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13 Monroe Street, New York, NY 10002-7351
Phone: (212) 473-0043
Email:
Mail To: POB 153, NYC, NY 10002-0153


NEWSLETTER - February 5th, 2016






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DMG Newsletter for February 26th, 2016

Listen Closely and You Will Hear
What It Is and What is Truly Clear
The Sacred Sounds are to be Found Here
So Dig in and Let s Go Soaring on the Special Music of:

John Zorn//Craig Taborn/Christian McBride/Tyshawn Sorey! Roscoe Mitchell Solo! Anthony Braxton/Taylor Ho Bynum/Ingrid Laubrock/Mary Halvorson! Michael Formanek Ensemble Kolossus! Iisziji Munoz/John Medeski Double Unit!

Daevid Allen Weird QT! Nucleus 1980! David Bowie Blackstar! Funkadelic 3 CD Set! Roswell Rudd/Jamie Saft/Trevor Dunn/Balazs Pandi! Brian Groder/Michael Bisio/Jay Rosen! Sarah Bernstein/Kris Davis/Stuart Popejoy/Ches Smith!

Amiri Baraka & Dinamitri Jazz Folklore! Daniele Cavallanti & Milano Contemporary Art Ensemble! Moppa Elliott Solo Bass! Leila Bordreuil & Michael Foster! The Living Room + Barry Guy! Pierre Dorge/Kirk Knuffke/Hamid Drake..! Jacob Anderskov Trio! Plus Nine Great Discs from the Run Grammofon & Hubro Labels!

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The DMG FREE Weekly In-Store Concert Series Continues With:

Sunday, February 28th:
6pm: CHRIS PITSIOKOS & JON IRABAGON - Alto Sax & Sopranino Sax Duo

Monday, February 29th Special Event!
6pm: WILLIAM HOOKER Listening Party, 4 CD Set New Release & Discussion

Sunday, March 6th:
6pm: AVRAM FEFER & MICHAEL BISIO - Tenor sax & Contrabass Duo

Sunday, March 13th:
6pm: DANIEL LEVIN & JAIMIE BRANCH

Sunday, March 20th:
6pm: ROSS HAMMOND & KEN FILIANO - Guitar & Contrabass
7pm: GORDON GRDINA

Sunday, March 27th:
6pm: HENRY P. MELBOURNE - Solo Tenor Sax
7pm: TIERRA MESTIZA: OMAR ANTONIO TAMEZ & ANGELICA SANCHEZ

DMG is located at 13 Monroe St. (between Catherine & Market Sts) in a basement below a Buddhist temple. Take the F train to East Broadway or the 6 train to Canal or the B or D to Grand, or the M-15 bus to Madison & Catherine. Come on Down, the Music Always Free & the Vibes are Quite Cosy!


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New from Tzadik:

JOHN ZORN//FLAGA With CRAIG TABORN/CHRISTIAN McBRIDE/TYSHAWN SOREY - The Book Of Angels Volume 27 (Tzadik 8341; USA) For one of the last CDs in the Book of Angels series Zorn has put together an astonishing all-star piano trio featuring three of the most powerful and respected musicians in the jazz/new music scene: Craig Taborn, Christian McBride and Tyshawn Sorey. Diving into eight tunes from Zorn s mystical Masada project they take off in flights of melodic, rhythmic and harmonic fancy that will make your head spin. Visceral and virtuosic, Flaga is one of the most spontaneous and exciting installments in the Masada catalog. Tzadik Archival Series
CD $14

The Tzadik Reissue Series Continues With:

ANTON FIER With BILL ASWELL/BOOTSY COLLINS/BUCKETHEAD/NICKY SKOPELITIS/ et al - Dreamspeed/Blindlight 1992-1994 (Tzadik 7609B; USA) A Tzadik Classic! Anton Fier is well-known in rock circles as the drummer for the Feelies, the original Lounge Lizards and mastermind of the Golden Palominos, and these two CDs, both long out of print and now with two unreleased bonus tracks, may well be his best work. Featuring Japanese vocalist Phew, bass terrorist Bill Laswell, Bootsy Collins, Buckethead, Makino Kazu (Blonde Redhead) and many of Anton s longtime collaborators, dreamspeed/blindlight 1992 1994 is the definitive document of one of the Downtown scene s most elusive musicians.
2 CD Set $20

JERRY HUNT With MIKE PATTON/SHELLEY HIRSCH/KAREN FINLEY - SongDrapes (Tzadik 7045b; USA) Born in Waco, Texas, Jerry Hunt was a friend of Jack Ruby, a pianist in strip clubs, a student of the occult and the founder of his own mail order church at the age of 13. Jerry Hunt was also one of the great pioneers of live electronic music. Very much a modern-day shaman, he designed most of his own equipment and used it in unique ways to create backdrops for his magical performances that referred to, among many other things, exotic ritual, the esoteric traditions of Rosicrucianism, Aleister Crowley and modern science. The SongDrapes were some of Jerry s last and greatest creations and feature vocalists Karen Finley, Shelley Hirsch and Mike Patton.
CD $14

ANTHONY BRAXTON QUARTET With TAYLOR HO BYNUM/INGRID LAUBROCK/MARY HALVORSON - Au Vivo Jazz Na Fabri Ca [2 CD Set](Selo Sesc 0066/15; Brazil) Featuring Anthony Braxton on alto, soprano & sopranino saxes & electronics, Taylor Ho Bynum on cornet, flugelhorn & bass trumpet, Ingrid Laubrock on soprano & tenor saxes and Mary Halvorson on guitar. This is a live recording from August of 2014 from Sesc Pompeia in Brazil. Is this an expanded version of Braxton s Diamond Curtain Wall Trio (with Bynum & Halvorson)? Perhaps, since Mr. Braxton has had guests sit in with this trio a certain performances and DCW does also include (pre-programed) electronics. The guest for this concert is saxist Ingrid Laubrock who has been working with Mr. Braxton for the past few years. Ms. Laubrock and Ms. Halvorson have often collaborated on several projects along with Mr. Bynum in a band called Living By Lanterns (a Sun Ra inspired project). This music is just incredible! One of the most focused, multi-layered, complex and riveting of anything I ve heard in recent memory. The electronics float in and out and add a certain eerie magic to the proceedings. At times, Ms. Halvorson s subdued yet expressive electric guitar is indistinguishable from the subtle electronics. There seems to different conversations going on simultaneously, duos into trios in the quartet. The balance between the charted parts/sections and the freer bits is seamlessly executed. Portions of this long set are sparse with much attention to detail and intricate interaction rising and falling below the waves or currents. The entire atmosphere has a wonderful dream-like vibe with the scenery and characters fading into one another. Eventually Ms. Halvorson starts to alter the tone of her guitar adding odd twists and effects, pushing the intensity and interaction into a higher region. Quite extraordinary throughout each hour-plus piece, nothing less than phenomenal! - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
2 CD Set $16

