THIS WEEK’S SONIC TREASURES BEGIN with A LIVE DISC FROM THE NEW MASADA QUARTET!
NEW MASADA QUARTET with JOHN ZORN / JULIAN LAGE / JORGE ROEDER / KENNY WOLLESEN - Volume Three (Tzadik 9315; USA) This long-awaited third volume featuring John Zorn's newest and most exciting ensemble, New Masada Quartet was recorded live at Roulette, one of Zorn's home bases in NYC. White hot and razor sharp, an intense electricity is in the air from the very first note. Resplendent with burning solos, telepathic group interaction, heartfelt lyricism, hypnotic grooves, and of course Zorn’s ever-surprising conducting techniques, this is truly one of the most transcendent sets they have yet performed. With an attentive and enthusiastic packed house cheering the musicians on to greater and greater heights, a crackling live energy brings the Masada music to life like never before. This is Masada at its passionate and virtuosic best! Essential.
The first two releases of the New Masada Quartet do capture them quite well. Hearing them live is another matter entirely! I've caught them around a half dozen times over the past few years and I believe they are the best electric/jazz band in the land! Three nights at the Village Vanguard in November of last year (2023) were just astonishing, getting better with each set! This disc was recorded at Roulette in May of this year (2024) and that first set was as good as it gets live! John Zorn played one of those flaggerghasting opening sax solos that had the audience and the other members of the band with their jaws dropping! This disc is that set so don't snooze and grab this disc ASAP! It will blow your mind! - BLG at DMG
CD $16
BRIAN MARSELLA’S IMAGINARIUM with JESSICA LURIE / SAE HASHIMOTO / JON IRABAGON / TIM KEIPER / EYAL MAOZ / CYRO BAPTISTA / SOFIA REY / PABLO ASLAN / et al - Medietas (Tzadik 4052; USA) Brian Marsella is one of the most accomplished keyboard virtuosos in the Downtown scene. A vital member of projects by Cyro Baptista and John Zorn for decades, his fluid keyboard stylings and intense energy is legendary—and Medietas is his masterwork: a sprawling three-hour long work that embraces jazz, rock, funk, classical, world music, exotica, folk, soundtrack moods, and so much more. Segueing from song to song seamlessly, this is a work that puts you into an ecstatic dream world—a psychedelic musical trip like no other. Featuring some of the greatest musicians in the Downtown scene, this is a major new work by one of NewMusic’s most exciting and visionary composers/performers.
3 CD Set $28
TWO NEW GREAT DISCS FROM BILL FRISELL:
BILL FRISELL with THOMAS MORGAN / RUDY ROYSTON / MICHAEL GIBBS / UMBRIA JAZZ ORCHESTRA / BRUSSELS PHILHARMONIC / et al - Orchestras (Blue Note 144845; USA) Bill Frisell's expansive double album Orchestras documents two inspired concert-hall engagements arranged by Michael Gibbs for the guitarist's trio with bassist Thomas Morgan and drummer Rudy Royston. Sweeping orchestration evoking landmark film scores and Gil Evans alike move nimbly within and around the trio's telepathic rapport, and Frisell's shimmering trademark tone melds gorgeously with symphonic strings and brass. Review here: https://downtownmusicgallery.com/search.php?id=2024_10_16_02_00_22
2 CD Set $18
BILL FRISELL / KIT DOWNES / ANDREW CYRILLE - Breaking the Shell (Red Hook Records 162532; USA) Breaking The Shell is a groundbreaking album from guitar icon Bill Frisell, pipe organist Kit Downes and drummer Andrew Cyrille. This highly anticipated, new collaborative release showcases a unique and rarely heard combination of instruments. The result is a meditation on sonancy and an opportunity for three highly creative spirits to roam freely within an entirely new dimension. Review here: https://downtownmusicgallery.com/search.php?id=2024_10_16_02_04_52
CD $17
JON ROSE / MARK DRESSER - Band Width (Relative Pitch RPR 1185; USA) Featuring Jon Rose on violin & tenor violin and Mark Dresser on four & five string double basses with Valdimir Tarasov on percussion for one track. Although both of these musicians come from much different places and backgrounds, they are also kindred explorers of string explorations. Contrabass master, Mark Dresser lives and teaches in San Diego and has long been on the cutting edge of experimenting with his unique contrabass approach. Jon Rose hails from Australia and has long been inventing and exploring odd sounds on a variety of string instruments. Both men have long admired each other’s playing but never collaborated until the pandemic. Since both men live on either side of the planet, the pandemic gave them an opportunity