Here lies Frederick, mourned by his wife
He lead a blameless life
He couldn't win the way she treated him
His gravestone should have read
Here lies Fred - he's better off dead
Rest in peace, rest in peace
My name it is Matthews, and I've got it made
A memorial maker - it's a profitable trade
They bring the names of husbands, they bring the names of wives
They want me to perpetuate their awful, dreary lives
Here lies John, run over by a bus
He was loved by all of us
His time on earth, what was it worth
When all is said and done?
Here lies John - we're rather glad he's gone.
Rest in peace, rest in peace
They come to me and spend all they've got
'Cause it costs quite a lot to be remembered
They think it is the only way
What would the neighbors say anyway?
It's so prestigious, even though you're not religious
Maybe one day I will carve a stone
Big enough for everyone
And written there for those who care
In letters ten feet high:
"Here they lie who were born to die"
Rest in peace, rest in peace
Rest in peace, rest in peace now my friend, it's the end
Rest in peace, rest in peace now my friend, it's the end
My name it is Matthews, and I've got it made
A memorial maker - it's a profitable trade
Most Monday nights here at DMG, after the store is closed for business, John Mori & myself have dinner and then sit around listening to several albums that I’ve brought in to listen to together. I try to choose something that John hasn’t heard and which I haven’t listened to in a (long) while. I find that listening closely to some sonic treasure with another serious listener can be a great experience. Anyone out there who would like to join us for listening, please come on down. I often pick rare psych, prog, power-pop, obscure jazz or anything I think will blow our minds. The above song was sung by a British duo called Chad and Jeremy, who started out as a folk/rock duo the same year that the Beatles landed in the US - 1964. They had a number of hits throughout their five year reign (1964-1968), a dozen albums and a reunion record in 1983. ‘Of Cabbages and Kings’ was released on LP in 1967 and I heard the above song “Rest in Peace” on FM radio that year, I was smitten by it. When I bought the album a year or two later, I was knocked out by the entire album, especially “The Progress Suite”. John & I just listened to the entire LP last week and were astonished at how well it stands up almost 6 decades later. What’s interesting about this disc is that the author is a tombstone maker and the song discusses the inevitability of what will end up on our tombstones. Something to consider.
Serious music listeners like myself, many of my friends and like many of you out there, are still searching for that Holy Grail, an album that can still blow you away, no matter when or where it is from or whatever genre it has been pegged into. As a lifelong serious listener myself, I often walk around with a small notebook in my bag so I can add to a number of lists that I am compiling, endlessly searching for the next treasure and connections between different sonic delights. Eventually (if & when I retire from the store), I will have the time to work on my own Facebook page and place these lists up there for others to see. There are many lists. Thanks, as always, for your time and my indulgence. Peace and Love Always, MC-BruceLee at DMG
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THE 33rd ANNIVERSARY IN-STORE CONCERT SERIES AT DMG CONTINUES WITH:
Rare Monday #2, August 19th Event:
6:30: NOA FORT - Voice / KENNY WARREN - Trumpet / SANTIAGO LEIBSON - Keyboard
7:30: TREESEARCH with KYLE MOTL - Contrabass / KEIR GoGWILT - Violin
8:30: PATRICK GOLDEN - Drums / RYAN SEIGAL - Alto Sax / MATT HOLLENBERG - El Guitar
Tuesday, August 20th:
6:30: JAMISON WILLIAMS - Sax / PATRIZIA FINZI - Electric Bass
7:30: DANIEL GALOW - alto sax / TYLER NEIDERMAYER - bass clarinet & electronics / JAMES JONES - drums
8:30: SANDY EWEN - Solo Guitar
Tuesday, August 27th:
6:30: ANA GONZALEZ GAMBOA - Cello
7:30: AARON POND - Horn / MATTEO McDONNELL - Accordion / WILL TOBER - Contrabass
8:30: JASON HWANG - Solo Violin
Saturday, August 31st - The GauciMusic Series Returns with:
6:30: JEFF MILES - Guitar / KEN FILIANO - Contrabass / JAMES PAUL MADIEN - Drums
7:30: STEPHEN GAUCI - Tenor Sax / ADAM LANE - ContraBass / KEVIN SHEA - Drums
**********
TWO NEW TREASURES FROM TZADIK RECORDS:
JOHN ZORN // BILL FRISELL / GYAN RILEY / JULIAN LAGE - Lamentations (Tzadik 9312; USA) Zorn's lush and seductive compositions for the magical trio of Frisell-Lage-Riley are some of his most beautiful 21st century creations, and this seventh CD in their ever-expanding series is their best yet. A dramatic and colorful tribute to the expressive Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, Lamentations contains four extended pieces that unfold like exotic flowers—gorgeous music with a dark philosophical edge. These master musicians—three of the greatest guitarists in the world—work together with a profound symbiosis, forging a unique orchestral sound world unlike any other. Stunningly beautiful music that will make you think, dream, and that will nourish your soul.
