DMG Newsletter for August 16th, 2019

“What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye
Released May of 1971

Mother, mother
There's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today, yeah
Father, father
We don't need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
Oh, what's going on
What's going
What's going on
What's going on
Right on, baby
Right on
Right on
Mother, mother
Everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Come on talk to me
So you can see
What's going on
What's going on
Tell me what's going on
I'll tell you ya, what's going on
Right on, baby
Right on, baby
Right on, baby

Never forget that we are (almost) all immigrants. Unless you are a Native American, you or your ancestors came here from somewhere else on the planet. We came here to be free of religious persecution, free of royalty and able to choose our own paths. Do not let extremists tell you otherwise. Immigrants are not the enemy, they are our friends, relatives and fellow humans who we need to reach to, to help us heal and get through the creeping fascism that is taking over the world. Put away your phone and say hello to a stranger. Give them a hug, it will help bring both us together. “War is not the answer, only love will conquer hate”. - BLG

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The Downtown Music Gallery 28th Anniversary Celebrations began on May 1st & Continues! Every In-store This Summer Helps Celebrate the Spirit of Creative Music Performed Live.

Sunday, August 18th:
6pm: BEN GOLDBERG / SIMON JERMYN / RYAN FERREIRA - Clarinet Two Guitars
7pm: JACK WRIGHT / EVAN LIPSON / MICHAEL EVANS - Alto Sax / Contrabass / Guitar

Sunday, August 25h:
6pm: AARON RUBINSTEIN / WILLIAM PARKER / KEVIN MURRAY -
Guitar / Bass / Drums!
7pm: CAMILLA NEBBIA / JOANNA MATTREY / VIOLETA GARCIA / DIANA ARIAS -
Tenor Sax / Viola / Cello / Double Bass!

Sunday, September 1st:
6pm: SAM WEINBERG / WEASEL WALTER / HENRY FRASER - Tenor Sax / Drums / Contrabass!
7pm: DARREN JOHNSTON Duo!

Sunday, September 8th:
6pm: KYLE MOTL / KEIR GoGWILT - Contrabass / Violin!
7pm: FEDERICO UGHI / DANIEL CARTER / PATRICK HOLMES / MATTHEW PUTMAN /
HILLIARD GREENE - Drums / Reeds & Trumpet / Clarinet / Keyboard / Bass!

DMG is located at 13 Monroe St. (between Catherine & Market Sts) in a basement below a small gallery. Take the F train to East Broadway or the 6 train to  Canal or the B or D to Grand, or the M-15 bus to Madison & Catherine. Come on Down, the Sunday Music Series is Always Free & the Vibes are Always Cosy. You can check the weekly in-store sets through our Instagram feed

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DMG RECOMMENDED GIG OF THE WEEK:

THOMAS HEBERER QUARTET with TERRENCE McMANUS / MICHAEL BATES / JEFF DAVIS

This Friday, August 16th at 8pm

At Michiko Rehearsal Studios: 149 West 46 Street, 3rd Floor, NY, NY

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Please note that the two box sets listed below will not be here until sometime next week (hopefully). We will most likely ship them in time for the next newsletter, if they arrive by next Friday. Pre-orders are a good idea since both are limited editions. Also, Ken Vandermark’s Marker 2 CD set which was listed last month (’New Industry’) will be back with the two boxes listed below. Thanks for your patience & understanding. - BLG


MOMENTUM 4 with KEN VANDERMARK / KRIS DAVIS / IKUE MORI / WILLIAM PARKER / HAMID DRAKE / PAUL LYTTON - Consequent Duos 2015>2019 (Audiographica; USA) A collection of duo recordings featuring Ken Vandermark in collaboration with internationally renowned, and critically acclaimed, musicians: Kris Davis, Hamid Drake, Paul Lytton, Ikue Mori, and William Parker. The material is documented on 5 CDs and was recorded during performances at Vandermark’s second Stone residency in New York City during January of 2018 and at Experimental Sound Studio in Chicago.
The improvised music included is remarkably expansive, in terms of instrumentation, improvisational methodologies, and aesthetics. Starting with a duo studio session held at ESS in June of 2015 with British improvisational innovator and percussionist, Paul Lytton, the resulting material has a focus on speed, rhythm, texture and tension. Then the documentation shifts to a series of concert recordings made at the original Stone over the course of three nights. They move from long-form electronic and reed explorations with Ikue Mori; to acoustic dialogs between pianist Kris Davis and Vandermark that reference 20th and 21st century new music innovations; to a contemporary look at free jazz materials, involving one of the master musicians connected to that history, bassist William Parker. The entire set of music concludes with a another studio session at ESS, this time in January of 2019, and connected to one of the longest associations in Vandermark’s creative career, that with drummer/percussionist Hamid Drake. Remarkably, after playing together for 25 years, this is their first duo recording.
5 CD Set $48 [LTD Edition of 500]

THE QUINTET With PAAL NILSSEN-LOVE / EIVIND OPSVIK / CARL MAGNUS NEUMANN / BJORNAR ANDRESEN / KETIL GUTVIK - Events 1998- 1999 (PNL; Norway) Deluxe box-set with 5 CDs in individual printed wallets, two booklets of 28 pages each with interviews, liner notes, and photos. In the late 1990s, three young musicians in the Oslo jazz scene – Paal Nilssen-Love, Ketil Gutvik and Eivind Opsvik – hooked up with two legends – Carl Magnus “Calle” Neumann and Bjørnar Andresen. Neumann and Andresen were extremely important in the development of Norwegian free jazz in the late 1960s and early 70s, playing with Jan Garbarek, Arild Andersen, Svein Finnerud Trio, Terje Rypdal, George Russell and many others. The project was named The Quintet and it was the meeting of two generations, with Neumann and Andresen passing the spirit of the 60s on to three musicians who would make their mark in the 2000s. But putting the historical importance aside, The Quintet was simply a band of five equal musicians who created unique music together. In their short time the group only released one album (now long out of print), so it is with great pleasure that PNL Records at the 20th anniversary of the band can announce the release of “Events 1998-1999” – an extensive 5CD box-set that tells the full story of The Quintet. In addition to the previous album the box-set features four previously unreleased studio and live recordings. The music heard on the five discs shows the full arc of the band, from their first meeting in a studio to one of their last concerts. To give the music more context the box-set also comes with two booklets of interviews (with Arild Andersen and Ketil Gutvik), liner notes (by Chris Monsen and Paal Nilssen-Love) and many photos. This is the most elaborate project PNL Records have undertaken, with a large number of people helping out and sharing their knowledge, so anybody with an interest in the history of Norwegian free jazz is in for a treat.”
5 CD Set $52


