Another Exciting Stack of New Discs from: Vijay Iyer Qt, Fieldwork (Vijay Iyer, Steve Lehman & Tyshawn Sorey), Benny Maupin Qt, Nicole Mitchell, Miles from India Tribute w/ Pete Cosey, John McLaughlin, Chick Corea, Dave Liebman & many more, 5 New Ones from El Gallo Rojo, 5 from CIMP: Steve Gauci Quartet

Khan Jamal & Dylan Taylor, Kalparusha Qt, Dave Schnitter Trio & Bobby Zankel Trio, 2 from Mike Westbrook, Connie Crothers & Bill Payne, Sam Newsome /Alex Harding Quintet, 2 from Erstwhile: Lambkin & Lescalleet and Nakamura & English, Pan Sonic DVD

Plus Ten from Charles Tyler's Bleu Regard Label and Historic Discs from Acid Mother Temple, T2, 2 from John Martyn, A Treasure Chest of Goodies from Bill Laswell - CD's, Albums and yes, even Cassettes!?!


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CRYPTOGRAMOPHONE 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!
Five Fabulous Nights at Jazz Standard in New York
Cryptonights - April 23rd - 27th

Jazz Standard is located at 116 E. 27th Street, New York. 212-576-2232

Wednesday, April 23rd
7:30 PM - The Jeff Gauthier Goatette - Jeff Gauthier vln, Nels Cline - gtr, David Witham - kbds, Alex Cline - drms
9:30 PM - Nels Cline/Alex Cline Duo - Nels Cline - guitars, Alex Cline - drums

Thursday, April 24th
7:30 & 9:30 PM - The Nels Cline Singers - Nels Cline - guitars, Devin Hoff - bs, Scott Amendola - drms, sounds

Friday April 25th
7:30 PM - Scott Amendola Band - Jenny Scheinman - vln, Nels Cline - gtr, Special guest - gtr/bs, Scott Amendola - drms, sounds
9:30 & 11:30 PM - The Nels Cline Singers - Nels Cline - guitars, Devin Hoff - bs, Scott Amendola - drms, sounds

Saturday April 26th
7:30 PM - The Myra Melford /Ben Goldberg Quartet - Myra Melford - pno, Ben Goldberg - clar, Stomu Takeishi - bass, Scott Amendola - drums
9:30 & 11:30 PM - The Bennie Maupin Ensemble - Bennie Maupin - woodwinds, Michal Tokaj - pno, Darek Oles - bs, Michael Stephans - drms, Munyungo Jackson - perc.

Sunday April 27th
7:30 & 9:30 PM - The Bennie Maupin Ensemble - Bennie Maupin - woodwinds, Michal Tokaj - pno, Darek Oles - bs, Michael Stephans - drms, Munyungo Jackson - perc.


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Reissue of the month..or year?

MIKE OSBORNE TRIO With HARRY MILLER/LOUIS MOHOLO - All Night Long (Ogun 029; UK) The monumental All Night Long, recorded the same year as the SOS album but altogether a different type of trio. Here Osborne teams up with bassist Harry Miller and powerhouse drummer Louis Moholo, his regular trio. The results feature some of the most integrated and inspired small group interactions I've ever heard and at the time I was also listening to Ornette's trio with Izenson and Moffett. Osborne immediately asserts himself with the blistering riff from the title track, Miller answers with attacking bass and soon there is a three way juggernaut of fiery improvisation. You can feel the fire and collective spirit generated by these players who know each other and can respond in a split second to any change in direction. The two sides add up to about 40 minutes and are only part of one set they played. According to Keith Beal's sleeve notes "The trio played three sets equally exciting that night". Each time I listen to it I am in awe at the intensity of their playing. The levels of energy are astounding as they power forward seamlessly taking in Monk's Round Midnight, Osborne's tunes, like Scotch Pearl and Country Bounce and collective pieces. Even in more ruminative moments there is a sizzling tension created by Moholo behind Osborne's compact lyricism. Recorded at Willisau, like the first Brotherhood Of Breath release for Ogun, it is a gig I would have donated vital organs to witness! - Paul Donnelly, Stride magazine
CD $20


And now for this week's bushel of newly recorded wonders!

VIJAY IYER - Tragicomic (Sunnyside 1186: USA) Featuring Vijay Iyer on piano, Rudresh Mahanthappa on alto sax, Stephan Crump on bass and Marcus Gilmore on drums. Imagine a pianist with Thelonious Monk's angularity, Cecil Taylor's force, and Andrew Hill's genius, coupled with a profound compositional mind that extends, elevates, and elaborates on the traditions of jazz, world, and Indian music, and you'll get Vijay Iyer, the most critically acclaimed improvisationally oriented artist of this young century. Named the # 1 Rising Star Jazz Artist of the Year and the # 1 Rising Star Composer of the Year in Down Beat magazine's 2006 and 2007 International Critics' Poll, this sensational South Asian/American pianist/composer/author/educator has performed and recorded with an impressive roster of stars, from Steve Coleman and John Zorn, to poet Amiri Baraka and the rap duo dead prez, and has presented a number of astonishing CDs as a leader and co-leader.
Any artist blessed with such far-reaching gifts will have something to say. And on Tragicomic, his Sunnyside debut, Iyer delivers a stupendous sonic commentary on our contemporary world. With him is his fabulous quartet, featuring alto saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa, bassist Stephan Crump, and drummer Marcus Gilmore, the grandson of the legendary drum giant Roy Haynes. This twelve-track recording is the augmented version of a previous piece of the same name commissioned by Chamber Music America. "Cornel West decodes the blues aesthetic as a tragicomic sensibility stemming from a sustained encounter with arguably history's greatest, cruelest absurdity - the kind in which 'even ultimate purpose and objective order are called into question É'" Iyer writes in the CD's liner notes. "In our perilous moment of global transition, we have everything to learn from this sensibility. A tragicomic outlook can ease our pains of metamorphosis and help us dream the next phase into being. That's how and why this music was made."
CD $16

FIELDWORK [VIJAY IYER / STEVE LEHMAN / TYSHAWN SOREY] - Door (Pi Recordings 26; USA) Featuring Vijay Iyer on piano, Steve Lehman on alto sax and Tyshawn Sorey on drums. Third disc from these three leaders and composers in their right and no doubt, another exciting adventure. In stock on Saturday (4/19/08) and review next week.
Praised on NPR's Fresh Air as "a jazz power trio for the new century," Fieldwork makes its most powerful and fiercely imagined statement to date with Door, the group's third album for Pi Recordings. An important marker in this New York collective's ongoing evolution, Door documents three years of intense collaboration and is the first Fieldwork recording to feature the jaw-dropping contributions of Tyshawn Sorey, drummer, composer, and co-leader of Fieldwork since 2005. Rounded out by saxophonist/composer Steve Lehman and pianist/composer Vijay Iyer, Fieldwork reflects and refracts the American jazz tradition, modern composition, African and South Asian music, underground hip-hop and electronica, and the influential music of Chicago's AACM.
CD $15


NICOLE MARGARET MITCHELL BLACK EARTH ENSEMBLE - Xenogenesis Suite: A Tribute to Octavia Butler (Firehouse12 04-01-006; USA) This is the new studio recording of Chicago-based flutist/composer Nicole Mitchell's extended composition of the same name. The piece, realized by her longstanding group, Nicole Mitchell's Black Earth Ensemble, was commissioned by Chamber Music America's New Works Presentation program funded through the generosity of the Doris Duke Foundation. It received its world premiere in June 2007 at the 12th annual Vision Festival in New York and was performed again at the Chicago Cultural Center this past December. The composition, and its combination of original music and lyrics, is inspired by the work of Afrofuturist writer Octavia Butler (1947-2006), a Hugo, Locus and Nebula Award winner and the first science fiction author to receive the MacArthur Foundation "Genius" Grant.
"My compositional journey was stimulated by my emotional reaction to Butler's novel Dawn [the first book in Butler's Xenogenesis trilogy], rather than the specific events of the story," writes Ms. Mitchell in the liner notes. "Dawn intimately deals with the condition of fear and our ability to adapt in inhumane circumstances. The process of writing this music allowed me to face the feeling of fear head on ..to enter and explore it. Xenogenesis Suite: A Tribute to Octavia Butler represents a new direction for my work as a composer. I purposefully rebelled from my natural attraction to certain compositional devices in an effort to discover new methods of stimulating human emotion. I created the instrumental music as the surrounding alien environment, and utilized the gifted voice of Mankwe Ndosi to portray the human element. Ndosi represents a sole human - a woman - in the midst of a wondrous and perhaps frightening landscape."
CD $14


BENNIE MAUPIN QUARTET - Early Reflections (Cryptogramophone 1137; USA) Featuring Bennie Maupin on bass clarinet, tenor & soprano sax, alto flute; Michal Tokaj on piano, Michal Baranski on bass and Lukasz Zyta on drums. Bennie Maupin will be playing at the Jazz Standard on Sunday, April 27th for the Cryptogramophone 10th Anniversary Celebration. Review soon.
Woodwind legend Bennie Maupin follows his highly acclaimed 2006 CD Penumbra, with "Early Reflections," a beautiful recording of Maupin's European quartet, with guest vocalist Hania Rybka. This is another brilliant effort from the artist best known for his work with Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Horace Silver, and many others. Destined to be a classic.
CD $16

CRYPTOGRAMOPHONE ASSEMBLAGE 1998 - 2008 - A Ten Year Retrospective [2 CD + DVD set] (Cryptogramophone 136; USA) 2008 is Cryptogramophone's 10th anniversary. To celebrate this event, we present a beautiful 2-CD, 1-DVD collectable package featuring 18 Crypto recording artists including Scott Amendola, Nels Cline, Bennie Maupin, Erik Friedlander, Myra Melford, Jenny Scheinman and more. Videos by Nels Cline and friends playing the music of Andrew Hill, and The Bennie Maupin Quartet round out the video DVD. Next week, Cryptogramophone will celebrate their 10th anniversary with a series of concerts at the Jazz Standard, from
CD $18