CD $16
FRANK LONDON with MARCUS ROJAS / JOSH ROSEMAN / JAVIER DIAZ / ONEL MATOS / KENNY WOLLESEN - Brass Conspiracy (Tzadik 4050; USA) Composer, trumpeter, and educator Frank London has been a central figure of the Downtown Scene since the mid 1980s. A founding member of the Klezmatics, the Klezmer Conservatory Band, and Hasidic New Wave, he has worked with everyone from LaMonte Young, Itzhak Perlman, John Cale, and Allen Ginsberg to Gal Costa, Lester Bowie, and Iggy Pop. This exciting project is a startling new take on the deep tradition of music for brass and percussion and is informed by Latin, New Orleans, Soundtrack, Ragtime, and Avant Garde styles. Featuring an all-star collection of Downtown musicians, Brass Conspiracy is a vibrant new musical vision from a Downtown legend. Essential! Check out this article about Frank London from the NY Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/29/arts/music/frank-london.html
CD $14
FRANK LONDON THE ELDERS with MARILYN LERNER / HILLIARD GREENE / NEWMAN TAYLOR BAKER / GREG WALL - Spirit Stronger Than Blood (ESP-Disk 5099CD; USA) Featuring Frank London on trumpet, Greg Wall on tenor sax (for 3 pieces), Marilyn Lerner on piano, Hill Greene on contrabass and Newman Taylor Baker on drums. Frank London has been one of Downtown's best and most creative trumpeters and composers whether leading the Klezmatics, Hasidic New Wave or with Zion80 or his numerous solo/leader projects, many of which can be found on the Tzadik label. I hadn’t heard much from Mr. London in recent times aside from two fine projects: the EFG Trio with Eyal Maoz and playing the music of composer Guy Barash. World is that Mr. London currently has cancer, so I want to wish him some positive vibes of support. Mr. London has organized an interesting quartet of disparate musicians, all of whom I know from different sessions. I’ve caught Canadian pianist Marilyn Lerner live on several occasions, mostly in her trio with Ken Filiano & Lou Grassi. Bassist Hill Greene seems to work with a wide variety of Downtown’s finest: William Hooker, Patrick Brennan and Daniel Carter. Drum wiz, Newman Taylor Baker, has been the drummer of choice in the current Matt Shipp Trio and I am about to see him play tonight (6/19/24) at the Vision Fest. Tenor saxist and Rabbi, Greg Wall, has been co-leading or working with Mr. London for several projects: Hasidic New Wave and Zion80. All but one of the songs here are dedicated to trumpeters Lester Bowie & Ron Miles (both now deceased) as well as women: Jewlia Eisenberg (radical Jewish composer & singer), Isabelle DeKonnink and Anna & Louis London. Most of these folks have passed away due to blood cancer which Mr. London has been diagnosed as having. Right from the opening piece, “Let There Be Peace”, there is something transcendent going on here, stripped down, stark yet somehow majestic, inspiring and prayer-like. “Resilience” is dedicated to Lester Bowie, longtime trumpeter master for the Art Ensemble of Chicago and Brass Fantasy. Mr. London’s trumpet (and music) here captures an ancient solemn, sad vibe with some exquisite piano from Ms. Lerner. The song keeps building with London sounding like he is entering a ring at a bull fight to announce what is about to happen. The title track, “Spirit Stronger Than Blood” is dedicated to several friends of Mr. London who have died of blood cancer. The main melody reminds me of one of those groove-infected Pharoah Sanders songs from the early 1970’s, kinda funky Spirit Jazz with a rambunctious piano solo from Ms. Lerner. Frank London and tenorman Greg Wall, who have worked together for many years, front the band here and sound great with inspired solos from both. London says this song is a celebration of his life and it does have a most celebratory sound. “Poem for a Blue Voice’ is dedicated to Isabelle DeKonnink (based on a poem by Davida Singer) and it is a haunting ballad with a touching solos from Mr. Wall (on tenor) and Mr. London (on trumpet). The final piece is called “Resistance/Healing” and it is dedicated to trumpeter Ron Miles, who also died of a form of blood cancer a couple of years ago. Nate Wooley also dedicated his set at the recent FIMAV Fest (May of 2024) to Ron Miles, a mentor of Mr. Wooley’s. This piece has a fine, heartwarming vibe with a fine tenor solo from Mr. Wall and a most expressive solo by Mr. London. I haven’t heard anything recently about Mr. London’s ongoing fight with cancer so I can’t tell you anything about that. If this is his last release, he would be leaving us with a strong achievement. I like the central vibe here, it is one of a certain calm before the storm that is awaiting us all. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $13
