Final Week of The Blistering Summer - Great Relief with these COOL Discs:

Two Takanayagi DVDs! Midorikawa/Togashi/Takayanagi/Sato 2 CD set! The Wildflowers Sessions 3 CD Set! The Creative Music Studio Jams! Herb Robertson & Mark Solborg! Wayne Krantz Trio! Gordon Grdina String Qt! Gary Peacock & Marc Copland! 2 from Elaine Radigue! Elliott Carter! Wolfgang Rihm! More Merzbow..




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


JOE MANERI PASSES AT AGE 82

Earlier this week, another one of our new-music icons passed away. JOE MANERI was an inspiration to many. He was a composer, multi-reeds innovator and a longtime professor at New England Conservatory (since 1970) in Boston. Joe was a beautiful person who always spread his positive vibes to those around him.
I remember checking out the amazing Joe & Mat Maneri Quartet at Tonic on one occasion. The first thing that Joe said was that he felt a love vibe coming from the audience and it made him feel good. He was totally sincere and those in attendance were touched by that. Joe had a decades-long quest of discovering new ways of incorporating microtonality in his music. His son Mat Maneri is a virtuoso of violin & viola and also continues to work with those elusive and misunderstood microtonal ideas.
Thanks to being championed by Harvey Pekar, John Zorn released an early 1960's Joe Maneri album called 'Paniots Nine' on the Avant CD label. Late in life Joe Maneri's recording career really took off - more than 20 discs released since the early nineties. Joe collaborated with Joe Morris, Barre Phillips, Randy Peterson, Steve Lantner, Pandelis Karayorgis and Jack Reilly.. and of course Joe and Mat worked together for many years and have a number important discs out as well. I recall when Joe & Mat Maneri played a wonderful duo set at our store on the Bowery. Joe immediately hit it off with our former employee Emperor Mike, it seemed like they were old friends although they just met. Every time I spoke with Joe after that, he would always ask about Emperor Mike.
Besides Joe Maneri's large family, his legacy will continue through the many students that he inspired like Marty Ehrlich, Mary Halvorson and many others. We already do miss him.

- Bruce Lee Gallanter


Mike Anton Parker has written a touching and personal tribute to Joe Maneri - see further down


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


Downtown Music Gallery FREE In-Store Performance Schedule Continues with:


Sunday, August 30th at 6pm:
PIERRE YVES MARTEL - Viola da Gamba!

Sunday, September 6th at 6pm:
JACAM MANRICKS CD Celebration Set!
Gifted Saxist & Composer Will Perform Music from His Debut CD!

Sunday, Septembr 13th at 6pm:
LOUIE BELOGENIS & SHANIR BLUMENKRANZ!
Amazing Free/Jazz Sax & Contrabass Duo!

Sunday, September 20th at 6pm:
MATT LAVELLE & JASON STEIN!
Two Colossal Bass Clarinetists in a Rare Duet!

Sunday, September 27th Double Header!
6pm - DAVE GROLLMAN/BRAD HENKEL/VALERIE KUEHNE!
A Fine New Drums/Trumpet/Cello Trio!
7pm - BEN GERSTEIN & TONY MALABY!
Wow! Powerful Trombone & Tenor/Soprano sax Duo!

Tuesday, September 29th at 6pm:
STEFANO PASTOR - Solo Violin!
Slam Recording Artist Performs a Rare Tuesday Set at DMG!

Sunday, October 4th at 6pm:
FRODE GJERSTAD & KEVIN NORTON!
The Amazing Alto Sax & Drums Duo Returns to DMG!


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



An explosion of Japanese Archival Free Music!

KEIKI MIDORIKAWA With MASAYUKI TAKAYANAGI/MASAHIKO TOGASHI/MASAHIKO SATO - Complete Grune Revolution [2 CD set] (Doubt 129/130; Japan) All-Star lineup of: Keiki Midorikawa cello, bass; Masahiko Togashi percussion, drums; Masayuki Takayanagi guitar; Masahiko Sato keyboard
The original LP of this work, Grune Revolution, has duo with Takayanagi on A side and duo with Sato on B side. But in the concert, Midorikawa played duo with Togashi about 40 minutes, afterward he played duo with Takayanagi and with Sato both about 20 minutes actually. It didn't include Togashi duo on the original LP. This time doubtmusic found a tape of Midorikawa - Togashi duo, 2CD set convey all performance that day as a complete version. The tapes which are used on those CDs are different from the original master tape, and we re-mastered them, so the quality is higher than the original LP.
Midorikawa's free improvisation that playing duo with each Togashi, Takayanagi, Sato is inventive and in consequence, each music is very beautiful. Those music are prime free-jazz that quietness and intensity seem like spindrift.
2 CD set for $26


MASAYUKI TAKAYANAGI/NOBOYUSHI INO - The Complete Works Of JOJO - Jazz 1: Masayuki Takayanagi & Nobuyoshi Ino [DVD] (DIW/Jinya; Japan) Masayuki Takayanagi (Guitar) Nobuyoshi Ino (Bass); March 20 & 21, 1990, Jazz Club Lovely, Nagoya
DVD $30

MASAYUKI TAKAYANAGI - The Complete Works Of JOJO - Action Direct 1: New Direction For The Arts Vol 69 & 70 [DVD] (DIW/Jinya; Japan) masayuki takayanagi (Guitar); vol 69 - Aug 4,1990 and vol 70 Dec 17,1990. A live footage which recorded the ultimate noise music performance "Action Direct" by Masayuki Takayanagi, an unparalleled guitarist who played an active role in Japanese jazz music scene since its beginning.
DVD $30

While supplies last, we have been given Jinya labeled blank CD-Rs to give out with each DVD purchase above. Not necessarily a compelling reason to purchase anything in itself, but give them out we will 'til they're gone

..and only two copies left of this Takayanagi/NDU Box Set WITH the bonus DVD

MASAYUKI TAKAYANAGI NEW DIRECTION UNIT - Archive Vol 1 [Ltd Ed 5 CD + DVD Box Set] (DIW/Jinya NDU-A101; Japan)
BOX SET for $110



Recent releases on Ilk!

HERB ROBERTSON/MARK SOLBORG - [NOD.] (Ilk 152; EEC) Featuring Herb Robertson on trumpets and Mark Solborg on guitars. Danish guitarist Mark Solberg can be heard on 3 other discs on the Ilk label: his own quartet, another quartet called Mold and a project called Ventilator with Jesper Lovdal. Downtown trumpet wizard, Herb Robertson, certainly needs no introduction since he the favorite of many of our most adventurous listeners. Both gifted improvisers who explore their terrain together. For "N.O.D. (night observation device)", the duo play quiet, spacious eerie fragment around on another. On "At Bart Bok's Place" Mark plays skeletal melodies while Herb spins quick circular lines around him. "Celestials" sounds like a somber ballad with some poignant trumpet and hushed volume swirls on the guitar. "Crepescule in the Land of NOD" features some ghost-like muted trumpet and exquisite minimal guitar in a dreamland haze. Herb and Mark are perfectly matched and seem to anticipate each other on every piece. On "Perfect Conspiracy" both alter their instruments with Mark tapping on his acoustic guitar and Herb getting those odd vocal and restrained feedback sounds, yet they still commune with a distinctive ongoing dialogue. This duo seems to come up with surprises on many different levels, by reaching deep within their selves and turning their notes inside out and upside down and still keeping their freshness at hand. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $17

TORBEN SNEKKESTAD With JONAS WESTERGAARD/JON BALKE - Conic Folded (Ilk 153; EEC) Featuring Torben Snekkestad on saxes & clarinet, Jonas Westergaard on bass and Jon Balke on prepared & unprepared piano. For well over a decade, the Norwegian saxophone player Torben Snekkestad has been one of the most prominent performers in various cutting edge line-ups on the Nordic new jazz and contemporary music scenes. With 'Conic Folded' he presents his long awaited debut CD. The album contains 11 new compositions by Snekkestad and he is accompanied by two of Scandinavia's most prominent jazz musicians, Norwegian pianist & ECM artist Jon Balke and Danish bass player Jonas Westergaard.
Right from the start, the trio plays with that graceful, spacious, sublime delicacy. Using a minimum of notes, the trio is able to stretch out and use the space between the notes with careful precision. The instrumentation is similar to the influential Jimmy Giuffre Trio (with Paul Bley & Steve Swallow) and the sound of this current trio is often similar as well. A few of these pieces, like "Zobob" have that playful old-school swing that feels so good with strong solo from the tenor sax and piano. It is quite a nice thing to hear that great Giuffre Trio sound brought more up to date with some inspired solos and crafty arrangements. - BLG
CD $17

