Two from Kazutoki Umezu's Komatcha Klezmer + Umezu restocks, Boredoms Live DVD+CDep, Andrew D'Angelo/Trevor Dunn/Jim Black, Nate Wooley & Paul Lytton LP, Rova Sax Quartet, Joe McPhee New Trio, Nils Wogram's Nostalgia,

Johannes Enders w/ Nils Petter-Molvaer & John Hollenbeck, Food, Afrirampo, Two Re Search Magazine Books, Osso Exotico & Z'ev, Jeph Jerman & Jon Mueller, The Aurand Label (from Italy) Catalogue, Bob "The Bear" Hite's Dr. Boogie Rarities Discs, Affinity, Meic Stevens, Silver Apples & more...


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We start off 2008 with two new releases from KAZUTOKI UMEZU!!

KOMATCHA KLEZMER [w/ KAZUTOKI UMEZU & OHTAKA SIZZLE] - Suppon-Pon (Gok 103; Japan) Featuring Kazutoki Umezu on clarinet, alto & soprano sax, Yoko Tada on tenor & alto sax, Gyumi Matsui on violin, Chan-Kohyo on accordion, Takero Sekizima on tuba & recorder and Kozo Niida on drums & kendhang plus Ohtaka Sizzle on lead voice. This is something both immensely charming, as well as a bit odd about listening to a Japanese band playing klezmer music in their own delightful way. You just have to smile while listening to Ms. Ohtaka Sizzle's obviously Japanese voice singing these traditional-sounding songs in her own enchanting way. On "Little Dream," there is a haunting blend of accordion or melodica, violin, tuba and clarinet backing her voice that I find completely touching. "Merry-Go-Round" has a lovely, melancholy melody that suits Ohtaka's wistful voice just right. The traditional tune, "Mayim Mayim" is both goofy and tasty at the same time with that funky tuba line at the center and those silly full-band chorus vocals. "Vietnamese Gospel" is more of a torch-like ballad. "Gold Rain" is closer to a laid-back progressive style and not easy to explain as it works it way through different sections. "ƒclair" feature some fascinating arrangements with some strange harmonies for the accordion, alto sax, trumpet and that swell, delirious voice. You just got to love those endearing yet silly background vocals on "Lady's Diary" by Umezu and the rest of Komatcha band. On "Hope," the chorus is especially winning when they sing those majestic vocal harmonies, the recorder and alto sax also are utilized perfectly here. Without a doubt, Umezu and his cohorts have turned in another post-klez gem stands alone. It doesn't quite sound like any other klez band in the world, past or present. - BLG
CD $22

KOMATCHA KLEZMER [KAZUTOKI UMEZU et al] - Mhe [DVD] (Komatcha Film 01; Japan) [NTSC region 0 (All region)] Kazutoki Umezu brings us this wonderful DVD of his current klez project, Komatcha Klezmer. Filmed during a 2005 tour of Russia, the DVD switches back and forth between fiery live performances and candid life-on-the-road segments, showing the band en route to the next venue, exploring cities, and goofing around & enjoying meals together. Umezu provides occasional narration, mostly in japanese but occasionally in english. The music alone is fantastic, as to be expected from any Umezu project, but it's the sense of camaraderie between the band & their peers that really adds an extra dimension to the film. Recommended!! - Mikey IQ Jones.
DVD $25

And, back in stock & all highly recommended from Umezu & Company:

KOMATCHA KLEZMER [KAZUTOKI UMEZU et al] - Komatchakure (Gok 101; Japan) From 2001 and featuring Umezu on clarinet, alto & soprano sax, Tada Yoko on soprano & alto sax, Matsui Ayumi on violin, Sekizima Takero on tuba, recorder & Jew's harp, Chan Kohyo on accordion and Niida Kozo on drums. You know that the world is getting smaller when a Japanese sextet plays traditional Klezmer music with as much charm, spirit and creativity as any of the great current post/Klez bands from the US and Europe, all of the songs here sound familiar, with tasty melodies right out of vast Klez songbook. The cover artwork shows a well-dressed lady spanking a Sumo dancer, as well as other cross-cultural dancing and running. Bound to make one smile one way or another. - BLG
CD $22

KOMATCHA KLEZMER [KAZUTOKI UMEZU] - Gekkouseki no Shippo [Tale Of The Moonlight Stone] (Gok 102; Japan) From 2003 and also featuring Umezu on clarinet, alto & soprano sax, Tada Yoko on soprano & alto sax, Matsui Ayumi on violin, Sekizima Takero on tuba, recorder & Jew's harp, Chan Kohyo on accordion and Niida Kozo on drums. Again, Umezu's swell post/klez sextet does a splendid job of playing this enchanting music that draws from a variety of sources. I get the feeling that this disc would be a perfect present to share with your parents or maybe even your open-minded goyisha mate. - BLG
CD $22

KAZUTOKI UMEZU KIKI BAND With KIDO NATSUKI - Demagogue (Zott 03; Japan) Featuring Kazutoki Umezu on alto & sopranino saxes & clarinets, Kido Natsuki on electric & acoustic guitars & mandolin, Hayakawa Takeharu on electric & acoustic basses and Joe Trump on drums. Japan's hottest jazz/rock/whatever quartet is back with another mind-blowing CD! This is the sixth disc by the Kiki Band. "Let's drink a toast to the incredible Kiki Band, they rule!" - BLG
CD $18