MILES FROM INDIA [GARY BARTZ/RON CARTER/PETE COSEY/CHICK COREA /DAVE LIEBMAN/JOHN McLAUGHLIN et al] - A Celebration Of the Music Of Miles Davis [2 CD set] (Times Square 1808; USA) Featuring Pete Cosey, John McLaughlin & Mike Stern on guitars, U. Shrinivas on mandolin, Gary Bartz, Dave Liebman & Rudresh Mahanthappa on saxes, Wallace Roney on trumpet, Chick Corea, Adam Holtzman & Robert Irving III on keyboards, Ron Carter, Michael Henderson on basses, Badal Roy on tabla, Lenny White, Jimmy Cobb, Ndugu Chancler & Vince Wilburn on drums plus even more Indian musicians.
Miles scholar and ace producer, Bob Belden, has done great job of taking 11 songs (plus 1 from John McLaughlin) from the legendary trumpeter, bandleader & composer, Miles Davis, and breathing some fresh exotic air into these classics. Bob has selected Miles Davis gems from as far back as 'Kind of Blue' (1959), as well as from 'In a Silent Way' (1969), 'Bitches Brew,' 'Big Fun' and beyond. Our journey begins with a lovely, haunting rendition of "Spanish Key" from 'Bitches Brew' and includes some eerie, slightly distorted electric piano and superb, sly, simmering muted trumpet from Wallace Roney, who did work with Miles near the end of Miles' life. The fine melismatic Indian vocals by Shankar Mahadevan sound just right like something that Miles might have used. When they finally break into the groove mid-song, I just had to get up and dance around! "All Blues" is one of Miles most famous songs from perhaps his most famous album, 'Kind of Blue.' Hearing it played on sitar seems strange, yet it still works. It is indeed great to hear Gary Bartz & Rudresh playing their altos together here, but it is the stunning acoustic bass of Ron Carter that really sounds incredible. Violinist, Kala Ramnath, burns on "Ife" along with Dave Liebman's flute and grounded by the great Michael Henderson's electric bass and some exotic Indian percussion. "In a Silent Way" is played as a sublime intro to "It's About That Time" and features some fine sarod by Pandit Brij Narain. Gary Bartz's alto, Pate Cosey's guita and Kala Ramnath's violin sound swell swirling around each other on "It's About That Time,' a concert-only recorded Miles song. The first disc concludes with gripping version of "Jean Pierre" from Miles eighties era. It is great to hear Mike Stern wailing without getting too carried away. Flautist, Rakesh Chaurasia, takes a smokin' solo here along with Stern's steaming guitar.
Disc Two opens with "So What," another popular song from 'Kind of Blue.' Although this piece starts with some Indian vocal percussion sounds, we soon hear more great bass from Ron Carter and a superb acoustic piano solo from Chick Corea, with great swirling percussion around them. The layers of percussion on "Miles Runs the Voodoo Down" is again well-done, complex and spirited, with sick guitar from the incredible Pete Cosey. "Blue in Green" features some hypnotic vocals, sublime trumpet, delicate guitar and sarangi. It is interesting that the rhythm team features Jimmy Cobb (Miles in the 50's), Ron Carter (60's Miles) and Louis Banks on piano. Marcus Miler, who played great electric bass with Miles in the eighties, is featured on "Great Expectations" on bass clarinet, along with Pete Cosey, Michael Henderson and more great trumpet by Wallace Roney. Add sitar by Ravi Chary and Indian percussion and we have another cross-cultural gem. Cosey twists those notes inside-out quietly on "Ife (slow version) with Badal Roy on tabla (recorded w/ Miles in the 70's), with Dave Liebman (on tenor) and Gary Bartz on soprano. The final song a lovely raga-like piece written by and featuring John McLaughlin on guitar and U. Shrinivas on mandolin, both from Remember Shakti. It is again beautiful and perfect way to bring this wonderful double disc to a close. A concert featuring many of the same musicians playing this music will take place at Town Hall on May 9th at 8pm. Be there or be square. - BLG
2 CD set for $20



Five new CIMP releases!

STEPHEN GAUCI QUARTET With NATE WOOLEY/KEN FILIANO/LOU GRASSI - Absolutely, Absolutely (CIMP 361; USA) Stephen Gauci (Sax), Nate Wooley (Trumpet), Ken Filiano (Bass), Lou Grassi (Drums, Percussion) Here is part two of this remarkable Gauci quartet recording date. Nate Wooley joins Steve's regular trio and sounds as though he's been playing with this group for years. This is a classic quartet. Music written for the quartet is purposeful, pointed, and perfect Free Bop and beyond.
CD $16

KHAN JAMAL & DYLAN TAYLOR - Fire & Water (CIMP 364; USA) Khan Jamal (vibes), Dylan Taylor (Cello, Bass). Metal & wood is a lovely pairing and in music it's a pure delight, especially with this pair of distinguished improvisers. Khan is a master of shimmering tones and this program explores those tones. Underpinning all that is Khan is the sumptuous cello/bass work of Dylan Taylor. This is all together an indulgence in beauty and invention. Recorded April 23 & 24, 2007.
CD $16

KALAPARUSH [MAURICE] McINTYRE QUARTET - Extremes (CIMP 362; USA) Kalaparush McIntyre (Sax), Will Connell (Alto Sax, Bass Clarinet), Michael Logan (Bass), Warren Smith (Drums); Introducing Kalaparush's new group. Joining the front line, Will Connell's hard edged alto is an excellent addition to Kalaparush's quixotic tenor explorations. Add to that the support (now that's an understatement!) of Messrs. Smith and Logan and you have the basis for some heavy extemporizing.
CD $16

DAVID SCHNITTER/DOMINIC DUVAL/NEWMAN TAYLOR BAKER - The Spirit Of Things (CIMP 363; USA) David Schnitter (Sax), Dominic Duval (Bass), Newman Taylor Baker (Drums). David Schnitter returns and, quite frankly, is back in top form. Reunited with bassist Dominic Duval (with whom he recorded in 1995), this is David's first ever trio recording. In addition to bringing renewed life to his recording documentation, this session brings new life to some old standards. Recorded Feb. 14, 2007.
CD $16

BOBBY ZANKEL TRIO With DYLAN TAYLOR/EDGAR BATEMAN - Many In Body, One In Mind (CIMP 365; USA) Bobby Zankel (Sax), Dylan Taylor (Bass), Edgar Bateman (Drums). Bobby Zankel doesn't make many recordings and he doesn't make any bad ones. Here he is joined by the legendary Edgar Bateman and longtime bassist, Dylan Taylor, on six extended outings. Assured and intense, this demands the attention of both the heart and the mind. Recorded May 7 & 8, 2007.
CD $16



Five new El Gallo Rojo releases! Italy's fabulous El Gallo Rojo label has close to 20 discs and never ceases to amaze us with the diversity of talents involved. This week ace drummer, Zeno De Rossi, played at The Stone with members of Gallo & The Roosters w/ guests Gary Lucas, Anthony Coleman and Curtis Hasselbring joining them for a couple of sets. Zeno left us with five new discs:

ORANGE ROOM - Orange Room (El Gallo Rojo 314-17; Italy) Featuring Beppe Scardino on bari sax & all compositions, Francesco Bigoni on tenor sax, Piero Bittolo on alto sax, Pasquale Mirra on vibes, Antonio Borghini on double bass and Federico Scettri on drums. Considering that I was not previously familiar with any of the musicians in this fine sextet, both Mikey & I were completely flaggerghasted! The three-sax frontline is particularly strong, tight and spirited. The rhythm team of vibes, acoustic bass and drums is also superb throughout. "Unexpected 27" is an unexpected delight. The first sax solo just erupts and is followed by an incredible, furious vibes solo and bass solo. "Rapina A Mano Disarmata" brings things down to a slower pace with lush harmonies for saxes and vibes. The title piece is the longest track and is even slower and filled with suspense. The bari sax and drums play an intense duo together before the rest of the sextet joins them for an impressive, tight ensemble section. The other saxes also take strong solos while the rhythm teams swirls around them. What I like most about these pieces is that they are episodic: the pieces evolve as different members solo. There is restless, exciting quality to all of the pieces. On "Orange Room Symphony," the vibes takes the first long solo while the sextet flows and swings in waves around him. Later all of the saxes solo together in a powerful yet tight eruption of free spirits. While the rhythm team plays this one repeating phrase on "Venus," the saxes play a series of rich, chamber-like harmonies, which are both free yet centered by the bari's deep, dark tone. Beppe's delightful Gerry Mulligan-like baritone is featured on "Livorno," along with more thoughtful, laid-back solos and superb vibes. This is yet another winner from an unknown Italian sextet. - BLG
CD $12

MESHUGE KLEZMER BAND - Musiker! (El Gallo Rojo 314-19; Italy) Second swell disc from the Meshuge Klezmer Band featuring Fabio Basile on guitar, J Kyle Gregory on trumpets, Roberto Lanciai on alto & bari sax, Andrea Ranzato on accordion, Maria Vicentini on violin, Stefano Corsi on bass, Zeno De Rossi on drums plus special guest Amy Denio on clarinet. If you thought that traditional-sounding klezmer music couldn't come from Italy, well think again!
The Meshuge Klezmer Band cover diverse material from legendary klex composers like Dave Tarras, Naftule Brandwein and Lee Musiker, as well as more traditional songs. "Gypsy" sounds like a slowed down gypsy song with lovely, melancholy violin, accordion and trumpet. Tarras' "The Roumanian Fantasy" features some heavy guitar, powerful drums and an ancient-sounding melody. Another treat is Tarras' "Tango," with haunting sax and trumpet solos. I love the blend of bari sax, trumpet, guitar, violin and accordion on "Tanz! Bulgar." Many of these songs have familiar melodies that I know that I've heard from other klezmer bands. If I didn't know any better and someone added a bit a scratchy record authenticity, I would think that much of this was the original versions of these klez classics. It is often the arrangements, the way the violin, accordion and horns blend together that makes this so special and heartfelt. Quite possibly better than anything I've heard from Radical Jewish Culture section of the Tzadik catalogue in recent memory. - BLG
CD $12

