BRUCE RETURNS FROM CANADA...

PANELOLOGIST MANNYLUNCH GOES TO THE SAN DIEGO COMIC CON...

...AND DMG BOUNCES BACK with ANOTHER INCREDIBLE WEEK of GREAT DISCS!!! :

ERIK FRIEDLANDER! EYVIND KANG! CONVERGENCE QUARTET [TAYLOR HO BYNUM /HARRIS EISENSTADT /ALEXANDER HAWKINS/DOMINIC LASH]!

OTOMO YOSHIHIDE'S NEW JAZZ ORCHESTRA 2 CD SET! DOUBLE DUO [MISHA MENGELBERG/ ANGELO VERPLOEGEN/ NATSUKI TAMURA/SATOKO FUJII]!

PAUL DUNMALL & JOHN EDWARDS! PAUL ROGERS & EDWARD PERRAUD! PAUL DUNMALL/TONY ORELL/JIM BARR, MARK O'LEARY/STEUART LIEBIG/ALEX CLINE,

2 from TREVOR WATTS' MOIRE MUSIC, KINDS [HANNES LOSCHEL/DAVID TRONZO/ACHIM TANG], NEW JOE McPHEE & OLD NOAH HOWARD on LP, SCOTT COLLEY, KENNY WERNER,

HISTORIC DISCS from CHARLES MINGUS SEXTET With ERIC DOLPHY, ANDY SUMMERS & ROBERT FRIPP, BILL EVANS, STAN GETZ, LAURIE ANDERSON, JOHN FAHEY, SONIC YOUTH, 3 from HECTOR ZAZOU, ALL 3 NED ROTHENBERG DOUBLE BAND DISCS, CAMEL, BRIAN AUGER & JULIE TIPPETTS, BOB DYLAN 2 DVD-SET + THE ENTIRE BONZO DOG BAND CATALOGUE w/ BONUS TRACKS!

AND SO MUCH MORE!


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ERIK FRIEDLANDER - Block Ice & Propane (Skipstone; USA) The downtown cellist Erik Friedlander showcases a magnificent new solo album, "Block Ice & Propane," which is inspired by family road trips he took as a child. Friedlander's father, Lee, is a photographer, who, when Erik was young, would pack up his family for long summer treks to photo shoots and teaching assignments in a '66 Chevy pickup with a camper on top and the amenities of the album's title. The beautifully spare compositions vaguely recall Ry Cooder's score for "Paris, Texas" while revealing the cello to be - at least in Friedlander's hands--a versatile instrument that can sound like a steel-string guitar one moment and an air horn the next.
"While having breakfast at the Mission CafŽ yesterday (7/17/07), I read a great article about Erik Friedlander and his new disc on the front page of the Arts section of the NY Times. I called Erik as soon as I got back to the store and asked him for copies of his new disc and within an hour he dropped off 50 copies. Hooray! Erik premiered this music at Joe's Pub last night and was kind enough to put on the guest list. I was honored to sit with his parents, his wife, daughter and their friends. The set was splendid, sold out and quite intimate. This disc and the music he performed are/were completely enchanting, rich in detail and nuance. Erik has developed his own sound and approach to the cello and each piece evokes a different mood and series of images or feelings. On "Dream Song", there is a hushed and haunting sound in the distance like the shadow notes of a pedal steel guitar that makes this piece even more sublime. Images taken from the trips with his family were projected above the stage and can be found in the enclosed booklet. The music fits these images just right and we were transported to great open spaces of the West. For his final encore, Erik played a touching piece from John Zorn's 'Book of Angels' Volume 2, which was just recorded last week (to be released in a few months), for his final encore. Wow! We will have two Erik Friedlander solo cello efforts in one year. Will wonders never cease! - BLG
CD $12


EYVIND KANG - Athlantis (Ipecac 87; USA) "In Regina, Saskatchewan, our elementary school teacher used to play classical records, and make large diagrams which followed the form of the music - while listening she would point to the place in the diagram, and introduce a lot of us kids to the repertoire that way. I got interested in music, started learning the violin.
As a teenager, I played in the youth orchestra, as well as played bass in some top 40 bands. I listened to a lot of classical music, as well as stuff like Prince, Bad Brains, etc. I moved over to Seattle in the early 90s, where I met the jazz violinist Michael White, who was an enormous influence on me. At Cornish college I went to talks by John Cage, Lou Harrison, Toru Takemitsu, which made a strong impression. In '98 I studied with the great violinist Dr. N. Rajam in Mumbai, which really changed the way I heard music. I'm interested in "sound", and in all the musical traditions that treat of it. I've met a lot of great musicians and learned from them.
I played viola with different bands, like Bill Frisell and Secret Chiefs, and created string arrangements for a lot of other artists, Laurie Anderson, Blonde Redhead, Laura Veirs, the Stares, and many more. It's great to collaborate with musicians, to see how it works, from different points of view, how it sounds, how they do it, what one listens to in sound. I don't believe you can know an objective music with notes, tempos, etc; rather, it's mostly about the process that is intersubjective. At the same time, when the thought of music appears, I bring it out. The CDs that I've recorded, 7 NADEs and Theater of Mineral NADEs, the Story of Iceland, Live Low to the Earth in the Iron Age, Virginal Co-ordinates, are mostly about the thought of music, the idea that you get, when you think of a sound, which triggers a memory, for example, which makes you feel a certain way.
I always love to read Renaissance era literature and philosophy, so writing the choral piece 'Athlantis' was a great chance to interact with one of my favorites, Giordano Bruno. The book that I worked with is called Cantus Circaeus. I went to the Ritman library in Amsterdam and held the original edition in my hands; I went through it page by page. Surprisingly, it was a very small book, sort of like those moleskin notebooks that people carry around these days. While composing, I sometimes felt that I was sharing a kind of joke, or riddle, with Bruno and that we were almost laughing together. I don't know why, but I was compelled to combine his text with some obscure poems from Bishop Marbode of Rennes, and some lines from the Hungarian epic Planctus Destructionis.
The piece is something like an oratorio, with the incredible singers Mike Patton and Jessika Kenney on the main parts. I studied and set the text; I did the ground-work and created the musical space. All of the singers, choir and soloists, came in and inhabited it and made it their own." - Eyvind Kang, 2007
CD $16


OTOMO YOSHIHIDE'S NEW JAZZ ORCHESTRA [ONJO] - Live Vol 1: Series Circuit [2 CD set] (Doubt 115/116; Japan) Otomo Yoshihide's 2005 self-titled disc by his New Jazz Orchestra was my favorite record of that year, and remains one of my all-time favorite jazz albums to this day. When he squeezed his mind-melting reinterpretation of Eric Dolphy's classic "Out to Lunch" album in at the end of the same year, he simply upped the ante further and declared officially to the world that his New Jazz bands, as they grew in both size and ambition, featured perhaps his greatest work thusfar as an arranger and conductor. The next logical step was to take such a killer band on the road in 2006; the next step after that is the obligatory live record in 2007. Japan's stellar Doubtmusic label now presents us with the first of two double-CD collections of ONJO onstage, reworking not only compositions from the two ONJO studio albums but also tackling some of the Takeo Yamashita songbook, which Otomo first recorded on a now-unavailable CD for P-Vine back in 1999 and which, as Otomo points out in his excellent liner notes, featured the first appearances of the New Jazz Quintet. As is to be expected, the performances are of the highest quality, with now-frequent Otomo collaborator Kahimi Karie sitting in on vocals for many of the tracks which she co-wrote with Otomo on the first ONJO CD, as well as adding tasteful vocals to some of the Dolphy reinterpretations. Many of the highlights, though, are the Yamashita tunes, which add a bit of lightness and variety to the proceedings while still retaining the dreamy noirish tone of the band's unique sound. My only beef, and a minor one at that, is that none of ONJO's versions of songs of songs from Karie's more jazz-influenced solo albums are here, despite their regular inclusion in ONJO setlists. Oh well. All in all, nearly two hours of killer sounds all around. Bring on Volume Two! - Mikey IQ Jones.
2 CD Set $26

[...and, BTW, we've lowered the price of all our single Doubt CDs to $20 (from $22) and may possibly get them even lower in a month or two - for whichever ones are still in print!]


DOUBLE DUO [ANGELO VERPLOEGEN/MISHA MENGELBERG/NATSUKI TAMURA/SATOKO FUJII] - Crossword Puzzle (Libra 104-017; Japan) Featuring Misha Mengelberg and Satoko Fujii on pianos and Angelo Verploegen and Natsuki Tamura on trumpets. No doubt DMG newsletter subscribers know well ICP leader, composer and pianist Misha Mengelberg, as well as Japanese piano wiz, composer, improviser and multi-bandleader Satoko Fujii and her husband & most consistent collaborator, Natsuki Tamura. Belgium-born trumpet & flugelhorn player. Angelo Verploegen, who organized this session, is both a professor and has worked with the Houdini's, Bik Bent Braam and Martin Fondse. This is the first time that Satoko Fujii has worked with Misha Mengelberg and this is a unique quartet with two fine pianists and two great trumpeters. It was well-recorded live at The Bimhuis in September of 2005, the balance is just right. This is a completely improvised set and has the magic of discovery, exploration and communication throughout the entire set. Starting slowly and spaciously, the players take their time to weave their sounds around and with one another. Satoko works inside the piano selectively, occasionally banging or rubbing strings. There is an amazing duo piano section where Misha and Satoko match wits and complete each other's lines. I love when we hear a theme or idea passed around, solos turn into duos or trios and intricate quartets. Each of these four musicians is on equal ground and each one contributes to the sound and direction as things evolve. Natsuki plays some intense and focused muted trumpet as Angelo plays his rich, warm and creative trumpet parts. Sometimes an improvising group is even greater than the sum of its parts and it is even better still. - BLG
CD $18


PAUL DUNMALL/JOHN EDWARDS - Live At The New Vortex (Duns 056; UK) LIMITED CDR EDITION. This splendid disc was recorded live at New Vortex in London in September of 2006 and features our main British multi-reeds hero, Paul Dunmall on tenor sax & saxello and John Edwards on double bass. Over the past decade, British bassist, John Edwards, has kept busy playing a large number of the UK's best musicians: Evan Parker, Eddie Prevost, Mark Sanders, Tony Bevan, Keith Tippett, Lol Coxhill, Chris Burn plus Sunny Murray and Frode Gjerstad. Mr. Edwards now has four discs with Evan Parker and this is his fourth disc with Paul Dunmall. There is an obvious special connection between both of these musicians that is apparent right from the beginning. Edwards plays his double bass in a most physical way, making vocal sounds as he bows and plucks intensely with Dunmall's free-flowing tenor sax eruptions. There is an amazing balance of the elements going on, from quiet yet focused to over-the-top explosions. This dynamic duo follow each other all over, organically moving together inside and out, melodic and fractured, warm and abrupt. At around the ten minute mark, the duo mellow down to a more somber and lyrical section and then build back up again to an Evan Parker-like frenzy and then back down to another more calm and lyrical episode. "Clement" is an epic-length (nearly 32 minutes) that covers a great deal of variety, from one section to the next. The final piece, "Regine" features Dunmall on (Elton Dean's) saxello and is a lovely, haunting work, playful in part and free flying in other parts. Again, Edwards and Dunmall, work so well together playing in similar textures and twisted tones. The both bend their notes together when Edwards picks up his bow in the middle of this track. Another superb release from Dunmall's DUNS Limited Editions. - BLG
CD $15


NEW FMR RELEASES!

PAUL DUNMALL/TONY ORELL/JIM BARR - Deep See (FMR 217; UK) Featuring Paul Dunmall on saxes, Jim Barr on bass and Tony Orrell on drums. DMG newsletter subscribers certainly know of our fave British sax giant, Paul Dunmall, however it took some work to find out who Jim Barr & Tony Orrell are. UK bassist, Jim Barr, has played with Portishead and Brit drummer, Tony Orrell, has played with Spirit Level and with Jack Walrath. This seems to be the first time that Tony and Jim have collaborated with Paul Dunmall for an entire CD. This fine disc consists of three long tracks and is more laid back and lush than many of Dunmall's previous freer outings. The piece is the longest and is called, "Deep See Diver" and Dunmall plays with a warm and endearing tone as the rhythm team play with a swell soft-burning groove. Dunmall's tone warm and tasty, somewhere in between Stan Getz and Coltrane. The piece is 23 minutes and builds slowly to an infectious conclusion. For "Cookle Hen", Dunmall switches to saxello and the trio swings jubilantly with a slightly more funky groove. There is some superb interplay between the sax and drums as the bass also digs in and creates a web of bouncing activity. The drums and bass solo together near the end and it just makes me feel like smiling and snapping my fingers. Finally, the ridiculously named "Sausage or Gregory" is another lovely, laid back piece with some sublime tenor from Dunmall. Tony dances on the drums, keeping a dialogue with Dunmall as both men build in waves together while Jim keeps the bass pulse churning in the center. This piece unfolds in an organic way, erupts intensely in the middle and then sails back down to a soft conclusion. By the way, this is the fifth drummer named Tony that Paul Dunmall has recorded with. - BLG
CD $16

PAUL ROGERS/EDWARD PERRAUD - Two Loose (FMR 231; UK) Featuring contrabass giant, Paul Rogers, on his 7 string A.L.L. acoustic bass with 14 sympathetic strings and Edward Perraud on percussion. Superbly recorded live the Theatre du Pave in Toulouse, France in November of 2005. This is an astonishing duo set that must be heard to be believed. I have long been a huge fan of the mighty Paul Rogers, longtime cohort and the most consistent collaborator with equally great saxman Paul Dunmall. Paul Rogers' custom made 7 string contrabass sounds unlike any other bass on this planet and the way Paul plays it, brings it up another notch. French percussion wiz Edward Perraud has played with Hubbub, Arthur Doyle, Jean-Luc Guionnet & Joe Rosenberg on two CIMP discs. This live set is incredibly well-recorded and it sounds as if the duo are playing right in front of us. The first of two pieces is the title track it is almost an hour long and is utterly fascinating throughout. What makes this duo work so well is that both men are creating similar textures together, both are masters with their bows and at coaxing cosmic wooden and metallic sounds. Hence, it is occasionally difficult to tell who is playing which sound and there is an exciting edge-of-your-seat vibe that runs from the very first to the very last sound. The other thing that I find most mind-blowing is this hard to describe melodic, ghost-like aura that flows within this music. It is as if they are making their instruments speak directly to us without any words, yet we know or feel exactly what they are saying. I've played this phenomenal disc every day since we got it in stock last week and each time something special happens. Someone looks up and say, "What is this?!?" Now it is your turn to be blown away. - BLG
CD $16

