- who just a few years later would pen Gladys Knight's finest moment, 'Midnight Train To Georgia,' the Gordian Knot entertained countless in-crowd L.A. parties frequented by Hollywood's elite, and performed as part of a USO tour throughout Vietnam with friend and fan Nancy Sinatra."
CD $17

THE SUNDOWNERS - Captain Nemo (Cherry Red/Rev-Ola 201; UK) "This mysterious band has become something of a legend in its own lunchtime. The Sundowners released a string of singles between 1966 and 1968 and the amazing 1968 album Captain Nemo that blends Beatlesque melodies, west coast cool, frantic showmanship, psychedelic production flourishes and a mile-wide cheeky grin. They also appeared in the Tony Curtis movie Don't Make Waves (the one with the Byrds theme tune) and the popular TV shows It Takes A Thief and The Flying Nun. As if that wasn't enough, they toured with The Monkees and Jimi Hendrix! Quite how a band this good with these credentials slipped so far off the radar in the intervening years is a mystery. However, us splendid fellows at Rev-Ola have leapt to the rescue by issuing this neglected gem on CD for the first time ever and have wrapped it all up in the kind of dazzling audio and visual package you've grown to expect from us. How could we not? First time ever on CD!"
CD $17


BLUES ADDICTS - Blues Addicts (Shadoks 093; Germany) There were only four good and rare albums on the Danish Spectator label: Terje, Jesper & Joachim, Moses, Days and the rarest of them all, Danish psych-rockers, Blues Addicts. Ivan Horn really kicks ass with his extra heavy guitar. As good as the heavy Cream songs, in parts as creative as Jimi Hendrix. Originally released in 1970, this record contains all original compositions, long tracks, loaded guitars, English vocals and heavy drum sounds. If Spectator would have kept rock music as their musical genre instead of switching to jazz, Blues Addicts would have been successful within the international rock circus. Ivan Horn (guitars, vocals & kazzo), Mich Brink (bass), Gibber Thomsen (vocals & congas), Henning Aasbjerg (drums).
CD $17

DAYS - Days (Shadoks 096; Germany) The Danish group Days was formed in Copenhagen in the winter of 1967/1968 by Peter Lindhe (drums), John Kjaergaard (vocals/rhythm guitar), Ole Fester (vocals/bass) and Lars Reinau (vocals/lead guitar). The band's repertoire was mainly rock and blues-oriented with cover versions of songs from John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Cream, Jimi Hendrix and The Rolling Stones. Lindhe and Reinau started writing original material for the band and the repertoire started changing from rock/blues cover versions to self-composed, more lyrical songs with elements of The Beatles, Procol Harum and (early) Deep Purple. In 1969, Jorn Anker (Hammond organ) joined the band and he, too, started contributing new original songs. The Days LP was recorded in the early summer of 1970 and in 1971, the band split up. Days came out on the Spectator label, and is one of the rarest albums from Denmark. It is full of amazing prog tunes with great organ elements and strong fuzz guitar. A killer album from beginning to end.
CD $17

RAYNE - Rayne (Shadoks 089; Germany) Frank Saucier and his three brothers formed Rayne in 1977, located in a New Orleans suburb. They recorded the album with good home equipment with no overdubs. The original album ("the black album," as they called it), released in 1979, was only pressed 300 times and during a moment of frustration, they took a box of the album and shot it with a shotgun, making this a hard collector-find, in the truest sense. The music is first class psych rock -- strong compositions with great guitars and vocals -- everything just right and something you would expect from bayou tough-guys -- pure Southern spirit.
CD $17


WIZZ JONES - The Legendary Me (Sunbeam 5015; UK) An undisputed giant of modern folk and one of the finest acoustic guitarists Britain has ever produced, Wizz Jones has influenced musicians from Eric Clapton, John Renbourn and Ralph McTell to Billy Connolly, Bert Jansch and even Rod Stewart. Following the rapturous reception given to Sunbeam's issue of his 1975 Lazy Farmer project last year, we are delighted to announce the long overdue reissue of this classic 1970 set. A mixture of standards and originals, many by his old friend Alan Tunbridge but all arranged in his inimitable style, the package comes complete with detailed liner notes, rare photographs and three previously unreleased bonus tracks.
"Long prayed-for reissue of this classic 1970 UK folk stunner that's a missing link both in the Wizz Jones oeuvre and in the guitar-freedom music of the prime era. The Legendary Me was Wizz Jones' second studio album, originally released by the obscure but vital Village Thing label (following his self-titled debut on United Artists). Cosmically figuring somewhere between the non-trad radical expressions of the Mike Cooper/Roy Harper axis and Clive Palmer's post-ISB journey, Jones' terrestrial position finds him alongside Davy Graham, Shirley Collins & Palmer at the dawn of '60s UK freedom. Under-recorded until the late '60s, The Legendary Me has been impossible to find since release. It fits snuggly next to his other classic, Right Now, released a year later on Columbia. If you've ever wished John Renbourn was twice as good or thought Bert Jansch was too uptight, then this is your cup of meat. Remastered the way you've come to expect from Sunbeam -- at Abbey Road from the original tapes -- this perfect product includes three killer bonus tracks (including a Leonard Cohen cover that doesn't suck and the master's take on Jansch's "Needle of Death"), liner notes, and cool vintage photos."
LP $22
Also on CD for $16


SWINGING LONDON [V.A.] - The Accidental Genius of Saga Records 1968-1970 (Cherry Red/RPM Retro 808; UK) "Primarily a classical music record label Saga dabbled in pop music through the 1960's. Early on it made a short lived business arrangement with Joe Meek to back and distribute his Triumph label. As the decade progressed Saga developed a production library arm, the company also being into film production, and did record real pop artists. The tapes for the majority of these pop recordings have been squirreled away in the depths of the British Library where they were placed by the retiring owner of Saga some 15 years ago. None but the Five Day Week Straw People have been available for nigh on 40 years. Thus Swinging London as a collection is a fascinating glimpse of the late 60's sounds mirrored through a contemporary London production house. The sounds are not clearly of any one particular genre, as they blend elements of pop, psych, lounge and rock into a late 60's groovy melange, and are all the more enjoyable for it. Vocal and instrumental, if these tracks had been released through Deram or Regal Zonophone at the time they would not have been out of place."
CD $17


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