CETERA with FRED FRITH & PAVEL FAJT / PAUL PANHUYSEN & PHILL NIBLOCK / ANNA HOMLER & AD VAN BUUREN / JO TRUMAN & MARIAN PALLA / ROSS BOLLETER & MICHAEL DELIA / HORST RICKETS & VICTOR WENTINK / et al - Symposium Hermit, klaster Plasy 1992, remix (Pars Magazine – 5/2004; Czech Republic) Super rare selection of recordings from concerts and sound installations from the Symposium Hermit 92 in Plasy Monastery, in the Czech Republic, published originally as part of the catalogue in 1992. This disc was released as a supplement of art magazine PARS 5/2004. This disc has the only known recording of Fred Frith (guitar) and Pavel Fajt (drums) duo set and is nearly 16 minutes long. Czech drummer Pavel Fajt was/is married to and collaborated with Iva Bittova, Czech violin goddess now living in upstate New York. I once caught Iva & Pavel opening for Fred Frith & Tom Cora at the Old Knit(ting Factory). The four musicians also played a fine quartet set at the end of the night. I only know about half of the musicians on this disc and felt that all or most of this disc is well worth checking out. Thanks to Fred Frith for finding these rarities and sending us a few. - BLG at DMG
CD $20 [Acquired direct from Fred Frith, 3 left]
DAS RAD with NICK ROBINSON / STEVE DINSDALE / MARTIN ARCHER / PETER ROPHONE / JON SHORT - Funfair (Discus Music 180CD; UK) This version of Das Rad features Nick Robinson on guitar & mellotron, Peter Rophone on vocals & Portuguese guitar, Martin Archer on keyboards & woodwinds, Jon Short on electric & acoustic basses and Steve Dinsdale on drums & keyboards. This appears to be the fifth disc from Das Rad whose personnel has included Mr. Robinson, Mr. Dinsdale and Mr. Archer since the beginning. I’ve enjoyed what I’ve heard from them so far, so I was intrigued when this disc showed up in the mail last week. ‘Funfair’ begins with a medley of 4 pieces connected together. The first piece, “The Kindly Ones”, has a great space-rock groove/sound with the effects-laden guitar and sax both playing together on top of the strong hypnotic groove. The sound here reminds me of early seventies prog before it became too serious or silly. Mr. Rophone’s voice in the last section of this piece has a fine, thoughtful, inviting sound. This piece melts into “Look In” which features Mr. Rophone’s haunting voice(s) over a slow, simmering hypnotic marching beat. Robinson adds a layer of Frippish guitars to this piece. Instead of dealing with complex written material, the music here deals with more atmospheric sounds and effects. I like the sound of Mr. Rophone’s voice since he never over emotes or screams, singing more plainly in his own unique way plus the vocals are often kept to a minimum. “Dream of Golden Sun” has an uptempo drum machine like groove with Mr. Archers adding several layers of saxes peppered with sly effects. At times, Mr. Rophone’s voice radiates a forlorn sort of grace. I love the sound of Robinson’s space/rock guitar on “Dissolving The Mirror”, which contains an impressive Steve Hillage-like guitar solo. “Grimbling” has one of those great repeating riffs which just makes me want to dance around to its infectious groove. The sax and guitar trade lines which is another delight. The second medley starts off with mysterious floating sustained guitars and dreamy vocal sounds. The end of the medley is called “Warfare” and it builds to a dark, somewhat ominous conclusion. The last piece is called “The Empress at Home” and it has a strong blend of acoustic and electric guitars working seamlessly together. Since I have listened to very much contemporary prog rock in recent times, I am not so sure about what has been released along those lines. Aside from the Cuneiform label, which used to specialize in varied progressive sounds, the UK-based Discus label has been spotlighting the better side of creative/jazz/rock/prog, which this impressive disc is filled with. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $14
LINA ALLEMANO’S OHRENSCHMAUS with DAN PETER SUNDLAND / ANDREA PARKINS / MICHAEL GRIENER - Flip Side (Lumo Records LM 2024-16; Canada) Featuring Lina Allemano on trumpet, Dan Peter Sundland on electric bass, Michael Griener on drums plus Andrea Parkins on accordion, electronics & objects. Lina Allemano was a Toronto-based trumpeter who is now living in Berlin. Ms. Allemano has a dozen plus records going back to 1998 and has worked with Nick Fraser, Kris Davis, Tony Malaby and Axel Dorner. After mentioning in a recent review that I wasn’t that familiar with her back catalogue, Ms. Allemano gave (or sent) a bag of her discs to Toronto drummer Nick Fraser who played here at DMG last night (8/13/24). Thank you Lina, now its time for a review of this one. Although I don’t know much about bassist Dan Peter Sundland, he does have a half dozen releases out including a solo electric bass effort. German drummer Michael Griener I do know quite well from his lengthy output working with: Ulrich Gumpert, Carl Ludwig Hubsch and Rudi Mahall.