ROSCOE MITCHELL - Sustain and Run (Selo Sesc 0065/15; Brazil) Featuring Roscoe Mitchell on solo soprano & sopranino saxes. Recorded in August of 2013 in Brazil. According to the liner notes, the first recording of solo sax was done in 1937 (by Gene Sedric/Saxophone Doodle). It took another 30+ years for Anthony Braxton s For Alto  to be released in 1968, ushering in an era solo sax explorations to follow. Since then, there have been dozens of saxists performing solo, although only a few have continued to perform and record throughout their careers: Anthony Braxton, Evan Parker and Roscoe Mitchell are the most prominent. It has been a while since Mr. Mitchell has recorded a solo sax disc, the last one was a three-CD set for Mutable in 2004.
This disc was recorded live at Teatro Sesc Pompeia in August of 2013 at two concerts. Mr. Mitchell, who is known to play many reed instruments, sticks to just sopranino (3 tracks) & soprano saxes (1 track). Recordings of solo sopranino sax are pretty rare, although Jon Irabagon did release one last year. This disc is superbly recorded and especially intense. Since Mr. Mitchell is a master of circular breathing and multiphonics, he consistently twists notes inside out in his own distinctive way. Certain high pitched notes cut through, stinging our senses, are quite brittle and often breath-taking. When Mitchell switches to soprano, he is no less focused. He takes his time, cautiously bending each note, assembling fragments in a most fascinating way. Mr. Mitchell does a great job of creating his own sonic world or environment, the stream of notes keeping us off balance so that we have to hold on or drown. Some musicians tend to mellow a bit with age but never Roscoe Mitchell who remains a master musician, composer and bandleader. This is a tour-de-force effort! - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $14

MICHAEL FORMANEK ENSEMBLE KOLOSSUS With MARY HALVORSON/CHRIS SPEED/TIM BERNE/RALP ALESSI/KRIS DAVIS/DAVE BALLOU/ et al - The Distance (ECM 2484; Germany) Featuring: Loren Stillman (alto sax), Oscar Noriega (alto sax, clarinet, bass clarinet), Chris Speed (tenor sax, clarinet), Brian Settles (tenor sax, flute), Tim Berne (baritone sax), Dave Ballou, Ralph Alessi, Jonathan Finlayson (trumpets), Kirk Knuffke (cornet), Alan Ferber, Jacob Garchik, Ben Gerstein (Trombones), Jeff Nelson (bass trombone, contrabass trombone), Patricia Brennan (Marimba), Mary Halvorson (Guitar), Kris Davis (Piano), Michael Formanek (Double-bass) and Tomas Fujiwara (Drums) with Mark Helias (Conductor).  The Distance  represents a grand creative leap for the bassist-composer whose new album showcases his texturally rich compositions for the dynamic 18-piece big band he has playfully dubbed Ensemble Kolossus. The project saw some of the most distinctive musicians on the New York scene bonding to realize Formanek s epic design, as he re-imagined what a big-band can be. Channeling sounds from the classic to the modern, he also composed for individual soloists in the Ellingtonian tradition.  - ECM
I caught this large ensemble at the ECM part of the Winter Jazz Fest recently (January of 2016) and they were phenomenal! I can t wait to hear this disc! We are all psyched and you should be as well! - BLG
CD $16 (IN STOCK MONDAY!)

TISZIJI MUNOZ/JOHN MEDESKI With JOHN BENITEZ/GEORGE KOLLER/DON PATE/RA KALAM BOB MOSES/TONY FALCO/ et al - When Coltrane Calls! (Anami 063; USA) Featuring Tisziji Munoz on guitar, John Medeski on piano, John Benitez, George Koller and Don Pate on basses and Ra Kalam Bob Moses & Tony Falco on drums. Cosmic guitar great, Tisziji Munoz has long been inspired by the music and playing of legendary saxist John Coltrane. For this disc, half of the songs were written by Mr. Coltrane, the others inspired by Trane. Over the past decade, Munoz has been collaborating with keyboard wiz John Medeski (a/k/a Lam Sobo), this being their 10th recording together. Munoz has also been expanding his band which now includes three bassists and two drummers.
John Coltrane s influence on Munoz is multi-layered: his melodies, the streams of notes he played on sax and his spirituality. Commencing with Trane s Wise One , we are off into the celestial regions. Medeski takes a long solo, majestic and building to rich conclusion before Munoz also takes over caressing the same sweeping melody. Lonnie s Lament  gets a most enchanting, reading with Munoz  distinctive bent tone breathing the grit of life into this wonderful melody. The stream of notes that Tisziji unleashes building and expanding with Medeski s piano also providing waves of endearment. Both drummers get their chance to stretch out and weave a fine web rhythmic waves underneath. With each piece, Munoz appears to increase the energy and central spirit, reaching higher and higher as they go. On the second half of this disc, Munoz  own melodies extend a similar spiritual vibe with a number of inspired solos from both the guitar and piano. Do you need some relief form the daily woes, this music does have that healing power so get a dose of the magical medicine. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $12

DAEVID ALLEN WEIRD QUARTET - Elevenes (Purple Pyramid 0043; USA) The Weird Quartet features Daevid Allen on guitar & vocals, Don Falcone (from Spirits Burning) on keyboards, Michael Clare (University of errors) on bass and Paul Sears (the Muffins) & Trey Sabatelli on drums. These are the last sessions that Daevid Allen worked on before his sad passing last year (2015). This album was recorded in several studios in the Bay area as well as remotely when Daevid was back in Australia. Like everything else that Mr. Allen was involved in (from Soft Machine to Gong to various solo & group efforts), there is a wonderful, whimsical, uplifting, psychedelic vibe that runs through this entire disc. The pataphyscial philosophy of poking fun at the more absurd side of life is often at the center of the things that Daevid sings about. Who else could sing this, kick that propaganda from between your thighs ?!? Also at the center of most of these songs is that hypnotic bass throb, layers of shimmering guitars and/or keyboards and Allen s charming voice. One of the magic ingredients is the sound of Allen s gliding glissando guitar which hives on a few of these tracks. Perhaps my favorite Daevid Allen disc of the past couple of two decades is his first duo with Kramer, called Who s Afraid? . This disc has a similar enchanting quality that makes me smile and feel better. Parts even had a great groove that made me wanna dance around my kitchen and silly. Special thanks to the late, great Daevid Allen, for inspiring us forever and always. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $14

NUCLEUS - Bracknell Sunshine (Gonzo 267; UK) Featuring: Ian Carr: trumpet, flugelhorn, Brian Smith: tenor sax, soprano sax & alto flute, Geoff Castle: keyboards & Moog, Chucho Merchan: bass and Roger Sellers: drums. This is the first-ever release of a late period (1980) Nucleus show from the Bracknell Festival. Originally recorded for radio broadcast and mastered by Michael King, it features excellent sound. Although some of the personnel changed throughout the decade long existence of Nucleus, certain members did stick around for a number of recordings. Both Brian Smith and Geoff castle were in the band for a few records each. The overall distinctive British jazz/rock sound remained central no matter who was in the band with inspired solos from the trumpet, saxes and keyboards. Even when they lay back, there is a certain charm going on thanks to Mr. Carr s infectious writing and hypnotic grooves. During the early and mid-period, Nucleus had several great guitarists: Chris Spedding, Ray Russell & Alan Holdsworth. Towards the end of their reign, there were no guitarists involved yet their strong sound remained crafty and engaging without any string-bending solos. - BLG
CD $16

