Holy sh*t! The boxes were filled with clothes, toys, hundreds of DVD’s, nearly 2,000 CD’s and hundreds of books. It took us four hours to go through almost all of the boxes. We now have more than 500 Tzadik CD’s, 100 plus Avant & DIW CD’s (all out of print), 100 Phillip Glass CD’s & cassettes, boxes of CD’s & cassettes from Steve Reich, Kronos Quartet, John Adams, a few other popular modern classical composers, a large number of rock and soul anthology box sets, plus numerous box sets of all types of music. It will take us a while to go through everything, price items for the store and for Discogs. Starting this Monday, we will be sending out a series of lists of many of these items to be sold through the store. The first list will feature many John Zorn titles, many of which are long out of print. I’ve already placed most of the Tzadik CD’s on our Tzadik display case so please come down to check them out. Whatever doesn’t sell over the next month will end up on Discogs as time allows. Most of the CD’s, DVD’s and cassettes are still sealed! Special thanks to Roy H, one of my/our favorite loyal, longtime customers and friends.
This Saturday is Yom Kippur, perhaps, thee important Jewish holiday of the year. It is time when God opens up his big book to see if we have sinned over the past year. Many Jews still go to temple, especially on this day, fast and pray all day, asking for forgiveness and saying a prayer for those who passed away during the past year. I, myself, will be going to the 6th Street Synagogue on Saturday thanks to an invitation from a friend. It is the first time for me in three decades since my own temple in Linden, NJ closed down. My own mother passed away in April of this year (at 95), so I will chanting a Kaddish prayer for her. Hence, Downtown Music Gallery will be closed that day until 6pm. At 6:15, the GauciMusic Series will take place at the store, see the schedule below. I will break my fast when the music begins and welcome the Spirit Music that will take place at DMG, a religious oasis for Serious Listeners everywhere. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
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THE DMG 33rd ANNIVERSARY IN-STORE FREE MUSIC SERIES Continues with:
Saturday, October 12th - The GauciMusic Series Continues with:
6:15: KEN KOBAYASHI - Drums / JEFF MILES - Guitar / MICHAEL GILBERT - Drums
7:15: STEPHEN GAUCI - Tenor Sax, Flute, Clarinet / PATRICK GOLDEN - Drums
Rare Monday Night Event, October 14th:
7pm: RAOUL BJORKENHEIM / ANDERS NILSSON - Guitar Duo
8:15: ROAUL BJORKENHEIM / ANDERS NILSSON - Guitars / CAROLINE MORTON - Bass / JAMES PAUL NADIEN - Drums
Tuesday, October 15th:
6:30: RAFFI GARABEDIAN - Tenor Sax / KENNY WARREN - Trumpet / - Drums
7:30: DAVE GROLLMAN - Solo
8:30: JOHN HAGEN - Tenor Sax / TODD CAPP- Drums
9:30: LUKE POLIPNICK - Guitar / KAELEN GHANDI - Saxes / SHOGO YAMAGISHI - Contrabass / JAMES PAUL NADIEN - Drums
Tuesday, October 22nd:
6:30: CLAIRE de BRUNNER - bassoon / HARUNA FUKAZAWA - flutes / TREVOR BAJU - guitar / SHU ODAMURA - guitar / JARRED CHASE - Drums
7:30: NATHAN NAKADEGAWA-LEE - Sax / MICHAEL GILBERT - Bass / GARY JONES III - Drums
8:30: PATRICK GOLDEN - Drums / MATT HOLLENBERG - Guitar / STEPHEN GAUCI - Tenor Sax / LIM YANG - Bass
9:30: LUCIANA RIZZO - Solo Drums & Feedback
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THIS WEEK’S SONIC SPECIALTIES START WITH:
TYSHAWN SOREY TRIO with AARON DIEHL / HARISH RAGHAVAN - The Susceptible Now (Pi Records 104; USA) Featuring Tyshawn Sorey on drums & arrangements, Aaron Diehl on piano and Harish Raghavan on contrabass. Drummer/composer/professor/multi-bandleader, Tyshawn Sorey, is constantly evolving through a wide variety of projects and erasing the barriers between established genres. Every time I’ve checked out Mr. Sorey live in concert and/or listen to him on a recording, he has a new band or project, each one different personnel-wise and concept-wise. Tyshawn has had a trio with ace pianist Aaron Diehl for the past few years, which began with a fine 3 CD set on Pi Records plus two more single CD’s afterwards. Matt Brewer was the bassist in that trio and is now replaced by Harish Raghavan (who works with Ambrose Akinmusire, Eric Harland & Ben Wendel). What’s interesting is that Sorey’s piano trio is unlike most other piano trios. For this disc the trio play four long pieces, all covers including one by McCoy Tyner and another song co-written by Charles Mingus and Joni Mitchell.
