13 Monroe St., New York, NY 10002-7351
Phone: (212) 473-0043 * Fax: (212) 533-5059
Email: dmg@downtownmusicgallery.com
If you don't see it, ask for it!
| NEW RELEASES FOR SEPTEMBER 2000
In stock now:
In stock by September 19th: 5 titles from
our favorite progressive label Cuneiform-
In stock on September 22nd: 5 titles from
Tzadik/Avant from
NEW RELEASES FOR AUGUST 2000 1.JOHN ZORN-The Big Gundown/15th Anniversary Bonus Edition (Tzadik 7328) The original version of this amazing tribute to and music of Italian soundtrack composer Ennio Morricone was first released in 1985 by Nonesuch Records. It was John Zorn's first major label release and for many, it showed how his time had come as a visionary arranger and interpreter, as well as a composer and musician. Before this, it was solo and improv situations, game pieces and projects like Locus Solus and downtown all-star ensemble the Golden Palominos. Around '85 Zorn did a number of tributes to film (makers) and jazz composers who had influenced and inspired him - Thelonius Monk, Kurt Weill, Jean-Luc Godard and Sonny Clark (w/ Wayne Horvitz). Zorn took this full length tribute to Ennio Morricone quite seriously, employing the talents of some twenty plus musicians from a wide variety of backgrounds - guitarists Fred Frith, Bill Frisell, Arto Lindsay, Jody Harris, Vernon Reid, Robert Quine, plus early game piece players Polly Bradfield, Mark Miller, Wayne Horvitz, Christian Marclay, Anton Fier, and jazz/classical/world musicians like Toots Thielemans, Cyro Baptista, Guy Klucevsek, Carol Emanuel and Vicki Bodner. Each track features a different group of musicians and each track has a distinct cinematic vision like the original Morricone scores that inspired Zorn work so hard at capturing. John recently told me that when he got the master tapes from Nonesuch, their dynamic range was seriously condensed and for this release he was able to push the range to the limits. Listening to it, it sounds even more marvelous! The title track opens this cd and features an odd mix of Brazilian percussion, ghost-like vocal snippets by Luli Shioi, post-surf guitar parts from Frisell, keyboard & samples fragments by Anthony Coleman & David Weinstein and spoken word seasoning in Spanish. In many ways, this reminds one of Zorn's more successful games pieces, where the directions & prompting help focus the improvisations. On "Peur Sur La Ville" the spooky harmonicas of Orvin Aquart mix with Arto's unnerving guitar skronk and slow percussive heartbeats, while on "Poverty" we find quite a different harmonica (and whistling) from Toots in a melancholy acoustic trio with harp and accordion. Zorn always does a great job of utilizing the individual sound of each of his musicians and on "Milano Odea" another sort-of post-surf tune, each of the three guitars (Frith, Lindsay & Jody Harris) work their riffs together, yet each provides a different flavor to the blend. "Erotica" features the slow-burn blues groovin' of Big John Patton's organ, Bill Frisell's stinging guitar and Shelley Hirsch's wacky and sexy jazz wordless vocals. Zorn also uses Christian Marclay's swirling turntables to a great dizzying effect on "Battle of Algiers". "Duck You Sucker!" features a breathtaking blend of mostly eastern acoustic instrumentation from shakuhachi, ocarina, shamisen, english horn and jew's harp, while "Metamorfosi" features Diamanda Galas' harrowing nightmarish vocals! "Tre Nel 5000" is the only Zorn composition on this cd, yet it also fits perfectly as focused, cinematic game piece type of work filled with strange shifting images to ponder. Both Jody Harris & Robert Quine's guitars evoke haunting, apocalyptic scenes on "Once Upon a Time in the West" - dark, demented and powerful! For this important reissue, Zorn has added six newly recorded bonus tracks from his current cast of collaborators. The ever-popular Bar Kokhba Chamber Sextet perform a luscious rendition of "The Sicilian Clan" and the elegant "Chi Mai" featuring Ribot's superb delicate guitar. One of the highlights of the bonus tracks is/are the two versions of the "The Ballad of Hank McCain", especially the sexy, suspenseful voice of Mike Patton. Miho Hatori of Cybo Matto also does a fine job with her sinister vocals and Jamie Saft's keyboards on "Macchie Solari". And finally, we get an equally disturbing and amazing performance from a unique quartet of Derek Bailey, Marc Ribot, Trevor Dunn and Joey Baron on "Svegliatti & Uccidi"! The 32 page booklet also filled with informative notes to help us comprehend the depths of work that Zorn and his crew have assembled on this outstanding & important reissue! $14. 2.NED ROTHENBERG-Ghost Stories (Tzadik 7061) Featuring Min Xiao-Fen on pipa, Erik Friedlander on cello, Satoshi Takeishi on exotic percussion, Riley Lee on shakuhachi and Ned on clarinet, alto sax & shakuhachi also. Ned Rothenberg is one of the original members of the downtown scene, we met in 1980 when he was a member of Fall Mountain and doing solo and small group impov gigs. What I like most about Ned is that he takes his time refining each & every project - this is only his 7th solo effort in 20 years. Each of his projects - solo, duo & group - are completely different. His first two lps were mostly solo, he's done duos with Evan Parker & Sainko Namchylak, trios with Semantics, New Winds & (currently) Sync and larger groups with Paul Dresher, his fabulous Double Band & the Powerlines project. Obviously, all of his releases are done with great care and preparation. 