DAVID BOWIE With DONNY McCASLIN/BEN MONDER/JASON LINDNER/TIM LEFEBVRE/ MARK GUILIANA - Blackstar (Sony; USA) Three years ago, with little warning, David Bowie ended a decade-long break from studio releases with The Next Day. The second album he's released since that unexpected return to the limelight is an even greater surprise: one of the most aggressively experimental records the singer has ever made. Produced with longtime collaborator Tony Visconti and cut with a small combo of New York-based jazz musicians whose sound is wreathed in arctic electronics, Blackstar is a ricochet of textural eccentricity and pictorial-shrapnel writing. It's confounding on first impact: the firm swing and giddy vulgarity of " 'Tis a Pity She Was a Whore"; Bowie's croons and groans, like a doo-wop Kraftwerk, in the sexual dystopia of "Girl Loves Me"; the spare beaten-spirit soul of "Dollar Days." But the mounting effect is wickedly compelling. This album represents Bowie's most fulfilling spin away from glam-legend pop charm since 1977's Low. Blackstar is that strange, and that good.
The longest reach is up front, in the episodic, ceremonial noir of the title track. Bowie's gauzy vocal prayer and wordless spectral harmonies hover over drum seizures; saxophonist Donny McCaslin laces the stutter and chill like Andy Mackay in early-Seventies Roxy Music. The song drops to a blues-ballad stroll, but it is an eerie calm with unsettling allusions to violent sacrifice, especially given recent events. (No who or why is specified, but McCaslin has said the song is "about ISIS.") "Something happened on the day he died/Spirit rose a meter, then stepped aside," Bowie sings with what sounds like numbed grace. "Somebody else took his place and bravely cried: I'm a blackstar." His use of an ideogram for the album's title makes sense here  there is no light at the end of this tale.
The album includes a dynamic honing of Bowie's 2014 single "Sue (Or in a Season of Crime)" with less brass and more malevolent programming; the title song from his current off-Broadway musical production, Lazarus (that's Bowie firing those grunting blasts of guitar); and a blunt honesty at the finish. Bowie turns 69 on January 8th, the day Blackstar comes out. In "I Can't Give Everything Away," he states his case for the dignity of distance  his refusal to tour (so far) and engage with the media circus  against guitarist Ben Monder's lacerating soprano-fuzz guitar, a sly evocation of Robert Fripp's iconic soloing in 1977's "Heroes." "This is all I ever meant/That's the message that I sent," Bowie sings in a voice largely free of effects  clear, elegant and emphatic. This is a rock star who gives when he's ready  and still gives to extremes.  - David Fricke, Rolling Stone
CD $14

FUNKADELIC - First Ya Gotta Shake the Gate [3 CD Set](C Kunspyruhzy Records 003; USA) Collective personnel: George Clinton, Sly Stone, Gary Shider, Bernie Worrell, Michael Hampton, Blackbyrd McNight, Rodney Skeet  Curtis, Cordell Mosson, Lili Haydn, etc.
The last time Funkadelic released a new record, MTV was broadcasting its first videos during the Reagan presidency. Now, 33 years later, George Clinton and crew s massive three-disc, 33-track, three-plus-hour set of virtually all new material should satiate, and, perhaps, exhaust funk fans. Like the band s live show, the set is alternately brain-rattling, delightfully strange, musically adept and somewhat indulgent.
Funkadelic has always been one of the great groove jam bands, and fans of today s ADD pop could send a year s worth of sexts during expansive workouts like Snot n  Booger  and giddy Roller Rink.  It s inevitable that some songs clank like a short three-point shot, but the hit-to-miss ratio is high. And while Funkadelic remains true to a core creative concept of having the profane, silly, trippy, and sociopolitical join hands in the land of the good groove, Clinton updates the production and arrangements. Since so much hip-hop has been built on Funkadelic riffs, some tracks are logically informed by the genre ( Creases,  Old Man ).
Old-school thrills abound, though, with a slippery Catchin  Boogie Fever,  soaring cover of soul chestnut Bernadette,  and Yesterdejavu,  which features Michael Hampton s sublime, subversive guitarwork. Even gravel-voiced Sly Stone shows up, for the grimy The Naz.  Judicious pruning would have been welcome, but it s impossible to complain about a jollies overload, especially with so much virtuosity on display.  - Ken Capobianco, Boston Globe
3 CD Set $21

ROSWELL RUDD / JAMIE SAFT / TREVOR DUNN/ BALAZS PANDI - Strength & Power (RareNoise Records 060; EEC) Featuring Roswell Rudd on trombone, Jamie Saft on piano, Trevor Dunn on acoustic bass and Balazs Pandi on drums. Buckle up. This is one wild ride that cares not for your apprehension, concerns, expectations, or fears. Pianist Jamie Saft and two of his regular collaborators bassist Trevor Dunn and drummer Balazs Pandi got together with trombone icon Roswell Rudd to get down to the art of music making with nothing but their senses to guide them. It was an improvised session in its purest form no charts, no sketches, and no preconceived notions about where things should or shouldn't go. These men simply used intuition, receptiveness, attentiveness, and a willingness to let go as the key to open the doors to the outer limits of possibility.
Anybody familiar with these names shouldn't be surprised by the fact that there's brazen blowing, jabbing bass, slamming drums, and pummeled piano a plenty here. These four don't dance around an idea or wax hesitantly with their instruments. They take the plunge, head first, with no regrets. But that's not to say there's no thought in their actions. These musicians have far too much experience to simply turn up and tune out. You can hear that in they way they gently build and explore a radiant world ("Luminescent"), you can spot it when they flip focus to Dunn during a lengthy journey ("Cobalt Is Divine"), and, believe it or not, you can even get a glimpse of it when they chip away at cacophony at the conclusion of a shambolic and heady boxing match ("The Bedroom"). It's everything you could expect from a set of musicians known to be open to dialogue and new thought(s) yet strong-willed in their actions.
For some, Rudd will be the main draw here. He breathes a lifetime of experience through his horn, evident in his tribal chatter ("Dunn's Falls"), his beautiful peculiarities ("Luminescent"), his explorations in an avant-NOLA atmosphere ("Struttin' For Jah Jah") and his unrestrained use of force. For others, the brash trio of Saft, Dunn, and Pandi will make the sale. And for a third group the truly curious the inter-generational action may be the attraction. All of that is well and good, but the selling point is of less concern than the art itself a powerful blend of untethered and unbelievably exciting music. Strength and power indeed.  - Dan Bilawksy, All About Jazz
CD $15