Things begin with “Peresina” by McCoy Tyner, which starts off slow, spacious and suspense-filled. After a sublime intro, the song switches gears into a more moderate tempo groove, the trio swinging hard for a length of time. The song switches gears again later in the same piece, the melody rings true and has me humming along, the positive vibe making me smile. “A Chair in the Sky” (by Charles Mingus & Joni Mitchell) first appeared on a Joni album called ‘Mingus’ and was covered by Mingus Dynasty. This piece is also stripped down and skeletal when it starts. This piece unfolds slowly and includes a fine, thoughtful bass solo. The song itself is lush, the pianist making every note count. I like the way the trio stretch things out so that the drama or arc takes place over a longer period of time so we get a chance to savor the way things unfold. I am not sure who the composer D. Gunnarsson is but his song “Your Good Lies” is a solemn, haunting ballad which is played at a slow pace, and is hypnotic and calm at the center. Mr. Sorey plays mallets throughout this long piece giving this piece a most cerebral vibe. It feels as if time has been slowed down so that we notice the way things the music unfolds at its own pace. The rhythm team lays out midway so that the piano stretches to let each note or phrase hang by itself. Stark yet touching something which resonates inside. The last piece, “Bealtine” was written by Brad Meldau, who is one the more successful contemporary jazz pianists. The theme/melody has an infectious vibe and is played with exquisite taste by the trio. Mr. Raghavan plays a fine bass solo midway. I love the way this piece evolves with a playful inner spirit which radiates moreso and feels like sunshine coming through my window. It takes some like Tyshawn Sorey to stretch these tunes out and the feelings they provide tastefully and thoughtfully over time. You got to let the tea brew for a bit before you sip it down. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $15
BRANDON SEABROOK - Object of Unknown Function (Pyroclastic PR 37; USA) Featuring Brandon Seabrook on six & 12 string electric guitars and banjo & tenor banjos. Brandon Seabrook has long been one of Downtown’s most eclectic, obsessed and creative pickers, as well as being full of surprises in genres and the way he keeps things interesting with each release or live gig. Aside from his varied solo projects, his collaborative efforts with Tomas Fujiwara, Ingrid Laubrock and Weasel Walter are all completely different. This disc is a culmination of his varied approaches to playing and experimenting with two different guitars and two banjos. He also doing quite a bit of overdubbing, using an old Tascam tape recorder to add layer(s) of more guitars and banjos. The opening piece, “Object of Unknown Function” is the title piece and has several layers of bowed tenor banjos. Mr. Seabrook plays a playful bluegrass-like riff on the banjo which is interspersed with what sounds like electronic music but is most likely a layer or two of fractured plucked and/or bowed banjos. On “Melodic Incidents for an Irrational World”, Mr. Seabrook has some 13 layers of 12 string guitars, bowed & plucked tenor banjos. The blend of all of these strings sounds like a large accordion or hurdy-gurdy which is swirling several lines at the same time. As someone who has long been fascinated with a variety of types of electronic music, the blend or overall sound here is consistently fascinating. For “Perverted by Perseverance”, Seabrook plays some fractured lines on his Telecaster and adds some odd taped percussive (?) samples as punctuation. If you step back a bit while listening to this disc, you realize that there is a strong balance between the up-close recording and the layer(s) of taped sounds. On “The Historical Importance of Eccentricity”, there are 18 layers of banjos & 12-string & 6 guitars. It doesn’t really matter how many layers are used since it is the swirling, mesmerizing blend which is so captivating. Several of these pieces feature just one guitar or banjo, yet all the pieces here sound connected to an underlying flow of ideas which seem to be telling us listeners a story or stream of short tales. Brandon Seabrook obviously conceived a flow to all of theses pieces so it sounds complete when it ends. Most impressive overall. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $15
TIM BERNE / MICHAEL FORMANEK - Parlour Games (Relative Pitch RPR 1213; USA) Featuring Tim Berne on alto & baritone saxes and Michael Formanek on contrabass. Early Downtowners Tim Berne and Michael Formanek have been collaborating since the early 1990’s in duo, trios and quartet/quintets (like Bloodcount). Berne and Formanek recorded a duo effort called ‘Ornery People’ in 1998. After that disc, these two musicians didn’t work together until 2016 when Mr. Formanek organized a large group called Ensemble Kolossus for an ECM CD. Over the last few years Mr. Berne has been playing regularly at a club in Brooklyn called Lowlands. This disc however was recorded live in June of 1991 at the Parlour and wasn’t released until now.
