NEW THINGS FROM TZADIK, AVANT & OTHER (LOCAL) HEROES:

1.JOHN ZORN-The Gift (Tzadik 7332) Featuring Marc Ribot, Jamie Saft, Dave Douglas, Ned Rothenberg, Cyro Baptista, Joey Baron, Trevor Dunn, Jennifer Choi, Greg Cohen & Mike Patton. An enchanting exploration of surf, exotica and world music grooviness that will certainly surprise and touch many. The sly inner artwork of the young Asian girl at the urinal and sun shining from her between her legs is certain to shock and delight some as well. "For lovers only" of all ages. $14.
Due to manufacturing error, we've only received 15 copies. We'll hopefully have more by next week, so please be patient. If you contact us immediately you may get one today.

2.DAVKA-Lavy's Dream (Tzadik 7140) This is the second superb Tzadik release from this wonderful bay area acoustic post-klez trio of romantic and moody violin, cello and percussion. Actually, this is a reissue of Davka's impossible-to-find first effort with five bonus tracks added. $14.

3.FRED FRITH-JOHN ZORN-ONNYK-YOSHISABURO TOYOZUMI-"Ars Longa Dens Brevis" (Allelopathy 2) Limited edition historic live recording from a Japanese gallery almost 20 years ago featuring two long trios - Frith-Sabu-Onnyk and Zorn-Sabu-Onnyk plus two 8 minute solos from Frith and Zorn. Sabu plays drums and Onnyk plays saxes, guitar & keyboard. Recorded on a cheap cassette deck obviously. We only have four copies at present and are trying to get more. $25.

4.TIM BERNE-CRAIG TABORN-TOM RAINEY-Shell Game (Thirsty Ear 57099) It has been almost two years since we have had a new release from local sax great and Screwgun label-head Tim Berne, so this magnificent saxes-keyboards-drums trio was well worth the wait!! Quite engaging and magical! $14.

5.ROY CAMPBELL'S PYRAMID TRIO-Ethnic Stew & Brew (Delmark 528) Featuring William Parker on powerful & pumping contrabass, the amazing Hamid Drake on ever-grooving drums and Roy Campbell's consistently inspired trumpets!! $14.

6.DAVID KRAKAUER-A New Hot One (Label Bleu 6617) The current king of contemporary klez/jazz clarinet returns with his new ensemble featuring Mark Stewart (Bang-on-a-Can All-Stars) on guitar, Ted Reichman (Braxton & Chadbourne) on accordion and Pablo Aslan (Avant-tango) on acoustic bass. Excellent! $15.

7.LOREN MAZZACANE-CONNORS-The Little Match Girl (Road Cone 029) Mostly solo electric guitar in two suites which are sad, beautiful and haunting. Bookended by two swirling and firey live recordings with Andrew Burns and Neel Murgai from Haunted House - one of which was recorded here at DMG. Another heart-felt gem from our good buddy Loren for only $10.

8.JOE & MAT MANERI-Blessed (ECM 1661) Our favorite ever-challenging and charming father & son sax/clarinet and violin duo are back with another engaging duet on ECM. Let's hope that Mr. Eicher hasn't smoothed out their gnarliness too much. $16.

9.MAT MANERI-Trinity (ECM 1719) This is the long awaited and much anticipated solo violin debut that we Mat Maneri fans have been hearing about for over a year! $16.

10.BANG-ON-A-CAN ALL-STARS-Renegade Heaven (Cantaloupe 21001) Completely marvelous and demanding music which blurs the lines between modern classical, post rock and mesmerizing microtonal minimalism. Featured composers include Arnold Dreyblatt, Michael Gordon, Julia Wolfe, Phil Kline and a breath-taking nightmarish new work by Glenn Branca. Cd of the week! $15.

11.ANTHONY BRAXTON QUINTET-[Basel] 1977 (Hatology 545) Featuring a marvelous all-star cast of Muhal Richard Abrams, George Lewis, Mark Helias, Charles "Bobo" Shaw and our favorite visionary/composer Mr. Braxton on reeds. An incredible treasure from our favorite era of Braxtonia and not a reissue. Still on sale for $15.