'Ghost Stories' is Ned's debut release on Tzadik and it features a solo, two duos and a trio and it is a marvelous blending of Asian and western instrumentation, both scored and improvised works. "Arbor Vitae" opens with a duo of Riley Lee on shakuhachi and Ned on clarinet. Although Ned has played bass clarinet as long as I have known him, I believe the regular clarinet is an instrument he has been focusing on in more recent years. The shakuhachi is an ancient Japanese flute that many spend their entire lives studying, Ned mentions the privilege of working with a master like Riley Lee. This duo is very well balanced, with both players working in very similar textures and ranges, both have that warm and haunting wooden tone. The piece unfolds slowly, calmly building two delicate spirits, eventually the pulse speeds up slightly, both musicians evoking quaint ghosts carressing each other. The title track features an amazing trio of virtuosos for pipa, cello and ethnic percussion. Min Xiao-Fen's pipa playing never ceases to amaze us and it is well featured here with Ned's composing pushing her even further! What a trio! Ned calls "Ghost Stories" a dreamscape and this is quite apt. It is a long journey that tells an engaging story, in which each member of the trio is a character, filled with scenery, suspense and excitement. "Duet for Alto Saxophone and Percussion" is just that for Ned and Satoshi and it mostly composed. It is extremely tight and focused, with both musicians working together in tandem, in an engaging dialogue, building intensely throughout. The final piece is "Kagami" (or mirror) for solo shakuhachi by Ned and it is quite contemplative, each note is filled a variety of ideas/feelings/meanings. It is a perfect way to conclude this wonderful offering from our good friend Ned Rothenberg. $14. 3.JOEY BARON-BILL FRISELL-ARTHUR BLYTHE-RON CARTER-we'll soon find out (Intuition 3515) This is Joey's second release for his Down Home quartet and Intuition has once again taken its time to get this cd out which was recorded two years. While the first Down Home cd was a bit on the sleepy side, this is one much better at pushing this quartet of leaders into a more engaging groove fest. Joey has a knack for writing those late night, slow bluesy themes that make one wanna snap their fingers and sip cognac or good wine. And he has assembled just the right crew to pull it off - both Arthur's sassy alto sax and Bill's slinky guitar really dig into these tunes. The opener - "Slow Charleston" feels just right. Joey got that low down dirty funk thang on "Closer Than You Think" where the sax, bass and guitar all take nasty, booty shakin' solos! So nice to hear Bill's geetar getting down once again - who-weee! The quartet even cover a sort-of island groove on "Jumior" - where the sax & guitar do a swell job of answering each other's lines until Joey takes a short solo, slowing down the pace in half just right. One would hope that many of these fine tunes make their way to the radio, so everyone could enjoy these memorable melodies & solid grooves. Those universally sad & lonely blues vibes are explored beautifully on "Time to Cry", so break out the hankies and start your weeping, 'cause you will feel better once you let it out. Bartender, line 'm up so I can drown in my tears. "Wisely" and "M" both feature calm and enchanting melodies that will caress your heart and soul, both Bill & Arthur reach deep to touch us all once again with elegant and graceful solos. Joey's dynamic drums push "Equaled" to a hard swinging and joyous beat, on the verge of exploding. "Contact" closes this lovely cd with another delightful, melancholy and tasty theme to be savored with a loved one. $14. 4.JOEY BARON-Killer Joey (self produced) Featuring Steve Cardenas & Adam Levy on guitars, Tony Scherr on basses and Killer Joey Baron on drums & compositions. Masada's master drummer Joey Baron loves to smile when he plays and it is an infectious grin that makes us Masada fans feel good as he propels our favorite quartet into magical realms. So calling his current quartet Killer Joey, gotta make us giggle with glee. KJ has been around for about a year, playing at Tonic many a night, refining their thing. I believe that this cd was recorded at Tony Scherr's house. Both guitarists come from the bay area and word is that Adam Levy has recently moved back to be replaced by Brad Shepik. Like Joey's other Down Home quartet, KJ is packed with catchy tunes heavy on the groove side. Although I am not sure who's who, generally one of the guitars provides the funky riffs while the other solos on top. On "Wide Load" KJ play a slow fat funk thang, the rhythm teams just wiggles in the tight groove while one guitar stings them nasty notes. "Broken Time" is more of an older style, moderately paced jazz tune with tasty guitar soloing throughout. Joey shaves his head, so he is "Bald" and the tune by that name is another somber, elegant piece with both guitars quietly caressing each other with blissful results. Them James Brown-like funk licks are echoed and infect "Bricks" like jumping beans while the lead guitar stings on top. Put on them dancin' shoes and get down! The last piece is "Bit O' Water" and it is also found on the above reviewed second Down Home cd, it is another sly groove catchy romp. It will certainly leave you smiling and wanting more. This funky little wonder is only sold at Killer Joey gigs and here at DMG! It comes in a thin cardboard case with a groovy photo of the blissed out Killer Joey on the cover. Yours for $14. 