KAZUTOKI UMEZU With MARC RIBOT/BRAD JONES/KENNY WOLLESEN - Pandora's Cocktail (OffNote 35; Japan) Featuring Marc Ribot on guitar, Brad Jones on bass, Kenny Wollesen on drums & percussion and Umezu on alto & soprano saxes & clarinet. Umezu is once again working with an all-star lineup, this time featuring Electric Masada and Los Cubanos guitar icon, Marc Robot! What I've always dug about Umezu is his twisted sense of humor and diverse array of influences and genres/styles he works with. Each of 11 tunes here seem involve a different style or idea. Another fine (downtown) treasure can be yours! - BLG
CD $22

KAZUTOKI UMEZU - Show The Frog (Doubt 104; Japan) This is Umezu's first solo effort for bass clarinet and it is a wonderful disc. On 'Show the Frog', Umezu plays some originals, a couple of traditional tunes, a couple jazz standards, by Thelonius Monk & Billy Eckstine plus some covers by composers I am unfamiliar with, I can't readily recall another solo disc of bass clarinet that exists, so this just might be the first one. It is particularly great one at that! - BLG
CD $20

KAZUTOKI UMEZU KIKI BAND With KIDO NATSUKI - Live At The Moers Festival (Zott 01; Japan) Recorded in June of 2003 and featuring Umezu on alto sax, Kido Natsuki (from Bondage Fruit & Korekyojinn) on electric guitar, Hayakawa Takeharu (for Satoko Fujii, solo discs & loads of sessions of Studio Wee) and Niida Koza (Komachka Klezmer) on drums.
'Live at Moers Festival' consists of six long pieces, each member contributing one & Umezu writing three songs. Let's hope that Umezu's Kiki Band find their way here in the future, they are one of the best bands to emerge from Japan in many moons. - BLG
CD $18

KAZUTOKI UMEZU KIKI BAND With KIDO NATSUKI - Land Dizzy (EWE 53; Japan) Featuring Umezu on alto sax, with Kido Natsuki on guitar, mandolin & synth, Hayakawa Takeharu electric bass and Niida Kozo on drums. 'Land Dizzy' is a perfect blend of jazz, rock, prog, punk and funk influences that never resorts to any of the usual cliches found in these types of music. Extraordinary in ways that are hard to explain. - BLG
CD $24

KAZUTOKI UMEZU KIKI BAND With KIDO NATSUKI - Greetings From Africa (EWE 45; Japan) Featuring Kazutoki Umezu on alto sax, Kido Natsuki on electric & acoustic guitars, Hayakawa Takeharu on electric bass and Niida Kozo on drums plus special guest Bheki Khosa on vocal & guitar for 1 piece. It is amazing that each of the five Kiki Band discs that we just gotten in are so vastly different. 'Greetings from Africa' was actually recorded live in South Africa and Kenya in July of 1999, with two of the four songs by African composers. The final song is "Malaika" and you can tell that the audience is really digging this swell quartet, with another delightful melody and more of Umezu's ever-soulful sax. The audience actually knows the songs and everyone sings along. Beautiful! - BLG
CD $24

KAZUTOKI UMEZU KIKI BAND With KIDO NATSUKI - Kiki Band (EWE 32; Japan) Featuring Umezu on alto sax & soprano sax, Kido Natsuki on electric & acoustic guitars, Hayakawa Takeharu on electric bass & Kozo Niida on drums. This is an earlier studio effort produced by our friend Aki Onda, who now lives here. I recognize the title track from the 'Greetings from Africa' disc from a couple years earlier. It is one of those fat, funky groove tunes that also rocks hard with spirited electric guitar, that hot Umezu sax tone, pounding electric bass and slamming drums. These cats are unstoppable! Kido's dynamite guitar solo blends Zappa's tone with some more fusion-oriented lines... This fabulous and festive CD ends with a cover of "Fucking Ada" by Ian Dury!?! An odd choice you think? Turns out that Umezu played sax wit Ian Dury when Mr. Dury toured Japan wat back when. It is a joyous way to bring this groovy disc to a swell close. - BLG
CD $24

And, Just FOUND: a couple of copies of this out-of-print gem

THIRD PERSON [TOM CORA/SAMM BENNETT + KAZUTOKI UMEZU] - Lucky Water (Knitworks 156; USA) This group was formed in 1990 by percussionist Samm Bennett and cellist Tom Cora. By design, the third member of this trio is ever-changing. It's a group which is continually re-inventing itself. With this working principle, the band achieves the consistency of its two founding members' telepathic interplay, as well as the element of surprise and unpredictability resulting from the "wild card" status of the third member. For "Lucky Water", Cora and Bennett decided to spotlight one guest member with whom they'd developed a very sympatico musical relationship, namely Kazutoki Umezu!
CD $15



Two New Discs from the Great Polish label Not Two:

JOE McPHEE / MIKOTAJ TRZASKA / JAY ROSEN - Intimate Conversations (Not Two 790; Poland) The title of this recording, INTIMATE CONVERSATIONS, refers to the process which helped to generate the music. This is a series of dialogues, intimate in the sense that they involve shared and/or familiar experiences expressed in musical terms. It is a music of the moment; improvisations created in free space, in a first meeting. Like a drawing in ink on rice paper, it is what it is with out pretense, without correction, without apology.
The titles of the pieces are suggestions for further conversations rather than descriptions. The music is a journey of discovery for the musicians and we hope for the listener as well. Labels like "free jazz "and "avant garde" are boxes which limits ones ability to experience discovery on its own terms. "Free jazz" has become and oxymoron and the "avant garde" a throwback style. We hope that the listener will find this simply art in its own time. - Joe McPhee
CD $17

ROVA SAXOPHONE QUARTET - The Juke Box Suite (Not Two 786; Poland) The seven compositions on this recording where composed with an idealized Juke Box in mind, where any kind of music might show up from any culture or time and be combined for the next "Play". My music listening has been informed by the spirit and work of Alan Lomax, from blues to raga, ragtime to avant-garde, pygmy chants to Korean court music, following styles and esthetics as they rubbed up against each other in the mingling of culture that was made available by intrepid searchers of music. The "sides" aren't a direct borrowing but a weaving of the common threads that occur in all music's. (Jon Raskin)
CD $17


ANDREW D'ANGELO TRIO [w/ TREVOR DUNN & JIM BLACK] - Skadra Degis (Skirl 008; USA) Over the course of his 20-plus year career, D'Angelo has established himself as a shocking improviser and brilliant composer. His continued assault on musical boundaries and his iconoclastic musical ideas (documented most notably in the bands Tyft, the Matt Wilson Quartet, and Human Feel) have been powerful inspirations to his peers and to a new generation of improvisers. On 'Skadra Degis', D'Angelo pays tribute to the inspirations of his youth while maintaining his ruthless individuality, creating a deeply personal, ultra-modern record of finely crafted, passionate, swinging jazz. With JIM BLACK on drums and TREVOR DUNN on bass, 'Skadra Degis' is a remarkable trio record, moving seamlessly between haunting ballads, frenetic psycho free-blasting, and reasonably straight-ahead swing.
CD $14



We generally don't want to mention OVERPRICED new stuff right away if we think that by waiting we can offer a significantly better price, but because we want to avoid the "why aren't you carrying this?" emails on this item...

BOREDOMS - Live At Sun Flancisco [CD+DVD set] (Commons 45758 A/B; Japan) 2-disc Japanese-only release, from the same label that gave us Super Roots 9. The DVD features a 65-minute live performance, recorded in San Francisco, May 19th, 2005. The line up is Eye on vocals and electronics and general WTF, plus a circle of 3 drummers. The bonus CD features 2 new tracks: "U-bus" & "Relerer". The CD is a short EP, only about 11 minutes long. The info we received says: CD: "Yamataka Eye Original Breakbeats. DVD: Boredoms (V∞REDOMS) live DVD." The DVD is NTSC format, all regions, for worldwide play. Approx 65 mins., Color, 4:3 aspect ratio.
"Holy sh*t! It's been a good year to be a Boredoms fan, no joke. In the past 12 months , we've had 3 Yoshimi sideproject releases (OOIOO remix EP, the OLAibi CD, and last month's amazing "Yunnan Colorfree" DVD+CD package), domestic reissues of nearly all volumes of the Super Roots series, and they capped it all off with the astonishing Super Roots 9 CD, which featured the first official recordings of the new "Vooredoms" 3 drums + EYE lineup. For those of you who've seen the current lineup in concert, you know how truly awesome a spectacle it is to watch the group in action - the stamina and dynamism of Yoshimi, ATR, and Yochan's collective drumming makes the jaw drop and the head spin, while ringleader EYE conducts the rhythms while adding electronic point and counterpoint on voice and CDJ. Anyone craving more Bore action - or anyone who has yet to see the band in their element - now has this tasty morsel to chew on - you get a 65 minute concert film of the group live in San Fransisco in May of 2005, from the opening invocation by EYE on voice and lightning balls (during which the camera is unfortunately blurry as hell as it tries to focus in the near darkness) down to the final crescendos and chants after a journey through intense jungles of tribal groove. What the film lacks in technical polish visually (you basically get one camera, balcony view, no frills save for the occasional zoom) is more than made up for by the quality of the performance and the sound recording.
As if that weren't enough, there's a bonus CDEP included of two new studio recordings - 5mins and 7mins in length, respectively - that feature just drums and minimal electronics by EYE; the results are excellent, sounding, as Chuck first commented, "like Liquid Liquid playing at 45rpm" - the only downside being that it isn't long enough! What are you waiting for, Borefans? Buy it already!" - Mikey IQ Jones.
DVD + CDep for $50


AFRIRAMPO - Suuto Breakor (P-Vine 22290; Japan) "Oni and Pika are the dynamic guitar and drum duo called Afrirampo, hailing from what seems to be the never ending stream of creative music (Osaka). Afrirampo erupt with enthusiasm and inspiration! This is my favorite recording of Afrirampo! It captures the same feeling I had when i first saw them, when they debut in NY a few years back, 2003 to be exact, they played five nights at different venues around Manhattan. When I first saw them in the basement of Tonic (R.I.P.), the entire place was blown away! I then went to every single gig they have did after that, and at each show the same bombastic applause was received. People were floored, including myself! Apparently others noticed too, for Sonic Youth, Lightning Bolt, and Acid Mothers Temple all eventually took them on tour. They went on to record for Tzadik, and doing collaborative recordings with Acid Mothers Temple as well as going to jam with the Pygmy people in Africa, which they have documented on CD as well (Pygmy people learned Afrirampo songs and vice versa). Nine releases later we are presented with "Suuto Breakor", which combines the years of musical experiences these ladies have with still the wonderfully schizophrenic song structures plus that enthusiastic vibe! With their psychedelic jam rock containing such controlled chaos, which is their forte, Afrirampo easily slip into avant-garde wordplay, to chant driven grooves, to full on rock freakouts. Their music is an influential kick in the ass, showing you can visibly have fun and be great musicians at the same time. If they play in your area, you have to see to believe (experience is always the best teacher). Fans of Boredoms, Nisennen Mondai, OOIOO, or the above-mentioned bands, take note. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!" - Chuck Bettis/DMG
CD $23