12.ANTHONY BRAXTON/MATTHEW WELCH-Ten [Solo Bagpipes Compositions 2000] (Parallactic 36) A fascinating and unusual collection of ten Braxton compositions from different eras performed by Braxton student and collaborator Matthew Welch. $14.

13.DOMINIC DUVAL 5TET-Cries & Whispers (Cadence 1111) Featuring Joe McPhee, Mark Whitecage, Jason Hwang, Tomas Ulrich and Dominic Duval. Another excellent all-star reeds and strings only improv offering by one of our favorite contrabassists. $14.

14.JOE McPHEE QUINTET-Common Threads (Deep Listening) Featuring Eyvind Kang on violin, Stuart Dempster on trombone, Michael Bisio on bass and Joe McPhee on reed and trumpet. Ambient improv subtlety, drones and spaciousness. $14.

15.THEO BLECKMANN-Origami (Songlines 1534) Theo is an enchanting elastic voiced vocalist who has collaborated Meredith Monk and Dave Douglas and here is backed by Ben Monder on guitar, Matt Moran on vibes, Skuli Sverrisson on fretless el. bass and John Hollenbeck on drums. Ethereal and often wordless compositions for layered vocals, electronics and well crafted small ensemble. $15.

16.OLUYEMI THOMAS-At the Center of the Threshold (Positive Knowledge 01) Featuring Wilber Morris on bass, Michael Wimberly on drums, Ijeoma Thomas on vocals and Oluyemi on bass clarinet, soprano sax, musette and concept. The west coast mystery man returns with another fine offering of heart-felt cosmic jazz in the same righteous vein as his recent duo release with William Parker. Ijeoma's splendid vocals add more warmth and passion to this deep endeavor! Two cd set for $20.

17.JANE IRA BLOOM-Sometimes the Magic (Arabesque 155) Featuring Vincent Bourgeyz on piano, Mark Dresser on contrabass, Bobby Previte on drums and Jane on soprano sax and electronics. $14.

18.MATT WILSON-Arts and Crafts (Palmetto 2069) Featuring Larry Goldings on piano, Terrell Stafford on trumpet, Dennis Irwin on bass and Matt on drums and compositions. Matt Wilson is a fine drummer, an eclectic composer and always a joy to see and hear live. $14.

19.AVRAM FEFER TRIO-Calling All Spirits (Cadence 1123) Quite a gifted soprano sax and bass clarinet player who consistently puts himself in a diverse array of situations from collaborations with Archie Shepp, The Great Atomic Power to electronic-techno projects. Here his powerful acoustic bass and drums trio burn through both originals and covers by Ornette, Don Cherry & Charles Mingus! $14.

20.TERRITORY BAND TENTET-TransAtlanticBridge (Okkadisc 12040) Fabulous Chicago all-star large ensemble with some important European guests featuring Ken Vandermark, Axel Dorner, Paul Lytton, Jeb Bishop, Fred Longberg-Holm, Jim Baker, Kent Kessler, Tim Mulvenna and Dave Rempis. $14.

NEW THINGS FROM EUROPE and OTHER NON-DOWNTOWN GREATS:

21.MAGMA-La Trilogie Au Trianon (Seventh 15) Massive and legendary Magma 30th anniversary tour captured live last year with an extended band performing such Zeuhl classics as "Wurdah Itah" and "Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh"!! The ultimate French progressive band who sing in their own invented language of Kobian - return! 96 page booklet and triple cd set for $40.

22.EVAN PARKER-PAUL BLEY-BARRE PHILLIPS-Sankt Gesold (ECM 1609) This is the second impressive soprano & tenor sax/piano/contrabass effort from this brilliant trio who work wonders once again. $16. 

23.JAH WOBBLE & EVAN PARKER-Passage to Hades (30 Hertz 14) With Mark Sanders on drums, Clive Bell on ethnic instruments, Jean Pierre Rasle on bagpipes. The last few Jah Wobble cds have been amazing swirling world music dub affairs, so adding circular sax specialist Evan Parker - pushes things even further out! $15.