5.ELLIOTT SHARP-Autar (ZuTa Music 1008) With Einad Abu-Kaf & Mohammed Sync on sumsumiyas and Elliott on acoustic guitar. ZuTa music is a new world music label based in Israel that has selectively been releasing a few wondrous gems of acoustic delights - recently winning awards in Europe, but with no US distribution as of yet. This superb cd should no doubt put them on the map. It features downtown guitar hero E. Sharp playing all acoustic guitar with two amazing Bedouin musicians from the Negev desert who both play the sumsumiya - a fragile wooden lyre strung with hand-woven fibre. Folks often associate Elliott with the harsh & heavy industrial post-rock of Carbon or the psychedelic drum n' bass fury of Tectonics or more recently the funky-blues of Terraplane. But here we get something much different, a marriage of cultures - ancient and modern, American and Israeli! The sumsumiyas cast a busy web of buzzing drones, quite mesmerizing on their own while Elliott's acoustic guitar weaves often dense and quick lines all over - often with rich harmonics a' glowing. The sumsumiyas provide vibrating, ancient melodies while the guitar answers telling more modern stories or solos. When things finally slow down on "autar 4" - it is as if an oasis has appeared in the desert - a time for reflection. Elliott plays some slide on "autar 5" - showing the timeless quality of that blues derived sound. Is that an e-bow on "autar 6" forcing those strings to hum & howl like possessed spirits set free. Completely mesmerizing, engaging and most challenging. $14. 6.SATOKO FUJII TRIO-Toward, "To West" (enja 9382) Featuring Mark Dresser on contrabass, Jim Black on drums and Satoko on piano & compositions. This is the great pianist Satoko's fourth release in the past two years, with two from here east & west orchestras (a single on Buzz & double import) and this is her third trio cd, the last one was on Tzadik. The title track is an epic 32 minute excursion which opens with suspense-filled flutterings - Dresser's thick toned bass slowly walking while the rest of the trio elegantly glides through a melancholy and lovely tune, slowly building in density. Satoko, who both studied and recorded with Paul Bley, often reminds me of his haunting and minimal style - playing less notes, rather than too many. The downtown rhythm team consistently do an excellent job of following her through the hills and valleys of the freer and more charted sections of this long journey. The solos by each member fit perfectly into the overall continuing story. There is an exciting & quick-paced section about two-thirds of the way through that explodes in between sections of more calming grace. The trio erupt on "Shake up and down" - not unlike a Cecil Taylor Feel Trio work of powerful intensity and continue to explode on "Oscillation" as well! Mark Dresser's enchanting and eerie bowed bass is at the center of "Then I met you" which also shows the more reflective side of the piano & drums. The final piece is "The way to get there" and it has the most snappy groove found here - a rather funky gospelish melody which provides us with just the right way to conclude this colossal endeavor. $14. 7.SUZANNE LANGILLE & LOREN MAZZACANE CONNORS-1987-1989 (Secretly Canadian 34) Among the dozens of recordings released from Loren & Suzanne over the past decade, this one is a departure - it features seven cover tunes performed in a variety of live & (radio) studio sessions from '87 to '89 and currently unavailable elsewhere. These were Loren's first recordings for electric guitar after a four year retirement of his acoustic only guitar past. It is also a treat since it features all cover tunes sung by Suzanne in her unique and often ghost-like voice, a rarity with her on every track. On Chuck Berry's "Wee Wee Hours" Loren overdubs his soul-searching el. guitar on top of the spacious acoustic - but it is Suzanne who reaches deep down into the void to expose sadness of the blues. Four of these songs are traditional and arranged by Suzanne and include "Horses Blues" which is stripped down to its barest threads - in which each note must evoke a wealth of naked emotions. Early country legend Jimmy Rodger's "TB Blues" also evokes ancient and deep sadness with a minimum of notes. The popular campfire standard "Kumbaya" is also done with great tenderness, as if it were the last song before entering our dream-worlds. "Motherless Child" is an immensely touching song lyrically on its own and Suzanne & Loren do a fine job of also slowing it down to a deadly pulse - with both voice & guitar inhabiting the netherworld hopelessness and despair. Bluesman Lonnie Johnson's "Haunted House" shows that the couple have been doing this tune a decade before their band by the same name have covered it in recent years - now even sadder & darker than ever. Most appropriately, this cd concludes with the gospel standard " Amazing Grace" and of course - it is also it features a minimum of ghost-like notes, utterly haunting and eternally sad beyond words. To be savored before they pull the final plug. $10. 