• 1.JOHN ZORN-Music for Children (Tzadik 7321) A fascinating collection of eight pieces from ’89 thru ’98 for solos, duos, trios and Prelapse-a Naked City cover band from Boston. Zorn mentions the joy of innocence and magical sensitivity in the notes, and I think that spirit is apparent in this collection of varied personnel & sound sources. The cd begins & ends with magical sounds of a celeste & music box played by Anthony Coleman with Cyro Baptista’s quaint percussion & voice on the opener. The three Prelapse-Naked City pieces clock in at about 2 minutes together with Zorn sitting in on two. They are a blast, totally fun, fitting as many musical styles as possible in 1 minute, perfect for the short attention span of kids. "Dreamer of Dreams" sounds just like another lovely, mid-eastern groove-chamber Masada piece and is performed by Ribot, Friedlander & Cohen. There are two long pieces-just as fascinating, but requiring more patience. The title tune is a contemporary classical chamber piece for Abel, Steinberg & Winant on violin, piano & percussion-who have done Zorn pieces so well in the past. The piece is often quite minimal, contemplative, but not completely delicate. The other long piece is "Cycles Du Nord" for wind machines & quiet feedback systems, and sounds like a wind & rain storm as it approaches. An innocent and dreamy feel permeates the whole release. The elaborate cover art & booklet are another story-it features illustrations by Henry Darger and dolls by Katan Amano, which are both somewhat disturbing. $14 

 
• 2.DAVID SHEA-Classical Works (Tzadik 7041) Shea has come a long way since coming to NYC in ’85, working as a sound manipulator on voice, turntables and sampler. He has been on a number of John Zorn’s finest works-‘Absinthe’, various filmworks cds and on a number of ‘Cobras’-an especially memorable one this past summer at Tonic comes to mind. Shea had mentioned that he had just spent the better part of the year recording numerous great musicians around Italy-an upcoming cd will show this adventure. This release features two pieces-the first-"Chamber Symphony #1" for the 16 piece Brussels based Ictus Ensemble. Shea samples each of the 16 musicians, mixing these with the live performance of this piece-creating a web of contemporary classical sounds, layers of both acoustic and sampled performances, sometimes delicate, sometimes haunting and strange. The other piece is "The ‘Voice’ Suite"-based on a score from a radio play and performed by a small unit of Erik Friedlander’s cello, Jim Pugliese’s percussion, Shea’s sampler, turntable & piano. It is not much different sounding than the first piece, although the first was for a 16 piece unit and this one is for only a trio! This piece has a sad & lovely melancholy haze, beautiful cello from Friedlander and evocative sounds from Pugliese’s percussion and Shea’s array of samples, scratchy records, piano in spurts. It is Shea’s cinematic scope that really comes forth in this work. This is David Shea’s eighth release since his first in ’92, each one reveals new worlds of sounds (sources) and are always fascinating to view with our ears. New worlds await you, don’t be shy… The price of one admission is $14. 

 
•  3.TENKO/IKUE MORI-Death Praxis: Mystery (Tzadik 7217) This is the second release from Death Praxis-an amazingly weird duo of vocalist Tenko and downtown’s finest sampler hero-Ikue Mori! The first release was done in ’92, has been long out of print, so a healthy portion of it is included with this new cd-making it well over 70 minutes. While the first DP was just the duo, this time guests include Eyvind Kang violin monster, Erik Friedlander cello extraordinaire and Anthony Coleman keyboard wit & wiz. Tenko’s voice explores an infinite cast of characters, invented languages and just plain songs-sort of. It is also Ikue’s ever changing scenery, bizarre beats and endless flow of sounds-that also takes us away. There are moments of quiet relief followed by thick primo beats coming up through the floorboards from the knuckleheaded kids who live below my apt. or it is that Ikue pounding it out?!? This is followed by the bliss and abandon of mind-swirling electronics and then comes that somewhat familiar pop tune in Japanese!?! Friedlander, Kang & Coleman also add their magical spices to the mix. All in all, a completely engaging and wonderful trip through Death Praxis’ universe of wacky vocals and assorted collection of selective sampled sounds. $14. 