JACOB ANDERSKOV & AIRTO MOREIRA - Ears To The Ground (Ilk 143; EEC) Ears to the Ground is an epic and poetic duet between Jacob Anderskov on piano and Airto Moreira on percussion, drums and vocal. A meeting of two strong music makers from very different backgrounds, with a direct and intuitive interaction. The music transcends categories and styles, and is maybe mostly about presence, sensibility and a way of approaching life. At the same time, it seems like the duo has created a situation around the two musicians that brings forth the best in each of them, and brings them to places they have not been before.
"This is the kind of music that I like the most. It is pure improvisational with no ego involved. I wish I could play this music all the time." - Airto Moreira. "For me, making this music felt like stepping into an enchanted parallel reality. The extreme awareness between us gave me a feeling similar to being hypnotized, while the music basically found its paths by itself." - Jacob Anderskov.
CD $17


GORDON GRDINA'S EAST VAN STRINGS With JESSE ZUBOT/EYVIND KANG/PEGGY LEE - The Breathing Of Statues [H-SACD] (Songlines 1572; Canada) [This is a hybrid/multi-layer SACD which will play on any CD player] Featuring Gordon Grdina on electric guitar & oud, Jesse Zubot on violin, Eyvind Kang on viola and Peggy Lee on cello. This is the debut recording of this lauded guitarist/oud player's all-string quartet, playing original compositions and improvs inspired by Bartok, Webern, Berg, free jazz and Arabic taqasim. Each member is an internationally recognized virtuoso improviser, which gives the group a unique profile and broad range of expression. The music is complex, gritty, lyrical, and often very intense. Audiophile stereo/multichannel recording in a small hall creates an intimate sonic environment.
Canadian guitarist and oud player, Gordon Grdina, never ceases to amaze me, since each of his half dozen discs are so different and successful in varied ways. For this disc he has put together an extraordinary all-star string trio to collaborate with, each with an impressive amount of diverse talents and experiences. The opening piece, "Selma" is a most enchanting piece for heavenly strings with Gordon's sublime acoustic guitar at the center. The three strings combined sound like an accordion wheezing delicate waves of warm spirits. Gordon has obviously spent time composing these pieces since each is well thought out. "Holy Departure" is like a string quartet with a series of tightly played figures dancing around the players in different duos. Even on the "Silence of Paintings" where the strings players twist their strings into frenetic shapes, there is a sense of purpose that holds this piece together with Gordon's guitar calmly sitting in the center of the cyclone. On "Origin" each string players get a chance to solo after playing that difficult swirling theme together and each solo is very different showing each player to unique and dazzling ideas up their sleeves. Gordon plays oud on "Santiago" while the strings play appropriate eastern sounding drones around him. The title track is an epic-length work that features Gordon's oud playing unaccompanied at first and building like a raga until the strings come back in, a dialogue between the oud & strings evolving together like a story unfolding. I am reminded of the soundtrack to an eastern fairy tale. 'The Breathing of Statues' is completely different that anything the Gordon Grdina has done so far, making it another jewel in the crown that he can wear when the rich rewards are bestowed upon us all deserving few. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $17

RYAN BLOTNICK - Everything Forgets (Songlines 1581; Canada) Blotnick on guitar & compositions, Joachim Badenhorst on tenor sax & clarinets, Simon Jermyn & Perry Wortman on basses and Jeff Williams & Joe Smith on drums. Young NY guitarist's second release builds on his acclaimed debut with atmospheric compositions, deep improvising, and responsive group interaction. An acoustic trio and an edgier, more electric quartet provide complementary views of Ryan Blotnick's distinctive 'post-jazz' approach, integrating rhythms, harmonies, and formal structures from rock, classical and world music.
CD $15


Fusion album of the year!

WAYNE KRANTZ With KEITH CARLOCK/KEITH LeFEBVRE - Krantz Carlock LeFebvre (Abstract Logix 18; USA) Featuring Wayne Krantz on guitar & vocal, Tim Lefebvre on bass and Keith Carlock on drums. I remember when Henry Kaiser told me that I should check out daredevil guitarist Wayne Krantz. I only knew that Krantz had a few discs on Enja and had played with Steely Dan. I later found out that Mr. Krantz also had a weekly gig at the 55 Bar on Christopher St. for many years and that he was often considered to a guitarist's guitarist. I finally heard two of the Enja CD's (currently out-of-stock at our distributor) and was knocked out by his playing. A couple of weeks ago (8/21/09), I caught Krantz in a duo with a drummer at the Stone and was again amazed at his playing. Even better than that set is Wayne's new trio CD, which might well be the great fusion gem of the year!
I haven't heard a disc as funky, rockin' or crafty as this one in quite a while. "It's No Fun Not to Like Pop" is what we should be telling certain jazz snobs who consistently put down all pop or rock music as being silly or beneath them. It is also the name and the only lyric in the opening tune found here. The funky groove here is quite infectious and made me smile and want to dance around my kitchen. The band is consistently superb tight, spirited, crafty and every guitar solo totally cool. Every one of the eleven songs is catchy, craftily written and impossible not to like. This is a perfect trio with all three members an integral part of the group sound. "War-Torn Johnny" is great because the drummer keeps that spinning groove oscillating demonically throughout. The last time I heard a successful fusion disc that was free of the usual chops cliches was when Wayne Horvitz's band The President were around almost two decades ago. Mr. Krantz plays acoustic guitar on a couple of tracks and although he plays a number of astonishing solos, that is not what this disc is all about. Wayne sings on just a few songs and again never overdoes it, just a couple of well-selected lines here and there. His earthy voice fits those songs perfectly. Krantz titled one of his songs, "Jeff Beck", which makes perfect sense since Mr. Beck remains one of the most gifted electric guitarists on the planet who never wastes a note. I would put Wayne Krantz on a similar plane and that is high praise indeed. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $15



Three more great performance DVDs from The Sanctuary!

RAVISH MOMIN'S TRIO TARANA With SAM BARDFELD/BRIAN PUNKA - Live At The Sanctuary [DVD] (MediaSanctuary; USA) Featuring Ravish Momin on drums, percussion, voice & compositions, Brian Prunka on oud and Sam Bardfeld on violin & effects. This is the fourth fine disc from Ravish Momin's Trio Tarana. Although the instrumentation has remained the same (percussion, oud & violin), the personnel has changed again. I know violinist Sam Barfeld from his work with the Jazz Passengers but not the oud player here, Brian Prunka. Ravish Momin calls this music, "folk music of the mind" since it blends so many different cultures. Besides Shanir Blumenkranz (who was originally in the trio) and Tom Chess, it is rare to hear and see the (Turkish) oud played in creative music around here, although this is also starting to change. "Tehrah" is first and it begins with a lovely, raga-like oud solo. Ravish is an extraordinary percussionist who has his own style. He has obviously studied tablas and applies this to his trap drumming, even playing with his hands on the drums. Being able to watch what Ravish does is most impressive since it is definitely unique. Sam Bardfeld is also a superb violinist and plays some sublime and spirited acoustic violin. This set was captured with multiple cameras so that we can view different angles, sometimes we see a couple of overlapping layers. What I like most about this is that the music so cerebral and often hypnotic. The repeating melodies are all quietly intoxicating and like a raga, they all tell a story as they go. -Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
DVD $15

SAX SOUP POETRY & VOICE [NICOLE PEYRAFITTE/PIERRE JORIS/JOE GIARDULLO] - Live At The Sanctuary [DVD] (MediaSanctuary 10; USA) Featuring Nicole Peyrafitte - vocalist multi-media artist & cook, Pierre Joris - poet and Joe Giardullo on sax. I can't say that I had heard of Ms. Peyrafitte or Mr. Joris before this DVD arrived, but we do know of the great saxist Joe Giardullo from his work with Joe McPhee as well as a number of solo projects released over the past few years. This is an odd blend of various multimedia ideas. While Joe Giardullo plays somber yet quirky soprano sax, Nicole is cooking something on stage in a big pot and Pieere recites his poetry in English. Nicole sings harmony with Pierre's spoken words while cooking up a storm. On a large screen behind the players is projected the music and words that they are doing. I remember there was an ongoing sketch on Saturday Night Live that reminds me of this a bit, however I do find this to actually work since everything does fit together. The set was dedicated to the late Steve Lacy who inspired each of these musicians. Nicole discusses the soup she is making and the ingredients she is using. She refers to the scent of the soup she is making and no doubt being there we would experience this. There is sausage in the soup as well as meat in the Parisian lunch that Pierre intricately describes in the second piece, hence vegetarians might not appreciate this performance as much as carnivores. Nicole describes where she bought the ingredients for the soup and we see a bakery in Chinatown not far from our store on the big screen. This is certainly one of strangest and most unique performances that I've reviewed, but I was thoroughly entertained throughout this near-hour set. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
DVD $15

SPLATTO FESTIVAL CHORUS [DAVE BARRETT/MICHAEL BISIO/ED MANN/TODD REYNOLDS] - Live At The Sanctuary [DVD] (MediaSanctuary 11; USA) The Splatto Festival Chorus features Todd Reynolds on violin & laptop, David Barrett on sax, Michael Bisio on bass and Ed Mann on vibes, percussion & electronics. This is certainly a unique combination of musicians. We know of violinist Todd Reynolds from his work with the Bang-on-a-Can All-Stars and John Hollenbeck. Bassist Michael Bisio plays with an array of locals and other fine musicians like Joe McPhee, Joe Giardullo, Steve Gauci and Louie Belogenis. It turns out that Dave Barrett has played with the Bay-Area based Splatter Trio and Banda Elastica (prog band from Mexico). Percussionist Ed Mann was once a Zappa sideman. Unfortunately this DVD will not play in my computer, so I will have to review it in the near future. - BLG
DVD $15


GARY PEACOCK/MARC COPLAND - Insight (Pirouet 3041; Germany) Featuring Gary Peacock on contrabass and Marc Copland on piano. This is a dream paring for inner visions and deeper musical perceptions. Two brothers in spirit, playing with deep-toned power and keyboard finesse, have made the perfect choice of classic standards to interpret. An encounter filled with inner intensity and a clarity in which many secrets are hidden.
CD $16



The Alan DOUGLAS label is revived!
One of the most asked-about CD sets is finally back in print!