MARK O'LEARY With STEUART LIEBIG/ALEX CLINE - Signs (FMR 214; UK) Featuring Mark O'Leary on electric & acoustic guitars, Steuart Leibig on 6-strong electric contrabass and Alex Cline on drums & percussion. Irish jazz guitar wiz, Mark O'Leary, has 7 discs out on Leo, and each one features different collaborators. Mark has worked with a number of great players like Cuong Vu, Matt Shipp, Mat Maneri, Steve Swallow, Tomasz Stanko, Uri Caine and Tom Rainey. For each of his discs, Mark comes to a different town and chooses the cream of improvisers to work with. For this gem, Mark chose L.A. and picked bass great Steuart Leibig and drummer extraordinaire Alex Cline. "Tilt" opens and begins with some dreamy acoustic guitar, rather Ralph Towner-like in sound. Soon, the superb rhythm team kicks in as Mark switches to some volume swirling electric guitar. In a blindfold test, fusion fans would probably guess Abercrombie or Holdsworth with DeJohnette and an unnamed but amazing electric bassist. What is interesting is that this unit doesn't sound like any other that Mark has worked with so far, each situation that O'Leary places himself in is completely unique depending on the players he is with. After showing off their fusion chops, the trio sails out into free space for "Falling", which is spacious and haunting, just some sprinkle of notes floating in the air. "Skrakk" features some intense quick, free noise that the trio play with some restraint, while on "Signs", Mark plays with a dreamy, shimmering Abercrombie-like tone, while the trio plays fast and furious without raising the volume very much. Each piece is approached differently, giving each member of the trio a chance to steer the direction in one way or another. Steuart's superb and distinctive electric bass tone and playing often stand out as the central sound of the trio and Alex Cline knows when to play with elegance and grace, as well as erupting some over-the-top drumming at times. - BLG
CD $16

THE CONVERGENCE QUARTET [TAYLOR HO BYNUM/HARRIS EISENSTADT /ALEXANDER HAWKINS/DOMINIC LASH] - Live In Oxford (FMR 223; UK) Taylor Ho Bynum (cornet/flugelhorn), Harris Eisenstadt (drums), Alexander Hawkins (piano/small instruments) and Dominic Lash (double bass) The Convergence Quartet, featuring an international line up of expert improvisers, present their first release for FMR. This live set was recorded at the prestigious Jacqueline Du PrŽ Music Building in Oxford. ".....you'll be listening even more closely the second time around, rather than sticking the CD on your shelf with the comfortable expectations-fulfilled assertion 'yes, I really like that kind of music, and therefore I really liked that album'. After all, that would be too easy, and music can offer a much richer experience. Thank heavens the Convergence Quartet are prepared to stick their necks out on our behalf...." Simon H. Fell
CD $16

BLAST 6TET [SAADET TURKOZ/HANS KOCH] - As Nowhere As Anywhere (FMR 229; UK) Featuring Hans Koch (soprano saxophone & bass clarinet), Saadet TŸrkšz (voice), Dirk Bruinsma (baritone saxophone, flute and electronics), Paed Conca (el. bass & clarinet), Frank Crijns (guitar and devices), Fabrizio Spera (drums) Blast's sixth release in their eighteenth year of existence. The core of the group plays together since 2000 and consists out of Fabrizio Spera (I-drums, percussion), Paed Conca (CH-bass), Frank Crijns (NL-guitar) and Dirk Bruinsma (NL- reeds, flute, electronics). Joined by the Turkish-Kazakh singer Saadet TŸrkšz and the Swiss reed player Hans Koch, on this CD Blast is playing a program of fully improvised music. Saadet's singing is a fusion of modern vocal techniques with elements of the Turkish-Mongolian music tradition. Hans Koch is known for his longstanding work in trio with Koch, SchŸtz & Studer, and for various international collaborations in the circuit of improvised music. This combination makes an obstinate music with moments of raw expression and refined lyrical quality.
CD $16

DELTA SAXOPHONE QUARTET - Facing Death (FMR 104; UK) Facing Death' One of the most dynamic, resourceful and highly successful contemporary saxophone ensembles around, Delta's new release 'Facing death' takes its title from the Dutch composer Louis Andriessen and is based on Jazz legend Charlie Parker. The quartet has a reputation for offering a wide variety of stimulating music, thoughtfully programmed to provide amazing contrast, and this new CD is no exception, with stimulating compositions by wonderful composers such as Graham Fitkin, Javier Alvarez, Joe Duddell and Christopher Fox. A fabulous ensemble caught at its peak!
Graham Fitkin's "Stub" opens and has that Zappa-like way of jumping between a few different themes and it has an ever-shifting rhythmic quirkiness that is playful and infectious. Javier Alvarez' "The Accordion of the Broken Heart" sounds like an accordion that is breaking down and has layers of lines intersecting simultaneously. The title track was composed by Louis Andriessen and it quotes the bebop sax lines of Charlie Parker, spinning some of those quicksilver high-speed lines that Bird invented more than fifty years ago. This not Supersax as Andriessen constantly shifts the layers of lines and adds different harmonies throughout. Christopher Fox's "Concurrent Air" is a slow moving piece with somber drones floating like ghosts through the air. Although there a minimum of notes, it does have a most hypnotic vibe. Joe Duddell's Circle Square" consists of three movements and is rich in layers of fast changing harmonies in the first movement. It slows down to a more serene sound in the second part and then builds back up to a festive pace on the third movement. I admit to having a fondness for sax quartets, ever since checking out the World Sax Quartet and Rova in the seventies and eighties. The Delta Sax Quartet are also great and do not sound quite like any other sax quartet. - BLG
CD $16

VANISHING PICTURES [DIRK WACHTELAER/PAUL LYTTON] - Vanishing Pictures (FMR 76; UK) Featuring Dirk Wachtelaer on drums, treatments, rhythm machine & samples, Paul Lytton on percussion & electronics, DJ Grazzhoppa on turntables, Luk Mishalle on sax, Gerrit Valckenaers on sampler, bass clarinet & bicycle wheel and Michael Weilacher on tam tam & percussion. This turns out to be the first of three fine discs by Dirk Wachtelaer's Vanishing Pictures band. I've reviewed and enjoyed the other two discs and just happened to notice this one in the FMR catalogue. Dirk seems to like old radio samples, so we hear quite a bit of older material mixed with layers of samples, records, percussion and sax. There is a strong balance between the old and the new sounds found here, ancient sounds with modern electronic sounds. The percussion and drums are most often used more for textures than rhythms. This reminds me of the way Gunter Muller has evolved from once playing drums and now deals with mainly percussive samples and manipulating the sounds of his percussive instruments. Each piece deals with different layers of percussive & sampled sounds with bits of sax floating between. As this disc evolves, the sounds become more alien and strange, yet there is a constant attention to detail and balance making this consistently engaging and occasionally provocative. The old (school) radio samples work successfully as a narrator who it is telling a fragmented story. - BLG
CD $16

G P HALL [GRAHAM PETER HALL] - Imaginary Seasons (RFP 11101; UK) Featuring mostly GP Hall on guitars, bass, synth, percussion & electronics with guests Jeff Clyne (bass), Lyn Dobson (flute), Graham Wiggins, Paivi Hall, Terry Disley, Tim Hill, Andy Peters and Steve Harris. Guitarist/electronic guitarist G P Hall's latest recording, We know of a few of these musicians like Jeff Clyne from dozens of jazz records from the sixties onwards, Lyn Dobson was in Soft Machine of a short bit and Steve Harris has a few discs on Slam. "Imaginary Seasons", a retake of Vivaldi's famous opus, certainly does not follow orthodox lines. Each season is rewritten with didgeridoos, whistles, bicycle spokes and selective 'noises' augmenting guitar adagios, flute sections, brass and percussion. Underpinning all this are the 'industrial sound sculptures' " GP Hall does a fine job of evoking different parts of each season. From the meditative parts of "Spring" to the uplifting flamenco guitar and didjeridoo parts of "Summer". "Autumn / Reflections" features some lovely flute from Lyn Dobson and quaint acoustic guitar from Mr. Hall. "Winter / Visions" features some spooky industrial sound sculptures on "Hostile Landscape", yet it turns into a more enchanting synth soundscape in the last section. Overall, a rather quaint soundtrack to the seasons. - BLG
CD $16 (Distributed by FMR)

TREVOR WATTS MOIRE MUSIC - Live In Karlsruhe (FMR 232; UK) Featuring Trevor Watts (Leader/Composer/alto & sop saxes), Lianne Carroll (Voice & keyboards), Richard Granville Smith (accordion), Veryan Weston (piano), Liam Genockey (drums), Colin Gibson (bass guitar), Simon Picard (soprano & tenor saxes), Nana Tsiboe & Nana Appiah (African Percussion). Recorded at the Karlsruhe Festival, this is a rare 1989 live recording from Trevor Watts' influential outfit. Boasting Moire Music regulars, and huge names in their own right, Lianne Carrol, Richard Granville, Veryon Weston, Lian Genocky, Colin Gibson and Simon Picard, as well as pulsing African percussion (a staple of the Moire Music sound) from Nana Tsiboe and Nana Appiah. Taken from Trevor Watts' incredible archive of unreleased live material, this is an incredible performance and a rare treat for the astute jazz fan!
CD $16

TREVOR WATTS MOIRE MUSIC - Live At The Athens Concert Hall (Arc 08; UK) There are moments on this self-issued CD from Trevor Watts' ARC label that are strongly reminiscent of Weather Report's work at the Al Johnson/Jaco transition. That was some of my favorite music of the day and Watts and friends neatly bring back the energy of a time when cross-cultural music was a bold experiment, not a marketing concept. There is some exceptional playing on this CD, most notably from the Scots-born bassist Colin McKenzie. He plays a ringing, Jaco-influenced bass, heavy on the double stops, and a good thing, too. McKenzie is the closest this band has to a harmonic instrument. Nonetheless, he's as rhythmically solid as an atomic clock throughout. A hugely impressive achievement. Mark Parnell manages the dicey role of keeping steady time while not rendering himself irrelevant in the face of the exciting percussion battery that is at the heart of the band. He does just fine. Which brings me to Watts. Is it unfair to say that his soloing is not really the point of this band? I think we're dealing with a very African musical concept here, one that values utility and community over the individual, and jazz - at least since Armstrong - has been the cult of the star soloist. Watts is very good, of course, but his solo turns lack incident, and I'm sure that's exactly what he intended. I must say that his alto playing tends to be a bit more incisive than his soprano work, which tends toward the merely pretty at times (most notably the ballad "Gentle Love"). But I think this band is about the flow and in that regard, it is spectacularly successful. The opening "Seamless" uses what I seem to recall as a Gnawa rhythm (Moroccan percussionist Ali Iaazane comes from that tradition, Watts announces in his band introductions). "Indian Hills" supposedly was inspired by a Canadian trip, but still ends up sounding African - nothing wrong with that - and "Yatra Groove" has an South Asian modal feeling and a rolling groove. In the end, I felt uplifted after listening to this CD, a very nice feeling indeed.
CD $16


KINDS [HANNES LOSCHEL/DAVID TRONZO/ACHIM TANG] - The Very Life Of Art (Loewenhertz 14; EEC) This is an amazing trio session featuring Dave Tronzo on slide guitar, Hannes Loeschel on piano & electronics and Achim Tang on acoustic bass. Last month (June of 2007), there was a week-long Austrian New Music Festival presented by and at the Austrian Cultural Forum. Max Nagl and a few of his Austrian cohorts came by the store and left us with some of their discs to check out. Experimental pianist, Hannes Loschel, left us with a few of his CD's and this one of the gems that we now have in stock to sell. Slide guitar god, Dave Tronzo, turns 50 this year and it is indeed time to sing his praises. He came to this town some two decades ago and has just a handful of recordings to his name. So each and every one remains a treasure to us Tronzo fan-addicts. While Tronzo has been known to rock out at times and play the occasional melody, here he goes pretty far out there. "Assyrian March" is a dark and haunting piece for inside-the-piano weirdness, banging-on-the-bass percussives and eerie slide guitar ghost-like notes. While the bassist holds the rhythmic center together, the guitar and piano dance around him together. Near the end of this piece, the bass and piano move into a bluesy section while Tronzo takes a great slide solo. Each member of the trio contributes a few of their own pieces and each one is different. On Achim's "Teezirkel", the bass sets up the slow pace while Tronzo plays some strange sounds on his guitar sliding each note separately while soon Hannes adds some bizarre but effective electronic sounds. This piece is often a collection of solos, one after the other, with each player keeping the flow of ideas continuous and somehow connected. When Hannes plays some mysterious sounds inside the piano, Tronzo answers with equally odd sounds on the guitar. What I dig about this disc is that some of the sounds are hard to figure out (is that electronics or inside-the-piano or guitar manipulations), yet everything is fascinating and the trio seem to find their way into some blues-like areas at times. This disc was released in 2004, but this is the first time we have offered copies to sell. - BLG
CD $18


SCOTT COLLEY w/ RALPH ALESSI, CRAIG TABORN & DAVE BINNEY - Architect of the Silent Movement (Cam Jazz 5021; USA) Featuring Scott Colley on bass & compositions, Ralph Alessi on trumpet, Craig Taborn on keyboards and Antonio Sanchez on drums plus guests Dave Binney on alto sax, Adam Rogers on guitar, Jason Moran on piano and Gregoire Maret on harmonica. "From the opening track of this disc, it's clear that each of these musicians has completely internalized the last half-century of jazz practices and aesthetics. Colley's distinctive blending of electric and acoustic instruments, unusual forms and meters, and novel grooves clearly marks Architect as a product of the new millennium, as do the performers' extraordinary rhythmic and melodic acuity in dealing with this challenging material. The creative individuals who have come together to render this music in a permanent way, trust that jazz's on-going engagement with ideas, sounds, and identities from many eras and places can and will continue."
CD $15


KENNY WERNER With DAVE DOUGLAS/CHRIS POTTER/LENNY PICKETT /SCOTT COLLEY/BRIAN BLADE - Lawn Chair Society (Blue Note; USA) Active for nearly three decades, Kenny Werner has earned a reputation as one of the most inventive pianists and composers in jazz. With Lawn Chair Society, he joins the illustrious roster of Blue Note Records and unveils the most thrilling and unorthodox statement of his career thus far. He is joined by some of the best players in the world: Dave Douglas, in a rare sideman appearance, on trumpet and cornet; Chris Potter on tenor sax and bass clarinet; Scott Colley on bass; and Brian Blade on drums. With the aid of producer Lenny Pickett, Werner and the band conjure a subtle blend of acoustic and electronic elements. The results are melodically rich, sonically futuristic, offhandedly virtuosic, and politically resonant.
CD $16


AARON DUGAN/JEFF ARNAL - Dog Day (C3R 13; Canada) [Special limited time price!] Featuring Aaron Dugan on guitar and Jeff Arnel on drums. I can't tell you much about guitarist, Aaron Dugan, except that he is Matisyahu's band (Hasidic reggae star) and has a duo disc with local drummer Mike Pride. Jeff Arnel is one of the better improvising drummers in NY nowadays and has a dozen great discs with Dietrich Eichmann, Gordon Beeferman, Dan DeChellis, Blaise Siwula, Nate Wooley and Reuben Radding. This duo is hooked up! There is strong balance and powerful flow of ideas back and forth. Free rock/jazz?!? No matter what you might call it, these cats are listening and responding quickly and tightly. It is cool to hear Jeff's drums as the lead instrument on a few of these pieces. Jeff plays brushes on "Trickum Shoals" and sets up the swinging sort of groove for Aaron to respond to with a minimum of notes placed just right. Jeff does a good job of bowing or rubbing his cymbal on "Pisco", a rather eerie piece with a minimum of notes used. Each piece involves different structures or textures or combinations of sounds. Some are very short, under 2 minutes, but all seem to say something stimulating. Both Aaron and Jeff change the sound of their instrument or their approach to playing on each piece, selectively coming up with new ideas on each piece. They even come up with a handful of strange, twisted melodies on a few of these pieces. Quite a successful pairing of their talents and often an unexpected delight. - BLG
CD $12