DAVE REMPIS / JIM BAKER / JOSHUA ABRAMS / AVREEAYL RA - Apsis (Aerophonic 022; USA) Featuring Dave Rempis on alto, tenor & bari saxes, Jim Baker on piano & electronics, Joshua Abrams on bass and Avreeayl Ra on drums. This disc was recorded at Elastic Arts in Chicago in December of 2018. This is the second discs from this particular quartet, all of whom are based in Chicago with Mr. Baker and Mr. Abrams both being bandleaders on their own. Drummer, Avreeayl Ra, has also been around for a long while working with leading lights: Fred Anderson, Ari Brown, Ernest Dawkins and Nicole Mitchell, all Chicago’s best. Considering that Chicago saxist Dave Rempis works with a different cast of musicians on each of his nearly two releases, we know something surprising will occur on each release. Windy city keyboardist, Jim Baker, is the wild card here since he turns up on so many sessions, which vary depending on who he is collaborating with. Bassist Josh Abrams also adds an elements of strength and surprise, since he is a master jazz bassist (and gimbri player) who leads a wonderful trance-inducing ensemble called the Natural Information Society. What a cool crew!
The quartet play two long pieces here, starting off with a free/jazz spiritual sound with Rempis on quick spinning alto, righteous piano, warm, restrain yet quick throbbing acoustic bass and magical, hypnotic mallet-work by Mr. Ra. Mr. Rempis spirals those lines furiously, somewhere between Eric Dolphy and Thomas Chapin, with a similar, sprawling, pinched tone. The quartet is in fine form, burning, soaring freely yet together as one strong force. Since I’ve reviewed practically each & every of the Aerophonic discs, it shouldn’t come as surprise that they are are wonderful in their own way. Another gem! - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $14

FROM WOLVES TO WHALES With DAVE REMPIS / NATE WOOLEY / PASCAL NIGGENKEMPER / CHRIS CORSANO - Strandwal (Aerophonic 023; USA) Featuring Dave Rempis on alto sax, Nate Wooley on trumpet, Pascal Niggenkemper on bass and Chris Corsano on drums. This fab 2 CD set was recorded live in Haarlem in the Netherlands in November of 2017. In the past five years, Chicago saxist Dave Rempis has released some 20 discs on his own Aeorphonic label, around four per year. Although Mr. Rempis has a few ongoing bands like his Percussion Quartet and Ballister, many of his projects have varying personnel from Chicago, NYC and elsewhere. This is the second release from From Wolves to Whales, an excellent quartet with members from different scenes. Trumpet-master, multi-bandleader and label head, Nate Wooley, is an apt choice since he is a restless explorer of extended techniques, a gifted improviser, who keeps popping up in new situations everywhere. I caught Mr. Wooley last week (8/10/19) playing with Ingrid Laubrock and performing the challenging music of Anthony Braxton. It was an amazing set! Although bassist Pascal Niggenkemper is not currently living in NYC, the Clean Feed label has released a couple excellent discs from Mr. Niggenkemper’s Vision 7 and Larry Ochs’ Fictive Five. Former Downtown drummer, Chris Corsano, remains a perennial favorite for this who appreciate his ever-inspired and distinctive creative drumming.
Although Mr. Rempis played mostly tenor sax during his long haul with the Vandermark Five, on this disc he is featured on alto and sounds strong & inspired. The first piece is nearly 30 minutes long which gives the quartet time to stretch out, soloing at length and tossing around lines tightly, completing each other’s phrases. There is eerie bowed bass section about midway, with the rest of the quartet adding their own sonic spice here & there. Mr. Rempis erupts with fast and furious lines next, as things finally calm down to a simmer, with Mr. Corsano playing one of those magical, creative drum solos, with both horns taking their turns at playing another splendid solo. On “IJ”, both horns create a soft, pulsating drone while Corsano plays subtle, more textural sounds on his drums & cymbals. What a I like about this quartet and sets, is that they work together so well as one solid unit. Listening closely and responding, adding, building, conversing in tight ever-expanding dialogue. Jim Baker switches to spooky electronics when “Mithrab” begins. Mr. Rempis pushes things further out when he soon enters, the intensity level ever-increasing. It sounds more like one of those mid-seventies Sun Ra (on synth) small group sessions like the ones on the Horo label. This is powerful free spirited jazz at its best. It sounds like Mr. Baker is playing one of those early seventies electric pianos which are slightly distorted like what Jan hammer played in Mahavishnu Orchestra. The quartet continue to explore textures and combinations on Disc Two. Starting off slowly with some strong interaction between both horns, the rhythm team swirling organically underneath. Mr. Rempis is in string form here, tossing off rapid fire lines, keeping the rhythm engaged and on their toes as he soars higher and higher. Mr. Rempis eventually pick up his tenor sax and the quartet continue to connect and work together superbly, tight, intense and consistently inspired. This is as great as free improv gets so dig in now and be swept away. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
2 CD Set $16


New from LEAP OF FAITH & THEIR OFFSHOOT BANDS:

For the past five plus years, multi-reeds collector & musician, Dave Peck, has been gathering a large number of creative musicians from the Boston area, presenting concerts and recording dozens of studio & live sessions, under the umbrella name of Leap of Faith. There are now some half dozen offshoots bands with more than a 100 CD’s under their collective belt. Mr. Peck just sent us another dozen releases so we will list 3 or 4 each week until all are reviewed.