 
•  4.LONDON/SKLAMBERG/CAINE- Nigunim (Tzadik 7129) An intimate trio recording by two members of the Klezmatics and one of jazz's greatest young virtuosos. Blending the Yiddish inflections of Lorin Sklamberg⁷s beautiful voice with the adventurous arranging skills of trumpeter Frank London and the sophistication of Uri Caine's harmonic piano phrasing, Nigunim is a new take on Jewish classics that is sure to delight both young and old. Creative and heartfelt arrangements of traditional Jewish song by three of the greatest musicians on the scene today. $14 (taken from a Tzadikpress release) 

 
• 5. ANNIE GOSFIELD-Burnt Ivory and Loose Wires (Tzadik 7040) From the very first time I encountered keyboardist & composer-Annie Gosfield and her husband-an under-recognized guitar great Roger Kleier, I was intrigued by playing at a David Moss gig at Roulette. Annie is originally from Philly, but spent many years with Roger as part of the notorious LA Free Music avant underground. They were part of a weird group called the Apes of God. They eventually moved to NYC and have involved with a number of downtown’s best. Annie’s odd keyboards have been utilized with Marc Ribot, Zorn ‘s "Cobra", Elliott Sharp, LaDonna Smith, Davey Williams & Kato Hideki. Two outstanding compositions of hers were the highlights of two volumes of the Bang-on-a-Can All-Stars. Annie’s concerts for (fictitious?) microtonal madman composer-PW Shrek show her ridiculous side. "Burnt Ivory…" is her first solo recording and it is a perfect introduction into her unique & weird world of twisted sounds. Two of the pieces feature Annie’s quartet with Roger on guitar and Jim Pugliese & Christine Bard on percussion. This quartet is a sort of off-shoot of Marc Ribot’s band Shrek, a band who rarely fulfilled their promise, but oddly enough both (Tzadik) composers Norman Yamada & Annie Gosfield borrowed Shrek’s personnel & sound and put it to better use. Annie certainly has a focused vision and sound-her detuned keyboard samples create a strange and distinctive world of the their own. The high point for me is her "Brawl" written for and performed by the Rova Quartet. The pieces’ title refers to a turn of the century common dance, it uses Bulgarian rhythms and methods intended to push Rova through new challenges and was also partially inspired by "the brawl"- a much publicized event that happened around the same time this piece was written-this brawl took place in NYC in which 40 drunken firemen terrorized a Manhattan bar for hours, exposing themselves and creating general havoc. Could be a convincing soundtrack for such an event? An excellent and odd release. $14. 

 
• 6.MARIE McAULIFFE’S ARKSEXTET-Plays the Music of Burt Bacharach/Refractions (Avant 070) I recall John Zorn mentioning how much he dug Marie’s lovely arrangement of "I Say a Little Prayer" on his Bacharach tribute cd of last year and that he had asked her to do an entire release of Bacharach tunes. Well here it is & what a luscious work of art it surely is. This cd features more of Marie’s excellent arrangements and warm, lyrical playing of her superb ensemble. Elegant, enchanting and even haunting at times, Marie’s musicians lift these tunes to a higher plane, especially the ever-melodic tone & grace of Rob Henke on trumpet & flugelhorn and Rich Perry on tenor sax. Marie constantly captures the elegant/innocent spirit of the 60’s when these songs were pop hits, occasionally opening them up to unexpected directions. "In the Land of Make Believe" opens with a slow, lovely tenor bit before it erupts into a burning, super quick tempo rush, but then slows again with more delicious tenor sounds. It is long & winding version of "The Look of Love" that is this release’s real gem! A marvelous arrangement of shifting tempos and textures, mysterious Coltrane-like episode for the tenor, and amazing horns only sections. Certainly the most gorgeous release on Avant, Zorn was right once more. Marie’s fine, slightly psychedelic b&w artwork adorn the cover and show another of her talents. $18. 

 
• 7.ALVIN CURRAN-Theme Park (Tzadik 7039) Co-founder of the legendary Musica Elettronica Viva in Rome of ’65 and pioneering solo sound explorer and electronic composer ever since, this is his second release for Tzadik. "Theme Park" is a massive work for four percussionists, but here it is played in a colossal solo by William Winant. Willie-we know from numerous amazing performances of John Zorn’s chamber works as well as some amazing improv with Thurston Moore at Victo a couple of years back. This 33 minute work pushes Willie to explore different areas of his orchestral drum kit. It is recorded with obvious care so that dense layers of percussion can be defined over the entirety of the audio spectrum. There are superhuman layers of intricate architecture that reminds me of Varese or Zappa’s percussion music. Alvin Curran adds metallic samples to the "theme park" type of environment created. The other piece on this cd is called "Charlie’s Park" for Charlie Parker-whose inventor of bebop burnin’ sax-Curran samples and loops it into 17 second wails of controlled chaos-sailing & spinning the notes in a Soft Machine-like layers of loops. A foghorn ambulance siren finally breaks through and then a few Mongolian singers are multiplied slowly via more loops, their voices sped up or slowed down to make things weirder still. A relatively stimulating & selective manipulation of sounds for a new world. $14. 