TRIPWIRE [LARS SCHERZBERG/JOHN HUGHES/JEFF ARNAL] - Looking in My Ear (Creative Sources 063; Spain) Tripwire features Lars Scherzberg on saxes, John Hughes on bass and Jeff Arnal on drums. This is the second disc by this trip, although I hadn't heard of German alto saxist Lars Scherzberg or American acoustic bassist John Hughes before this disc. Jeff Arnal has become of the best and busiest drummers in NY since moving here. He can be heard on some ten discs from labels like Leo, Sachimay and Clean Feed. Considering this is a sax, bass & drums trio, they rarely sound like what one might expect. They seem to be more concerned with odd sounds like bowed percussion, eerie mouthpiece manipulation & breath-like sounds and twisted contrabass explorations. Much of this quiet, spooky and cautious, as if they are waiting to erupt, building sounds a few at a time. What I like about this is that while waiting for things to happen, you can hear each sound and the selective way each sound is placed. You must be patient, since the rewards are (there) waiting for you to enter their world. Fascinating in a different sort of way. - BLG
CD $12 (Special price while Jeff still has some left - 7/18/07)


HO-LUS-BO-LUS [JOSH SINTON/JEREMY UDDEN et al] - All Together... All At Once (self released; USA) Featuring Josh Sinton on bari sax & bass clarinet, Jeremy Udden on alto & soprano saxes, Peter Bitenc on bass and Kota Nakamura & Marc Riordan on drums. Josh Sinton stopped in this week and left us with copies of his self-released disc. The only person's name I recognize is Jeremy Udden who has a disc on Fresh Sounds, I believe. Josh wrote five of the seven songs here with a couple of covers from The Beatles and Radiohead. "Dirt Track" features some nice warm harmonies for the bari sax and alto sax, at times reminding me of Gerry Mulligan and say, Paul Desmond. It has a lovely, laid back melody that made me smile. Josh writes quirky tunes that are not at all "out" yet still change in unexpected ways. "Fear and Happiness" has a quick theme that keeps returning, while both saxes solo together yet don't push each other too far out. Both saxes have a great way of shadowing each other by playing a similar melody but not at the exact same time. It is also odd that there are two drummers here yet this music is often more minimal in terms of construction. "Leave the Light On" hovers with the soprano sax and bass clarinet drifting together playing haunting drones while the bowed bass and occasional percussion also just float on the air. Over ten minutes of ghosts drifting in a graveyard. "The Long and Winding Road" is certainly one of the most corny songs that the Beatles have written and the version here is quaint and rather laid back. "Mobilium Perpetuum" is nearly 14 minutes long and features both drummers creating soft textures together, often eerie with suspended drones drifting on the breeze. Radiohead's "Scatterbrain" gets a nice mellow treatment with some warm harmonies both saxes and lovely bari solo, but it doesn't sound much different from the other tunes of this disc. "The Cube" features a double drum sort of surf beat groove with a couple of bent, slightly out sax solos. A most unexpected turn of events. Ho-Lus Bo-Lus are difficult to pin down to any one style, yet I find their disc to be charming in its own odd way. - BLG
CD $10


TALIBAM! [ED BEAR/MATT MOTTEL/KEVIN SHEA] - Ordination Of The Globetrotting Conscripts (Azul Discografica 06; USA) Featuring Ed Bear on bari & tenor sax & electronics, Matt Mottel on synth & banjo and Kevin Shea on drums with guests Peter Evans on trumpets, Cooper-Moore on handmade instruments, Anders Nilsson on guitar, Moppa Elliott on upright bass, Robbie Lee on renaissance instruments and Michael Evans on metal. I've known Matt Mottel since the days when he was in high school and was the youngest person attending many Zorn gigs more than a decade ago. "After several limited CDR releases and four years of incessant touring throughout America and Europe, NYC destructo-jazz trio Talibam! has taken its maiden voyage into the recording studio, where the group immersed itself in a non-stop, three-day session of furious improv. The result is Ordination of the Globetrotting Conscripts, the band's first-ever compact disc release, and a luminous, unexpected masterpiece." This disc captured these guys in all of the explosive glory. Although they are often over-the-top, they are still tight, focused and free simultaneously. Kevin Shea is one of those under-recognized yet amazing drummers and here he shines adding a centering fury to the proceedings. This is "free/rock" at its best, almost at the edge of spinning apart, yet they come up with wonderful submerged melodies in unexpected places. Completely fun, just noisy enough, but rarely indulgent. - BLG (The quote in the center is apt, but didn't come from me & is a label provided blurb)
CD $14


WHITE NIGHT FESTIVAL [VACHESLAV 'SLAVA' GANELIN / JOHN TCHICAI / MARK O'LEARY / JEAN CLAUDE JONES] - White Night Festival 2006 (Kadima 11; Israel) This spirited disc is comprised from the second annual White Night Festival in Tel Aviv and it features 20 musicians in duos, trios and quartets. The festival was a 12-hour marathon with musicians from around the world. The more well known players include John Tchicai on sax, Slava Ganelin on piano & synth, Steve Horenstein on bari sax, Albert Beger on tenor sax, Mark O'Leary on guitar and JC Jones on bass. Commencing with an intense sax duo featuring Ariel Shibolet and Yoram Lachish. John Tchicai plays more inside with a mellow trio of John Bostock on piano and Noam David on drums on the second piece, which sounds like a standard. The third piece starts with a quaint poem recited by Harold Rubin, who then switches to clarinet for a soft and quirky improv with Olga Magieres on piano, Shmil Frankel on bass and Arkady Gotesman on drums, which builds to fin conclusion. The Kinetic Trio features Marek Choloniewski on electronics, Wlodzmierz Kiniorski on sax & flute and Rafal Mazur on bass and perform two strange free pieces with odd vocals, expressive flute and strange bowed bass. The Interactive Trio feature Steve Hornstein, who once worked Bill Dixon, on bari sax, JC Jones on bass, who has worked w/ Ned Rothenberg, and Loic Kessous on computer processing. The deep, dark sounds of that eerie baritone sax, ominous acoustic bass-work and disturbing electronics show this trio to be one of the best found here. Although each piece is improvised, each piece is very different in approach and each provides a different surprise. There is one super-trio featuring Slava Ganelin on piano & synth, Mark O'Leary on guitar and Arkady Gotesman on drums and it is another long piece that moves through different sections, from spaciousness to free/fusion insanity and beyond. The final piece is an inspired piece called "Summit for Albert Ayler" for three saxes, John Tchicai, Steve Horenstein & Albert Beger and Noam David on drums. It is a touching, heartfelt work and a great way to bring this great disc to a grand conclusion. - BLG
CD $15


CHARLES MINGUS SEXTET With ERIC DOLPHY - Cornell 1964 [2 CD set] (Blue Note; USA) An amazing new discovery. The extraordinary sextet of Charles Mingus, Eric Dolphy, Clifford Jordon, Johnny Coles, Jaki Byard and Dannie Richmond in one of its first public appearances at Cornell University in upstate New York on March 18, 1964. The band went on to record at Town Hall and during its European tour, but nothing matches the buoyant joy that pervades every track here, especially a rousing, wild "Take The A Train." In addition to many well-known Mingus compositions, the band performs Dolphy's arrangement of "Jitterbug Waltz." Truly great music.
2 CD set for $24


SUN RA - Toward The Stars: Pioneering in 1955-56 (Cherry Red/FiveFour 19; UK) Sun Ra is simply one of the best-loved and most highly respected progressive jazz musicians in history. 'Toward the Stars' showcases' the incredible music Sun Ra was making at the outset of his solo career in the mid fifties.
This music is decades ahead of its time. Numbers like 'Sun Song' and 'India' may owe something to Les Baxter and Martin Denny but their intonation is somehow much deeper. Sun Ra influenced Miles Davis and David Bowie and dozens upon dozens of others. In serious international jazz circles he is hardly less than a deity. The first and perhaps definitive 'independent artist'! Tracks include: Spaceship Lullaby / Can This Be Love? / Call For All Demons / Lullaby For Realville / Future / Sun Song / Urnack / Demon's Lullaby / Piano Interlude / India / Kingdom Of Not / Advice To Medics / El Is A Sound Of Joy / Dreams Come True "This is wonderful early stuff - and as far as we can tell it doesn't duplicate material from any other releases. Recommended! - BLG
CD $17


JOE McPHEE - Soprano (Roaratorio 12; USA) "A document of Joe McPhee's first solo concert devoted exclusively to the straight horn, Soprano is a both a companion volume to his previous LP for Roaratorio (the critically lauded Everything Happens For A Reason) and a follow up to his classic album Tenor, which raised the bar for solo saxophone music over 30 years ago. "
LP $17 (Limited Edition LP-Only Release)

NOAH HOWARD With ARTHUR DOYLE/NORRIS JONES [SIRONE] et al - The Black Ark (Bo Weavil 24; UK) "It's no understatement that The Black Arc is one of the most sought-after underground free jazz releases of all time. The original Freedom vinyl LP and the brief Japanese CD reissue were criminally out-of-print and impossible to find. Both versions popped up on the internet auction sites once in a blue moon but when they did they always fetched insanely astronomical prices This record simply is THE BOMB -- a perfect combination of Noah's soulful compositions and playing, infused with plenty of sweet & sour, in & out forms and shapes from the incredible line-up assembled for this release. Plus we get to experience Arthur Doyle's outrageous debut on a recording session, increasing the playing and feeling to an intense level throughout. And dig the spaced out afro-delay on Juma's percussion (yes, that Juma Santos from Hendrix's killer Woodstock show of the same year, and Coltrane's Olatunji concert disc). All of the players on this record- including Earl Cross trumpet, Leslie Waldron piano, Sirone bass, and Mohammed Ali drums - combine to make it a CLASSIC and its esteemed reputation IS well earned." --Oren Ambarchi LP $24
Also available on CD for $17


THE PROJECT [V.A.] - Just Drums II [2 CD set] (Fever Pitch 31; USA) 35 tracks of mainly solo percussion from John Hollenbeck, Chris Corsano, Fast Forward, Gino Robair, Andrew Drury, Jeff Arnal & Ben Hall, Jim Pugliese, Moe! Staiano, Ches Smith, Michael Evans, Christine Bard, Billy Martin, Sean Meehan, Ravish Momin, William Winant & many more.
2 CD Set $16


RECENT RELEASES ON JASON KHAN'S 'CUT' LABEL:

ELLEN FULLMAN/SEAN MEEHAN - Fullman-Meehan: Live In Berkeley (Cut 22; Switzerland) Longtime friends who had hoped to play together for some time, Fullman and Meehan were surprised by the initial efforts of their collaboration. Their instruments--or rather the sounds of their instruments meeting in the acoustic space--strongly influenced one another: combination tones, sympathetic resonances, beating, and even cancellation of each other's sound. Mapping routes through this unusual territory would become the piece presented here in three parts. The recording was made Easter (R.C.) weekend 2006. It is an acoustic work, recorded in stereo, without overdubbing or effects.
Ellen Fullman's long string instrument is a unique instrument of her own invention. Waist high, parallel wires, strung in two sets span 14 meters. Fullman produces rich, microtonal drones by pacing up and down the wires and applying friction with her fingertips. Each of her ten fingers precisely finds the appropriate string and the sound emanates from wooden box resonators bolted into the wall. At her studio where this CD was recorded, the strings run through the patio door and terminate in the backyard: "the extra length affords me an additional lower octave," Fullman explains.
For the last ten years or so, Sean Meehan has been focusing on playing the snare drum with cymbals. On this recording he produces long, continuous tones from them using a dowel and friction.
CD $16

SIGNAL QUINTET [JASON KAHN/TOMAS KORBER/NORBERT MOSLANG/ GUNTER MULLER/CHRISTIAN WEBER] - Yamaguchi (Cut 21; Switzerland) Jason Kahn // analog synthesizer, percussion; Tomas Korber // guitar, electronics; Norbert Moslang // cracked everyday electronics; Gunter Muller // ipods, electronics; Christian Weber // contrabass During Signal Quintet's tour of Japan in 2006 these three improvisations were recorded live in studio at the Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media.
Jason Kahn formed Signal Quintet in 2004 to record his graphical score Timelines. The group has continued on as an improvising ensemble with the recordings on Yamaguchi documenting their first tour. Signal Quintet draws on three generations of some of Europe's most innovative musicians, with their collective performance histories spanning back to the late 1970's. With instrumentation ranging from Norbert Moslang's cracked everyday electronics to the deep acoustics of Chrisitan Weber's contrabass, the music of Signal Quintet transfers fluidly from electronic to acoustic, surging with an organic ebb and flow through improvisations where the listener's notion of time passing is lost in an immersive sound experience.
CD $16

GABRIEL PAIUK/JASON KAHN - Breathings (Cut 17; Switzerland) Featuring Gabriel Paiuk: Piano; Jason Kahn: Computer. Nine improvisations for prepared piano and electronics.
CD $16


JEAN-FRANCOIS LaPORTE - Soundmatters (23Five 09; USA) "The compositions of French-Canadian sound artist Jean-Francois Laporte have rarely emerged beyond the context of international electro-acoustic competitions and festivals. His only widely distributed piece has been 'Mantra,' which Metamkine published in 1997 through their 'Cinema pour l'oreille' series. This exceptional work of acoustic minimalism drew considerable notoriety thanks in part to a public misidentification that Laporte sourced the composition on the resonant frequencies of a zamboni, the ice-resurfacing vehicle used exclusively in ice rinks. With its luminous sounds gracefully shifting between the gentle mechanized purr and excited metal vibration, we can easily forgive those who wanted to assign authorship to an eccentric machine. Yet, Laporte reports that the source to 'Mantra' is an air compressor, albeit one that resides in an ice rink. With the original publication of 'Mantra' long out of print, 23five Incorporated is delighted to present Soundmatters, an anthology of Jean-Francois Laporte compositions including the aforementioned 25-minute masterpiece 'Mantra.' The four accompanying compositions on Soundmatters all share the unique sensibility found on 'Mantra' which balances formal precision and intuitive expressionism, resulting a series of visceral compositions that build upon the traditions of minimalism, graphical composition, and phonography. Here on Soundmatters, Laporte reveals his colossal talents for experiential composition through deftly processed recordings of tumultuous windstorms that would make Chris Watson proud, spiraling drones that he's polished to a Haflerian sheen, the majestic bellowing of sustained horns in the empty cargo hull of a decommissioned ship, and of course, the metallic growl of his immaculate 'Mantra.' Given the numerous parallels to Xenakis' smoldering electro-acoustics and Tony Conrad's delirious harmonics, Laporte's work demands the attention as an under-recognized genius in the realm of avant-garde composition."
CD $14


HIDEAKI KONDO - Structure (PSF 168; Japan) "Hideaki Kondo (10-string gut guitar, gut guitar); Michio Karimata (flute); Jun Kondo (contrabass); Osamu Nomura (percussion). First solo album by Hideaki Kondo, leader of Japanese leading improvisation collective, Exias-J. Kondo is known for the theoretical rigor that lies behind his technical mastery of the guitar, and for the multiplicity of his methodologies, encompassing free jazz, avant-garde, rock and folk forms. As in the playing of the late Masayuki Takayanagi, there is an originality and clarity of thought, a combination of historical understanding and contemporary intentionality in Kondo?s approach to guitar improvisation that is simply stunning. This first solo album presents Kondo largely on ten-string gut guitar, moving with an uncanny grace and concentration from stone melodic beauty to densely structured improv violence. Fabulous support work from Exias-J regular Kondo, and sometime Keiji Haino collaborator, Michio Karimata."
CD $20