This is the second disc from Ms. Allemano’s trio Ohrenschmaus and they added a special guest, Andrea Parkins, former Downtown-based musician/composer who moved to Berlin several years ago. Ms. Parkins collaborates on three of seven pieces. The three pieces with Ms. Parkins are all group improvs. The first piece is called, “Sidetrack” and the instruments are close mic’d, carefully recorded and evolve slowly. Aside from the drums, it is difficult to tell who is doing what. Are those somber drones from electronics or electric bass or from the trumpet? I like the way Ms. Allemano’s trumpet sounds as she concentrates on each note or sound. I finally hear Ms. Parkins’ spooky accordion wheezing in and out, adding a layer of mystery to these sounds. Although this piece was written by Ms. Allemano, it does sound more improvised with Allemano’s trumpet soloing top of the rhythm team as they speed up and slow down. “Heartstrings” actually has a quaint melody with some lovely, haunting muted trumpet trading thoughtfully with the electric bass. “Sideswipe” is another group improv and it is volatile and on the verge of flying apart. “Stricken” starts like a solemn ballad with some sublime muted trumpet and a repeating bass throb at the center. It sounds like Mr. Sunland is bowing his electric bass here, something that is relatively rare and fits just right. “The Line” was composed by Ms. Allemano & Mr. Sundland and it features some expressive drumming in between the tight written parts of the trumpet and bass. “Sidespin” is another expressive, exciting free piece in which the quartet plays tight and loose simultaneously. What impresses me most about that disc is that it sounds like a suite where each piece flows into the next and at around 41 minutes it is just the right length for a good listening session. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $15
STEVE BACZKOWSKI - Cheap Fabric (Relative Pitch RPR 1187; USA) Featuring Steve Baczkowski on baritone & tenor saxes and other winds. During the late 1970’s and the 1980’s, I witnessed a number of solo sax gigs from Anthony Braxton, Roscoe Mitchell, Evan Parker, John Zorn and Ned Rothenberg. Each one had developed their own vocabulary on the sax and a strategy for playing an entire set of solo sax. In more than four decades, there has been many more solo sax sets and discs with the Relative Pitch label even starting a solo sax series which is up to 30. What I found for myself is that solo sax sets or discs work in two different ways: either they make sense on their own musical level or they are a challenge to listen to due to extended techniques, multiphonics, circular breathing and sounds atonal and difficult to hear at length.
Buffalo-based saxist Steve Baczkowski has been recording and playing live for around two decades, in duos, trios and occasionally doing solo sax sets. He played a marvelous solo sax set here at DMG which I recall being one of the best solo sax sets I’ve seen/heard in recent memory. This disc features Mr. Baczkowski on solo baritone and tenor saxes, as well as other woodwinds. This disc was recorded on reel-to-reel tapes at the Essex Arts Center in Buffalo, NY in November of 2022. Baczkowski starts off on solo bari sax playing slowly and quietly, taking his time. Baczkowski’s sax is well-recorded, the sound warm, focused and restrained. From what I recall Baczkowski uses a mute to muffle or alter his tone from time to time. Baczkowski has a unique way of playing one note or sound and then expanding it with various note-bending calisthenics and/or mutes, sometimes spiraling notes upwards or downwards. On a piece called “Meteor”, it sounds like Baczkowski is winding up a clock or playing a piece of metal percussion. I think that these percussive sounds are done by using his tongue and tapping on the reed. The sound is quite fascinating nonetheless. The is a fine line here between pushing hard and bending notes inside-out and laying back & playing softer sounds from time to time. Baczkowski’s playing often sounds systematic, working with one area or approach at a time, concentrating on a sound or line and then repeating and twisting the sound/note in his own distinctive way. What’s interesting here is the way Mr. Baczkowski plays, he is often experimental with a certain sound or technique. I recognize many of these sounds since I’ve heard quite a bit of solo sax performances. Some folks will hear this disc and think what is he doing to get those sounds. I just listened to this entire 62 minute disc and was most impressed throughout. There is quite a bit going on here then meets the eye or expectation of whomever is listening. This is one of the best solo sax performances that I’ve heard and I’ve heard many. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $13
EIGHTY-POUND PUG with DAVID TAMURA / ELLIOTT LEVIN / MARCUS CUMMINS / DAVE SEWELSON / STEPHEN MOSES / AYUMO ISHITO / BRUCE MACK / TAKUMA KANAIWA / YUKO TOGAMI / ALEX LOZUPONE / et al - Live for (and with) David (Self-produced; USA) Featuring David Tamura, Elliott Levin, Ayumi Ishito, Dave Sewelson & Marcus Cummins on saxes, Bruce Mack on keyboards, Alex Lozupone on guitar/bass, Takuma Kanaiwa on bass, Aubrey Smith - voice, Stephen Moses & Yuko Togami on drums. Free/music sax great, David Tamura, was a longtime part of the Downtown Underground Scene, playing dozens of free/improv sessions but rarely getting the recognition he well deserved. Check out his playing with Marc Edwards, Toadal Package and the Chonto/Tamura Sonic Urgency. Alex Lozupone organized Eighty-Pound Pug in 2013, their first gig was in May of that year. Mr. Tamura has played with Eighty-Pound Pug on and off throughout their long tenure. This disc compiles pieces from four sessions, with Mr. Tamura on about half of these tracks before he passed away in the summer of 2023. I know most of the musicians on this disc from a variety of groups or improv situations, especially these players who have played at DMG at one time or another: Tamura, Levin, Cummins, Sewelson, Ashito, Togami & Kanaiwa.