ROLLERBALL - La Clinica Del Rasoio (El Gallo Rojo 314-18; Italy) Featuring Piero Bittolo Bon on alto & bari saxes, Beppe Scardino on bari sax, Enrico Terragnoli on guitar, Danilo Gallo on double bass and Massimiliano Sorrentini on drums plus a couple of guest guitarists. Rollerball shares two members with Orange Room (reviewed above), both saxists, Piero and Beppe. While Scardino wrote all of the material for Orange Room, all members of Rollerball contribute to the composing with just one cover by Wayne Horvitz.
Enrico's "Il Silenzio Del Capitano" reminds me of the quirky, unpredictable charm of the Lounge Lizards with a few odd free sections thrown in. In between jazz and rock with an odd sense of humor. At points it sounds as if the band members are playing in separate rooms, yet they come together for some of silly yet tightly constructed sections. Since each member contributes a song or two, every song is quite different. "Roketto Panchi" has a surf-like feel with funky saxes, twangy guitar and cheesy organ. Perfect music to dance to at a sixties oriented party. On many of these songs, the guitar will play the parts while one of the saxes solos. The bari sax also does a great job of playing those funky parts time and again. What is surprising is when a song suddenly shifts and moves in an unexpected direction. Danilo's "Hushpukena" features distant drums with a strong acoustic bass solo at the center. Eventually both bari saxes start to wail in either side of the room, providing a rather hypnotic haze with spirited drums holding things together just right. What these guys do best is create a spooky film noir sort of vibe. Guitarist, Enrico Terragnoli, plays some sick, noisy Ribot-like guitar on "Self Service Toy," a song that deconstructs as it goes. Some tunes begin freely yet soon fade into strong groove or other charted territories. I dig the way their guitarist will play this one slightly twisted riff over and over while the bari sax takes a strong, spirited solo. The guitarist builds into a tortured post-punk noise storm while the drums takes a fine rambunctious solo. There are constant surprises in store throughout this entire disc, no doubt Mikey will be grooving to this twisted gem soon. - BLG
CD $12

STEFANO SENNI SAUL BASS - Psychocandy (El Gallo Rojo 314-16; Italy) Featuring Stefano Senni on double bass & songs, Enrico Terragnoli on guitar, Dario Volpi on guitar and Walter Paoli on drums. 'Psychocandy' is the name of an old album by Jesus & Mary Chain, to whom this disc is dedicated, along with The Smiths, Alfred Hitchcock, Otto Preminger and Charlie Haden. This band (SSSB), play their own version of bent post punk melodies with layers of odd guitars. "Frantic Romantic" is a long piece that works its way through different sections. It is quite cinematic and evokes different scenes as it evolves. Both guitarists do swell jobs of creating haunting images and deserted western towns. I really dig the intricate double guitar parts on "Ida Y Vuelta," with layers of acoustic and electric guitars swirling together, very cool. Stefano, who is their double bassist and main songwriter, does a consistently good job of providing his bass as the center of these tunes while both guitarists play layers of parts around him. I get the feeling that this disc will sell better in the store when I play it and folks are surprised that haven't heard of any of these musicians before. Way better and more inventive than any indi-rock I've heard in a long while. Have I been missing out on some band that you think is great? Let me know, I am always open to suggestions from the informed. Another undiscovered gem from the fine folks at El Gallo Rojo. - BLG
CD $12

STANDHARD 3IO & SYLVIA DONATI - Cocktail Saturno (El Gallo Rojo 314-15; Italy) Featuring Silvia Donati on vocals, Alfonso Santimone on piano & laptop, Alessandro Fedrigo on acoustic & electric bass and Gianni Bertoncini on drums. This is the first disc on the great El Gallo Rojo label to feature a vocalist, so I a bit apprehensive. Not only that, but they cover the likes of Radiohead, Iggy Pop, Duke Ellington, Stevie Wonder, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Bill Frisell. Certainly an odd combination of influences. Radiohead's "Pyramid Song" opens and it is a favorite of mine. This version is laid back and done most exquisitely. The vocals are quite minimal and it is the fine pianist who is featured. Vocalist Sylvia and pianist Alfonso wrote four of the songs here and also do a fine job of creating their own jazz-like standards. The lyrics are mostly in English and Sylvia loves to twist her voice into odd shapes without going too far out. Duke's "Mood Indigo" gets an interesting stripped down version, that sounds like it was arranged by Monk. I am not sure why anyone would want to cover Stevie Wonder's corny classic, "Have a Talk with God," even deconstructing it doesn't do too much to make it too much better. What does work much better is Iggy Pop & Ryuichi Sakamoto's "Risky," which has a lovely laid back vibe and melody. Bill Frisell's "Alem" gets some Italian lyrics by Silvia and it is a most melancholy piece, tastefully done, most elegant. I dig "Bah-Ree-Chen-Trees," which is a bit darker and more twisted lyrically and the music also quirkier and somewhat dizzy. I found the original songs to be more interesting than the covers here. Certainly they are more twisted and slightly deranged. - BLG
CD $12


SAM NEWSOME & LUCIAN BAN - The Romanian/American Jazz Suite (Jazzaway 41; EEC) Suite co-composed by Sam Newsome [soprano sax] and Lucian Ban [piano] and featuring Alex Harding [baritone sax], Sorin Romanesu [guitar], Arthur Balogh [bass] Willard Dyson [drums]. Sam Newsome, who also had a group called Global Unity with one release each on Columbia and Palmetto, released his own solo sax Monk tribute disc last year, which I have heard good things about. Lucian Ban and Alex Harding have been playing together in each other's bands for a while - both are very fine players and composers. Review soon!
CD $17


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John Esposito, one of the great living jazz piano talents - and composer - and collaborator of Arthur Rhames, Franklin Kiermyer, Pharoah Sanders, Eric Person, has been out of the limelight for over a decade being a full-time educator.
He recently returned to recording with the two recent releases below, resuscitating his Sunjump label. In the very near future he will also put the two albums [Flying With The Comet and Tiger Tracks] by Second Sight - the group he led in the '80s with [then] young trumpet great Dave Douglas - on CD with bonus cuts! Also upcoming will be unreleased sessions with Arthur Rhames!

JOHN ESPOSITO TRIO With IRA COLEMAN/PETE O'BRIEN - Down Blue Marlin Road (Sunjump; USA) John's latest CD, Down Blue Marlin Road, is a trio effort and marks the end of a long period of working almost solely as a sideman and composer. The trio album, featuring Pete O'Brien (drums) and Ira Coleman (bass), is an adventurous attempt to reimagine some of jazz's more ridden warhorses. While a certain hint of familiarity remains on tunes like On Green Dolphin Street and It Was Just One Of Those Things the trio takes the tunes to unexpected new places. Critic/Composer Kyle Gann calls Down Blue Marlin Road a "virtuoso feat of recomposition as well as performance ..jazz purified to the essence."
Down Blue Marlin Road exposes the great talent, wit, and energy John brings to every project whether he is playing, composing, or simply producing. The relative intimacy of the trio setting allows the listener to experience the fullness of John's imaginative reconstruction of great standards. It is not merely composition, however, that makes the album. Listen for the undeniable facility with which these three musicians play each track. Of John in specific hear what critic John Szwed calls, "the lustrous clarity of a gamelan band" using repetition so brilliantly that crystalline forms accrue from IT"
CD $13

JOHN ESPOSITO With ERIC PERSON/GREG GLASSMAN/KENNY DAVIS/PETE O'BRIEN - The Blue People (Sunjump; USA) The Blue People is an album of original compositions for jazz quintet. The band features Eric Person (saxophone), Greg Glassman (trumpet), Kenny Davis (bass), and Peter O'Brien (drums). With The Blue People John Esposito creates an exciting tapestry of sound. A master of harmony and song form John digs beneath the surface of the jazz idiom to find a strong, irrefutable source. The compositions on The Blue People are at once challenging and ear-catching. They represent a very thorough grasp of the most recent developments in form and harmony in jazz, but also a great understanding of the energy, the feel, the swing that makes jazz what it is. Whether it's somewhat deranged sort of blues like the opener, Boppin', or intricately arranged piece like the title track, The Blue People, the music is propulsive and refreshing.
The band is comprised of a remarkably intuitive and musically flexible combination of improvisors. With O'Brien and Davis in the rhythm section the pieces have a death-defying quality of controlled frenzy. Out front Person and Glassman display a virtuosic love for melodicism and danger. And leading them all through the maelstrom is John Esposito in the piano chair whose playing composer Kyle Gann describes as, "evanescent, like flashes of thought." Together they create an atmosphere of mastery, energy, and surprise that truly transcends description.
CD $13


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MIRIO COSOTTINI & TONINO MIANO - The Curvature of Pace (Impressus Records; Italy) Featuring Mirio Cosottini on trumpet and Tonino Miano on piano. I can't tell you anything about this most impressive Italian duo, except that one of them dropped us off a few copies recently. Being too busy with certain store responsibilities, Manny made me check this out and I'm glad he did. If I didn't know better, I would think that this is Nate Wooley and Sylvie Courvoisier, perhaps. This is an inventive and well-matched duo that likes to push each into some intense and often tight-knit areas. Sometimes the piano has that eerie, dreamy effect, like we are drifting into another world. On "The Hunt," it sounds as if Tonino is rubbing something inside the piano, rather Denman Maroney-like while Tonino plays those twisted, fractured trumpet sounds. The combination of that mesmerizing bowed piano and small trumpet fragments is just right, quietly cosmic and somehow charming. Sometimes they slow things down to a snail's pace so we can notice the textures of each note and sometimes they bring in bits of haunting melodies. Thanks Manny, for twisting my arm, it was well worth it. - BLG
CD $12