Both members of the duo composed three songs each for this disc. “Beam Me Up” opens with the two musicians playing a theme together. Both players work well together and play in a tight, intense conversation. Mr. Formanek takes a long, expressive, exuberant bass solo on this piece as well. Mr. Berne’s “Ho’ Time” has a bluesy sound, something that Julius Hemphill might’ve written, considering that Mr. Hemphill was an early mentor to Tim Berne. Considering that this piece is more than 30 years old, it doesn’t sound anything like the type of material that Mr. Berne has been doing in a long time. Mr. Formanek’s “Quicksand” is up next and it also has a bluesy sound with Mr. Berne pouring out his heart and soul into this and taking a fine, righteous hearty solo. Mr. Berne’s “Not What You Think” has a somewhat funky groove with Mr. Formanek slapping his bass during the opening theme and solo as well. Both musicians play their lines tightly together, speeding up and slowing down effortlessly, their exuberance shining throughout. “O My Bitter Hen” has a solemn, laid back vibe/sound, smolders nicely to accompany a late glass of wine. Finally Tim Berne’s closer, “Bass Voodoo”, brings things to a nice close, simmering well, Formanek bowing while Berne reaches for the stars and both musicians matching wits righteously. This duo disc is a real treat and can be enjoyed by those who might not be unto Mr. Berne’s more angular or difficult writing and playing that came afterwards. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $13
JESSICA PAVONE - What Happens Has Become Now (Relative Pitch RPR 1195; USA) Featuring Jessica Pavone on solo viola, sword viola (a Ken Butler hybrid instrument), effects and compositions. This is the fourth solo CD that Ms. Pavone has done for the Relative Pitch label. There will be more in the future according to a long interview with (Relative Pitch co-founder) Kevin Reilly. This is because Mr. Reilly believes in Ms. Pavone and consistently supports her vision and sound. I’ve found that each of Ms. Pavone’s releases involve some deep listening as there is often more going on than the first listen might provide. The title track is first. Ms. Pavone starts by playing what sounds like a simple phrase, seesawing a line back and forth. The 2 bowed notes are slowly being stretched out over time which has a somewhat disorienting feeling. It feels like I am rocking back and forth slowly in a boat on a calm section of a large body of water. Ken Butler is a local instrument maker who was a part of the Downtown Scene during the 1990’s He’s made dozens of unique instruments from most non-musical objects. Check out either of his two CD’s on Tzadik or the way his instruments look and sound on Youtube. Ms. Pavone plays what looks like a single string sword viola on the second piece here. Besides the unique bowed sound, Ms. Pavone seems to be manipulating this instruments with different effects. Although it is hard to tell exactly what is going on here, the overall sound is quite fascinating. Extended technique preparations and performance have long been an essential part of the ever-evolving Downtown Scene. On “Below the Threshold of Sensation”, Ms. Pavone is coaxing a variety of weird sounds from her viola, tapping on the strings with her bow, bowing short note fragments, muting the strings are all employed, hence we have to adjust to a different way of hearing a viola. The last piece, “Unrequited Renouncement” sounds like it was recorded in a wind tunnel, with an odd drone-like sound throbbing at the center. It is hard to tell what is going on here yet that uneasy vibe, which often reminds me of life itself, pervades throughout. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $13