to collaborate through the airwaves via software called SonoBus. One thing about Jon Rose is that he has a quirky sense of humor, which seems to affect the way some listeners take him seriously. As far as his experimenting and exploratory chops go, he is a serious improviser. Right from the opening, it seems hard to believe that this session/disc was recorded from two locations on either side of the world. The first piece erupts intensely with both string players creating a brutal, brittle soundscape. Wow! Mr. Dresser’s bass, which was custom made, has an impressive, deep, resonant larger-than-life sound/presence. The sound of the bowed bass is way intense plus I know that Mr. Dresser also uses other objects on his bass to coax strange sounds. Jon Rose is also in fine form creating equally intense interplay. Together these two string giants are pushing and pulling, bending, bowing, banging on the strings and creating their own world or sonic soundscape. I like the way the textures and interplay keep shifting, quicker, slower, more sparse, more dense, each shift seems to create a different vibe or inner scene. It often sounds like these explorations are endless since they keep changing, playing games with our expectations. There is also a fascinating balancing act going on here as the duo go in opposite directions yet find a common area, matching each other’s path or sound at times. I find that the results of what these two are doing is consistently fascinating and filled with many unexpected twists and turns. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $13
CAMILA NEBBIA / ANGELICA SANCHEZ - in another land, another dream (Relative Pitch RPR 1208; USA) Featuring Camila Nebbia tenor sax and Angelic Sanchez on piano. Recorded live at I-Beam in November, 2023. I’ve been attending free/jazz and improv-based gigs since the seventies when I was checking out jazz in clubs and at Loft Jazz spaces. Around 1979, I met and became friends with many of the early Downtown pioneers, checking out even more freely improvised sets than before. Over four decades worth of free form sets that I’ve witnessed over the long stretch. The weekly gigs here at DMG, which have been going on for more than 25 years, as well as attending spaces like I-Beam, have given me an opportunity to deeply listen and savor many forms of free activity. This disc was recorded at I-Beam in Brooklyn, a small musician's run space which only holds 20 or so folks. Pianist Angelica Sanchez is someone whose playing I’ve long admired, from her days with her former partner Tony Malaby to hear collaborations with Wadada Leo Smith and Marilyn Crispell. Saxist Camilla Nebbia hails from Argentina and has been living in Berlin for the last few years, She’s played at DMG on several occasions, always burning it up with whomever she works with.
Although this disc was recorded live, it has a fine, warm, studio-like sound, the balance is perfect. There is a real connection going on here between the tenor sax and piano. Things begin slowly, yet assured with both women playing carefully together. The music is actually somber and quiet for the first piece, smoldering nicely. Slowly the pace and intensity increases. For the second piece, “plasticity”, it sounds as if the piano is closely mic’d so that it gives the bass notes a deeper, more resonant sound. Much of the music here is laid back and even sublime at times. Whenever Ms. Camilla has played at the store, she’s played in trios and duos and does the fire-breathing free/jazz thing. This is not what is here, this disc has a calm yet exploratory quality which I find to be most enchanting. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $13
RAFFI GARABEDIAN with BEN GOLDBERG / JONATHAN BESHAY / DANIEL LUBIN-LADEN / DIERK PETERS / RAHSAAN CARTER / SEAN MULLINS / DANIELLE WERTZ - The Crazy Dog (Self-produced; no #; USA) Featuring Raffi Garadebian on tenor sax & compositions, Ben Goldberg on clarinet, Jonathan Beshay on tenor sax & flute, Danny Lubin-Laden on trombone, Dierk Peters on vibes, Rahsaan Carter on el. bass, Sean Mullins on drums and Danielle Wertz on voice. Practically every week I meet and hear a new musician who plays in the DMG in-store series for the first time. This past week I heard tenor saxist Raffi Gardedian play with Kenny Warren on trumpet and Hamir Atwall on drums. It was my first time hearing Mr. Garabedian although I have heard his brother Noah playing bass with Kenny Warren. As far as the other members of the octet here, I do Ben Goldberg quite well and also bassist Rahsaan Carter from his work with Michael Marcus and Afro Horn.