LEAP OF FAITH ORCHESTRA & SUB UNITS with PEK / GLYNIS LOMON / YURI ZBITNOV / ERIC DAHLMAN / BOB MOORES / DUANE REED / ERIC ZINMAN / DEVIN LOMON - Virtual Particles (Evil Clown 9221; USA) Featuring PEK on clarinets, saxes, double reeds & percussion, Glynis Lomon on cello, aquasonic & voice, Yuri Zbitnov on drums & percussion, Eric Dahlman & Bob Moores on trumpets, Duane Reed bari horn, Eric Zinman on piano and Devin Lomon on harmonica. This is an octet version of the Leap of Faith Orchestra, which has had upwards of 20 members in the past. Disc 1 features three different sub-units, which have between 3 & 5 members. This 2 CD set was recorded at Third Life Studios in Cambridge, MA in July of 2019 (last month!). Mr. Peck now runs a half dozen offshoot projects and keeps them busy with live performances and recording sessions. The sub units on disc 1 sound as if they have been working together for a while and a number of them have played previously. Sub-Unit 1 features the core trio: PEK, Glynis Lomon & Yuri Zbitnov plus guests Eric Zinman on piano and Devin Lomon (Glynis’ son or brother?) on harmonica. I get the feeling that most major cities in the US (and elsewhere) have at least one major pianist who is a master of free/jazz. John Blum in NYC is one such legend. Eric Zinman in the Boston area is another one. Instead of showing off his prowess, Mr. Zinman takes his time and adds select flurries on Sub-Unit 1 and with the orchestra on Disc 2. I get the feeling that Mr. Peck selects and directs his fellow musicians wisely as no one ever seems to overwhelm anyone else, there is always a good balance between each member. Sub Unit 2 features mostly horns: PEK, Eric Dahlman & Bob Moores on trumpets and Duane Reed on bari horn. Again all four members if this unit take their time and work well together, bending & twisting their notes in similar ways. Sub Unit 3 has the original trio (PEK, Lomon & Zbitnov) plus both trumpeters. This set is even better as the quintet push each other higher and further out with a good deal of engaging interaction.
The Leap of faith Orchestra, which is only an octet here, is also in fine form and held together by PEK’s timed segments, rarely if ever too chaotic, incredibly focused yet still exuberant and intense in part. The Leap of faith Orchestra seem to be PEK’s most successful ensemble due to the way Mr. Peck has chosen his featured musicians, np matter how many are involved. If you dig cosmic large ensemble music, then this disc is for you! - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
2 CD Set $20

METAL CHAOS ENSEMBLE With PEK / BOB MOORES / ERIC WOODS / REV GRANT BEALE / ALBEY ONBASS / YURI ZBITNOV / JOEL SIMCHES - Beyond the Holy Mountain (Evil Clown 9208; USA) Featuring Pek on alto, tenor & bass saxes, clarinets, tarogato, Moog, bells, etc., Bob Moores on laptop, Moog, Korg, guitar & space trumpet, Eric Woods on analog synth, Reverend Grant Beale on computer & electronics, Albey B. on electric bass, Yuri Zbitnov on drums & percussion plus Joel Simches on signal processing & recording. This disc was recorded at Evil Clown Headquarters in February of this year (2019). After the three main Leap of Faith founders (PEK, Glynis Lomon & Yuri Zbitnov), trumpeter Bob Moores is next in line since he has appeared on at least 20 previous discs on the Evil Clown label. And LoF leader PEK, Mr. Moores has become more of a multi-instrumentalist playing laptop, synths, guitar & assorted percussion. Eric Woods, Rev. Grant Beale and Albey B(algochian?) have all been on some half dozen previous LoF discs as well.
Usually the Metal Chaos Ensemble features multiple percussionists but for this release, there is more electronics than percussion. Longtime LoF percussionist, Yuri Zbitnov, does a bit of recitation (from the ‘Holy Mountain’ Jodorowsky film) with his voice bathed in reverb, during the first section. As is always the case, the sound here is clean, superbly recorded. Starting sparsely at first, with the space trumpet and soft electronics simmering underneath. The music starts to escalate, the electronics kinda like a Gong space jam played in the distance. Building, expanding, the electronics getting more dense, a some tribal-like percussion at the center from the irrepressible Yuri Zbitnov and Albey on el. bass. The analog electronics, laptop and computer gives things a more ancient sound (early seventies). This 70 minute piece evolves like scientific journey, sailing through the stars, and eventually the somewhat disorienting recitation reappears near the end. From Art Ensemble spirituality to Gong-like space journey, where will the Leap of Faith Offshoot Express end up next?!? - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $12