WILDFLOWERS [V.A. With JULIUS HEMPHILL/DAVID MURRAY/ANTHONY BRAXTON/DAVE BURRELL et al] - Wildflowers - The New York Jazz Loft Sessions: Complete Vols 1-5 [3 CD set] (Douglas 10; USA) Contains all 5 LP's [produced by Alan Douglas, Michael Cuscuna and Sam Rivers] released during the '70s.
Contrary to what some journalists say, the avant/jazz scene in NYC thrived throughout the mid-seventies. Hundreds of musicians from around the US and the rest of the world came to Manhattan and created their own opportunities, often referred to as the "Loft Jazz Scene" since many of the gigs were in lofts run by the musicians themselves. Throughout the seventies were many loft spaces and clubs like Studio Rivbea, Environ, the Ladies Fort, Soundscape, Tin Palace, Ali's Alley, the Brook, Artist House, etc. From the second half of 1972 onwards, this is where your truly would go explore the further regions of modern jazz, besides regular clubs like the Village Vanguard & the 5 Spot. What I liked most about this is that most of the musicians were friendly and approachable and appreciated our enthusiastic response. One of the lofts that I attended the most was Studio Rivbea on Bond St., right down the block from the Ladies Fort (run by the great singer Joe Lee Wilson) and the Tin Palace (booked by Stanley Grouch, when he was still a nice guy).
Studio Rivbea was run by legendary saxist Sam Rivers and his wife Bea. There was something amazing going on there every weekend, so my friends and I would be in attendance as often as possible. The height of the sessions at Studio Rivbea was a week-long festival of performances with some 5 or so sets per night in May of 1976. It was called the Wildflowers Festival and I was there every night. It was a life-changing experience. All of the sets were recorded and soon a 5 album set was released on Douglas Records with excerpts from each set. I've worn out my original Wildflowers vinyl and have had to replace it more than once. It was finally released as a three CD Set through the Knit Media label and soon went out of print. It has just been reissued once again as a three disc digipak so now it is your turn to own and experience this 3 hour & 1/4 colossal collection. Here is a selective list of the featured artists involved: saxists; Sam Rivers, Anthony Braxton, David Murray, Oliver Lake, Byard Lancaster, Kalparusha, Henry Threadgill, Roscoe Mitchell, Hamiet Bluiett, Jimmy Lyons & Julius Hemphill, pianists: Randy Weston, Anthony Davis, Dave Burrell & Sonelius Smith, trumpeters: Leo Smith, Ahmed Abdullah, Ted Daniels & Olu Dara, guitarists: Michael G. Jackson & Bern Nix, bassists: Fred Hopkins, Junie Booth & Jack Gregg and drummers: Sunny Murray, Steve McCall, Barry Altschul, Phillip Wilson, Andrew Cyrille and Don Moye. Plus there are a good deal of musicians involved who have disappeared or passed on. There is too much important stuff here to describe it all, so I will leave it up to you to take some time and explore this lengthy and important artifact. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
3 CD set for $25

CREATIVE MUSIC STUDIO [LEE KONITZ/ANTHONY BRAXTON/CHICK COREA/PAT METHENY/JACK DeJOHNETTE/MIROSLAV VITOUS] - The Song Is You: Woodstock Jazz Festival Vols 1 & 2 [2 CD set] (Douglas 09; USA) This is a double disc compilation of the Creative Music Studio's Woodstock Jazz Festival, a tenth-anniversary celebration for the upstate New York progressive "world music" study center of Karl Berger and friends, which took place during a stormy day on the Oehler Lodge Olympic soccer field next to the CMS studios, classrooms and living quarters, on Sept. 19, 1981. The day long festival, organized by DeJohnette and his wife Lydia as a benefit for CMS, captures the better portion of a dead-on tour-de-force presentation featuring Chick Corea on acoustic piano with drummer DeJohnette, bassist Vitous, and duets with alto saxophonist Lee Konitz and Corea. As concert pieces, they are naturally lengthy and stretched. Precedent-setting events and brilliant musicianship combine forces. The sound quality is well above average, and an intimate feeling is evident. The opener, "Waltz," has the trio dancing, probing and swinging, as only the quicksilver Corea and the lunging, animated DeJohnette can inspire. It's also the first-ever public performance for this Corea piece. At nearly 19 minutes long, "The Temple of Isfahan" follows, with Corea introducing the piece introspectively, then poignantly muting strings with fingers to a staccato effect, thus evoking stark, abstract echoes of Iran/Persia, especially during Vitous' haunting bowed bass solo. Corea is possesed with a Cecil Taylor-like spirit, a reminder of his days with Circle. The Corea/Konitz duet pieces are "Stella by Starlight" and "'Round Midnight." "Stella" struts in its own conversational way, these two geniuses turning the standard into a composition of their own over a beautiful 16 minutes. Corea is even more playful, with Konitz spare, droll or whimsical. Monk's "Midnight" is captured as if it were an orchestral suite, utilizing a "circle the wagons" approach to hinting at, teasing, and seducing the widely practiced classic melody; it's a big sound for two people. An important musical and archival document, and probably just the tip of the iceberg for what other musical magic was conjured up on that special day in the rain.
The second disc continues with an augmented combo on three long selections. An upbeat "Impressions" has alto saxophonist Braxton joining Corea/Vitous/DeJohnette. He plays impassioned, lemon-tart, sometimes frenetic, challenging lines, and the trio is even more energized by Braxton's musings as the 12 minutes go by, especially on Corea's bold, out-of-body solo. "No Greater Love" a mere 13 minutes, sports the quartet plus Konitz; he and Braxton provide shining moments as individualists and foils for each other. Konitz's burnished bronze tone questions Braxton's brittle, mercurial approach. A true delight. A 23-minute "All Blues" empties the well, with help from Pat Metheny on an ultimate workout with Corea and DeJohnette; Konitz's saxophone inquiries and Braxton's abject wail ignite fierce tension and release from the rhythm section. Corea is even more forceful and Mad Hatter-ish during all of the saxophonist's solos. Landmark music, made on the spot, in the rain, for 1600 enthusiastic listeners who could sense they were a part of a historical event, and a one-of-a-kind meeting of jazz minds. - Michael G. Nastos, AMG
2 CD set for $20

DIZZY GILLESPIE With JAMES MOODY/KENNY BARRON/JON HENDRICKS et al - Dizzy For President: 1963 Newport Jazz Festival (Douglas 04; USA) 1963 Newport Jazz Festival. As one of the first performers approached for the original 1957 lineup, Dizzy became a staple in the years to come. This set consists of eight uptempo, Latin and blues influenced jam sessions. "Dizzy Atmosphere," "Morning of the Carnival," "Desafinado," "Gee Baby Ain't I Good to You" are all highlights of this thoroughly exuberant set. James Moody, who alternates between tenor and alto saxophone and flute, provides smoking solos throughout. Moody had recently rejoined Dizzy, having previously been a member his orchestra in the '40s. Hired at Moody's request was 20-year-old pianist Kenny Barron, who was also beginning an important stint with Gillespie. Bassist Chris White and drummer Rudy Collins rounded out the rhythm section. Vocalist Jon Hendricks makes a guest appearance on the rowdy set finale "Vote Dizzy (Salt Peanuts) as Gillespie was in the midst of his famed presidential campaign. - Al Campbell, AMG
CD $15

MODERN JAZZ QUARTET [MJQ] - 1963 Monterey Jazz Festival [aka In A Crowd] (Douglas 07; USA) The Modern Jazz Quartet performance from the 1963 Monterey Jazz Festival was first issued as a CD through Knitworks under the name In A Crowd. The MJQ (vibraphonist Milt Jackson, pianist John Lewis, bassist Percy Heath and drummer Connie Kay) is heard in typically fine form performing a few standards (including "Mean To Me" and "Bags' Groove"), and a couple of obscurities (Ray Brown's "Pyramid" and Lewis' "Winter Tale") before an appreciative audience. The MJQ always had a timeless sound; their 1963 program does not differ stylistically much from 1958 or 1968, but neither does it sound dated. Easily recommended to fans of the classic group.
CD $15


