NEWSLETTER 46 NEW RELEASES FOR JUNE 2000 NEWSLETTER 46

1.JOHN ZORN-Pool (Tzadik 7316) Featuring Polly Bradfield on violin, Bob Ostertag on Serge electronics synth, Mark E. Miller & Charles K. Noyes on percussion, vibes, saw & assorted noise-makers and John Zorn on alto & soprano saxes & bird calls. Lesli Dalaba, who recently returned to NY for the first time in many years to play with Fred Frith at Tonic, is the prompter or the person who cues the players. This cd is the second release from 'The Parachute Years' box and 'Pool' is one of John Zorn's earliest game pieces - first performed in 1979 and recorded here on March 1st of 1980. I vaguely recall witnessing it at Studio Henry in 1979 and being both marveled and confused by what was going on. Both percussionists were members of the Toykillers - a crazy duo/trio whose explosive sets often included fireworks & other ridiculous surprises. Zorn explains the basic structure of 'Pool' in the liner notes - the ordering of all possible player combinations involved separated by silences of varying lengths. Zorn calls 'Pool' some of the strangest music ever recorded and listening to this cd some twenty years later, we can all hear why! There is an incredible attention to intricate detail, as if each sound were a single scientific specimen or alien kernel on display. The overall sound remains tight and completely focused. Remember, at this point in their development Zorn was playing mostly dozens of mouth-pieces, sax & clarinet parts & bird calls, while Polly was playing her violin with a comb & a toothbrush, so their sound was definitely their own and unlike anything else. Zorn also mentions that the varying lengths of silences which separate the combinations of players are meant to make time (ing) the most or least important aspect of the performance. For me, it is the timing that helps brings these sounds into best light. The silences add a bit of calm, so we can take our time to ponder those sounds as they unfold a few at a time. Zorn's world of sounds is not that strange after all. $14.

2.EYVIND KANG-The Story of Iceland (Tzadik 7059) Violinist Eyvind Kang is the master of surprise, with each release and each gig much different from whatever we've come to expect. Earlier this year he presented a new mostly acoustic quartet with Myra Melford on harmonium & Charles Burham also on violin. He has recorded with weird bands like the Sun City Girls & Secret Chiefs in recent years, after playing highly melodic & mellow fiddle for Bill Frisell. He has an intense power trio with Kato Hideki on el. bass & Calvin Weston on drums called Dying Ground (cd on Avant) - who played at Tonic the other night with added members Trey Spruance (Mr. Bungle) & Tim Young (Zony Mash) on guitars, Billy Martin added on drums & Briggan Krause sitting in on sax! A rather mesmerizing, psychedelic jamfest which concluded with a joyous cover of Neil Young's "When You Dance". So no one knows what's next for Eyvind!

'The Story of Iceland' is Eyvand's third cd for Tzadik and includes a large cast of known characters like Frisell, Leslie Dalaba, Jessica Lurie (BTMSQ) and Tim Young & Keith Lowe (from Zony Mash) and unknown players as well. Eyvind also doubles on tuba, euphonium erhu, oud, guitar, bass, viola & vocals. The title track is a five part suite which lasts 30 minutes and is a sort of somber, hypnotic world music blend slightly twisted acoustic beauty which sounds like & was recorded outdoors. "10:10" is a rather quaint psychedelic gem with processed vocals from another (circus-like) dimension that will probably played often on stations like WFMU and rightly so. 'The Story of Iceland' commences with a charming gamelan solo called "Ayanamsha" which helps us find inner peace. Welcome to the wacky world of Eyvind Kang once more. $14.

3.WADADA LEO SMITH-Reflectativity (Tzadik 7060) This is the second in a series of three recordings that Leo Smith has done for the Tzadik label which feature longtime cohorts - Anthony Davis - the wonderful, yet currently under-recorded piano great, Malachi Magoustous Favors monster contrabassist for the Art Ensemble of Chicago and Wadada Leo Smith's ever-provocative trumpet & flugel-horn! The title piece was first recorded in the early 70's for Leo's own label and has long been out-of-print. "Reflectativity" was and remains a masterwork which blends improvisation and composition into an important stream of well-connected ideas. A superb recording in which each musician is in perfect balance with the trio, each playing both powerfully in certain sections and also with quiet grace in other parts. Anthony does a fine job of playing inside the piano while Leo's muted smears reflect back a similar terrain. Malachi is also a master of suspense and propulsion, keeping the trio well grounded one moment and propelling the pulse the next. On "Fisherman T Wmukl-D" the trio often play together in solo/duo/solo which seem to shadow each other's paths - sometimes plotted, at times free, yet ever-building in quiet intensity with large amounts of well-placed silence in between. The last piece is "Hanabishi" and it erupts quickly, Leo and Anthony spiraling notes towards the heavens, cascading to a busy intersection, which becomes sparse once again and then picks up speed rising to a solid conclusion. It would be great to see/hear this remarkable trio play live - we can only hope for miracles. $14.