The first four pieces are taken from Aron Namenwirth’s home series and feature Tamura, Ishito & Cummins on saxes, Bruce Mack on keyboards & Steve Moses on drums. It starts off like some sort of space rock with Ms. Ishito using some odd effects on her sax and Mr. Mack adds some weird keyboard sounds, with a solemn, somber, throbbing low end underneath. Someone is singing here as well, no words just making vocal sounds with some effects as sonic seasoning. Mr. Lozupone plays a series of rock riffs on each piece which gives the ensemble a space-rockin’s sort of groove/sound. On the sixth piece, Lozupone plays what sounds like a Hawkwind riff giving the group a dark, churning, slow rocking groove. Aubrey Smith adds her odd vocals to the sixth piece which has a dark, throbbing groove at the center. Although the recording quality is somewhat boomy at times, the vibe a bit dark, the overall vibe is often hypnotic. My old Philly pal, Elliott Levin (from New Ghost), adds his own voice/poetry to track 8. Again, Lozupone adds a great, haunting, solemn, sludge-like riff to this piece with several saxes (Levin, Cummins & Ishito) wailing on top. The last piece was recorded in a studio and features Ms. Ishito & Mr. Cummins on saxes, Lozupone on guitar/bass and Yuko Togami on drums. The sound is better here so it sounds like a group that has played together previously. Mr. Lozupone will be bringing some version of this unit here to DMG at sometime in the future so stay tuned. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $12
FRANZ KOGLMANN SEPTET with DANIELE D’AGARO / JOHN CLARK / PETER HERBERT / et al - Fruits of Solitude (Hat Ezz-Thetics 1005; Switzerland) With a superb septet of improvisers also versed in contemporary music, trumpeter Franz Koglmann presents sophisticated compositions that interject the concept of "solitude" in the three-part title track, alongside Koglmann compositions and Jimmy Giuffre's "Finger Snapper", using striking orchestration of trumpet, sax, clarinet, bassoon, oboe, french horn, cello and double bass.
CD $15
MIKE TAYLOR with JACK BRUCE / GINGER BAKER / ERIC CLAPTON / TONY REEVES / JON HISEMAN / et al - Trio, Quartet & Composer, Revisited (Hat Ezz-Thetics 1116; Switzerland) Found dead in the Thames River in 1969, pianist & composer Mike Taylor left a legacy of two solid & lyrical jazz albums, of which the complete Trio album and one track from Pendulum are remastered; but he was also a songwriter for the Eric Clapton/Ginger Baker/Jack Bruce band Cream, of which three Taylor compositions with lyrics and vocals by Baker are included.
CD $15
TATSUYA YOSHIDA / RISA TAKEDA - YGGDRASILL (Magaibutsu Limited MGC-71; Japan) Thirteen high-speed rock improvisations on drums, synth, piano & voice from the continuing collaboration of Magaibutsu label leader & drummer Tatsuya Yoshida and synthesist & pianist Risa Takeda, each track titled for Nordic mythology, the album title a reference to the World Tree, a giant ash supporting the universe; dramatic, amazing, unconventional instrumental music.
CD $18
TATSUYA YOSHIDA / RISA TAKEDA - Falsifiability (Cbzm Records 03; Japan) The duo of drummer Tatsuya Yoshida and keyboardist Risa Takeda take to the road in a 2023 summer tour, their rock-based improvisations energetically wild and masterfully controlled as they run through 11 pieces in a concert at Environment 0g in Osaka, the title referencing the capacity for some proposition or theory to be proven wrong; in contrast, this concert is quite right!