DENMAN MARONEY With THEO BLECKMANN/SHELLEY HIRSCH/HERB ROBERTSON et al - Music For Words, Perhaps: The Poetry of W B Yeates and Wallace Stevens (Innova 717; USA) Featuring Theo Bleckmann & Shelley Hirsch on vocals, Herb Robertson on trumpets, Denman Maroney on hyperpiano & compositions, Arthur Kell on bass and David Simons on percussion. This is a departure from just about anything we've heard from Mr. Maroney in the past. Denman is most often recognized as a great pianist who continues to explore unusual sounds often produced by rubbing objects inside the piano, which he refers to as "hyperpiano". For this disc, Denman has taken the poetry of W.B. Yeats and Wallace Stevens and has written his own music for the words to be sung by Theo Bleckmann (Yeats) or Shelley Hirsch (Stevens). The title piece, "Music for Words, Perhaps" is from a poem by Yeats and it features the duo of Theo Bleckmann and Denman Maroney. It is a long work (36 & 1/2 minutes), broken into 10 parts. Denman's piano playing, Theo's voice and the music itself are consistently adventurous and engaging. The words are printed in the booklet, so we get a chance to consider what wonderful poetry it is. On "The Second Coming", Denman does an impressive job of coaxing eerie sounds out of his manipulated piano while Theo sounds like a mildly disturbed spirit. This piece works since the words and music, voice and piano, exist as one strong integrated spirit. "A Thought Revolved" was written by Wallace Stevens and it features the great voice of Shelley Hirsch with strong quintet backing. Again, it is Denman's exuberant piano playing that keeps this piece so invigorating, adding the ever crafty trumpet of Herb Robertson and Shelley's distinctive voice to the brew. The words are again filled with fascinating ideas and images and Shelley does a special job of bringing them to life with her humor and her unique vocal spice. It is great to hear a new direction explored by Denman Maroney, especially since it is so successful on a variety of levels. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $14


ELIANE RADIGUE - Vice Versa, Etc.. [2 CD set] (Important 259; USA) "Includes liner notes & archival photographs. 1970 was an important year in Eliane Radigue's musical life since it was the year just before she acquired her ARP 2500 synthesizer. Since 1967, she had been using the feedback as a material; feedback from two tape recorders reworked through intensive studio techniques: slowing down, alteration, superimposition, montage. In 1970, the last year she dedicated to feedback, several milestone pieces saw the light of day: Omnht, a wonderful sound installation for three out-of-phase tape loops and wall-mounted loudspeakers; the theoretical setting of Labyrinthe Sonore (eventually premiered at Mills College in 1998 in collaboration with Pauline Oliveros, Maggie Payne and William Winant, amongst others); Opus 17, one of her first compositions in fixed duration (according to Rhys Chatham, a decisive piece that would change his own compositional career); and Vice-Versa, etc..., which appears to be her very last feedback loop composition. Vice-Versa, etc... was conceived as a sound installation setting similar to S=a=b=a+b. A single magnetic tape can be played at any speed, a stereo tape of which allows three playings: left channel alone, right channel alone, left and right channels together. These different channels can be overlapped/crossed over as much as possible, at any speed. Thus the piece reveals itself in its whole dimension, its infinite grace. In its content, the piece is the most minimal that Eliane Radigue has ever composed. Feedback is horizontally sustained, time is suspended, vibrating with organic and subtle pulsations. The fastest playthrough, in just 2'42", weaves a graceful continuum of uncanny depth, somewhere between the sonority of feedback and a glass harmonica. Played slowly, at 13'41", it takes us into an universe of low frequency vibrations felt as much by the guts, the ribcage and the whole body as by the eardrum: the signature sound of Eliane Radigue. Between these two extremes, many delicate shadings/variations appear simply through speed modulation. What is striking about this work, which may arguably be one of Radigue's most important compositions, is the extraordinary quality of the tones obtained from such a rudimentary material. It is hard to believe that the composer was yet to begin working on her ARP, since the sonorities heard on Vice-Versa, etc... are surprisingly similar to those she would go on to produce with her synthesizer. Vice-Versa, etc... is a minimal work which possesses an infinity of possible variations, a secret object containing the seeds of the oeuvre to come, and a discreet turning point linking the composer's two important working phases, an extremely subtle cross-fade between her feedback loop period to her ARP period. Originally, only ten signed and numbered copies of this little boxset containing a magnetic tape and a handwritten note were released -- needless to say this is a work that has been nearly forgotten! We have decided to reissue this object as a double CD, with the tape played respectively forwards and backwards, at four different speeds, corresponding to the standards of the tape recorders of the time. This will allow dedicated listeners to experiment with simultaneous playback of the work's different versions, recreating the conditions of the original installation. For lazier listeners, a simple playthrough provides complete satisfaction, a listening experience that loses itself in the ineffable and discreet beauty of these four variations."
2 CD set for $16

ELIANE RADIGUE - Triptych (Important 260; USA) "Includes liner notes & archival photographs. On the suggestion of Robert Ashley, Douglas Dunn commissioned this piece from Eliane Radigue for choreography. Only the first part of Triptych was staged at the premiere at the Dancehall/Theatre of Nancy on February 27 1978. Recorded in the composer's studio in Paris. After the premiere of Adnos I in San Francisco in 1974, a group of French students introduced Eliane Radigue to Tibetan Buddhism. When she returned to Paris, she began to explore this spirituality in depth, which slowed her musical production up until 1978. Triptych marks her return to composition, and draws its inspiration from 'the spirit of the fundamental elements,' water, air, fire, earth. Eliane Radigue likes to add that this has often been useful to her in her moments of research and transitions. This three-part composition, with its great humility and contemplative simplicity, heralded a new period of work and was the first in a series of masterpieces inspired by Tibetan Buddhism: Adnos II (1980), Adnos III (1981), Songs of Milarepa (1983) -- with the voices of Lama Kunga Rinpoche and Robert Ashley -- Jetsun Mila (1986), as well as the Trilogy of Death: Kyema (1988), Kailasha (1991) and Koume (1993). Archival images included in the accompanying booklet."
CD $14


ARTE QUARTETT - Different Worlds: Music By Rabih Abou-Khalil, Terry Riley, John Zorn (Enja/Marsyas 1804; Germany) ARMBRUSTER: Chintro; SOMMER: Moos-Ruef; ABOU-KHALIL: Dreams of a Dying City, Arabian Waltz; ZORN: Tiferet, Nevalah, Mahshav, Mikreh; KAPPELER/RILEY: Indian Trail; TRAD: L'Hioba, Schonster Abendstern. "A hailstorm of short notes attacks the ears in a wild presto: this music doesn't want to just entertain, it wants to rouse you up and this it does effectively. Long applause for a perfect, highly musical performance." - Minimal Tendencies.
Founded in 1995, the ARTE Quartett consists of musicians that have classical backgrounds, yet are stylistically open-minded - a fact that is shown by their intense cooperation with musicians and composers of various styles. The ARTE Quartett is mainly committed to contemporary music and its various aspects.
CD $16

ELLIOTT CARTER - Choral Works (SWR/Hanssler 92.312; Germany) Last year, in celebration of Elliott Carter's 100th birthday, the thoroughbred of choral ensembles performed and recorded a program of the great man's complete works for choir - a cappella, men's voices, and accompanied. Now, for the first time, a thoroughly modern recording of Carter's complete works for choir is available - and in performances that will serve as the template for all future ensembles. Once again, the SWR Vocal Ensemble under the direction of Marcus Creed has distinguished itself as one of the most adventurous and capable choirs performing in the world today!
CD $16

WOLFGANG RIHM - Sotto Voce (Kairos 1295; Germany) Dithyrambe Concerto for String Quartet & Orchestra; Sotto voce Notturno for piano & small orchestra; Sotto voce 2 Capriccio for piano & small orchestra. The Dithyrambe Concerto for String Quartet & Orchestra consciously does without the classic concerto form. Instead of a dialogue between the string quartet and the orchestra, we have a positively manic monologue. As for the other pieces featured on this disc, "I wanted to write a sister work for the one that already existed," says Rihm. "Or a brother work? Sotto voce is a slow, relatively quiet piece. Sotto voce 2 is something like an answer to it - another answer, so to speak, a fast movement, a motion-filled piece that whispers. It has to do with motion sequences and with velocity."
CD $16

GEORGES APERGHIS//XASAX SAX ENSEMBLE et al - Crosswind (Kairos 1294; Germany) "Crosswind, for viola & 2 saxophones", "Alter ego for Rasch, version for viola & saxophone", "Volte-face, for viola" and "Signaux, version for 12 saxophones". Georges Aperghis was not the first well-known composer for musical theatre who neglected the less "spectacular" varieties of music. But unlike the "symphonic form," which Aperghis has rarely considered since his initial attempt in 1972, chamber music recurs throughout his oeuvre. As though staging a theatrical work, Aperghis plays his game in a chamber music hall with new instrumental combinations, creating a connection between the instruments and European musical tradition.
CD $16