4.NEW KLEZMER TRIO-Short for Something (Tzadik 7141) This is only the third release by bay area's New Klezmer Trio in a decade, so our patience has been rewarded. It is not that their leader - clarinet great Ben Goldberg doesn't keep busy, he does have a half dozen other releases with different groups on various labels - all gems I might add. It might just be that their drummer Kenny Wollesen has been living here for quite a while and plays with more bands than we can keep track of. Their original bassist - Trevor Dunn - also keeps quite busy with Mr. Bungle, Secret Chiefs & solo projects and is also moving to NYC soon. Hence, the bassist on this cd is Dan Seamans, a fine replacement and new addition. The New Klez Trio takes old Klezmer tunes and/or melodies and pushes them further out, freeing them up and turning them inside out. All but one of the pieces found here were composed by Ben, then final tune a traditional Klez piece arranged by Kenny. Ben does a wonderful job of composing these tunes delightful and somewhat familiar melodies. "The Because Of" yawns with an ancient endearing grace of a soft, sad & touching melody. The title tune shows how this trio has worked their quirky, quick-spinning magic into an ultra-tight yet organic web of telepathic activity. Kenny has that special spark which allows him to listen & react instantly, so that the natural rhythm flow always works. On "Fast" he takes the lead, pushing the intensity up a notch or two and shows how the drums can also be the main character in one of these great stories. So great to have him here in his many diverse bands. Both Kenny & Ben have an especially tight grasp on each other's abilities, constantly shadowing each other where-ever they go. Ben seems to write some of his best pieces with sections which show how keeps on their toes by shifting the focus between quick & playful parts and slow & enchanting parts - like on "All Chords Stand for Other Chords". An excellent endeavor from a great trio who are consistently pushing klezmer into the future! $14.

5.FRED FRITH-MARK DRESSER-IKUE MORI-LaterŠ (Victo 70) Fred tells us that the reason this fine improv date is called 'LaterŠ', is that it has taken six years to get this studio date released, being bounced between various labels before Victo finally got it out. It was recorded in a Frisco studio in '94, with one piece live from the Great American Music Hall. Fred had been living in Germany at the time, but now lives in Oakland and is a professor at Mills College. All three members of this trio are giants of (the downtown) improv scene - Fred playing guitar(s) often on table or on his lap, plus violin & keyboard, Mark on contrabass and Ikue on sampler/drum machine. Each has a most distinctive sound, many of us could pick them out in a blindfold test. There is an extreme concentration going on here, each sound or combination of sounds is just right, a tentative yet fluid feeling. Duos turn into trios, solos also mutate into duos/trios as well. Both Fred's & Mark's string manipulations create eerie soundscapes, with Ikue providing consistently inventive punctuation to fill in the horizon/scenery. There is no lead instrument here, although each member can push or pull the direction at different times. There are moments when things get dense and somewhat scary, there are also times when sounds are sparse and a more spacious magic becomes apparent. The recording here is by Bob Ostertag and he has done an excellent job of capturing the vast dynamic range of quiet to explosive sounds. On a few of these pieces Fred seems to be playing in a bluesy sort of way, perhaps a way of bringing the avant vibe back down to mother earth? It is unfortunate that three master musicians of this caliber must wait so long to get this cd released, so let us thank the Victo label for their help. $14.

6.MARTY EHRLICH'S TRAVELER'S TALES-Malinke's Dance (Omnitone 12003) Featuring Tony Malaby & Marty Ehrlich on reeds, Jerome Harris on acoustic bass guitar and Bobby Previte on drums. Traveler's Tales is Marty's longest running ensemble with five releases on Enja going back over a decade, each one a gem. Always a great two sax quartet, Marty has replaced Stan Strickland with an equally fine saxist and relative newcomer to NYC - Tony Malaby on tenor & soprano. Tony has become more & more visible in recent years, recording for Arabesque and is also in a two sax unit with Tim Berne. Both Marty & Tony are obviously musical soul-mates, as their horns both fit so well together throughout. This excellent cd was recorded live in the Knit's Old Office in December of '99 and Marty composed all but two of the pieces, with covers by (friend & mentor) Julius Hemphill and Bob Dylan & the Band. The 'Malinke' of the title refers to an early teacher and inspiration of Marty's who explained "not to separate the various parts of music, that they're all connected". Like all of Marty's releases, this one also combines various threads or genres into a well-integrated whole or journey. The opening track "Rhymes" celebrates the beauty of nursery rhymes and has a joyous head or melody for all to savor. Marty's flute & Tony's tenor gently caress the senses on the haunting tune "The Cry Of". The title track has both horns (Marty on soprano) weaving passionately in an uplifting communion of spirits - snap your fingers or clap your hands and smile! I really dig the slow motion melancholy grace of "Line on Love". One of the highlights is Julius Hemphill's "Pigskin" with its ebullient bass line pumping throughout and burning solos from both horns. Like myself, Marty must be a Bob Dylan fan, because this is the second time he has covered a Dylan tune (from the first Band lp) "Tears of Rage" - a gospelish gem with two superb enchanting sax solos to touch our hearts. After seven years, let us welcome back Traveler's Tales and hope we won't have to wait as long for their next gift. $14.