BRIAN GRODER TRIO With MICHAEL BISIO/JAY ROSEN - R Train on the D Line (Latham 6001; USA) Featuring Brian Groder on trumpet, flugelhorn & compositions, Michael Bisio on contrabass and Jay Rosen on drums. Although ace trumpeter Brian Groder has worked with elders like Sam Rivers, Burton Greene and Andrea Centazzo, he has remained under the radar for some strange reason. Over some half dozen discs he has shown himself to be an inventive musicians and crafty composer. This is his second disc with his current trio: bassist Michael Bisio (in demand bassist for Joe McPhee, Matt Shipp & many others) and drummer Jay Rosen (Trio X, Cosmosamatics & Mark Whitecage). It seems obvious that Mr. Groder spent a great deal of time composing the music here as each piece provides a different challenge. Quanta  opens and consistently shifts through narrow rapids, speeding up, slowing down and keeping the trio on their nimble toes throughout. Mr. Groder has a warm, enchanting tone which he uses selectively throughout depending on the direction of the piece. This is an all acoustic affair and is warmly recorded with no effects, hence it is the arranging and dynamics that are most consistently inventive. On Asterix , the trio seems to shift effortlessly through multiple changes, expanding and contracting and never losing their balance. In many ways this is a perfect trio, balanced just right, sounding like they have been together forever. Bassist Bisio is featured on a few of these pieces and is in fine form, the interplay between all members on Keel  is just incredible! This is atria that is not afraid to take the subtle or lyrical side at times yet remains endlessly inventive no matter what. - Bruce lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $10

SARAH BERNSTEIN QUARTET With KRIS DAVIS/STUART POPEJOY/CHES SMITH - Still/Free (Leo 746; UK) Featuring Sarah Bernstein on violin & compositions, Kris Davis on piano, Stuart Popejoy on electric bass and Ches Smith on drums. Over the past few years I ve noticed violinist Sarah Bernstein s name pop up more and more in diverse situations: as a member of the band Barbez, with Joseph Daley and in duo with Satoshi Takeishi and a trio called Iron Dog with her partner Stuart Popejoy. Last week (2/21/16), Ms. Bernstein played an excellent duo with Swiss bassist Christian Weber here at DMG. She left us with copies of her new quartet disc which is even better than I would imagine. Beside her ongoing collaborations with bassist Popejoy, Ms. Bernstein has selected two of Downtown s most well respected musicians: Kris Davis and Ches Smith. each leads several bands and collaborate with dozens of others. The title track is first and is sad & lovely opener, the melody poignant, Ms. Bernstein s playing absolutely haunting. Both Ms. Davis  piano and Mr. Smith s percussion create a soft cushion of billows. On Cede , Ms. Bernstein has written a quirky, odd piece with Monkish twists and turns. The solos by the violin and piano are both low-key and somehow intriguing, quickly moving from simple to more complex lines before the tunes comes to an end. I like the way the quartet is split into contrasting duos on Nightmorning , somber yet about to break apart. Even more challenging is the way all four members of the quartet switch positions or roles on 4 = , eventually working their way through some shrewd, tight twists, without breaking a sweat. Ms Davis  piano solo here is short yet amazing. What I dig most about this disc is that is has some progressive tendencies yet never seems in a hurry to show off anything too modest. Inventive yet still stripped down and not so easy to do. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $15

MOPPA ELLIOTT - Still Up in the Air (Hot Cup 152; USA) Featuring Moppa Elliott on solo contrabass. There has been a proliferation of solo efforts over the past year: Mary Halvorson, Jon Irabagon, Dave Ballou and Henry Kaiser, to name but a few. Considering that Moppa Elliott is the longtime leader of Mostly Other People Do the Killing, those unpredictable jazz pranksters, you might not think that a solo bass offering would be in the cards. Yet another surprise from the irrepressible Mr. Elliott is what we have here. Moppa has recently been playing solo bass sets around town and at DMG as well. Mr. Elliott has obviously put some thought and preparation into this effort as each piece explores different sonic terrain. On Sequence Three  he slaps certain notes with glee, increasing and then decreasing the tempo as he goes, bending certain notes which sound like rubber bands at times. Bouncing on the strings with a bow is featured on Sequence Eight , bowing and bending those notes in a most disorienting way. Moppa makes those strings buzz on Sequence Nine , stretching the strings mercilessly and then slowing down to a more calm interlude before taking off for the outer regions again. Mr. Elliott explores some Mark Dresser-like bent-note weirdness, alternating between different strange approaches as he goes. Without going too far overboard, Moppa does a good job of keeping things interesting by concentrating on certain areas that work when you listen closely. An impressive addition to the handful of other solo contrabass offerings. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $12

LEILA BORDREUIL / MICHAEL FOSTER - Caustic Ballads (Relative Pitch 1034; USA) Featuring Leila Bordreuil on cello and Michael Foster on tenor & soprano sax. We live in troubling times. Every day I get e-mail from the Daily KOS  & read things that the Republicans are doing to us and I feel sick & stressed. Perhaps this is why this disc is called Caustic Ballads , a soundtrack to the dark days of now. Over the past few years, I ve watched saxist (mainly tenor) Michael Foster play in a variety of situations (Zombi Jazz, Andrew Barker Trio), evolving and getting better as a shrewd improviser. He is also known to have a warped sense of humor and was chained to a radiator at a recent performance?!? I don t know Ms. Bordreuil that well but I have seen/heard her play in a duo with Chris Pitsiokos and a string trio with Joanna Mattrey & Sean Ali. The title of this disc as well as the individual song titles (like Pleasure and Cruelty ) and the rather disturbing cover art, are certain to push some buttons and have us consider just what this duo is trying to tell us.
The music is something else. Close mic d and intense sonic explorations. It is often difficult to tell who is doing what: sax and cello??? Hmmm! The results are often fascinating no matter what is going on. The tenor sax and cello sound splendid together as they bend and twist notes in similar ways, close timbral voices. There are sections of what sounds like lower-case improv but the duo is not bound by just one approach. If this disc were Another Timbre or Erstwhile and packaged in a more stark way, it would probably sell more copies to those who appreciate the more microscopic improv that those labels explore. Aside from the cover and song titles, this music is well worth spending time with. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $14