 
• 8.TIM BERNE-The Empire Box (Screwgun 70009) Twenty years & twenty plus releases later, Tim Berne has always followed his muse and come up with a world of ever-evolving adventure. Think about it-his first five on his own label-Empire, two on Soul Note, two on Columbia, three on JMT, four on his own label-Screwgun again, a trio on W&W plus duos with Frisell, Formanek and soon Hank Roberts-pretty outstanding output! The Empire Box covers five lps by Berne with various players from 1979 thru 1981. The first two cds/lps feature the cream of LA’s incredible but under-recognized avant/jazz scene-John Carter on clarinet-old cohort of Ornette’s in the late 50’s & godfather of the LA underground, the irrepressible Vinny Golia on too many reed instruments to mention & father of Nine Winds records-the only other label to document this scene, Glenn Ferris on trombone and ever-riveting rhythm team of Roberto Miranda on bass & Alex Cline on percussion. Even at the beginning of his long & winding musical journey-Tim Berne was composing long-15 minute epics! From slow & bluesy like his teacher-Julius Hemphill might do to rambunctious, crazy, full of life & adventure type of tales. On the second cd/lp- (‘7X’) John Carter is replaced by early guitar god-Nels Cline and the sparks really begin to fly!! Tim always pushes boundaries with all the wonderful players he assembles. Cd3 (‘Spectres’) brings Tim’s crew back to Brooklyn & features Olu Dara on cornet, James Harvey on trombone and both Ed Schuller & John Lindberg on basses, Alex Cline also continues on percussion. Diversity is once again the order of the day, influences & dedications are all over the map-Mingus, Hamid Drake and AACM-like between the genres type of exploration-composed & free elements, modern jazz & contemporary classical areas. Cds 4 & 5 feature an outstanding quartet with the under-recognized tenor & soprano sax power of Mack Goldsbury who went from Texas to New Jersey & now lives in Europe, Ed Schuller once more on bass and the always amazing Paul Motian on drums. Dedications here are for Alex Cline & Akira Kurosawa, showing Tim’s wide range of inspirations. I recall Goldsbury from years back ‘cause he was a local sensation-a hard blowing tenor great, but on these two cds/lps he plays through Tim’s charts & parts with a restrained but resourceful grace. This was the beginning of Tim’s long journey through two decades of continual growth and challenge for him and his well chosen ensembles. This is an important document of 3 & ½ hours of strong playing and composing, nice to have this back in print. A five cd set for $55. 

 
• 9.NED ROTHENBERG/SYNC-Port of Entry (Intuition 3249) With each & every Ned Rothenberg release, we find Ned challenging both himself & us, in some new & unexplored context. Wonderful solo sax recordings, nifty duos with Evan Parker and Sainko Namchylak, ongoing great woodwind trio of New Winds, the colossal Double Band to the slightly larger Powerlines unit. And who could forget Fall Mountain, Odd Job or Semantics!?! Once again, Ned has put together a perfectly balanced trio of three musicians totally in Sync! He’s joined by Jerome Harris (Double Band) on nimble & swirling acoustic guitar and the warm toned wonder of his acoustic bass guitar. Completed by Samir Chatterjee tabla, dumbek & assorted percussion. Samir is also a current member of yet another new Dave Douglas project with Myra Melford on harmonium. Ned adds superb clarinet to his plate this time along with his mesmerizing circular breathed alto sax flow, excellent spirited & swinging bass clarinet and even some suspenseful shakuhachi on "Lost in a Blue Forest". Often reminding me of the early magic blend of Oregon, with their fourth & world and east/west/raga sound. Ned claims to be the wink link here, but it is his circular flow that keeps his trio on their toes. Spirits sailing to the heavens. Nirvana for a mere $14. 