24.DEREK BAILEY & EDDIE PREVOST-One (Arrival 1) First-time meeting with these two British giants of focused and challenging improvisation. Eddie is a brilliant percussionist who has played with AMM for almost 35 years and will return to the US to perform with the legendary AMM at the Knit next month, as Derek will also be performing during Company Week at Tonic in April!! There is much to look forward to! $14.

25.SLAM FEST-Live Compilation (Slam) Wonderful British avant-jazz fest from last year featuring a host of Slam recording artists like Elton Dean, Paul Dunmall, Keith Tippett, Nick Evan's Dreamtime, George Haslam, Lol Coxhill, Phil Minton, Howard Riley, Paul Rutherford and many more. Two cd set for $18.

25.CHRIS CUTLER-June 12th, 1998 [performance video] Chris is our favorite percussionist, philosopher, author, Recommended Records label head and founding member of Henry Cow. He will be playing solo percussion, drums and electronics at Roulette in NYC on March 24th at 8:30. If you can't make that gig, you can always purchase this fine video another solo set from about two years ago for $20.

26.PETER BLEGVAD-Choices Under Pressure (Resurgense 143) Excellent live acoustic recording with a small ensemble of John Greaves & Danny Thompson on basses and Jakko on everything else - performing a best of collection which includes a few previously unrecorded gems! $17.

27.SACHIKO M & TOSHIMARU NAKAMURA-do (Erstwhile 013) Sachiko played samplein Ground Zero, I.S.O. & Hoahio. Toshimaru plays non-input mixing board (!?!). Together they deal with the new wave of 'pure' electronics on an ultrarestrained level. $13.

28.PHIL DURRANT-THOMAS LEHN-RADU MALFATTI-Dach (Erstwhile 014) An immensely subtle trio of environmental improv pioneers. Phil plays violin and has collaborated with John Butcher, Thomas plays analogue synth and has worked with Dr. Chadbourne & M.I.M.E.O. and Radu plays trombone and has been/still is a member of the British improv scene for almost two decades. $13.

29.PHIL DURRANT-JOHN BUTCHER-PHIL MINTON-Relay (213 Music 11) Another fine display of that wacky British improv magic from this violin-saxes-vocal trio plus a few special guests. Phil Minton is certainly one of the oddest of all vocalists!?! $17.

30.DON PRESTON TRIO-Transformation (Cryptogramophone 107) Featuring Alex Cline on drums, Joel Hamilton on bass and Don on piano. Don Preston was thee keyboard wiz for the original Mothers of Invention, has worked with Carla Bley, Mike Mantler, John Carter and has recently toured with The Grandmothers! This great release shows that he is an inventive, provocative & dazzling modern jazz piano player, his trio is also well chosen. It is a delight to hear him cover the Mother's "Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbecue"! $13.

31.SCOTT FIELDS ENSEMBLE-Mamet (Delmark 527) With Michael Formanek on bass, Michael Zerang on drums and Scott on guitar. I am a longtime fan of innovative west coast avant-jazz guitarist Scott Fields who continues to put out challenging releases yearly with a well selected cast of players from either coast and in between. This cd features five long and demanding works inspired by playwright David Mamet. $14.

32.RALPH TOWNER-Anthem (ECM 1743) Solo acoustic and classical guitars from one of our early (acoustic) guitar heroes. Once in a decade Ralph releases a solo guitar cd and it is always a gem. Review to follow. $16.

33.DRESCH QUARTET-Riding the Wind (November Music 2003) This is a superb Hungarian acoustic quartet with tenor & soprano saxes, violin, double bass, drums and guest cimbalom player. A fine blend of haunting soprano sax and violin with gypsy-like melodies and an elegant fire burning from underneath. $16.

34.TERRY RILEY-In C (Atma 22251) Directed by early Terry Riley collaborator Walter Bourdreau and performed by the Societe de Musique Contemporaine of Quebec. Mr. Riley composed this legendary work is his 'psychedelic innocence' of 1964 and claims that this is a brilliant version! $15.

35.FRANZ KOGLMANN-"O Moon My Pin-Up" (Hatology 566) A large ensemble featuring Phil Minton on vocals, Barre Phillips on contrabass and Franz on trumpet, flugelhorn and composition. $15.