STRING THEORY With PEK / GLYNIS LOMON / ELINOR SPEIRS / ERIC ZINMAN - 3 of 9 Dimensions (Evil Clown 9215; USA) String Theory is PEK on clarinets, saxes, double reeds, wood flute, percussion, etc., Glynis Lomon on cello, acquasonic & voice, Elinor Speirs on violin & percussion and Eric Zinman on piano, inside & on the keyboard. String Theory is just one of the half dozen Leap of Faith offshoot projects that Dave Peck has organized and recorded. The two constant members are Leap of Faith constants: PEK (multiple reeds) and Glynis Lomon (cello). This quartet version also includes Elinor Speirs on violin and pianist, Eric Zinman. You most likely recall Boston area-based keyboardist, Eric Zinman from his work with Linda Sharrock, Ted Daniel and Francois Tusques. The set here was recorded live at Outpost 186 in Cambridge, MA in May of 2019, just a few months ago. This disc is superbly recorded, hence we can hear all four members in perfect balance. What is the tea-kettle-like whistle? Strings, rubbed piano and other strings?? Things start our sparse and calm and build slowly towards more dense and heated passages. It sounds as if both string players were classically trained, hanse this music have a controlled chamber-like quality. PEK often lays back to let the strings and piano fill up the sound so this doesn’t quite sound like other Leap of Faith offshoot sessions. Even when Pek enters, he works well with the strings and piano, everyone listening closely, bending their notes together, taking their time to create a suspense-filled soundscape. PEK plays a bit of low end horns, like contrabassoon or bass sax, which match well with the strings. Ms. Lomon is a longtime member of Leap of Faith and can be found on perhaps 90% of their 100 records. She is gifted cellist and gets a chance to stretch out here, but never hogs the spotlight. Ms. Speirs, whose name I’ve only seen on a few LoF sessions, also get a chance to add her own spice, changing the direction of the improv at times. Pianist Eric Zinman is an amazing free player who has been around for many years and deserves wider recognition. He too sounds nightly, adding sparse yet lines and bursts selectively throughout. This is one the most laid back, yet still somehow enchanting of the many Leap of Faith offshoot projects. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $12


HANNAH LASH // JACK QUARTET - Filigree: Music of Hannah Lash (New Focus FCR 228; USA) Hannah Lash and Jack Quartet clearly have a long-standing and productive relationship. Not only is this outlined clearly on both Lash's website and in the liner notes of this latest release of their collaborations, but it is clear from this recording that all artists involved have a storied dialogue about what they value in modern chamber music. Across the four pieces on this disc, the virtuosity of all demonstrates a practiced understanding of "the great classical works" for string quartet, as well as an informed understanding of how to use extended techniques with intention.
"Frayed" and "Pulse-space", the first and third pieces respectively, are single movement explorations of fragmented development. "Frayed" begins with "an almost inaudible opening" and uses a series of subtly deceptive crescendos to subvert the expectation that the piece will build towards one great tension and release. There are many such releases, and fragments of musical thought dart in many directions throughout with bubbling Bartok pizzicatos and perfectly timed crunch tones. "Pulse-Space" mirrors this haptic approach to structure, and gives the listener a sense of tactile fascination with the value of tonal harmonies divorced from the tyranny of harmonic progression. Here, Lash seems to have found a satisfying way to break the confined structures of traditional string writing, while still honoring those qualities of that music she deems most important.
"Suite: Remembered and Imagined" functions similarly, and is playfully formatted in the movement structure of formal Baroque dances/court music. Literacy of the style is clear, and it plays more like a series of modernist color studies of Baroque dances, rather than attempt to make a new Baroque dance. "Filigree in Textile" works similarly as a color study of different qualities of thread, and here you can almost feel the coherence of approach across the disc. The whole group seems to be fascinated with picking apart the minutae of where chamber music today stands, and what it can learn from tradition to collage a satisfying mural that feels daring, but ultimately aims at the classic goals of high art. - Frank Meadows, DMG
CD $14


BACK IN STOCK and WELL WORTH THE WAIT:

ELIANE RADIGUE // FREDERIC BLONDY / ONCEIM ORCHESTRA - Occam Ocean 2 for Orchestra, 2015 (Shiin EER2; France) Featuring the ONCEIM Orchestra with: Jean-Brice Godet & Xavier Charles on clarinets, Bertand Denzler & Stephane Rives on saxes, Robin Hayward on tuba, Charlotte Hug on viola, Benjamin Duboc on contrabass, 32 members altogether. “Eliane Radigue composes electronic music since the sixties. she is the only French composer of her generation who can be considered as one of the major pioneers of this musical genre, as well as minimal music. his music is a slow stream of dense sounds undergoing imperceptible mutations. a timeless architecture made of serious vibrations, which addresses less to the intellect or to the eardrums, than to the whole body. a music by which it is overwhelming to be submerged. a music that has the monumental discretion of the movement of the oceans. his career is remarkable. At the end of the fifties, she studied in Paris the practices of musique concrète with Pierre Schaeffer and pierre henry, which she will also be the assistant, notably for the realization of "the apocalypse of jean". during the sixties she began to compose with primitive electronic means (larsens and asynchronous looped magnetic tapes), but will find little recognition for her research in France. it is in new york that she will find understanding and emulation, in the early seventies, by exploring the paths of minimalism emerging alongside James Tenney, Charlemagne Palestine, Philip Glass, Jon Gibson and Steve Reich. her absolute fidelity to electronic sounds began at that time, and she has since composed on the best synthesizers that existed: Buchla, Moog, modular system serge, then arp which will be his favorite instrument. she collaborates in the seventies with Robert Ashley, who will lend her voice for ‘Milarepa Songs’. She has composed up to now twenty works, which she has presented, and continues to present, in many prestigious venues and festivals in the United States and Europe. since 2006, she has devoted herself to composition for acoustic instruments only, of which “Naldjorlak I, II, III”, is the major achievement. Eliane Radigue can be considered without emphasis as one of the major and most innovative composers of the twentieth century.”
CD $25 [LTD Edition / Issued in 6-panel digifile with 90-page booklet with liner notes in French and English]