 
•  10.(NICKY SKOPELITIS) EKSTASIS-Wake Up and Dream (CyberOctave 46408) Both Nicky’s and Bill Laswell’s musical adventures have been intertwined since the early days of the downtown scene of the late 70’s/early 80’s. While Nicky’s many guitars & exotic stringed instruments from around the world can be found on dozens (hundreds?) of Bill’s sessions, Skopelitis has only recorded three solo releases in the last nine years. Obviously ultra-selective about each of his recorded excursions, this one is no less special. This seems an extension of Bill’s recent "Sacred System" series, both in overall sound and personnel. We get both the cosmic/melodic/dub thick electric basses of Jan Wobble and Laswell. Like the previous Nicky release, we also get Can’s Jaki Liebzeit on drums, as well as the double tablas of Zakir Hussain & Badal Roy. Of course it is that constant cosmic/dub/thick & melodic el. bass groove that is the center of this universe. That this is on CyberOctave-a so called new age label, it does have an often restrained & lovely haze, warm & glowing. Nicky plays lovely acoustic guitar, as well as some superb Frippish sustain guitar magic, plus often hypnotic electric sitar shimmer. While solos are often short & sweet, it’s the dope Material sound that feels so good. Word is that we might finally get copies of Nicky’s amazing duo cd with Raoul Bjorkenheim sometime soon, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. In the meantime, grab this! $14. 

 
• 11.MATTHEW SHIPP HORN QUARTET-Strata (Hatology 522) Yet another departure for our local piano hero-this time it’s the front-line from Other Dimensions in Music-Roy Campbell on trumpets and Daniel Carter on saxes & trumpets-plus long-time partner & bass god-William Parker. There is no drummer in site, so William gets in explore the entire bottom end on occasion and the overall ambiance is one of a spacious chamber ensemble. There are 14 tracks all called "Strata #…" and each is under eight minutes-making the pieces more focused, streamlined and at times minimal. Wonderful solos, duos, trios and quartets abound, an often lovely, somber presence, much different from their more explosive antics. Due to the longevity of Other Dimensions-almost two decades-there is an amazing telepathic connection between the horns of Roy and Daniel-they seem to flow as one force of nature-they glow, sail, breathe life all over this wondrous effort. Matt continues to mature, ripen and grasp greatness-balancing the dark with the light, the outside with in the inside, the earth with the sky, man with his and our muse. A recent duo gig with violinist Mat Maneri at the Knit was one of best gigs of the year! Getting better all the time. $17. 

 
• 12.VERNON REID/ELLIOTT SHARP/DAVID TORN-GTR OBLQ (KFW 233) Had I not been at this live set from the Knit, I wouldn’t have imagined this odd combination of electric guitar wizards would work nearly as well as it did and now the document is in hand. All three of these monster guitarists have much different sounds and backgrounds, but it seems to be their love & control of technology bring them together in one ever-changing journey & alien transmission of cosmic & warped sounds. The flow of events in enhanced by ultra-selective rhythm samples that punctuate weird manipulation of strings. There is a fine balance-episodes of quiet slide blues, exotic world music string bending, loads of wacky noise solos and a number of dazzling el. guitar solos for the kids! A most impressive guitar tour-de-force! $13. 

 
• 13.GERRY HEMINGWAY QT.-Johnny’s Corner Song (Auricle 4) Many of us agree that the Anthony Braxton Qt. of the 80’s was one of the finest of all modern jazz groups. In the five years since their almost decade long reign, each member-Marilyn Crispell on piano, Mark Dresser on acoustic bass and Gerry Hemingway on drums-has continued to do great things, releasing numerous powerful recordings. Gerry always knocks me out, both as a dynamic drummer/percussionist, a diverse & fascinating composer, as well as a most selective bandleader. I can recall three outstanding sets at the Knit jazz fest a few years back, also a great set at Victo with the same band as on this superb cd-Ellery Eskelin on tenor sax, Robin Eubanks on trombone and the aforementioned Mark Dresser-acoustic bass great! This excellent release is from a concert in Holland in November of ’97 and features four long & winding pieces that clock in at about an hour. The title tune has a sly, laid back & bluesy type of groove that builds into Mingus-like barbecue party thang. Robin Eubanks’ bone lays down the hard swinging groove on "On It", while Ellery blasts his post-Gene Ammons tenor on down through the history of jazz. Later when the horns lay down the theme together, it is the Gerry and Mark who erupt with intense & frenzied playing. Gerry composed 3 of the 4 tunes here and wisely selected Mark Helias’ wonderful "Gentle Ben" to cover, a gentle and beautiful tune at that, with warm & lovely solos by Robin & Ellery both. The 21 plus minute "Toombow" is more of an epic-where Mark gets his chance to demonstrate on of his colossal extended range bass solos, Gerry also shines on one of his magical-earthy-hands on-small instrument sort of solos, which shifts to more of a roar when Ellery wails away on tenor once more Unfortunately for us, although Gerry only lives in New Jersey, he rarely plays in NYC. It was so good to hear his current qt. with Cuong Vu on trumpet replacing Robin Eubanks at Tonic a few weeks back. Gerry is doing a duo gig with vocalist Andrea Goodman at Roulette on Friday November 13^th and a trio set with pianist-Dan DeChellis at the Knit November 24^th. Lucky for us locals in the Apple, in the meantime you can purchase this prize for $14. 

