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NEWSLETTER - October 19th, 2007



An exciting batch of great discs from:

The Miles Davis Complete On the Corner Box-Set is finally here(!), Susie Ibarra, Trio M w/ Myra Melford, Mark Dresser & Matt Wilson, David Torn OST, Alan Pasqua w/ Nels Cline & Scott Amendola, Nu Band w/ Mark Whitecage, Roy Campbell, Joe Fonda & Lou Grassi, Dominic Duval Solo, Tiziano Tononi &

The Ornettians, Basement Research w/ Gebhard Ullmann, Steve Swell, John Hebert & Gerald Cleaver, Greg Burk Qt, Supersilent 8, Damo Suzuki w/ Hoppy Kamiyama & Tatsuya Yoshida, Henry Brant Conducts Charles Ives, Morton Feldman DVD/Tribute w/ David Beardsley, Bush Tetras, Raz Mesinai, Circle,

Historic Discs from EGG, The Ruins, Koenjihyakkei, Karen Dalton, 3 from Lee Hazelwood, Plus Vinyl from Velvet Underground, Nico, Faust, Cluster & Eno, James Brown, Caetano Veloso, Zanzibara 4, The Lost Blues Tapes & Pylon


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Now IN STOCK!

MILES DAVIS - Volume 9: The Complete On The Corner Sessions [6 CD Box-Set] (Columbia/Legacy 62392; USA) This is the ninth and final deluxe box set in the Grammy Award-winning Miles Davis Series, includes more than 6 hours of music - twelve previously unissued tracks plus five tracks previously unissued in full - covering sixteen sessions from the On the Corner, Big Fun, and Get Up With It albums. Joined by such jazz legends as Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, John McLaughlin, Jack DeJohnette, Billy Hart, and countless others, this 6-CD deluxe edition also contains a 120-page full-color booklet with liner notes and essays by Grammy-winning producer Bob Belden, journalist Tom Terrell, and acclaimed arranger and composer Paul Buckmaster. With such a comprehensive collection of Miles Davis' songs, plus dozens of rare photographs and new illustrations, this very special deluxe box set is a must have for any fan of Davis' genius or jazz music in general.
Miles Davis' 'On the Corner' LP was released in 1972 and was perhaps, Miles' most controversial, misunderstood and puzzling of his pre-retirement seventies studio albums. It was recorded at various sessions and sported a funky illustrated cover of numerous young black folk wearing the appropriate threads of the times (afros, large colored glasses & bell bottoms). Instead of the common practice of listing the personnel on every jazz album, it listed the song titles only. Miles claimed that listed personnel doesn't really matter, it is only the music itself that should be dealt with. At the time, it was panned by most so-called jazz critics and many Miles fans didn't know what to make of it.
What we find some 35 years later is how contemporary it sounds today. An unedited version of the title track opens the first disc with that great funky bass groove, Miles' sinister electric trumpet with wah-wah effects, tablas (Badal Roy), nasty electric guitar (John McLaughlin), sly soprano sax (Dave Liebman), a few electric keyboards and layers of percussion. This vast six CD set basically is split between out-takes from the On the Corner session and all but one piece from Miles' final pre-retirement studio double album, 'Get Up With It' from 1974, another great yet misunderstood treasure. Some of the unreleased treasures include "On the Corner" (take 4), which has an even more slamming funky beat, sitar drones and an evil guitar solo. The unedited master take of One and One is three times as long as the version found on the original album . It features some sick, twisted Sharrock-like guitar, layers of twisted keyboards, soprano and slow, slamming ornery, funky beat. Practically every piece here deals with selective layers of sax, electric guitars, electric keyboards, Michael Henderson's fat el. bass, various drummers and percussionists and Miles' spitfire, wah-wah electric trumpet. Although there are occasional solos, it is more about ever-changing textures and various grooves. The original producer, Teo Macero, did a great deal of splicing and dicing of the original tapes (a couple of decades before such maneuvers were a norm), as well as occasionally looping Miles trumpet and organ lines. The pre-release copy I have, has no liner notes or lavish packaging, so I am certainly missing out on the book you'll e getting that would make this box-set even more special than the 6+ hours of music that I am still marveling at. Pretty f**king amazing, no doubt!- BLG
(all pre-orders have/are shipping now)
6 CD Set & Book in Metal Box $125.


SUSIE IBARRA - Drum Sketches (Innova 677; USA) Susie Ibarra is a percussionist, but she doesn't hit you over the head with the fact. Rather, her powerfully delicate, insistent sounds seem to emanate from the landscape of drums and tuned gongs by themselves. Drum Sketches, Ibarra's first solo CD following several Tzadik ensemble releases, is inspired by various images and sounds of her native Philippines. Among her glowing array of percussion are tuned bronze Kulintang gongs and a Surunay xylophone that blend with field recordings of boat festivals, a baby's heartbeat, and evening peeper frogs.
Drum Sketches on stage is a collaborative performance of live painting by visual artist Makoto Fujimura. It was commissioned by Neues Kabarett at the Brecht Forum NYC and premiered May 5, 2007.
(Susie Ibarra will be performing tonight, October 19th at Zankel Hall at 7:30 along with Steve Coleman, Scott Johnson and Ken Thomson with the American Composers Orchestra.)
CD $14


TRIO M [MYRA MELFORD/MARK DRESSER/MATT WILSON] - Big Picture (Cryptogramophone 134; USA) Trio M is a collective all-star trio made up of pianist Myra Melford, bassist Mark Dresser and drummer Matt Wilson. The group began playing together in early 2006 and worked several more gigs before coming together once more to record at the end of that year. They play a complex and progressive brand of modern jazz, improvising collectively on a wide range of material. The music if often quite percussive and aggressive, particularly on the title song "Big Picture" where very fast piano and drums are rooted by strong plucked bass. Melford adds some rippling Don Pullen like piano, leading to some exhilaratingly strong playing from all three musicians and culminating with percussive piano of Cecil Taylor-like power. A slower spacier passage leads to the song's conclusion with bowed bass and cascading piano and percussion. "Modern Pine" is a little slower, taking a melodic mid-tempo approach. This is an enjoyable performance with subtle gear shifting to adjust tempo and pace. There is a traditional modern jazz sound here with the piano leading and bass and drums in support. Imagine the Mulgrew Miller trio jacked up on 20 oz. strong coffees and you get the idea. High-pitched bowed bass introduces "Secrets to Tell You". Dresser's eerie sounding bowed bass is at the center of this song, taking the lead while piano and percussion ebb and flow around it, creating a haunting and evocative sound. "FreeKonomics" opens with fractured drums with plucked bass and probing piano. The pace increases to an abrupt conclusion with dark sounding piano. This is a powerful trio with the musicians deeply in sync with each other. While different instruments will occasionally take a lead role in particular improvisations, it is the collective integrity of the music that impresses the most. This is thoughtful and forward thinking jazz music that deserves widespread respect. - Tim Niland
CD $16

ALAN PASQUA With NELS CLINE/AMBROSE AKINMUSIRE/SCOTT AMENDOLA - The Anti-Social Club (Cryptogramophone 135; USA) What if Miles Davis had decided to stick with the music of the Bitches Brew/Cellar Door period, circa 1969-1970, and develop within that genre rather than continuing to move in other directions? Perhaps his music would have sounded like Alan Pasqua's The Anti Social Club. The grooves and basslines on the seven originals are reminiscent of Davis' music of the era although the updated electronics, the individual voices, and the spirit of this group differ. Keyboardist Alan Pasqua (a former member of Tony Williams' Lifetime) sounds quite at home in the early-'70s funk/fusion setting, trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire is a bright new voice on his instrument, and each of the musicians makes strong contributions. While there are solos, the "accompaniment" is so active that most of the music sounds like explosive ensembles. Fans of Miles Davis' music of his early electronics period will find this set to be a brilliant extension on Davis' ideas, and a fresh way of playing fusion. Highly recommended.
~Scott Yanow, AMG CD $16


DAVID TORN - Lars And The Real Girl [sndtck] (Milan 36319; USA) Written by Six Feet Under scribe Nancy Oliver, Lars and the Real Girl is a heartfelt comedy starring Ryan Gosling as Lars Lindstrom, a loveable introvert whose emotional baggage has kept him from fully embracing life. Lars and the Real Girl's original score is composed by David Torn, a legendary musician known for the organic blending/manipulation of electronic and acoustic instruments and especially well known for looping effects.
CD $17


KEITH JARRETT/GARY PEACOCK/JACK DeJOHNETTE - My Foolish Heart: Live At Montreux [2 CD set] (ECM 2021/22; USA) Jarrett/Peacock/DeJohnette live at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2001, still finding gems in the rich seams of the standard mines: a great trio at the top of its game in gleaming new spontaneous arrangements of Thelonious Monk's "Straight No Chaser", Fats Waller's "Honeysuckle Rose" and "Ain't Misbehaving", Sonny Rollins's "Oleo", Gerry Mulligan's "Five Brothers", Miles Davis's "Four" and more, as well as Tin Pan Alley evergreens including "My Foolish Heart," "The Song Is You," "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry" and "Only The Lonely." A great performance, touching on much of the history of jazz.
2 CD set for $26



Three new ones from Not Two label:

NU BAND [MARK WHITECAGE/ROY CAMPBELL JR/JOE FONDA/LOU GRASSI] - The Dope And The Ghost: Live In Vienna (Not Two 788; EEC) Featuring Mark Whitecage on alto sax, Roy Cambpell on trumpets, Joe Fonda on contrabass, Lou Grassi on drums and guest on one track, Marco Eneidi on alto sax. This is the third great live disc from this phenomenal NYC-based quartet. The first two were both pretty amazing and so is this one. The opening Anti-Bush vocal piece is both hilarious and most appropriate. Stay tuned for a regular review next week.
CD $17


DOMINIC DUVAL - Songs For Krakow (Not Two 778; EEC) Solo contrabass recorded live at Alchemia in Krakow, Poland in November of 2006. Dominic Duval is one downtown's best acoustic bassists and has been the bassist of choice for numerous projects like Trio X (w/ Joe McPhee), Ivo Perelman, Cecil Taylor and Mark Whitecage. This is Dom's third solo bass disc and it is another grand offering. Superbly recorded, warm and clean so that you can hear him pluck those strings up close. On "The Truth", it sounds as if his strings are singing a lovely, somber song. On "Cobble Stones", he bends and rubs those strings in a Mark Dresser-like way, easing the release and then increasing the tension organically. Dom concentrates on each note, making every sound count, nothing is superfluous. He seems to balance between poignant moments and moments of restrained eruptions. When that first blast of bowed bass opens "Where Do We Go From Here!", it almost knocked me out of my chair! The bowing and overall sound is completely focused and very intense, like a ghost singing the blues directly from his or her soul. "Images from the Dark" is an explosive display of the many odd sounds one can get from an acoustic bass, from harsh to fragile. "Synagogues (Where of When)", sound like it was recorded in a big room with a bit of natural delay as the strings snap. The notes fly by in a flurry at times, yet Dom holds on to certain notes to let them ring out with a superb harmonic ting. "Direct Conflict" features some quick bowing and creates a cosmic buzz, balancing between bowed and plucked sounds, sometimes simultaneously. Dominic concludes this fine disc with a touching cover of Duke Ellington's "In a Sentimental Mood", which is dedicated to Dom's parents. I love the way he states the theme briefly at the beginning, before he takes off for the stratosphere, playing around the theme, yet keeping it buried below the surface of his improvisations. Touching, tasty and often quite intense. - BLG
CD $17