7.WILLIAM PARKER & THE LITTLE HUEY CREATIVE MUSIC ORCHESTRA-Mayor of Punkville (Aum Fidelity 15/16) a two cd set. This is the third chapter/release in the continuing story of Little Huey - mythological character created by orchestra leader, bassist-hero and visionary William Parker. Recorded live at Tonic on four dates last year and featuring a 16 piece ensemble of downtown's finest musicians. William mentions in the liner notes how "spirit" or "cosmic" music is different from "academic" music (taught in schools) - this wondrous double cd is a perfect example of "spirit music". A great deal of thought has gone into this ever-evolving story, with each concert another chapter unfolds. "Interlude #1" quietly builds from silence into "James Baldwin to the Rescue" which features the voice of Aleta Hayes & the lyrics of William, quoting both fairy tales and real-life tales as well, with Chris Jonas' soprano sax beginning to investigate a spiraling bitter-sweet solo. "Ogala Eclipse" is dedicated to a dozen special spirits - both jazz and native-american visionaries, with powerful solos by Bob Brown, Ori Kaplan, Charles Waters and other strong players. William explains how the orchestra is made of seven sections which can initiate self-conduction - marvelously employed here and witnessed in full bloom at the Vision Fest last month. A challenge for both the players to engage in and the listeners to contemplate. The further adventures of Little Huey are told on "I Can't Believe I am Here" as our hero goes to the store to buy bread for his mother and loses it on the way home, hiding in a laundromat embarrassed by his loss and well told through the music. "Interlude #7" is also "Huey's Blues" and sets the stage for the next part of the story with some the mysterious muted trumpet of Lewis Barnes. The Dalai Lama's visit to NY last year is the inspiration for the three part suite "3 Steps to Noh Mountain" and at times reminds me of the Sun Ra Arkestra with its sort-of New Orleans like funeral march groove. The title track tells the story of a corrupt town (like Chicago) run by greedy & evil politicians & gangsters. A special musician comes to the town and runs for mayor, putting together an orchestra to play "cosmic music" and is elected. He then puts all of the greedy scum on a rocket ship & sends them to another planet - yeah!! A wonderful story and a wonderful double cd, yours for $17.

8.EUGENE CHADBOURNE & PAUL LOVENS-Young at Heart/Forgiven (Leo 293-294) Two cd set. It would seem that there is no end in sight to the wealth of releases by our favorite guitar hero, world traveler and good buddy - Dr. Chadbourne! This is the third release (and second 2 cd set) on Leo in the past few months, we just got in a nifty duo cd with analogue synth wiz Thomas Lehn and July will bring us an amazing quartet date with Joe Morris, Mark Dresser & Susie Ibarra on Avant! Plus we just got in a slew of reissues, rarities & new releases from Eugene's own Chadula label, including a great cd with Italian prog unit - the Zu Band! Dr. Chad will also be playing a rare solo set here at DMG on Tuesday July 11th at 7pm and will be doing a four night stint at the Knit's cosy Old Office from July 13th-16th with different players each night! A wealth of riches!

This is Eugene's second duo release with European free-jazz giant & percussionist Paul Lovens, the first was on Victo. This lengthy & wacky release includes both duo selections from a European tour in fall of '99 and solo pieces from Eugene's home studio in the winter of the same year. There are some 34 toons & excursions and over two hours of musical lunacy. Numerous jazz & country standards are covered & tortured, various celebrities are sampled & spliced and there is a healthy amount of free-improv for those who desire that side of exploration. A number of Eugene's & Paul's wild originals are also included. The celebrity samples are especially hilarious (John Wayne, Bing Crosby & Marlo Brando) and well placed. Dr. Chad has done a fine job of sewing all these pieces together in a seamless flow of events that fit like a (continuing) story or journey. Considering how most of DMG's customers (myself as well) listen to so few jazz vocal releases, it's nice to hear Eugene unearthing nuggets like "Paris is a Lonely Town" or "How Insensitive". I especially dig Eugene's touching rendition of the Byrds' "Everybody's Been Burned" - both sad and spooky. There are a number of grand moments when the duo's instrumental process become most apparent and magical. A two cd set British import for $27.