8.NOEL AKCHOTE-Rien (W&W 057) With Erik Minkkinen on computer, Andrew Sharply on sampler & turntable and Noel on guitar and concept. Noel Akchote is a unique French guitarist whose first release for Winter & Winter was a series of jazz-like duets with fellow guitarists - Marc Ribot & Eugene Chadbourne from a few years back. Since then Noel co-runs the Rectangle label which has released mostly vinyl including duos with Derek Bailey & Chadbourne, Fred Frith & Noel as well. He also has a quartet cd with Evan Parker. This release is something else - a soundtrack from a French trio with computer, sampler/turntable & guitar. This is music is eerie, slow moving, impressionistic, somber, drifting, long drone tones, hovering sonics, glowingä If I didn't know better, I'd think this was on erstwhile, yet it is even more minimal. It requires patience since not much really happens, except for occasional clouds of humming sounds floating through the environment. It is a gray day outside with minimal sunshine, hazy and in the 70's - it seems to fit this music particularly well. The accompanying booklet of photos contains images of a rainy window, a woman's tush and lone high heal, wet female lips, an auto, a garbage heap and other urban scenes - all fitting well with the somber, evocative sounds within. Music for an eyelid movie of lost souls and wandering ghosts. $14. 9.STEVE CARDENAS-shebang (Fresh Sounds 79) With Larry Grenadier on bass, Kenny Wollesen on drums and Steve on guitars. Former west coast jazz guitarist Steve Cardenas has been popping up on a variety of projects over the past year or so - with Paul Motian's Electric Bebop Band, Joey Baron's Killer Joey and was recently seen on 'Sessions at 54' with Mark Isham's Miles Davis project. Each one of these bands features two guitarists, so Steve seems to do well in this context. This release features him in a trio context and it is his first as a leader. He composed all but one tune and that one is a trio composition. This is a lovely release, with a number of hushed and elegant tunes. In overall sound, if often reminds me of the first Pat Metheny (trio) release, which I always thought was his best. Steve seems to do best with sly groove and laid back tunes, with equally warm and tasty solos. He has also chosen just the right rhythm team to do these fine tunes justice. He plays delicate acoustic guitars on "Del Cenote" - blissful and warm. The title track balances the fast paced head with a slow motion mid-section in a unique structure. The main vibe here is one of very subdued preciousness, polished and rather quaint. Steve often cuts loose while playing in other bands, but holds back with lush grace in his own trio. On the 7th track - "Mr. Mule" he finally goes for that funky, rockin' groove, not unlike an old Meters type of tune. It is almost out of place. Most often this is great for quiet romance by candlelight. $14. 10.JOHN BUTCHER/PHIL DURRANT-Requests and Antisongs (erstwhile 007) John Butcher plays highly focused and distinctive tenor & soprano saxes while Phil Durrant does live electronic manipulation. They are both part of a British trio with John Russell since 1984 and have worked hard in their world of sonic explorations. I have seen/heard John play live three times in the past few years and I am much impressed by his highly evolved and unique sound on both saxes. I also own their trio cd on Random Acoustics, but have yet to hear Phil play live. Has he ever played NYC? Perhaps we will ask erstwhile label head Jon Abbey. This release has a rather alien sonic soundscape - the sax appears to be altered - manipulated and surrounded by bizarre electronic textures - fascinating and occasionally frightening! The sax often triggers a vast array of strange sounds while one can also hear the sax's distinctive tone at the same time. Sometimes both sounds happen simultaneously, sometimes it is one or the other, and most often they work in synchronous orbits. Both players take their time and rarely go too far off the deep end. They have refined their explorations so that they work in similar sonic terrain, even though one is acoustic and the other is electronic in nature. Difficult, yet rewarding.$13. 11.THE VANDERMARK 5-Burn the Incline (Atavistic 121) The year of Ken Vandermark, as well as the ever-evolving Chicago scene, continues to blossom and bear many gifts. Besides winning the ultra-prestigious and well-earned McArthur award, Ken tours and records with a number of diverse and challenging bands - in just the past year we have seen cds from DKV & Joe Morris, Ken's duo Paul Lytton, his Tripleplay trio, his recent trio tribute covering Sun Ra and P.Funk, Peter Brotzmann's Chicago Tentet, a Chicago all-star collaboration with Misha Mengelberg and now - the 4th release from his hard working quintet of Chicago's finest - the Vandermark 5! An amazing amount of hard work is finally paying off! 'Burn the Incline' arrives in two versions - a limited edition two-cd set with a second live cd included in which the Vandermark 5 cover seven "free jazz classics" from the giants of modern jazz! DMG has sold 25 copies so far and we don't know how many more we can get before they disappear into want-list land. Even the single cd version is worthy of (y)our attention. What makes this quintet so unique is their front-line of two saxists and a trombonist (Jeb Bishop) who switches off on electric guitar. Ken likes to dedicate each piece he composes to a different musician or group that has inspired him in some way. The first piece is "Distance" for Joe Morris and it starts slowly with a somber bass intro which builds with sailing saxes and noisy guitar solo from Munoz-land! "The Cooler" starts with the trombone soloing intensely while the band swings