GET THIS FREE WITH ANY ORDER [if you tell us to!]

BORIS SAVOLDELLI With Guest MARC RIBOT - Insanology (BTF ZR01; Italy) The Bobby McFerrin of Italy - his body and voice are his instrument! 2 of the cuts are duets with guest Marc Ribot.
HERE'S THE DEAL: buy any other CD, and while they last, this CD is FREE if you ask for it [just the additional postage]. If you only want this, it's $5.00 + postage...So buy something else, already!
CD $5



NATE WOOLEY / PAUL LYTTON - self/titled [LP-Limited edition of 200] (Broken Research 028; USA) "Featuring Nate Wooley on trumpet & Paul Lytton on percussion & homemade instruments. This lp was recorded in a garage in Cologne, Germany on April 28th. This marks the 1st recorded meeting of British percussion legend, Paul Lytton, and relative newcomer Nate Wooley. The duo met as part of tubist Carl Ludwig Huebsch's birthday quartet (also featuring Michael Thieke of the International Nothing). Without talking about the music, Paul and Nate immediately steered clear of bombast to create a highly focused set that relied more on interest in subtlety of sound and architecture than on pyrotechnics and grand gestures. The duo toured the US in October of 2007 and will be on the road again in 2008 in duo and in trio with violinist & electronicist, Phil Wachsmann." I caught this duo at the last New Trumpet Fest and they were superb. I look forward to reviewing this disc soon. - BLG
LP $15


NILS WOGRAM NOSTALGIA - Affinity (Intuition 3414; Germany) Featuring Nils Wogram on trombone & melodica, Florian Ross on Hammond organ and Dejan Terzic on drums. Review, when we get that promo.
CD $16

JOHANNES ENDERS [w/ NILS PETTER-MOLVAER & JOHN HOLLENBECK] (Intuition 3409; Germany) Featuring Johannes Enders on tenor sax, bass clarinet & flute, Nils Petter Molvaer on trumpet, Uli Wangenheim on bass clarinet, Ralf Schmidt on church organ, Saam Schlamminger on dohol & tombak and John Hollenbeck on drums & percussion. Review soon.
CD $16


FOOD - Molecular Gastronomy (Rune Grammofon 2069; Norway) This is the fifth full-length release for Norway's Food, now down to the duo of Iain Ballamy (saxophones, alto flute) and Thomas Str¿nen (drums, electronics). Molecular Gastronomy was recorded by Jeremy Cox over a period of two years. Food was formed at the 1998 Molde International Jazz Festival when Iain Ballamy was invited to perform with three exceptional young Norwegian musicians. It soon became clear that the blend of Iain's distinctive saxophone and Arve Henriksen's breathy trumpet textures was the perfect foil for the entrancing bass and drum trips created by Mats Eilertsen and Thomas Str¿nen. It's fair to say that a good amount of Food's earlier output was written as opposed to improvised -- however, this duo-version is mostly improvised, much in the same way as the music of Str¿nen's other duo, Humcrush. Considered to be one of the most inventive Norwegian drummers, he has always been an important writer in Food. Ballamy's role is also expanded, giving more room to this quite excellent player. Ashley Slater -- who played with Ballamy in Loose Tubes in the late '80s and went on to form Freakpower with Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim) -- mixed this record and also contributes on three tracks. Maria Kannegaard plays Fender Rhodes on five tracks and is also a superb pianist with three trio-recordings to her name, including a number of Norwegian jazz recordings.
CD $16


RE SEARCH MAGAZINE - #4/5: William S Burroughs, Brion Gysin, Throbbing Gristle [Ltd Ed Hardcover Reissue] (RE Search 4/5; USA) "V. Vale's last interview with W.S. Burroughs recorded April, 1997 (Burroughs died Aug 2, 1997). Plus more photos. Limited edition of only 500 beautiful hardbacks, printed on glossy art paper. William Burroughs, Brion Gysin & Throbbing Gristle talk about advanced ideas involving the social control process, creativity and the future. Interviews, scarce fiction, essays: this is a manual of ideas and insights. Strikingly designed, with rare photos, bibliographies, discographies, chronologies & illustrations."
BOOK $40

RE SEARCH MAGAZINE - #6/7: Industrial Culture Handbook [Ltd Ed Hardcover Reissue] (RE Search 6/7; USA) New and fantastic looking hardcover edition; limited to only 1000 made and not available through traditional book distribution venues. "Originally Published in 1983. 8 1/2 x 11", 140 pp, 179 photos & illustrations. Essential library reference guide to the deviant performance artists and musicians of the industrial culture moment: Survival Research Laboratories, Mark Pauline, Throbbing Gristle, Cabaret Voltaire, SPK, Non, Monte Cazazza, Johanna Went, Sordide Sentimental, R&N, and Z'ev."
BOOK $40