MOONDOG // DOMINIQUE PONTY / STEFAN LAKATOS - Piano Trimba (Shiiin 11; France) Featuring Dominique Ponty on piano and Stefan Lakatos on trimba. “Louis Thomas Harding, better known by his stage name Moondog, but also a time nicknamed the Viking of 6th Avenue, is the author of thousands of works breaking the musical boundaries. A rare and sincere mixture of the canons of Baroque music and the tribal pulsations of Native American dances, a bridge between the learned and the popular, his music borrows as much from classical forms as from jazz, pop or non-Western music. It abolishes the boundaries between genres and develops a universal world-work in which everyone can both meet and discover themselves." Dominique Ponty and Stefan Lakatos have both had close musical ties with Moondog. Dominique Ponty is the last pianist to have shared the stage with Moondog in their duo DMD - Dominique and Moondog Duet and Stefan Lakatos is a specialist in Trimba, a unique percussion instrument invented by Moondog himself. As I listen to this music, I am deeply enchanted by the lovely, charming, ancient to modern blend… The music has a subtle, Satie-esque vibe, rather innocent in nature. The trimba is an odd looking device, wooden, sort-of triangular (with 2 purple drum heads) with a cymbal attached to the top and played with small sticks and maracas. You can watch an excerpt from a concert by this duo here: https://lamarbrerie.fr/28-mai-2019-moondog-par-dominique-ponty-et-stefan-lakatos. - BLG/DMG
CD $22 [LTD Edition]


I FEEL LIKE A BOMBED CATHEDRAL - I Feel Like A Bombed Cathedral (Dirter Promotions 147; UK) “I Feel Like A Bombed Cathedral is the ambitious new project from Amaury Cambuzat --guitarist with the legendary Faust and founder of French avant-garde experimentalists Ulan Bator. Just two pieces spread over 50-odd minutes, this CD reaches levels of drone-like intensity barely heard since the days of Theatre of Eternal Music. Beautiful collage art by Cambuzat. Packaged in a gloss laminated digipack; Edition of 500. Essential.
Nick Soulsby writes: "You need to tell the world how you feel and all you think is - The electric guitar stands as analogue to the cathedral: a blown-out shell echoing with imposing history, lineage, collapse and eternal potential. Amaury has conjured a haunted space inviting us to roam firm structures torn to chaotic edges; glimpsed hardness grown over organic and lush. The sounds whisked up around us, from the most minimal to the most densely symphonic, remind us we stand in a place dedicated to the profound. Between the instrument and the image stands the man himself. Amaury's approach throughout I Feel Like A Bombed Cathedral speaks to his memories and lived experience -- graduation from the classical conservatory in western Paris, his discovery of the guitar at age fourteen, his lifelong quest to infuse this instrument with fresh life. I Feel Like A Bombed Cathedral is a testament to the past, to desecrated presents, and to the sacred horizon that is the future -- The unchanging future which is always hope of change."
CD $15


ALTERNATIVE TV / THE GOOD MISSIONARIES - Scars On Sunday (Winter Hill Recordings 005; UK) “Mark Perry has overseen the reissue of 1979's Scars On Sunday, which was originally released as a limited run cassette and is now highly collectible. Comprising material from around the same period as the excellent Vibing Up the Senile Man album period, the ideas behind the music were very much informed by Mark's experience of touring with Here & Now. Perhaps serving as a statement on punk, or the many hordes by this time now completely straitjacketed by it, it could be contended it was conceptually far more "punk" anyway. Beyond this, the music here illustrates precisely how Mark led Alternative TV into wide open terrain sometimes far removed from rock music in its more generally accepted forms. As both proof of where music could be taken once unshackled from all notions of predictability and, indeed, just how far it could go into those realms usually reserved for the avant-garde, this was about as non-conformist as music could get at the time. Originally recorded live at the Greenwich Theatre and The Lyceum these sets aimed for the jugular as they confounded, enticed, and ultimately gave the audiences far more than they'd anticipated. Between the music of this period, the earlier more direct attacks and the subsequent sidesteps into clever songwriting or more electronically-driven pieces, Alternative TV have always embraced the idea of going to wherever they intuitively feel like in the given moment. Since this early period, the group has gone through lengthy periods of hibernation and surges of activity that together might not have served them so well in a careerist sense, but at least maintained their roles as artists possessed of integrity. A rare virtue in music.”
CD $15


THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS - Angel In The Detail (Metropolis Records 1190; USA) "The Legendary Pink Dots is an experimental rock band that since 1980 has thrived far outside the mainstream. Having released more than 40 albums, Angel In The Detail may stand as the band's finest work. Two years in the making, it is an enthralling, captivating release where distinctive vocals & lyrical imagery float over textural ambiance, hypnotic guitar, synth washes & spellbinding bass pulses."
CD $17


JEB BISHOP / ALEX WARD / WEASEL WALTER* - Flayed (ugEXPLODE 75; USA) Featuring Jeb Bishop on trombone, Alex Ward on clarinet & guitar and Weasel Walter on drums. Generally every week that I write reviews for the DMG Newsletter, there is at least one or more reviews of some sort of “free music”. Besides that, there is the weekly Sunday free (admission) music series here at DMG which often features more “free music”. Hence, I spend quite a bit of time listening to what is commonly known as “free music”. Am I an expert? Perhaps. I do know that I find it inspiring to hear this sort of music when it works, showing a more democratic side to a human activity that brings us together and spreads hopeful, creative spirits. Last Sunday (8/11/19), both sets at the store, Nick Dunston’s Atlantic Extraction Quintet and the Caroline Davis/Kim Cass Duo were equally superb and I could feel their magic/communal spirit all around the room.
This week, this disc by Jeb Bishop, Alex Ward and Weasel Walter, shows another side of what I would call focused, intense and inspiring free music. This trio features three master improvisers from different scenes: Jeb Bishop, once of Chicago & a member of the Vandermark Five, now living in Boston, Weasel Walter, also originally from Chicago, then the Bay Area and now Brooklyn and Alex Ward, a British clarinetist & guitarist, who has worked with Derek Bailey (in the nineties), Duck Baker & is a member of This Is Not This Heat. Each of these three have very different backgrounds and have worked their way through a variety of different improv scenes or genres. After, Mr. Bishop left the Vandermark Five, he seemed to become less visible to this who might notice. Since moving to Boston, Mr. Bishop has kept busy playing with a variety of Boston-area’s best. Alex Ward, who plays both clarinet & guitar, often sounds like two very different musicians on each instrument. Starting with “Vertical Method”, Mr. Ward starts off on guitar, bending & twisting his notes in a more punk-like (fractured) way, while the trombone and drum match his quick, intense excursions just right. Weasel Walter, has worked in a wide variety of genres, from free jazz through punk rock through prog & metal extremes. No matter where the trombone, clarinet or guitar go, Weasel matches wits with tight, focused zest. Jeb Bishop is well matched here, no matter where he goes, playing in quick spurts or playing more restrained bent note weirdness. Things really erupt powerfully on “Curing” with both the guitar and drums going full throttle, a brutal explosion of power which is most exciting and over-the-top. This is an excellent improv session from the beginning to the very end! - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $14