 
• 14.HARRIET TUBMAN-I Am a Man (KFW 228) Anyone who has witnessed Henry Threadgill’s Make A Move quintet over the past couple of years, know the dynamo that they can be. They have that Mahavishnu-like storm-force intensity, swirling Klein electric guitar by Brandon Ross-who played so beautifully for Cassandra Wilson in recent years and JT Lewis on massive drums. Both of these young masters are now in an incredible power trio with equally astounding Melvin Gibbs on electric bass. Melvin holds down the bottom with a thick jazz/rock/funk/punk/metal edge-wowing us all in both the Henry Rollins Band and on that scary Arto Lindsay Trio cd on KFW. Their new group is Harriet Tubman and this is their first fine release and it shows that well crafted jazz/rock/fusion still exists at this late date. Many of these tunes unfold slowly, with Brandon playing lovely fluidic lines on top of Melvin’s dark but restrained undertow and JT’s delicious backbeat. Melvin’s fuzzbass melts minds nicely on "Asiatic Research", but it Brandon who truly outdoes himself with a number of firebreathing el. guitar solos! Harriet Tubman will hopefully be at DMG’s next anniversary bash, so watch out! Treat yourself. $13. 

 
• 15.MARK DRESSER/ANTHONY COLEMAN-Eye’ll Be Seeing You (KFW 211) This is a wonderful, provocative trio of Dresser’s distinctive acoustic bass, Coleman’s ever cinematic piano & organ and the ever resourceful, ever growing finesse of Chris Speed’s clarinet & tenor sax. Both Mark and Anthony composed music for one film a piece and were placed on the same program at the Knit’s film & live music series. Mark’s choice was "Un Chien Andalou"-a ’29 collaboration between surrealist masters-Luis Bunuel and Salvador Dali, certainly some of the most twisted images in film history. This is an amazingly well balanced trio that seems to flow from one cosmic dream sequence to the next. This is not really about soloing so much, but evoking spirits and presenting images for our mind’s eye movies to fill in. Mark even provided some groovy tango-esque intermission music to sooth our souls, while Anthony tosses off a Misha-like solo of cool nuttiness. Anthony Coleman’s movie of choice is ‘A Propos De Nice’, which he calls a little filmic symphony. Once again the trio succeed at evoking visual spirits with both somber beauty and the buoyant steam of events and directions. With no drummer in sight, the trio also keep up a solid rhythmic undertow. Most impressive composing from both Mark and Anthony, at times not that different from European contemporary classical coolness. The bizarre cover art of suspended winky glasses adds the perfect touch. $14. 

 
• 16.SUSIE IBARRA/DENIS CHARLES-Drum Talk (Wobbly Rail 005) God, what a beautiful cd this is!! Denis was such a special spirit, an elderly statesman of modern jazz drumming, a gentle old man with a radiant smile, that seems like a permanent fixture in alphabet city. His career spanned over fifty years of continuous advancements jazz and especially free-jazz drumming from it’s inception in the late 50’s, when he broke barriers with Cecil Taylor. I recall great gigs with Elliott Sharp (on tenor) & Wayne Horvitz in the early 80’s to gigs with Haze Greenfield & Michael Marcus in the 90’s. A constant quiet fire! His passing earlier this year was a great loss for all of us downtowners, so this here release is a perfect tribute to his special skills, capturing him and new drum wiz Susie Ibarra- half a century younger-yet a perfect match. It turns out that both Susie and Denis were good friends who played togerther weekly for about two years-this cd is a well recorded document of the meeting of these kindred spirits in concert at Context in NYC in January of this year. This is a delightful journey through the islands of the West Indies where Denis came from through the isles of the Philippines where Susie hails through many world music and jazz grooves. There is a sense of tightrope walking, balancing of textures, building of intensities, the squeezzing out of sparks. On "Kulintang Medley" Susie’s quick spinning Philippine gongs mix with Denis’ exquisite mallet storm in rare combination of cultures that has to heard to be believed. Completely marvelous! $14. 