JAMISON WILLIAMS - The Lesser Key of Solomon - Bael (Relative Pitch RPR SS033; USA) Featuring Jamison Williams on solo baritone sax. Recorded at Eglise Sainte-Barbe de Lasauvage, a church in Luxembourg in May of 2023. The church is no longer used for religious purposes but for cultural events only. Florida-based saxist, Jamison Williams, has played here at DMG on a couple of occasions and is known for his tributes to Walt Disney (4 singles rel in 2014-2015). Solo baritone sax discs and concerts used to pretty rare although this is no longer the case. Mr. Williams takes his time and concentrates on each note or sound, stretching his sounds out carefully. Instead of those Coltrane-like sheets of sound cascades, Mr. Williams often takes a note and then stretching it, bending it in different directions. It is the way he bends or twists the notes that give this disc its own unique sound. Mr. Williams at times uses multiphonics to shift between different textures, using breath-like sounds, using his tongue to get those odd percussive sounds, over-blowing and creating sounds which don’t particularly sound like a regular sax player. There are a number of sounds that only experimental saxists seem to use (and have invented), a number of these sounds are used here and show how much work that Jamison Williams has done to keep things interesting throughout the entire 50 plus minute concert performance. Another treasure from the Relative Pitch treasure chest of fine, demanding releases. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $13
ANDY HAAS - For the Time Being (Resonant Music 019; USA) Featuring Andy Haas on saxes, strap-on-tremolo, mm with hazaral & LP record manipulation. Andy Haas was an early member of the Downtown Scene who moved to the east village in the mid-1980’s. He’s been in a variety of weird/experimental bands like Radio I-Ching and the Holy Ghost Spermic Brotherhood. He often plays here at DMG with Don Fiorino and/or David Grollman. I never know what to expect from whatever project he is working on, especially since he often uses odd instruments and manipulates whatever instruments he decides to play in unlikely ways. I am not so sure what is a strap-on-tremolo or a mm with hazaral but I will listen closely anyway for sounds that I do recognize or not. “(de)compose” sounds like a sax being treated with some resonating effects. There is a layer of throbbing, ghost-like sounds emanating from down below. The effects have a way of altering our consciousness especially when we don’t know how they are being created. “Purified in Vain” has a series of notes which are sliding up and down, very weird, very cool. Mr. Haas expands his array of shifting sounds on “Protention”, with several layers being stretched beyond recognition creating an eerie hypnotic effect. Each piece seems to evoke a different spirit or vibe. I can hear what sounds like LP manipulation when certain recorded sounds are sped up or slowed down. On “(Im)material”, Andy’s sax is the most normal sound here with several swirling electronics-like sounds seasoning what we hear. Even without knowing exactly what is happening here, the overall sound and vibe is one of fascinating yet strange sounds, effective yet still mysterious. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $10
KEITH NOBLE - Mr. Compromise (Guerssen Records Guess 077CD; Spain) First-ever reissue of this elusive private pressing from 1970 by British singer/songwriter Keith Noble (a founding member of pre-Pink Floyd bands Sigma 6/The Abdabs and co-composer of Chad & Jeremy's hit "A Summer Song"). Mr. Compromise, originally released as a tiny demo pressing on the custom Eden label (home also of other psych-folk rarities like Mourning Phase), showcases the versatile songwriting talent of Noble: jazzy-bossa pop, Kinks/Hollies/Byrds styled full electric numbers and haunting psychedelic folk not unlike Al Stewart or Incredible String Band. Featuring Keith's friend from the pre-Floyd days Rado Klose (one of the earliest members of Pink Floyd) on lead guitar. After the album release, Keith Noble dedicated his life to architecture and teaching and he also wrote several musicals. Sadly, he passed away in 2014. This long-awaited reissue of Mr. Compromise has been possible with help from the Noble family. Featuring remastered sound with original artwork in hard cardboard sleeve. Includes insert with detailed liner noted by Richard Allen and photos, as well as download card.