CD $18
CATALOGUE with JAC BERROCAL / FRANCOIS PAUVROS / GILBERT ARTMAN - Assassins (Fou Records CD 64; France) Trumpeter Jac Berrocal's 80's underground avant-garde band Catalogue with drummer Gilbert Artman (Lard Free, Urban Sax) and electric guitarist Jean-Francois Pauvros were known for their merging of experimental and boundary pushing forms of improvised jazz, punk, and rock (Think Etron Fou or This Heat); these early recordings by Jean-Marc Foussat find the band at their most assertively eclectic.
CD $14
AYUMI ISHITO - Wondercult Club (577 Records 5946; USA) An album of lyrical electric jazz from Japanese sax player based in NYC Ayumi Ishito, a frequent collaborator with Daniel Carter, here with her own band of Hajime Yoshida and Yana Davydova on guitars, Yoshiki Yamada on bass and Carter Bales on drums, for eight fusion-oriented, upbeat melodic original works that yield great soloing and band interaction.
CD-R $14
DANIEL KORDIT / EDDIE PREVOST - End No End (Earshots 023; UK) Legendary AMM drummer/percussionist and Matchless label leader Eddie Prévost meets with Earshots co-label leader and improvising synthesist Daniel Kordik for five remarkable dialogs, both using a full range of creative techniques that complement through alternating percussive and sonic approaches to their instruments, taking listeners into unforseen territories.
CD $15
BUCK CURRAN - One Evening and Other Folk Songs (ESP-Disk 5075CD; USA) Buck Curran says: "The foundation of this recording is the musical chemistry between Jodi Pedrali and myself. Jodi and I had been playing music together since 2017 and the band we assembled for this session, centered around the idea of having London native Dave Barbarossa play drums with us. Dave Barbarossa (Bow Wow Wow and Adam Ant) was my favorite drummer during my formative years playing guitar in high school. Dave and I first met over a pint in London (in Soho) in April of 2022. We talked about fatherhood and life, but mostly about music. It was wonderful to discover that he shared my love for the music of Pentangle. Soon after that meeting, we started discussing the idea of recording a Live session in the manner of some of the performances of Pentangle that we had watched on my cell phone in the pub. And so, once Dave agreed to fly to Bergamo to record with me and Jodi -- to round out the session we recruited the brilliant Italian singer Adele Pappalardo and bass player Robert Frassini Moneta. 'Black Is the Colour' is quite a different arrangement of this traditional Scottish-American folk song and features Adele singing lead vocals. The arrangement started with the bass line I wrote (influenced a bit by Danny Thompson's work with Pentangle). This track is one of the cornerstones of the new record and was recorded mostly improvised in one take. The essence of what we documented on this record is the energy of a quickly assembled group who had never played together before, and due to time restrictions, we arranged parts and rehearsed for only a few hours the day before entering the studio. All the songs performed by the band were recorded in the studio by Marco Fasolo as a 'Live' session (4, 5, and 6 July 2022) -- the tracks we used were from first or second take performances (Jodi and I really wanted to capture the energy of playing music together Live in the same space). I can hear things got a little loose in places, but overall we were really happy with how we all played together and grateful for recording the energy of that moment during those fleeting summer days in 2022." This is a co-release by Curran's Obsolete Recordings and ESP-Disk.
CD $12
STEVE ROACH - Dreamtime Return (30th Anniversary Remastered Edition)(Projekt 350CD; USA)
"The Return of a masterpiece, 30th Anniversary Remastered Edition. Since its release in 1988, Dreamtime Return earned its reputation as a genuine classic. The 2CD magnum opus is one of the most important, widely known and highly respected releases in Roach's vast body of work. It serves as an essential benchmark within the electronic-ethno-atmospheric genre. Roach's travels in the Australian outback, along with studies of the Aboriginal Dreamtime, are the lifeblood for this recording which even today sounds like a transmission from the near future and the very distant past. Three decades after its release, the true expansive depth of this iconic masterpiece has been meticulously unveiled, revealing an entirely new listening experience. This remastered edition restores the original sonic nature and visionary intention, taking the listener deeper into the dreamtime. 2CD in six-panel digipak with 16-page booklet of photos, liner notes, and credits."