J D ALLEN TRIO - I Am, I Am (Sunnyside 1183; USA) The busy world of the New York jazz community has created an environment that can be detrimental to the development and performance of a group of musicians that share a true rapport. Saxophonist JD Allen, however, has formed and maintained an astonishing trio of young talent that shares a vision and group sound. The new recording, I Am I Am, puts JD Allen.s Trio on display. Bassist Gregg August and drummer Rudy Royston provide a perfect balance to JD's impressive saxophone playing on the Trio's first outing with Sunnyside Records.
CD $16


MIKE WESTBROOK & THE VILLAGE BAND - Waxeywork Show (Jazzprint 140 VPT; UK) Recorded in 2007 and featuring Mike Brewer on trumpet & flugelhorn, Stan Willis on alto sax, Gary Bayley on tenor sax, Kate Westbrook on tenor horn & vocals and Mike Westbrook on euphonium & music. Internationally acclaimed composer/performers Mike and Kate Westbrook, now based in the West Country, are joined by 4 leading Devonian musicians to form the Village Band. 'THE WAXEYWORK SHOW' is an original piece for voice and acoustic brass by Mike Westbrook specially created for the group, featuring lyrics and vocals by Kate Westbrook.
In ' all THAT jazz', the Band performs Mike Westbrook's arrangements of Classic Jazz Instrumentals, Songs, Blues and Rags. The program includes Scott Joplin, Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus and many more. The Village Band made its debut in early 2006 and by the end of the year had appeared in a number of West Country Festivals, arts centres and jazz clubs. The band was featured at the London Jazz Festival with several performances including a 'live' broadcast of THE WAXEYWORK SHOW from the Pizza Express Jazz Club on BBC's Jazz on 3.
CD $17

MIKE WESTBROOK - Mama Chicago: A Jazz Cabaret [2 CD set] (Jazzprint 139 VPT; UK) From 1979 and featuring Phil Minton on trumpet & vocals, Kate Westbrook on tenor horn & vocals, Mike Westbrook on piano, euphonium & tuba, Chris Hunter on alto & soprano sax, Mick Page on tenor, bari & soprano sax, Malcolm Griffiths on trombones and Dave Barry on drums.
A Jazz cabaret with lyrics by Kate Westbrook and Michael Kustow, music by Mike Westbrook. Included material originally commissioned in 1976 by the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, for a musical about Al Capone, 'Mama Chicago', by Roger Planchon and Michael Kustow. The Jazz Cabaret performed by the Mike Westbrook Brass Band, featuring the voices of Kate Westbrook and Phil Minton. Premiered at the Open Space Theatre, London, 1978. Edinburgh Festival Fringe Award 1978. Many subsequent performances in London and extensive touring in Britain and Europe.
2 CD Set for $20


CONNIE CROTHERS/BILL PAYNE - Conversations (New Artists 1044; USA) Connie Crothers, piano; Bill Payne, clarinet. Everything I've heard from the great pianist, Connie Crothers, has knocked me out. There are some 15 releases of hers on the New Artists label and I've heard about a third of them. Review soon.
CD $13


OUTHEAD [ALEX WEISS/CHARLIE GURKE/ROB WOODCOCK/DILLON WESTBROOK] - Quiet Sounds For Comfortable People (self released; USA) A few months ago, former bay area-based saxist, Alex Wess, left us a fine disc of his west coast quartet. Alex both studied and played with John Tchicai both here and on the west coast as well. Alex played a great set here again last Sunday (4/13/08) and utilized the talents of instrument-maker and songwriter, Peter Whitehead, who has recently moved here from San Francisco. Alex also left with another fine disc by his west coast quartet featuring Alex and Charlie Gurke on saxes, Rob Woodcock on bass and Dillon Westbrook on drums.
"Moments Before the Dawn of Time" opens with what sounds like an ancient melody for both saxes. When the saxes stop, the bass and drums pick up where the saxes left off and play a fabulous groove. While the bassist plays a great hypnotic bass-line, the drummer plays with his hands on his drums in a most Joey Baron-like way. The playing by all four musicians is wonderful, but it is the tunes that really stand out throughout. Drummer Dillon Westbrook is especially feisty and takes a number of inventive solos that never leave the central groove behind. Outhead blends the spiritual side of Trane Quartet with the inventive dynamics of the Ornette Coleman Qt, which is no easy feat considering that many of us hadn't heard of these fine young musicians before this. A most impressive debut for a fine new quartet. - BLG
CD $12


GRAHAM LAMBKIN / JASON LESCALLEET - The Breadwinner/Musical Settings for Common Environments and Domestic Situations (Erstwhile 052; USA) Featuring Graham Lambkin & Jason Lescalleet on microphones, tapes & Casio SK-5 plus Kris on tablas. Graham Lambkin and Jason Lescalleet are both highly respected artists, with small but intensely hardcore followings. Since 2001, they've been gradually moving closer towards realizing a collaborative project, and The Breadwinner is the results of two years of recording, reworking and polishing.
It has taken a while, but the Erstwhile label is finally getting some the recognition it has long deserved. We here at DMG look forward to each and every release, since all are well worth spending time with. Lambkin and Lescalleet's 'The Breadwinner' is another extraordinary work from the Erstwhile treasure chest. Commencing with "Listen, the Snow is Falling," our journey begins with a dense sound of the wind, hums and drone-like waves. The crackling of fire and a distant buried melody drifting not too far away. "There and Back" features clinking glasses and a collection of natural sounds like a storm or a microphone buried in a cloth bag. Occasional extraneous sounds seem to creep when you least expect them. Each piece seems to evoke a different place or space. The wind on "E5150/Body Transport" has been mutated and sounds as if it is melting. The layers of sounds are selectively arranged so that we hear a number of ghost-like spirits at the same time. It is a bit scary at times, as if we are about to suffocate. As we trudge across the tundra in wicked winter storm, the force of nature bear down on us. Creaking doors, harshly rubbed wooden surfaces, thick liquids being poured down the drain and other disturbing sounds wash over us as we drift into another world. Disembodied voices, lingering melodies melting and other signs of our tortured lives. You could certainly say that this music/these sounds are "no fun," but they are most effective for taking us away on a long inner journey. - BLG
CD $13

TOSHIMARU NAKAMURA / ENGLISH [JOE FOSTER/BONNIE JONES] - One Day (Erstwhile 053; USA) Toshimaru Nakamura is one of the most distinguished and original voices in the world of electro-acoustic improvisation, with a vast body of work built up over the past decade. The duo of English, Joe Foster and Bonnie Jones, formed in 2004 in Seoul, and have developed their aesthetic ever since, whenever possible given their bi-continental status (Foster lives in Seoul and Jones in Baltimore). In the summer of 2007, the trio played together in Tokyo for the first time, one concert followed by one day of studio recordings, and the latter became "One Day". DMG review next week.
CD $13


JEAN-LUC GUIONNET/TOSHIMARU NAKAMURA - Map (Potlatch 108; EEC) Featuring Jean-Luc Guionnet alto sax and church organ (on #4) and Toshimaru Nakamura no input mixing board. We know of French saxist, Jean-Luc Guionnet, from the band Hubbub, as well as having discs on CIMP, A Bruit Secret and Leo. No input mixing board specialist & Erstwhile all-star, Toshimaru Nakamura, can be found on some 30+ discs collaborating with John Butcher, Axel Dorner, Erik M, Gunter Muller, Keith Rowe and Sean Meehan. This seems like a first time collaboration with Jean-Luc and Toshimaru, but who knowsÉ
Hubbub is a splendid quintet with jazz instrumentation that improvises in their own unique way. While Jean-Luc concentrates on minimal and highly selective sax sounds, Toshimaru also takes his time to select the odd electronic or static-like fragment. This music involves a great deal of space between the sounds. Jean-Luc utilizes a good deal of early Zorn-like fractured sax squawks, tongue-slaps, squeaks and breath sounds. There is a strong blance/blend between the acoustic presence of the sax and the more electronic sounds of the dry mixing board sounds. The sax often deals with suspense and space while the NIMB eerie hissing and slightly disturbing artificial sounds. There moments when the sax and mixing board create some scary, mysterious textures together, like an old radio turned on and going up in flames. This must be one of the more challenging discs I've heard in recent memory so put on your safety belt and get prepared for the long ride. - BLG
CD $19


PANSONIC - Kuvaputki (Cathode Ray Tube) [DVD] (Blast First 009DVD; UK) Region 0 (free)/NTSC. "The first ever Pansonic DVD release by Edward Quist, American digital visual artist. A live performance, close filmed. A redux digital film based around a Pansonic performance from their New York stop of their adventurous 1999 Round The World Tour. The film is a hyper-real abstract reflection of the duo, in the final year of the last century. While the documentary core remains, the footage is twisted and shaped by Quist into a new form in conjunction with Pansonic's improvised set, Vainio & Vaisanen are immersed in the imagery of the cathode which seems to live and infect their physicality over the course of the three parallel films until they merge with their own sound and Quist's mesmerising visuals. Sonar Electronic Festival described the film as 'a beautiful and unique film capturing the very essence of a Pansonic live performance... that really is quite an achievement.' SXSW Music Festival calls it 'an embodiment. Probably the most perfect electronic music film yet.' ICA Film London 'surprisingly watchable. Forty minutes of unswervingly moderne, super intense sound & visuals.' Duration 38.05 mins. Digipack packaging." Dolby digital 5.1 Upmix.
DVD $16


WONDROUS HORSE - Cavallo Meraviglioso (Fire Museum 016; USA) "Welcome one and all to the world of Wondrous Horse! Cavallo Meraviglioso is the debut offering from the transatlantic (Italy/U.S.) duo of Vanessa Rossetto (Pulga, The Mighty Acts of God, etc.) and Salvatore Borrelli (aka (etre) & Harps of Fuchsia Kalmia). These two musicians continue to evolve in fascinating ways, and the sounds to be found on Cavallo Meravigliso may come as a surprise to some, which makes it all the more exciting to hear. An avant folk tour de force combining elements of electroacoustic music, glitch and many other experimental forms, Cavallo Meraviglisio gallops upon the scene assured and ready. Performing with an arsenal of instrumentation at the ready (violin, viola, balalaika, theremin, guitar, dulcetina, concertina, autoharp, bells, xylophone, voice, baritone guitar, tablas, darbukas, Turkish saz, xylophone, esraj, dulcimer, resonant ukulele, celtic 'droned' harp, banjo, kalimba, shruti box, Irish bouzouki, lap steel guitar, toys & drum machine, since you asked) the duo have crafted a recording that successfully combines the myriad of influences of its creators into an organic and unique whole. It takes a wondrous horse such as this to take the intelligent listener on a trip through such a unique and appealing sonic journey, so hop on and ride away today
CD $13