MARCO STROPPA - Traiettoria/Spirali (Stradivarius 57008; Italy) A new CD in the Ricordi Oggi series dedicated to Italian composers of the 20th century, this is a portrait of Marco Stroppa performed by the amazing Arditti String Quartet with Pierre-Laurent Mainard. "Traiettoria" is a cycle of three pieces for piano and electronics. During performance, the piano is amplified through two speakers that are placed beside the instrument. The electronics, meanwhile, are played through a set of speakers surrounding the audience. The same happens with "Spirale", where the quartet surrounds the audience while playing a various number of different objects. An amazing listening experience!
CD $16


HEATHER O'DONNELL - Responses To Ives (Mode 211; USA) "Responses To Ives was conceived in 2003 by pianist Heather O'Donnell as a way to acknowledge the 50th anniversary of Charles Ives's death (May 19, 2004). She approached composers spanning a generation, known to have strong affinities for Ives and asked them to write a 'musical reflection' on the presence of Ives in their lives and work. The set was premiered at the MaerzMusik Festival in Berlin in 2004 in the midst of a twelve hour extravaganza of Ives. In the months following repeat performances took place in South Africa, China, the Czech Republic, Germany, and the U.S. The CD includes the first recording of Ives' 'London Bridge is Falling Down.' O'Donnell intersperses short, and often less known, works of Ives with the contemporary composers' 'responses,' all of which are first recordings. The 'responses' could not be more varied from each other - from introspective to virtuosic to meditative to extended techniques." Featured works: Charles Ives (1874-1954) -- "London Bridge Is Fallen Down!" (Burlesque Harmonization), first recording. Study No. 21: "Some Southpaw Pitching." "Set of Five Take-Offs." "From Four Transcriptions from Emerson:ii. Moderato; iii. Largo." "Study No. 9: The Anti-Abolitionist Riots in the 1830's and 1840's." "The 'Responses.'" Walter Zimmerman (b.1949) -- "The Missing Nail At The River" (for piano & toy piano). Michael Finnissy (b.1946) -- "Song of Myself." James Tenney (1934-2006) -- "Essay (after a sonata)" (for inside-piano). Sidney Corbett (b.1960) -- "The Celestial Potato Fields" (in memoriam Charles Ives). Oliver Schneller (b.1966) -- "And tomorrow?" (for piano and electronics)."
CD $15



***********


Modern guitar virtuoso, Daniel Lippel, recently left us with five discs of intriguing contemporary composers music performed by various ensembles that he is involved with, as well as a solo guitar disc of the music of J.S. Bach. It turns out that Mr. Lippel is also a member of Mice Parade. Here are some of those discs:

FLEXIBLE MUSIC [DANIEL LIPPEL/ERIC HUEBNER/TIMOTHY RUEDEMAN/HARUKA FUJII] - FM (Focus 105; USA) Flexible Music is Daniel Lippel on guitars, Eric Huebner on piano, Timothy Ruedeman on saxes and Haruka Fujii on percussion. Featuring compositions by Louis Andriessen, Nico Muhly, John Link, Ryan Streber, Orianna Webb and Vineet Shende. This is the most recent of the batch and it features a fine quartet called Flexible Music. Of the six pieces performed here, the only composer with whom I was previously familiar is Louis Andriessen. His piece, "Hout" is from 1991 and it is a most extraordinary work. The quartet play a series of repeating lines that are broken up into overlapping sections. Somewhat Philip Glass-like but less predictable and more agitated or busy. The piece has a cartoon music sort of quality and moves quickly as if the characters are in a hurry. Although Nico Muhly's "Flexible Music" was inspired by the soundtrack of a video game, it does have a playful yet calm center which shifts between furiously quick and slower sections. John Link's "Around the Bend" also has one continuous flow that moves through each of the four instruments, with each completing the line started a different instrument. Ryan Streber's "Closing Time" is a unique blend of 12-tone textures with some blues influences. Its slow shimmering chords feature more tasty guitar parts in the second half. I really the dig the explosive eruptions on Orianna Webb's "Sustenance Variations" , even when things calm down, you never know when the next eruption will occur. The final piece, "Throw Down or Shut Up" by Vineet Shende is dedicated to James Brown. It is balanced between occasionally funky rhythms and less abrupt changes. The James Brown-like grunts add a bit of spice to this delightful piece. If only more modern composer discs had this much fun and exuberance, we could smile more and be less serious about our challenging music diet. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $12

FLEXIBLE MUSIC [DANIEL LIPPEL/ERIN LESSER/JEFFREY IRVING/ELIZABETH WEIGLE] - Sustenance (Focus 103; USA) Featuring Daniel Lippel on guitars, Erin Lesser on flute, Jeffrey Irving on vibes and Elizabeth Weigle - voice. Compositions by Vineet Shende, Peter Gilbert, Orianna Webb, Adam B. Silverman, John Link, Joseph Pereira and Seung-Ah Oh. Vineet Shende's "Sonetos de Amor" is in 4 parts and features the voice of Elizabeth Weigle singing the words of Pablo Neruda in Spanish. The piece is elegant, melancholy, with flourishes of harp-like acoustic guitar. The rest of this CD features six short "Passages" by Peter Gilbert in between other pieces by the other composers listed above. Each "Passage" consists of one idea or drone which prepares us for the next piece. Orianna Webb's "Sustenance Variations" is an exciting piece that builds in intense spurts with tranquil sections interspersed. Adam B. Silverman's "Three Fell Swoops" is another strong piece that moves like a swirling kaleidoscope and with a dancing sax line. "For Irving Lippel" by John Link has a more subdued Morton Feldman-like elegance that builds to more playful conclusion. Joseph Pereira's "Bento Box" has a more restless vibe which keeps shifting between minor eruptions and short silences. Finally Seung-Ah Oh's "So-Ri" features a brittle duo for flute and acoustic guitar which is quite intense at times, the flute bending and twisting notes time and again. If I were the producer, I might have put the more operatic piece by Vineet Shende last, since I find the rest of this disc to be more successful, engaging and diverse. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $12

INTERNATIONAL CONTEMPORARY ENSEMBLE [DANIEL LIPPEL et al] - Abandoned Time (Focus 104; USA) Featured composers include Mario Davidovsky, Kaija Saariaho, Magnus Lindberg, Dai Fujikura and Du Yun. The International Contemporary Ensemble or ICE are considered to be one of the most adventurous new music ensembles according to the NY Times and after listening to this challenging disc, I would have to agree. Although I was familiar with three of the five composers (Davidovsky, Saariaho & Lindberg), I found the entire disc to be most engaging. The title track (by Dai Fujikura) opens this disc with some more extreme sounds. Twisted electric guitar is at the center of the organic storm which erupts with selective silence in between the short bursts. What amazes me is the way the electric guitar is perfectly balanced with the rest of the mostly acoustic 12-piece ensemble. Columbia University-based composer, Mario Davidovsky, is most often known for his works with electronics or tapes. Here, Davidovsky's "Festino" is an intense piece for brittle, yet daredevil acoustic guitar and erupting strings with sparse sections as well. Ms. Saariaho's "Adjo" is for soprano voice with irregular percussion utilized. The sizzling sandpaper blocks are most effective with the fragile acoustic guitar, strange voice and other ghost-like sounds. Even more extreme is Du Yun's "Vicissitudes No. 1" which is both mesmerizing and torturous simultaneously. Although it sounds free or chaotic at times (especially the bent sax sounds), it is obviously tightly wound with scary twists, turns and explosive bursts. There is a great acoustic guitar solo midway in this piece which is well worth the cost of admission. By the end of this exhaustive work, I wanted to hear more from the composer. The final piece, "Linea D'Ombra" is by Magnus Lindberg and again, I was startled by some of the crazed and abrupt outbursts, while overall, everything seems to fit within the organic way the piece unfolds. Parts of this piece reminded me of the way Frank Zappa would add humorous vocal interjections at the right time to make the piece even more surprisingly amazing. Lindberg's writing is especially impressive as one instrument quickly turns into another with the flow of ideas constant and seamlessly woven. A perfect conclusion to an incredible disc. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $12

DANIEL LIPPEL - Resonance (Focus 101; USA) Featuring Daniel Lippel on guitars with electronics. Composers include Mario Davidovsky, Elliott Carter, Nils Vigeland, Peter Gilbert, Soonjung Suh and Judah E. Adashi. For this disc I am familiar with three of the composers: Mario Davidovsky, Elliott Carter and Nils Vigeland, who I recall from playing on some Morton Feldman pieces. Davidovsky's "Synchronisms #10 for Guitar & Electronic Sounds" is from a series of pieces written for one instrument with electronics that won Davidovsky a Pulitzer Prize. Mr. Lippel plays solo acoustic guitar when the piece begins, quietly at first, until the electronic sounds come in about midway, adding elements of eerie fragments to the mix. Nils Vigeland's "La Folia Variants" is a long work in three parts for acoustic guitar. The piece is rich in texture, slow-moving and calm yet engaging. Elliott Carter's "Shard" is short yet challenging since it moves quickly from idea to idea, never resting. "Garak" by Soonjung Suh deals with traditional Korean influences, shifting between more restrained and more exuberant sections, which are quite intense. Judah E. Adashi's "Meditation: Three Episodes from William Styron's Darkness Visible" deals with intense existential loneliness. The piece is often sparse yet filled with haunted feelings, like waiting for the inevitable end that comes to all of us humans. The final piece is "Ricochet for Guitar and Electronics" by Peter Gilbert, who co-produced this disc. This piece is a tour-de-force for prepared acoustic guitar with strange electronics that occasionally overwhelm the guitar. I love the way the guitar emerges from the spinning electronic soundscape which moves in waves. An incredible experience awaits those who listen. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
CD $12