CD $18
BLACK PUS - Terrestrial Seethings (Thrill Jockey 621CD; USA) "Black Pus is the guttural, raw, freeform project of singular drummer, vocalist, and artist Brian Chippendale. A heavy drum foundation and distorted electronics anchor Black Pus' sound, and remain directly connected to the intensity of Chippendale's legendary duo with Brian Gibson, Lightning Bolt. Recorded at Machines with Magnets by engineer Seth Manchester, Terrestrial Seethings is pure energy, pure Black Pus, capturing the precision, frenzy, and ecstatic performance in all its glory. After more than a decade playing and improvising, Chippendale's imagination and curiosity continue to push his world of twisted joy in expressive new directions. While known primarily for his iconic style of drumming with Lightning Bolt, Chippendale has also worked alongside artists such as Björk, The Flaming Lips, Boredoms, Andrew W.K., and Lee "Scratch" Perry. Outside of music related endeavors, Chippendale has made a name for himself as a renowned painter and painterly silk screen artist. Known for his frenetic color work, for Terrestrial Seethings Brian created striking black drawings that, like its title, pervert assumptions. Chippendale's approach to crafting music as Black Pus mirrors his restless and indomitable spirit as a creator. His daily practice of making music and art on his own is both as meditative and cathartic, as it is inquisitive and spontaneous. 'This art is a river of energy that I jump into and ride along with,' he says. 'It's not really music made to tell written stories. It's energy music first and foremost.' The pieces that shape Terrestrial Seethings brim with his preternatural ability to unearth new ideas and explore them with abandon while maintaining a sense of cohesion and a kind of alien musicality."
CD $16
DENNIS BROWN / SUGAR MINOTT / HORACE ANDY / LINVAL THOMPSON / RANKING JOE / et al - King Tubby's Shank I Sheck (Tads Record TRCD 1484CD; USA) "Originally released in the UK by Tad's Record label and Vista Sounds in 1982 and 1983 respectively as Shank I Sheck Vol. 1, this one-riddim LP has been reissued by Tad's Record. Produced by Ranking Joe and Tad A. Dawkins, the 12-track album has been released under the new title King Tubby's Shank I Sheck. The track order has been rearranged, but the artists and their songs remain the same. The album features classic tunes from reggae greats such as Dennis Brown, Sugar Minott, Horace Andy, Linval Thompson, Ranking Joe, and Tristan Palmer. The Shank I Sheck riddim showcased on this album is a reinterpretation of a ska instrumental by trumpeter Baba Brooks, produced by King Edwards."
CD $19
LP Section:
PAPER JAYS - Paper Jays (ESP-Disk 5096LP; USA) While their name may conjure images of avian origami, rolled cannabis, or cut-up 10th letters, Paper Jays are an instrumental music body from Rhode Island that became fully formed during the session for this eponymous release on ESP-disk. Previously, Jesse Cohen and Justin Hubbard's guitar duo (a trio, only if counting the unmanned feedback drone of a hollow-bodied Gibson) had been contentedly performing and apartment taping for a solid five years. But after witnessing drummer and percussionist Matt Crane back Linda Sharrock at the local House of Pizza, their vision for Paper Jays widened. The ensuing studio recording date with Crane yielded results that greatly pleased all three gentlemen, and a new Paper Jays began. When playing, Jesse and Justin bend, abstract, and honor world and domestic string traditions through their amplified guitars. Matt brings tight (and loose) syncopated rhythms with occasional freer excursions on his array of percussion instruments from varied folkloric sources. Overall, their output travels from intentional, pleasant figures merged with staggered but controlled phrasing to more extemporaneous, unsystematic, and liberated expressions.