TOKYO FLASHBACK [V.A.] - Tokyo Flashback 6 (PSF 169; Japan) "The long awaited return of PSF's legendary, scene-defining compilation. For two years since the release of Tokyo Flashback 5 in 1995, we have been scouring the deepest dives in the darkest alleyways of the Tokyo underground in search of the newest mutated manifestations of the lysergic paradigm. The quest has not been an easy one, but now after dozens of gigs and hundreds of hours listening to demo CDRs, we have finally reached its conclusion. Tokyo Flashback 6 presents the fruits of that search, a treasure trove of the unheard. Twelve new groups poised on the cusp of greatness, driven by a fervent belief in the transformational potential of sound and the dimension-altering power of cranked amps, delay pedals and a third-eye opened to the cosmos. The groups included span a wide definition of the psychedelic, from the no-wave intensity of Onna (led by underground manga artist, Keizo Miyanishi), to the acid-punk splatter of Ainotamenishis, the art-school insanity of Kinky Pigeon, and the loner canyon-magic of Genshi. - Alan Cummings. Featured groups: Ahobune, Hananoyoni, Onna, Yamashirube, Sarod, Retort Mandala, Ainotamenishis, Kinky Pigeon, Yakochu, Ogikubo Connection, Masami Kawaguchi, Genshi.
CD $20


CASPEROUS VINES - Ginger Lover's (Vordoresque Musique 001; USA) During a normal day at DMG, a young man strolls in, in a long dress with a small accordion strapped to his chest and says that he met my partner Manny at The Stone and was here leave with a CD for us to check out. This man is called Paul Christopher Kozlowski and is from Buffalo, NY. He has been traveling and composing music for a variety of plays and is currently living here. I put on the disc and lo and behold, we have yet another undiscovered gem on our hands. Mr. Koslowski plays numerous guitars, fretless bass, accordion, oud, mandolin, vibes, percussion, samples, flute, cello, violin, etc and composed, arranged and produced this odd little treasure. He is joined by another ten musicians on a variety of ethnic instruments, none of whom I've heard of previously. This music is difficult to explain since each of the 22 short pieces flow together and consistently change their style and sound. First, we hear some charming Flamenco-like acoustic guitars, cello and percussion. On "Strynge", there is some lusciously produced synth, elegant strings, minimal ethnic percussion and a soft melancholy haze. I am often reminded of the quirky, child-like charm of Pascal Comelade. Although this music has a Spanish-tinged ethnic flavor, it doesn't really sound like it has a distinct link to any one culture. What I dig is that it has a minimal yet kaleidoscopic quality with selective layers of acoustic, electric and sampled sounds seamlessly woven together into an endless story that changes scenery every few minutes. - BLG
CD $14


OLGA NEUWIRTH - Der Tod und das Madchen II (Col Legno 20261; Germany) "Olga Neuwirth's and Elfriede Jelinek's inspired collaboration of 2000, originally composed for a ballet, is now available on CD. The tale of the Sleeping Beauty set somewhere between science fiction and biting social criticism. In her texts, Elfriede Jelinek explores the states of sleep, of apparent death, of semi-consciousness, or of being barely awake -- and in doing so investigates Austrian everyday life in all its uniqueness, including all the petty power games and battles of the sexes. Jelinek's grim texts, recited by Anne Bennent, Hanna Schygulla and an artificially generated voice, are combined with Olga Neuwirth's throbbing computer sounds: she composes around the texts, or addresses them directly, drowns them out, or stays in the background. 'Beyond the words, the music perhaps communicates that which is unspeakable, the smooth enchantment that doesn't spare us cliches and irony; it comes back like a memory, stays with us, never to leave. It adapts itself to the words, and one senses its continued presence through slow and fast undulations.' (Olga Neuwirth) Dreamy, eerie -- and simply brilliant!"
CD $20

SOFIA GUBAIDULINA - And: The Feast Is In Full Progress -- Ten Preludes (Col Legno 31881; Germany) "The second cello concerto, entitled: 'Y: la fiesta esta en pleno apogeo - And: The feast is in full progress' (1993), is based on a poem by the Chuvash poet, Gennadi Aigi. It was written in October 1968 as the poet's reaction to the brutal suppression of the Prague Spring in August of the same year -- divine justice as a metaphor for Soviet power. 'And: The feast is in full progress,' the vision of a raging mass of people awaiting the Last Judgment, is transformed into music by Sofia Gubaidulina with gripping, immediate, expressive force, free of graphic patterns. A moment of glory not for the composer only but for David Geringas on cello, too. And as a delicious bonus on this CD: A complete recording of the 'Diez Preludios' -- 'Ten Preludes for Cello,' originally written as a contribution to a cello tutor, in Vladimir Tonkha's inspired interpretation. Both cellists are the dedicatees of the works they perform."
CD $20


DAVID GARLAND - Noise In You (Family Vineyard 49; USA) "Noise In You is an album of gorgeous music about noisy emotions: our desires and distractions, anxieties and passions, love and loss, and the living hum of our bodies. It is David Garland's 8th album since entering New York City's downtown scene in the 1980s, and it's the first to receive the wide distribution and attention his music deserves. Garland is a multi-instrumentalist currently exploring the sumptuous jangle of a 12-string guitar; he sings with a voice that's deep, honest, and intimate. Noise In You is unclassifiable: pop music that's both experimental and accessible, and is rich with intricate layered harmonies and startling colors and textures. It features the beautiful, sometimes mystical voices of a younger generation of musicians -- Sufjan Stevens, Mira Romantschuk (of Mi and L'Au), Diane Cluck, Viking Moses, and David Deporis -- together with guitars, flute, piano, clarinet, sarode, oboe, and more. Noise In You unfolds into a wondrous, subtly interconnected song cycle that sweeps you up in its imaginativeness, drama, and sensual pleasure.
CD $14


ARNE NORDHEIM - Colorazione/Fem Kryptofonier/Link/Den Forste Sommerfugl [H-SACD] (2L ; EEC) [this is a Hybrid SACD (H-SACD) which means it is playable on ordinary CD players as well] "Since 1960, the composer Arne Nordheim has enchanted both musicians and audience with a unique soundscape. His music may be considered a source to the later Nordic Sound of electronica. Today's DJs might not willingly announce 'Grandfather taught me this,' but that's actually the case! Cikada Duo is Kenneth Karlsson (piano/synthesizer) and Bjorn Rabben (percussion). They are joined by Ake Parmerud (elektronics) and Elisabeth Holmertz (soprano) in this production of Arne Nordheim's music. Take the stand within the percussion and let yourself be embraced by electronica, vocal and synthesizers in an extreme surround sound recording, as originally intended by the composer."
CD $19


ROTHKAMM - FB 03 [ltd ed CD] (self-released; USA) Frank Rothkamm has been exploring the evolution of humanity through sound. In the FB01 machine trilogy (named after his instrument of choice, the yamaha FM sound generator FM01) He equates the sine wave to the "first sustained sound", the human whistle. This is the third installment of aforementioned trilogy. Slithering and diving through the speakers, his sound world is as complex and original as Gottfried Michael Koening's electronic work or Louis & Bebe Barron's "Forbidden Planet" soundtrack. Mutating oscillating sine waves to create primal electronic sounds, he sculpts other worlds with his archaic machine. As he states in his liner notes, "the most advanced music is also the most primitive". Couldn't have said it better myself. Rothkamm squeezes out some pretty distinctive sounds and composes them very well with out dated technology. Caveman electronics at its best! Limited to 500, don't sleep on this! - Chuck Bettis / DMG
CD $12


BRENDAN MURRAY - Wonders Never Cease (Intransitive Recordings 027; USA) The latest installment from sound artist Brendan Murray, starts off with a bang, bringing in a raga-esque electronic drone at full volume! As you drift off in trance induced states to the title track "Hymn One", the sounds start to slowly mutate as the tones swirl around in your head. What sounds like a phasing organ and a pink noise generator, starts to tighten up and mildly flange about. There is some Fennesz-like quality to this record. "Seize" takes us into a more intimate surroundings of sine waves and unprocessed field recordings, while "Seas" takes the listener into a body of water not controlled by the gravitational pull of the moon but by sonic lead of Merzbow then drifts off into a Augustus Pablo style melodica driven drone. The disc is mostly live recordings, but it is not noticable due to the mastering skills of Keith Fullerton Whitman! "Wonders Never Cease" is a very apprapro title for this recording. Well done!!! - Chuck Bettis / DMG
CD $12

BRENDAN MURRAY - Not Now (Create Transmit 002; USA) Armed with a sampler, a laptop, and a microphone, Boston's sound artist Brendan Murray delivers a delicate balance of sparse electronics and field recordings. Akin to compositional approaches of Francisco Lopez or George Crumb, Murray's apt use of silence guides the ear on a sonic journey that highlights the processed field recordings. As the audio trickles in, he treats each sound with the utmost respect, giving breathing room by focusing on no more than two sounds at once. This is not one of those microsound headphone only records, this is one you want to play loud in a dark room and meditate on. A necessary addition for collectors of sound art! - Chuck Bettis / DMG
CD $12

BRENDAN MURRAY - Resting Places (Resting Places 039, USA) "Keeping his head down and focused for the past five years Brendan has emerged as a first rate master of analog electronics. Though still a a bit of a newbie on the world stage there are few in the States that match his intensity. Spacious and dense, this work sends one way out into cold space only to slyly bring one into the head-crushing pressure of diving way too deep. Reference a maximalist Lopez."
CD $14


THE LA DRIVERS UNION POR POR GROUP - Por Por: Honk Horn Music Of Ghana (Smithsonian Folkways 40541; USA) A world premiere: squeeze-bulb honk horns join bells, drums, and voices to sound the world of union drivers and their vehicles on the 50th anniversary of Ghana's independence! Recorded by Steven Feld. 40 page booklet, extensive notes, 42 color and historic black and white photographs, 72 minutes.
"The nation of Ghana celebrates 50 years of independence in 2007, and Smithsonian Global Sound is celebrating in fine style with this excellent CD of what they dub "honk horn" music performed by Ghanian union taxi drivers. Those of you who've enjoyed Crammed Discs' "Congotronics" series will find much to love here, as the junkyard vibe is pushed to its logical extremes - the music here is played entirely by squeeze-bulb horns of varying sizes and pitches (much like the one you probably had on your bicycle as a child), with percussion consisting of wrenches on hubcaps, chekeres, and one guy puffing away on a tire pump. The resulting horn sounds remind me at times of balinese monkey-chant in its incredibly tight syncopation - goose-chant, if you will. Most surprising, though, is that the resulting cacaphony (which, believe it or not, is actually funeral music) really GROOVES - once the band settles in they begin to vocalise about the trials and tribulations of their occupation, usually with an almost hip-hop delivery. While one may not find themselves sitting down from start to finish with this record - even the most extreme avant nutcases who come into the shop went slightly batty after 30 minutes of hearing, as BLG loves to call it, "Ducks Deluxe" - there's much to love here with a sound that even the most studied afro-music scholars will find unique and intriguing." - Mikey IQ Jones.
CD $16


SHELF LIFE - Ductworks (Public Eyesore 107; USA) Shelf Life is Brian Day's most important musical venture today, besides of course running Public Eyesore. Shelf Life is a quartet of musicians, besides Day, there is also A. Boardman, J. Jaros and J. Schleidt. The cover doesn't list any instruments, but I believe to hear a saxophone, one or more guitars, a short wave and some sort of percussion. They are played in a true improvised manner: hit it and see what comes out. They pluck, hit, strumm their instruments in what turns out to be an endless stream of sounds. Thirteen pieces in total, although it's hard to say when a piece ends and when a new one begins. This is my main objection against this release: the dynamic level is not very high, so everything happens on more or less the same level, which is a pity, since it makes it a bit too much in a free form mass of sound. Some more mixing could have helped. Unless of course the idea was to have a total democratic sound, and not have one to play the leading part. If that was their goal, they succeeded in that very well. - Frans de Waard / Vital Weekly
CD $14



FROM 'THE LOTUS SOUND'

SUISHOU NO FUNE - Writhing Underground Flowers (Lotus Sound 202; USA) "Formed in 1999 by the guitarist duo of Pirako Kurenai and Kageo in Tokyo, Japan. They quickly made a name for themselves in the underground music scenes and played throughout Tokyo with a 'who's who' list of musicians. The two players melded mind and influences to create what they have come to know as 'Magic Music.' This 'Magic Music,' while influenced by some of the biggest names in psychedelia from every decade, defies stereotype, and will lead you on a beautiful journey. This improv journey at times is as soothing as a stream, while other times it radiates with a chaotic beauty not often found in freeform music today. Writhing Underground Flowers is their first release since Where The Spirits Are on seminal label, Holy Mountain. All 3 tracks were fully improvised and showcase the duo's finest explorations. For those familiar with Suishou No Fune, you will be pleased with their continued psychedelic explorations. For those who are not, you will find their poetic beauty exploring the yin/yang of the world around them and within them. Magic music indeed."
CD $16

VAPOUR THEORIES - Joint Chiefs (Lotus Sound 201; USA) Features John & Michael Gibbons of Bardo Pond. "The Vapour Theories radiate into the world, and make themselves evident in various ways according to the substance in which they manifest. Therefore they manifest tone in a threefold manner; by instinct, as animal sound, and in advanced Spiritual tones. The Vapours which they derive from the physical and animal elements are temporal; that which they derive from the Spirit is eternal. Vapours are the Father of Wisdom, and the means to gain all Wisdom is from Vapours. A slight study of the science of sound soon makes us familiar with the fact that sound is vibration and that different sounds will mold sand or other light materials into figures of varying form. The Vapour Theories have learned at the Fountain of Vapours to play the Song Of Vapours, which cradles into existence whatever such a musician desires."
CD $16

COFFEE - Artifact/Artifact Shadow [2 CD -Set] (Lotus Sound 06; USA) "A free-jazz ESP-ish, blast of notes and noise recorded on two separate nights in Rochester during the first half of 1997. A double CD showcasing the yin, and the yang, of Coffee's jazz sound. Influences like Coltrane, Raymond Scott, and the Spice Girls, and collaborations in one form or another with the likes of The Shadow Ring, Alan Licht, and R. Stevie Moore, only begin to show where these 'boys of noise' are coming from."
CD $16

MILO FINE FREE JAZZ ENSEMBLE With STEVE GNITKA - Precision In Inexactitude (Lotus Sound 04; USA) Featuring Milo Fine (drums, electronics, piano, slightly prepared piano, clarinet) & Steve Gnitka (guitar), recorded live 1996/'97. Milo has been recording freely improvised clatter for decades, documented early on by the original Hat Hut label, later by his own Shih Shih Wu Ai Records label.
CD $13