9.CHRISTIAN MARCLAY-LEE RANALDO-WILLIAM HOOKER-Bouquet (KFW 264) This cosmic live set from the Knit was a special occasion as Lee Ranaldo's marriage to Leah Singer also took place that same weekend. Hence Lee's playing of (wedding?) bells, besides his customary guitar noise improv with numerous devices. Turntable wizard and longtime improviser from the downtown scene - Christian Marclay - plays live on rare occasion and records even less. Thunderous drummer extraordinare - William Hooker - plays live and records very often, with differing personnel on each powerful release. For the second time this year, the tape of this gig was provided by yours truly, with help from another audience taper and edited by Lee. I recall this gig as an intense & often riveting set and this release does bear witness. It builds from a humble beginning or somber sonic rumbling, bells shimmering, tribal drums slowly escalating, sampled records at first minimal, then swirling sounds getting denser and darker. Eventually becoming thick soup of strange sounds, the drums pushing the tension to new heights, the blending of weird sounds - guitar devices, a cheap tape recorder or scratchy records, who knows which is which, only those watching closely. This is a well crafted soundscape, that takes its time to develop. The records add reference points of recognizable sounds at times - acoustic piano, sound effects, a vast variety of warped noises. The entire set/cd is very focused and takes us on a provocative journey through twisted mirrors and down long corridors. The noise inevitably explodes into a mass of mind-warping heaviness, almost too much to bare, yet most effective for those willing to submit to the cauldron of densities. Yummy! Are you hungry?!? Gorge for $13.

10.BRAD SHEPIK-YURI LEMESHEV-TONY SCHERR-Tridruga (love slave 103) With Brad on nylon string guitar, Yuri on accordion and Tony on bass balalaika(!?!). This is a completely acoustic disc featuring Brad (from Pachora & Tiny Bell Trio), Tony - bassist (Slowpoke) and Yuri - a local accordionist with whom I am unfamiliar. All tunes were written by Brad or Yuri, except for a lone cover by modern classical composer Alfred Schnittke. The pieces are all quite lovely and like most of the music that Brad is involved with in his other bands, eastern European in nature. The music is elegant, quaint and complex, but never too much so - there is fine balance of melancholy melodies and quietly engaging solos from Yuri & Brad both. This is a grand trio that consistently fits together as one refined & charming web. Brad brings one of his tunes from his solo effort from earlier this year, yet it sounds as if it were written for this trio. The Schnittke piece is a bit darker and concludes this fine cd on a more ponderous note. There is a delicate grace throughout, perfect for quiet evenings of romance by candle-light. Warm and soothing. $14.

11.WILLIAM PARKER TRIO-Painter's Spring (Thirsty Ear 57088) Featuring Daniel Carter on saxes, flute & clarinet, Hamid Drake on drums & William Parker on contrabass. This is a rare trio endeavor headed by bass wonder William Parker and produced by Matt Shipp for his blue series. Hamid Drake resides in Chicago and with each gig I've seen him play on drums & percussion, he consistently blows us all away. Whether with Peter Brotzmann's Die Like a Dog Qt. or Chicago Tentet or for Pharoah Sanders or even DKV, Hamid is thee drummer! This trio date features local reeds and trumpet hero Daniel Carter from Other Dimensions, Test & too many other projects to mention. What is so fine about this release is that the trio holds back, instead of going for the explosive free-jazz thing. From the very first tune, the bass & drums are totally locked in flight together, swinging in a most natural grip, Daniel's tenor simmering but not screaming. The trio even attempts two standards - Duke's "Come Sunday" gets a nice laid back rendition with Daniel on flute & clarinet and the gospelish "There is a Balm in Gilead" features William's ghost-like arco bass drones. On "Blues for Percy" Daniel's tenor tone aches with ancient solitary beauty, haunting and luscious - could this be the same screamer we all know and love?!? Hamid's masterful drums are at the center of "Flash" and the trio finally erupt but without the full blown blasting reaching boiling point, yet they come so close. Quite a nice departure for these usually free-jazz heavies. 14.

12.WHIT DICKEY QUARTET-Big Top (Wobbly Rail 10) Featuring Joe Morris, Rob Brown and Chris Lightcap. Out-jazz drum hero Whit Dickey always kicks his ensembles into the further reaches of often free exploration, so watch out and dig in or be left in the dust! 'Big Top' consists of four long captivating works, two originals by Whit, plus Eric Dolphy's "The Prophet" and Thelonius Monk's "Skippy". The title track explodes from the gitgo, with Rob's sax & Joe's guitar burning and spitting fire together while the bass & drums also swirl a dense web of rhythms, an incredibly quick, never-ending streams of notes a-flying. Dolphy's tune brings the quartet back down to earth, Rob's slightly bent alto tone doing an impressive job of breathing fresh air into this loping tune from some forty years ago, Joe also takes a more restrained solo, showing his rarely heard somber side. The Monk theme is both knotty & nutty, with the quartet showing of their twisted sense of rhythm - difficult music for difficult times. The final piece is Whit's "The Immortals" and it is also the longest. It begins slowly with Rob's flute softly probing the depths while the tension builds, Joe's guitar also takes its time to expand from a sparse opening. There is an utterly natural unfolding of the spirits as things continue to flower into more fleeting waves of notes. Eventually erupting into a contained frenzy, to cut us all loose once again. An impressive turning of the tides into refreshing waves, washing all over us. It feels just right and flows with uplifting energy. $14.