YURIY YAREMCHUK / MARK TOKAR / KLAUS KUGEL - Yatoku (Not Two 782; Poland) Featuring Yuriy Yaremchuk on tenor & soprano saxes & clarinet, Mark Tokar on acoustic bass and Klaus Kugel on drums. I can't say that I had heard of Yuriy or Mr. Tokr before this disc, but we do know Klaus Kugel from the work he has done with Bruce Eisenbeil, Ganelin Trio Priority and Steve Swell's Slammin' the Infinite. This disc begins with some extremely quiet, minimal, suspenseful sounds. Superbly recorded and perfectly balanced, Yuriy's haunting tenor has an immense sound. The trio builds and stretches out magically, slowly burning together. This trio is tight, focused and furiously wailing together. When they finally slow down a bit, the bassist does some great things as he bangs on the bass with his bow. "Tokuya" opens with some solemn strummed bass and sublime soprano sax. They again ascend into a rich John Surman Trio-like exhilarating whirlwind. Alyhough many of these pieces are spontaneously improvised, sections sound composed as the trio seems to always anticipate each other's flights of fancy. An excellent offering all the way around. - BLG
CD $17



New from Blacksaint/Soulnote:

TIZIANO TONONI & THE ORNETTIANS//ORNETTE COLEMAN - Peace Warriors (Forgotten Children): Tribute to Ornette Coleman Volume 2: Electric [2 CD set] (Black Saint 120181; Italy) Featuring Daniele Cavallanti & Achille Succi on saxes, clarinets & ney flute, Luca Calabrese on trumpets, Emanuele Parrini on electric violin, Simone Massaron & Roberto Cecchetto on multiple guitars & lap steel, Tiziano Tononi on drums, percussion & direction and Tiziana Ghiglioni on voice. This is Tiziano Tononi's second splendid tribute to Ornette Coleman and this time he has gathered a larger octet electric version of Italian all-star musicians. Some of these players he has used in the past like Achille, Luca, Emanuele and Daniele Cavallanti, who has a fine disc from last year called "Smoke Inside" with Nels Cline on guitar. On the last Ornette tribute Tononi had two acoustic bassists, here he has two guitarists playing numerous electric, acoustic, fretted and fretless guitars and no bassists. All but three of 17 tracks are covers of tunes by Ornette, with three songs inspired by certain Ornette songs. Opening with an astonishing, intense version of "War Orphans", both guitarists and violinist sound powerful playing the theme together with some bent harmonies, all three swirling in great waves together. Tononi's drums also sound wonderful, superbly recorded and helping to keep the vibe in focus. "Congeniality" starts off with a double guitar fusion explosion, yet soon gets into that great Ornette riff with some rich harmonies for the saxes and trumpet. Daniele takes an amazing tenor solo while both guitars & violin spin around him harmelodically, so tight and intense! "Space Church" starts with some intricate, layered electric guitars just playing odd sounds until the band joins them for that memorable Ornette melody. While the bari sax and flugel play one theme together, the drums and guitars spin around them in immense spiritual currents, the violin also poking through waves and adding some spice to the tasty stew. Tononi's "Imagine / Sounds" was inspired by Ornette's "Trouble in the East" and features some eerie ney flute, spooky mutated vocals, massive drums and other nightmarish sounds. Luca Calabrese's elegant, soaring trumpet is featured on "Just for You", with both saxes and guitars hovering in the background and playing a prayer-like way. "Joy of a Toy" begins with some great wah-wah violin and weird (punk?) guitar sounds but soon gets into another touching Ornette theme. "Forgotten Children" is sublime, spacious and lovely with delicate guitars (lap steel), touching tenor and elegant drums. The second disc has some inspired and unusual versions of "Beauty is a Rare Thing", "Focus on Sanity" and "Lonely Woman". What amazes me about this disc is that nothing is predictable, every cover involves surprising twists and odd rearrangements. Nearly two hours long and an outstanding effort on all counts. - BLG
2 CD set for $32

BASEMENT RESEARCH - New Basement Research (Soul Note 121491; Italy) This is the third disc from Gebhard Ullmann's Basement Research and this version features Julian Arguelles on soprano & bari saxes, Gebhard on bass clarinet & tenor sax, Steve Swell on trombone, John Hebert on bass and Gerald Cleaver on drums. Gebhard keeps quite busy with a variety of bands (Conference Call, Clarinet Trio and recently a great Big Band) and has some 30+ discs out as a leader or collaborator. Each of his previous Basement Research bands has had another saxist (Ellery Eskelin & Tony Malaby), as well as using other American musicians. The difference with this version of the band it features British saxist Julian Arguelles, who also keeps busy with many projects and was a member of the later period Brotherhood of Breath. The frontline member is downtown's great Steve Swell on trombone, who has a quartet date with Gebhard on CIMP.
Commencing with "Dreierlei", all three horns (bari, bass clarinet and trombone) swirl together unaccompanied and powerfully, before the dynamic rhythm team kicks in. Gebhard takes an amazing bass clarinet solo while the bass and drums spin higher and higher with an immense, buoyant force. When Swell launches into a burnin' 'bone solo, the other two saxes play intricate lines around him. The piece ends with an intense bass solo from John Hebert, which must be heard to be believed. "Gospel" opens with a remarkable bass clarinet solo that sounds as if Gebhard is speaking to us through his horn. The piece is quite gospel-like as it has a great, bluesy theme that is played exquisitely by Julian on bari and Steve on that gutbucket trombone. Yowsah! After Gebhard starts "Seven 9-8" with a blistering tenor solo, the rest of the band comes charging into play this powerful, fractured rhythmic blast. One of the highlights of this disc is the great rhythm team of John Hebert and Gerald Cleaver who are just incredible throughout adding immense propulsion and rhythmic finesse on each piece. Even when they lay out, the other three horns excel at massive, tight inter-connected lines. This is bound to be a number of best of lists this year and also one of those that we will play in the store and folks will howl with delight. I kid you not! - BLG
CD $16

GREG BURK QUARTET - Berlin Bright (Soul Note 121403; Italy) Featuring Greg Burk on piano, Ignaz Dinne' on alto & soprano sax, Jonathan Robinson on bass and Andrea Marcelli on drums. This is Greg Burk's sixth disc as a leader and his second with a quartet. Formerly based in Boston and now living in Rome. Each song was written by a different member of the quartet. Each of Greg's previous discs, solo, duo, trio & quartet has been quite different and it is the same for this one. "Fancy Pants" has a difficult off-kilter theme that sounds as if it is about to spin out of control, yet remains somehow tight. Andrea's "The Invisible Child" swings hard and has an uplifting vibe with fine solos from Iznaz on sax and Greg on piano. Ignaz' swell "Back Home" is a fine, laid back bluesy thing with a tasty bass solo, righteous piano and alto sax as well. Greg's "Zoo for Two" has a slightly twisted Monkish head gives Ignaz a challenge to twist the notes of his soprano around, as well as pushing Greg into a daredevil solo. Greg also wrote the rather poignant "Ugly Butterfly", which features a touching pinched-tone solo by Ignaz on soprano sax. I dig Jonathan's "Without Annette" since it has an unexpected series of changes and a short, bold drum solo that develops the theme just right. What I like most about this quartet is the way the piano and sax consistently play around one another, always somehow interconnected while the rhythm team swells and swings together, increasing and decreasing the tempo yet never losing sight of the undertow that connects all four members. Even the few more restrained songs have some subtle yet rich harmonies and interplay that you have to listen for below the surface. - BLG
CD $16

UMBERTO PETRIN & JEAN-LUC CAPPOZZO - Law Years (Soulnote 121388; Italy) Featuring Umberto Petrin on piano and Jean-Luc Cappozzo on trumpet & flugelhorn. Review soon. I know of Umberto Petrin from work he has done with Tim Berne, Assif Tsahar and Gianluigi Trovesi. Trumpeter, Jean-Luc Cappozzo has recorded with the Oles brothers, as well as with Sophia Domancich. This fine duo cover an odd selection of tunes by Ornette, Monk and an ancient standard "Stella by Starlight", as well as doing half original pieces. The title piece is the Ornette cover, "Law Years", and it is done twice in different ways. On the first version, Umberto stays mostly at the low end of the piano while Jean-Luc sails all over on his flugel for the first half. "Prayer" is a lovely, haunting piece with some superb muted flugelhorn and elegant piano. "Stella by Starlight" has been covered by dozens (hundreds?) of jazz musicians and here is slowed down to a snail's pace and space. As Jean-Luc slowly twists his notes, Umberto adds amber shades and graceful flutterings. Thelonius Monk's most popular and most covered song is "'Round About Midnight". Here, it is stretched out and done cautiously and delicately and it is quite lovely. "Impro" features spooky sounds plucked from inside the piano and odd trumpet mouthpiece sounds. On "Darco Joe", the duo seem to slowly wander around together like ghosts floating in a cemetery, building intensely as they go. Umberto plays some majestic waves here, laying back when Jean-Luc joins him for the more charted sections. This disc concludes with another version of "Law Years", which has a more romantic, bullfight sort of sound. What is so special abut this disc is the way this duo most often play together as one unit, playing rich harmonies together, anticipating each other's dynamic flow and embracing their lyrical side when need be, but not being held down by it. - BLG
CD $16


HENNING SIEVERTS With CHRIS SPEED/JOHANNES LAUER/ACHIM KAUFMANN/JOHN HOLLENBECK - Symmetry (Pirouet 3022; Germany) Featuring Johannes Lauer on trombone, Chris Speed on tenor sax & clarinet, Achim Kaufmann on piano, Henning Sieverts on bass & compositions and John Hollenbeck on drums. I can't say that I was familiar with Henning Sieverts or Johannes Lauer before hearing this disc, but I am quite familiar with Chris Speed (Pachora, etc.) and John Hollenbeck, both of whom are in the Claudia Quintet, as well as Achim Kaufmann who has a half dozen discs out on Leo, Red Toucan and Nuscope. What isn't surprising is that this disc sounds somewhat like the Claudia Quintet at times. Fine with me.
"Top Spot" starts with a quirky opening, almost like practicing scales. The trombone and clarinet seem to be opposite in tone, the trombone is thick and warm, the clarinet is thin and fragile. It somehow works since they both have round, delicate tones with the piano balancing in between them. Chris Speed has become the clarinetist of choice for the past few years and he doesn't sound like anyone else, perhaps he is coming out of Jimmy Giuffre. What is interesting here is that some of these pieces are not coming from a jazz tradition, more of a third stream sort of sound, in between categories. When Chris switches to tenor on "Deep Speed", the band starts to burn with both the trombone and tenor swirling powerfully together playing this great theme. "One for All, All for One" has a quieter angularity, with some elegant piano, tenor and trombone harmonies. "Bird Rib" features some exquisite bowed bass and piano, while "Leaves Fall, Fall Leaves" has some soft, elegant clarinet, trombone and bass harmonies. Some of these pieces are hard to explain, since they don't really sound like anything else I've heard. "Laz Azul" is dream-like yet quietly turbulent, focused yet free, the band is split yet connected. The trombone & clarinet play around one them while the piano and drums play a different thing and then in the middle it stops and changes into something else. Hmmm. Interesting, different and quite unpredictable. - BLG
CD $16