SUSUMU YOKOTA With IVA BITTOVA - Wonder Waltz (Lo 57; UK) "Another year, another superb album from Susumu Yokota. With Yokota, it's never just another album though, is it? As an artist continually stretching the boundaries, Yokota is always up to something new, and Wonder Waltz is no exception. Inspired by his recent collaboration with vocalist Caroline Ross, Yokota invited four distinct musicians to record what may be his most unusual album yet. Alongside Ross, Wonder Waltz features Moravian violinist and singer Iva Bittova (a regular performer with Bang On A Can), Japanese singer and fashion icon Hahimi Karie, and French DJ Alex From Tokyo, who conversely is now famous in Japan. If this were a film it would be directed by Ingmar Bergman or Ang Lee -- The Seventh Seal meets Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon -- a phantasmagoria of unusual sounds, textures, spectral voices and deep beats. From these disparate elements Yokota creates a deep web of sound that encompasses everything from dub, folk, techno, gamelan, guitar raga, classical and avant garde."
CD $16

SUSUMU YOKOTA & ROTHKO - Distant Sounds of Summer (Lo 57; UK) "A collaboration with Too Pure and Lo Recordings artists Rothko, Distant Sounds of Summer is Susumu Yokota's most accessible album to date. The record features the stunning voice of Caroline Ross over looping beats, resonant bass and wide-open spaces, creating an epic widescreen tour de force that simmers with subtle beauty. The resonant echoes of twanging tones resemble a deep sea Ry Cooder soundtrack, while Ross's pure and fragile vocal tones add a classic English folk touch. At times, the broken beats and world music ambience fuse to form a supernatural kind of funk like Mad Lib's most space-bound moments. Yokota's masterful production guides the music into a tangible whole that is wholly enveloping, a startling and wonderful new world of sound."
CD $16


ANDY SUMMERS & ROBERT FRIPP - I Advance Masked (A&M; USA) (2007 rmstr) "Many a guitar fan would have predicted that a summit between legendary guitarists Andy Summers (the Police) and Robert Fripp (King Crimson) would result in a guitar solofest. But the music on their first collaboration together, I Advance Masked, stresses guitar textures and moods over indulgent soloing. Although the recording sessions weren't entirely enjoyable for Summers (who was experiencing marital problems at the time), some very beautiful music can be found on the resulting album. The music for the track "Girl on a Swing" does an excellent job of conveying the song's title in one's mind, and the duo's guitars weave wonderful polyrhythmic guitar lines throughout "China -- Yellow Leader." "The Truth of Skies" is an atmospheric piece, created by a wash of keyboard sounds and guitar dissonance, while "New Marimba" would have sounded right at home on an early-'80s King Crimson album. I Advance Masked has a dreamlike quality to it, and is definitely not typical rock music. It's highly recommended to fans of these two great and original guitarists." ~ Greg Prato, AMG
FYI: When Fripp left a dance hall band named League Of Gentlemen [no relation to RF's '80s instrumental group], he had been playing with in the '60s as a teenager, his replacement was Andy Summers! So they do go back all the way...
CD $15


LAURIE ANDERSON - Big Science: 2007 Edition (Elektra/Nonesuch; USA) Includes a bonus video, and the b-side of the O Superman' single.
Laurie Anderson (vocals, violin, Farfisa organ, keyboards, synthesizer, marimba, percussion); Perry Hoberman (flute, saxophone, percussion); Peter Gordon (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Bill Obrecht (alto saxophone); Roma Baran (Farfisa organ, keyboards, bass); David Van Tieghem (marimba, drums, roto-toms). There was a backlash against Laurie Anderson in "serious" musical and artistic circles after the completely unexpected mainstream commercial success of her debut album, Big Science. (The eight-plus-minute single "O Superman" was a chart hit in England, unbelievably enough.) A fair listen to Big Science leaves the impression that jealousy must have been at the root of the reception because Big Science is in no way a commercial sellout. A thoughtful and often hilariously funny collection of songs from Anderson's work in progress, United States I-IV, Big Science works both as a preview of the larger work and on its own merits.
Opening with the hypnotic art rock of "From the Air," in which an airline pilot casually mentions that he's a caveman to a cyclical melody played in unison by a three-part reeds section, and the strangely beautiful title track, which must feature the most deadpan yodeling ever, the album dispenses witty one-liners, perceptive social commentary (the subtext of the album concerns Anderson's own suburban upbringing, which she views with more of a bemused fondness than the tiresome irony that many brought to the subject), and a surprisingly impressive sense of melody for someone who was until recently a strictly visual artist. For example, the marimba and handclap-led closer, "It Tango," is downright pretty in the way the minimalistic tune interacts with Anderson's voice, which is softer and more intimate (almost sexy, in a downtown-cool sort of way) than on the rest of the album. Not everything works -- "Walking and Falling" is negligible, and the way Rufus Harley's bagpipes intentionally clash with Anderson's harsh, nasal singing and mannered phrasing in "Sweaters" will annoy those listeners who can't take either Yoko Ono or Meredith Monk -- but Big Science is a landmark release in the New York art scene of the '80s, and quite possibly the best art rock album of the decade. - Stewart Mason, AMG
CD $15



ÉAND MORE HISTORIC & ARCHIVAL DISCS, RESTOCK & REISSUES:

BILL EVANS - Emergence (Cherry Red/FiveFour 21; UK) For the great jazz pianist Bill Evans, this is where it all began. Historic mid-fifties recordings made as leader, and with guitarist Dick Garcia, the innovative modern jazz composer George Russell, Chicago torch-singer Lucy Reed and the eclectic clarinetist Tony Scott. The six recordings included here with the George Russell Smalltet are scarce and are some of the most important in jazz to bring real desirability to this set for Evans' accolites. The Dick Garcia and Tony Scott numbers are long out of print and are serious collectables also. "Emergence" will nicely complement the Bill Evans set Five Four released last year with the Gary McFarland Orchestra (Fivefour 3) Bill Evans is a legend: he played piano of the Miles Davis Group that made "Kind Of Blue" and there is no greater jazz pedigree.
CD $17

STAN GETZ & THE LIGHTHOUSE ALL-STARS - Live [2 CD set] (Cherry Red/Giant Steps 22; UK) Second only to the Big Apple's Birdland as America's most famous haven for all that was modern in jazz, the shore-front Lighthouse Cafe at Hermosa Beach was the hub of the L.A. scene throughout the 1950s. From 1949 until 1961, this Californian beach front niterie may have hosted everyone from Miles to the MJQ, Lee Morgan to Cannonball Adderley, The Jazz Messengers to The Jazz Crusaders but it is for its resident (Light) House Band that this venue is fondly remembered. Mainly comprised of former Stan Kenton soloists, The Lighthouse All-Stars boasted such stars as Shorty Rogers, Maynard Ferguson, Shelly Manne, Jimmy Giuffre, Bud Shank, Bob Cooper, Frank Rosolino, Conte Candoli and many more. The whole shebang kicked off on Sunday May 29, 1949.
CD $18


JOHN FAHEY - Sea Changes & Coelacanths - A Young Person's Guide To John Fahey: Womblife/Georgia Stomps Atlanta Struts/Hard Time Empty Bottle Blues [2 CD set] (Table of Elements 85; USA) This compiles Fahey's earlier releases for TOE: 1997's Womblife and the live followup Georgia Stomps, Atlanta Struts; plus the Hard Time Empty Bottle Blues 12" (all o/p as individual releases at this point).
"In the 43 years between his first recordings and his death in 2001, John Fahey stomped across the American soundscape, leaving behind footprints of influence so breathtakingly vast that entire genres now huddle within them. Fahey's mesmeric guitar compositions fused the blues' syncopated rhythms with contemporary dissonance; Eastern influences with musique-concrete. He was the first to demonstrate that traditional steel-string finger-picking techniques could be used to express a universe of non-traditional ideas, and his contribution to American music is immense. Sea Changes & Coelacanths compiles all of Fahey's mid-'90s recordings for the Table of the Elements label and embodies an artistic essence, with sounds that are undiluted, uncompromised, starkly honest, pure of vision, and in every way innovative -- just like the man himself."
WOMBLIFE: This is not your father's John Fahey. Recorded late in his life and produced by Jim O'Rourke, this is one of the more overtly experimental albums in the Fahey catalog and also one of the most fascinatingly beautiful. The opening cut, "Sharks," begins like a solo Glenn Branca performance, all high volume, reverbed strums, and feedback, wrenched bitterly from his guitar before allowing a brief portion of "traditional" picking which, in this context, sounds as though lifted from a dream. The equally dreamy "Planaria" features loosely tuned, deeply gorgeous arpeggios (with more than a nod to Harry Partch) laid over tapes of Balinese gamelan ensembles. Though Fahey had long been experimenting with tape collages and other effects, one gets the strong impression that O'Rourke's presence served to bring these elements to the fore; the subaqueous sounds on "Eels," for example, would not sound out of place on many an O'Rourke recording. Only the concluding "Juana," a relatively cheery number with Spanish echoes, is played in a straightforward manner. Fahey fans who really appreciate the man as well as the music owe it to themselves to hear all aspects of his work, and Womblife is one of the finest releases documenting his more explorative side. Highly recommended. ~ Brian Olewnick, AMG
GEORGIA STOMPS: is a defining moment is his multi-faceted resurgence. The performances mark a sly return to his familiar signature style, while Mr. Fahey's guitar shimmers with the delicate sound electric amplification. Certain to surprise both the traditionalists and the tastemakers, Georgia Stomps.... is a defining collection from one of this countries true visionaries." Cited as his first traditional all-guitar record in a decade and his first ever all electric recording. Recorded live 8/9/97 in Atlanta
2 CD set for $22
Also available as 4 LP Box Set for $65 (Already out-of-print, but we are tryingÉ)

SONIC YOUTH [THURSTON MOORE/KIM GORDON/LEE RANALDO/STEVE SHELLEY] - Daydream Nation: Expanded Edition [2 Cd set] (Geffen; USA) Now issued in a two-disc Deluxe Edition with bonus tracks, new liner notes, and unseen band photos on June 12, 2007. DAYDREAM NATION was Sonic Youth's sixth album, their first double LP, and their last for an indie label before signing with major label Geffen. Widely considered to be Sonic Youth?s watershed moment, DAYDREAM NATION catapulted them into the mainstream and proved that indie bands could enjoy wide commercial success without compromising their artistic vision.
Disc One features the original 1988 album, remastered under the band's supervision. From the anthemic Teen Age Riot to Eric's Trip, Total Trash, Candle, and Cross The Breeze, DAYDREAM NATION contains some of Sonic Youth?s best known songs. Disc One closes with a bonus home demo of Eric's Trip.
The Live Daydream Disc Two, comprised largely of previously unreleased tracks, features 15 live performances from the band's Daydream Nation Tour. Culled from performances at CBGB's in New York to The Paradiso in Amsterdam (and several others), Live Daydream includes live versions of every song on the original album. Added to that are four studio bonuses: Within You Without You, a Beatles cover from Sgt. Pepper Knew My Father an NME-sponsored charity Beatles tribute album, Computer Age from the critically-acclaimed Neil Young tribute album The Bridge; Electricity from the Captain Beefheart tribute album Fast And Bulbous, and a cover of Mudhoney's Touch Me, I'm Sick, originally released as a Sub Pop 7" single.
CD $28

HECTOR ZAZOU/BONY BIKAYE/CY1 With MARC HOLLANDER/FRED FRITH - Noir Et Blanc (Crammed 105/Ryko; Belgium) An unsurpassed milestone in European/African fusion, this is a head-on collision between traditional Central African vocals and uncompromising analog electronics. Resulting from a torrid encounter between Congolese singer Bony Bikaye, Algerian-born French composer Hector Zazou and mad scientists CY1, this album was acclaimed by the international music press, has influenced scores of artists, and remains astonishingly fresh to this day. Guest musicians include Marc Hollander and Fred Frith. The 12" single"M'Pasi Ya M'Pamba" from 1984 is included in this CD edition
CD $14

HECTOR ZAZOU With JOHN CALE/DAVID SYLVIAN/BILL LASWELL/RYUICHI SAKAMOTO/LISA GERARD et al - Sahara Blue (Crammed MTM 32/Ryko; Belgium) A tribute to French poet Arthur Rimbaud, conceived and directed by Hector Zazou, and featuring John Cale, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Gerard Depardieu, David Sylvian, Bill Laswell, Khaled, Tim Simenon, Richard Bohringer, Brendan Perry & Lisa Gerrard (Dead Can Dance), as well as artists from the Crammed/Made To Measure roster: Dominique Dalcan, Anneli Drecker (Bel Canto), Lone Kent, Barbara Gogan, Samy Birnbach & Malka Spigel (Minimal Compact), Sussan Deihim, Steve Shehan, Vincent Kenis, and other vocalists and musicians from Morocco, Ethiopia, Spain, Japan, France, England, and the USA. The poems are sung and spoken in English, French, Japanese, Spanish, Arabic, Hebrew.
CD $14

HAROLD BUDD & HECTOR ZAZOU - Glyph (Crammed MTM 37/Ryko; Belgium) Modern chamber mood music with a pulse, rising out of ambience and electronics. This is not just a duet record, which would have been fine enough considering these two keyboard talents; there are a whole host of contributors including B J Cole on ethereal pedal steel, Mark Isham trumpet, and others on guitars, clarinets, and kanteles. Unforced electronic rhythms pervade...and the occasional dreamy vocal.
CD $12


BRIAN AUGER & JULIE TIPPETTS [DRISCOLL, TIPPETT] - Encore (Wounded Bird; USA) Excellent reunion disc from 1978 with fine versions of "Rope Ladder to the Moon" (Jack Bruce), "Don't Let Me be Misunderstood" (The Animals), "No Time to Live" (Traffic) and "Freedom Highway" (Staple Singers). An overlooked gem. - BLG
CD $13


BOB DYLAN - The Golden Years 1962-1978 [2 DVD set] (Chrome Dreams 06; USA) "This DVD Set is a 2-disc documentary covering Dylan's life and music from his school days to his conversion in the late 1970s to fundamental Christianity. With contributions from colleagues as diverse as his high school English teacher, his school friends and other members from his first bands, to folk musician Martin Carthy, Dylan's only ever songwriting partner, the late Jacques Levy, author Clinton Heylin and many, many others. The disc set features rare film footage; unseen photographs and numerous other features. This program is the finest film from this section of Bob Dylan's life and career yet to emerge." Run time: 206 mins. NTSC format, All Regions (0); Screen Format 4:3; Stereo Sound Mix.
DVD $24


CAMEL - Moonmadness (Decca/Charisma) Special price, while they last! Superb, newly remastered edition of this classic progressive album that features liner notes by Mark Powell, bonus tracks and excellent remastering. Basically these records have been given the same excellent job that Decca gave to the Caravan catalog by the same team. Bonus tracks are: Another night (single edit)/ Piano piece (previously unreleased demo) / Lunar sea (live at the Hammersmith Odeon 4/14/76) / Song within a song (live at the Hammersmith Odeon) / Preparation/Dunkirk (live at the Hammersmith Odeon) / Air born (live at the Hammersmith Odeon)
CD $12



REJOICE! THE GROUP THAT MADE VIVIAN STANSHALL, NEIL INNES, ROGER RUSKIN SPEAR, LEGS LARRY SMITH, HOUSEHOLD NAMES! [What? Not your household??!?] ..HAS THEIR ENTIRE OUTPUT AVAILABLE AGAIN! HOORAY!!!