The opening song is called “The Armenian Question” and it features the vocals (no words) of Danielle Wertz. It is a charming song with a lovely, haunting melody with Ms. Wertz’ voice most enchanting. “Escape to Erzurum” also features the warm, enticing voice of Ms. Wertz with some extraordinary ensemble work utilizing the trombone, vibes and floating rhythm team. Mr. Lubin-Laden takes a fine trombone solo here. “The Closet Playwright” features a superb, low-key solo from clarinet great Ben Goldberg and another heart-warming, sublime melody. On “Three Gold Liras”, Mr. Garbedian does a thoughtful spoken word part which describes a woman in a most modest way and contains more lush vocals from Ms. Wertz in the second half. Mr. Garbedian has a warm, old school tone on tenor sax throughout this disc, laid back yet often hypnotic, mature beyond his youth. Ms. Wertz sings on most of the songs here and does a fine job of showing a more relaxed, calm sound, never screaming or emoting too much. I must admit that in the past I might not have appreciated the rich yet mellow music here. I found this disc to be a most enchanting effort nonetheless. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $10
GERALD CLEAVER - The Process (577 Records / Positive Elevation 006; USA) Taking his cues from the electronic music of his Detroit roots, free jazz drummer Gerald Cleaver presents an album of synthetic rhythms and sonic landscapes, each piece composed in detailed arrangements of compelling and adventurous structures, from propulsive grooves to sinuous soundscapes, a surprising and exciting twist showing Cleaver's strong compositional skills.
CD $14 / LP $22
MISSING HEADS with TATSUYA YOSHIDA / KAZUHIDE YAMAJI / MITSURU TABATA - Astral Traveler (Magaibutsu MGC-72; Japan) With two guitarists split between the left and right sides of the head--Kazuhide Yamaji and Mitsuru Tabata, also on vocals--in a trio aTwo guitarists split between the left and right sides of the head--Kazuhide Yamaji and Mitsuru Tabata, also on vocals--in a trio with Ruins drummer and Magaibutsu label-leader Tatsuya Yoshida, for a an energetic album of mostly instrumental post-prog "no-wave" improvisations, nine wild tracks captured live from four 2024 concerts in Japan with Ruins drummer and Magaibutsu label-leader Tatsuya Yoshida, for a an energetic album of mostly instrumental post-prog "no-wave" improvisations, nine wild tracks captured live from four 2024 concerts in Japan.
CD $17
FRANK GRATKOWSKI with KAZUHISA UCHIHASHI / DAN PETER SUNDLAND / STEVE HEATHER - Frank Gratkowski’s Entrainment (Klanggalerie GG471; Austria) Featuring Frank Gratkowski on alto sax, Kazu (hisa) Uchihashi on guitar, Dan Peter Sundland on electric bass and Steve Heather on drums. At first, I thought that German saxist Frank Gratkowski hadn’t been recording so much in recent years, since I hadn’t heard about any of his newer records. Checking out Discogs, I noticed that Gratkowski has kept quite busy, appearing on more than a dozen discs over the past couple of years. Mr. Gratkowski has been working with pianists Achim Kaufman, Georg Graewe & Elisabeth Hanik, as well as with Ensemble Modern and composing for four alto saxes. Entrainment appears to be a newer, electric band with the great guitarist Uchihashi Kazuhisa (from Ground Zero & Altered States), Dan Peter Sundland on electric bass and Steve Heather on drums. I know of drummer Steve Haether’s playing from his work with Ken Vandermark & Tobias Delius.