quickly, but breaks down into a short fragmented section and then there's an inspired Eric Dolphy-like bass clarinet solo from Ken. Things mellow down for the somber, drifting and aptly titled "Late Night Wait Around" with a hushed, old-school tenor solo slowly making its way through a haze of smoke. "Roulette" kinda reminds me of "Fuzzy Dice & Bongos" by the Mothers with its great & goofy melody and complex structure. Although "Accident Happening" is for William Parker, the intro has an angular tenor sax tone right out of Evan Parker - it is an amazing work that sounds like it could be found on a Tony Oxley lp from the early 70's - no small feat!! Unexpectedly "In Focus" has a west coast cool school sound, the guitar plays oblique and laid back counterpoint while the tenor plays an powerful, passionate solo. Even more restrained is "TheTrouble Is" for Misha, a sort-of bluesy ballad with sad & lovely solos from the horns. Closing this wonderful cd is "Ground" for the Belgian post-punk band - The Ex, with great soloing from all and an inner section where the horns & el. guitar erupt and burn it down! Since I don't want to bum anyone out by the describing the even more outstanding live 'classics of free jazz' extra cd, just in case we run out of copies before you get yours - let's just say that limited editions go for $16. and the single studio cds go for $14. 12.BEN GOLDBERG-JOHN SCHOTT-TREVOR DUNN-Almost Never (nuscope 1007) All three of these fine fellows are in Junk Genius (2 cds), each is a leader in their own right and all currently live in the bay area. I just finished reading a wonderful book called 'The Essential Klezmer' by Seth Rogovoy, which highly recommend. It was an important history lesson and helped fill in the background of dozens (hundred?) of klezmer musicians. Turns out that this superb clarinetist Ben Goldberg was in the Klezmorim and Hotzeplotz before forming the adventurous New Klezmer Trio a decade ago (3 cds on Tzadik). Guitarist John Schott is also hard to classify - once being a member TJ Kirk (funky triple guitar James Brown-Roland Kirk tribute) as well a fine but odd chamber-opera cd also on Tzadik. Acoustic & electric bass great Trevor Dunn has subbed in the Masada Qt. and is a member of Mr. Bungle, the Secret Chiefs and has an amazing jazz/punk power trio cd on Buzz! Ben Goldberg appears to be the most well recorded of this trio with some half dozens releases under his belt. He is the leader on this fine cd and has composed all of the pieces here. There is a dreamy, floating quality to this entire endeavor. Although John plays electric guitar he does so with extreme restraint so that the spacious clarinet & guitar can weave quiet, elegant lines as one voice. Trevor's contrabass also chooses a minimum of notes with a ghost-like presence. Art Lange's liner notes mention an elder statesman of the clarinet - Jimmy Giuffre as a point of reference and he also had a fine chamber-jazz style, an obvious inspiration to this trio perhaps. This music moves in slow motion, using much space so that nothing is ever cluttered, there is quite a natural balance of all the elements. There also seem to be little soloing going on, most the trio playing their lush parts in a hushed atmosphere. Ben has composed a touching, melancholy gem on the aptly titled "Lone", while John stops time midways through "Pause" to play a haunting solo guitar section. The pulse, pace and excitement build to a fever pitch on "Zero", which begins and ends softly and cuts loose & free in the middle. The title track "Almost Never" closes, going back to somber reflection, with the clarinet and guitar gliding their tasty notes like leaves in the summer wind. $14. 13.FEDERICO UGHI-the space within (Slam 236) Federico is a British (?) drummer who recently moved to our town and here plays duos with three reed players - Steve Buckley on alto sax & bass clarinet, Rachel Musson on tenor sax and Matthew F. Morris on baritone sax - all of whom I am unfamiliar with. The Slam label usually features a number of my favorite (UK) saxists like Elton Dean, Paul Dunmall and Lol Coxhill. Considering that these are drums/sax duos, they are relatively melodic and song-like. Federico favors mallads and on "balance" it sounds like a Latin-tinged melody from long ago, while on "slight" the tempo picks up to an almost bebop-like pace for the first half, but switches to hard-bop groove for the second half. Everything slows down for the solemn bass clarinet duo on "in fading light" with its suspense-filled mallads at the bottom. The only non-original here is the two-part "django" by John Lewis from MJQ for a tenor sax & drums duo, which begins softly but builds to a passionate conclusion. The second part also begins ever so slowly, the tenor's tone so warm and graceful and sad. The final drum duo is with that large & difficult to play baritone sax for three pieces. Instead of those heavy screamers (John Surman or Hamiet Bluitt), Matthew likes to play long tones, also rather laid back and gentle. Drummer Federico Ughi seems to be the most dynamic player on this cd, so we look forward to his duo gig here at DMG on October 1st with yet another saxist - Nathan Hanson. $14. 