CROWDofONE [MASSIMO FALASCONE / STEVE PICCOLO / GAK SATO] - The Box Man (Rai Trade 08; Italy) CrowdofOne features Massimo Falascone on alto & bari saxes & live electronics, Steve Piccolo on bass, acoustic guitar, radio TV & voice and Gak Sato on theremin, keyboards, percussion and sound effects. Steve Piccolo was the original bassist for the Lounge Lizards nearly thirty years ago and currently lives in Rome. He drops in our store on occasion and has just left us with this fine CD. I was unfamiliar the other two members of this trio, but Steve mentioned that Gak Sato is more known for his work in acid-jazz and techno. 'The Box Man' is the store of a man who lives inside of a box. Steve talks from within a box and tells a skeletal narration mostly in English, sometimes with a couple of layers of voices, on close and one more distant. Steve plays lovely, solemn acoustic guitar as the voices slowly tell their story. On "Helix Nebula", the trio gets into a sly groove with spy movie-like electric guitar, bari sax punctuation and nifty sound effects. I dig that this music is not free but nicely arranged, somewhat melodic and tells an interesting but not obvious story. On "Capitan Corcorico", a phone buzzes and is sampled, repeated and altered ominously as acoustic guitar, theremin and a bari sax swirl quietly around it. Solos are often short and used selectively so that they are a part of the ongoing story. The pieces flow together seamlessly from one part of the story to the next with subtle changes in the mood. The fact that the tale is told skeletally allows us to fill in the rest of story for ourselves as we drift through the different scenes or moods. An oddly laid-back and quietly fascinating gem. - BLG
CD $14


RAZ MESINAI'S BADAWI - Unit of Resistance (ROIR 8307; USA) This the first time multi-dimensional producer/musician Raz Mesinai has incorporated both personas into one project. He has released 15 records combined under the Badawi name (4 on ROIR previously) and many under his own name (three on Tzadik). He has proven to be an adept producer bringing together such talents as Kode 9, DJ Spooky, Kreng, DJ Rupture, Marina Rosenfeld & many more to help fight against a fascist regime. Tracks were laid down in a studio by the Badawi Quintet during the GOP's 2004 convention in NYC- Raz brought together the best of the best to engage the GOP the only way they knew hoe- through music. This album is a standout. Bruce's review next week.
CD $14

BUSH TETRAS [DEE POP/CYNTHIA SLEY/PAT PLACE/LAURA KENNEDY] - Very Very Happy (ROIR 8303; USA) Contains 6 newly recorded gems from NYC New-wave/Post punk purveyors- Two never before available songs- CD is enhanced w/ 3 videos including a "To Many Creeps" by Ed Steinberg from 1981- which features a devastated NYC as backdrop. This is an instant classic. Very little Bush Tetras material available- besides our "Boom In The Night collection there is absolutely nothing. The BT's mostly play Festival dates & things are cooking w/ offers already- Mini US tour in the works as well. Expect tremendous press & support from a wide eyed fan base- The Bush Tetras started it all. Think Slits, Bikini Kill, ESG, Gang Of Four.
CD $14


SUPERSILENT - 8 (Rune Grammofon 2067; EEC) Supersilent celebrate 10 years as a groundbreaking quartet with their first studio album in almost 5 years, the eighth release in their series. Members Arve Henriksen (trumpet, voice, electronics, drums), Helge Sten (audio virus), Stale Storlokken (keyboards, synthesizers) and Jarle Vespestad (drums) form a band that refuse categorization, with experiments in such disparate elements as ambient, jazz, electronica, rock, techno, noise and musique concrete. As with Supersilent 6, 8 was recorded during a 5-day studio session at all-analog facility, Athletic Sound in Halden, Norway. >From the monumental hardcore blizzard storm of 1-3, to the elegant electro-jazz of 4, and from the quiet soundscapes of 5, to the epic 6, Supersilent have yet again re-invented themselves with an album that to a certain degree explores more abstract and mysterious pathways beyond category and comparisons. The 68 minutes that ended up on 8 was chosen from 5 hours of finished music, and at one time the group considered a double or even triple album. The album has been mastered by U.S. mastering guru, Bob Katz in close collaboration with producer Deathprod, and it's been handled almost like classical music to keep the extremely dynamic range of the original recording. Again, the names of the players do not appear on the cover. This is Supersilent music, collective work, group improvising, and not a matter of individual grandstanding. They never rehearse as a group and don't discuss the music with each other, meeting only to play concerts or to record. Supersilent music lives in a no-man's-land between the genres, somewhere between rock, electronica, jazz and modern composition. It can sometimes appear to be written or at least arranged, again making it clear that these musicians communicate on a high, almost telepathic level. Needless to say, there are no overdubs.
CD $16


DAMO SUZUKI With HOPPY KOMIYAMA/TATSUYA YOSHIDA - The Fire Of Heaven At The End Of The Universe: Live At UFO Club (Vivo 2007030; EEC) This is a new record featuring Damo Suzuki, second lead singer for the legendary krautrock band Can with an all-star cast of Japan's best players: Hoppy Kamiyama (keyboards), Yuji Katsui (violin), Kenji Sato (bass) and Tatsuya Yoshida (drums). It was recorded live at UFO Club / Tokyo, 5th March 2006. Damo Suzuki has been on a never-ending tour for the past decade playing around the world and jamming with different musicians in each city. His upcoming tour will take him to Japan, Greece, Italy, Germany, UK and soon across the USA. There are some half dozen different difficult to find live discs that he has done while on his ongoing tour. No doubt you know Hoppy Kamiyama, keyboard ace, great producer and head of the amazing God Mountain label. Master drummer and leader of Ruins, Tatsuya Yoshida, records with just about everyone from Acid Mother Temple to Gong to Von Samla to Satoko Fujii. Violinist Yuji Katsui has played with Bondage Fruit and Rovo, while Kenji Sato has played with Uchihashi Kazuhisa.
'The Fire of Heaven at the End of the Universe' is, without a doubt, one of the best krauk/rock/prog jam discs we've heard in a long while. Four of the five pieces are pretty long and develop like cosmic space/rock could and should. "The Crystal Desert" bubbles with eerie synth sounds, soaring violin and powerful rhythm team escalation. Damo sings/speaks in what seems to be English as the bands burns around him, building and rocking hard as they slowly soar. It is difficult to make out what Damo is singing about, but he sounds impassioned throughout, occasionally sounding like David Bowie. While the bands plays a sort-of funky beat on "Moonlight Warrior", Damo almost sounds as if he rapping along to Tatsuya's powerful drumming. Hoppy and Yuji does an impressive job of adding layers of electric keyboards and violin, soloing and blending their lines together, jamming on a groove as expand and ascend. On "Dress Your Girl", the bass plays a fine, hypnotic, repeating line as Damo also repeats and alters his words as things unfold. Damo speaks softly as the waves of sound get more mellow and spacey. There is something about the overall vibe and groove that keep this pretty mesmerizing throughout the long journey to the stars. - BLG (Damo Suzuki will be playing here next week, Tuesday, October 23rd at 9:30pm at Monkeytown, 58 N. 3rd St., Brooklyn, New York. monkeytownhq@aol.com)
CD $16

THE RUINS [TATSUYA YOSHIDA] - Refusal Fossil: Special Edition (Skin Graft 87; USA) New 2007 re-master includes five previously unreleased tracks, all remixed and re-mastered by the band's Yoshida Tatsuya (Koenjihyakkei); 25 tracks total. The first Ruins release to feature new bassist Sasaki Hishashi [1998], a longtime vet of the Japanese grindcore scene, Refusal Fossil doesn't deviate at all from the pattern of previous releases -- this is music of extreme intensity, unforgiving bass-and-drum noise typified by stop-on-a-dime tempos and time signatures and lyrics sung in a language plainly not of this earth. ~ Jason Ankeny, AMG
CD $13
Restocks from SkIn Graft label further down the list


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Yximalloo is multi-instrumentalist/vocalist/oddball Naofumi Ishimaru; since the early 1980's, he has been recording and performing otherworldly "fake" ethnic music which comes across as a mix of Teiji Ito, the Residents, Half Japanese, Mars, and the quieter end of the Boredoms spectrum. He's played with members of Acid Mothers Temple, Boredoms, Half Japanese, and God is my Co-Pilot, among others, and after years of hibernation, he's finally touring and performing in solo concerts. Each of the below CDs feature Nao performing on nearly all instruments and voices (with occasional help from others), each release comes packaged in iridescent jewelcases with day-glo cover illustrations by Half Japanese's Jad Fair, and feature (on average) about 70 minutes of music. Here's a small primer on some of his best solo releases, as well as his two collaborations with Jad Fair. Dig in and enjoy! - Mikey IQ Jones.


YXIMALLOO - Kitsch Shaman (Sakura 04; Japan) Possibly the best release to get an overall feel for what Yximalloo's all about; this record (mostly recorded in 1982) sounds like an imaginary collaboration between Teiji Ito and the Residents - layers of chanted vocals and hand & metal percussion, ukeleles, music box melodies, odd whistling synths, and water sounds everywhere. Features a lopsided, totally cracked, yet oddly beautiful acoustic cover of "Honky Tonk Woman" by the Rolling Stones(!). One Hour, 26 tracks. - Mikey IQ Jones
CD $18

YXIMALLOO - Live (Sakura 06; Japan) The most "No Wave"-ish of all of his releases, this one is also one of the only of his releases to feature a full band version of Yximalloo, including a great poppin'-and-slappin' bassist who gives all of the cuts here a demented funk edge. Clattering TR-808 patterns bounce around the room with percussionists clanging on metal for a bit of a Pussy Galore/Neubauten sound, while Nao and a 2nd guitarist cut electric slashes through the f*cked up grooves. By the end, the bass and guitars are gone, and it's just Nao and an army of junk percussionists sounding like they're trying to bash their way out of a dumpster with a nice Osaka/Kansai noise scene edge to the groove. Those of you who enjoy some of the more out-there ethnic recordings of labels like Sublime Frequencies may enjoy this one, too. 12 tracks, 60 minutes. - Mikey IQ Jones
CD $18

YXIMALLOO - Techno Shrine Choir (Sakura 09; Japan) Probably the darkest, most somber Yximalloo record, this one (from 1984) features song titles centered around the foibles of war and combat, while the music centers around asian-derived melodies played on warped synthesizers and japanese strings & flutes. There's little of the usual chaos and cacaphony you'll usually find on a Yximalloo record; as such, it's a nice change of pace and an interesting experiment. Fans of the Residents' "Eskimo" would find much to enjoy here. 28 tracks, 65 mins. - Mikey IQ Jones
CD $18