This disc was recorded live at Free Jazz Festival Saarbrucken in April of 2022. “canebrakes” opens with the quartet swirling intensely with the alto sax and el. guitar and rhythm team all churning together. Gratkowski’s alto sax is soaring, squealing with Mr. Uchihashi's playing gnarly chords underneath before taking a spirited, burning guitar solo. I am reminded of (Japanese alto saxist) Kazutoki’s Kiki Band which has similar instrumentation and fire. The level of spirited improv and intensity continues to build throughout this entire piece. On the second piece, “rebukers”, the band slows down and simmers, with Uchihashi taking an inspired prog/fusion like solo, making each note count as Gratkowski matches him with strong, sputtering sax plus throbbing rhythm team support. Uchihashi does a good job of adding melodic fragments which Gratkowski reacts to, giving the improv a song-like interlude. Each of the four pieces here are pretty long and go through a variety of changes and/or sections. What I like about this is when a jam turns into something more interesting. Uchihashi used to be a member of a legendary Japanese band called Altered States. This band was a free form fusion band that were immensely tight and ever-inventive, their jamming sounded more like a a great prog with immense chops. Sadly, their entire catalogue is long out-of-print. Uchihashi brings a similar sound and loads of ideas which make the entire quartet better than one might imagine. A colossal effort from all parties. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $18
IMPETUS GROUP with DIRK SERRIES / COLIN WEBSTER / MARTINA VERHOEVEN / TEUN VERBRUGGEN - Density Dots (Klanggalerie GG 450; Germany) Impetus Group is Dirk Serries' big band formation. The band name naturally refers to the Latin meaning: urgency, driving force, but even more spiritually to the moving language and strength of each musician in the ensemble to realize this free improvisational music. Impetus group is also a tribute to the improvisation scene of the sixties and seventies, more specifically the London scene led by guitarist Derek Bailey with his Company group. The album title describes exactly what the music brings to the listener. Intense pointillism in sound - moving rapidly or introspectively from one theme to another, musicians challenging themselves and each other. London based saxophonist Colin Webster is known for working from extreme sonic palettes - from minimal to maximal, constantly pushing boundaries. Equipped with a razor-sharp, punk spirit, and ferocious technique, Webster has established himself as a unique voice on the European avant-garde scene, regularly collaborating with many of the key figures in improvised and experimental music. Dirk Serries is hardly your average improvising musician. He is a master of texture, a skill which he's been able to forge and refine for more than 30 years (as vidnaObmana, Fear Falls Burning, Microphonics). Martina Verhoeven has been working on the development of her own abstract photographic style for more than 15 years now. Now she's fully dedicated to the piano, establishing herself as an unique and formidable performer on the keys. Teun Verbruggen first picked up the drums by the age of eight. His search for a personal touch and wanting to explore all possibilities of playing drums, his lack of boundaries and trying to find fresh sounds in collective improvisation made him work with countless bands and musicians. Tom Jackson is a proficient clarinetist active in modern classical music and free improvisation.
CD $18
MARTINA VERHOEVEN QUINTET with GONCALO ALMEIDA / ONNO GOVAERT / DIRK SERRIES /COLIN WEBSTER - Driver - Live at Roadburn 2022 (Klanggalerie GG417; Germany) Featuring Martina Verhoeven on piano, Dirk Serries on guitar, Colin Webster on sax, Goncalo Almeida on double bass and Onno Goevaert on drums. Recorded live in concert at the Roadburn Festival in 2022. The Martina Verhoeven Quintet made its debut at the impressive Roadburn festival in 2022. In front of a full house, at jazzclub Paradox, The Netherlands, this quintet, built around the piano virtuosity of polymath and multi-instrumentalist, Martina Verhoeven, was an instant success. Hailed by a super excited audience, Martina Verhoeven Quintet with assembled musicians - Gonçalo Almeida on double bass, Onno Govaert on drums, Dirk Serries on guitar, and Colin Webster on saxophone created a high tension, free improvisation performance led by Martina's energetic and unique piano playing as if the band already existed for several years. The Martina Verhoeven Quintet is an ensemble which flourishes by the incredible instant musical exchange among the musicians, pushing their music to heights, reminiscent of the older free jazz bands infused with today's free improvised philosophy. Dirk Serries is best known for his ambient project Vidna Obmana, Colin Dexter, London based sax player, is known for working from extreme sonic palettes, constantly pushing boundaries. Onno Govaert' drumming has variously been described as 'innovative', 'spectacular', 'relentless', 'possessed by the devil' and 'post Jim Black'. Gonçalo Almeida on bass plays in a variety of projects that go from modern jazz, freejazz, jazzcore and free improvisation music.