14.THE DAVE PIER QUINTET-swimmers (wakeup records 7534) Featuring ROSWELL RUDD & Jon Arons on trombones, Greg Glassman on trumpet, Jason Kriveloff & Ian M. Riggs on basses, Qasim Naqvi on drums and Dave Pier on piano & compositions. The deluge of relatively unknown but fine new jazz musicians continues to astound me. Pianist and bandleader Dave Pier laid this fine cd on me and I am most impressed. No, I hadn't heard of any of these cats before, except of course that old-timer and trombone wonder Ros Rudd, who has come out of retirement in recent years and has been blowing up a storm with the NY Art Qt., Elton Dean, Sonic Youth and has a fine recent solo effort in KFW. If I didn't know better, I'd think that this cd featured all older, mature players instead of mostly young ones. "the buttons" has that classic Blue Note frontline horn sound and a slight hard-bop groove, except the piano goes a bit further out. The writing for the horns is especially sharp and on "gracchus" I am reminded of those fleeting, flowing classic records Herbie Hancock recorded in the mid-sixties. Even the drummer has that fine Tony Williams-like sound and flair. The piano keeps a constant dialogue with the rest of the band which holds in all together. There are some slightly twisted horn harmonies at the start of "dawning bird" which eventually breaks down to freer solos with the drums and piano pushing the horns up toward the heavens, the piano finally cuts loose & explodes. Dave wrote some warm & glowing parts for the horns on "flotsam" with another fine piano solo to savor. The entire band burns profusely on "return to mountain" with outstanding solos from the trombone (Roswell?) and piano! Too marvelous for words overall, you too can enjoy this buried treasure for $13. 15.PASCAL COMELADE-September Song (Les Disques du Soleil 54073) Featuring ROBERT WYATT! This is a completely charming twenty minute seven song ep from that ever delightful Spanish composer Pascal Comelade, who loves to use toys on his quaint works of art. The opening piece is worth the price of admission and features our favorite vocalist Robert Wyatt singing a heart warming rendition of Kurt Weill's "September Song"! Since our favorite Canterbury hero records so rarely, it is a nice way touch us all. Robert layers his voices in his most distinctive way and even takes a short sweet trumpet solo while Pascal plays accordion, toy piano, ukelele and drone el. guitar. Pascal then covers Wyatt's "Signed Curtain" from the first Matching Mole lp in an equally charming fashion. Pascal also delights us with a French tickler called "Come Prima" - silly yet enchanting! Along the same lines, he also covers the ultra-corny "The Sheik of Araby" in circus-like way. Pascal has way of tugging at our often cynical heart-strings and making any sourpuss smile with glee. He finds the child in all of us. Who else could pull off such a disarming version of Bob Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" making this sad tune sound so happy?!? Pascal Comelade completes this short work with another gift - a schmaltzy anthem called "L'Italiano" for moog, drum machine and anti-techno orchestra!?! Brighten up your day with this sunny ep for $10. 16.ALFRED HARTH'S IMPERIAL HOOT-secrets of development (Blue Noises 56512) With Christoph Korn on guitar/bass, Marcel Daemgen on electronics/samples, Gunter Bozem on drums and Alfred (23?) Harth on saxes/clarinets/trumpet/bird call & vocals. It has been quite a long while since we've heard from this German sax great who once was in a duo with Heiner Goebbels, guested with Cassiber, and had FMP records with John Zorn, John Oswald & Peter Brotzmann. He always seemed difficult to pin down and had a wacky sense of the absurd. He has put together a strange quartet on this fascinating release as well. Both the el. guitar and electronics create an unnerving world of focused rocking noise while Alfred' s sax screams on top of the din - tight but disorienting! A drum machine stops and starts on "mystic" while the guitar creates atmospherics and dark & distorted spoken word vocals punctuate the odd groove scenery. Alfred's reeds are put in the electronic blender, so it hard to tell who is doing what at times. The guitar sound is more distinct but is also put through a number of weird devices. Often the guitar and drums play a slightly twisted groove while the electronics mutate in the middle and the sax or trumpet squawks on top. I dig most of the weird sounds on this cd, although I might have left off some of drum machine samples - which never lasts very long. What works the best here is on "pansori noon" where the real drums play furiously and giving shape to this powerful piece. Sometimes the swirling alien sounds get too dense and my brain starts to overload, but usually they know when to let up and let us in. Sometimes they strip it all down so that the mystery can reappear. The game calls are certainly a hoot! Explore new worlds. $15. 17.WHIRLIGIG-spin (Prime CD 70) Whirligig are a wonderful local world music-folk-rock ensemble whose members include Greg Anderson & Yves Duboin (Dr. Nerve), Matt Darriau (Paradox Trio), Lisa Gutkin, Paul Kovit, Cillian Vallely and Lisa Moscatiello. They play too many instruments to list here but some of the exotica does consist of bouzoukis, uilleann pipes, bodhran, dumbek and djembe, their guest vocalists also include Terre Roche and Susan McKeown (both faves of mine). Whirligig perform and adapt a number traditional tunes and reels from the United Kingdom. Lisa Moscatiello's warm and lovely voice is featured on half of these exquisite tunes - each one is enchanting in performance and spirit. The other half of these pieces are often medleys of traditional instrumentals, which have been adapted and fleshed out with different instruments to add depth. The one unexpected instrumental gem is a "Gregorian Chant" from the 12th century for solo soprano sax by Yves Duboin which is quite haunting and is a perfect intro for Susan McKeown's superb "Through the Bitter Frost and Snow" - a sad and beautiful tune. The final tune is actually a B-52's cover called "Revolution Earth" which fits nicely, since it is done with the same great care and acoustic/traditional sound. Quite a fine collection of songs to behold. $14. 