 
• 17.ELLIOTT SHARP/DJ SOULSLINGER-Rwong Territory (Cavity Search 43) Although I am certainly not much of a fan of the drum n’bass sound, I ‘ve got to admit to be knocked out by first Derek Bailey’s cd & gig at the Knit with this type of thing. Elliott has actually been working with machine/funk for longer than most would think. His two recent ‘Tectonics’ cds are a good example of this endeavor. This spectacular release was recorded live in Germany in April of this year. DJ Soulslinger is consistently pushing textures and beats in hour faces, ears & guts! Its the way his beats mutate that seems to push us over the edge. It is Elliott’s ridiculous array of wacky sounds, samples, computer-generated weirdness, as well as his mind-warp electric guitar solos that take us on bizarre and enchanting journeys. Can I really by nostalgic for the crackly sounds of old records?!? Throbbing, pounding, mesmerizing and pretty fuckin’ cool! $14. 

 
• 18.DAVID TORN/CHRIS MASSEY/DAVID CASTGLIONE-Forever Sharp and Vivid (Lolo 014) After the sad demise of the CMP label, local guitar wiz David Torn lost his half dozen plus CMP releases to cut-out bin hell. There remains only a best of on Koch for only a ten spot. So good to see/hear so many of Torn’s newer projects flowing out at a quick pace. In just the past year, he’s recorded & toured with the Bruford- Levin band, has an amazing electric guitar trio with Vernon Reid & Elliott Sharp (new cd reviewed elsewhere) and has collaborated with soundtrack composer Carter Burwell. This particular trio-FS&V is also pretty incredible-if I didn’t know better I’d swear it was some lost session from ECM giants Terje Rypdal/Jan Garbarek/Jon Christensen or Nana maybe!?! No small feat, considering how hard Manfred Eicher works at getting that glacial mist on ancient fjords type of hazy ECM production. Although I am previously unfamiliar with the talents of David Castiglione on saxes and Chris Massey on percussion, word is that they have been associated with another local guitar great-Dave Tronzo. It was these two who actually produced this work, but it is all three players who provide the right balance of sonics. Torn, who has worked with the likes of ex-Japan members-Mick Karn & David Sylvian has also perfected the use of odd loops & samples, which add a slightly twisted ambiance to the proceedings. The FS&V trio wrote or improvised in the studio most of this hour long journey, but there are two well chosen covers- an over-the-top ‘Devotion’ era McLaughlin-like version of Paul Motian’s "The Hoax" and a beautiful soprano sax & electric guitar drifting rendition of Annette Peacock’s "Nothing ever was, anyway". Finally avail. for $14. 

 
• 19. URI CAINE ENSEMBLE-Wagner E Venezia (Winter & Winter 910 013) This is a wonderful recording which I recommend to all readers, but not for the reasons for which CDs usually are in this newsletter. This is a powerful evocation of Venice, particularly the Piazza San Marco, as a physical place, and those who love that place will find this an essential document. While New Yorkers may find this an unusual project in terms of the downtown scene, it’s very typical in the Venetian context. The Uri Caine Ensemble’s instrumentation of strings, piano and accordian is the standard for a cafe orchestra there, and on any given summer night you can find up to 5 of them playing outside in San Marco, vying for strollers’ attention in what is very much a battle of the bands. And they all play music very much like what is recorded here. Mr. Caine’s arrangements of Wagner’s greatest hits are of the local Venetian wine and roses variety - there’s almost no downtown crash and smash here, except tiny bits at the beginning and end of the Ride of the Valkyries. But they are wonderfully witty and carefully done arrangements, many cuts above the local competition. On the night when I heard this band in San Marco (unknowingly, sometime during the week of this recording), Caine and his band completely stole the show, 3/4 filling the Piazza on a slow weekday night, a feat apparently surpassed only by Pink Floyd some years before. 

 
• Was there a relation between Caine’s appearance in Venice and the Venice Biennale, which was happening all over town at the time? Certainly, the idea of a Jewish pianist playing the music of Hitler’s favorite composer, in the place where that music was written, contains enough contrast and site-specific reference to appeal to anyone with a taste for conceptual art. And what wonderful sonic site references! You can hear the crowd and it’s comments, the stir of the wind in the square, the chiming of the bells of the clocktower, and, I think, the wash of the waters of the lagoon, beating at the fondamente in front of the Doge’s Palace. Perhaps this last is my imagination, but the whole package, including the reproductions of Carlos Naya’s well known 19^th century photographs is a wonderful souvenir (in the best sense of the word) of Venice, and I hope that the Hotel Metropole and some of the other high end hotels buy thousands of copies to use as on-the-pillow gratuities for newly arriving guests, and put some well-deserved shekels into the pockets of Caine & company! I find the best way to listen to this is with a bottle of Tokai, and a plate of Sarde en Saor in front of me. To those who don’t know Venice, and don’t know what I’m talking about, I don’t know what to say, except that you should consider your ignorance to be a medical problem, to be remedied as soon as possible. (Thanx due to John Rahmes- guest reviewer for this CD) 