LP $18
JOHN COLTRANE with McCCOY TYNER / STEVE DAVIS / BILLY HIGGINS // LEE MORGAN with WAYNE SHORTER / BOBBY TIMMONS / ART TAYLOR / et al - Best of Birdland - Vol.1 (Sowing Records 052; Italy) SOWING RECORDS (ITALY) Originally released on Roulette records in 1960, this is a unique and yet often overlooked document in the form of a split album featuring early, little known works by John Coltrane and Lee Morgan. Coltrane, already in full modal flight, is featured with an unusual quartet that includes McCoy Tyner on piano, Steven Davis on bass, and the great Billy Higgins on drums. Lee Morgan's straight ahead hard bop set sees the young trumpet genius leading a hard swinging group that includes a fabulous Wayne Shorter on tenor sax, Bobby Timmons on piano (both were Morgan's colleagues in Art Blakey Jazz Messengers), Jimmy Rowser on bass, and Art Taylor on drums. A must have item for fans of these two masters of modern jazz.
LP $25
BLUE MITCHELL SEXTET with JIMMY HEATH / CURTIS FULLER / WYNTON KELLY / et al - Blue Soul (Destination Moon Dmoo 079LP; Italy) Originally released in 1959, this is Blue Mitchell's third release as a leader. The brilliant trumpeter is joined by an all-star lineup that includes Wynton Kelly on piano, Philly Joe Jones on drums, Sam Jones on bass, Curtis Fuller on trombone, and Jimmy Heath on tenor sax. A great piece of forgotten late '50s hard-bop, it is truly a treasure of an album finally resurrected by Wax Love. This is one of the most precious jazz recordings of a year that would soon give sway to the Blue Note sound, and is in many real and important ways as much of a prelude as any other statement. It's a must-have for all serious mainstream jazz fans.
LP $22
PICCHIO DAL POZZO - Picchio Dal Pozzo (Goodfellas GFPDP 001LP; Italy) Goodfellas present a reissue of Picchio Dal Pozzo's self-titled album, originally released in 1976. Picchio Dal Pozzo can be considered as the definitive "Canterbury"-inspired band coming from Italy's 1970 progressive rock scene. Their 1976 debut album shows an incredibly rich sound tapestry, made out of some peculiar ingredients. Oblique tunes and liquid harmonies, airy flutes, crispy horns, loads of electric piano and fuzz bass, drops of jazz, pop romanticism, waves of minimalism and deep pataphysical vocals and lyrics. The whole album develops through a sequence of highly composed material and wide open sound forms. A deep journey through a multi-layered soundscape with echoes of Hatfield & The North, Soft Machine, Robert Wyatt and Zappa. Picchio Dal Pozzo's first work was out on Grog Records and subsequently reissued only in Japan (Grog Records was an independent label known for releasing the work of Italian underground pop groups of the seventies such as Corte Dei Miracoli, Latte e Miele and Celeste). 180 gram vinyl. "One of the most original, impressive and highly respected of all the experimental groups to have come out of Italy in the 1970s" - Chris Cutler.
LP $28
EVE ESSEX with PETER ZUMMO / LUKE MOLDIF / JENGHIS /et al - The Fabulous Truth (Soap Library; USA) The Fabulous Truth is an homage to the anti-hero — an eight song suite that explores moral ambiguities, life in the shadows, and the possibility of escape from social expectations. The second full-length album by composer and multi-instrumentalist Eve Essex, The Fabulous Truth is both an ecstatic paean to liberty and an intense look at the psychological prices paid for seeking independence in an unforgiving world.
Drawing on influences as diverse as trip-hop, outlaw country, kosmische, spiritual jazz, avant-garde classical, and—yes—musical theater, Essex sets jewel-like portraits of rebellion against a velvet-black background of stormy electronics and uneasy minimalism. The album treats genre with a freewheeling attitude, and Essex’s confident sound is augmented by musicians including guitarists jenghis and Luke Moldof, and downtown New York music legend Peter Zummo on trombone and euphonium. Intimate lyrics—confessional in tone, literary, striking in their bold mutations of classic songwriting genres—are contrasted with brooding compositions that evoke long journeys across vast landscapes and continents; wagon trains and ship voyages taken in pursuit of a new life, the view from a satellite orbiting the Earth at high speed. The Fabulous Truth is an album about freedom and boundaries, intimacy and security, raising questions about who you let into your life and why.