BONZO DOG BAND [BONZO DOG 'DOO DAH' BAND] - Gorilla (EMI; UK) 2007 rmstr; 8 bonus cuts; Gorilla was the 1967 debut album by the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, who would thereafter drop the Doo-Dah from their name and establish themselves as the greatest satirical British pop band of all time. Their first effort is far more tentative and tamer than their second and third albums, when they hit their stride by expanding their musical and topical recklessness. The Bonzos, after all, did not begin as a rock band, or even a pop band, but as a somewhat vaudevillian comedy outfit that owed a great deal to British music-hall traditions. This album may be low-key, but that's not to say it doesn't retain a good deal of charm. The humor is extremely dry, subtle, and British, leaning more toward their trad-jazz roots than the churning London pop-rock scene. It nonetheless includes a few great moments: the deadpan jazz vamp "The Intro and the Outro" (wherein a smarmy MC introduces a bevy of historical figures in a show band, including Adolf Hitler on vibes), the old-timey music satire "Mickey's Son and Daughter," and their vicious send-up of "The Sound of Music." It's not recommended as a starting point, but those who already appreciate these wonderful British eccentrics will find this an enjoyable document of the band's more restrained roots. ~ Richie Unterberger, AMG
"I STRONGLY DISAGREE! This is an excellent place to start as long as you don't stop here! - MannyLunch
CD $16

BONZO DOG BAND [BONZO DOG 'DOO DAH' BAND] - The Doughnut In Granny's Greenhouse [aka Urban Spaceman] (EMI; UK) 2007 rmstr; 5 bonus cuts; Taking the "Doo Dah" out of their name for this 1968 LP, the Bonzos' second album was probably their best. Although they were hardly a rock or pop group in the traditional sense, the Bonzos couldn't help absorbing some of the vibes of British psychedelia, and the heady ambience of the era is reflected in the recklessly diverse and outrageous material. Almost all of the songs were penned by the two top dogs, Viv Stanshall and Neil Innes, who deflate British blues, psychedelia, and other pop, jazz, and musichall styles with priceless wit. Star tracks on this saxophone-heavy album include the doo wop ode to a spacegirl ("Beautiful Zelda"), "Trouser Press" (which gave the late American underground rock magazine its name), the droll series of poker-faced spoken sketches on "Rhinocratic Oaths" (certainly an influence on Monty Python), and the boozy "My Pink Half of the Drainpipe," which ranks as one of the most ridiculous and hysterical songs released by a pop group of any era. ~ Richie Unterberger, AMG [Please note: With the exception of the cut Urban Spaceman, which is NOT found here but was properly found on the Tadpoles album - and the new CD edition below - this IS the album known in the U.S. as Urban Spaceman]
CD $16

BONZO DOG BAND [BONZO DOG 'DOO DAH' BAND] - Tadpoles (EMI; UK) 2007 rmstr; 4 bonus cuts; The Bonzos' third album is a bit of a retreat from the cosmic anything-goes atmosphere of their second LP (Doughnuts in Granny's Greenhouse), slanted much more heavily toward their vaudevillian trad-jazz roots. Perhaps that's because Viv Stanshall and Neil Innes, who dominated the second album, contribute only three tunes here. Still, it's never less than entertaining and has some stellar moments, like the psychedelic African safari of "Ali Baba's Camel," the skit "Shirt" (another clear forerunner of Monty Python), and the British hit single "I'm the Urban Spaceman," produced by Paul McCartney. ~ Richie Unterberger, AMG
CD $16

BONZO DOG BAND [BONZO DOG 'DOO DAH' BAND] - Keynsham (EMI; UK) 2007 remaster w/ 5 bonus cuts; "The delightfully clever humor of the Bonzo Dog Band's prior releases almost totally eludes the group on this record. Songs here still parody familiar styles, but generally do so in a leaden and unengaging manner. A number of the selections here burlesque the late Beatles, Buffalo Springfield, and similar bands (see the songs "You Done My Brain In," "Quiet Talks and Summer Walks," "The Bride Stripped Bare by 'Bachelors,'" and "What Do You Do?" for examples). "We Were Wrong" is derived from 1950s doo-wop (without the full vocal harmony to pull it off), "Mr. Slaters' Parrot" shows clear Spike Jones influences, "Sport (The Odd Boy)" is a faux-baroque period selection, and "Look at Me, I'm Wonderful" lampoons lounge singers. " - David Cleary / AMG
CD $16

BONZO DOG BAND [BONZO DOG 'DOO DAH' BAND] - Let's Make Up And Be Friendly (EMI; UK) 2007 rmstr; 6 bonus cuts including "No Matter Who You Vote For The Government Always Gets In". Indeed! While not up to the high standards set by the band's earlier work, this contractual obligation album does offer a few glimpses of the skewed brilliance for which the Bonzos were so rightly famous. Highlighting the LP is "Rawlinson End," and perhaps Viv Stanshall's finest narrative. A spoken-word tour de force, this intricately surreal English soap opera is a worthy successor to the earlier "Rhinocratic Oaths," and offers a preview of Stanshall's full-length solo effort, Sir Henry at Rawlinson End. With some exceptions, the rest of the LP replaces the previous Bonzo albums' affectionate throwbacks to the music of earlier eras with broad rock parodies and defiantly tasteless humor. The band lets loose with "The Strain," Stanshall's scatological tribute to constipation (it's funnier than it sounds). "Turkeys," a Neil Innes instrumental, achieves a strange cinematic beauty. Legs Larry Smith's contribution, "Rusty," is a lugubrious lament about the end of a rather kinky relationship. Another clever Stanshall parody, "Bad Blood" presents a Western revenge saga with a surprise ending. Winding up the album and the group's career, the Bonzos literally get the last laugh with the horror comedy of "Slush." ~ Michael Waynick, AMG
CD $16


ALL 3 OF NED ROTHENBERG'S DOUBLE-BAND CDs FINALLY BACK IN STOCK - BUT NOT FOR LONGÉ:

NED ROTHENBERG DOUBLE BAND - Overlays (Moers Music 2074; Germany) This is Rothenberg's Double Band: a sextet with the leader and Thomas Chapin on alto saxophones, Kermit Driscoll and Jerome Harris on electric bass guitars, and Billy Martin on drum kit as well as Adam Rudolph on other percussion. They use funky R&B beats as a vehicle for free, creative blowing within mostly structured yet extrapolated frameworks. Rothenberg's extended, overblown harmonic technique contrasts Chapin's more tonal approach. The title track is a three-part suite: the "a" section incorporates solid mechano-funk with unison lines; then the "b" follows with saxes wailing over Serengeti percussion while electric bass plunks to a wild, untamed 7/4 beat as a bridge to "c", with Rothenberg displaying his expansive multi-phonic approach before a riveting percussion workout. Inquisitive saxes swim in a kind of Afro-funky moat for "Polly Molly." A slow, sad cha cha, however, sets up Harris (on electric guitar) loping along and passively screaming in rock fashion for "Together," while the danceable R&B pop of "Scuffle Shuffle," again with Harris on a more steaming guitar with counterpointed horns, goes one up on Ornette Coleman & Prime Time. "SuoDolo in Breakneck" is an extraordinarily fast and hard-edged piece with drums and percussion driving this point across. Again, intertwining call-and-response saxophones provide the focus, but Rothenberg attacks swooping s-curves alone, assimilating overtones close to that of a bagpipe. The quirky, odd meter of "19/13 Blue" is just that -- very much in the pocket, but in a manner tinged with highlife. Harris enters into steely terrain on electric guitar. This double band is a combination with a unique perspective and style, mixing and matching juke and jive with natural and spiritual free associations. Not for timid creative-music listeners, nor new age mavens, but those who enjoy gutsy, meat and potatoes modern music will appreciate this. Recommended. - Michael G Nastos, AMG
CD $18

NED ROTHENBERG DOUBLE BAND - Real and Imagined Time (Moers Music 3006; Germany) As the rhythms kick in on "Railbread" and the band starts churning through a rollicking groove, a sense of poignancy is unavoidable -- not the feeling one would normally expect from such an upbeat form of jazz-funk. But here they come, the two altoists up front in the stereo speakers, Ned Rothenberg to the right and Thomas Chapin to the left: two unbeatable downtown New York saxophonists, who -- along with the other four stalwarts of the Ned Rothenberg Double Band -- are ideally suited to realizing the bandleader's conception for this most satisfying amalgam of jazz, funk, rock, and avant-garde music styles. And given Chapin's premature passing in 1998 -- robbing the scene of one of its early lights, guiding forces, and most enthusiastic proponents -- it will never be possible to experience this lineup on a stage again. But there are the two [now three as of 2004] Double Band discs on Moers, and for that fact listeners should be grateful. On the evidence of Real and Imagined Time, the group was on an upward trajectory when the CD was recorded in May and July of 1993. It's sometimes tempting to credit drummer Jim Black with enlivening every project he's in; let's just say that there's no evidence here to contradict that theory. Black and Billy Martin work together on drums as perfectly as Rothenberg and Chapin on saxophones; like the reedmen, they seem more like one musician with the physical resources of two -- that's how closely their playing is integrated. Rounding out the rhythm section -- or perhaps squaring off, given their sharp and percussive attacks -- are Chris Wood and Jerome Harris on electric basses, punchy and nailing the groove from start to finish. Harris is also given a few opportunities to blast off with burning solos on electric guitar; any fan of his work with Bobby Previte's Latin for Travelers or Empty Suits should find much to admire in his flare-ups on the title track and the initial "Once and Future" portion of "The Medley of Unbroken Lines." The three-part "Medley" is one of those extended-form Rothenberg powerhouses, and it perfectly illustrates the saxophonist's skill in fashioning multi-sectioned narratives and his ability to find the funk root in his trademark ostinatos. The full band rolls with him in the first measures of "Once and Future," but after several minutes everyone has dropped off but the leader, who maintains the piece's harmony and rhythmic momentum with powerful solo circular breathing -- the effect is a little like crossing Evan Parker with P-Funk. The band re-enters to support Harris' solo, collectively raising the dynamic level back up into the red zone, only to bring it down in a hypnotic segue to "Freeka Seven," a soulful cruiser that layers and builds polyrhythms and polyphony over its initial 7/8 mid-tempo pulse. - Dave Lynch, AMG
CD $18

NED ROTHENBERG DOUBLE BAND - Parting (Moers Music 3012; Germany) Featuring Ned Rothenberg & Thomas Chapin on saxes & flute; Jerome Harris on electric guitar & bass; Tony Scherr on basses and Michael Sarin & Samm Bennett on drums. Finally!! This is the third (studio) recording from one our favorite downtown all-star bands. Recorded in May of 1996 and finally seeing the light of day some 8 years later on a label that has had no US distribution in almost as long!?! Ned's phenomenal double band picked up where Ornette's Prime Time, also a double band, left off and blended its own unique avant/electric-jazz with elements of free, fractured and funky rhythms. What made this band so special was the way that Ned and Thomas played together and pushed each other into stratospheric flights of fancy. Both of these cats are amongst my favorite (alto mostly) saxists and both are resourceful, inventive, passionate and powerful players. Ned has written some wonderful, infectious, sly and sumptuous tunes here with inspired solos from each member of the band. Another under-recognized hero of ours is guitarist Jerome Harris who seems be playing acoustic and electric bass guitars most often nowadays, here he gets to stretch out a bit play a few fine electric guitar solos. Since this gem was recorded Samm Bennett has moved to Japan and our kind friend Thomas Chapin died of leukemia in February of 1998, a tremendous loss to those who knew and heard him play, as well as those who will still be awed by his incredible playing. This superb offering is dedicated to him and Ned has written some bittersweet liner notes in his memory. Moers Music still has no domestic distribution for the near future, so this essential release can only be found from your friends at DMG for now. - BLG
CD $18


PAUL ADOLPHUS - The Dawn Wind (Shadoks 076; Germany) First CD reissue of a very obscure Japanese private press folk album from 1973. Australian artist Paul Adolphus recorded the album in Kyoto/Japan, playing guitar, vocals, flutes, shakuhachi. Totally vibed-out "personal" folk-psych. "My first visit to Japan was in 1968 after living in India and Sri Lanka. My wife at the time arrived in Kyoto, and had our first child there. We really loved it. We returned to Sweden then went back to Kyoto and had our second child there. We lived in a 200 year old farm house in a village outside Kyoto. It was a great scene at the time. Japanese artists, bohemians, and visiting foreigners making art, music, poetry, etc. I was playing music with different people, then developed a musical relationship with Mitsu Harada. We did concerts and toured to other cities in Japan together. Before leaving Japan, Mitsu organized to record the album together. Mitsu's father was the grand master of a calligraphy school. In a large room in the school, Mitsu set up mics and a big stereo recorder consul. Most of the playing was by Mitsu and myself, an American friend played a little guitar and percussion to fill some holes. A group of friends sat around, so it was a bit of a living room concert feel. It was my material, Mitsu engineered as well as playing. I think there were 200 copies pressed, the covers were hand made, so it was released into the small arts community of Kyoto and Tokyo. Not long after the recording, I travelled with the family to Australia, I had been away from here for a decade. I worked on a lot of projects here, composing for theatre and dance. I had a group called Living Music -- an African drummer, Indian tabla, didgeridoo, winds, etc. It was early days, not too many people were ready for world music." Incredibly rare and sought-after mellow folk album with beautiful songs and harmonies, like a Japanese version of Extradition.
CD $15


PIERO UMILANI - Piero's Pleasure: The Touch Of Piero Umilani [sndtck s] (Cherry Red/Bella Casa 04; UK) Italian soundtrack circles, the name Piero Umiliani is spoken with the same reverence as his world famous contemporary Ennio Morricone. Umiliani's most successful composition, the world-renowned, 'Mah Na Mah Na' is included followed by over seventy extraordinary minutes of characteristically sensual, elegant music from his film scores of the late sixties-early seventies For many Umiliani is the definitive lounge-core artist with particular appeal in Japan where a great many exclusive editions have been released. This is the sound of Rome in the sixties.
CD $17


GALACTIC ZOO DOSSIER - #7 [2 CD set & Book] (Drag City 342; USA) "Lauded in Mojo, Spin, Fader, Blackbook & beyond, the premier hand-drawn underground psychedelic journal, The Galactic Zoo Dossier is back! This issue features: over 100 pages! Interviews with Incredible String Band's Clive Palmer, Kevin Coyne, Gary Panter, Ed Askew & the Strawbs. Features on dark psych LP classics, hippie horror movies, acid blues, The Index, Tiny Tim, The Stooges, Mungo Jerry, The Koala, Julie Driscoll, Rasputin's Stash, etc. Over 75 full color trading cards! 45 new guitar gods, plus 3 sheets of brand new 'astral folk goddesses' cards! Vashti Bunyan, Patty Waters, etc. Two full length CDs! Sounds old and new. Rare and exclusive tracks from Blossom Toes, Michael Yonkers, The Stooges, Devendra Banhart, Ed Askew, Pre-Monster Magnet Dog of Mystery, etc."
CD $18 (In stock next week)