36.THEO JORGENSMANN & ECKHARD KOLTERMAN-Pagine Gialle (Hatology 553) This is the second Hatology release for this fine guitarist - Theo Jorgensmann, after one on Konnex. Eckhard plays impressive, expressive bass clarinet - although I am unfamiliar with his past achievements. $15.

REISSUES, RESTOCKS AND HISTORIC RECORDING THIS MONTH:

37.STEVE LACY-Morning Joy (Hatology 556) Featuring Steve Potts, Jean-Jacques Avenel and Oliver Johnson. Slim at North Country say that this is her favorite Steve Lacy reissue, so it has to be great!! $16.

38.KAORU ABE & MASAYUKI TAKAYANAGI-Mass Projection (DIW 424) Recorded live in 1970 - this scary alto sax and electric guitar duo are the true pioneers of Japanese free music!! This is the previously unreleased sequel to 'Kaitaiteki Kokan' which is another brutal treasure on DIW. $18.

39.TERJE RYPDAL-Bleakhouse (Polydor/Norway) With Jan Garbarek, Jon Christensen and Arild Andersen. This is a pre-ECM rarity from the late sixties and no doubt essential to all of us Terje fans! $14.

40.ARTI & MESTERI-Tilt (Akarma 1024) Often mind-blowing Italian progressive-fusion outfit who were influenced by PFM, Mahavishnu Orchestra, King Crimson and Soft Machine. Minimal vocals. Originally released on the great Cramps label. $15.

41.ARTI & MESTERI-Giro Di Valver (Akarma) Second great release from this classic Italian progressive/fusion ensemble and supposedly even better!! We will let you know. $15.

42.EMBRYO-we keep on (Disconforme 1936) Formed in 1969 and led by German ethnic-exotic percussionist Christian Burchard who had just left Amon Duul II. This was their fifth lp from 1972 and it is the best of their half dozen recent reissues. It is an astounding blend of space-avant-jazz-world improv and features American reeds hero Charlie Mariano and some burnin' pre-fusion electric guitar! We have a few left at $10.

43.EMBRYO-Father Son and Holy Ghost (Disconforme 1935) A pretty incredible studio recording from 1972 featuring Sigi Schwab on guitars, veena & tarang, Edgar Hofmann on sax & violin, David King on bass & flute and Christian Burchard on ethnic percussion. Still on sale for $10.

44.EMBRYO-Invisible Documents/Live at the "Fabrik" in Hamburg 1974 (Disconforme 1031) Five long cosmic jams for spaced-out hippies worldwide! Two cd set for $16.

45.THE SOFT BOYS-Underwater Moonlight and How It Got There (Matador 500) Important and essential reissue of this brilliant and bizarre late 70's psychedelic hard rockin' quartet fronted by Robyn Hitchcock and Kimberley Rew (Katrina & the Waves) who have recently reunited and are on now on tour! This swell double cd version contains many extra tracks, rehearsal sessions and unreleased treasures! Two cd set on sale for $16.

46.THE ROUGH TRADE BOX SET-various artists (Mute UK 191) 56 tracks of astounding punk & post-punk singles spanning 25 years in celebration of the Rough Trade music shop in London. Featuring great gems from Pere Ubu, The Congos, Cab. Voltaire, The Raincoats, Robert Wyatt, Nick Cave, Mudhoney, Spacemen 3, Go-Betweens, Swell Maps, Young Marble Giants, Tackhead, Mazzy Star and many more! Four cd box set for $28.

47.BRUCE HAACK-Electric Lucifer Book 2 (QDK Media 037) Bruce is known for his pioneering work with homemade synthesizers from the mid-to-late sixties. Columbia actually released his concept record 'Electric Lucifer' in 1970. This is the long awaited sequel - which was not released during Bruce's lifetime and blends future Kraftwerk and Residents-like sounds into a cautionary tale of evil vs. good for solo electronics! $14.

48.FRANCO BATTIATO-Pollution (BMG/Italy 585542) Immensely charming and strange pop vocalist from Sicily in 1972 - second release of trippy, David Axelrod-like orchestration, occasional swirling synth and pre-progressive inventiveness. $14.