DANIEL LIPPEL//JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH - BWV 998, 1003, 1010 (Focus 102; USA) Daniel Lippel performs three pieces by J.S. Bach: "Sonata #2 in A Minor", "Suite #4 in A Major" and "Prelude, Fugue and Allegro in E-flat Major". "The young and much-lauded guitarist Daniel Lippel delves into the music of Johann Sebastian Bach for this release on Focus Recordings. The follow-up to 2004's Resonance, this disc features three works by the late baroque master: the second of the three sonatas for unaccompanied violin, the fourth of the six suites for unaccompanied cello, and the Prelude, Fugue and Allegro BWV 998. The first two works are presented in Lippel's own transcriptions, which is certainly appreciated. I did not fully know what to expect from this CD, being familiar only with Lippel's work with contemporary music. This album, however, is a success. For starters, Lippel pays attention to rhythm, an issue which, if not dealt with closely, can doom so many performances of great compositions. His sound throughout the program is solid and attractive, and the recording quality is above par. This disc shines through as a fine example of how fresh J.S. Bach's music can sound when infused with sufficient creativity and vitality." - Matthew Hough, Guitar Review Summer 2006 Issue #132
CD $12


***********


Three MORE Big Blood releases!

BIG BLOOD - Already Gone 1 (Don't Trust The Ruin 13; USA) CD-R with handmade cover. DMG got in volume two of Already Gone before the first volume arrived. Don't let that confuse you. Already Gone Vol. 1 is packed with powerful song silhouettes that stick to your face like a dense fog. My favorite track on this record is "Coming Home Pt. 1" where Colleen Kinsella sounds like Billie Holiday singing a Raga while Luc Ferrari (in his later years) supplies an musique concrete backdrop. Continuing the constant Big Blood theme of including at least one cover song on almost ever release, this one includes The Cult's "She Sells Santuary", which in typical Big Blood fashion sounds just as amazing if not better than the original. Just with one listen to any of their releases, you can tell that Big Blood are not afraid to explore, knowing that despite their journey outwards, they will always remain true to self. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! -Chuck Bettis/DMG
CD $5

BIG BLOOD - Big Blood & the Bleedin' Hearts (Don't Trust The Ruin 11; USA) CD-R with handmade cover. Perhaps the most straight forward Big Blood release to date. Wait, let me clarify when I say straight forward: think more in terms of Beach Boys "Pet Sounds" being invaded by Nick Drake and Tiny Tim instead of Charles Manson. You follow me? This is no "Good Vibrations", but more of an exhale and acceptance of age and the state of things that are living. Here they are joined by the Bleedin' Hearts: Tom Kovacevic, Micah Blue Smaldone (both whom are also in Fire On Fire with Big Blood's Colleen Kinsella and Caleb Mulkerin) and Kelly Nesbitt who help create an cozy ambient pulse that tucks you in and keeps you in bed on slow day in the fall while you contemplate the future. Strangely enough, I have come to expect to hear a cover song on every release, but this one seems devoid of pandering to my expectation. I swear there must be a cover on here somewhere, with a title like "Tease It Like A Cop" which sounds like a great hip-hop/R.Kelly title but Big Blood are good about giving credit where credit is due and it's all originals here. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! -Chuck Bettis/DMG
CD $5

BIG BLOOD - Strange Maine 1.20.07 (Don't Trust The Ruin 04; USA) CD-R with handmade cover. Strange Maine is an adequate description for this release, but truth be told it is actually the name of a wonderful little shop (in Maine) run by the enigmatic ID M Theftable. The Residents had their mole trilogy and now Big Blood have their own live show series. Each have a thematic dance that undulates and propels the listener into a seductive calling upon which a great cause is fulfilled. What is greater than self? Many mystics have attempted to answer this question but only a few have reached nirvana. Big Blood seem to suggest that you should fight the urge to sleep alone and to share your love. They continue to share their love on this release with covers of Erik Satie's "First Gnossienne" and a song originally done by Indang Pariman singing a traditional Sumatran Pop song; which will grab you by your mental emotions, dip down into your heart and lead you to your crotch. As they say in Buddhism, eternity is just a moment. With that thought, get this while you can, for happiness may be gone tomorrow. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! -Chuck Bettis/DMG
CD $5


MERZBOW [MASAMI AKITA] - 13 Japanese Birds Pt 8: Kokuchou (Important 257; USA) Four tracks: "Mesmerism," "Black Swan," "Colored Rain" and "Ushiwaka 2." The booklet includes a photo of Masami Akita as activist: standing in front of a warning sign outside some sort of military compound. "Merzbow's 13 Japanese Birds is a 13 month series of releases inspired by Olivier Messiaen's Catalogue D'Oiseaux. Beginning in January 2009 one volume of 13 Japanese Birds will be released each month. The 13th and final volume will be released January 2010. Each volume will be a one time pressing of 1000 copies. Cover art by Jenny Akita."
CD $14



Back in print/stock:

JIM O'ROURKE - Halfway to a Threeway [CD ep] (Drag City 178; USA) It seems like it was only a few months ago that Jim O'Rourke changed everything with the release of the incredible Eureka. And by George, it was only a few months ago. Well never mind -- here he is again with a little more of the same: pop music, but credibly different this time, of course. The pop stylings of Jim O'Rourke will never seem familiar to any of us (that's not his style, silly) but his combination of folk, classic rock, (smooth jazz) and the inevitable twist of the old avant-garde is always something new. Having established himself last time out as some kind of songwriter and singer in his own write, Jim presents more funky, catchy, poppy songs with and without vocals that are sure to spin semi-endlessly on turntables, digital discburners and those fab MP3 players across this land of ours
"Renaissance pop wizard - Jim O'Rourke reinvents his area of exploration each year, slowly evolving through genres - ambient, electric & acoustic guitar improv, electronic sounds and more recently elegant pop music. This year, his superb pop treasure - "Eureka" remains one of 1999's best, he also produced the latest Stereolab release in a grand fashion, his duo improv cd with Loren Mazzacane is quite lovely, he played with Sonic Youth on their engaging tribute to 20th century classical composers and is helping to produce their next rock release. Last night (12/14) his pop unit opened for Stereolab and he claims this will be the last tour that he will be singing his own tunes on. Lucky for us lovers of quaint pop, he leaves us with this fine four song ep to help us through the cold, hard winter into the next century. 'halfway' was recorded over 8 months this year with a number of Jim's regular pals - Rob Mazurek, Tim Barnes, Darin Gray, Glenn Kotche & Sam Prekop. Even moreso than 'Eureka', the overall vibe here is one of melancholy, delicate, laid back, touching, beauty - somewhere between the charming pop of Burt Bacharach, the Beach Boys and Belle & Sebastian. This precious music is mostly the quiet strumming of acoustic guitars, the ultra-melodic ringing of Darin's bass and the moody elegance of Rob's cornet. Even the "da, da, da" choruses feel just right. As we enter the next century, Jim O'Rourke remains one of the few to capture the innocent spirit of days long gone from our youth. For me and hopefully for you, this is yet another wonderful pop gem to be savored" - BLG
CD $12

JIM O'ROURKE - Eureka (Drag City 162; USA) Jim is doing for himself what he's more than generously done for other so-called musical talents. Everybody wants a little pop in their lives and the O'Rourke is no exception. There is no way to listen to Eureka without hearing the eccentricity, the progressive musical textures, the utter lack of anything like pop music, but at the same time it's magnificent in scale, pleasant to listen to, catchy and even reminiscent of other records you might actually have heard on The Casey Casem Show. If Bad Timing was regarded as a crossroads of O'Rourkian interests, Eureka is a six-lane clover-leaf junction of singer-songwriter traditions, production styles of the 70s, confusion and contradiction as well as the riveting sound of the artist putting all his cards on the table.
"Jim O'Rourke is becoming the renaissance man of the ever evolving Chicago scene. In less than a decade, he has gone from being a young hot shot guitar improviser and sound manipulator, collaborating with the likes of Henry Kaiser, Eddie Prevost, Gunter Mueller, Loren Mazzacane and Sonic Youth, as well as being the other half of Gastr Del Sol. He is also becoming a much in demand producer for Smog, Edith Frost, the Hoffman Estates thing...His last two solo cds, as well as the later Gastr releases, show him moving into a completely new direction - often acoustic, yet eclectic and possibly inspired by his idols - Van Dyke Parks, Brian Wilson, John Fahey & Burt Bacharach. "Eureka" is another ray of sunshine, elegant and uplifting, quaint and rich in delightful textures, quite the pure pop masterpiece. Jim even does most of the singing on "eurika" in a rather precious Robert Wyatt like style, and does most of the composing, too. The two covers are Ivor Cutler's "Women of the World" and Burt Bacharach's "Something Big." Interesting choices. The overall vibe of this fine work is that it sounds as if it were recorded in the innocent days of the mid 60's, a lovely hopeful day in spring. The only question that remains is the strange cover drawing of the pudgy mostly bald baby with a rabbit doll held to its crotch, hmmm. Superb! " - BLG
CD $14