A VISIT TO THE SPACESHIP FACTORY [V.A.] - 20 Gems From The Early Years Of Prog (Psychic Circle 7007; UK) A Visit to the Spaceship Factory presents 20 ear-watering morsels that will thrill and entertain in equal measure. Wander the dimly lit corners of the Spaceship Factory, an establishment designed to produce vehicles that could take you from the geometric wallpaper of your room to the far side of your electric dreams. It wasn't in production for very long, but while it was operating, not only did it manufacture million-selling models such as Yes, Black Sabbath and Jethro Tull, but it brought you the brash rock of Treetops, the polished guitar wizardry of Israeli progsters Jericho, the fuzzed-up dirt of Jesse Hector's proto-punk outfit Helter Skelter, and countless other designs now being re-appraised or still waiting to be recognized. The conveyor belts may be still, the furnaces may be cold, but the ships still fly to the stars. Psychic Circle's intrepid vinyl hound, Jamie Romer, has scoured the land in his quest to excavate more undiscovered psycho-prog stunners. This new selection bears testament to his endeavors. Other artists include: Mousetrap, Deadwood, Fuzzyduck, Incredible Hog, Mouse, Beggars Opera, Kingdom Come, Little Bighorn, Strange Fox, Onyx, Spontaneous Combustion, UFO, Sheephouse, Pussy, Axe, Sunchariot and Kansashook.
CD $16

WHO NEEDS TOMORROW? [V.A.] - American 60s Garage Bands (Psychic Circle 7008; UK) VA: Who Needs Tomorrow?: American 60s Garage Bands CD (PC 7008CD). There has to come a time when every half-decent slice of '60s garage band music has been compiled somewhere. Well, according to the Psychic Circle label, not quite. Here are 20 great tracks containing all the qualities required to render the listener smitten. Some of these artists you will definitely have heard before, though maybe not performing these particular songs. Some acts may be completely new to you. From the Stones-ish Kansas garage-sters The Moanin' Glories to the New York pop trio, The Will-O-Bees to the West Coast sitar-fuzz of Merrell Fankhauser & HMS Bounty, this comp aims to reach those parts of the garage that other compilations of its kind just don't. Lovingly compiled by the legendary Nick Saloman (Bevis Frond). Other artists include: Randy Johnson, The Love Society, Simon T. Stokes, Kinetic Energy, The Liberty Bells, Peck's Bad Boys, The Silver Byke, The Great Train Robbery, The Yankee Dollar, The Lords Of T.O.N.K, The 13th Precinct, The Countdown Five, The British Walkers, Cast Of Thousands, Kin Vassy, The Good Feeling and The Blue Things
CD $16


IAN HUNT & JOHN TURNER - Magic Landscape (Village Thing 211; UK) "Ian Hunt and John Turner first teamed-up in the late summer of 1970, the inevitable collaboration of two of the West Country's most sought-after session musicians. String bassist and guitarist Turner had just left the infamous Pigsty Hill Light Orchestra and Hunt, a wizard guitarist and song-writer who was already a 'big-name' on the Bristol scene, was looking for a new vehicle for his talents. Both had been spawned by the legendary Bristol Troubadour Club, which Turner had run for several years, and within months the new duo was picking up fans and followers around the UK and in Europe. Touring the folk-clubs and Universities of Britain with a heady mixture of rag-time, self-penned love songs and good-time, 70s acoustic ballads, Hunt and Turner became one of the most popular duos of their era... and this Village Thing album, Magic Landscape, originally released in 1972, went straight to Number six in the Melody Maker folk charts."
CD $19

THE SUN ALSO RISES - The Sun Also Rises (Village Thing 202; UK) "Reissue of a lovely sought-after 1970 British acid folk rarity from The Village Thing label master tapes of SAR's only album. The Sun Also Rises were a mystical, magical, hippie folk duo, Graham and Anne Hemingway from Cardiff, playing guitars, dulcimer, glockenspiel, vibes, bells, kazoo, percussion, and other instruments, joined throughout by label-mate John Turner on string bass. VERY much in the creative style and delivery of the Incredible String Band, with many similarities to Dr. Strangely Strange, C.O.B., Comus, Forest and Tir Na Nog. Songs of wizards, dragons, death, love, dreams and suicide. Tripped-out, spellbinding, esoteric folk collages."
CD $19

STEVE TILSTON - An Acoustic Confusion (Village Thing 205; UK) "Here is the reissue of the 1971 debut album by the very fine British acoustic guitarist and songwriter Steve Tilston. The album includes solo guitar and vocal tracks, as well as group performances with The Village Thing label mates Dave Evans and others. One can hear in this unique and original early work -- much more clearly than in his later recordings -- the echoes of Steve Tilston's mentors and contemporaries Bert Jansch, Wizz Jones, Nick Drake, Davey Graham, Donovan and many others. This release of An Acoustic Confusion is intended to bring this long lost album from undeserved obscurity to be appropriately recognized as an important piece of Britain's folk tapestry."
CD $19


TIM GAZE BAND//J J CALE - Band on the Run [sndtck] (EM 1070; Japan) "Made with the assistance of Coca-Cola Bottlers Australia and the Australian Film Commission, the film appeared briefly and then vanished, as did the accompanying soundtrack LP earmarked for release by Festival Records in mid 1982. However, Festival Records 'jumped the gun' somewhat and pressed up a limited number of 'promotional' copies, some of which were distributed before the release was cancelled. Of the 13 selections included on the soundtrack LP, eight were supplied by The Tim Gaze Band who also appeared in the film performing their material. The remaining tunes were all by American J.J. Cale, a Tulsa, Oklahoma musician renowned for his 'soft yet rasping voice' and 'weirdly haunting guitar style.'"
CD $21

TAMAM SHUD - Evolution [sndtck] (EM 1069; Japan) "Featured the songs for another classic Australian surf movie filmed by Paul Witzig in 1969, played by Australian group called Tamam Shud. This surfer quartet featured Lindsay Bjerre and Tim Gaze, both of them are successful for their solo career. Tamam Shud was one of the most original and innovative Australian groups of the late 60s and early 70s. They played a very important part as pioneers of acid-rock and progressive music. For many years after they split they were something of a cult, and their original recordings were (and still are) very hard to obtain."
CD $21

TULLY - Sea of Joy [sndtck] (EM 1068; Japan) "First time on CD & re-issue of the music for the classic Australian surf movie filmed by Paul Witzig in 1971, starring Wayne Lynce, Nat Young and Ted Spencer. Filmed in Australia, Mauritius, South Africa, Oahu and Kauai. The music was all written & performed by a psychedelic rock acid folk outfit called Tully featuring Richard Lockwood and Michael Carlos. Recorded at EMI's studios in Castlereagh Street, Sydney, the end result was a mixture of ethereal odes and tantalising melodies. The organ dominated title theme was mesmerising. It captured the mood of the film perfectly, even if many people missed the point." - Stephen McParland
CD $21

PETER MARTIN & FINCH - Drouyn (And Friends) [sndtck] (EM 1067; Japan) "Drouyn (aka Drouyn and Friends) is a cult Australian 1974 surf movie that was produced by Aussie surf film maker Bob Evans and filmed on location around the world over an 8-month period. It was his 14th surf film. The soundtrack featured music from Peter Martin and also the hard rock group Finch. Martin's contributions, both songs and instrumental pieces, are richly orchestrated, using a wide variety of wind instruments, keyboards, and strings (shamisen on one track!), with an intelligently funky, mellow & exotic feel, pleasantly smooth with strong melodies and clever arrangements.
CD $21

FARM - The Innermost Limits of Pure Fun [sndtck] (EM 1066; Japan) Legendary independent soundtrack recording to the classic 1969 surf movie The Innermost Limits Of Pure Fun, directed by George Greenough. The soundtrack was written, performed & produced by American surfer group Farm. People agreed the soundtrack, jazz, blues & psychedelia based, was totally tremendous and birthed a new surf style. The trippy & imaginative sounds go well with the atmosphere of the Greenough film. The soundtrack has a strong reputation based on the reaction of viewers. However, despite the word-of-mouth fame, the existence of the original soundtrack album was known only to serious record collectors or surfers, as it was released privately (the original LP has no label credit or address), with only 1000 copies pressed. Distribution was limited to the US west coast, mainly surf shops, with some mail-order distribution.
CD $21


ANANDA SHANKAR - Sa-Re-Ga Machan (Fallout 2055; UK) This genre-busting classic from 1981 seamlessly fuses the traditional music of Ananda Shankar's homeland, India, with the heavy psych-funk of the West, where he'd spent time. Featuring break-laden killers such as "Charging Tiger" and "Jungle King," mellower tracks including the beautiful "Dancing Peacocks" and the epic "Jungle Symphony," the original, India-only LP has long been one of the continent's most sought-after records, and is presented here complete with biographical liner notes and four ultra-rare bonus tracks from an EP issued to commemorate the death of Elvis Presley.
CD $16

LORRI ZIMMERMAN - Lorri Zimmerman (Fallout 2054; UK) Having sung with Canadian hippie rockers Life, this superb vocalist recorded her only solo album for the tiny Crescent City label in 1969. Alternating between tender ballads and psych-tinged rock and roll, it's a consistently strong set that has long been a well-kept secret amongst connoisseurs of underground music. Zimmerman went on to tour as a backing singer for Leonard Cohen, before forming pop-rockers Toulouse in the mid-'70s -- but it's this rare album that best showcases her powerful, affecting voice.
CD $16

GENESIS [JACK TTANNA et al] - In The Beginning (Fallout 2056; UK) Originally released in 1968, this classic fusion of melodic songwriting, searing guitar and male/female harmony vocals finally makes its long-awaited CD debut here, complete with an ultra-rare post-LP bonus track. Leader Jack Ttanna had played in psych legends The Sons Of Adam, while guitarist Kent Henry would go on to join Steppenwolf, and their superb musicianship is showcased throughout this brilliant album, the only one the band ever released
CD $16

EAST - East (Fallout 2057; UK) This band of Japanese exiles released just one album, which first appeared in 1972 and makes its long-overdue CD debut here. A melodic and musicianly set featuring Japanese instruments such as the shakuhachi, koto and taisho-goto alongside the traditional trappings of Western rock and roll, it's a hugely enjoyable collection that will appeal to all fans of Eastern-tinged psychedelia.
CD $16



NEW LTD. ED. REISSUE VINYL FROM TAPESTRY

AUM - Bluesvibes [Ltd 500 copies] (Tapestry 246; EEC) "Led by singer/multi-instrumentalist Wayne Ceballos, with drummer Larry Martin and bassist Ken Newell rounding out the trio, the group's initial reputation stemmed from their jam-oriented concerts. As one would expect from the title, the group's 1969's album found them working in a distinctively blues-vein. Reflecting the band's live act, this Richard Gotthrer-produced debut features a series of seven extended jams, (the shortest song clocking in at 4 minutes). Ceballos proved a decent singer, injecting considerable energy into his performances and the band really soars in many occasions. Truly interesting."
LP $26

DOCTOR STRANGELY STRANGE - Heavy Petting [Ltd 500 copies] (Tapestry 248; EEC) "Dr. Strangely Strange were an experimental Irish folk group formed in Dublin in 1967 by Tim Booth (vocals and guitar) and Ivan Pawle (bass and keyboards). Soon they teamed with multi-instrumentalist Tim Goulding (vocals and keyboards), an aspiring painter, and began living and rehearsing in a house owned by Goulding's girlfriend, Orphan Annie, which its tenants nicknamed 'The Orphanage.' This follow-up album is a little more electric than their 1st, but almost equally eccentric in the best possible way. Songs that take you to places no one else goes (don't you love the '70s?). Completely wonderful." 180 gram virgin vinyl, limited edition of 500 copies.
LP $26

FAIRPORT CONVENTION - What We Did On Our Holidays [Ltd 500 copies] (Tapestry 250; EEC) "Their second album captures Fairport Convention poised between the more embryonic, American-influenced rock of their debut and the more pronounced British folk-rock that would follow. Newly arrived vocalist Sandy Denny contributes her haunting songs and indelibly husky voice, Ian (later Iain) Matthews lofts his angelic tenor into the mix, stacking solid covers of Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan beside traditional English songs and stirring originals from Denny, Matthews, Richard Thompson, and Ashley Hutchings. As such, Holidays works both on its own terms and as a position paper on Fairport's emerging ambition to find a distinctive accent for their alternately hearty, witty, and somber music."
LP $26

GALLIARD - Strange Pleasure [Ltd 500 copies] (Tapestry 245; EEC) "Galliard were formed in Birmingham, in the summer of 1968. They were in essence a much-augmented later manifestation of Craig. Galliard set out as an extremely eclectic band on Strange Pleasure. They juxtapose a woodwind/horn section slyly with rural compositions, creating a pastoral, even medieval atmosphere, starkly contrasting to nervously urban passages, although they borrow from Art Nova's 'Wrapped Her In Ribbons' and give the credits to Geoff Brown. An interesting effort." 180 gram virgin vinyl, limited edition of 500 copies.
LP $26

PETER GILES/MICHAEL GILES/ROBERT FRIPP - The Cheerful Insanity of Giles, Giles & Fripp [Ltd 500 copies] (Tapestry 249; EEC) "This strange little record, reputed to have sold fewer than 500 copies during its initial run, was the first and only LP released by proto-King Crimson trio Giles, Giles & Fripp, formed when the Giles brothers placed an ad for a singing organist and got a non-singing guitarist instead. The group is technically a power trio, but the music they play hardly has much connection to progressive rock, much less rock rock. This very intriguing cult-album consists largely of catchy lite-pop with all manner of strings, choirs, and occasional surprising guitar licks. Original and extremely appealing!" 180 gram virgin vinyl, limited edition of 500 copies.
LP $26

THE JELLYBEAN BANDITS - The Jellybean Bandits [Ltd 500 copies] (Tapestry 247; EEC) "Although poised on the threshold of stardom in the late '60s armed with a multi-album record contract, a growing fan base, and a release that leaped to #1 in Boston, in Louisiana, and in Florida, The Jellybean Bandits fully expected to follow in the successful footsteps of their fellow label mates, Big Brother & the Holding Company and The Amboy Dukes. Instead they managed to record only this one gem, a freakbeat cult classic distinguished by Jack Dougherty's emotive guitar. Recorded in one 12-hour rush in 1967 (and 3/4 of it written the six days previous to the session) the album is a psych-punk collector's classic." 180 gram virgin vinyl, limited edition of 500 copies.
LP $26

BOB SMITH - The Visit [2 LP set; Ltd 500 copies] (Tapestry 244; EEC) "Stunning forgotten gem of UK rock from 1970, originally on Deram this double album stands out by virtue of having no guitars except a bass. The keyboards are working overtime here, and with the inclusion of some trippy electronic effects. Highlights include the marvelously monikered 'Once Upon A Hill/Put That In Your Pipe And Smoke It' which is a monster of a track spread over ten minutes and dominated by keyboard mayhem. This is a highly exceptional reissue."
2 LP set for $40

STRAWBS - Strawbs [Ltd 500 copies] (Tapestry 251; EEC) "Strawbs started in the late '60s as an acoustic folk-band. The album they initially put together was a pop masterpiece -- the label, however, thought they'd signed progressive folkies rather than pop hopefuls, and, despite having spent large wedges of cash already, Cousins and co. were asked to return to the studio to replace some of the more pop-oriented material with more appropriate folk-based material, which they did. The second sessions also produced Cousins' epic The Battle, a sign of things to come. The album as released received critical acclaim, though not commercial success." 180 gram virgin vinyl, limited edition of 500 copies, gatefold sleeve
LP $26

WOODEN HORSE - II [Ltd 500 copies] (Tapestry 253; EEC) "Reissue of an ultra-rare UK progressive folk-rock from 1972, with a very elegantly commercial-devised edge in places, this second LP results in a rather immediate and very accessible album overall. All these beautifully constructed songs are smartly composed and played out with feel and warmth. The Wooden Horse featured the engaging voice of Susan Traynor who went on to mid-'70s Fox fame, and a style that falls somewhere between the gems of Peter, Paul and Mary and The Velvet Underground."
LP $26

ZAKARRIAS - Zakarrias [Ltd 500 copies] (Tapestry 252; EEC) "The only album by the British band Zakarrias is an overlooked treasure of the early 70s UK rock scene. Almost no information about the bands history is available, but their lone LP is now considered one of the rarest releases of the period (along with Mellow Candle's Swaddling Songs album.) Released in 1971, the eponymous LP by Zakarrias presented their highly unusual blend of psych, folk, hard rock and blues, which benefited from diverse arrangements and clever, romantic lyrics. Zakarrias himself was an exceptionally talented songwriter and arranger, also." 180 gram virgin vinyl, limited edition of 500 copies.
LP $26




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


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

This Sunday, July 22nd -
6pm - TODD NEUFELD/BEN GERSTEIN/GERALD CLEAVER!
New guitar / trombone / drums trio!