Eve Essex is a composer and multi-instrumentalist based in Brooklyn, NY. She performs with woodwinds and voice, accompanied by instrumental ensembles, and by arrangements that use synthesizers, drum machines, live processing, and other sounds. Her work slides easily from structured electronic pop to open-ended melodic improvisation and big-band arrangements. She has scored film soundtracks, written music for installation and performance art, and explored prog, jazz, and electroacoustic ideas with groups including The Fabulous Truth, Das Audit, and a host of other collaborations. Essex’s debut solo album, Here Appear, was jointly released by Soap Library (cassette) and Sky Walking (LP) in 2018. In the summer of 2024, she will be Composer In Residence at Crosstown Arts in Memphis, TN. As a featured instrumentalist, she has contributed to works by The God In Hackney, Peter Gordon & Love of Life Orchestra, James K, Kevin Kenkel, Liturgy, Colin Self, Mike Shiflet, UCC Harlo, and Peter Zummo, among others.
LP $26
ANDROMEDA - Seven Lonely Street (Guerssen Records Guess 256LP; Spain) Essential collection of demos and acetates (1968-69) by psychedelic hard-rock/proto-prog British band Andromeda, mostly done by their original line-up: John Cann on guitar and vocals, Mick Hawksworth on bass, and Jack McCulloch (brother of guitar player Jimmy McCulloch) on drums. Raw psychedelic hard-rock with John Cann's guitar on fire. Out of print since 1990, this new, improved edition fixes some credits/tracklisting mistakes of the original release and includes a new insert with liner notes and photos. Cover illustration by Micah Ulrich.
LP $32
LAWRENCE ENGLISH - A Colour For Autumn (Room40 4225LP; Australia) From Lawrence English: "This recording was, in many ways, a critical one for me. In some respects, it rounded out a period of work that was focused on a particular marriage of thematics and harmony. Like For Varying Degrees Of Winter, it dwelled on old world impressions of the seasons, something that, in the southern hemisphere, isn't intrinsically part of our way of approaching place. I think it was this incongruity with my own lived experience that kick-started the interest in making these recordings. The intention had originally been to take Vivaldi head-on, as the holder of the Four Seasons terrain (I jest of course), but shortly after completing this album, it became resoundingly clear that even in the old world, seasonality was a thing that was known 'then', and unknowable 'now'. Climate change, as a lived experience and not merely as a 'possibility', suddenly came into focus with reports flooding in about the climatic dynamics since the turn of the century and events like the Black Saturday fires here in Australia. It felt like, and continues to feel like, seasonality as some predictable measure of our world is relegated to the 'before' times. This record is not about these climatic shifts however, more a recognition of how we have used patterns and predictability to guide us over the centuries and perhaps a realization that the way forward is not the path we have known historically. Listening back to the record with fresh ears, a process made completely delightful by Stephan Mathieu who has carefully remastered it, I am struck by how minimal some of the structures were. There are moments that strike me as uncharacteristically patient and even generous, allowing one element to hold without interference. I'm grateful to still feel a deep connection to this edition and to the people and places that helped shape it. I hope you find some sense of your place here. It's offered with that intention and invitation."