DINAMITRI JAZZ FOLKLORE & AMIRI BARAKA - Live in Sant Anna Arresi 2013 (Rudi Records 1029; Italy) Featuring Amiri Baraka on voice/poetry, Dimitri Espinoza on alto sax, Gabrio Baldacci on electric guitar, Giuseppi Scardino on bari sax and Simone Padovani on drums plus Emanuele Parrini on violin & Avram Fefer on alto sax. This is the second disc from the Dinamitri Jazz Folklore & Amiri Baraka. The first one was on Rai Trade and is now out-of-print. This disc was recorded at Sant Anna Arresi Festival in Italy in 2013 and dedicated to Sun Ra. The late Amiri Baraka was a legendary poet, playwright and political organizer. He was one of the greatest of all jazz poets and throughout this disc, his incisive words are at the center of what makes this disc so special. The music was written by Dimitri Espinoza and is most compelling and diverse, rarely free, never aimless or uninteresting. Instead of Mr. Baraka spitting out his honest words/views, he takes his time so that the music fits his sentiments perfectly. Baraka s voice has never sounded better than it does here since he is integral to what makes this disc so great. The original western holocaust was slavery , so says Mr. Baraka and who can deny that?!? There are few solos here so the ones there are stand out even more, especially Mr. Baldacci s electric guitar on Akendengue , and Sardino s bari sax. There is a long, fascinating poem about and message to Sun Ra which is one of the highlights of this disc. What is wonderful about this disc is that it works so well and leaves us with a sly treasure from the ever controversial Amiri Baraka. He may have passed to another realm, but his words here really ring true. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $16

DANIELE CAVALLANTI and THE MILANO CONTEMPORARY ART ENSEMBLE - Songs of Hope (Rudi Records 1026; Italy) The Milano Contemporary Art Ensemble consists of some 13 members so we will list just a few of the more known names: Daniele Cavallanti & Riccardo Luppi on reeds, Luca Calabrese & Beppe Caruso on brass and Tiziano Tononi on drums. Reeds wiz Daniele Cavallanti and drummer Tiziano Tononi have been working together for many years with more than a dozen discs together of various projects. Just last week (2/19/16), we listed a CD by Brooklyn Express which included these two plus several Downtowners. I always dig anything I hear from these two, especially their tributes to Don Cherry, Rahsaan Roland Kirk and John Coltrane.
For this disc, Mr. Cavallanti organized a wonderful mid-sized (13-piece) ensemble, an all-star unit of Italy s finest. The original music was inspired by and dedicated to American sax legends: Joe Henderson, Sam Rivers, Anthony Braxton and Roscoe Mitchell. There are three well-selected covers: two by Mongezi Feza and one by Wayne Shorter. The first piece, The Joe Rivers Blues  (for Henderson & Rivers) is a strong opening salvo. Aside from the spirited solos from Cavallanti on tenor and Caruso on trombone, the entire ensemble has that infectious McCoy Tyner-like large group sound. Blue Notes/Brotherhood of Breath trumpet hero Mongezi Feza s You Ain t Gonna Know Me Cos You Think You Know Me , has that intoxicating South African gospel/funk/jazz theme before it takes off into a freer section and then back to the opening melody. My favorite piece is called Braxtown  and dedicated to Anthony Braxton. The piece has that unique, rather scientific Braxtonian sound (several intersection layers) with some incredible solos for the contrabass sax (Massimo Falascone) and two drummers. Like everything else we ve heard from Mr. Cavallanti and Mr. Tononi, it is impossible to tell that these two are Italian musicians since they are so heavily influenced by American avant jazz. The title of this disc, Sounds of Hope  seems most appropriate since this music is so positive and filled with festive spirits. Superb! - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $16


New from These Danish Labels: Steeplechase, ILK & Barefoot: Take 2 or more of any of the five CDs listed below and take $1.00 off of each one!

THE LIVING ROOM + BARRY GUY - Live at Literaurhaus (Ilk 239; Denmark) Featuring Barry Guy on contrabass, Torben Snekkestad on saxes & reed-trumpet, Soren Kjaergaard on grand piano & other keyboards and Thomas Stronen on drums. The Living Room is a collaboration between some of the most promising musicians from the contemporary Nordic music scene. Their debut album Still Distant Still , released on ILK in 2011, converges various sounds and styles of play into a sonically vibrant field: a common ground shared by their curiosity to explore and expand the disciplines of both conventional and unconventional instrumental approaches. On their second album the trio is captured in energetic interplay with double bass master Barry Guy (UK). A mild December night in Copenhagen they met for the first time to perform a concert at the LiteraturHaus - luckily they chose to record it!
This is one of those improv sets that works extremely well: tight, focused, intense, spirits flowing back and forth like a stimulating conversation. Soren Kjaergaard has several trio discs out and is an extraordinary pianist. I love the way he plays inside the piano, quietly evoking mysterious ghosts by banging on the strings with small sticks or other objects. It seems as if contrabassist supreme, Barry Guy, has found the perfect trio to join since it sounds like these four have been playing together forever. This is one of the best improv dates I ve heard in a long while! - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $17

PIERRE DORGE With HAMID DRAKE/KIRK KNUFFKE - Blui (Steeplechase 31797; Denmark) Featuring Pierre Dorge on guitar, Kirk Knuffke on cornet, Thommy Andersson bass and Hamid Drake on drums. Danish guitarist & composer Pierre Dorge has led the great New Jungle Orchestra (NJO) for 35 years with many great recordings. On occasion, Mr. Dorge has done small group sessions with John Tchicai, Walt Dickerson and Khan Jamal. For this disc Dorge put together a fine line-up with Kirk Knuffke on cornet (NY), Hamid Drake (Chicago) on drums and bassist Thommy Andersson (Sweden). Although this is the first time this this quartet performed together, there is a bond or connection going on here. The New Jungle Orchestra are an immensely diverse ensemble,that draw on the long history of jazz both American and European, hence Mr. Dorge draws from many different streams or styles. Each piece here seems to explore a wealth of influences and ideas. From the subtle, free blues/jazz of Else Belse Bird Beard  (nice sly & slinky guitar solo!) to the infectious soft groove on Xongly , Mr. Dorge has composed a series of strong, skeletal workouts. Happy as a Cow  has a swell, funky/blues groove with some great guitar and cornet interplay. When one selects great collaborators, there is strong, tight group dynamic that takes off together as one organic force. Pierre Dorge is one of the best & under-recognized jazz guitarists around, his ever-inventive playing is at the center of all of the songs on this fine disc. He know how to stir things up without ever having to scream, distort or play too fast. A most modest yet engaging disc that works on its own terms. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $17

JACOB ANDERSKOV With NILS DAVIDSEN/GERALD CLEAVER - Dynamics (The Terrain)(Ilk 246; Denmark) (The title): Dynamics , is in classical mechanics almost synonymous to kinetics, that is, concerned with the study of forces and their effect on motion. But the word Dynamics , originating from the Greek word for power , has a vast number of further meanings, including its usage in aerodynamics, thermodynamics, group dynamics, and, not the least, musical dynamics. (The subtitle) The Terrain   is in a similar way thought of as a transcendence of the metaphors Path  and Map  on volume I & II. It borrows from the idea that freely improvised music might be similar to going for a walk in a terrain, where you will make footprints (=music), not because you intended to, but because that is a result of you walking. The Terrain  also symbolizes the totality of Experience, beyond our plans (the path) and our knowledge (the map). And, again: is this terrain habitable? Could I stay here? Live here?
Dynamics  is, I imagine, the synthesis of the Kinetics  Statics dialectic. It concerns the Encounter with the other  or the others , with the unpredictable, the unknown, and, in the end, with the world. It is the application of the Habitable Exomusics approach in a musical and social context, in an intuitive totality.  - Jacob Naderskov
CD $17