13.BILL COLE'S UNTEMPERED ENSEMBLE-Live in Greenfield, Mass. (Boxholder 008/009) A two cd live set featuring Bill Cole on exotic instruments from around the globe, Cooper-Moore on flute & hand-made instruments, Sam Furnace on alto sax & flute, Joe Daley on tuba, William Parker on bass and Warren Smith & Atticus Cole on percussion. Bill Cole is teacher and traveler with a vision of creating a new world by uniting various streams of instruments and spirits from faraway lands into his 'Untempered Ensemble'. Bill plays digeridoo from Australia, sona from China, Tibetan trumpet & hojok from Korea, shenai & nagaswarm from India and bamboo flute from Ghana. Our own local hero Cooper-Moore also plays a half dozen of his own exotic hand-made instruments. Both Bill's & Cooper-Moore's exotic instruments buzz, hum & drone with infinite possibilities of sounds/notes that fall between the notes we are accustomed to in the west. This double cd of cosmic world music contains three long tracks, each with an important theme. "Struggles of Fanny Lou Hamer" is dedicated to a civil right worker of the same name. It is an enchanting world of swirling flutes, yawning reeds, delicate percussion, droning bowed bass, a most natural vibe glows with gentle wonder. About halfway through, the ensemble finally cuts loose and the rambling rhythm team pushes the horns into a quiet storm. Exotic gongs and strange horns or reeds open "The Short Life of Amadou Diallo", eventually the violent execution of an innocent victim erupts through the music with layers of horns & the rhythm team blasting, so that no one will forget this sad incident that stains our recent history. The final work is a cd length piece called "Freedom 1863: A Fable" which reminds us of historic figures/freedom fighters like Harriett Tubman, Marcus Garvey, Rosa Parks and Malcom X. This piece also begins peacefully like sunrise in an African village, the somber buzz of a digeridoo, mumbled horns & natural percussion slowly escalating as the day gets underway. Bill's double reed begins chattering as the other horns circle with fierce pride. The entire piece moves through sections of calm & dreaminess, time to ponder those who have fought & died for our freedom. Bill Cole & his ensemble often capture an endearing and exotic spirit that transports us on our journey to other worlds. You too can take this special trip by purchasing this marvelous double cd for $20.!

14.SATOKO FUJII ORCHESTRAS-Double Take (east works 19/20) Two cd set. Pianist and composer Satoko Fujii has only two great cds readily available in the US - a duo/trio cd on Tzadik from last year and her NY Orchestra cd 'Jo' on Buzz from earlier this year. There are numerous releases in Japan also like her duo with husband & trumpeter Natsuki Tamura & her first Japanese Orchestra cd 'South Wind' - both on Leo. This outstanding release features both of her orchestras East & West with an entire cd each to fulfill her dream-works. Satoko's Orchestra West is based in NY and features many of our local heroes like Briggan Krauss, Chris Speed, Tony Malaby, Andy Laster, Steve Bernstein and Cuong Vu. Both orchestras cover her "Ruin" suite in four parts, so comparisons are in order. The NY or Orchestra West begins with "Ruin 1-The Desert" and it slowly unfolds from its near silent intro and builds in layers with solid horn charts and even turntable scenery from DJ Firehorse thrown in. The free section which follows is well focused and the groove/charts take over once again with alien harmonies for the orchestra to revel in. Both Steve Bernstein & Dave Ballou sail through inventive and twisted trumpet solos on "Ruin 2-The South Pole" while the orchestra plays a mysterious freer episode. There is a sort of funeral march on "Ruins 3-The Outer Space" which is dirge-like and dark, yet most engaging. The band explodes on "Ruin 4-The Megalopolis" the many horns blasting together in tight convergence that turns into a massive frenzy. Satoko writes a quaint, fleeting piece for three clarinets on "Jog Wheel" so Chris Speed, Briggan & Oscar Noriega can spin their lines together in a well-woven nest. The orchestra explodes intensely once more on Natsuki's "Tobifudo" while Briggan burns an alto solo that screams when it starts and trombonist Joe Fiedler also let his solo erupt! "Exile" brings the vibe down to a calm conclusion for a time, while Tony Malaby's tenor cuts loose, both Bernstein & Tamura also smoke their trumpets into rip-roaring communion. The final piece is "And ThenŠ" and it is impressionistic and playful, but does launch into another quick and frenzied section in the second half. One powerful cd!