 
• 20.TISZIJI MUNOZ-Visiting This Planet (Anami 001) & Hearing Voices (Anami 003) Thanks to Henry Kaiser for turning me/us onto unrecognized electric jazz guitar giant from another realm-Schenectady actually. Turns out Tisziji has been playing for/with Pharoah Sanders since the 70’s until now. His own label has released seven cds including two doubles, two lps & cassettes as well! After listening to all 7 cds, I am still amazed at consistency of each one of these excursions, Tisziji’s ever wailing spiritual fire. ‘Visiting This Planet" is his first release & is also available on high quality vinyl double lp ($20.) It was recorded from ‘81 thru ’84 and features Pharoah, Cecil McBee, Bob Moses, Dave Liebman, John Hicks and an old Toronto college buddy of his-Paul Shaffer?! Munoz composed most of these long spirited journeys, save for Coltrane’s "Equinox" and "To Be", an obvious inspiration. This release seems to consist of many lovely melodies that glide over layers of percussion, saxes & keyboards. Tisziji’s guitar continually cuts through, at times like the Santana/McLaughlin wailing of ‘Welcome’! Both Coltrane pieces push the limits outwards, exploding in joyous release, high points of this journey. "Hearing Voices" was also recorded during the same era and also includes many of the same players-Liebman & McBee, but also includes Art Davis, Idris Muhammed, Hilton Ruiz, Jerry Gonzales & Adam Nussbaum. On this cd, Tisziji shows how even the corniest of standards ("Climb Every Mountain" & "Somewhere") can be turned into burning, impassioned songs of great force. The spirits continue to soar, all musicians present seem to be a part of the cosmic proceedings. Munoz’s originals also show a source of joyous melodies and rambling, hypnotic grooves. Both of these fine cds are great additions to his astounding catalogue. Join the club & jump in! Yours truly is working on an anniversary gig for the store at the Knit featuring Tisziji Munoz (w/ Pharaoh & Rashid Ali), Elliott Sharp-Percy Jones-Sim Cain and maybe Harriett Tubman!! Stay tuned. Both wonderful cds for the unbelievable low price of $10. Each! 

 
• 21.BRIGHT MOMENTS-Return of the Lost Tribe (Delmark 507) This is a reunion of old-school AACMers and an important gathering of older &wiser spirits. Both front-person sax players-Joseph Jarman on alto & flute and Kalaparusha on tenor-had both retired from music making for a period of time. So it was a good idea to team them up with other AACM greats-Jarman’s former cohort in the Art Ensemble-Malachi Favors on bass, Steve Colson on piano and Kahil El’Zabar on drums. Like all great AACM offerings, this one also encompasses the wide world & history of jazz. The opener & title tune consists of an older, slower, more swinging type of bounce with both saxes playing in slightly odd harmonies. While Kalaparusha and occasionally Jarman don’t play with the fire or abandon of their earlier careers, their tones are much richer, more compelling. Kahil also gets the rhythmic rivers and hypnotic chants of the natives flowing. Pianist-Steve Colson is also a wonder-from quiet to majestic to a full-out storm of activity! Many of these pieces have lovely, calming, afterglow. A most impressive return of ancient spirits! $14. 

 
• 22.LOREN MAZZACANE-CONNORS/ALAN LICHT-Hoffman Estates (Drag City 151) Before you groan-another duo release?!? You are wrong, this is a well chosen cast of ten of Chicago’s finest new improvisers-jamming with our own local guitar legend duo-Loren & Alan in a Miles inspired haze of cosmic mirth making. The all-star pool of players includes guitarists-Jim O’Rourke, Kevin Drumm and Rick Rizzo from 11^th Dream Day, plus the ever inventive horns of Ken Vandermark on tenor, Jeb Bishop on trombone, new hotshot cornetist-Rob Mazurek, plus two (acoustic) bassists, clarinet & drums. While side one shows off Jim O’Rourke ultra-selective and often quiet production prowess. Side two builds to frenetic extremes without going completely overboard-but it does come close. There is a calming relaxed spirit that flows through much of the proceedings-perhaps due to O’Rourke’s sympathetic in studio vibe. This is beautiful and sad-simultaneously-captured just right-a marvel of soft execution. $14. 

 
• 23.WILLIAM HOOKER-Hard Time (Squealer 026) w/Donald Miller,D.Walker,Jesse Henry,R.Keene-$14. 