YXIMALLOO - Worst of 1982 (Sakura 05; Japan) Probably my favorite of all of Yximalloo's CDs, "Worst of 1982" features 32 short tracks (recorded in 1982, though no overlap with "Kitch Shaman") of robotic vocal chants and dizzying, chaotic clouds of percussion coupled with the occasional synth burst and snake-charmer horn. The most ritualistic of all Nao's recordings, and one very close in sound and feel to the "ambient" experiments explored by Eye Yamatsuka on Boredoms' "Super Roots 6". Almost worth the price for the cover art alone - a white booklet and tray card printed with glow-in-the-dark ink and housed inside of an iridescent jewel case. Approx 70 mins. - Mikey IQ Jones
CD $18

JAD FAIR & NAOFUMI ISHIMARU - Half Alien (Sakura 08; Japan) with 1/2 Jap mastermind Fair find Nao doing all of the music while Jad lays down the vocals. Much of the music is delivered in short, super-noisy bursts - very energetic, but a bit wearisome after long periods. Best taken in small doses. This aren't my cup of tea, particularly over such lengths - 1/2 Japanese fans will probably dig, though, and it's interesting to hear Jad's prose over someone else's noise for a change. - Mikey IQ Jones
CD $18

JAD FAIR & NAOFUMI ISHIMARU - Half Robot (Sakura 02; Japan) Like above, with 1/2 Jap mastermind Fair find Nao doing all of the music while Jad lays down the vocals. Much of the music is delivered in short, super-noisy bursts - very energetic, but a bit wearisome after long periods. Best taken in small doses. Like above, this isn't my cup of tea, particularly over such lengths - 1/2 Japanese fans will probably dig, though, and it's interesting to hear Jad's prose over someone else's noise for a change. - Mikey IQ Jones
CD $18


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More Art Rock Remasters from Esoteric [the revamped Eclectic]

EGG [DAVE STEWART/DIRK MONT CAMPBELL/CLIVE BROOKS] - The Civil Surface (Esoteric 2003; UK) EGG were exponents of the so-called "Canterbury" style of rock music and were focused around the compositional and keyboard playing skills of Dave Stewart (later in HATFIELD & THE NORTH) and Mont Campbell and Clive Brooks. The band recorded two superb albums for Decca Records between 1969 & 1971 before going their separate ways. In 1974 they recorded their final album for the newly established Virgin Record label. Featuring guest musicians such as STEVE HILLAGE and members of the unique HENRY COW, "The Civil Surface" is now regarded as a classic of the "Canterbury" and "Progressive" genres. This ESOTERIC RECORDINGS release has been remastered from the original tapes and is certain to the many who made the reissues of EGG's previous work such a success
CD $20

BIG SLEEP - Bluebell Wood (Esoteric 2008; UK) Big Sleep were a Welsh band whose influence was far beyond their sole album offering released in 1971. The band members (formerly with Eyes of Blue) would all soon head for greater things in bands such as Gentle Giant, Man and Wild Turkey (formed by ex-Jethro Tull bassist Glenn Cornick).
An album that features many fine songs and styles, "Bluebell Wood", (originally released on the highly collectable Pegasus label), has been sought after by collectors for many years thanks to its influence and place in the history of British progressive rock and in the annals of Welsh rock. Re-mastered from the original master tapes, "Bluebell Wood" has never sounded so good. This release is sure to appeal to followers of Man and Gentle Giant in particular. The First ever- official CD release for this classic album - now 24-bit re-mastered.
CD $20

PALADIN - Paladin (Esoteric 2005; UK) Released in the Spring of 1971, "Paladin" was the debut album from this creative band. Formed the previous year by Keith Webb and Pete Solley (both ex-members of Terry Reid's band), Paladin encompassed all that was experimental in early 70's rock. Fusing the worlds of jazz, rock and ethnic Cuban music, Paladin's debut album was both powerful and rhythmic, in places echoing excursions by bands such as TRAFFIC, MANFRED MANN's CHAPTER THREE and GINGER BAKER's AIRFORCE. One of the first signings to Bronze records, Paladin shared a home with URIAH HEEP, COLOSSEUM et al and were highly regarded. With this 24-bit remastered edition from ESOTERIC RECORDINGS, Paladin's debut release has never sounded better.
CD $20

PALADIN - Charge (Esoteric 2006; UK) Released in the Summer of 1971, "Charge" was Paladin's second and final album. Paladin's second album was both more "progressive" and hard edged in nature to their debut. Adorned in a striking sleeve designed by ROGER DEAN (artist for YES), the album became known as much for it's sleeve as the excellent music within. Recorded at The Beatles' APPLE studios and engineered by GEOFF EMERICK, the album was Paladin's finest hour featuring the classics "Give Me Your hand" and "Anyway". This remastered edition from ESOTERIC is sure to appeal to all followers of seventies progressive / classic rock, and includes seven BONUS cuts!
CD $20


CIRCLE - Sunrise (No Quarter 16; USA) "Originally released in 2002, Sunrise is perhaps the ultimate psychedelic, Kraut-metal record. Don't bother asking yourself how many 'psychedelic, Kraut-metal' records actually exist, rather just enjoy the mind-melting riffs and trance-inducing rhythms nicely complimented by Mika Ratto's exotic, Rob Halford-ian vocals (sung in his native Finnish). Circle's songs are built around cold, hard, repetition and while Sunrise is an album as diverse as the group's influences, the recurring theme throughout remains their trademark 'circular' sound. Whether in the ferocious album-opener, 'Nopeuskunigas,' which bursts out of the gate at breakneck speed and only gains momentum as it progresses, or in the quarter-of-an-hour finale, 'Lokki,' a vast and expansive exercise in minimalism, Circle continue to find ways to expand their horizons. Previously available only as a Finnish import (out of print for a few years now), Sunrise is absolutely one of their finest moments."
CD $15

CIRCLE - Katapult (No Quarter 15; USA) "The members of Circle have been listening to a lot of '80s black metal lately (ie. Venom, Celtic Frost). As a result, the premier Kraut-influenced, psychedelic band have created their most dark and twisted record to date -- which, for those familiar with Circle, know is no small feat. Don't let the term 'black metal' scare you off -- Katapult is here to blow your mind, and as with all things Circle, nothing is cut and dry. The constants of their sound remain -- hard repetition, heavy riffs, trance inducing rhythms -- aided, on this recording, by an ominous, spooky and, dare we say, straight up evil vibe. Beginning with a primitive, almost clumsy sound, Katapult is an album flush with dynamics and cold, chilly ambience. Bassist and founding member Jussi Lehtisalo handles the majority of vocal duties with a growl that could strike fear in the heart of the most jaded music fan. Subtle changes start to occur and before you realize it, the primitiveness is replaced by grander orchestration, '70s synthesizers and haunted choruses. You could very well be listening to the greatest, long lost dark psychedelia record, or maybe the soundtrack to some never-released drug-drenched horror film. Either way, Katapult begins in a dungeon and ends in the cosmos. Try not to lose your mind along the way."
CD $15


ZANZIBARA - BI KIDUDE - Vol. 4: 1905-2005: The Diva of Zanzibari Music (Buda Musique 860141; EEC) Bi Kidude is a ninety-three-year-old Zanzibari singer who is considered the undisputed queen of taarab music. Her exact date of birth is unknown, and much of her life story is uncorroborated, giving her an almost mythical status. This installment of the Zanzibara series features recordings by this "diva of Zanzibari music," with a great set of material sung in her haunting, powerful voice over instrumentation that includes accordion, keyboards, violins, and a host of African instruments. The series, from the same folks who brought us the fantastic Ethiopiques series, presents popular music from the eastern coast of Africa-Tunisia, Lamu, Mombasa, Tanga, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, and more. The recordings on this collection date from 1988 through 2006.
Recent recordings by Bi Kidude, the "diva of Zanzibari music," feature her haunting, powerful voice over instrumentation that includes accordion, keyboards, violins, and a host of African instruments. Extensive twenty-eight-page booklet with liner notes in English and French. At the 2005 WOMEX conference, in the company of luminaries such as Peter Gabriel, Bi Kidude was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to world music. Music from Buda Records' various series on under-documented African pop music has received enthusiastic acclaim from NPR, WNYC, Pitchfork, All About Jazz, All Music Guide, Dusted, and more.
CD $15


HENRY BRANT//CHARLES IVES - Brant Vol 7: Concord Symphony (Innova 414; USA) Charles Ives (1874-1954), America's greatest composer, and Henry Brant (b.1913), America's greatest orchestrator never met in person. In the transcendental work of this piece, however, they did.
Ives's Concord Sonata (1920), a tour de force for any virtuoso pianist, has long been recognized as one of the most important and visionary works of the 20th century. When Henry Brant started practicing it in 1957 he saw the potential it had for being the Great American Symphony. Henry Cowell encouraged him and for the next 36 years, on and off, Brant worked away at reimagining the work in orchestral terms. His experience as a Hollywood film composer/orchestrator came in handy: he wrote much of the original scores to Cleopatra and 2001: A Space Odyssey for which Alex North got the credit.
The connection between Ives and Brant had already been established when Brant adopted his idea of spatially-separated musicians, as found in The Unanswered Question. What Ives did once, though, Brant has now done in over spatial 100 compositions.
As he says: "Ives music taught me that there are no limitations as to what you can express. My orchestration is a service in return for everything I've learned from him. All I had to do was imagine that symphony. I didn't try to orchestrate in Ives' style. I could never have done that. I would have needed a vision of life just as complex as Ives had. I also wanted the work to be accessible to conductors, to encourage them to program more works of his. So, A Concord Symphony is colored by my own visions, just like Ravel's or Schoenberg's orchestrations of other people's works."
The Piano Sonata No. 2, Concord, Mass., 1840-60 is a musical impression of the literary figures associated with transcendentalism there: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Louisa May and Amos Bronson Alcott, and Henry David Thoreau. The orchestral version was premiered in 1995. This performance from 2000 features the Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra conducted by Dennis Russell Davies. Henry Brant's textbook on orchestration, Textures & Timbres, begun in the 1940s is nearing completion and is set for publication in 2008. Apparently we had been looking in the wrong place: the Great American Symphony turns out to be a Sonata after all.
CD $14




New on OgreOgress:

MORTON FELDMAN/DAVID BEARDSLEY/DAVID KOTLOWY/JOHN PROKOP/DAVID TOUB - For Feldman [DVD Audio] (OgreOgress; USA) Second in a series featuring previously unreleased works by emerging composers, this 96-minute 96kHz/24bit Audio DVD contains 4 world premiere recordings and the only available digital recording of 3 works [Three Pieces for String Quartet (1956)] by Morton Feldman.
David Beardsley is a good friend of mine who used to maintain the DMG website. We often hang out and talk about LaMonte Young, Rod Poole, John Abercrombie and Morton Feldman. This is his first recorded piece and it is both mesmerizing and slightly disturbing. It is titled, "As Beautiful as a Crescent of a New Moon on a Cloudless Spring Evening". It was inspired by Morton Feldman and "tuned to the system known as Just Intonation". It is 30-minutes long and it is filled with long, slowly see-sawing drones that make me feel as if I am aboard a ship slowly floating on the waves. Since this piece changes slowly, it is more environmental in sound. Just let it flow and take you along with it. I love the way the notes shimmer and float like feathers on the air. You can actually observe the texture of each sound as it slowly evolves. Although I did enjoy the other pieces here by Morton Feldman and the other lesser-known composers, I felt the Beardsley piece was the most fascinating of the bunch. - BLG
DVD $20