CD $18
SAMANTHA KOCHIS with SELENDIS SEBASTIAN ALEXANDER JOHNSON / ANNA ABONDOLO / JOSHUA MATTHEWS - To the Eye That Remain Soft (Self-produced; USA) Featuring Samantha Kochis on flutes, Selendis Sebastian Alexander Johnson on vibraphone, Anna Abondolo on bass and Joshua Matthews on drums. I know Samantha Kochis from a couple of sets that she’s played here at DMG plus she works at The Stone at times with Selendis SA Johnson. Selendis has also played here on vibes as well as trombone. I’ve also seen bassist Anna Abondolo play on a few occasions with Elijah Shiffer and once at I-Beam.
Things begin with a haunting flute and vibes playing together in a suspense-filled way. Selendis uses the tremolo effect on his vibes to give a dreamy feel. The rhythm team plays skeletally, letting the music breathe gracefully. Ms. Kochis takes the first of several superb flute solos, telling a story or setting a scene with her playing. Ms. Abondolo takes an impressive bass solo here with minimal cymbal(s) support. The second piece begins with an inspired bass solo, which becomes freer when the flute, vibes and drums come in. This is free music which sounds focused, intense and inventive, like some restless spirits swirling quickly around one another. On the third piece, the bowed bass gets a deep sound while the eerie bowed vibes add to the feeling of mystery, the sliding sounds remind me of ghosts floating dancing together slowly. There is an ethereal quality which flows throughout this disc which puts me (and maybe you) in a trance. There is also a magical, transformational pulse that flows as well. Ommmmmmmm…. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD-R $10 [lovely pastel blue handmade cover]
BACK IN STOCK:
RAOUL BJORKENHEIM with EMANUELE PARRINI / SILVIA BOLOGNESI / TIZIANO TONONI - Solar Winds (Long Song Records 154; Italy) Featuring Raoul Bjorkenheim on electric guitar, Emanuele Parrini on violin, Silvia Bolognesi on contrabass and Tiziano Tononi on drums & percussion. Since moving to Helsinki several years ago, Scandinavian guitarist Raoul Bjorkenheim has been teaching, composing and playing in several bands. Always keeping busy with varied projects going on simultaneously. In 2018, Mr. Bjorkenheim recorded with The J. & F. Band, which included Joe Fonda, Jaimoe Johanson (from the Allman Brothers!?!) plus a handful of Italian musicians, for an Allman Brothers tribute CD. The other drummer on that date was Tiziano Tononi, who has worked with Daniele Cavallanti and the Italian Instabile Orchestra. Violinist Emanuele Parrini also plays with Dinamitri Jazz Folklore, as well as in Mr. Tononi’s Ornette Coleman Tribute project. Bassist Silvia Bolognesi is in the current expanded version of the Art Ensemble of Chicago as well as with a string trio called Hear in Now with Tomeka Reid and Mazz Swift. This disc is a tribute to John Coltrane, the most influential saxist of the 1960’s and spiritual jazz composer par excellence. Five of the seven songs were written by Trane with two written by Mr. Bjorkenheim. Mr. Tononi has long been involved in a variety of tribute discs/projects for Ornette Coleman, Don Cherry, Rahsaan Roland Kirk and an earlier Trane tribute. The reason why so many folks seek out spiritual jazz is that it helps us to transcend our common state of stressful reality. The first song here is Trane “Joy”, which seems most apt since the sound here is joyous, uplifting. Both Mr. Bjorkenheim’s guitar and Mr. Parrini’s violin soar together from the opening. The rhythm team here are also most impressive, often reminding me of William Parker (with whom Ms. Bolognesi studied) and Hamid Drake, pumping that rhythmic life force together as one spirit. On Trane’s “Transition”, the violin takes the first solo and it reaches higher and higher, rather