Next Sunday, July 29th -
6pm - MAGIC LISTENING HOUR featuring:
STEVE SWELL/NATE WOOLEY/LOUIE BELOGENIS/MICHAEL ATTIAS!
7pm: ERI YAMAMOTO TRIO! Featuring:
ERI YAMAMOTO on piano/MATT LAVELLE on trumpet & bass clarinet/FEDERICO UGHI on drums!


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

July, 2007 at The Stone curated by Trey Spruance & Chuck Bettis

7/20 Friday
8 pm - Angel of Death
Andrew D'Angelo (alto sax, bass clarinet, laptop) Jamie Saft (piano, keys, bass, guitar) Mike Pride (drums, vocals); A long overdue reunion of Saft and D'Angelo with vibe-bringing sparring partner Mike Pride (of MDC, Dynamite Club, Aarktica, the MPThree, etc.). Expect a healthy mix of blistering improv based in noise, metal, blues, and metricities,
10 pm - Angel of Death and Special Guest
Andrew D'Angelo (alto sax, bass clarinet, laptop) Jamie Saft (piano, keys, bass, guitar) Mike Pride (drums, vocals) special guest (bass); A long overdue reunion of Saft and D'Angelo with vibe-bringing sparring partner Mike Pride (of MDC, Dynamite Club, Aarktica, the MPThree, etc.). Expect a healthy mix of blistering improv based in noise, metal, blues, etc.

7/21 Saturday
8 pm - Aki Onda - Solo Performance, Aki Onda (tapes, electronics)
Back to basic. Onda plays a collection of cassette tapes and old tube amps.
10 pm - Hans Tammen, Herb Robertson, Jay Rosen; w/ Hans Tammen (endangered guitar, max/msp) Herb Robertson (trumpet) Jay Rosen (drums)

7/22 Sunday
8 and 10 pm - Special Benefit for Jewlia Eisenberg
John Zorn (sax) Ikue Mori (electronics) Okkyung Lee (cello) Chuck Bettis (electronics, vocals) Charlie Looker (guitar, vocals) Shelley Burgon (harp) Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz (bass) Mike Pride (drums) Special guests
Jewlia had a terrible bike accident last month and her medical bills after insurance have been staggering. Come and give generously to help this fabulous artist repair the damages. TWENTY DOLLARS SUGGESTED...

7/24 Tuesday
8 pm
Dafna Naphtali, Ursel Schlicht, Peter Zummo
Dafna Naphtali (live audio processing, electronics, voice) Ursel Schlicht (piano, prepared piano) Peter Zummo (trombone, electronics, voice)

10 pm
Graphic Scores Of Jeremiah Cymerman
Jeremiah Cymerman (clarinet) Mary Halvorson (guitar) Matt Welch (sax) Okkyung Lee (cello) Tom Blancarte (bass)

7/25 Wednesday
8 and 10 pm
Yuka Honda (keyboard, sampler) and guest

7/26 Thursday
8 pm
Matthew Welch - Solo Bagpipes
A solo concert ranging from traditional Piobaireachd and dances tunes to transcriptions of Burmese music. Includes modern compositions by Welch, Anthony Braxton and Alvin Lucier.

10 pm
Matthew Welch/Brian Chase Duo
Matthew Welch (bagpipes) Brian Chase (drums, feedback)
A new duo with Welch on bagpipes and Brian Chase from the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs on drums and feedback devices. An intense listening experience filled with microtones, acoustical interference, earsplitting multiphonics and deconstructed instruments.

7/27 Friday
8 pm - Legends w/ Raquel Vogl (guitar, vocals) Elizabeth Reddin (keyboard, vocals) Jim Loeman (percussion)
10 pm - Extra Life w/ Charlie Looker (guitar, vocals) Karen Waltuch (viola) Extra Life is the solo project of Charlie Looker (Zs, Period, ex-Dirty Projectors). The music has been described as "singer/noise-writer" and "intense cathedral-like song structures". Secular music for the new Dark Ages.

7/28 Saturday
8 and 10 pm - Jewlia Eisenberg (voice, bass) and guests

7/29 Sunday
8 pm - Period w/ Darius Jones (sax) Charlie Looker (guitar) Sam Hilmer (sax) Mike Pride (drums) Chuck Bettis (electronics, vocals)
10 pm - Ocrilim - Mick Barr (guitar)


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


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j a z z a t t h e s e a p o r t

seaport district cultural association performance space
Front Street at Beekman Street (South Street Seaport)

fridays at 8:00 pm - 2 sets - admission $10

july 20 - twice told tales
tony malaby, tenor saxophones; louie belogenis, tenor saxophone; trevor dunn, bass; harris eisenstadt, drums

july 27 - exuberance!
roy campbell, trumpets and flute; louie belogenis, tenor saxophone; hill greene, bass; michael wimberly, drums

rsvp: 1.212.393.9191
subway: 2,3,4,5 to Fulton Street or A to Broadway/Nassau


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Neues Kabarett
Celebrate Summer Avant-Jazz BBQ!!
Sunday, July 22 ~ 4:30-8:30 pm
$15 includes dinner and music (ya can't beat it)

To purchase tickets visit:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/17259

Featuring Matt Lavelle (trumpet), Eric Mingus (bass and voice), Ras Moshe (tenor sax), Anders Nillson (electric guitar), Dave Ross (electric guitar), Catherine Sikora (tenor sax), Fay Victor (voice) and more. Ticket includes dinner and music.

MENU: Dogs, Veggie/Smoked-Tofu Kebabs, Wings, Black-eyed Peas, Spanakopita, Salads, Beverages and Dessert!

The Brecht Forum
Loading Dock Stage
451 West Street
btw Bank and Bethune on the West Side Hwy!

www.myspace.com/neueskabarett
www.brechtforum.org

UPCOMING:
August 4 ~ Homemade Instruments Fest Picnic House on Pier 40, Hudson River Park ** Performances by Terry Dame, Bradford Reed, Melissa Moore and instrument-making workshops by Kali Fasteau, Cooper-Moore & Melissa Moore! **


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


Dee Pop presents: The Freestyle Creative Music Series
EVERY SUNDAY @ Jimmy's Restaurant
43 East 7th Street * NYC * 212-982-3006

Special Saturday Show: July 21 8pm - Midnight
The Medicine Music Show * Hosted by Radio I-Ching:
Andy Haas, Don Fiorino & Dee Po Featuring special guests: A Gourd, A String & A Milk Truck , The Maeve Gilchrist Trio

July 22
7pm & 9pm - Amir Elsaffar & Two Rivers

July 29
7pm Harris Eisenstadt Trio
9pm Bruce Eisenbiel, Andrew Drury, Tom Blancourte


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Cooler in the Shade 2007
Innovative Music, Intermedia & Free Lemonade

Lotus Music and Dance, 109 W. 27th, 8th Fl. (6th Ave.) 212/627-1076; 8 pm. $10. Sbwy: #1 to 28th St.


Friday, July 27 Fast Forward: "More Shady Than Cool" Fast Forward - percussion
David Moss - voice and percussion
Min Xiao-Fen - pipa
Ray Bartkus - visuals
Truly an all-star quartet: Fast Forward is a New York based composer who makes music with almost anything, but is known for his in-depth explorations of the Trinidadian steel pan and for his music-theatre works. David Moss is considered one of the most innovative singers and percussionists in contemporary music. Min Xiao-Fen is a Chinese pipa player and vocalist, working in traditional Chinese music, contemporary classical music, and jazz. And visual artist Ray Bartkus has been evolving new collaborations between artists and musicians.


Saturday, July 28 Gustavo Matamoros: "Two Rooms with a View" Gustavo Matamoros - electronics
Chris Mann - voice
David Watson - bagpipes
The Miami sound artist and instrument builder brings his keen sense of concept and architecture to works that investigate space through sonic manipulations. His creations include mixed pieces, compositions for tape, performances, installations, radiophonic works and multimedia spectacles. In this concert, the resonances of the room become articulated through the most unlikely of sources, promising a truly mystifying experience.


Friday, August 3 - Anne Guthrie "Fraufraulein and Friends"
Anne Guthrie - French horn
Jeremiah Cymerman - clarinet
Billy Gomberg - laptop, etc.
Tom Blancarte - bass
Composer, performer, and poet Anne Guthrie is becoming known as a new light in New York's avant-garde. As a French horn improviser, she has performed with Walter Thompson's Soundpainting ensemble, with Edwin Prevost and with members of Sakada. Here she brings together a fresh ensemble of highly-praised young talent, for an evening of improvised acoustic music and electronic sound art.


Saturday, August 4
Jason Kao Hwang with EDGE
Jason Kao Hwang - violin
Taylor Ho Bynum - cornet
Ken Filiano - bass
Andrew Drury - drums
Coming to terms with sound heritages that are neither European nor African-American is one of improvised music's newest challenges. Yet violinist Jason Kao Hwang is one player who navigates the contradictions with ease, and brings together yet another of his genre-bending ensembles. The EDGE quartet melds their individual experiences into a group that can swing hard, evoke the pentatonics and timbres of Asian music traditions or the edges of the blues, and push toward freedom.


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THIS IS FROM OUR GOOD FRIEND, LUKAS LIGETI, COMPOSER & PERCUSSIONIST!

FRI., 7/20 & SAT., 7/21, 8 pm @ a handball court near the Brooklyn Navy Yard: BLAST WALL ART - a performance by the AMDaT dance company, choreography by Andrea Hanggi, with Lukas Ligeti (solo drums). This is a very unusual performance! For details and directions, please visit http://www.amdat.org/newWebsite/news/news_en.htm This will run for 4 nights; the first two nights (18th and 19th), William Hooker will play solo drums, and I will play the last two.

IF YOUR PLANS INCLUDE MASSACHUSETTS: On TUE., 7/17, I will perform twice with the NO NET TRIO (Ken Thomson, sax, bass clarinet; Eyal Maoz, guitar; Lukas Ligeti, drums):
at 1:30 pm at the Bang on a Can Summer Institute at MASS MoCA in North Adams, and
at 7 pm at the Berkshire Fringe Festival at Daniel Arts Center, Simon's Rock College in Great Barrington (http://www.berkshirefringe.org).

OK, that's it for now. Or just about: To conclude, something fun I just discovered: someone put a 2-minute excerpt of a solo concert of mine up on Youtube. It's from a concert in May in Venice; I play the Marimba Lumina, an electronic marimba: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bs_b3rgEbw

And, as always, you can find more information at
http://www.lukasligeti.com
http://www.myspace.com/lukasligeti


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CELEBRATE BROOKLYN SERIES AT THE PROSPECT PARK BANDSHELL -

Saturday, July 21st at 7pm:
HAL WILLNER'S DOC POMUS PROJECT
featuring:
LOU REED, STEVE BERNSTEIN, BEN E. KING, JOEL & ADAM DORN, PETER GURALNICK & OTHERS Only $3.00


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CALLING ALL PLANETS! SUN RA ALERT! SUN RA OPERA to be PERFORMED:

Composer-Producer Fred Ho and Writer-librettist Quincy Troupe unveil excerpts of the book to their new opera,

MR. MYSTERY: THE RETURN OF SUN RA TO SAVE PLANET EARTH!

A dramatic reading of the cast (without singing or music) will be featured Friday, July 27, 2007 6pm sharp at the Whitney Museum lower level, 75th Street and Madison Avenue, Manhattan (NYC). Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis (so get there early!), reservations are NOT accepted, and admittance is free with Museum admission, which is a pay-what-you-wish for Fridays 6pm to 9pm. Directed by Walter Dallas and featuring Kamala Sanakarm, Del Fionn Sykes, Haleh Abghari, Jennifer Kidwell, Richard Harper, Michael Douglas Jones and Roland Burks (as the legendary extra-terrestrial Sun Ra). For more information: www.whitney.org/live.

Please reserve February 24 and 25, 2008 7:30pm at the Guggenheim Museum (88th Street and Fifth Avenue), Peter B. Lewis theater for the concert performance to this new opera featuring the cast of 7 singers and a wildly eclectic 9-piece orchestra, costumes by Anka Lupes.


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100 Songs in 100 Days:

The People, Tools & Techniques Producing Music Today.
A reality show in NYC about music production.
Shooting begins August 1st & shoots 100 days consecutively to Nov.8.

For 100 days in a row a song a day will be co-produced with a variety of studios, producers, engineers, bands & performers - from multi-million dollar facilities to small project studios.

Using a broad range of old world instruments and cutting edge technologies the music production process will be illustrated for the viewers by revealing the tools & techniques that some of the most innovative producers are using today.

All this is done in the "back to basics" feel good way. Most people got into music because the love it - and this show allows the music makers to get back to having fun while showing off their considerable skills.

Songwriter Kevin Bertotti's 100 song catalog will be used to produce a finished musical work everyday for 100 days in a row with different studios, producers, engineers, bands, and individual musical artists. The process will illustrate how different people approach music production.

We have a wonderful & growing list of studios, technology providers & people participating. All are generously contributing their time and abilities to the effort and we look to make a big splash with the viral video dailies of the shoot to give everyone a lot of exposure.

- Daily video diaries of the production will be available on the net.
- Finished songs will be available on the net.
- A 13 episode, 22 minute reality show is the goal.
- A submission to film festivals as verite' is planned.

If you'd like to participate - please get in touch
Kevin Bertotti - info@100SongsIn100Days.com


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July 24, 2007 -> On the Way Out ->
Music from the New York Underground

NILSSON BROTHERS with TOMAS ULRICH
Anders Nilsson (guitar)
Peter Nilsson (percussion)
Tomas Ulrich (cello)

FULMINATE TRIO
Michael Evans (percussion)
Anders Nilsson (guitar)
Ken Filiano (bass)

Freddy's Backroom
485 Dean Street at 6th Ave
Brooklyn, NY
8:30 pm : Suggested $5 donation
Trains: 2/3 to Bergen, 4/5 to Atlantic, M/N/R to Pacific
http://www.freddysbackroom.com

On the Way Out is a monthly series of free jazz and other experimental forms of music. Since February 2003 over 200 of NYC's most exciting improvisers have shared the stage in the cozy backroom setting at Freddy's Bar in Brooklyn, NY.

For additional information, please visit: http://www.generaterecords.net/freddys.htm


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