JESPER LOVDAL/BUTCH LACY/MARK DRESSER/KRESTEN OSGOOD - Being Playing (Ilk 237; Denmark) Featuring Jesper Lovdal on alto flute, tenor sax & contrabass clarinet, Butch lacy on piano, Mark Dresser on double bass and Kresten Osgood on drums. I recall Mr. Lovdal from a half dozen previous discs on the Ilk label and working with Gunter Baby  Sommer, Cuing Vu and Chris Speed. I know little about pianist Butch Lacy other than he is an American living in Denmark for more than three decades and has worked with Gary Bartz. Both San Diego-based bassist Mark Dresser and Danish drummer Kresten Osgood need no introduction since each can be found on dozens of discs, playing with many of the more important musicians from the creative music spectrum.
Since free improv is now a universal language, we can hear the way musicians from varied backgrounds combine forces with strong results. The quartet take their time to explore and converse, slowly weaving several strands together, building into a spirited, unified blend. Parts of this are stripped down and filled with suspense. There is one duo piece for just the piano and contrabass which is superb as both of these folks work together so well. When Mr. Lovdal switches to flute on the last piece, the more mysterious side of the quartet takes over inventing a most hypnotic tapestry. This is high end improv at its best! - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $17

KASPER TOM 5 - I Do Admire Things That are Only What They Are (Barefoot 046) Featuring Rudi Mahall on clarinets, Tomasz Dabrowski on trumpet, Petter Hangsel on trombone, Jens Mikkel Madsen on double bass and Kasper Tom on drums. Aarhus-based drummer and composer Kasper Tom Christiansen is one of the members of the Copenhagen-based musicians collective and label, Barefoot Records. His sophomore release with his international quintet, following Ost Bingo Skruer (Barefoot Records, 2013), offers his challenging compositions, employing wisely the individual voices of this group. The quintet feature the same line up of the debut album - experienced German clarinet player Rudi Mahall, known from the Globe Unity Orchestra and his work with pianist Alexander von Schlippenbach and Aki Takase who also plays in another Christensen-led group, FUSK quartet; close collaborator of Christiansen in few other outfits, Polish, Copenhagen-based trumpeter Tomasz Dbrowski; Swedish trombonist Petter Hängsel and Danish bass player Jens Mikkel Madsen, now residing in Malmö, Sweden.
The architecture of Christiansen compositions and his tonal language does not attempt to follow conventional jazz sensibility. The seven new compositions, recorded live when the group was in top form, develop along loose outlines, based on fleeting melodies, patiently constructing and reconstructing the shifting, complex dynamics. The quintet alternates organically between imaginative sonic searches to a clever exploration of the rich spectrum of the horns voices, articulating the melody from different angles and constant changing pulses, never settles on a conventional mode. The charismatic, commanding solos of Mahal and Dbrowski charge these pieces with poetic intensity and profound emotional appeal. Their intertwining solos on Play or Die  and the closing Vranjo  are the highlights of this warmly recommended album.  - Eyal Hareuveni, FreeJazzBlog
CD $17

New from The Rune Grammofon & Hubro Labels - Another Scandinavian Sale, Two or More of any of the Nine Below CDs & Take $1.00 off of each!

FIRE! With MATS GUSTAFSSON/JOHAN BERTHLING + OREN AMBARCHI - She Sleeps, She Sleeps (Rune Grammofon 2178; Norway) Fire! is a Swedish trio comprising Mats Gustafsson (The Thing), Johan Berthling (Tape), and Andreas Werliin (Wildbirds & Peacedrums), which came together with the idea of a fresh approach to improvised music drawing upon a number of influences from free jazz, psychedelic rock, and noise. Fire! is also these musicians' vehicle for rekindling their instrumental skills, playing outside their comfort zones, and collaborating with such prestigious guests such as Jim O'Rourke (Unreleased? - 2011)) and Oren Ambarchi (In The Mouth - A Hand (2012)). A parallel but no less powerful project is their gargantuan Fire! Orchestra, previously a 30-piece behemoth (now scaled down to a mere 18 piece) of a band that convened for the first time in January 2012 for a memorable concert. She Sleeps, She Sleeps, the trio's fifth album, is an intriguing cocktail of dark, brooding, hypnotic slowcore jazz. After providing live music for the long-running play Det flygande barnet at the Orionteatern in Stockholm in February and March 2015, Fire! were strongly inspired to return to the theater's amazing large industrial hall and set up the necessary studio equipment. As Gustafsson explains, "After two years of extreme activities with the Fire! Orchestra we felt an urge to record in a studio setting and to strip everything down; fewer instruments, acoustic instruments, down to the roots of it all -- raw, inyrface, beautiful. And with two amazing guests adding layers of poetic beauty: Oren Ambarchi on guitar and Leo Svensson on cello, She Sleeps, She Sleeps is where we are right now -- no return!"
CD $17

MOTORPSYCHO - Here Be Monsters (Rune Grammofon 2179; Norway) Since meeting in high school in the central Norwegian town of Steinkjer in the early 1990s, Motorpsycho's founding members Magnus "Snah" Ryan and Bent Sæther have embarked on musical progressions over multiple genres, with collaborations, occasional line-up changes, and the development of a global following -- not to mention numerous awards -- cementing their position as Norway's preeminent rock behemoths. Here Be Monsters is the zenith of the Norwegians' motorpsychodelic tendencies, with the emphasis on the blissful and melodic rather than their more hair-raising elements, but maintaining an intensity all its own. Here Be Monsters began as a commission for the centennial jubilee of the Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology in November 2014, and was originally performed with keyboardist Ståle Storløkken (Elephant9, Supersilent, Terje Rypdal, etc.). While Storløkken's commitments meant he had to pass on making an album out of it, Sæther, Ryan, and Kenneth Kapstad (drums) turned it into a full-blown Motorpsycho project. Recorded in 2015 at Trondheim's Nidaros Studio, the album contains five of the trio's own compositions - the tantalizing piano intro "Sleepwalking" (and its brief reprise, "Sleepwalking Again"); the serene, beautiful "Lacuna/Sunrise" and "Running With Scissors"; the pulsing, pounding "I.M.S."; and the expansive and stunningly scenic 17-minute closer "Big Black Dog." Motorpsycho also felt it was the perfect occasion to record one of their favorite psych nuggets of old; their take on American band H. P. Lovecraft's version of Terry Callier's "Spin, Spin, Spin" adds a slightly sinister vibe to the old folk tune, which offsets and complements the grandiose, cinematic sweep of the trio's own songs. Co-produced, engineered, and mixed by long-time co-conspirator and fellow sonic explorer Thomas Henriksen, Here Be Monsters is Motorpsycho's most hi-fi, headphone-friendly music yet, taking the listener closer to the songs' themes. While the museum version focused lyrically on history and time, this revised version looks at other aspects of life; perhaps not a jubilant celebration of existence, but a personal take on the human condition. It is Motorpsycho taking a long look into the abyss, to drive the darkness out by accepting that it is real and true and a part of us all. "When you look long into the abyss, the abyss also looks into you" --Friedrich Nietzsche, translated from the German by Walter Kaufmann. "Better out than in" --Granny LeBad. "Here be monsters." - Motorpsycho
CD $17