LP $28
WAKUENAI (CURRIPACO) - Music for Shape-Shifters: Field Recordings from the Amazonian Lowlands, 1981-1985 (Sublime Frequencies SF 125LP; Earth) In the early '80s, an anthropologist left his recording equipment and tapes behind in a remote Wakuénai (Curripaco) village along the Upper Río Negro in Venezuela. When he returned almost a year later, he discovered that the village headman and his sons had used the equipment to record 12 hours of tape documenting a bewildering array of local narrative and musical genres -- sacred chants, place-names, spirit languages, and, as featured here, the astonishing and mesmerizing sounds of trumpet and flute ensembles. Recorded in a wide range of settings -- during all-night sessions in and around the village, while paddling on the river by canoe, and at various locations deep in the surrounding forest, including the mythical homes of the ancestors and animal spirits, these tapes are not only a stunning artifact of indigenous ethnomusicology, they also reveal the deep connection between sound and the shape-shifting animism of Wakuénai (Curripaco) society. As you will hear here, the music of Wakuénai (Curripaco) wind ensembles range from the deep bass drone of handmade trumpets to the high-pitched dissonance of various flutes. Sometimes the trumpets and flutes produce distinct rhythmic and melodic patterns associated with animal species, ancestors, and spirits -- the hissing sound of jaguars; the low-frequency sounds of the river filled with spawning fish; or the "voices" of birds, frogs, and spirit animals. At other times, they are played together to produce cacophonies representing the undifferentiated chaos of primordial space-time -- "the [cosmic] sound that opened the world" associated with the mythic trickster-creator. The anthropologist in this story was Jonathan Hill (1954-2023), who spent many years studying the music and culture of the Amazonian lowlands. This LP is dedicated to him and his legacy. The first two recordings here were made by Jonathan and feature catfish trumpets and ceremonial flutes performed during ceremonial exchange (pudáli) at Gavilán, Río Guainía, Venezuela, October 24, 1981. The remaining tracks were recorded by Feliz López de Oliveiros and focus on the trumpet and flute ensembles performed during a rite of passage in a remote village along the Tomo River, Colombia, 1985. These recordings are presented here for the first time. Produced by Radio Is A Foreign Country.
LP $28
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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
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THE STONE RESIDENCIES / JON MADOF / OCT 9-10
Jon Madof, the mastermind of Zion80, Rashanim, and so much more returns to The Stone for the first time since 2021 to present the world premiere of his newest ensemble! A NEW BAND featuring NEW COMPOSITIONS and Jon performing on a NEW GUITAR. DONT MISS THESE TWO SPECIAL NIGHTS!!!
10/9 Wednesday
8:30 pm - Jon Madof Trio
Jon Madof (guitar) Yoshie Fruchter (bass) Nate Rappaport (drums)
10/10 Thursday
8:30 pm
Jon Madof Trio
Jon Madof (guitar) Yoshie Fruchter (bass) Nate Rappaport (drums)
THE STONE RESIDENCIES / BILLY MARTIN / OCT 11-12
10/11 Friday
8:30 pm - QUARTET - Anna Abondalo (bass) Nathan Nakadegawa-Lee (saxophone) Henry Plotnick (keyboards, piano) Billy Martin (drums)
10/12 Saturday
8:30 pm - DUO - Shinya Lin (electronics and prepared piano) Billy Martin (bamboo percussion, drums)
THE STONE STUDENT CONCERTS
TUESDAY OCTOBER 15 AT 8:30 PM Admission is FREE
The first in a special series of concerts featuring students out of the New School College of Performing Arts. There will be five concerts this season—one Tuesday a month in October, November; February, March, and April. All concerts are at 8:30 and will be curated by the students themselves.
10/15 Tuesday
8:30 pm
DUO - Julie Kim (cello), Paul Sakai (percussion)
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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Thursday, October 10, 7pm
Uptown Out
Improvised music in different groupings, this time featuring:
Matt Lambiase (trumpet & flugelhorn)
Thomas Heberer (trumpet)
Mary Cherney (flutes)
Claire de Brunner (bassoon)
Nick Lyons (alto saxophone & clarinet), and guests.
At Recirculation, a project of Word Up
876 Riverside Dr
NY NY 10032
$5-10 suggested donation
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ROULETTE has been and remains the best place to experience experimental music and arts since 1978. I’ve attended concerts at Roulette since it began in Tribeca and I still go as often as I can. Founder Jim Staley stepped down earlier this year and a new music director named Matt Mehlan has taken his place. Here is the most of the September calendar below, it looks most impressive…
Roulette is located at:
509 Atlantic Avenue (Corner of Third Avenue)
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Telephone: (917) 267-0363
Web: https://roulette.org/
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BURNT SUGAR SMOKE-HOUSE 2024:
Saturday, October 5th from 6:30 to 10pm
Brooklyn Museum’s Birthday Bash
Celebrating 200 years
Brooklyn Museum
200 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn, NY, 11238
FREE admission -
Registation required
at Brooklynmuseum.org
For more info: Burntsugarindex.com
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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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