ARBOREA - Arborea (Fire Museum 017; USA) "This self-titled collection is the second release for Arborea. Hailing from Maine, the duo of Buck and Shanti Curran (on vocals, guitars, banjos, percussion) are joined on several numbers by Helena Espvall of Espers on cello. Here they conjure up a musical offering that is equal parts Appalachian music, traditional English folk music, and contemporary psychedelic folk with experimental touches, creating a sound that stands out as unique while touching upon something that feels as ancient as the urge to create music. Rare is the record that takes the listener to fields both verdant and desolate in the same journey as this release does, and it does so in a way that makes both equally powerful and inviting. The duo possesses an alchemy that makes their collaboration feel as natural as the trees from which their name comes from. Following upon the success of their debut effort Wayfaring Summer, Arborea have outdone themselves with this release, a recording that establishes them as masters of their craft. This is a group you will be hearing from for years to come."
CD $13



Back in stock for the very last time.. the Great Bleu Regard label - now defunct:

CHARLES TYLER ENSEMBLE With ARTHUR BLYTHE/RONNIE BOYKINS /STEVE REID/EARL CROSS - Voyage From Jericho (Bleu Regard 1944; EEC)
CD $18

CHARLES TYLER With RONNIE BOYKINS/STEVE REID/MELVIN SMITH - Live In Europe: UMEA Jazz Festival (Bleu Regard 1960; France)
CD $18

CHARLES TYLER ENEMBLE With ROY CAMPBELL Jr/RICHARD DUNBAR /CURTIS CLARK/WILBER MORRIS/JOHN BETSCH - Live At Sweet Basil Volume 1 (Bleu Regard 1964; France)
CD $18

CHARLES TYLER ENEMBLE With ROY CAMPBELL Jr/RICHARD DUNBAR /CURTIS CLARK/WILBER MORRIS/JOHN BETCH - Live At Sweet Basil Volume 2 (Bleu Regard 1965; France)
CD $18

WILBER MORRIS TRIO With CHARLES TYLER/DENIS CHARLES - Collective Improvisations (Bleu Regard 1946; France)
CD $18

ROB BROWN TRIO With WILLIAM PARKER/WARREN SMITH - Round The Bend (Bleu Regard 1962; France)
CD $18

MATTHEW SHIPP With ROB BROWN/WILLIAM PARKER - Magnetism (Bleu Reagrd 1957; France)
CD $18

SABIR MATEEN QUINTET With RAPHE MALIK/RAVISH MOMIN/NAOKO ONO /JANE WANG - Secrets Of When (Bleu Regard 1961; France) On sale, while our supply lasts
CD $15

DAUNIK LAZRO QUINTET With JOE McPHEE/PAUL ROGERS/DIDIER LEVALLET/CHRISTIAN ROLLET - Dourou (Bleu Regard 1954; France)
CD $18

DAUNIK LAZRO/JAC BERROCAL/DIDIER LEVALLET/DENIS CHARLES - Outlaws In Jazz (Bleu Regard 1947; France)
CD $18



Historic Recordings, Restocked Items and Reissued Discs:

ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE & THE MELTING PARAISO U.F.O. - La Novia (Swordfish 002; UK) Repressed. First CD release of La Novia (previously issued on LP by Eclipse). Includes the full LP plus 2 bonus tracks ("Bois-Tu de la Bier" & "Bon Voyage Au LSD"), a total of 20 minutes worth of extra music. Limited to 1000 copies. Original album description: "Features Tsuyama Atsushi (bass, vocals, acoustic guitar, recorder), Koizumi Hajime (drums, percussion), Higashi Hiroshi (electric guitar), and Kawabata Makoto (electric guitars, violin, bouzouki, bowed peacock harp, synthesizer)." The main track from the LP is a now-uninterrupted 40-minute attempt at Occitanian trad music.
CD $18


T2 - It'll All Work Out In Boomland (Acme Gramophone 1010; UK) "The rise of power trio T2 in 1970 was rapid: important open-air festivals; headlining residencies at the Marquee Club; appearances at virtually every major venue in London. Then their debut album was released; they seemed poised for a breakthrough. As the band recalled, they were playing the Marquee club with John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix hanging out backstage, which was all to the good. But people were coming forward saying, 'we can't find your album anywhere.' In short order, the band fell apart. Still, their sole Decca album has become well established as an all-time classic amongst progressive and psychedelic music collectors -- even the techno and DJ crowds. The fact that it has done so without hype is a testament to the innate quality of the music. The album is packed with melodic acoustic passages and frenzied fuzz guitar workouts, not to mention acid-trip induced lyrical and musical content. It is, in every way, an extraordinary album, one of rock music's best-kept secrets, on a par with all the other major works that form the rock music canon of the time. A hefty booklet contains extensive musicological analysis by composer and musician Andrew Keeling, which includes illuminating interviews with band members Peter Dunton and Keith Cross, as well as detailed illustrations. Included as a bonus are three tracks from BBC Sessions recorded in October 1970. Licensed from Decca/Universal, UK."
CD $16

T2 - T2 (Acme Gramophone 1011; UK) "Even though fame and fortune never came to pass for T2, their Decca album It'll All Work Out In Boomland has become an all-time classic amongst collectors of progressive and psychedelic music, and even in the techno and DJ scenes. Apart from a 1970 'Sound of the '70s' BBC radio session, (included on our Acme/Lion reissue of It'll All Work Out in Boomland, ACLN 1010CD), fans assumed that Boomland was both the beginning and the end of the group's recorded legacy. But Acme Records unearthed an eponymous second album of material, recorded in 1970 with the original line-up as demo tracks for a planned second album. This was first released way back in the late 1990s, and is now available again, thanks to the new Acme/Lion version. This second T2 album, had it been released in 1970, could have put the band on the same level of fame with the likes of Deep Purple, Free, and King Crimson (bands with whom T2 shared a stage). Its hard-driving opener 'Highway,' ablaze with wailing guitars, gives way to moody introspection, culminating with the LSD-induced finale, 'T2.' Those of you who were lucky enough to snap up a copy of the limited Acme Deluxe pressings of this album many years ago now can testify to the importance of these recordings. For those of you who missed out the first time around -- or who have only recently discovered the greatness of the mighty T2 -- all we can say is, enjoy the power and glory of the second T2 album!"
CD $16


JOHN MARTYN - Cooltide...plus (One World 129 VPT; UK) Plus 4 bonus cuts! After releasing the much-delayed The Apprentice, Martyn was once again on a roll, and, while not quite as strong as The Apprentice, Cooltide was a solid outing. His jazziest release yet, it's marred slightly by a gravelly hoarseness in his voice, which makes him sound like he's just recovered from laryngitis. "Jack the Lad" was the single released, and, along with "Annie Says" and the aching "Call Me," they show him entering the 1990s in fine form. The title song had a long gestation, originally recorded for 1979's Grace and Danger under the title "Running up the Harbour." While a bit long, it's a great hypnotic, groove-oriented track that's smooth and cool, with Martyn venturing a little further afield than he had in quite a while. - Rob Caldwell / AMG
CD $17

JOHN MARTYN - The Apprentice...plus (One World 130 VPT; UK) Plus 5 bonus cuts! The Apprentice was mostly completed a full two years before it was released. Martyn's record label, Island, rejected the tapes of the songs in 1988, even though artistically they were not too far removed from his previous release, Piece by Piece. In fact, this album turned out to be the more cohesive of the two. Eventually released by Permanent Records, it's by and large a well-crafted collection of songs. Its only weaknesses are the sometimes too-strong dependence on synthesizers and the song "Deny This Love," which is Martyn doing bad dance music (and featuring a truly horrible a cappella introduction). Otherwise, it's an enjoyable album. "Look at the Girl" is a wistful follow-up to his 1974 song "My Baby Girl," while the haunting and moving "Patterns in the Rain" features Martyn's first recorded acoustic guitar playing in years (even though it's not very predominant). "Income Town" is an upbeat, more rock-oriented track, which has a sort of obscure in-joke added to it. Loud arena applause accompanies the beginning, though listeners will notice in the LP liner notes that the song is credited as being recorded at a club called the Green Banana in Toronto. Longtime fans will recognize this mythical club as a recurring Martyn joke. The Apprentice, along with Cooltide, caps off the smooth jazz sound of his '80s albums, and is one of the best of this series of works. - Rob Caldwell / AMG
CD $17


*******************


A small cache of OUT-OF-PRINT BILL LASWELL RECORDINGS and productions - and some Sale Items!

Order now for best fill - these are all last copies - no Back-ordering!