OSSO EXOTICO [DAVID MARANHA] & Z'EV - Osso Exotico & Z'ev (Crouton 39; USA) "Since 1989, the Portugal avant-garde ensemble Osso Exotico have created a stunning body of work. Current members are Andre Maranha, David Maranha and Patricia Mach's, but besides the recordings, very little historical information can be found about the group. Rather, the music speaks for itself. Percussionist Z'ev, who has spent the better part of 40 years finding ways to coax sound out of material, and then creating a mystic cacophony out of it, also uses sound as communication. Together, this grouping produces quite a statement, as sound becomes something unexplained by words, yet shared as an experience. Here, long stretches of rhythmic and bubbling organ are matched by large bass drum patterns that culminate in an expansive psychedelic pool of sound. This isn't glassine drone music. It spews the grit of Tony Conrad and the trance of Terry Riley, while radiating the experience of a sweat lodge in a behemoth explosion of tribal minimalism; only digressing for a segment of spatial hums and large frequencies rubbed from the surfaces of metal, before it dives back into oblivion. With no sound processing, the result is a highly natural, grossly enigmatic, and deeply energized recording. The power is yours for the taking. Released in an edition of 500 and packaged in an offset printed chipboard envelope."
CD $16

JEPH JERMAN & JON MUELLER - Nodes and Anti-Nodes [Ltd Ed DVD-A] (Crouton 38; USA) "After years of working with sound and vibrations, and documenting prepared and unprepared situations on recordings, Jeph Jerman and Jon Mueller now present a tapestry of visualizations to these sounds with Nodes and Anti-Nodes. The DVD shows close-up views of the subtle actions in vibrating bodies, both audible and not. These scenes are glimpses into situations that Ernst Chladni and Hans Jenny might have pursued in a more scientific direction. But for the lay viewer, it's simply interesting to watch the real-time relationship between sound and material, and the juxtaposition of the results of natural movements paired with absolute silence. For those that would enjoy listening to the audio portion on the go, an individual MP3 file of the audio can be pulled from the disc. The DVD is packaged in a 7" letter pressed and numbered chip board case and is limited to an edition of 300 copies." This all-region video can be played in any standard DVD player or drive.
DVD-Audio disc for $18


SUZUKI JUNZO - Pieces for Hidden Circles (Utech 013; USA) "Japanese singer/guitar player Suzuki Junzo (Astral Traveling Unity, 20 Guilders, Overhang Party, Miminokoto) weaves an improvised country-blues folk music with touches of acid and psych. While performing and recording mostly as a solo artist, he has collaborated with Hiroshi Hasegawa, Tabata Mitsuru and Kawabata Makoto. 'Pieces for Hidden Circles' is a recording of the highest order, evoking spirituality and devotion unrivaled. A campaign to a world of solitude, each footfall and gust of wind resonating to the heavens."
CD $16

TABATA MITSURU - Lumrapideco (Utech 014; USA) "Japanese sound artist Tabata Mitsuru (Boredoms, Zeni Geva, Acid Mothers, 20 Guilders, Leningrad Blues Machine) is a musician who has claimed his solo voice and skillfully hones it with each release. Lumrapideco ('Speed Of Light') is a collection of spaced-out electronics, bleak feedback and sedate guitar passages. Sometimes oppressive, sometimes heart-stirring, it is never less than astonishing."
CD $16


HENRY BRANT - Brant Vol 9: Dormant Craters/Ceremony/Homeless People (Innova 416; USA) The latest in the continuing saga of the Henry Brant Collection features three very different compositions. "Dormant Craters" from 1995 is sub-titled "Spatial Events for Sixteen Percussionists". It features Pheeroan akLaff & Michael Veal as the soloists with Gamelan Son of Lion, Pulse Percussion Ensemble and Tropical Soul Steel Drums. This piece is nearly 35-minutes and involves layers of different percussion from various cultures and each with different textures. Both soloists and each ensemble are featured at different points and in different combinations. The varied cultures and textures involved do not often clash, as much as work together to develop a new blend of universal ideas. I would imagine that listening to this work in a large room and/or on an expensive stereo would bring out the full spectrum of sounds carefully created.
"Ceremony" (1954) is for an orchestra with four vocalists, spatially laid out in Brant's own unique way. I dig the way Brant has the three instrumental soloists represent "the celebrated professors X, Y & Z, each attended by their large and enthusiastic class of two students." The music and voices (with no lyrics) have a somber, yet majestic quality that reminds me of a more restrained Stravinsky type of sound. A thoughtfully woven tapestry of somber ghosts. "Homeless People" from 1993 (revised 1997) is for piano, accordion and the Onyx String Quartet. The pianist is alone on the stage, using percussion on the inside of the piano. Each member of the string quartet is placed in the four corners of the room with the accordionist somewhere in the middle. There seems as if there are different dialogues going on simultaneously. It is almost as if different dreams are intersecting one another at the same time. The piano sounds more like a harpsichord as it is delicately struck. Mr. Brant has a distinctive way of placing his players in different spatial areas so the relationships seem to define different characteristics depending on the way we hear certain sounds. This always makes for a fascinating listening experience if we take the time consider and observe all of these factors. - BLG
CD $14



The Auand label from Italy - a small catalog with great releases [we just have a few of each - if you don't grab now you may have to wait for our restock...]