*WEASEL WALTER will be playing in a trio with Sam Weinberg on sax & Henry Fraser on bass here at DMG on Sunday, September 1st at 6pm! Mr. Walter is a force to be reckoned with so don’t miss this opportunity to hear him in an intimate setting.


* BEN GOLDBERG With NELS CINE / RON MILES / DEAN YOUNG - Good Day for Cloud Fishing (Pyroclastic Records 05; USA) Featuring Ben Goldberg on B-fat & contra-alto clarinets, Nels Cline on guitar, Ron Miles on trumpet, music inspired by the poetry of Dean Young. Clarinetist extraordinaire, Ben Goldberg, never plays it simple. Even after more 20 discs as a leader, Mr. Goldberg has been reaching for a new level by making each of his last few discs based on a concept, story or well thought-out idea. For this disc, Mr. Goldberg has taken the poetry of Dean Young and based his music on selected poems by Mr. Young. Mr. Young then attended the recording sessions, listening to the results as they were recorded and then wrote another poem based on the music. Hmmm, an interesting idea, to say the least. Mr. Goldberg put together a formidable trio with Ron Mile on trumpet and Nels Cline on guitar plus the sessions were produced by keyboard wiz Michael Coleman and mixed by Eli Crews, both of whom are longtime collaborators with Mr. Goldberg. Last night was the first night of Mr. Goldberg’s five day residency at The Stone and his ensemble featured Michael Coleman on keyboards with Eli Crews doing live mixing & adding electronics. It was an extraordinary night, the outcome was completely unpredictable.
Like the last few discs by Mr. Goldberg, this one has thoughtful packaging, it is a mini box set with 12 little pages of poetry, the initial inspiration on the frontside, the flip side the poetry inspired by the music. Although the music is made by the trio of clarinet, guitar and trumpet, the producer or mixing man, adds electronics and occasional manipulation to the music. Although the the is stripped down, they know how to evoke a variety of haunting moods. The poetry both before and after, gives up something to consider as we listen. The music has both an ancient and futuristic quality simultaneously. It is stripped down yet evokes a variety of laid back vibes. Mr. Goldberg has the trio spin several lines together, in tight slightly twisted orbits. Nels’ guitar often holds down the bottom, playing baselines with the clarinet & trumpet play somber harmonies on top. The trio often plays what sounds like chamber music of sorts, giving us chance to read the words and think about what they are telling us. The trio is bathed in bits of select reverb adding a dream-like vibe to the proceedings. Since the music is often stripped down, the trio often evoke a time & place or even background scenery, while we have to fill in the rest of the space with our own imagination. Mr. Coleman does an interesting job of adding varying bits of echo to each instrument so that they sound like they are coming from different places in the distance or up front or from another room or dream. On each song the perspective of where we are are placed changes so that we must adjust. Which takes time to find our place. Well worth exploring over time since it depends on where we are within ourselves and within the mix that unfolds around us. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $15

It is * BEN GOLDBERG'S Residency at The Stone this week (8/13 - 17) plus he is also doing a few gigs next week including DMG this Sunday at 6pm. Full listing further non down below


FRANCESCO BEARZATTI With BENJAMIN MOUSSAY / ROBERTO GATTO - Dear John - Live at Le Due Terre Winery (CAM Jazz 7949; Italy) Featuring Francesco Bearzatti on tenor sax, Benjamin Moussay on Fender Rhodes electric piano and Roberto gatto on drums. This disc comes from a recent series of discs that were recorded at different winery’s in Italy. I recognize the name Francesco Bearzatti from more than a half dozen discs on the Auand and Caligola labels. Electric pianist, Benjamin Moussay, we only know from a previous and current disc from Louis Sclavis. Drummer, Roberto Gatto’s name god back even further to his work with Enrico Pieranunzi, Enrico Rava and Miroslav Vitous. Although it is not listed, this disc begins with a soft mbira (thumb piano) intro. Althought this disc is live at the winery, the sound is marvelous, uplifting, spiritual sounding the way John Coltrane’s music evolved. This disc is dedicated to John Coltrane and his special, haunting sound is at the center of this trio. Mr. Bearzatti wrote most of the music here except for the opening traditional song and the closing song by Mr. Coltrane, “Dear Lord”. Mr. Bearzatti has an incredible tone, warm, haunting, golden, touching. I have always dug the sound of a Fender Rhodes and here it sounds especially enchanting, a strong match for Bearzatti’s lush, warm tone. It makes sense to me that this music would work so well in a winery since it sound aged like any fine wine. Part of John Coltrane’s legacy was his spiritual side which manifest itself in the music and was an inspiration to others. This disc captures that vibe very well yet without any of the turbulence of his later period sax blasting. Do you need some healing sounds, try this disc out. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $14