ARCANA [BILL LASWELL/TONY WILLIAMS/BUCKETHEAD/PHAROAH SANDERS et al] - Arc Of The Testimony (Axiom 524 431; USA) [Please note: These are Axiom promotional file copies - no booklet or backcover, but with custom art sticker on cover with tracks listings] Created by Bill Laswell. This is the last album recorded by the late Tony Williams- his playing on it (and the record as a whole) is spectacular! It more than made up for some of the lame efforts he was involved in furing the '80s-90s.
Tony Williams : drums; Bill Laswell : 4 and 6 string basses, fretless bass, SFX; Pharoah Sanders (1,6) : tenor saxophone; Byard Lancaster (1,3,5) : alto saxophone, bass clarinet; Graham Haynes (1,3) : cornet; Nicky Skopelitis (1-7) : 6 and 12 string guitars; Buckethead (2,4,6) : guitar.
CD $12 - 7 for 6 SALE

ASANA [V.A. With BILL LASWELL et al] - Vol 1: Soul Practice [aka Asana] (MetaStation 03; USA) This is the expanded [6 cut] re-release of the-self titled ASANA [4 cut] CD originally issued on the Douglas label in 1996. The additional cuts are "Black Lotus" by Sacred System, and "Aum" by Divination
"Bassist and mega-producer Bill Laswell unhinges the genre with tracks (versions of material from six different Laswell projects/productions] that careen from electronic South Asian grooves to soft kirtans. Notables such as Zakir Hussain and Trilok Gurtu sit in with scintillating results." - Spa Magazine, May/June 2003
CD $10 - 7 for 6 SALE

ASANA [V.A. With BILL LASWELL et al] - Vol 2: Moving Meditation (MetaStation 10; USA) Asanas are the physical postures of yoga and become a spiritual practice when done with the bhav or divine mood of devotion. The purpose of yoga is to realize one's true nature, the nature of peace and eternal bliss. Asana Two: Moving Meditation, hopes to inspire this path, for when deeply immersed in music, one can feel close to the divine. Musical contributions by Bill Laswell, Zakir Hussain, Sultan Khan, Nils Petter Molvaer, Material, Pressure Drop, Asiatronic, Mike D., Sharon Gannon and Divination. Asana Two: Moving Meditation follows Asana: Soul Practice, featuring Bill Laswell, Jah Wobble, Sacred System and many others..
CD $10 - 7 for 6 SALE

CYPHER 7 [BILL LASWELL/JEFF BOVA] - Nothing Lasts - Remixed: Security /Decoder..plus [2 CD set] (Yikes; USA) reissue of fine ambient project w/ Jeff Bova and Bill Laswell - includes both Strata/Subharmonic label CDs [Security and Decoder] remastered/remixed plus 2 extra tracks only found here!
2 CD set for $25 - 7 for 6 SALE

DIVINATION [BILL LASWELL] - Distill [2 CD set] (Submeta 9803; USA) A masterpiece of electronic sculptural/ambient explorations! With Paul Schutze, Pete Namlook, Harumi Hosono, Mick Harris, Thomas Koner, Anton Fier, Tetsu Inoue and Bill Laswell.
"Fourth in the series of recordings by this Laswell-overseen project, Distill resembles Akasha in that rather than being a collaboration between the participating artists, each contributes a separate track. Like its predecessor, a two-disc affair, Distill otherwise doesn't draw a distinction between the two discs regarding rhythm and ambience -- the results are presented for general appreciation, straight up. As a collection of highly regarded names exploring the possibilities of dark ambient music, which more than a few nods to the supposed isolationist scene of the mid-'90s, Distill fulfills its brief well and then some. Starting with Paul Schutze's contribution was a good move -- "Green Evil" steers away from his usual thick mix of cross-cutting world musics for a gentler but not quite calm approach, dark tones slipping under the brighter sounds of night animals in the jungle. The remainder of the first disc consists of striking though not unsurprising numbers from Pete Namlook, Haruomi Hasono, and Mick Harris, whose "There" is essentially a track in his beyond minimal Lull stage, as haunting and disturbing as the rest of his work under that name. On the second disc, Thomas Koner's contribution in his Async Sense guise, "Zone," is an attractive piece, exchanging his favored cymbal/gong-created drones for a more straightforwardly ethereal piece, with a watery, rushing rhythm wafting throughout. Anton Fier's "Blue Filter" is equally striking; with guest guitar from Knox Chandler, who creates soft, shimmering washes through the perhaps expected floating echo, Fier spikes the punch with extra electronic squiggles and other oddities in the course of the tune. Tetsu Inoue's "Interlink" is a lovely, strangely beautiful piece, with high melodies and beeps echoing in an artificial distance as the track begins, while Laswell's own "Black Dangers" closes the collection with a lengthy meditative float" - Ned Ragett, AMG
CD $15 - 7 for 6 SALE. (Out of print, but we have it!)

UMAR BIN HASSAN [LAST POETS] With BILL LASWELL/BOOTSY COLLINS /ABIODUN OYEWOLE/BERNIE WORRELL - Be Bop Or Be Dead (Axiom 518 048; USA) sealed copy with hole punch
CD $25.00 AVAILABLE (Out of print, but we have it!)

RONALD SHANNON JACKSON With JEF LEE JOHNSON/STEVE SALAS/JACK DeSALVO et al - Red Warrior (Axiom 510 149; USA) (6 track edition ) Produced by Bill Laswell and Ronald Shannon Jackson; Ronald Shannon Jackson : drums; Jef Lee Johnson : guitar; Stevie Salas : guitar; Jack DeSalvo : guitar; Ramon Pooser: bass; Conrad Mathieu : bass
CD $10 - 7 for 6 SALE. (Out of print, but we have it!)

BILL LASWELL/TETSU INOUE/ATOM HEART - Second Nature (Submeta 9802; USA) High quality of Laswell's releases on the long defunct Submeta label is reflected here in this truly wonderful entry into electronic ambient landscapes!
Second Nature is a prime Bill Laswell excursion into the murkiest depths of ambient experimentalism, meaning there's no danceable beats, no hummable grooves, and virtually no firm melodic ground for listeners to grab hold of. That said, patient listening will be rewarded in due time. The 28-minute "Synthetic Forest" opens with a whispered hint of a distant soundscape -- gurgles, blips, and bleeps that are almost, but not quite, there. You're 12 minutes in before being startled by a recognizable beat on the horizon, 14 minutes before Laswell's subterranean bass appears like a lumbering rhino rumbling in your direction. This is some seriously crazy, experimental stuff; a bit too subtle for casual listeners, but an interesting ride for those passengers willing to ride it out to the end of the line. [originally released on the Fax label without the great cover/packaging found here]. With Bill Laswell: sounds; Tetsu Inoue: sounds; Atom Heart [Uwe Schmidt] : sounds.
CD $10 - 7 for 6 SALE. (Out of print, but we have it!)

MANDINGO [FODAY MUSA SUSO With BILL LASWELL/JEFF BOVA] - New World Power (Axiom 846 853; USA) Produced by Bill Laswell and Foday Musa Suso; Foday Musa Suso : kora, gravichord, talking drums, vocals; Bill Laswell : basses; Jeff Bova : synthesizers; Nicky Skopelitis & Clive Smith : Fairlight
CD $10 - 7 for 6 SALE. (Out of print, but we have it!)

MEPHISKAPHELES - God Bless Satan (Pass The Virgin 666; USA) [produced by Bill Laswell!] The Devil finally gets his due with the formation of Mephiskapheles, the world's first satanic ska band, and the release of the group's debut full-length, God Bless Satan. Devil worshipers they may well be, and who can blame them -- since it's obvious that Satan has all the best songs, as this album (13 tracks long, of course) proves. But those who might imagine this as a dread-filled set -- awash in gothic atmospheres or, conversely, a metal hybrid that sacrifices to the likes of Black Sabbath -- are in for a surprise. Only the Phantom of the Opera-esque intro to "Eskamoes" hints at the former, while nothing within suggests the latter. Instead, the band delivers an album of mostly upbeat, ska-based skankers, flush with brass and brimming with good times.
CD $10 - 7 for 6 SALE

THE META COLLECTION [V.A. With BILL LASWELL/PHARAOH SANDERS /BUCKETHEAD/THE ORB et al] - The Meta Collection (MetaStation 14; USA)
CD $10 - 7 for 6 SALE.

POSSESSION+AFRICAN DUB [FODAY MUSA SUSO/BILL LASWELL /FOUSSENY KOUYATE/AIYB DIENG] - Off World One (Submeta 9801; USA) One of the truly great Afro dub/ambient recordings of all time; hovers at the top of the list of producer/arranger/player Bill Laswell's accomplishments! With Fousseny Kouyate gony, Foday Musa Suso baliphone, Aiyb Dieng, percussion, and [uncredited except as producer] Bill Laswell on bass, sounds, and beats.
"This album is a textural masterpiece. Possession constructs an unusual collage of sounds over the course of four tracks that last an amazing 45 minutes. Each instrumental slowly builds and develops into a solid musical mass; however, the themes from each track never fully congeal. To some degree while listening to this album, the listener must remove him/herself from western ideals of music theory.
I wouldn't be surprised to hear some of this material being played in the background of an episode of the X-Files. Off World One exudes an enigmatic and eerie mood which has the ability to attract a diverse audience." - Stephen Lin, Consumable Online "On my list of the BEST LASWELL Recordings! All Thumbs UP!" - MannyLunch
CD $12 - 7 for 6 SALE


And some RARE Bill Laswell vinylÉ

ALTERED BEATS [V.A. of BILL LASWELL Avant Hip Hop productions] - Choice Cuts from Assassin Knowledges Of The Remanipulated [12" EP] (Axiom 531 046; USA) Promotional-only release; 3 cuts from the ASSASSIN KNOWLEDGES OF THE REMANIPULATED album: 3D-Cut Transmission - (Laswell, DXT, JahWobble) Material featuring DXT, Jah Wobble, Bill Laswell and Jerome "Bigfoot" Brailey; Black Wax - (Laswell) Valis; Invasion of the Octopus People - (ISP) Invisible Scratch Pickles (DJ Q-Bert, DJ Disk, Shortkut and Mixmaster Mike). Generated by Bill Laswell
LP $15

AXIOM DUB [V.A./BILL LASWELL DUB PRODUCTIONS] - Mysteries Of Creation [12" ep] (Axiom PR 7350; USA) Promotional-only release; 3 cuts: Ariwa Dub Club - (Fraser) Mad Professor; Return to the Bass and Trouble - (Dunbar,Shakespeare) Sly & Robbie; Ghost Light / Dread Recall [Dub Edit]- (Laswell) Material. Each track produced and performed by its respective writer(s), except as noted. Conceived and compiled by Bill Laswell
LP $15