JOHN CAGE//TAMAMI TONO/CHRISTINA FONG/GLENN FREEMAN - Two3, Inlets, Two4 [DVD Audio] (OgreOgress; USA) Tenth in a series featuring previously unreleased works by well-known composers, this 158-minute 96kHz|24bit Audio DVD contains the world premiere recording of John Cage's mammoth Two3 (1991) and the complete scores for sho and/or conch shells [originally released on 2 CDs, now in this format only]
DVD $24

..and restocks on

JOHN CAGE - One7 [from One13], One8 (OgreOgress; USA) Fifth and final in a series featuring the complete "number pieces" for strings and/or percussion, this 74-minute CD contains the world premiere recording of John Cage's One7 [from One13] and is first to include the complete final works for cello
CD $16

JOHN CAGE//CHRISTINA FONG - ONEviolin (One6, One10) (OgreOgress; USA) First in a series featuring previously unreleased works for violin|viola by well-known composers, this 71-minute CD contains the world premiere recording of John Cage's One6 and is first to include the complete "number pieces" (final works) for violin.
CD $14

JOHN CAGE//CHRISTINA FONG/GLENN FREEMAN/KAREN KRUMMEL - Three2, Twenty-Three Six, Twenty-Six (OgreOgress; USA) Second in a series featuring the complete "number pieces" (final works) for strings and/or percussion, this 61-minute CD contains the world premiere recordings of John Cage's Three2, Twenty-Three and Twenty-Six.
CD $14

JOHN CAGE//GLENN FREEMAN - Four4 (OgreOgress; USA) Third in a series featuring the complete "number pieces" for strings and/or percussion, this 72-minute CD contains the first release of John Cage's 72-minute final work for percussion.
CD $14

JOHN CAGE//CHRISTINA FONG/KAREN KRUMMEL - One4, Four [all versions], Twenty-Nine (OgreOgress; USA) Fourth in a series featuring the complete "number pieces" (final works) for strings and percussion, this CD contains the world premieres of John Cage's One4 and Twenty-Nine and is the first release to include all versions of Four.
CD $16

MORTON FELDMAN//DEBORA PETRINA - Early and Unknown Piano Works (OgreOgress; USA) Sixth in a series featuring previously unreleased works by well-known composers, this 54-minute CD contains world premiere recordings of Morton Feldman's early and unknown piano works.
CD $14

MORTON FELDMAN//CHRISTINA FONG/RANGZEN QUARTET - Violin and String Quartet [2 CD set] (OgreOgress; USA) Fourth in a series featuring previously unreleased works for violin|viola by well-known composers, this 117-minute 2CD set contains the first release of Morton Feldman's mammoth 1985 work for violin and string quartet
. 2 CD Set $22

MORTON FELDMAN//CHRISTINA FONG/PAUL HERSEY - Complete Violin/Viola and Piano Works [2 CD set] (OgreOgress; USA) First in a series featuring complete works for violin|viola by well-known composers, this 2CD set contains the world premieres of Morton Feldman's early [Sonata] for Violin and Piano (1945) and late [Composition] for Violin (1984) and is first to include the complete works for violin|viola and piano.
2 CD Set $22


BJ NILSEN - The Short Night (Touch 75; UK) This is Sweden-born, Berlin-based BJ Nilsen's fourth album for the Touch label. Using location recordings, weather, birdsong and radio, Nilsen continues to map and explore uncharted territory. A follow-up to 2005's Fade to White, BJ Nilsen develops his work further, based on field recordings and electronics. This time he adds harsher yet clearer harmonies with musical elements to the compositions, creating a beautifully complex and detailed study. Recorded in 2006-2007 with mostly analog equipment, using up to 50 year-old tape machines, filters and generators that end up being the soft cushion in these cold location recordings. Location recordings from Malaren, Stockholm, Sweden; Coombe Gibbet, Berkshire, England and Landakot, Vatnsleysustrond, Iceland. Telefunken M10 and M5, Studer B67, Ferrograph Series 4, Bruel and Kjaer Sine-Random Generator and Frequency Analyzers. Also Monowave, Sequential Circuits ProOne, Korg MS20, Esq1, MOTU 828MK2, Ableton Live, Logic Audio 6. Morin khuur on "Black Light" played by Hildur Ingveldardottir Gudnadottir of Hildurness.
CD $15


PHON NOIR [MATTHIAS GRUBEL] - The Objects Don't Need Us (Sub Rosa 175; Belgium) This is the second full-length release from Berlin-based electronic artist, Matthias Grubel aka Phon Noir. Following up Putting Holes Into October Skies, Phon Noir once again raises his antennas towards the sky, into the snowflakes, where somebody is singing through the wires. This time he works with more instruments, more twists and turns into his tunes, more rhythms and more voices with greater and greater passion. We find him dueting with Marie-Sophie Kanske on "My Paperhouse on Fire," Anna-Lynne Williams assists in measuring a future we once had, and Calika sends over some droning chords from the British Isles. While somewhere in the distance we hear the sound of a cello, bowing the cello, acoustic and electric. And through all this, it suddenly seems like the snow is slowly melting as the music comes closer and closer. This is the movement of the new Phon Noir record: closer and closer, through the wires, and into the heart. At first we are far from a world we know, but soon we forget about the distance, we can walk from here. Now we are invisible -- the only thing that is not is our ear
CD $15


WAX POETICS - Anthology Volume 1 [240-page book](WP; USA) HARDCOVER, 8.5 X 11, 480 FOUR-COLOR PLATES "In just five years, Wax Poetics has become the premier magazine for avid record collectors and general music connoisseurs alike by illuminating the golden era of music while recontextualizing today's music world. Much like the records they cover, Wax Poetics issues have themselves become quite collectible. In response to the high demand for the publication's elusive back issues, the Wax Poetics Anthology Volume 1 serves as the answer to every collector's dream. Wax Poetics has compiled their favorite articles from Issues 1 through 5 and are giving them new life via this full-color, hardbound edition. By enhancing past editions by means of new illustrations, photographs, and an appendix of discographies, both dedicated followers and music fans formerly unaware of the magazine's presence will be able to appreciate this comprehensive collection of insightful articles. From jazz and hip-hop heavyweights to soul and funk session musicians, the Wax Poetics Anthology delivers an eclectic blend of quality journalism and musical history. Ingredients: James Brown's drummers Clyde Stubblefield and Jab'O Starks, bassist Sweet Charles, and vocalist Marva Whitney, jazz genius Charles Mingus, funky drummers Idris Muhammad and Pretty Purdie, salsa giant Fania Records, reggae producers Clive Chin and King Tubby, golden-era hip-hop producers Prince Paul, Da Beatminerz, Diamond D, and Wu-Tang's the RZA, films Wild Style and Style Wars, breakbeat bootleg Ultimate Breaks & Beats, rare-record reviews."
BOOK $40


PTOLEMAIC TERRASCOPE - Fanzine for experimental and psychedelic music [magazine + CD] (Issue 36/2007; USA) "Features/Interviews for the 2007 issue #36 include: Devendra Banhart & Andy Cabic (on the cover) talking about 1960s British folk music, plus interviews with British folk legends: Shirley Collins, Davey Graham, Vashti Bunyan, and Michael Chapman. And interviews with Ron Asheton of the Stooges, electronica artist Colleen, Ben from Six Organs of Admittance, Elaine Brown of the Black Panther party, hundreds of CD, book, DVD, and vinyl LP reviews! PLUS a BONUS CD with previously unreleased or rare recordings from: Shirley Collins, Davey Graham, the debut solo recording from Doug Yule of the Velvet Underground (recently recorded in his home studio), Kendra Smith, Barbara Manning (singing a Sandy Denny song), Steven Roback of the Rain Parade, Sean Smith, Six Organs of Admittance, Fern Knight, Steve Wynn of the Dream Syndicate, a 1968 unreleased demo from Ruthann Friedman, Colossal Yes, Thom Moore of the Moore Brothers singing a Genesis tune from their first album and other treats as well."
MAGAZINE + CD $10


Archival recordings reissued..and restocks

PYLON - Gyrate...Plus (DFA; USA) In December of 1987, R.E.M. was chosen by Rolling Stone as "America's Best Rock And Roll Band." This title that was quickly dismissed by drummer Bill Berry. "We're not the best rock'n'roll band in America." PYLON, he declared, was much more deserving of the honor than his group. Yet, at the time, Pylon had been broken up for four years. Such is the legacy of Pylon. Word of mouth and a relatively small but vital cache of music has kept the story of the fiercely independent and highly influential band alive for three decades. The DFA label is proud (and quite lucky!) to be the ones to announce the release of Pylon's debut LP Gyrate-originally unleashed in 1980 and appearing here for the first ever time on CD, beautifully remastered from the original reels. The CD release also includes the addition of their landmark debut 7-inch single "Cool" b/w "Dub" (1979) and the 10-inch EP Pylon!!. The CD also includes one track from 1979, never before released, entitled "Functionality". Sixteen tracks total-with liner notes from FRED SCHNEIDER (B-52's), HUGO BURNHAM (GANG OF FOUR) and MICHAEL STIPE (R.E.M.)-it is amazing something so praised in its day and still quite modern-sounding had yet to make its way onto CD.
CD $15


FAUST - Faust (Lilith 138; Russia) "Inventors of Kraut Rock, iconoclasts extraodinaire, Faust are key figures in the history of rock music. In the early 70's, along with Can and Kraftwerk, they re-invented pop as an art-form with a specifically European attitude. Virtually imprisoned by svengali producer Uwe Nettlebeck in their studio at Wumme, near Hamburg, they overturned our whole notion of what makes a pop record. They improvised with industrial noise, generated bizarre hypnotic grooves, created shockingly willful studio collages, and dabbled with every conceivable musical genre sometimes simultaneously. Kurt Grapner, a Deutsche Gramaphon engineer who was seconded to the project, furnished Faust with innovative effects units and built a spontaneous recording environment which perfectly complemented Faust's conceptual ideas, satirical humour, and insane passions. After 20 years in the wilderness Faust re-formed in 1993, and have been touring and releasing new albums ever since. Don't miss their 1971 cult classic debut, now reissued with its original clear printed sleeve on clear vinyl!"
LP $20
Also available on CD from ReR for $16