 
• 24.MAL WALDRON & ROBERTO OTTAVIANO-Black Spirits…(DIW 917) soprano/piano duo…$18. 

 
• 25.PALINCKX-It’s Frontal Dog (Victo 061) wacky, post prog/Beefheart coolness, w/ Jim Meneses…$15. 

 
• 26.ERNST REIJSEGER-Colla Parte (W&W 012) solo cello & violin …$14. 

 
• 27.SAM RIVERS & ALEXANDER SCHLIPPENBACH-Tangens (FMP 99) superb sax/piano duo…$17. 

 
• 28.IVOR CUTLER-A Flat Man (Creation 236) finally new solo work from this groovy lunatic! $17. 

 
• 29.MARTIN TETREAULT & ROBERT LEPAGE-Callas: la diva et le vinyle (Amb. Mag. 059) …$15. 

 
• 30.L’ORKESTRE DES PAS PERDUS-Maison douce maison (Amb.Mag.060) hilite of last Victo fest! $15. 

MIKESSPACE MIKESSPACE MIKESSPACE MIKESSPACE MIKESSPACE 
 

Sinister- Aggressive Measures <Nuclear Blast> (RIYL: God Dethroned, Iniquity, Illdisposed, Incantation)  

Feeling down and full of self-hatred? Need a scourging? Crank up the stereo, take off your shirt, get out the cheese grater, wet your skin and go to work. The soundtrack? AGGRESSIVE MEASURES ! this is one of the most brutal releases that I’ve heard this year. A pure death metal release that manages to avoid the cartoonish extremes of Cannibal Corpse or Mortician, but still crushes like a M-1 frontline battle tank. I’m not sure what’s in the water in the Netherlands but that country seems to have a stranglehold on the ultra-destructive bands. Personally, I think it’s the proximity to the Arctic Circle winters and the 6 month darkness that goes along with it. Anyway… 5 Crowns!!! 

Talvin Singh- OK <Island> (RIYL: the Goa/Bhangra sound)  
 
Indian classical tabla master and super producer Talvin Singh drops the bomb on this- his first CD. Combining classical Indian instrumentation with the latest in hype beatness is a formula that, while not new, works extremely well in the hands of a master like Singh. Check out track 8 :light" for an excursion into bliss or "vikram the Vampire" for some full-bore tabla infused fury. A well thought out journey across the Asian sub-continent, space and time. 4 Crowns. 

Morning Again- As Tradition Dies Slowly <Revelation> (RIYL: Earth Crisis, Integrity, Coalesce, etc.)  

So what, another band combining Slayer-esque rhythms with hardcore fury, do we really need this? Well… no, but that’s not to say that it isn’t as good as certain releases by the contemporaries listed above. Actually, it kicks ass, but in a way that your ass has been kicked before. I guess I’m saying that while not Lewis and Clark-like along the lines of, say… BLOODLET, this disc is a bludgeoning that will stand the test of time in this self-limiting genre. I’ve got to give this points for being a granite solid, diamond hard, ball crushing aural fist o’pain. 3 ½ Crowns. 

Meat Beat Manifesto- Actual Sounds and Voices <Nothing/Interscope> (RIYL: ???) 

What can one say about Jack Dangers’ continuing saga of audio boundary shredding? Well, I can say that he still delivers jaw-dropping CDs a full decade after the ground-breaking STORM THE STUDIO. Let’s stop a moment and reminisce about that CDs ultra- innovative use of sampling, distortion, aggression and Hip-Hop funkiness, shall we? Well, now we get a mixture of GODFLESH- tinged dub, KRAFTWERK style bleep-blips and rhythm forward leanings drawn from Drum ‘n’ Bass. A genre busting release that manages to avoid pigeon holing while drawing freely from Big-Beat, Dub, D’n’B, Industrial and the cosmos. Go, Jack, go!!! 4Crowns. 

Einsteurzende Neubauten- Ende Neu <Nothing> (RIYL: Current 93, Death in June, Sol Invictus, etc.)  

Folque-Concrete. There… I’ve coined a new genre. I’m guilty of the further fragmentation of music, so shoot me. That’s what these guys are doing these days and they’re definitely doing more Folque than Concrete. Remember the good old days of jackhammers, screams, fire and cement mixers? Well, if they’re still there, they’re buried deep in the mix of… actual music. I’m just kinda rambling here, not knowing how to take this release, I suppose that if you liked HAUS DER LUGE, you’ll like this, as I sorta do. BUT!!!… I miss the days of DRAWINGS, FEUNF and HALBER MENSCH. Getting older blows! 3 (dejected) Crowns.