FRANCESCO BEARZATTI BIZART TRIO With EMMANUEL BEX/ALDO ROMANO + ENRICO RAVA - Hope (Auand 9007; Italy) Francesco Bearzatti sax, clarinet; Emmanuel Bex organ, electronics; Aldo Romano drums; Special Guests: Enrico Rava trumpet on # 1,2,4,6,9; Guests: Enrico Terragnoli guitar on # 5; Oscar Marchioni Hammond organ on # 5; Paolo Mappa drums on # 5,10
CD $16

FRANCESCO BEARZATTI BIZART TRIO With EMMANUEL BEX/ALDO ROMANO - Virus (Auand 9002; Italy) Francesco Bearzatti sax, clarinet; Emmanuel Bex organ, electronics; Aldo Romano drums; Special Guests: Enrico Terragnoli guitar on # 4,10; Mauro Ottolini trombone on # 4,7,8; Stefano Senni double bass on # 6; U.T. Gandhi percussion on # 4,6
CD $16

JULIAN ARGUELLES/RONAN GUILFOYLE/JIM BLACK - Live In Dublin (Auand 9009; Italy) Julian Arguelles tenor sax, recorders; Ronan Guilfoyle acoustic bass guitar; Jim Black drums
CD $16

PAOLO ANGELI/ANTONELLO SALIS - MA.RI (Auand 9005; Italy) Paolo Angeli prepared Sardinian guitar, Antonello Salis piano, accordion
CD $16

DOMINO QUARTET [SEAN BERGIN/GIANLUCA PETRELLA/ANTONIO BORGHINI/HAMID DRAKE] - Radio 3 Sessions (Auand 9008; Italy) Sean Bergin tenor sax, flutes; Gianluca Petrella trombone; Antonio Borghini double bass; Hamid Drake drums
CD $16

DAVE BINNEY/JEFF HIRSHFIELD - A Small Madness (Auand 9004; Italy) Superb alto sax and drums duo.
CD $16

PAOLO SORGE TRINKLE TRIO With MICHEL GODARD/FRANCESCO CUSA - Trinkle Trio (Auand 9003; Italy)
CD $16

GIANLUCA PETRELLA With JAVIER GIROTTO/PAUL ROGERS/FRANCESCO SOTGIU - X-Ray (Auand 9001; Italy) Gianluca Petrella trombone; Javier Girotto baritone saxophone, quena and soprano on # 11; Paul Rogers 5 string double bass; Francesco Sotgiu drums
CD $16



BOKAR RIMPOCHE - Sacred Chants & Tibetan Rituals from the Monastery of Mirik (Sub Rosa 264; Belgium) Recorded in Mirik Monastery (located in the Himalayan Mountains in Northern India, between Bhutan and Nepal) with the total collaboration of meditation master, Bokar Rimpoche -- all pieces edited by the filmmaker Guy Maezelle. Bokar Rimpoche (1940-2004) is acknowledged as a Great Master of Tibetan Buddhism who devoted his whole life to meditation. Having fled Tibet in 1959, he lived in exile, isolated in a little monastery in the mountains. The spiritual son of Kalou Rimpoche, a close relation of the Dalai Lama and Meditation Master of the 17th Karmapa, Bokar Rimpoche was the heir and representative of an ancestral knowledge (of the Kagyu line) passed along from generation to generation and holding wisdom that still enlightens today. These recordings make up the soundtrack to Guy Maezelle's film, Bokar Rimpoche: Maitre de Meditation and feature sacred chants recorded by Bokar Rimpoche himself and ritual music from the Mirik Monastery. A message from Bokar Rimpoche: "We, practicing Buddhists, must understand that all that we accomplish in this life results originally from our mother's goodness. For it is first thanks to her that we are able to survive. It is her that fed us, clothed us, and who took care of our education. But in reality, our whole life depends on all the other beings and their activities. For example, meat, milk and butter are given to us by the animals. Our food, our clothes, our home depend on the work and effort of many other beings. In other words, on this earth, every day of our lives is lived depending on an infinite number of other beings for no one, since their birth, can survive alone. They would have no food and no clothes. So we must be aware that our life depends on the contribution of many other beings who show goodness towards us. Therefore it is all beings, without exception, that we should hold dear! Even without referring to the word of Buddha, this interdependence between all beings is easy to understand."
CD $16