CLUSTER & BRIAN ENO [DIETER MOEBIUS/HANS-JOACHIM ROEDELIUS /KLUSTER] - Cluster & Eno (4 Men With Beards 141; USA) "Originally recorded and released in 1977, this pioneer ambient music album brought together several legends of progressive electronic music: Brian Eno, solo artist and collaborator with David Bowie, Robert Fripp, and Roxy Music; Dieter Moebius and Hans-Joachim Roedelius, both of whom had made dozens of ground-breaking recordings throughout the '70s and Michael Rother, of the hugely influential Krautrock band Neu!. This album was the first of several celebrated collaborations between these artists, whose influence looms over many current artists such as Moby, Radiohead, Aphex Twin, Massive Attack, and Tortoise."
OK, That's the label hype above. More important is what I have to say: GET THIS! It's an integral component of the important period of Eno's groudbreaking instrumental work that ended in the mid-eighties. A delicate, colorful meeting with two major names on his stated 'influences' list.
Along with Can, Eno had cited Kluster, which was a trio of Moebius, Roedelius and Conrad Schnitzler. Schnitzler left, and the remaining duo changed the name to Cluster. In the hiatus between the 2nd and 3rd Neu albums, Michael Rother joined Moebius and Roedelius under the name Harmonia for two albums as well. All this aforementioned input was stunning work at the dawn of German post-synth electronics. Now comes along Eno, who attempted to make a recording with Harmonia [The uninspired results were released 20 years later - 1996 - as 'Harmonia '76' by Ryko]. Rother then exited to a solo career, and Eno & Cluster made two PHENOMENAL albums [the second, Eno/Moebius/Roedelius's 'After The Heat' was just re-released by Water] Planetary THUMBS UP! - MannyLunch
LP $16
Also available on Water CD for $15

CLUSTER [DIETER MOEBIUS/HANS-JOACHIM ROEDELIUS: aka KLUSTER] - Cluster '71 (4 Men With Beards 141; USA) "The first Cluster release, originally on Philips in 1971. Dieter Moebius and Hans-Joachim Roedelius aka Cluster released this, their first album after Conrad Schnitzler (Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream) left the group originally known as Kluster, in 1971. On the outer edge of German space rock, Cluster '71 stands as a testament to minimalist 'cosmische' music. The three untitled tracks are exploratory, ever-changing pieces that focus on guitar distortion and synthesizer wails. This album deserves the many accolades it's been given, and holds up as an early landmark in the history of beatless ambience."
LP $16
Also available from Captain Trip [Japan] on CD for $24


KAREN DALTON - Cotton Eyed Joe: The Loop Tapes - Live In Boulder 1962 [2 CD + DVD set] (Delmore 01; UK) Great package of this previously never-heard material. "2CD gatefold jacket - 21 tracks - 85 minutes of never released 1962 live reel-to-reel ultra-rare historic recordings since Karen Dalton only released two LPs. This 2CD set proves Karen Dalton's influence on her famous friends and peers (Bob Dylan, Fred Neil, Tim Buckley, Tim Hardin). Unusual CD packaging - gatefold jackets (similar to '60s heavy cardboard LP jackets w/ inner CD sleeves). 10-page booklet with photos of Karen Dalton and The Attic Club in Boulder in 1962/'63 (featuring The Byrds' David Crosby). Liner notes by Joe Loop (club owner and friend of Karen Dalton). North American release includes bonus DVD not available on European import copies of this title. DVD contains live footage of Karen Dalton circa 1969-70." FYI: the DVD is the same material as found on the UK Megaphone version of It's So Hard To Tell Who's Going To Love You the Best, but in NTSC format.
2 CDs + DVD set $26


LEE HAZELWOOD - Lee Hazlewoodism: Its Cause And Cure (Water 202; USA) "Country and pop iconoclast Lee Hazlewood's classic second album for MGM came out in 1966 and, like the previous The Very Special World Of... album, adds Billy Strange's Western movie classic-styled orchestration to the usual mix of rock, country, cowboy music, and folk. Includes such gems like 'The Girls In Paris,' 'After Six' and 'Old Man And His Guitar.' New detailed liner notes."
CD $15

LEE HAZELWOOD - Something Special (Water 203; USA) "Recorded in 1967 but shelved at the time and then only released in Germany some twenty years later, this would have been the third solo album for MGM from country music's first true idiosyncratic genius. Hazlewood's unique blend of country, pop, jazz, folk and blues can be found here but with songs that are even slightly more off-the-wall than usual, perhaps explaining the reluctance on the part of MGM to release the record. The most eccentric record from country music's legendary outsider artist. Contains liner notes."
CD $15

LEE HAZELWOOD - The Very Special World Of Lee Hazlewood (Water 201; USA) "One of the true idiosyncratic geniuses of pop and country music, Lee Hazlewood recorded this fourth solo record in 1966. The Very Special World Of Lee Hazlewood features his unique combination of pop, country, lounge and folk complimented by his singular vocal delivery and off-kilter story songs. This is Hazlewood's first release for the MGM label and is widely regarded as one of his best solo albums. Features his version of the classic 'These Boots Are Made For Walking.' New detailed liner notes."
CD $15


THE LOST BLUES TAPES [V.A. With MUDDY WATERS/JOHN LEE HOOKER /MEMPHIS SLIM et al] - More American Folk Blues Festival 1963-'65 [2 CD Set] (AMV 6000; USA) Thirty-two incredible tracks featuring some of the best names in blues! Disc 1 was recorded live by Muddy Waters courtesy of Chess Records in Bremen, Germany in October 1963. Disc 2 was recorded in Hamburg, Germany in October 1963, October 1964, and October 1965. Featuring Muddy Waters, Memphis Slim, Sonny Boy Williamson, Willie Dixon, Otis Spann, Lonnie Johnson, Victoria Spivey, Big Joe Williams, John Lee Hooker, Big Mama Thorton, Walter "Shakey" Horton, Fred McDowell, Sleepy John Estes, J.B. Lenoir, Roosevelt Sykes and Buddy Guy.
CD $16


THE VELVET UNDERGROUND [LOU REED/JOHN CALE or DOUG YULE/STERLING MORRISON/MAUREEN TUCKER] - VU [Vol 1] (4 Men With Beards 136; USA) Lou Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison, Maureen Tucker, Doug Yule.Recorded between February 12, 1968 and October 1, 1969. Includes liner notes by Kurt Loder and Bill Levenson.VU features tracks recorded mostly between THE VELVET UNDERGROUND and LOADED which were never released until they were rediscovered in the 80's.One of two volumes of previously unreleased Velvets tunes, VU consists of songs that were discovered in the early-'80s when preparations were being made for reissue of the band's first three records. A few of the songs ("I Can't Stand It," "Lisa Says," "Ocean") can be heard elsewhere in different versions, but most had never seen the light of day before in any form. Nine of the ten cuts feature the celebrated 1969 version of the band, with Reed, Tucker, Morrison and Yule, while "Temptation Inside Your Heart" is a Cale-era gem from 1968.The propulsive "Foggy Notion" is somewhat reminiscent of "Some Kinda Love" in its insistent pulse and slightly kinky lyrical bent. "I Can't Stand It" is the band at their most rocking, laying down an unswerving 4/4 beat that sounds destined to outlast even Twinkies and cockroaches. All the tunes on VU provide an illuminating glimpse into the band's musical closet, in which all manner of goodies--aesthetically comparable to their better-known cousins--apparently lurked. LP $16
also available on Mercury CD for $10

THE VELVET UNDERGROUND [LOU REED/JOHN CALE or DOUG YULE/STERLING MORRISON/MAUREEN TUCKER] - Another View: VU Vol 2 (4 Men With Beards 137; USA) John Cale, Sterling Morrison, Lou Reed, Maureen Tucker, Doug Yule.Recorded between December 5, 1967 and September 30, 1969.Sometimes referred to as "VU 2", ANOTHER VIEW is a second collection of previously unreleased Velvet Underground recordings. ANOTHER VIEW works as that one final glimpse at the Velvet Underground-- another insight into the various aspects that made the band great, and another pang of regret that they were never given their due in their time.In the sweltering guitars of the instrumental "Guess I'm Falling In Love" and the edginess of "Hey Mr. Rain," we get the chaotic side of the Velvet Underground. This is the John Cale-era group that conquered sonic landscapes and continues to inspire musicians nearly thirty years later. The Velvets' quieter, pop-oriented side comes out in the delicacy of "Ride Into The Sun" and the upbeat feel of "We're Gonna Have A Real Good Time Together." These tracks show the band at its more accessible stage, around the recording of the self-titled third album.Gorgeous and bizzare, deranged and dreamy, ANOTHER VIEW is a must for any collector of the Velvet Underground
LP $16
also available on Mercury CD for $10

NICO With JOHN CALE/LOU REED/JACKSON BROWNE et al - Chelsea Girl (4 Men With Beards 138; USA) Nico (vocals); Larry Fallon (arranger); Jackson Browne, Lou Reed (guitar); John Cale (viola, keyboards). "Her debut originally released in 1967 (mere months after the groundbreaking The Velvet Underground & Nico album). A masterpiece of dark orchestral folk-pop featuring playing and songwriting help from the VU's Lou Reed, John Cale and Sterling Morrison (as well as the then unknown Jackson Browne who was dating Nico at the time). Features the definitive version of Browne's 'These Days,' as well as classics like the title track and Tim Hardin's 'Eulogy For Lenny Bruce.'"
LP $16
also available on Mercury CD for $10


CAETANO VELOSO - Araca Azul (Lilith 142; Russia) "Apparently when this album was originally released in 1972, confused and bewildered fans, expecting more of the same found on Transa, released earlier that year, returned the album to the shop, demanding a refund. Meanwhile, critics raved, and many now consider Araca Azul, known as Veloso's 'experimental album' to be one of his great creative moments. To be fair to his many fans, it was a stark departure from his previous releases, which were decidedly more pop, but Veloso had been through a lot recently, having just returned from political exile in the UK, so it is no wonder that the artist was feeling a bit like he needed to fly in the face of conformity. In Veloso's own words, 'I made this album without thinking, without taking the time to stop to think.' He refers to the album's 'insolent experimentalism' and calls it a kind of 'last stand.' Features lyric sheet."
LP $20
Also available on CD for $20

CAETANO VELOSO - Caetano Veloso (Lilith 131; Russia) "Originally released in 1968, Caetano Veloso's debut album did for Brazilian music what the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's did for rock & roll, giving birth to the soon-to-be tropicalia movement, which fused Brazilian music with pop, psychedelia and social awareness (and Veloso's leftist politics actually earned him a stint in jail in 1968 for 'anti-government activity'). Veloso, nonetheless went on to become one of the most popular and influential Brazilian musicians of all time."
LP $20
Also available on CD for $20

JAMES BROWN - Remixing Mister Brown (Lilith 136; Russia) "Check out this selection of 12 of the Godfather's greatest hits remixed for the dancefloor and funked up for the new millennium. So now's your chance to get up offa that thing and get funky with Mister Brown!" Track listing: 01. I Got You (I Feel Good - Digital Johnson mix) 02. Get Up (I Feel Like Being A Sex Machine p. 1) 03. Super Bad (Fredco Mix) 04. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag (Feel It Mix) 05. Get Up Offa That Thing (Splats & Star Mix) 06. Get On The Good Foot (DJ Rib Mix) 07. Cold Sweat (Rosetta Mix) 08. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag (Fresh Remix) 09. I Got The Feelin' (Hyper Mix) 10. Hot Pants (Da' Funked Mix) 11. It's Too Funky In Here (Funky De Mix) 12. I Got You (I Feel Good - Jazzy G Mix)."
CD $20