18.HUW GOWER-Ile De France (This Could Be Heaven 1) Huw once played guitar with an early 70's British psych outfit called Magic Muscle (with Twink of the Pretty Things), he was later in a popular new wave band known as The Records and also had a nifty solo record from many moons ago. I met Huw over a decade ago, when he worked for Venus Distribution and I worked for Lunch for Your Ears. We had lost contact since then, but I'm glad to make his re-acquaintance. He left the music business to raise a family and become a music teacher and over the past few years worked hard putting together this fine solo effort. He uses the talents of a trio with Dave Hofstra (The President and the Microscopics) on bass and New Orleans session drummer Charles Otis. His daughter Gillian does backing vocals and even some lead and his wife Annie did the photography. You could say that this a family affair, since Huw released this gem himself. I must admit that I hear so little pop/rock music that moves me nowadays, that it feels great to hear some intelligent, engaging and diverse pop music for a change. Huw seems to have delved into jazz somewhat and on the opening tune "Memory Lane" I hear that Mose Allison/Ben Sidran sound in Huw's voice and hipster song structure - very cool! Equally great is the Richard Thompson-like acoustic ditty called "All the King's Horses" with a rather hypnotic fuzztone guitar section and short but sweet recorder solo. Another thing that makes this cd so different (mature?) is the smart, informed lyrics - world weary and tired of those who think they are hipper than everyone else. There is a certain utopian attitude at the center of many of these tunes, something lacking nowadays as the days wiz by so fast. "Wisdom of Despair" is very catchy and sounds like Dire Straits, one of the few great (folk-rock) bands to emerge from the new wave era. I know how you feel Huw - I often feel like I was "Born on the Wrong Planet" and this world would certainly be a better place if "God were a woman". A number of these tunes have that finger-snapping, jazz groove which works so well with Huw's thoughtful words - especially on "Abandon Ship". Huw's young daughter adds her charming voice to a bunch of these tunes and even sings lead on a couple. Huw commences this great cd with three fine instruental pieces - that processed acoustic guitar on "Premiere Gnossienne" has a dreamy quality and it is a nice to end this great release in quiet elegance. $14. 19.SALIM AL'NUR-s/t (ZuTa music 1007) Salim Al'Nur is an Iraqi born Jew who migrated to Israel in the 1950's. Salim was an extraordinary oud player and composer whose music was generally ignored at that time. This important release collects both Salim's home recordings on oud, as well as his music played by the Israel Broadcasting Authority Arabic Orchestra - spanning much of Salim's musical life from 1938-1983! I recently caught master oudist Hamza El Din at the Knit and was blown away by his solo playing. Salim's oud playing also has a fascinating, ancient aura surrounding it, whether it is solo or backed by the 13 piece orchestra. There is a section on "Sammai Anghami" where the tempo speeds up to dizzying effect - so watch out! The enchanting voice of Elias Shasha is featured on three of these tunes, as well as an answering vocal chorus - this sympathetic vibration between the two works extremely well indeed. "Sammai Wachi Al'Nahrein" was inspired by the two rivers of Babilon and features a solemn, touching violin solo besides the oud. Special thanks goes out to ZuTa music for preserving an ancient tradition and sound - thus keeping it alive, and within our grasp. $14. 20.(KEITH TIPPETT'S) MUJICIAN & THE GEORGIAN ENSEMBLE-The Bristol Concert (What Disc 2000) An incredible achievement and by far my favorite release of this year! Piano god Keith Tippett's Mujician quartet have existed for over a decade and are, for many of us, the ultimate European free-jazz ensemble! They have recorded four amazing cds for the Cuneiform label and were the highlight of the 1999 Victoriaville Fest. Their music is completely improvised and features the cream of the British modern jazz scene - Paul Dunmall on saxes & bagpipes, Paul Rogers on contrabass, (the other) Tony Levin on drums and Keith Tippett on astonishing piano! What is amazing here is how much preparation and work went into the making of this wonderful live release. Instead of the usual improv only magic that Mujician deals with, here they play pieces mostly composed and arranged by Keith with special guest vocalist Julie Tippetts and an extraordinary 11 piece Georgian ensemble from the former Soviet Union - who never played music like this!! This fabulous release was recorded by the BBC in May of 1991 during a short tour of the UK by the combined ensembles and has perfect sound! Piano master Keith Tippett only conducts and does not play piano here, but does an amazing job of working miracles and