49.THE GREAT ATOMIC POWER-The Mushroom of Destruction (Transcendental 003) Brain-melting Naked City-like ultra-tight jazz-punk-prog-fusion local band who have been in limbo since leaving us with copies of their fabulous cd/ep about 6 months ago. Members include Seahag from Project Object (great local Zappa tribute band), the drummer from Mother Tongue and guest saxists - Daniel Carter & Avram Fefer! We have finally restocked their swell 30 minute six song ep for $10.! 

The next batch of ESP cd reissues have just been released. Both the packaging and sound of these reissues are better than the ZYX versions which came out a few years back. We still have about a half dozen titles of the ZYX reissues in our $10. catalogue at present, but they are quickly winding down. The Get Back label in Italy has also been reissuing most (all?) of the same ESP titles on high quality vinyl. ESP founder Bernard Stollman recently took me (and the dudes from Akarma/Get Back) out to dinner and claims that royalty money is finally being paid to a number of the former ESP artists. Let's hope so! Both the cd and lp versions of these current reissues sell for $14. each. Here is what has just come out:

50.ALBERT AYLER-Bells (ESP 1010) Featuring Albert & Donald Ayler on tenor sax & trumpet, Charles Tyler on alto sax, Lewis Worrell on bass & Sunny Murray on drums. Live at Town Hall May 1st, 1965.

51.NEW YORK EYE & EAR CONTROL (ESP 1016) Featuring Albert Ayler & John Tchicai on saxes, Don Cherry on trumpet, Roswell Rudd on trombone, Gary Peacock on bass and Sunny Murray on drums. Film soundtrack recorded July 17, 1964!

52.MILFORD GRAVES-Percussion Ensemble (ESP 1015) Cosmic percussion duo with Sunny Morgan and one of the few early Milford gems in print.

53.PEARLS BEFORE SWINE-One Nation Underground (ESP 1054) Fucking brilliant folk-rock-psych masterwork and debut fronted by Tom Rapp from 1967. I am still mesmerized by this classic work and hearing him perform half of these songs with a band at CB's last year with Bevis Frond was a revelation! Sadly, only two other of their/his older releases are in print - 'Balaklava' (their second ESP disc) and 'Sunforest' (his final solo effort before retiring). There is also a great best-of cd from the four Reprise lp's out on Birdman, as well as a new cd from last year. All highly recommended and probably in stock.

A BRIEF PREVIEW OF APRIL RELEASES TO SALIVATE OVER:

JOHN ZORN-Love, Madness & Mysticism (Tzadik) three new and extraordinary chamber pieces!

PRAXIS-Warzawa (Inner Rhythmic) Finally!! Featuring Buckethead, Brain, Bill Laswell & the Invizibl Skratch Picklz - live in Poland!!!

JAMES 'BLOOD' ULMER [THIRD RAIL]-Blue Blood (Inner Rhythmic) Finally - the long awaited second Third Rail thang!!! Featuring Blood, Laswell, Bernie Worrell, Amina Claudine Myers and Jerome 'Bigfoot' Brailey!!!

INNER RHYTHMIC SOUND SYSTEM-compilation (IR) w/ Sacred System, Blood Ulmer, Praxis, Revelator, Suphala and Gonervill!?!?!

EVAN PARKER/ALEX VON SCHLIPPENBACH/BARRY GUY/PAUL LOVENS- 2 X 3 = 5 (Leo) single cd and what personnel?!?!?!

ANTHONY BRAXTON- Composition No. 247 (Leo) 'Ghost Trance' music for two saxes and bagpipes.

JOE MANERI TRIO-The Trio Concerts (Leo) Joe, Mat & Randy Peterson. 2 cd set.

IVO PERELMAN TRIO-The Seven Energies of the Universe (Leo) Featuring the amazing and under-appreciated pianist - Joseph Scianni!

MARILYN CRISPELL-Selected Works 1983-1986 (Leo) two cd set reissue from three out-of-print releases!

SERGEY KURYOKHIN-The Ways of Freedom (Leo Golden Years) reissue w/ bonus tracks!

New Signal To Noise magazine just arrived with feature articles on Pauline Oliveros, Eddie Gale, Birdsongs Of The Mesozoic, Mushroom, Iannis Xenakis and loads of informative reviews. $3.95