2 CD Set $22
YUI ONODERA - 1982 (Room40 RM 4199CD; Australia) A note from Yui Onodera: "I stayed in Iwate, where I was born, for a few days and created some sound materials using limited materials and old media. Over ten years ago, Iwate was devastated by the Great East Japan earthquake. Many old things that remained in my memory became rubble, dismantled, and new scenery was there. I bounced every song from 1982 straight onto an old tape recorder. This album comes out of my interest in sonic 'degradation and rebuilding.' I treated the guitar and synthesizer in a lot of new ways, so using a lot of tape recorders and/or pedal effects. I wanted the guitar to be an extension of the ambient textures rather than technology and imperfection. The raw and the processed. We benefited greatly from the evolution and democratization of computer and audio technology in the early '00s. I was fascinated by sounds that could not be created by humans, such as real-time audio synthesis and granular synthesis. Now, 20-odd years later, I am fascinated by sounds that cannot be created with a computer. It was a unique acoustic texture created by deterioration and wear, including accidental wear, due to old technology that is disappearing. It's like a memory of my old days in Iwate."
CD $18
back in stock:
ABDULLAH IBRAHIM / DOLLAR BRAND with DON CHERRY / JOHNNY DYANI / HAMIET BLUIETT / CARLOS WARD / TALIB RHYNIE / ROY BROOKS / JOHN BETSCH / CLAUDE JONES - The Journey: Live At Alice Tully Hall 9/18/77 (Downtown Sound 1002; USA) Man! Is this a dream line-up or what! The resurrected Chiaroscuro Records has started a sub-label called Downtown Sound (whose mission statement includes avant-jazz releases in the future), and among its first releases (the rest, like almost all Chiaroscuro albums, are basically mainstream/trad recordings) is this gem, released in 1978, originally on LP from Chiaroscuro. In addition to Brand, Cherry, Dyani, Bluiett, Ward and alto saxist Rhynie are drummer Roy Brooks and percussionists John Betsch and Claude Jones. Exceptionally well recorded and transferred: Dyani's immaculate bass playing stands out, as do all the horns - Don Cherry is in top form here!
CD $15
LP SECTION:
MICHEL MOULINIE - Chrysalide (Wrwtfww Records 081LP; Switzerland) WRWTFWW Records presents the long anticipated official reissue of Chrysalide (1978), the sole album from French multi-instrumentalist and enigmatic genius Michel Moulinié. The krautrock/ambient/minimalism paragon is available as a limited-edition LP with one never-heard bonus track. It is sourced from the original reels and housed in a heavy 350gsm sleeve. Originally released in 1978 on Ange and Jean-Claude Pognant's mythical prog rock label Crypto, Chrysalide is a fusion of minimalist meditations, cosmic soundscapes, and ambient with a human warmth, carried by a profoundly beautiful and unique use of twelve-string guitar, bass, and violon. Ideal for an introspective listening experience, the hypnotic Kosmische Musik of Michel Moulinié belongs to the same psychedelic family as Manuel Göttsching's Inventions For Electric Guitar, Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells, early Tangerine Dream, and Steve Hillage's creative guitar mastery. WRWTFWW listeners will also be remined of the label's seminal French release, Dominique Guiot's L'Univers de la Mer, which makes a great pairing with Chrysalide.
LP $32
YOSHIO OJIMA - Club (Wrwtfww Records 087LP; Switzerland) WRWTFWW Records presents the first-ever vinyl release for esteemed Japanese producer, composer, and environmental music luminary Yoshio Ojima's rare forgotten album Club, previously only released as a limited edition of 50 cassettes back in 1983. The electronica/proto-techno/experimental gem is available as an LP reissue supervised by the artist, sourced from the original masters and housed in a heavy 350gsm sleeve. Only 500 copies were made. A precious and sought-after item among collectors and enthusiasts of early Japanese electronic music, Club is a stunning and timeless collection of avant-garde electronica, proto-techno, mecha-ambient, and ear-pleasing experimentations from Yoshio Ojima, the ambient/environmental master behind the pivotal Music for Spiral albums released in 1988, and producer of Hiroshi Yoshimura's Pier & Loft, Motohiko Hamase's #Notes of Forestry, and Satsuki Shibano's iconic Rendez-Vous. Filled with quirky minimalist acid-synth-and-drum-machine-handiwork, bouncy collages of beautifully childlike techno and pre-IDM, and the irresistible DIY charm of humble beginnings, the eight-track album is a fun, adventurous and risqué-but-catchy-in-the-most-peculiar-way piece of Japanese electronic music history neatly capturing the incredible creative energy boiling through the country's scene in the 1980s. Experience the roots of Japanese electronica!