LP SECTION:

THE FLYING LUTTENBACHERS with WEASEL WALTER / BRANDON SEABROOK / MATT NELSON / TIM DAHL - Shattered Dimension (God Records 054; Austria) After more than ten years, The Flying Luttenbachers are back. The Flying Luttenbachers' Shattered Dimension is the first offering by the seminal cult band since 2007. The current New York City based version of the group on this recording features stalwart leader and primary composer Weasel Walter on drums, saxophonist Matt Nelson (GRID, Elder Ones), bass guitarist Tim Dahl (Child Abuse, Lydia Lunch), and guitarist Brandon Seabrook. During The Flying Luttenbachers' prolific initial 1991 to 2007 sprint, the ever-morphing ensemble explored and challenged the parameters of aggression, dissonance, freedom, hyper-structure, and speed across many idioms ranging from hyperactive free jazz/improvisation, blistering no wave/extreme metal noise infused rock, and ambitiously composed brutal prog. Shattered Dimension was recorded one afternoon in November 2018 at Seizures Palace (better known as Martin Bisi's legendary B.C. Studios to some) with engineer Jason LaFarge. The album opens with a succinct bang in the form of the chaotic blast beat-plus-melody structural form "Goosesteppin'". After the unison melodic statement, the foursome rampages full-speed ahead through the changes, evoking the whiskey-and-cocaine drenched early era mayhem of improv super­group Last Exit. Four frantic minutes later, the Luttenbachers rein things back a bit, with the extended harmolodic group improvisation of "Cripple Walk". The third composition on the record is the stately, ominous "Epitaph", 13 unlucky minutes of monolithic repetition, overlaid with frantic, destructive free playing in an episodic narrative. "Sleaze Factor" offers a bit of relief in the form of a prominent groove, another harmolodic venture, again influenced overtly by the jazz output of Ornette Coleman's Prime Time, Columbia Records' era Arthur Blythe, and the early James Blood Ulmer records. The final cut on this album is the 23-minute long form called "Mutation". It is a succession of abstract blocks highlighting specific sonic activity, organized as a surreal journey through immorally uplifting atonality and repetition. Gatefold sleeve.
2 LP Set $32


CLIFFORD BROWN AND MAX ROACH INCORPORATED - Brown And Roach Incorporated Down at Dawn 142; Italy) Down At Dawn present a reissue of Brown And Roach Incorporated, originally released in 1955. Recorded at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles in August 1954, this is the first Emarcy recording of the legendary Brown & Roach Quintet featuring the great Harold Land on tenor sax, Richie Powell on piano, and George Morrow on bass. Under the direction of two modern jazz masters such as trumpeter Clifford Brown and drummer Max Roach the quintet shines through a fine set of classic standards, including "Stompin' At The Savoy", Cole Porter's "I Get A Kick Out Of You", and a couple of Brown-Roach originals.
LP $18


TEDDY CHARLES / IDREES SULIEMAN / MAL WALDRON / JOHN JENKINS / ADDISON FARMER - Coolin' (Down at Dawn 143; Italy) “Down At Dawn presents a reissue of Coolin', originally released in 1959. An obscure and excellent 1957 session produced by master Rudy Van Gelder and originally released on Prestige Records. A tight sextet with a distinctive sound run by vibraphonist Teddy Charles, featuring great pianist Mal Waldron and some fine and often underrated musicians, such as Idrees Sulieman on trumpet, John Jenkins on alto saxophone, Addison Farmer on bass, and Jerry Segal on drums. The album consists of one standard and five originals, all based on complex melodies and hard swinging rhythms.”
LP $18


RYUICHI SAKAMOTO & TAYLOR DEUPREE - Live In London (TTTT 003; UK) Trailblazing Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto is joined by revered electronic musician Taylor Deupree on this live recording, documenting their collaboration at St John-at-Hackney Church in 2014, part of ThirtyThree ThirtyThree's flagship concert series St John Sessions. The two musicians develop a kinetic understanding over the recording, entering a sparse musical dialogue -- flourishes of prepared piano give way to bursts of noise and sculpted synths. Totally improvised, the performance follows their collaborations on record -- as a duo on 2013's Disappearance, and in a trio with Illuha on 2014's Perpetual. Ryuichi Sakamoto has had an extraordinary career, from his founding of revolutionary electronic trio Yellow Magic Orchestra, to his remarkable film scores, notably Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983) and the soundtrack for Oscar-winning film, The Revenant (2015). Taylor Deupree, meanwhile, spent his career devoted to his label, 12k, and an intricate form of ambient minimalism. Originally released in 2015, ThirtyThree ThirtyThree's inaugural record, the album has been remastered by Deupree. Features new artwork; Comes in a gatefold sleeve; 180-gram, transparent blue vinyl; Includes 24" photographic print.
2 LP Set $32


MUSTAFA OZKENT - Genclik Ile Elele (Jackpot Records 031; USA) "Originally released in Turkey 1973, Özkent's masterpiece (creation) of an all instrumental Turkish Psychedelic Funk album, filled with classic beats and breaks still inspires long time fans and first time listeners. The funky rhythms, hypnotic percussions, and heavy break beats makes this a holy grail amongst DJ's and music fans alike. Only a handful of copies from the original pressing are known to still exist making this reissue a welcome addition to any record collection. The concept is very complicated, futuristic and free from categorization. Traditional folk songs mixed with rock, jazz, blues, funk and psych. Özkent took traditional turkish folk songs and reconstructed them for the new 'hip' generation. It was recorded live in just one day with some of the best studio musicians in Turkey. The band was made up of 2 drummers, 2 guitarists, 2 percussionists, a bassist and a Hammond B3 organist. Özkent created his own unique guitar sound by adding extra frets and a clutch of effect pedals in order to create quarter notes and emulate turkish traditional scales. Mustafa Özkent has since made arrangements for hundreds of other artists in Turkey. But this unique album documents his most revered work. In the more than 40 years since the Mustafa Özkent Ve Orkestrası recorded Gençlik İle Elele, it seems that the world is still just discovering this gem."
LP $22