DR. BOOGIE PRESENTS RARITIES FROM THE BOB HITE VAULTS [V.A.] - Vol 1 (Sub Rosa 271; Belgium) This is the first volume of a collection devoted to rare and lost recordings from the '20s to '60s. These rare pieces span the years 1941-1958 and are taken from Bob Hite's fabulous collection of 78rpm records: a historical archive that has helped to, in its own way, save from oblivion the rural bluesmen who had dropped out of the scene decades ago and make possible their reintegration into musical history. Everyone is now entitled to hear this chunk of the treasure. Compiled by the famous DJ Dr. Boogie with the help of Fito De La Parra (drummer for Canned Heat). Bob Hite, founding member and singer of the unforgettable group Canned Heat, owned one of the most impressive collections of U.S. 78rpms. He started gathering these records at a very young age and always dreamed of being in a boogie band and paying tribute to the pioneers, drawing inspiration from all the greats who set the foundations for blues music. Before he joined the band, he was already working in various record stores in Venice Beach, and through the years he came to acquire extraordinary items -- mostly thanks to the success of the 33rpm, which quickly replaced the 78rpm format. Bob Hite never stopped expanding his collection; he bought records all around the world. He was known to throw huge parties at his house, where he spent hours, sometimes whole nights, unveiling gems from his collection. After Bob Hite's death, the fabulous collection was decimated, partly sold, dismembered, and even plundered. Now the public is privy to pieces of his exquisite archive of forgotten greats and lesser-knowns, such as Pete Johnson: a boogie-woogie expert and one of the first piano legends, or Clarence Brown, whose majestic guitar playing and recordings for the Peacock label remain unmatchable. Elmore James makes an appearance with some of his more obscure tracks, as well as Mad Mel Sebastian, who remains a complete mystery. Other artists include: Eddie Hope, The Hot Shots, Earl King, Googie Rene, Chuck Higgins, Johnny Otis, Bill Haley, Otis Rush and Etta James
CD $16



Further Historic & Archival Recordings:

AFFINITY [LINDA HOYLE/LYNTON NAIFF/GRANT SERPELL/MO FOSTER/MIKE JOPP et al] - Affinity (Lilith 145; Russia) "Formed in 1970, Affinity broke the British jazz-rock mold by combining the hauntingly powerful vocals of Linda Hoyle (lauded by critics as the British Grace Slick) and the Hammond wizardry of Lynton Naiff (considered the rising star of jazz-pop in the style of Brian Auger) with convincing elements of psych and blues, often close to that of Julie Driscoll & the Trinity. Unfortunately, despite the critical acclaim the band received at the time, they only stayed around long enough to release one LP. Featuring 8 rare tracks not found on their original release, including two tracks from their rare single and two tracks from their 1969 EMI acetate."
CD $20
Also available as 2LP set for $32

BRIGITTE BARDOT - Sings (Lilith 146; Russia) "By the time this album was released in the U.S., the 'princess of pout' had already had men flocking to her films for than a decade, hoping for a glimpse of BB in a bikini. Her 1963 vocal debut, featuring Serge Gainsbourg's 'L'Appareil A Sous,' not only added to her sultry allure, but also boosted her pop icon status." This reissue includes a 20-page booklet with lyrics in French and English.
CD $20

Also available as...

BRIGITTE BARDOT - Sings (Lilith 146; Russia) the LP reissue edition faithfully reproduces the deluxe U.S. edition, featuring both a gatefold sleeve and a full size poster of the original international sex kitten, Brigitte Bardot. Meow!"
LP $23


MEIC STEVENS - An Evening With Meic Stevens (Sunbeam 5039; UK) On July 24th 2007, the man they call "the Welsh Bob Dylan" played his first London gig in over three decades at the legendary Half Moon and Sunbeam Records was there to capture the auspicious event for posterity. Backed by his long-time band, he treated the audience to classics from his much-loved late '60s EPs and legendary Outlander and Gwymon LPs, as well as more recent material. Ranging from fragile ballads to out-and-out psychedelic rock, the set is issued here for the first time and captures a master singer-songwriter at the top of his game.
CD $16

Still available...

MEIC STEVENS - Rain In The Leaves: The EPs, Volume 1 (Sunbeam 5021; UK) This haunting collection proves once and for all why Meic Stevens is so often called "the Welsh Bob Dylan." An integral part of the Welsh music scene since the beginning of the 1960s, He was a member of a group called Y Bara Menyn (Bread And Butter) with Geraint Jarman and Heather Jones, and also sang with a backing band called The Cadillacs. As well as gathering for the first time the ultra-rare EPs he recorded between 1967 and 1970 (Mike Stevens, Rhif2, Mwg and Meic Stevens), the package comes complete with both sides of his 1965 debut single, detailed sleevenotes, rare photographs and an introduction by the man himself, making it an essential purchase for all fans of acid folk and psychedelia.
CD $16

MEIC STEVENS - Sackcloth & Ashes: The EPs, Volume 2 (Sunbeam 5033; UK) An integral part of the Welsh music scene since the beginning of the 1960s, Meic Stevens was a member of a group called Y Bara Menyn (Bread And Butter) with Geraint Jarman and Heather Jones, and also sang with a backing band called The Cadillacs. Following the rapturous reception given to their first collection of Meic Stevens' ultra-rare EPs, Sunbeam is delighted to present this follow-up, spanning the years 1969 to 1971. Featuring much material that has never been available on CD before and complete with comprehensive sleevenotes, rare photographs and an introduction by "the Welsh Bob Dylan" himself, this is a simply essential purchase for all fans of acid folk and psychedelia.
CD $16

MEIC STEVENS - Outlander (Water 198; USA) "In the popular music of Wales, Meic Stevens is the defining folk and rock singer of the past 40 years. He is as important there as Bob Dylan in the United States, John Lennon in England, Caetano Veloso in Brazil and Serge Gainsbourg in France. Outlander, his sole English language release, came out in 1970 in the UK, and has never been widely available in the States until now. A diverse mix of folk, psych and rock with a distinct Welsh flavor, Outlander has long been a sought-after collector's item. Stevens' recordings have been a noted influence on such contemporary Welsh groups as Super Furry Animals and Gorky's Zygotic Mynci."
CD $15