OHM [V.A.] - Early Electronic Gurus Of Electronic Music: 1948-1980 [Expanded Edition: 3 cd set + DVD + book] (Ellipsis Arts 3690; USA) "An amazing three CD 48 track compilation to sumup the early years of electronic music in the 20th century. Spiffy plastic sleeve holds a book and a fold out sleeve with 3 cds. These guys will probably win awards just for the design alone. Music that ranges from Clara Rockwell playing Tchaikovsky on the theremin and Messiaen performed on the Ondes Martenot (a theremin with a keyboard) to the music concrete of Pierre Schaeffer's school to Louis & Bebe Barron (the Forbidden Planet duo), John Cage, Edgard Varese, Richard Maxfield (unreleased too!) Stockhausen, MEV (unreleased), Raymond Scott, Reich, Oliveros, Subotnick, Tudor, Riley, Czukay, Luc Ferrari, Xenakis, La Monte Young (amazingly & it's even unreleased - a drift study, only two notes but they change), Charles Dodge, Paul Lansky, David Behrman, MEV (unreleased), Maryanne Armacher (unreleased, adds to the available recorded documentation of her work), Klaus Schultze, Jon Hassell (unreleased and very welcome here), Brian Eno and others. Whew! Forward by Brian Eno. Articles and words by Joel Chadabe, Otto Luening, Francois Bayle, D.J. Spooky, Kyle Gann, Robert Moog, writer Simon Reynolds, Pete Namlook (FAX), David Toop, Thurston Moore, Bill Laswell and others. So it sounds cool and even looks cool - a great place to check out the roots of todays electronic music." - David Beardsley "This three-CD, 42-track compilation, spanning 1937-1982 (though largely comprised of performances from the '60s and '70s), includes pieces by many of the big names in experimental electronic music: John Cage, Pauline Oliveros, Steve Reich, Terry Riley, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Milton Babbitt, Laurie Spiegel, Robert Ashley, LaMonte Young, Morton Subotnick, and Iannis Xenakis. That alone would make this anthology impressive, but there are also contributions from composers who have made some impact with rock and pop recordings (Brian Eno, Klaus Schulze, Holger Czukay of Can, Jon Hassell), along with some names that are not commonly discussed in highbrow serious music circles (Raymond Scott), some composers not always associated with electronic music (Olivier Messiaen, Edgard Varese), and a host of names that aren't too well known beyond the avant-garde community. What is most impressive about this set, however, is that is not only serves as a reasonable overview of pre-1980 electronic music, but also is much more accessible in content to non-experts than many such compilations would have been. Contrary to the stereotype of serious electronic music as being difficult to listen to, many of the pieces are quite engaging for novices and electronic specialists alike. That's not to say there aren't plenty of more jarring or abstract pieces with minimal ambience or cut-up assemblages, or even occasional tracks that most listeners might find downright annoying (such as MEV's cacophonous "Spacecraft," mercifully placed at the very end of the first disc). On the whole, however, the set achieves the effect of both educating and entertaining, and is likely to expand the audience for a music that is too often unwilling to offer inviting introductions that might incite listeners to explore further. The 98-page booklet includes detailed track descriptions and comments, usually by the composers/performers themselves, as well as a forward by Eno" - Richie Unterberger, AMG
Sadly, this is out-of-print, the once-adventurous Ellipsis Arts label having been bought out, and now being used as an imprint for Nap music [new age poop] We found the last few copies at great cost to us.

FIRST THREE TO ORDER THIS GET IT FOR $30 !!! Then it will be back to the normal price of ..
3 CD + 1 DVD set for $42


and, for those who bought the very first edition of the OHM box back in 2000 without the DVD..

OHM [V.A.] - Early Electronic Gurus Of Electronic Music: 1948-1980 [DVD] (Ellipsis Arts 3694; USA) This is the bonus DVD that was included with the 2nd edition [2005] of the 3 CD OHM box set. For those of you who already own the box set sans DVD, here is your chance to get this great 2&1/2 hour DVD without re-buying the whole thing over.
"Two and a half hours of rare archival performances, interviews, animations, and experimental video works by the pioneers of electronic music, including: Clara Rockmore, John Cage, Jean-Claude Risset, Steve Reich, Morton Subotnick, Holger Czukay, Bebe Barron, Paul Lansky, Leon Theremin, Iannis Xenakis, Milton Babbitt, Laurie Spiegel, David Behrman, John Chowning, Robert Ashley, Max Mathews, Pauline Oliveros, Alvin Lucier, Mother Mallard, Robert Moog."
DVD $18


KATH BLOOM - Finally (Chapter 051; Australia) Originally released in 2006 by Chapter Music, Finally is seminal folk-cult figure Kath Bloom's return to active musical duty -- her first officially-released album since 1984, mostly containing tracks she recorded in the 1990s (previously only available on homemade cassettes and CD-Rs) and two newer tracks recorded in 2005. The daughter of world famous oboist Robert Bloom, Kath grew up in New Haven, CT, where she started playing guitar among the headstones of her local cemetery as a teenager. She met avant-garde guitarist Loren MazzaCane Connors in 1976 and together they recorded six limited edition albums of fragile folk and blues melodies, ending with final album Moonlight in 1984. Soon after her collaboration with Connors ended, Kath and husband Stan Bronski moved to Florida together to live amidst the orange groves, buying and rehabilitating old houses. After a period of child-rearing and family life, Kath began to return to recording in the early '90s. Director Richard Linklater discovered Bloom's music around that time and featured her song "Come Here" in his 1995 film, Before Sunrise. By then, Bloom had begun recording again in earnest, self-releasing a series of cassettes and CD-Rs, starting with Love Explosion in 1993 and Come Here: The Florida Years in 1999. The songs on Finally, selected from Kath's CD-R releases with two new tracks, reveal an older, wiser songwriter, as accomplished and affecting as Lucinda Williams or Gillian Welch. Most tracks primarily feature Kath's gentle guitar picking, haunting vocals, and mournful harmonica, and the material ranges from vintage to brand-new ("You And I Keep Falling," "Finally") to as far back as her days with Loren ("Fall Again," "Come Here"). Presently, Kath is playing with her band Love At Work (which includes long-time collaborator Tom Hanford and husband Stan), offering a musical tour de force of programs for children and adults, as well as playing solo shows in the Northeastern USA.
CD $16


A new entry in Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour series, and now at lower prices!

BOB DYLAN'S THEME TIME [V.A.] - Series 2 - Vol 1: Best of Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour [2 CD set] (Chrome Dreams 5025; USA) "Following the huge success of the previous 2 compilations featuring tracks played by Bob Dylan on the first series of his Theme Time Radio Hour, we now proudly present a further 50 tracks as played by Bob across the second series of the show. The selections are just as eclectic, fascinating and enjoyable as those he played during the first series, and again each show was themed by subject matter. With extensive liner notes again provided by Dylan expert and editor-in-chief of Isis magazine Derek Barker, this latest collection is certain to match the success of the previous volumes and once again is set to become a must-have-item for Dylan fans and of fans of American roots music alike." Dylan plays artists such as The Carter Family, Mose Allison, Muddy Waters, Frankie Lee Sims, Mildred Jones, Elvis Presley, Little Willie John, Warren Smith, The Ravens, Fats Domino, Smiley Lewis, Tex Wills & His Texas Playboys and dozens more.
2 CD set for $20

still available..