SMEGMA - The Smell Remains The Same [LP Only] (Anarchymoon 18; USA) "Second in a slow series of 7" reissues, The Smell Remains The Same presents 10 tracks originally released in 1990-95 on 7" by various labels, including the impossible to find ? comp on Cavity Search records. (Literally, the title is ?). The tracks display Smegma's pioneering style of audiophile-lo-brow folk-noise-rock, in their early-middle age when they were surviving through the birth of grunge, alternative, and indie rock."
LP $13


TERJE BANDHOLT/JESPER SCHMIDT/JOACHIM USSING - Terje, Jesper & Joachim (Shadoks 092; Germany) Featuring Terje Bandholdt (drums), Jesper Schmidt (guitar) and Joachim Ussing (bass) recorded this album in 1970 for the famous Spectator Records in Denmark (Moses/Blues Addicts/Days). Now reissued in the original cover with a booklet full of photos and band-story, this amazing heavy psych album beats most releases from Denmark, in quality and rarity. Massive guitar action all over, great heavy vocals and pumping rhythms lift this album with out-there grooves. Besides Blues Addicts, the best heavy psych album from Northern Europe.
CD $15

SHARK MOVE - Ghede Chokra's (Shadoks 086; Germany) Indonesian rock pioneers Shark Move started playing in Bandung, Indonesia in 1970 and was founded by Benny Soebardja, who plays lead guitar and sings. The group combined rock music and English lyrics with traditional harmonies and progressive sounds. While other bands at that time were still playing sweetened pop music, this was really an experimental recording for the time and place it was made. Unfortunately, at the end of 1970, the keyboard player passed away, so Benny decided not to continue with his band and formed a new one named Giant Step (which might come out soon on Shadoks music). Ghede Chokra's is a very complex prog album which is as strong as many good UK albums of the same period, with that little something extra that makes this album unique and great.
CD $15



Restocks from the groovy Skin Graft label:

THE RUINS [TATSUYA YOSHIDA] - Vrresto (Skin Graft 76; US) Original recording from 1998 remixed in 2004 for this CD edition. Drummer and leader Tatsuya Yoshida shares writing credits with his bassist Hisashi Sasaki on about half the tunes on Ruins' fifth LP of new material, though you'd be hard pressed to notice a huge difference. In general, their sound is less harsh than on earlier albums, though they have remained one of the most consistently spastic bands in rock history. Vrresto expands on the budding improvisational tendencies of 1995's Hydermomastgroningem, though occasionally at the expense of maintaining the kinetic momentum of the songs. In some ways, this record represents Ruins' transition from punky progressive rock addicts into brawny representatives of the avant-garde. That said, "Warrido" is an energetic track in the classic Ruins style. Similar to many other pieces on this album, this one features Sasaki performing with MIDI enhancements, giving his lines a synthesized edge. Yoshida's bouncy disco beat propels the song, which although technically more sophisticated than previous efforts, is still raw and fun. "Savollodix" is a somewhat chaotic tune that features more MIDI-bass and impossibly convoluted vocal gymnastics from the duo. The synth sound is actually similar to those on Yoshida's 1991 solo release Magaibutsu, and Sasaki overdubs more bass during a section wherein the group's penchant for compact freak-out is put to good use. However, despite the spirited performance, much of the music on Vrresto seems more technically impressive than viscerally engaging. ~ Dominique Leone, AMG
CD $13

THE RUINS [TATSUYA YOSHIDA] - 1986-1992 (Skin Graft 68; USA) Masterpieces from the 1st 7 EP in 1986 to BURNING STONE in 1992 are resurrected in clear and powerful sound images by YOSHIDA's remixing/remastering. It shows the gradual changes of song making process from impulsive hardcore pieces of early days to complex structure of later days.
CD $13

THE RUINS [TATSUYA YOSHIDA] - Pallaschtom (Skin Graft 79; USA) This release from Skin Graft is a much-needed reissue of the 2000 release for the US market.The album was co-released originally by Tatsuya Yoshida's own Magaibutsu label in Japan and Sonore in France, but the French version that was given better US distribution was missing two of the best "bonus track" style pieces on the album, the "Hard Rock Medley" and the "Progressive Rock Medley", reserved for the Japanese version only (which was, however, personally sold by Yoshida on a US tour at the time, which is how I got my copy), a common practice in the Japanese music business. Both versions did include the "Classical Music Medley", however, and live versions of the prog and hard rock medleys appear on the 2001 Tzadik release Mandala 2000/Live at Kichijoji Mandala II. If you want to hear their Black Sabbath and Mahavishnu Orchestra medleys (somewhat underwhelming to me, to be honest, maybe because they are two of my all-time favorite bands and I'm picky), you have to get their most recent studio album, the 2002 Magaibutsu/Ipecac release Tzomborgha! -Michael Anton Parker
CD $13

KOENJIHYAKKEI [KOENJI HYAKKEI: TATSUYA YOSHIDA] - Angherr Shisspa (Skin Graft 78; USA) I'm going to lay some heavy truths about the universe on you right now, no ceremony. Tatsuya Yoshida is the drumkit virtuoso and composer of the Ruins and so many other bands he probably can't even keep track of them himself. He's appeared on upwards of 150 albums so far dating back to the early 80s, about equally split between work as a leader/co-leader and a sideman. By far the greatest achievement of his career is this group, Koenjihyakkei, and this album is at least as astonishing, religiously transfixing, and potentially life-changing as the previous three studio albums and live DVD released by the group, none of which were released in America. Alongside PAK's Motel and Orthrelm's Ov, this album is the most important avant-rock release of 2005. As for specifics, the music is so incredibly similar to classic Magma that it often sounds like they're quoting exact passages. This project is essentially Yoshida's forum for paying homage to Magma and synthesizing that unmistakable sound with his own spazz-core innovations. His Symphonica release on Tzadik as a Ruins album is a key precursor, but Koenjihyakkei takes it to extremes never reached under the Ruins banner. The throbbing bass, manic vamps, and operatic chanting in an invented phonetic system of Magma are all present here, but everything is faster, freakier, and fiercer. - Michael Anton Parker
CD $13

KOENJIHYAKKEI [KOENJI HYAKKEI: TATSUYA YOSHIDA et al] - Viva Koenji!! (Skin Graft 83; USA) When it comes to highly-desired, collector brow perspired, albums, KOENJIHYAKKEI's second full length "Viva Koenji!!" takes the present-day prog cake. With the original pressing routinely going for two arms and a leg on the collector's market, it occurred to those ingenious overseers' at Skin Graft that there just might be interest in seeing the record brought back from the grave.
"Following the release of 2005's "Angherr Shisspa", Skin Graft proudly presents Koenjihyakkei's second album "Viva Koenji!!" to western listeners. With the original issue on Japan's God Mountain label largely unheard, "Viva Koenji!!", generally considered the band's heaviest album, returns to print in an affordable remastered edition. Headed by vocalist / composer / drummer extraordinaire, Yoshida Tatsuya (of the bass and drum duo RUINS), Koenjihyakkei sports a listenership comprised of Zeuhl/Magma prog fans, no-wavers and adventurous music enthusiasts; and has proven itself the most exciting contemporary progressive rock act on the planet. " - Charlie Nite.
CD $13

MELT BANANA - Scratch Or Stitch (Skin Graft 34; USA) Beware: Scratch or Stitch is the sort of Japanese noise rock that could prove highly unsettling. Imagine rampaging drums, guitars even more gnarled and noisy than those on Sonic Youth's Dirty, a female vocalist screeching in monotone, and bass a funk metal band could be proud of, and you're about halfway there. This may sound like a racket -- and it is -- but it's such a tight, organized, and intense racket that you can't help but be awed by it; the band tears through 22 brief songs without ever leaving highest gear, and the production assistance from Steve Albini and Jim O'Rourke really capture the insane energy of the group. (And trust me -- the "insane energy" you may imagine while reading this is nowhere close to what you'd hear on the album.) It's hard to imagine anyone sitting down and listening to this album in its entirety, but that certainly doesn't mean it's not good -- the thrill here is the same sort that comes from the Boredoms' more ridiculous romps and the cascades of noise Merzbow passes off as albums. Among Western audiences, Melt Banana requires a very unique type of listener -- they're a very unique sort of band. ~ Nitsuh Abebe, AMG
CD $13





************RECOMMENDED NYC GIGS************



THE DOWNTOWN MUSIC GALLERY 'FREE IN-STORE MUSIC' CONTINUES:

Thus Sunday October 21st
6pm - BEN GERSTEIN / MICHAEL ATTIAS /TERRY McMANUS!

Next Sunday, October 28th
6pm - DANIEL LEVIN & FORBES GRAHAM!
New cello and trumpet duo!


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THE STONE is located at the NW corner of Avenue C & 2nd St.

October, 2007 curated by Paola Prestini / Steven Bernstein

10/19 Friday
8 pm - Michael Blake's Hellbent - w/ Michael Blake (tenor saxophone) Steven Bernstein (trumpet, slide trumpet) Marcus Rojas (tuba) Calvin Weston (drums)
10 pm - Sex Mob with Calvin Weston w/ Steven Bernstein (slide trumpet) Briggan Krauss (alto saxophone) Tony Scherr (bass) Calvin Weston (drums)
First NYC appereance since the end of Tonic by the Grammy nominated band Sex Mob...come to see their Grammy medallions, stay to hear their music.

10/20 Saturday
8 pm - Charlie Burnham and Hidden City w/ Charlie Burnham (violin, mandolin, vocals) Dom Richards (bass) Marika Hughes (cello) Shahzad Ismaily (drums)
MTO violinist, member of Blood Ulmer's Odyssey Band, Cassandra Wilson collaborater...Charlie sings and plays his original songs...an incredible musician.
10 pm - G Calvin Weston and the Nassira Project; w/ Calvin Weston (drums, trumpet, vocals) Tom Spiker (guitar, bass) Brian Marsala (keyboards)

10/21 Sunday
8 pm - Brad Shepik Trio w/ Brad Shepik (guitar) Gary Versace (organ) Mark Ferber (drums)
10 pm - Peck Allmond Kalimba Collective - Peck Allmond is a multi-instrumentalist who never stops expanding his musical world...also a friend of Steven Bernstein's since 3rd grade!

10/23 Tuesday
8 pm - Will Bernard, Ches Smith and Friends- Will Bernard (guitar) Ches Smith (drums) Will is a recent NYC transplant, Palmetto recording artist and original member of Peter Apfelbaum's Heiroglyphics Ensemble and TJ Kirk.
10 pm - Erik Lawrence and Hipmotism - Erik Lawrence (baritone and tenor saxophones) Steven Bernstein (trumpet, slide trumpet) Rene Hart (bass) Allison Miller (drums); This quartet recently released their 1st CD. Erik and Steven have been members of The Levon Helm band for the last three yearsÉthis is a soulful and poetic project.