BAHIA BLACK [CARLINHOS BROWN With WAYNE SHORTER/HERBIE HANCOCK/BERNIE WORRELL/BILL LASWELL] - Capitao Do Afalto [12" ep] (Axiom 12 AXM 3; UK) Produced by Bill Laswell. 3 cuts: Capitao (Exploding Plastic Inevitable Mix); Capitao (album versions); Follow Me. (Credits from Ritual Beating album:) Carlinhos Brown : guitar, percussion, vocals; Wayne Shorter : soprano saxophone; Herbie Hancock : piano, prepared piano; Bernie Worrell : Hammond B-3 organ; Henry Threadgill : flute; Larry Wright & David Chapman : buckets; Tony "Funky Drummer" Walls : drums, metal; OLODUM - Antonio Luis Alves de Souza : leader; Bartolomeu P. Nunes, Luiz C.S. Alves, Jose de Souza, Antonio Carlos S. Brito, Jose Carlos Dos Santos, Gilmario M. de Andrade, Luis C. Moreira, Edilson Da Silva Neiva & Luis C.M. Monteiro : ensemble.
LP $20

GNAWA MUSIC OF MARRAKESH - Night Spirit Masters (Axiom 524 047; USA) Produced by Bill Laswell and Richard Horowitz. Traditional Music and Song of the region contemporarily recorded.
LP $15

JONAS HELLBORG With TONY WILLIAMS/SOLDIER STRING QUARTET - The Word (Axiom 848 374; USA) Produced by Bill Laswell and Jonas Hellborg Jonas Hellborg : Wechter acoustic bass guitar; Tony Williams: drums; SOLDIER STRING QUARTET - Laura Seaton : 1st violin; David Soldier : violin; Ron Lawrence : viola; Mary Wooten : cello.
LP $10

BILL LASWELL/JAH WOBBLE - Radioaxiom Remix [12" EP] (Axiom/Palm 127063; USA) 1/ Alsema Dub (Carl Craig Remix) (Laswell,Wobble,Shibabaw) 6.41 - Jah Wobble : bass; Bill Laswell : bass; Nils Petter Molvaer : trumpet; Graham Haynes : cornet; Nicky Skopelitis : guitar; Ejigayehu "Gigi" Shibabaw : voice; Amina Claudine Myers : organ, electric piano; Tigist Shibabaw : voice; Karsh Kale : drums, tabla; Hamid Drake : drums, table; Sly Dunbar : drums; Aiyb Dieng : percussion.
LP $10

[BILL LASWELL] SACRED SYSTEM - Sacred System [12' ep] (Panmusic /Innerhythmic 01; UK) 3 cuts from the Nagual Site album: Black Lotus; X-Zibit-i; Driftwork. Produced by Bill Laswell for Innerhythmic Foundation. Gulam Mohamed Khan: harmonium, voice; Susan Deyhim : voice; Dave Liebman & Byard Lancaster : soprano saxophone; Graham Haynes : coronet; Craig Harris : trombone; Clive Bell : khene, shakuhachi; Nicky Skopelitis : 6 and 12 string guitars; Bernie Worrell : organ, electric piano; Bill Laswell : bass, keyboard, percussion; Jah Wobble : bass; Zakir Hussain : tabla, voice; Bill Buchen : tabals, ektar, log drum, percussion; Hamid Drake : drums, frame drum; Aiyb Dieng : chatan, bells.
LP $6

MANDINGO [FODAY MUSA SUSO With BILL LASWELL/JEFF BOVA] - New World Power (Axiom 846 853; USA) Produced by Bill Laswell and Foday Musa Suso; Foday Musa Suso : kora, gravichord, talking drums, vocals; Bill Laswell : basses; Jeff Bova : synthesizers; Nicky Skopelitis & Clive Smith : Fairlight programming.
LP $8

BOB MARLEY//BILL LASWELL - Dreams Of Freedom: Ambient Translations Of Bob Marley In Dub [12"] (Axiom PR 7621; USA) Remix production by Bill Laswell. Promotional-only release; 4 cuts: No Woman No Cry; Midnight Ravers, The Heathen, Exodus.
LP $15

MATERIAL [BILL LASWELL with PARLIAMENT-FUNKADELIC/JUNGLE BROTHERS/SLY & ROBBIE/HENRY THREADGILL et al] - Playing With Fire [12" ep] (Axiom 866 499; USA) Produced by Bill Laswell. 4 versions: Ft. Greene Playground Knowledge Remix; Third Power Version; Praxis Edit; Hip Brick Burnout Mix. (Credits from Third Power album:)Jungle Brothers (Baby Bam & Mike G) : vocals; Jalaluddin Mansur Nuriddin : vocals; Shabba Ranks : vocals; Bootsy Collins : vocals, guitar; Gary Shider : vocals, guitar; Gary "Mudbone" Cooper : vocals; Jenny Peters : vocals; Herbie Hancock : piano; Bernie Worrell : piano, organ; Jeff Bova : synthesizers; Henry Threadgill : flute; Robbie Shakespeare : bass; Nicky Skopelitis : guitar, fairlight; Michael Hampton : guitar; Aiyb Dieng : percussion; Sly Dunbar : drums, drum programming; BRASS SECTION - Olu Dara : cornet, African trumpet; Joe Daly : baritone horn; Richard Harper : Euphonium; Marcus Rojas : tuba; Joel Brandon : whistling; HORN SECTION - Fred Wesley : trombone; Maceo Parker : alto sax; Pee Wee Ellis : tenor sax. Brass section arranged and conducted by Henry Threadgill Material strings arranged and conducted by Karl Berger
LP $7

MATERIAL [BILL LASWELL With WAYNE SHORTER/SIMON SHAHEEN/NICKY SKOPELITIS/BERNIE WORRELL/SLY & ROBBIE/ZAKIR HUSSAIN] - Eternal Drift [12" ep] (Axiom PR 6901; USA) Produced by Bill Laswell. Promotional-only release; 4 versions: Kupper and Hacker Tribal Remix; Hallucination Engine Version; Construct Over Destinty Mix; Eternal Thaemlitz Curse Mix. Credits From Hallucination Engine Album: Bill Laswell : basses, beats, loops, samples, etc.; Wayne Shorter : soprano and tenor saxophones; William S. Burroughs : voice; Liu Sola : voice; Simon Shaheen : violin, oud; Nicky Skopelitis : acoustic and electric six and twelve string guitars, coral sitar, baglama, Fairlight; Bernie Worrell : electric piano, Hammond B-3 organ; Bootsy Collins : space bass; Shankar : electric violin; Sly Dunbar : drum kit; Jeff Bova : synthesizers; Jihad Racy : ney; Jonas Hellborg : acoustic bass, fretless electric bass; Zakir Hussain : tabla; Trilok Gurtu : tabla; Vikku Vinayakram : ghatam; Fahim Dandan : voice; George Basil : qanoun; Michael Baklouk : daff, tambourine; Aiyb Dieng : chatan, congas, percussion.
LP $6

MATERIAL [BILL LASWELL with PARLIAMENT-FUNKADELIC/JUNGLE BROTHERS/SLY & ROBBIE/HENRY THREADGILL] - The Third Power (Axiom 848 417; USA) [New, unplayed Axiom file copies, but no shrinkwrap] Produced by Bill Laswell; Jungle Brothers (Baby Bam & Mike G): vocals; Jalaluddin Mansur Nuriddin : vocals; Shabba Ranks : vocals; Bootsy Collins : vocals, guitar; Gary Shider : vocals, guitar; Gary "Mudbone" Cooper : vocals; Jenny Peters : vocals; Herbie Hancock : piano; Bernie Worrell : piano, organ; Jeff Bova : synthesizers; Henry Threadgill : flute; Robbie Shakespeare : bass; Nicky Skopelitis : guitar, fairlight; Michael Hampton : guitar; Aiyb Dieng : percussion; Sly Dunbar : drums, drum programming; BRASS SECTION - Olu Dara : cornet, African trumpet; Joe Daly : baritone horn; Richard Harper : Euphonium; Marcus Rojas : tuba; Joel Brandon : whistling; HORN SECTION - Fred Wesley : trombone; Maceo Parker : alto sax; Pee Wee Ellis : tenor sax. Brass section arranged and conducted by Henry Threadgill Material strings arranged and conducted by Karl Berger
LP $10

MATERIAL [BILL LASWELL with KOOL KEITH/FLAVOR FLAV/ JUGGAKNOTS /GHETTO PROPHETS] - Rap Is Still An Art: Intonarumori EP [12"] (Axiom/Palm 2019; USA) 4 cut sampler from 1999 Laswell/Material 'Intonarumori' avant-rap recording project; 1/ Conspiracies - (Thornton,Matlin,Laswell) Kool Keith and Kut Masta Kurt; 2/ Burnin' - (Drayton,Laswell,Showard) Flavor Flav, phonosycographDISK and DXT; 3/ This Morning - (Smythe,Smith,Smith) Juggaknots feat. Breeze & Queen Heroine; 4/ Life Itself - (Hassan,Laswell) The Ghetto Prophets and DXT
LP $10

SIMON SHAHEEN - The Music Of Mohamed Abdel Wahab (Axiom 846 754; USA) Simon Shaheen (violin, oud, viola) plays music from Egypt's greatest 20th century composer. With Ibrahim Saman qanoun, Sheikh Taha accordion, Najib Shaheen, Ramzi Bisharat tabla, Michel Baqlouq daff, Hanna Mirhige mizhar, Bobby Farah sagat, Michael Richmond double bass, Paula Bing flute. Violins: Nassim Dakwar, Kamil Shajrawi, Artemis Theodos, Gabriel Palka. Cellos: Michael Finkel, Vladimir Greenberg. Chorus: Laura Shaheen, Nermine Rawi, Louise Salman, Youssef Kassab, Maurice Chedid, Simon Shaheen. Produced by Bill Laswell and Simon Shaheen, with Nicky Skopelitis
LP $12