KROKOFANT - Krokofant II (Rune Grammofon 2177; Norway) This young, semi-improvising power trio -- Tom Hasslan (guitars), Axel Skalstad (drums) and Jørgen Mathisen (sax) - typify a new and invigorating movement currently sweeping across the Nordic region: hard boiled improvisation and strong instrumental personalities bolted onto rock beats and driving rhythms. Equally powerful on record and on stage, Krokofant pull no punches, sounding like some unholy three-way marriage of early '70s jazz rock (Mahavishnu Orchestra, Terje Rypdal, Ray Russell), the sprawling progressive odysseys of King Crimson and Henry Cow, and the fierce heat of Peter Brötzmann's harsh free jazz ensembles. If their 2014 self-titled debut (RCD 2154CD/RLP 3154LP) was a fresh breath of youthful energy, this follow-up shows a trio very confident in their abilities. They ally a strong discipline with wide, exploratory arcs; Hasslan's agile guitar and Mathisen's snaking sax are always fighting to break out, just held in check by Skalstad's tough, rhythmic tumble. Only 22 years old at the time of this release, the young drummer is something of a sensation, combining pure energy with superior technical skills. This is a trio in which you can hear the individuals pushing each other to new heights while keeping the solid group foundation intact. Originally performing as a guitar-and-drums duo, Hasslan and Skalstad met at a guitar shop in Kongsberg, a town in southern Norway famous for its annual jazz festival, where they developed a strong bond playing free music together. In 2012 they hooked up with Mathisen, who already had a reputation in musical circles after playing in groups like The Core and Zanussi Five. When the duo eventually decided to try to capture their unruly sound at the proudly analog Engfelt & Forsgren Studio in Oslo, they invited Mathisen to join them, and the group was properly born during the sessions that led to their self-titled debut. This studio, with Christian Engfelt in charge of recording and mixing, has proved perfect for capturing the essence of a group like Krokofant, so it was only natural that they went back for the second album. Real musicians captured playing together in real time -- you simply can't beat that when it comes to this kind of music!
CD $17

MONKEY PLOT - Angående Omstendigheter Som Ikke Lar Seg Nedtegne (Hubro 2547; Norway) The members of the acoustic trio Monkey Plot have been playing together since 2000. With acoustic guitar (Christian Winther), double bass (Magnus Nergaard) and drums (Jan Martin Gismervik), they have carved out an expressive idiom that evokes other musical references but is at the same time unique. They started out as a raw electric guitar trio belonging to a Hendrix-in-the-rough tradition, with a reputation for throwing bananas at their audiences. But at some point they pulled the plug and began to listen their way into a new and uncompromising acoustic expression. Monkey Plot's style is intimate and unpretentious. It would seem more accurate to call it "music for small spaces" rather than the more formal-sounding "chamber music." There is something straightforward and grounded about the band's music. Although dramatic effect has been abandoned, their music has become neither boring nor lifeless. Monkey Plot is an improvisational band, in the sense that improvisation is the tool used by the trio's members to make music. They describe it themselves as a simple method that gives a varied and organic result. The music is always pressing onwards. Nevertheless, it would be wrong to categorize their music as belonging within the improvisational genre. One suspects that Neil Young and Nick Drake are more influential sources of inspiration for guitarist Christian Winther than, for instance, Derek Bailey. Monkey Plot's first album, Løv Og Lette Vimpler (Gigafon), was released in 2013. It was recorded at home in the living room of free jazz legend Frode Gjerstad. That same year the group won the Jazzintro competition, receiving the title "Young Norwegian Jazz Musicians of the Year" and a grant from Gramo, the Norwegian organization responsible for collecting and distributing music royalties. The band have toured extensively, and have held concerts in Norway, the rest of Europe, and Asia. In 2015 they have had several collaborative concerts with the Swedish poet and sound artist Pär Thörn, who is also the source of this album's title, Angående Omstendigheter Som Ikke Lar Seg Nedtegne. The members of the band also play together in the experimental rock band Karokh. Like previous winners of Jazzintro such as Urban Connection, In the Country, and Albatrosh, Monkey Plot are proving to be a major exponent of Norwegian jazz, both in Norway and abroad.
CD $17

ERLAND DAHLEN - Blossom Bells (Hubro 2525; Norway) Blossom Bells is the long awaited follow-up to drummer and percussionist Erland Dahlen's critically acclaimed 2012 debut solo album, Rolling Bomber (HUBRO 2512CD/3512LP). Dahlen's second album has a playful, richly visual mood, but is also quite dark and menacing in places. Elements of krautrock, drone music, ambient music, and contemporary music are woven together here with dark, rock-inspired energy. The album is named after the legendary instrument-maker Pete Engelhart's unusual chromatic set of bells, the Blossom Bell, which Dahlen plays in several places on the album. He also plays a variety of percussion instruments, saw, electronic instruments, and some specially constructed instruments, such as cake molds with springs built by Hallvard W. Hagen, a custom-made percussion bass made by Harald Hougaard, and a wind-up wood instrument with elastic band constructed by Kenny Wollesen. The collection of instruments used on the album is extensive, imaginative, and unique. Dahlen is passionately interested in new sounds, and spends a great deal of time traipsing through offbeat second-hand shops while touring all over the world; he also uses eBay to acquire percussion instruments from the 1920s, '30s, and '40s. His compositions are often inspired by improvisations based on the exploration of fascinating sounds. Here, Dahlen plays all the instruments himself, as on Rolling Bomber, but has produced the album with Johnny Skalleberg as well as Hagen and Jens Petter Nilsen from the electronica duo Xploding Plastix, a group with which Dahlen has worked since the early 2000s. Dahlen has played on over 160 records since the mid-1990s, and has toured with an impressive list of top-ranking artists in more than 30 countries, including Madrugada, Xploding Plastix, John Paul Jones, Pantha du Prince & The Bell Laboratory, Årabrot, Kaada/Mike Patton, Eivind Aarset (on Sonic Codex), Serena-Maneesh, Anja Garbarek, Arve Henriksen, Hanne Hukkelberg, Ane Brun, and many others. For the past few years Dahlen has been a regular member of Nils Petter Molvær's band, and he plays in the trio Stian Westerhus & Pale Horses. His talents are also frequently put to use for film music. Blossom Bells was recorded at Oslo Klang with technician Johnny Skalleberg and at Coffee Fabric with technicians Jens Petter Nilsen and Hallvard W. Hagen. It was mastered by Helge Sten at Audio Virus Lab.
CD $17