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Bruce Lee Gallanter’s Recommended Gig List for August of 2019:

THE NEW STONE
Is Located at the New School’s Glass Box Theatre
55 West 13th street - just east of 6th ave

THE STONE RESIDENCIES - BEN GOLDBERG - AUG 13th – 17th

8/16 Friday
8:30 pm - QUARTET - Ravi Coltrane (tenor sax) Chris Lightcap (bass) Gerald Cleaver (drums) Ben Goldberg (clarinet)

8/17 Saturday
8:30 pm - TRIO - Nels Cline (electric guitar) Tom Rainey (drums) Ben Goldberg (clarinet)

THE STONE RESIDENCIES / MATANA ROBERTS / AUG 20–24

8/21 Wednesday
8:30 pm - Schema I and II - Gerald Cleaver (drums) Matana Roberts (sax)

8/22 Thursday
8:30 pm - Schema III and IV - Ava Mendoza (guitar) Matana Roberts (sax)

8/23 Friday
8:30 pm - Schema V and VI - Liberty Ellman (guitar) Matana Roberts (sax)

8/24 Saturday
8:30 pm - Schema VII and VIII - Vijay Iyer (piano) Matana Roberts (sax)

THE (NEW) STONE is located in The New School’s Glass Box Theatre  
All Sets at The New Stone start at 8:30pm Tickets: $20
There are no refreshments or merchandise at The Stone. 
Only music. All ages are welcome. Cash Only at the door. 
A serious listening environment.
The Stone is booked purely on a curatorial basis

The Stone Series at HappyLucky No.1 - Curated by John Zorn

Friday, August 16, 2019 - 8:00 PM 9:00 PM
The Stone Series:
TIM BERNE with ERASER EAR
Mat Maneri
Aurora Zealand - voice and accordion
Ryan Ferreira - guitar
Tim Berne - alto/tunes

Saturday, August 17th, 2019 - 8pm - 9pm
The Stone Series:
TIM BERNE with Ches Smith, Mat Maneri, Ryan Ferreira, and Tim Berne
Mat Maneri - violin/viola
Ches Smith - drums
Ryan Ferreira - guitar
Tim Berne - alto/tunes

August 21 at 8pm:
MV Carbon and Cygnus X-1

HappyLuckyNo.1 is located at
734 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11216
Phone: 646 623 0414
by subway: Take 2, 4, or 5 trains to Franklin
Take 3 train to Nostrand Ave.
Take A or C to Nostrand Ave.

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THE JAZZ GALLERY Presents:

Friday, August 16th:
TAYLOR HO BYNUM 9-TETTE
Taylor Ho Bynum -cornet, compositions
Jim Hobbs -alto saxophone
Ingrid Laubrock -tenor & soprano saxophones
Bill Lowe –bass trombone, tuba
Mary Halvorson -electric guitar
Tomeka Reid -cello
Ken Filiano -acoustic bass
Stomu Takeishi -electric bass
Tomas Fujiwara -drums
sets at 7.30pm 9.30pm

Wednesday, August 21st:
KRIS DAVIS JULIAN LAGE!
sets at 7.30pm 9.30pm

The Jazz Gallery is located at:
1160 Broadway, 5th fl
between 27th 28th streets
New York, NY 10001
info@jazzgallery.org

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Bushwick Improvised Music Series Continues:

Monday August 19th

7pm Prawit Siriwat – Guitar
Eva Lawitts – Bass
Colin Avery Hinton – Drums

8pm Stephen Gauci – tenor saxophone
Sandy Ewen – guitar
Adam Lane– bass
Kevin Shea– drums

9pm David Leon – alto saxophone
Kenny Warren – trumpet
Garrett Wingfield – saxophone
Davy Lazar – trumpet

9:45pm Kenny Warren – trumpet
Matthias Pichler – bass
Satoshi Takeishi – drums

10:45pm Darren Johnston – trumpet
Simon Jermyn – electric bass
Alex Wyatt – drums

11:30pm James McKain – tenor saxophone
Kevin Murray – drums

Downstairs @ Bushwick Public House
https://bushwickpublichouse.com/ gaucimusic.com
1288 Myrtle Avenue in Bushwick, Brooklyn
(Across the street from M train Central Ave stop)

********

BEN GOLDBERG 60

At The Stone:

Friday August 16
THE QUARTET WITH RAVI
Ravi Coltrane - tenor saxophone
Chris Lightcap - bass
Gerald Cleaver - drums
Ben Goldberg - clarinet

Saturday August 17
TRIO WITH NELS AND TOM
Nels Cline - electric guitar
Tom Rainey - drums
Ben Goldberg - clarinet

Other than the Stone Week August 13-17 I will be playing a few shows around New York.

Sunday August 18, 6 pm
Downtown Music Gallery (13 Monroe St., Manhattan)
Ryan Ferreira - electric guitar
Simon Jermyn - electric guitar
BG - clarinet

Monday August 19, 8 pm
Arete Gallery (67 West St., Greenpoint)
Ingrid Laubrock - tenor saxophone
BG - clarinet
plus Ryan Ferriera - solo electric guitar

Tuesday August 20, 9:30 pm
Pete's Candy Store (709 Lorimer St., Williamsburg)
SWAMP PEOPLE
Gregg Bellisle-Chi - electric guitar
Andy Clausen - trombone
BG - clarinet

Tuesday August 20, 11:00 pm
Nublu 151 (151 Ave. C, Manhattan)
Ches Smith - drums
Ryan Ferreira - electric guitar
BG - clarinet