Satoko's Orchestra East has about the same number of players (15), except that many of these musicians also play toys & sing on certain parts of the East cd. I am unfamiliar with all but two of them - Natsuki once more on trumpet and Sachi Hayasaka on reeds who also played on Satoko's Tzadik cd. No matter, they all seem to be well chosen players for this equally impressive, but a bit different endeavor. "South Wind" opens this cd with Satoko playing preciously inside the piano, the horns do sound more eastern, probably due to the rather oriental melody flowing through. This large ensemble seems more chaotic and does not come from a blues based undercurrent like the NY unit. The "Ruin" suite is also an intense excursion through strange terrain. Both alto & tenor saxes on "Ruin-1" provide haunting, alien sounds with trombone, trumpet (Natsuki) and even a hose player. This ensemble is also amazingly tight & focused, no matter how weird or explosive the parts get. There is some impressive bizarre electric trumpet (Yoshihito Fukumoto) on"Ruins-2" which is a rarity to hear at present. The East Orchestra is often as rambunctious and frenzied as their western counter-parts, they begin "Ruins-4" with an whirlwind of activity, before they break it down to shorter bursts of horn insanity - very Sun Ra-like! Natsuki only gets one of his pieces here "Okesa-Yansado" and it opens with Mothers-like vocal wackiness, and continues with more blasting saxes, supported by slow moving orchestral waves. The last piece is "Sola-Sky" and it is another long one which goes through a variety of sections, from the luscious soprano sax of Sachi to suspense-filled layers of saxes & horns, through melancholy valleys, rich with harmonies and textures, an swell old-school trombone solo warms the heart with an uplifting spirit and we even get a ferocious bari sax solo to knock us on our asses. An excellent two cd set of modern jazz orchestra music from both sides of the planet for $29.

15.PATRICK BRENNAN-M'ALLIM NAJIB SUDANI-NIRANKAR KHALSA-Sudani (Deep Dish 104) Patrick is a spirited alto saxist, who has traveled the world and the spent last year in Morocco, playing with Gnawan musicians. This wonderful trance-inducing offering features an incredible ensemble of seven spirits wailing with Patrick's alto sax, playing instruments like guinbri, tabal, darbuka, qarqabeb, oud, drums and many vocals. It was recorded live in Morocco in May of last year and does capture a special magical spirit flowing between all of the participants! The guinbri is a stringed thing which sounds like a sintir and is played by M'Allim Najib Sudami. It sets up the basic groove while the percussion and trap drums also provide the rhythmic flow. Nirankar Khalsa is the trap drummer and he consistently does a remarkable job of pushing the groove into an ecstatic state. The main vocal also leads the way and is answered by a chorus which also responds to the groove. Patrick's sax sails and wails on top of this captivating vibration. This music really does grab the listener and propel him or her into a trance/dance groove - so give in and you will be trance-ported! Patrick will be doing an in-store at DMG sometime in the fall! $13.

16.BETH CUSTER-Vinculum Symphony Live (BC Records 3) Beth sure is a charmer! She plays bass clarinet & sings and has worked with many of the Bay area's best - Club Foot Orchestra, Trance Mission and Eighty Mile Beach. This is her third solo project and it consists of a composition for (Left Coast) chamber orchestra and ten experimental instrument builders. The instrument maker pioneers include Trimpin, Tom Nunn, Brenda Hutchinson and Oliver DiCicco. "Vinculum" is Latin for a bond of union and the bond here is one of unique instruments playing together is a rare combination. We have entered a new world of sounds, inhabited by instruments with wonderfully weird titles like spirit catcher, weed weasel, disorderly tumbling forth, trillium cluster, fish celloŠThere is a certain elegant, child-like wonder to these sounds. Beth's voice adds just the right pleasant spice to the mellow weirdness. Eventually gets more dense, adding more odd instruments to the chamber players. Beth has done an admirable job sewing these sounds together so that they tell a story and take us on an enchanting journey. $13.