GEIR SUNDSTOL - Furulund (Hubro 2533; Norway) Furulund is a collection of atmospheric, low-key, and evocative instrumental pieces, recorded using analog equipment at Geir Sundstøl's home studio, Studio Intim. The guitarist and self-taught multi-instrumentalist from Halden, Norway, has been making music for a living since 1988. He has left his unique musical mark on 260 records featuring everyone from a-ha to Nils Petter Molvær. Furulund is his first album under his own name, a long-awaited debut from an extremely popular musician. Sundstøl has toured all over the world, and has been the most frequently played performer on Norwegian radio for several years. A concert he held with country artist Jimmie Dale Gilmore in the USA in the 1990s gave film directors Joel and Ethan Coen the inspiration for Gaear Grimsrud, Peter Stormare's character in their 1996 film Fargo. Sundstøl's music draws inspiration from jazz, blues, roots, and country, but can be characterized most of all as original, eccentric, and lovely. Sundstøl is an avid collector of instruments, and his home studio is full of rare and unusual finds. He plays most of the instruments on the record himself, but has also enjoyed the input of a few colleagues representing what can without exaggeration be called the upper echelon: keyboardist David Wallumrød (Bern/hoft) and drummers Erland Dahlen and Michael Blair (Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Lou Reed). Dahlen and Sundstøl have played together in a number of contexts, including Nils Petter Molvær's group and the band Morris. Furulund was mixed by Bård Ingebrigtsen at Amper Tone Studio and mastered by Helge Sten at Audio Virus Lab.
CD $17

FINLAND With IVAR GRYDELAND/NILS PETTER MOLVAR - Rainy Omen (Hubro 2557; Norway) Although the band Finland has existed since 2010, Rainy Omen is their first release. Finland consists of five musicians who have made their indisputable mark on the Norwegian music scene since the mid-2000s, and who have individually been involved in countless other bands and recordings. The band project has come about more as a result of excess enthusiasm than of necessity -- and musical enthusiasm is, in fact, what characterizes this debut release. The members of Finland are guitarist Ivar Grydeland (Huntsville), drummer Pål Hausken (In the Country, Ida Jenshus), keyboard wizard Morten Qvenild (In the Country, sPacemoNkey, Susanna and the Magical Orchestra), and the superb bass player Jo Berger Myhre (Splashgirl, Nils Petter Molvær, Mariam the Believer). In Finland they are investigating a more rock-oriented, spontaneous, and extroverted type of music than in many of the other bands they play in. Their music encompasses an encyclopedic number of genres and sources of inspiration, and their debut album serves as documentation of the point where different musical paths and dialogues intersect in the band at this particular time. Elements of instrumental film music; post-, prog-, noise, and freedom rock; and airy Americana are all included in the appealing and well-composed musical melting pot that constitutes Rainy Omen. Finland as a rock band cannot be described with superficial metaphors or by listing their sources of inspiration, but even on their debut album they already have their own distinctive sound.
CD $17

MORTEN QVENILD - Personal Piano (Hubro 2563; Norway) Since 2000, pianist and keyboardist Morten Qvenild has been one of the most creative musicians in the Norwegian music scene. Qvenild has both an unusual flair for pop and a passion for experimentation and improvisation. Now, at last, his long-awaited debut solo album has arrived. Qvenild is probably most well known as a member of the unusual piano trio In the Country, half of the duo sPaceMonkey with drummer Gard Nilssen, and Susanna Wallumrød's partner in Susanna and the Magical Orchestra, but he has also played in a number of other bands. Altogether Qvenild has appeared on at least 50 albums with artists such as The National Bank, Solveig Slettahjell Slow Motion Quintet, Susanne Sundfør, Arve Henriksen, Thomas Dybdahl, Marit Larsen, Nils Petter Molvær, Shining, Jaga Jazzist, Frida Ånnevik, and Trinity, as well as many others. Since 2012, Qvenild has been working on developing a project called The HYPer(sonal) Piano. By integrating various types of electronics into the grand piano he has radically expanded the instrument's sonic palette. The inventive tunes and improvisations on his solo debut, Personal Piano, create a platform that highlights a unique and heavily processed world of sound and a remarkably intense musical idiom. The music is primarily instrumental, but Qvenild also sings on a few tracks. The music on Personal Piano is the sum of Qvenild's personal interests combined with a wealth of sources of inspiration: a catchy melody, birches, noise, restlessness, snow, James Blake, words, wood, Radiohead, plastic, running, the abrupt, the child, the pine tree, melancholy, Frode Grytten, travelling, travelling too much, not travelling, travelling to the wrong place, a cabin, ashes, Olivier Messiaen, Hans Børli, not knowing, metal, electrons, euphoria, contemplating, skis, underground, Murakami, kayak, country, in the country, the dark chords and the shimmering light.
CD $17

MOSTER! - When You Cut Into the Present (Hubro 2565; Norway) On their third album in as many years, following 2013's Edvard Lygre Møster (HUBRO 2527CD/3527LP) and 2014's Inner Earth (HUBRO 2548CD/3548LP), saxophonist Kjetil Møster's band Møster! take another leap forward and appear even closer, more unified, and better synchronized than ever. This album was recorded during a break in an extensive tour on a shared bill with the Norwegian-American band The Young Mothers. On Inner Earth, the band took a step in the direction of prog rock, and slowly and very patiently built up to an enormous climax. On When You Cut Into the Present, this gradual build-up has been replaced with a more direct and confrontational, effective style. Prog rock, psychedelia, and John Coltrane's jazz are obviously still sources of inspiration for the band, but this time they share space with everyone from King Crimson in their Red period to Alice Coltrane and Can. The music has also incorporated references from the originators of the Nordic jazz sound of the 1960s and '70s such as Jan Garbarek, Terje Rypdal, Arild Andersen, and Jon Christensen. From the very beginning, the musicians hit the floor running, propelling themselves toward ecstasy with constant sonic excesses and grooving with marathon-like stamina. The result is a catchy, addictive, and consistently creative eruption. Saxophonist Kjetil Møster is apparently everywhere all the time. He plays in a number of jazz and improvisational bands, but also performs regularly with Röyksopp & Robyn, Datarock, King Midas, and Lars Vaular. Since recording Inner Earth he has also released an album with the Hungarian trio Jü and launched a concert collaboration with Chicago musicians Jeff Parker and John Herndon (Tortoise) and Joshua Abrams (Natural Information Society). In addition to Kjetil Møster himself, Møster! consists of the same musicians as on the previous album: the legendary Hans Magnus "Snah" Ryan, guitarist and vocalist in Motorpsycho; Nikolai Hængsle Eilertsen, bass player in Elephant9 and BigBang; and the ubiquitous drummer Kenneth Kapstad, also from Motorpsycho and Monolithic. When You Cut Into the Present was recorded at Øra Studio in Trondheim with technician Jo Ranheim. It was mixed by Christian Engfelt, Kjetil Møster, and Nikolai Hængsle Eilertsen at Engfelt & Forsgren Studio in Oslo, and mastered by Jørgen Træen at Grotten in the Bergen Kjøtt building.
CD $17

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