SILVER APPLES - Silver Apples (Phoenix Records 3003; UK) This is a reissue of the self-titled first album by '60s electronic legends Silver Apples, originally released by Kapp Records in 1968. Fresh off their stint as The Overland Stage Electric Band, Simeon and Dan Taylor formed their own extravagant, two-man electronic space-odyssey, Silver Apples, to pretty remarkable critical acclaim. Their debut enjoyed a 10-week stay in Billboard's Top 100 list, and the album's first track, "Oscillations," made the Top 10 list in numerous cities around the U.S. The music critics loved them. "What's so amazing is that they make absolutely mind-shattering music with all this junky equipment" commented one reviewer, quite possibly astounded over the then-mind-bending concept of build-it-yourself electronics combined with rock drums. The debut album features lyrics by poet Stanley Warren who met the duo at the Third Annual Avant-Garde Arts Festival in 1968, organized by topless cellist Charlotte Moorman. An absolutely essential piece of musical history from electronic/psychedelic/rock music's ground-breaking legends.
CD $16

SILVER APPLES - Contact (Phoenix Records 3001; UK) This is a reissue of the second album Contact by '60s electronic legends Silver Apples, originally released by Kapp Records in 1969. This enigmatic duo, armed only with percussion, vocals and an early, specialized synthesizer, is often credited with giving the musical world its first electronic album, as well as having a significant influence on bands which followed in their wake; bands such as Ultravox and Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark. Silver Apples, named after a W.B. Yeats poem, consisted of electronics wiz Simeon Coxe and percussionist Danny Taylor. Simeon built an impressive collection of electronic paraphernalia (dubbed the "Simeon") which ultimately included a dozen oscillators, six of them tuned to bass notes which he played with his feet, an assortment of sound filters, telegraph keys, radio parts, lab gear and a variety of second-hand electronic junk. Contact ushered in the band's recorded popularity and a national tour was quickly organized. Several tracks on Contact feature bass lines provided by Simeon's banjo playing, but it is the clever use of the lead oscillator and new-found intensity of the lyrics that sets Contact apart from its predecessor. Such was the level of Simeon's growing electronic proficiency that the intro to the album's opening track, "You And I" more than successfully recreates the sound of an airplane taking off. Silver Apples all but disappeared from the musical firmament when Kapp folded in 1970, only to re-emerge in January 1997 to perform before a celeb-packed audience at the Knitting Factory. Again, the critics were unanimous. As the MC waxed poetic during an introduction to the Silver Apples concert in San Francisco, 1968: "You are about to have probably the most unusual musical experience of your life. The music will enter areas of your mind never before opened until now. At times it may be hard to understand, but if you let the music penetrate, you'll dig it."
CD $16

for the budget-conscious, BOTH the above Silver Apple albums are also available from us on ONE American-issued MCA CD [mastered in 1997] with both albums on it for $14
Presumably the quality of the above separate CD editions is better, having been mastered recently...


Back in stock

CAMBODIAN CASSETTE ARCHIVES [V.A.] - Khmer Folk & Pop Music Vol. 1 (Sublime Freq 011; USA) An unbelievable collection of dynamic Cambodian music recorded between the 1960s and the 1990s, both in Cambodia and in the United States. A truly Khmer blend of folk and pop stylings -- cha-cha, psychedelia, phase-shifting rock, sultry circle dance standards, pulsing Cambodian new wave, haunted ballads, musical comedy sketches, Easy-Listening numbers and raw instrumental grooves presented in an eclectic variety of production techniques. Male and female vocalists share the spotlight, embellished by roller rink organ solos, raunchy guitar leads and MIDI defying synthesizers. Culled from over 150 ageing cassettes found at the Asian Branch of the Oakland Public Library in California, these recordings showcase a pre and post holocaust Cambodian musical lineage that can't be ignored.
CD $15


RUFUS ZUPHALL - Weiss der Teufel (Long Hair 029; Germany) Repressed! "The first album Weiss der Teufel (1971) has gradually gained legendary status and is definitely one of the best early 70«s album from Germany. All tracks were recorded live in the studio, resulting in a raw and unpolished sound. The side-long title track developed into a twisted and frenetic flute solo guiding the way on this trip. Some people regard this track as one of the finest moments of German rock. Weiss der Teufel sung in English, it typifies the raw-edged, largely instrumental early progressive hardrock. Here it comes with original album sleeve cover art, informative booklet in known Long Hair-tradition and with lots of bonus tracks (over 70 minutes, A must and not just for Krautrock freaks." CD $21



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The Downtown Music Gallery Free Sunday In-Store Series will resume on:


Sunday, January 20th with:
6pm - CLIFTON HYDE - Solo guitar & voice!

Sunday, January 27th:
6pm - REUT REGEV'S R*TIME featuring:
Reut Regev - trombone, David Phelps - guitar, Brad Jones - bass & Igal Foni - drums

Sunday, February 3rd:
6pm - ERIC EIGNER - Solo drums!

Sunday, February 10th:
6pm - JOE McPHEE & MICHAEL BISIO DUO!
7pm - PATRICK BRENNAN, BERN NIX & LISLE ELLIS!


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