17.TRIPLEPLAY [Ken Vandermark-Nate McBride-Curt Newton]-Expansion Slang (Boxholder 006) Although sax great & multi-bandleader Ken Vandermark has been living in Chicago for more than a decade, his musical career began in Boston, which is where he met and began playing with this fabulous longtime rhythm team, who have also played with Joe Morris for many years. The trio first played together as one of Ken's projects in 1996 - the Barrage Double Trio, with two rhythm sections. Don Cherry's 'Complete Communion' record provides inspiration for the method with which Ken utilized in writing themes to improvise from. Ken composed the three long track on this cd, Nate wrote the two shorter tracks. Nate's contrabass and Curt's drums sound as if they have been working together for quite a long time, they seem to anticipate each other's moves, thus making this an extremely solid and potent trio. On "Optica Torre" the intensity moves in waves, often dense & swinging hard, occasionally laid back and hanging free, but all connected in a stream of events. Nate's "Daka Du" begins with a bustling bass solo to set the stage for a somber, brooding trio that is more about evoking a mood with fewer notes, slow and spacious and rather bluesy. Ken's clarinet is featured on "Alumni Forms" and he spins long, inspired, tart lines, the rhythm section provide a constant web of support so that the energy/flow is constant and continue their magic even when Ken lays out. Ken's "In Sequence" is also handled with great restraint, a sort of ballad that really takes its time to tell its long, sad story, ever so slowly building the emotions into a haunting memory of times past. Ken does a great job making each note, each shriek count, nothing is wasted. Tripleplay are an astonishing trio! $14.

18.KAREN MANTLER'S-Pet Project (Virgin Classics 45397) It has been quite a while, but Karen Mantler has done it again. She has come up with another fine concoction of dry wit, fun jazz/pop tunes and enough silliness to keep us all smiling. Besides looking like her mom - Carla Bley, the often brilliant jazz composer, Karen also is blessed (plagued?) with Carla's skewered desire to make it in the pop world. Sort of. After two nice releases on Watt with her band named after her pet cat Arnold (who has since died), Karen is back with another similar 'Pet Project'. Utilizing some of the same players who once played for Carla - Gary Valente, Arturo O'Farrill, Hiram Bullock, Eric Mingus and Pablo Calogero, and adding some of her newer friends - Michael Evans & Kato Hideki. Each one of these tunes is about or named after pets - turtles, fish, birds and even a bear!?! Many of these songs are instrumental, with Karen's lonely harmonica taking the solos with their solemn grace. Karen & Eric Mingus' shared vocal songs continue to show a certain corny charm that you gotta just love. This is fun cd and is bound be become a hit in France, where they ought to know better. I'm kidding. A groove! $14.

19.TISZIJI MUNOZ-Presence of Mastery (Anami 017) Featuring Paul Shaffer on organ & piano, Don Pate on bass and Rashied Ali on drums. Contrary to what many of you jazz snobs might think, Paul Shaffer (from the David Letterman show) is actually a fine keyboard player and plays perfectly well with our favorite cosmic guitar hero on this mind-blowing cd! This is actually the third time they've recorded together in their 30 year friendship. All seven pieces here are written by Tisziji and each takes us on a cosmic journey through Coltrane-like inspired modal grooves with never-ending streams of notes from the Munoz lightning flash string eruptions. It is no easy feat, but each member of this inspired quartet must keep up with the endless stream of notes that fall from the heavens! Take another unforgettable trip with this amazing Munoz Quartet! $10.

20.TISZIJI MUNOZ-Presence of Joy (Anami 016) Featuring Dave Liebman on tenor & soprano saxes, Bernie Senensky on piano, Cecil McBee & Don Pate on basses and Rashied Ali on drums. Our cosmic journey continues with a slightly expanded sextet version of the Munoz eruption team with special guests Dave Liebman on saxes - a perfect choice for someone who comes right out of Trane, Tisziji's favorite pianist who he has been playing with for the longest time - Toronto based Bernie Senensky -also right out of McCoy Tyner-land, plus the addition of another master-bassist - Cecil McBee!! Coltrane also used two bassists on a number of his finest dates and of course this sextet covers two versions of Coltrane's "Peace on Earth". What is different about this release is that Munoz slows down the pace quite a bit, so that the haunting beauty of many of these songs can really shine through and be savored. Inevitably streams of notes do begin to be unleashed and Liebman does a great job of matching wit s with our super hero!! The two bassists also combine forces in a special way, notes vibrating and levitating the ensemble off the ground and into the sky! The lone Coltrane cover also gets a beautiful, spiritually uplifting rendition, a perfect ending for our journey. $10.

21.TISZIJI MUNOS-Presence of Truth (Anami 015) Featuring Hilton Ruiz on piano, Don Pate on bass & Rashied Ali on drums. This quartet date features the delightful piano of Hilton Ruiz, who I recall from his time with Rahsaan in the 70's. On this cd we get four long tunes only, three originals by Munoz and Coltrane's "Miles Mode". Tisziji seems to push himself further and further, his notes cascading like a waterfall of constant notes in streams, Hilton Ruiz also doing his share with sheets of shimmering piano notes flowing all overŠHilton has a bit lighter touch, so the contrast is not as extreme, there is even some light at the end of the tunnel. "Miles Mode" also gets an unusually intense and ridiculously over the top rendition as well, a melody that stands out while the solos swirl with hurricane like force. Watch out! $10.