10/24 Wednesday
8 pm - Mario Pavone Project - Mario Pavone(bass) Craig Taborn (piano) Michael Sarin(drums) Steven Bernstein(trumpet, slide trumpet)
10 pm - Jonathan Finlayson (trumpet) Steve Lehman (alto saxophone)

10/25 Thursday
8 pm - Fight The Big Bull - Bob Miller (trumpet) Jason Arce (saxophones) Jason Scott (saxophones, clarinet) Reggie Pace (trombone) Bryan Hooten (trombone) Cameron Ralston (bass) Matt White (guitar, tunes) Pinson Chanselle (trap set, percussion); An amalgamation of saxophones, trombones, trumpet, guitar, bass and drums, ; From Richmond, Virginia. 1st NYC performance"
10 pm - Apfelbaum/Bernard/Phelps/Rojas/Brown - Peter Apfelbaum (tenor saxophone, piano, composition) Will Bernard (guitar) David Phelps (guitar) Marcus Rojas (tuba) Justin Brown (drums) A special one time project for the Stone and a first time meeting between guitar virtuosos Bernard and Phelps.

10/26 Friday
8 and 10 pm - Steven Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra w/ Steven Bernstein (trumpet) Art Baron (trombone) Charlie Burnham (violin) Doug Wieselman (clarinet) Peter Apfelbaum (tenor saxohone) Erik Lawrence (baritone, soprano saxophone) Matt Munisteri (guitar, vocals) Ben Allison (bass) Ben Perowsky (drums) First NYC show since premiering new scores to Laurel & Hardy films in Prospect Park, a rare opportunity to see MTO in Manhattan

10/27 Saturday
8 pm - Ben Perowsky Solo (drums, percussion and sincussion)
10 pm - Briggan Krauss' Tactics Server - Briggan Krauss (alto saxophone) Karen Waltuch (viola) Kato Hideki (electronics) Mike Sarin (drums, percussion)

10/28 Sunday
8 pm - Marcus Rojas Solo (tuba, tubapercussion, tubasinging)
10 pm - Gina Leishman (piano, voice, reeds) & guests; Kamikaze Ground Crew coleader, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and composer presents a special concert at the Stone


Performances take place at 8 & 10 PM from Tuesday - Sunday nights
There are no advance tickets, first come, first served, there is no phone
There is no food or beverage served or allowed, just a serious listening environment
Admission for each set is $10, unless otherwise indicated
Check out the website for The Stone at thestonenyc.com



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j a z z a t t h e s e a p o r t - Fridays at 8pm

october 19 angelica sanchez trio
angelica sanchez, piano
chris lightcap, bass
chad taylor, drums

october 26 berger, lindberg, belogenis & kugel
karl berger, piano and vibes
john lindberg, bass
louie belogenis, tenor saxophone
klaus kugel, drums

seaport district cultural association performance space
Front Street at Beekman Street (South Street Seaport)
rsvp: 1.212.393.9191
subway: 2,3,4,5 to Fulton Street or A to Broadway/Nassau


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THE NEW LIVING THEATER PRESENTS

TEST

SABIR MATEEN - Tenor & Alto Saxophones, Flute, Bb & Alto Clarinets
DANIEL CARTER - Alto & Tenor Saxophones, Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet
MATTHEW HEYNER Bass
TOM BRUNO Drums

Friday October 19 @11PM
21 Clinton St. near Houston
F train to 2nd Ave. (walk SE side going east, turn right)
J train to Essex St. (walk NE side going east, turn left)


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Dee Pop presents: The Freestyle Creative Music Series
EVERY SUNDAY @ Jimmyâs Restaurant
43 East 7th Street, NYC - 212-982-3006
Sets are at 7pm & 9pm $10 PER SHOW (cheap!)

OCTOBER: CURATED BY AMIR ELSAFFAR

October 21
7:00 Radio I-Ching
9:00 Gaida and her ensemble, featuring Amir ElSaffar, Dimitri Mikelis, Tareq Abboushi, Arturo Martinez

October 28
7:00 Carlo DeRosa Trio with Justin Brown and Mark Shim


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On the Way Out
October 23, 2007 (This Tuesday) at 8:30

Blancarte / Eisenbeil / Drury
Tom Blancarte - bass
Bruce Eisenbeil - guitar
Andrew Drury - drums

Kenta Nagai - solo electric guitar

Ras Moshe Trio
Ras Moshe - saxophones
Shayna Dulberger - bass
Rashid Bakr - drums

Freddy's Backroom
485 Dean Street at 6th Ave, Brooklyn, NY
2/3 to Bergen, 4/5 to Atlantic, M/N/R to Pacific
Curated by Michael Evans

On the Way Out is a monthly series of free jazz and other experimental forms of music. Since February 2003 over 200 of NYC's most exciting improvisers have shared the stage in the cozy backroom setting at Freddy's Bar in Brooklyn, NY. Free103point9 Online Radio will stream OTWO concerts on the third Friday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon EDT.


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DAMO SUZUKI formerly of CAN Will be playing with these guest musicians:

Hisham Bharoocha (Soft Circle), Brian Degraw (Gang Gang Dance) Dan Hogland (Excepter), Tres Warren (Psychic Ills), Jesse Lee (White Magic / Rusty Santos), Arik Roper (Under Satan's Sun / Matta LLama)

October 23rd Tuesday at 9:30pm
Venue: Monkeytown - 718.384.1369
58 N. 3rd St., Brooklyn, New York 11211
monkeytownhq@aol.com


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October 24 at 8pm

PERIOD:
Mike Pride - drums
Charlie Looker - guitar
Darius Jones - sax
Sam Hilmer - sax
Chuck Bettis - vocals & electronics

@ Zebulon, 258 Wythe Ave.
Brooklyn, NY - 718-218-6934
Free (but donations accepted & appreciated)


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Interpretations #19

ROSWELL RUDD & MARK DRESSER!
WILDFLOWERS (ADAM RUDOLPH & OGURI)

Sunday, October 25th at 8pm - at Roulette
20 Greene St, between Canal & Grand in Soho, NYC
212-219-8242 for reservations; 212-627-0990 for info


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Thursday November 1st at 7:30 PM

ROBERT FRIPP solo, & with The League Of Crafty Guitarists

at The Concert Hall at the Ethical Cultural Society
2 West 64th Street, New York, NY 10023

Mr Fripp will play the first set with electric guitar going through his 'Lunar Modue' tower of electronics

Mr Fripp will play the second set on acoustic guitar with The LOGC. This is the first NY appearance of LOGC in over 15 years!


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Composer, pianist Burton Greene is in New York from Amsterdam for two concerts on October 20 and 21:

October 20: Solo Piano concert (including premieres of his new piano works) at S-P-A-C-E Gallery, 207A Front Street, NYC 8:30 PM $10.

October 21: Trio concert with Ed and George Schuller on bass & drums at Brecht Forum, 451 West St. 9PM - 3 groups on the program starting at 6:30 PM)
Narada Burton Greene: Composer, Pianist. Originally from Chicago, he began his long career of many recordings and performances in New York«s legendary jazz scene of the 1960's. He and Bassist Alan Silva contributed to the beginnings of free jazz in New York with the formation of their Free Form Improvisation Ensemble in 1963. He also co-founded the East West Trio with Indian sitarist Jamaluddin Bhartiya and percussionist Daoud Amin in 1973, one of the first World Music groups. Since that time he has travelled all over Europe and the USA with performances and recordings of his compositions and arrangements in many different types of music styles and ensembles. As Burton says it: "Music is or should be universal, without limits or borders eventually become boring.. they should be transcended." His 14 piece New Age Jazz Chorale (1975-78) did concerts and recordings in Europe, years before other groups were termed as "New Age". In the last 17 years he's been busy with his klezmer, Sephardic, Balkan-jazz ensemble Klezmokum, and various jazz solo, trio or quartet combinations. He also has a solo orchestral electronics program, teaches jazz, world music workshops, and lectures. His autobiographical book written over 20 years: "Memoirs of A Musical Pesty-Mystic" appeared in print in 2001 (Cadence Jazz Books). His recent groups based in New York include a duet with bassist Mark Dresser, a quartet with trumpeter Roy Campbell, Lou Grassi, and Adam Lane, concerts and recordings on the CIMP label in trio with Ed and George Schuller on bass and drums, and a quintet with the Schuller brothers, Russ Nolan on saxes and flute, Paul Smoker on trumpet. His recent solo piano CD "Retrospective 1961--2005 came out (January, 2007) on the CIMP label. Burton«s music is featured on about 50 recordings: records and CD's. www.burtongreene.com


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TREVOR WATTS & JAMIE HARRIS DUO!

Amalgam, SME & Moire Music legendary saxist with a great percussionist!
A rare stateside appearance

October 28th, 2007 at 5pm

At The Lounge at Hudson View Gardens
116 Pinehurst Ave at West 183rd St.

For more info, call 212-923-7800 ex. 1941


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ROB REDDY TO UNVEIL NEW WORK, NEW ENSEMBLE THIS OCTOBER in BROOKLYN, NY

Saxophonist/composer Rob Reddy and his new ensemble, Rob Reddy's Tenfold, will be in residence at

Brooklyn's Jalopy Theater every Friday night in October to perform his latest and most ambitious extended work, Episodes and Antinomies. The world premiere of this ten movement suite, commissioned by the American Composers Forum,

Three other performances will follow on October 12th, 19th and 26th respectively, further exploring the nuances and possibilities of this diverse music.

The opening acts will be the
Jon Margulies: Stone Tablet Interface (10/12)
Sarah Bernstein Unearthish (10/19)
Jessica Lurie Ensemble (10/26)

Admission to each of these four concerts will be $15 at the door. The Jalopy Theater is located at 315 Columbia Street in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Venue information is available at (718) 395-3214

Episodes and Antinomies, which takes roughly an hour and a half to perform, was written for Reddy's newly formed ten-piece ensemble featuring Douglas Yates (clarinets), John Carlson (trumpet), Mark Taylor (French horn), Charles Burnham (violin and mandolin), Rubin Kodheli (cello), Brandon Ross (guitars), Bryan Carrott (vibraphone and marimba), Dom Richards (double bass), and Pheeroan akLaff (drums). The music further explores many of the hallmarks of Reddy's most acclaimed musical projects, including a variety of time signatures, co-existing melodies, alternating through-composed and improvised movements, and the influence of genres ranging from traditional marches to modern rock to avant-garde jazz.

Episodes and Antinomies, the second of three commissioned Reddy works to receive its world premiere in New York this year, will be followed by the debut of a new book of music for his sextet, Rob Reddy's Gift Horse, at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center (TPAC) in late November.


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MATT SHIPP & THE NU-BOP QUARTET - Featuring:
MATT SHIPP / DANIEL CARTER / WILLIAM PARKER / GUILLERMO E. BROWN

Saturday, October 27th at 8pm
At Miller Theatre at Columbia University
2960 Broadway at 116th St.


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IRENE SCHWEIZER US & Canadian Tour Schedule for November, 2007:

November 5th - Solo - EUROJAZZ MEETS CHICAGO, USA

November 6th, Trio w/ FRED ANDERSON and MICHAEL ZERANG at VELVET LOUNGE, CHICAGO

November 9th - Trio with Jean Derome, jazz club MONTREAL

November 10th - Solo concert in Montreal, La chapelle historique du bon pasteur.

November 12th - Solo at ROULETTE, New York City


October 2007: New improved Superfast 'Advanced Search Engine' at our site. More choices of parameters for winnowing down to what you're really looking for! Go to https://search2.downtownmusicgallery.com/first.cgi


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To help avoid this problem and get our newsletter:

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

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

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

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




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