BOB DYLAN'S THEME TIME [V.A.] - Series 1 - Vol 2: Best of Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour [2 CD set] (Chrome Dreams 5021; USA) "Following the huge success of the first collection of tracks taken from Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Shows, his weekly on-air stint during which he plays the songs that have remained closest to his heart over the years, here is volume two. Offering a further selection from the initial series, this latest 2CD set features one further track from every show Dylan presented in the first series, as aired on the XFM radio station, between May 2006 and May 2007. Once again a hugely eclectic choice of songs, many of which Bob first heard on the radio as a teenager in Minnesota, are included, and every effort has been made to track down the exact recordings Dylan played, many of which are today valuable rarities, previously unavailable for many years. With extensive notes provided by Isis magazine's Derek Barker, this second selection will prove just as enticing to fans of both Dylan and of American roots music." Featuring tracks from: Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Howlin' Wolf, Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys, Babs Gonzalez, Eddie Boyd, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Boozoo Chavis, Muddy Waters, and many more.
2 CD set for $20

BOB DYLAN'S THEME TIME [V.A.] - Series 1 - Vol 1: 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
[you might be back-ordered on this one - we only have a couple]


BOB DYLAN - The Golden Years 1962-1978 [2 DVD set] (Chrome Dreams 06; USA) "This DVD Set is a 2-disc documentary covering Dylan's life and music from his school days to his conversion in the late 1970s to fundamental Christianity. With contributions from colleagues as diverse as his high school English teacher, his school friends and other members from his first bands, to folk musician Martin Carthy, Dylan's only ever songwriting partner, the late Jacques Levy, author Clinton Heylin and many, many others. The disc set features rare film footage; unseen photographs and numerous other features. This program is the finest film from this section of Bob Dylan's life and career yet to emerge." Run time: 206 mins. NTSC format, All Regions (0); Screen Format 4:3; Stereo Sound Mix.
DVD $24


LEGENDS OF BENIN [V.A.] - Afro-Funk, Cavacha, Agbadja, Afro-Beat [2 LP set] (Analog Africa 65; USA) Analog Africa presents Legends Of Benin, a collection of super-rare and highly danceable masterpieces recorded between 1969-1981 by four legendary composers from Benin: Gnonnas Pedro, Antoine Dougbe, El Rego et Ses Commandos and Honore Avolonto, each with a sound all their own. What you are about to hear is distinctively Benin -- a thick brew of agbadja, soul, cavacha, funk, Afrobeat, and Afro-Latin sounds all mixed in with heavy traditional rhythms. Gnonnas Pedro is the king of modern agbadja: a rhythm hugely popular in Togo, Benin and Ghana, based around three pieces of percussion, each with a different tone. Traditionally a rhythm used during burial ceremonies, Gnonnas adopted and modernized it in the mid-'60s, calling it "Agbadja Modern." The track "Dadje Von O Von Non" was originally recorded in 1966 and is Gnonna's first modern rendition of agbadja. Also featured here is the crazy, kick-ass funk track "Okpo Videa Bassouo" recorded in 1973, as well as the sublimely contagious track, "La Musica en Verite." Honore Avolonto was one of Benin's most prolific composers, releasing Benin's most successful LP in the late '70s. That album was recorded with Black Santiago, a band fronted by amazing trumpeter Ignace De Souza, another legend, with whom he recorded the Afrobeat track, "Dou Dagbe We." Avolonto has fronted some of Benin's most powerful bands and some of those "partnerships" with Orchestre Poly-Rythmo and Les Commandos are presented here. Beware -- killer Afrobeat meets frenetic funk. El Rego et Ses Commandos were responsible for Benin's first Afro-soul-funk track with the support of Ghanean singer, Eddy Black Power. The "Jerk" scene in Benin was triggered by the success of "Feeling You Got," and its infectious accordion riff. "E Nan Mian Nuku" is an Afro-Latin tune combined with a kind of bossa nova, and "Vimado Wingnan" is Benin's most sought-after funk track. Out of all the artists here, Antoine Dougbe is the least known even in Benin, but he created his own style which he dubbed Afro cavacha -- a fantastic mixture of Congolese rhumba, Latin sounds and traditional vodoun rhythms. All of his vinyl releases, especially the ones released on his own Editions Dougbe Antoine label, are incredible and have become some of Africa's most sought-after collector's items. This compilation includes a 44-page, full-color booklet with ultra-rare pictures and detailed biographies. Enjoy the mind-blowing sounds of Benin.
2 LP set for $26
also available on CD for $22


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


Special Tribute to Joe Maneri from Michael Anton Parker

It's a special opportunity right now to celebrate Joe Maneri's 82 years of living and his profound contributions to the world around him. Joe had been facing serious medical challenges for some years, but I still had hopes of another chapter. There's little to regret, though, because he gave away vast treasures in love and beauty to hundreds of people who shared intimate conversation and tutelage. His genius has been experienced, documented, studied, and revered by enough people to ensure its permanent role in human culture. I'm only one of dozens of people who would go so far as to say that being around Joe and his music was possibly the most powerful spiritual enlightenment they will ever experience. That's really a serious statement. By coincidence, this morning while I was out on the farm doing some weeding, my thoughts were uncharacteristically fixed on the idea of gods and masters and spiritual systems and I reached the firm conclusion that the only things I "worship" are truth, beauty and love. Truth is mostly the business of scientists, and beauty and love are around us in big and small ways everyday, pretty much anywhere we're willing to find them, but beauty and love with transformational intensity is usually a gift we can only hope to humbly receive from people like Joe a handful of times in our lives.
Joe taught me some of the biggest lessons about beauty and love that I've ever had in my life. He created the rarest kind of art, the kind that makes everything else in life seem crass and trivial. It wasn't just a fluke where some little moment during a concert or recording seemed like an epiphany. It was minute after minute of transcendental immersion in infinitely nuanced melody and rhythm. It happened dozens of times in different places, situations and moods. It was as real and solid as Joe's bones, skin, muscles, lips, blood vessels, organs, and brain. It revealed the ultimate spiritual potential of human beings. There are lots of ways to find purpose in our existence, but that's one of the best I've come across. Thank you Joe!
Okay, now I want to talk about love, and this is the most important thing I could say about Joe. During his concerts, Joe would sometimes talk about love, and I paid attention to every word and thought about it. It wasn't a joke or a mannerism or a facile social gesture. Joe was really serious and I recognized how urgent and cathartic his message was. I can't remember when it clicked with me because there was a long stretch of years where I'd make a pilgrimage (usually to NYC) a few times a year for a Maneri experience, but at some point I started to really understand what he was saying about love. It was about the people in the room, our trials and tribulations, our faith in the healing power of beauty, the act of communion as we listened together, how much we needed each other, the gifts that were passing between us, accepting the true nature of art as an act of human fragility, accepting ourselves, accepting other people, letting our hearts breathe. It was about so many other things too, far beyond that gathering in that room. It was about our whole lives and all the other people on the planet. Love is the answer. Even when we think a situation is too serious for such idealistic notions, love is still the answer. Love is more serious than anything. This is what I learned from Joe. Thank you Joe!
Usually when people write about Joe there is this whole story about Arnold Schoenberg and microtonality and his academic accomplishments, but my foremost association is Duke Ellington. Joe was a kid in Brooklyn during the big band era. He experienced the racial separation of "white" and "black" scenes at the time, and when he went into Manhattan and heard Duke Ellington for the first time, it turned his world upside down. One of the most magical experiences of my life happened at Joe's house, in his music room, when we were sitting around chewing the fat with his old buddy Stu Vandermark. When they started talking about Duke Ellington, they realized that I was so caught up in the new music happenings that I hadn't spend enough time with some of the music's roots. So Joe grabbed a Duke Ellington CD and popped it in his cheap boombox. His face went into a huge grin with the sweet explosion of the first notes, and his body went into its instinctual chair dance. He proceeded to give me a lesson on how to feel the rhythms and move with it. Tune after tune, we were counting and tapping and having a blast, Joe and Stu peppering the lesson with all kinds of insights about this or that musician taking a solo. When I heard about Joe's passing the other day, I decided to wrap up my day by listening to Duke Ellington for a few hours. It was the best way I could observe my memories of this sweet, generous, explosively joyous man. Thank you Joe!
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Mat Maneri and Randy Peterson for transforming Joe's ultimate musical potential into a reality that people like me could actually touch and feel. I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to Joe's wife Sonja, because I know that Joe would have never gotten anywhere close to 82 years without her in his life!

- Mike Parker - 8-27-2009


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


IF YOU'RE ALREADY SUBSCRIBED TO OUR NEWSLETTER, BUT SOMEHOW YOU'RE NOT RECEIVING THEM IN YOUR INBOX..

Many of your incoming emails are being blocked and you don't know it! Many emails like our newsletter are frequently blocked by aggressive spam filters being used by nearly all email services.

To help avoid this problem and get our newsletter:

Hotmail Users: Place the domain " downtownmusicgallery.com " on your Safe List, so that you can receive our emails. The safe list can be accessed via the "Options" link next to the main menu tabs. Also place the email address dmg@downtownmusicgallery.com in your address book.

AOL: Place the domain " downtownmusicgallery.com " in your Address Book. Also add the email address dmg@downtownmusicgallery.com to your address book.

Yahoo! Mail: If one of our e-newsletters is filtered to your 'bulk' folder, open the message and click on the "this is not Spam" link next to the "From" field. The same goes for any other e-mail you receive that doesn't belong there. Add the address dmg@downtownmusicgallery.com to your address book.

Other email services [Earthlink, GMail et al]: Place the domain " downtownmusicgallery.com " on your email filter's whitelist. You may need to search your email help menu for details on how to do this. Depending on software/version, they may call it a "whitelist," a "good list" or similar name. Adding the address dmg@downtownmusicgallery.com to your address book will help too.