22.TISZIJI MUNOZ-Heart-Sound (Anami 007) An audition tape from '95 with relatively unknown players - Greg Murphy on piano (didn't he once play with Charles Gayle?), Toby Williams on drums and Don Pate once again on bass. This is one also pretty great and consists of three popular standards and two more originals. Miles' "All Blues" is done with care, so nice to hear Tisziji playing this delightful melody without getting too carried away. "My Favorite Things" may appear to an ultra-corny tune, but Coltrane's version on soprano sax made this tune a classic and Munoz also does a beautiful job of caressing this lovely melody in his own slightly twisted way, before the streams of notes finally erupt all over us again. What Munoz offering wouldn't be complete without a Trane cover, so here we get "Lonnie's Lament" - another laid back gem with nice mallads rolling from the bottom on upwards, quite Elvin Jones-like! The closing benediction is an extra-long Munoz original & early lp title called "Visiting This Planet", which also helps us complete our long journey through mountains and valleys, through the skies and seas, with its hypnotic, bouncing bass-line to sooth our troubled souls. Tisziji continues to whip these newcomers into shape, nothing hold him or them back, he inspires all who get the opportunity to play with him. So, it should come as no surprise that each of these four simultaneous releases has brilliant moments to be reckoned with, no matter much you know or don't know about any or all of these partners that Munoz shares the vibration with. They are worthy of your attention! All dozen or so amazing single cds on the Anami label remain only $10., so how can you lose!?!? $10.!!!!

All above reviews by birthday boy & fellow musical explorer - Bruce Lee Gallanter

23,MORTON FELDMAN - Atlantis (hat [now] ART 116) Yet another CD in the never ending flood of recent releases by New York School sort of guy Morton Feldman. Either you love him or hate him. His early graphically notated scores can go anywhere - Atlantis (1959) quickly scampers around, sounding totally unlike his better known late pieces. String Quartet & Orchestra (1973) and Oboe & Orchestra (1976) are latter works - they creep along, changing slowly, unpredictably with the trademark Feldman quiet dynamics. Conductor Lucas Vis and the Radio-Sinfonie- Orchestra Frankfurt handle the material with loving care and attention to detail. A long time buddy of John Cage, Feldman died in1987 - 5 years before Cage left us in 1992. A lot of the recent Feldman releases get one listen and get filed, but not Atlantis. I'll be spinning this a lot in the weeks to come. $16.

24.TREY GUNN BAND - The Joy of Molybendum (DGM0001) Trey Gunn has played with a lot of artists: King Crimson, David Sylvian, John Paul Jones, David Hykes, Eric Johnson, The League of Crafty Guitarists, Michael Brook, Toyah Fripp, Sunday All Over The World. And he still finds the time to release another solo disc. Co-producer/percussionist Bob Muller returns, his drum tracks enhanced with tabla and mid-eastern instruments like dumbek and frame drums. With his Warr guitar, Gunn taps out fat bass lines and squeezes out exotic snaky melodies over Muller's funky percussion. Guitarist Tony Geballe (also an ex-Crafty) also contributes saz and a few legato guitar solos that flow like water. This disc really grew on me. $14.

25.TOM AVINO - Heart of Hearts (Embracer). A trio of piano compositions by former Zorn student Tom Avino. The Book of Disputations (1999) features three spoken word sections (Tom Avino, Vava Buitenkant, Dan Alvaro) over tonal classical piano by Wayne Smith. Thoughts about life, faith, hopes, fears, death and what's important - this is very serious stuff! 21 Moments in Daylight (1997) takes a lighter, yet moody turn as a tenor saxophone (Alvaro) and piano (Smith) duo. The piano solo After It All (1997) for Mike Consulmango is a more abstract modern, piece. This CD a great introduction to this composer, let's hear more real soon - OK? $10.

26..JOHN FONVILLE - Living in Fire (Einstein Records 014) Jon Fonville (flute) returns with a second CD on Einstein, a fascinating follow up to 1995's amazing Temporal Details. Fonville is on the faculty of the University of California at San Diego. This disc has nine compositions by Fonville and composers attending the school. Escape Tone by Paul Koonce is for amplified flute, every little breath and extended technique is audible. Fonville's three movement Striae for flute and vibraphone, David Dramms "by" for two amplified flutes (with Anne LaBarge, second flute), Mundos Interiores by Ignacio Baca-Lobera for alto flute, violin, cello and two percussionists, Fonville's Venus Noodles for solo flute, Chaya Czernowin's Ina for Bass flute and pre-recorded flute ensemble, Salamander for solo piccolo by Hiroyuki Itoh all feature extended techniques like overblowing to get harmonics and slight microtonal variations in pitch. Sometimes, like in Dramms by, the playing reminds me of Japanese Shakuhachi flute. $10.

The final four reviews are by DMG webmaster David Beardsley
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