LP $32
WE JAZZ MAGAZINE - We Jazz Issue 12 Summer 2024: Worldwide (We Jazz WJMAG 012; Finland) The twelfth issue of We Jazz Magazine, Worldwide for Gilles Peterson. 128 pages, 170 x 240 mm in size and printed on 140g Edixion paper with laminated 300g Invercote covers. All articles presented in English. Includes "Gilles Peterson" by Anton Spice, "Ingrid Laubrock" by Stewart Smith, "Hannibal Lokumbe" by Bret Sjerven, "Universal Folks Sounds" by Magnus Nygren, "Spoken Word/Free Jazz" by Alex Coles, "Dutch Jazz Archive" by Danny Veekens, "Takuya Kuroda" by Rob Garratt, "Jan Roder and Michael Griener of Die Enttäuschung" by Bill Meyer, "divr" by Daryl Worthington, "Astro Can Caravan" by Wif Stenger, "Discaholic Column" by Mats Gustafsson, "J Jazz 1955-88" by Tony Higgins, album reviews, and more.
Magazine $30
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ATTENTION ALL CREATIVE MUSICIANS OUT THERE, Around the world.
If you have a link for some music that you are working on and want to share it with the folks who read the DMG Newsletter, please send the link to DMG at DMG@Downtownmusicgallery.com
THE STONE RESIDENCIES / KEVIN HAYS / AUG 14-17
8/14 Wednesday
8:30 pm: DUO 1 - Kevin Hays (piano) Ben Wendel (sax)
8/15 Thursday
8:30 pm - DUO 2 - Kevin Hays (piano) Kenny Wollesen (drums)
8/16 Friday
8:30 pm - DUO 3 - Kevin Hays (piano) Craig Taborn (keyboards)
8/17 Saturday
8:30 pm - DUO 4 - Kevin Hays (piano) Gilad Hekselman (guitar)
THE STONE RESIDENCIES / IMMANUEL WILKINS / AUG 21-24
8/21 Wednesday
8:30 pm QUINTET - Immanuel Wilkins (saxophone) Lauren Cauley (violin) gabby fluke-mogul (violin) Jessica Pavone (viola) Lester St Louis (cello)
8/22 Thursday
8:30 pm - QUARTET - Immanuel Wilkins (saxophone) Nia Drummond (voice) Cooper-Moore (piano) Eric McPherson (drums)
8/23 Friday
8:30 pm - TRIO - Immanuel Wilkins (saxophone) Keyanna Hutchinson (guitar) Jeff Tain Watts (drums)
8/24 Saturday
8:30 pm - TRIO - Immanuel Wilkins (saxophone) Laraaji (piano, zither, voice) Burniss Earl Travis (bass)
THE STONE is located in
The New School at the Glass Box Theatre
55 West 13th Street - near 6th ave
LIVE MUSIC
wed-sat - music at 8:30pm
ADMISSION - $20 per set
unless otherwise noted
cash only payment
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This comes from a friend and STEVE LACY Italian fan, Mauro Stocco:
www.stevelacymemorialscrapbook.org is a recent tribute portal dedicated to Steve Lacy, the great soprano sax genius who passed away twenty years ago, on June 4th, 2004. The website currently features contributions by Alvin Curran, Roberto Ottaviano, Gianni Mimmo, Zlatko Kaučič, Andrea Centazzo, Tino Tracanna, Vincent Lainè, Jason Weiss, and others will follow over time.
After having dedicated many years to collecting records, books and magazines about Steve, having met him several times and organized gigs for him in solo, trio, sextet and with Musica Elettronica Viva, I decided it was the time to create a simple, but heartfelt, tribute.
Steve Lacy was a genius of our time, a sort of Leonardo Da Vinci, capable of interacting with Dixieland, Monk, Ellington, free, Indian music, MEV, Giuseppe Chiari, dance, painting, sculpture, cinema, poetry, Living Theatre, philosophy, Tao, codifying the role of the modern soprano saxophone.
Anyone who feels they have a contribution to make to the site can contact the e-mail address listed.
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NEW VIDEOS from GUITAR MASTER HENRY KAISER:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWJ20KEHAdQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuKk7GFtGls
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CHRIS CUTLER
Formerly of HENRY COW, THE ART BEARS, NEWS FOR BABEL & RECOMMENDED RECORDS (ReR) has been creating an ongoing series of podcasts called the Probes series. I am often fascinated at listening to each of these as Mr. Cutler does an incredible job of showing a deep history of Creative Music in the 20th century & beyond. I usually listen to these on the train to NYC that I take to get to work each day. The most recent Probes (#37) was released earlier this year, here are the links:
https://rwm.macba.cat/en/research/probes-37
https://rwm.macba.cat/en/research/probes-36
https://rwm.macba.cat/en/research/probes-362-auxiliaries
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ATTENTION TO ALL DMG CUSTOMERS: NEW EMAIL ADDRESS: downtownmusicgalleryofficial@gmail.com
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