whipping these mujicians into shape! Our journey begins quietly with "Brass Wind Bells" - first with an entrancing duet of muted trumpet by Enver Khmirev and double bass by Paul Rogers, and then a mind-blowing ultra-tight, swirling theme for the ensemble & vocal chorus! Another highlight of this release is that it includes two completely rearranged versions of two tunes from Keith's best ever second lp 'Dedicated to You but You Weren't Listening' from 1970 - an early treasure from the British avant-jazz scene! "Thoughts to Geoff" has a central melody that will stay with you for years to come and is an extremely exciting, pulse raising delight! A tantalizing vocal trio opens "Dedicated to Mingus" which soon explodes into a focused frenzy of screaming saxes - something jazz legend Charles Mingus was so good at utilizing. This outstanding piece is almost twenty minutes long and goes through a variety of sections, especially successful and endearing is the lovely quote from "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat", perhaps Mingus' most familiar melody. Included toward the end of this piece is a section called "Tortworth Oak" a gorgeous prayer-like work in which Julie's beautiful vocals will leave you weeping. "A Loose Kite" also features quick, tight and spiraling lines, as well as brilliant burning soloing from Paul Dunmall & Chabuki Amiranashvili on soprano saxes and Dimitri Saladze on trumpet - frightening intensity! Another enchanting and somber lullaby is "Slowly the Sunrise" which features the touching vocals of the chorus. "Cider Dance" starts with some spirited free playing from the trumpets & trombones, before it turns to more charted & rambunctious terrain, including an exhaustive tenor sax tour-de-force from Dunmall! The finale is "Septober Energy" from both 'Dedicated to You' and the historic Centipede release which has recently been reissued. The original (saxello) solo from 'Dedicated' was perhaps Elton Dean's finest ever and the melody is also Keith's most memorable one ever - so this ensemble do an equally incredible job to this remarkable tune - adding utopian-esque lyrics, heart warming vocals and another passionate soprano sax solo from Paul Dunmall. Each time we play this amazing cd in our store, someone is blown away and goes home with their head in the clouds and this cd in their hands. Both John Zorn and my pal Alma said "Wow!" Will you be next?!? British import for $17. All above reviews from your favorite musical explorer, Bruce Lee Gallanter 21.Charlemagne Palestine - Jamaica Heinekins in Brooklyn (Barooni Bar 021) Early minimalist Charlemagne Palestine (aka Charles Martin) has been making a bit of a comeback in recent years. Old works have been reissued and new works are being released more frequently. He entered the NYC art world by being discovered by The Evil Tony Conrad playing carillon (church bells) at St. Thomas church near from the Museum of Modern Art. At some point he studied with the great Hindustani singer Pandit Pran Nath. Jamaica Heinekins in Brooklyn features a thick bed of drones (sorry folks, no piano here!) superimposed over the sounds of the September 5th, 1997 Jamaica Day parade in NYC. People shouting, the sounds of bands, vehicles passing by even ice cream trucks. Later in the studio he tweaked the field recording up with a bit of reverb. This cd has really grown on me over the past few weeks. $15 22.Pauline Oliveros - Primordial Lift (Table of the Elements TOE-CD-53) Pauline Oliveros has been around since the beginning. She was in the same composition class at the University of California with Terry Riley and La Monte Young and she was present in the audience at the authentic REAL big bang of minimalism - Youngs Trio For Strings (1958). She went on to start - with Morton Subotnick and Warren Sender - the San Francisco Tape Center at the San Francisco Conservatory. (later moved to Mills College). More recently she has performed and prolifically recorded with the Deep Listening Band and given Deep Listening seminars. On Primordial Lift, Oliveros (accordion, electronics, vocals) is joined by The Evil Tony Conrad (electric violin), Alexandra Gelencser (electric cello), Anne Bourne (cello), David Grubbs (harmonium) and Scott Olsen (Low Frequency Oscillator). Damn tasty drones, Oliveros whipping up her amazing accordion glissandos, The Evil Tony Conrad blends well into the mix, not dominating the mix like he does on ahem! all of his previous recordings. It's a good thing this recording could be released before The Evil Tony Conrad could try to take Pauline to court over his "who's the composer?" tricks. A welcome addition to the ever expanding Pauline Oliveros catalog, in fact I think she should do more work with strings. One more thought: crank the bass! $14 23.Joseph Zitt - "Oh Come Ye Dispassionate" Mr. Zitt has been a long time presence on the John Cage email list and a member of the a capella group Comma performing works by Cage, Oliveros and others. On "Oh Come Ye Dispassionate", Zitt takes the trendy drone approach to sine tones and tuning. On this 3" cd-r, his composition works it's way through all the combinations of pitches available in the set of nine low frequencies. Zitts harmonies are stretching the limit. $6 The above 3 reviews were done by DMG webmaster and microtonal GOD - David Beardsley. Downtown Music Gallery 13 Monroe St. New York, NY 10002-7351 212 473 0043
Store Hours:
Web: http://DownTownMusicGallery.com
"Eschew Obfuscation" |