[L] SHANKAR With CAROLINE/ZAKIR HUSSAIN/PETER GABRIEL et al - Soul Searcher (Axiom 846 755; USA) Produced by Bill Laswell and the Epidemics (Shankar and Caroline) Shankar : vocals, double-violin, kanjira; V. Lakshminarayana : violin, double-violin; Caroline : vocals, tamboura, talam; Ganam Rao : vocals; Zakir Hussain : tabla; Vikku Vinayakram : ghatam; Peter Gabriel : keyboards.
LP $12


and, even rare albums on CASSETTE! (Manny claims that we have all of these below on cassetteÉ we think)

AXIOM AMBIENT [V.A./BILL LASWELL AMBIENT MIXES] - Lost In The Translation [2 Cassettes] (Axiom 524 053; USA) This is a collection of ambient sound sculptures by Bill Laswell, based on works found in the Axiom catalog. Bill Laswell: sound sculptures, with contributions from Terre Thaemlitz, The Orb and Tetsu Inoue.
2 CASSETTE set for $15

AXIOM COLLECTION II [V.A./BILL LASWELL PRODUCTIONS] - Manifestation (Axiom 514 453; USA) This album contains mostly unreleased mixes, non album versions, edits, etc.
CASSETTE $5

AXIOM FUNK [BILL LASWELL/PARLIAMENT-FUNKADELIC/JB HORNS/SLY & ROBBIE] - Funkcronomicon [2 Cassette set] (Axiom 524 077; USA) (These are sealed promos w/o cover artwork but with track listings and labels). This amazing double disc set could in almost all ways be considered (like another album simultaneously recorded at the same time, Material - Third Power) the final great Funkadelic-Parliament (w/JB Horns!) album!
2 CASSETTE set for $10

GINGER BAKER With JAH WOBBLE/JONAS HELLBORG/BILL LASWELL/NICKY SKOPELITIS/BERNIE WORRELL et al - Middle Passage (Axiom 846 753; USA) Produced by Bill Laswell; Ginger Baker : drums; Jah Wobble : bass; Jonas Hellborg : Wal MIDI bass, fretless & acoustic bass; Bill Laswell : bass, fretless & six string bass; Nicky Skopelitis : 6 & 12 string guitars, baglama, coral sitar, electric banjo, fairlight; Faruk Tekbilek : ney, zurna; Bernie Worrell : Hammond organ; Aiyb Dieng : doff, talking drum, metals; Mar Gueye : sabar (hand drum); Magette Fall : tama (hand drum).
CASSETTE $5

HAKIM BEY With BILL LASWELL/BUCKETHEAD/NICKY SKOPELITIS/WU MAN - T.A.Z. (Axiom 524 014; USA) Produced and arranged by Bill Laswell Hakim Bey : readings from his book of the same name w/ Bill Laswell : basses, treatments, samples, sound collage; Wu Man : pipa; Nicky Skopelitis & Buckethead : guitar.
CASSETTE $5

MALEEM MAHMOUD GHANIA With PHAROAH SANDERS - The Trance Of Seven Colors (Axiom 524 047; USA) (These are sealed promos w/o cover artwork but with track listings and labels) Recorded in the House of the Caid Khoubane in the Medina of Essaouira, District - Chbanat, Morocco on June 1,2 & 3, 1994 Produced by Bill Laswell
CASSETTE $8

GNAWA MUSIC OF MARRAKESH - Night Spirit Masters (Axiom 524 047; USA) Produced by Bill Laswell and Richard Horowitz. Traditional Music and Song of the region contemporarily recorded.
CASSETTE $5

UMAR BIN HASSAN [LAST POETS] With BILL LASWELL/BOOTSY COLLINS /ABIODUN OYEWOLE/BERNIE WORRELL- Be Bop Or Be Dead (Axiom 518 048; USA) Includes great rerecordings of Hassan's material for The Last Poets': "Niggers Are Scared Of Revolution" from their 1st album (Umar was a founding member) as well as another Poets' classic "This Is Madness" (2 versions), plus 7 new pieces. Produced by Bill Laswell w/ Umar Bin Hassan & Abiodun Oyewole : voices; Bernie Worrell & Amina Claudine Myers : Hammond B-3; Bootsy Collins : guitar; Bill Laswell : bass, beats; Foday Musa Suso : kora, dousongonni, percussion, voice; Buddy Miles : drums; Aiyb Dieng : chatan, percussion, congas; Guilherme Franco : congas, berimbau, percussion; Anton Fier : drum loops; ASANTE - Will, Warren, Pharoah & Andre : vocals.
CASSETTE $10

JONAS HELLBORG With TONY WILLIAMS/SOLDIER STRING QUARTET - The Word (Axiom 848 374; USA) Produced by Bill Laswell and Jonas Hellborg Jonas Hellborg : Wechter acoustic bass guitar; Tony Williams : drums; SOLDIER STRING QUARTET - Laura Seaton : 1st violin; David Soldier : violin; Ron Lawrence : viola; Mary Wooten : cello.
CASSETTE $5

RONALD SHANNON JACKSON With JEF LEE JOHNSON/STEVE SALAS/JACK DeSALVO - Red Warrior (Axiom 510 149; USA) (6 track edition ) Produced by Bill Laswell and Ronald Shannon Jackson; Ronald Shannon Jackson: drums; Jef Lee Johnson : guitar; Stevie Salas : guitar; Jack DeSalvo : guitar; Ramon Pooser : bass; Conrad Mathieu : bass
CASSETTE $5

MANDINGO [FODAY MUSA SUSO With BILL LASWELL/JEFF BOVA] - New World Power (Axiom 846 853; USA) Produced by Bill Laswell and Foday Musa Suso Foday Musa Suso : kora, gravichord, talking drums, vocals; Bill Laswell : basses; Jeff Bova : synthesizers; Nicky Skopelitis & Clive Smith : Fairlight programming.
CASSETTE $5

MANDINKA & FULANI MUSIC OF THE GAMBIA - Ancient Heart (Axiom 510 148; USA) Produced by Bill Laswell and Foday Musa Suso; Foday Musa Suso : kora, gravichord, talking drums, vocals; Bill Laswell : basses; Jeff Bova : synthesizers; Nicky Skopelitis & Clive Smith : Fairlight programming.
CASSETTE $5

MATERIAL [BILL LASWELL With WAYNE SHORTER/SIMON SHAHEEN/NICKY SKOPELITIS/BERNIE WORRELL/SLY & ROBBIE/ZAKIR HUSSAIN] - Hallucination Engine (Axiom 848 417; USA) Produced by Bill Laswell Bill Laswell : basses, beats, loops, samples, etc.; Wayne Shorter : soprano and tenor saxophones; William S. Burroughs : voice; Liu Sola : voice; Simon Shaheen : violin, oud; Nicky Skopelitis : acoustic and electric six and twelve string guitars, coral sitar, baglama, Fairlight; Bernie Worrell : electric piano, Hammond B-3 organ; Bootsy Collins : space bass; Shankar : electric violin; Sly Dunbar : drum kit; Jeff Bova : synthesizers; Jihad Racy : ney; Jonas Hellborg : acoustic bass, fretless electric bass; Zakir Hussain : tabla; Trilok Gurtu : tabla; Vikku Vinayakram : ghatam; Fahim Dandan : voice; George Basil : qanoun; Michael Baklouk : daff, tambourine; Aiyb Dieng : chatan, congas, percussion.
CASSETTE $5

TALIP OZKAN - The Dark Fire (Axiom 512 003; USA) Recorded at Ferber Studios, Paris, France; Produced by Bill Laswell and Nicky Skopelitis Talip Ozkan : saz, percussion, vocals; Mahmut Demir : additional saz, percussion.
CASSETTE $5

PRAXIS [BILL LASWELL/BUCKETHEAD/BOOTSY COLLINS/BERNIE WORRELL /BRAIN] - Transmutation (Mutatis Mutandis) (Axiom 512 338; USA) (These copies do not have shrink/cigarette wrap, but are unplayed/brand new file copies direct from the Laz 'imself).
CASSETTE $5

[L] SHANKAR With CAROLINE/ZAKIR HUSSAIN/PETER GABRIEL et al - Soul Searcher (Axiom 846 755; USA) Produced by Bill Laswell and the Epidemics (Shankar and Caroline) Shankar : vocals, double-violin, kanjira; V. Lakshminarayana : violin, double-violin; Caroline : vocals, tamboura, talam; Ganam Rao : vocals; Zakir Hussain : tabla; Vikku Vinayakram : ghatam; Peter Gabriel : keyboards.
CASSETTE $5

SONNY SHARROCK With PHAROAH SANDERS/ELVIN JONES/CHARNETT MOFFETT - Ask The Ages (Axiom 848 957; USA) Produced by Bill Laswell and Sonny Sharrock. Sonny Sharrock : electric guitar; Pharoah Sanders : tenor & soprano saxophones; Elvin Jones : drums; Charnett Moffett : acoustic bass.
CASSETTE $10

[LIU] SOLA With JAMES BLOOD ULMER/HENRY THREADGILL/NED ROTHENBERG/JASON HWANG et al - Blues In The East (Axiom 524 003; USA) Liu Sola: vocals, with James Blood Ulmer, Henry Threadgill, Wu Man, Ned Rothenberg, Fernando Saunders, Jerome Brailey, Yulio Tsuji, Ralph Samuelson, Jason Hwang, Jerome "Bigfoot" Brailey, Umar Bin Hassan, Aiyb Dieng. Produced by Bill Laswell.
CASSETTE $10

HENRY THREADGILL & VERY VERY CIRCUS PLUS - Too Much Sugar For A Dime (Axiom 514 258; USA) Henry Threadgill: alto saxophone w/ Very Very Circus (Brandon Ross, Marcus Rojas, Gene Lake, Masujaa, Edwin Rodriguez, Mark Taylor) and guests Simon Shaheen, Leroy Jenkins, Jason Hwang, Dorian L Parreott II, Johnny Rudas, Miguel Urvina, Mossa Bildner, Arenae, Larry Bright. Produced by Bill Laswell and Henry Threadgill
CASSETTE $10


Clap your hands and say "Yeah!" Just checking to see if you're still reading this endless list of goodiesÉ


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