Billy Bang-like, the ecstatic vibes flowing. Raoul takes an incredible Sonny Sharrock-like guitar solo reaching even higher, go man go!!! Mr. Tononi actually sounds like Elvin Jones here, which makes sense since Mr. Jones is featured on drums for Sonny Sharrock’s best record, ‘Ask the Ages’. “Living Space” is a later period Trane song which was released posthumously and not recorded live. This piece is laid back, cerebral and dream-like, short and sweet. The title track, “Solar Winds” , was written by Bjorkenheim and it is played at a frenzied pace, capturing that ecstatic vibe just right. Raoul takes an incredible solo here, with some lightning-like licks right out of the Tisziji Munoz songbook. Violinist Parrini is also in fine form here, both he and Bjorkenheim trading lines as the intensity increases to boiling point! “Peace on Earth” is a great choice to cover as it has that stirring, spiritual-jazz melody at its center. I found the violin solo to be absolutely touching, bringing me close to tears. The final piece is called “Volition” and it is the other original song by Raoul. It also soars, explodes and erupts into a joyous, bone-shaking climax. There is no better feeling than having music pull one out of their seats and put them on a roller coaster ride or magic carpet journey and that is what we get here. I hope to get this quartet a gig in the New York since we need some of that spiritual salvation to help us deal with. Thanks to Raoul Bjorkenheim and his marvelous quartet! - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $15
RAOUL BJORKENHEIM TRIAD With VILLE RAUHALA / ILMARI HEIKINHEIMO - Beyond (Eclipse Music; EEC) Raoul Bjorkenheim is a familiar name in the jazz/experimental scene with his fiery guitar playing rooting back to early 80`s. He is best known for multiple bands including Krakatau, Scorch Trio, Ecstasy and the duo Heim(o), also with Heikinheimo on drums. Triad however makes everything bigger, bolder and more experimental. A "spectacular mayhem" of sounds. Ilmari Heikinheimo a is widely recognized drummer collaborating with many household names in the Finnish music scene. Ville Rauhala has performed professionally since 90`s (with Black Motor and many other groups) and his bass playing has a unique touch of soloist and structural elements. Beyond is a strong statement from Triad, a unique musical journey into sounds and textures, bold and raw.
CD $16
RECORD TIME with HAMPTON GREASE BAND / OWEN MAERCKS / et al - Issue #2 - 2024 (Record Time 002; USA) "Record Time No 2 hits the bargain bins and neglected corners of the local record store to find great records that are still affordable to average folks. And, as with the first issue, we dig into the back stories of these records and artists, with a focus on good writing. This time around we do a deep dive into the life and career of Ray (Rae) Bourbon, a pre-Stonewall drag artist and comedian; jazzman Charles Lloyd's 'wilderness' albums; Catalan folk legend and politico Lluis Llach; oddball rockers the Hampton Grease Band; finding the South African country music holy grail; Canadian cabaret rocker Louis Furey; the weird world of Polka; hard rocking should-have-been-huge Birtha; actor and music pusher Jack Webb; Sex Pistols and Pistols-inspired novelty records; patron saint of smart asses Rick Johnson; and more! Contributors this time are Tom Hyland, Owen Maercks, Stella Beratlis, Steve Silverstein, Nathanel Amar, Adam Taub, Nate Knaebel, Laurent Bigot, Mike Trouchon, Greg Pshaw, Johnny Sunshine, Dennis Worden, Fred De Vries, Stan Appleton, Billups Allen, and Todd Trick Knee, with guest appearances by Lali Donovan, Larry Hardy, Tony Coulter, and Dana Katharine. Edited by S Soriano."
Magazine $18
LP SECTION:
ANTHONY MOORE - Home of the Demo (Drag City 916LP; USA) "Anthony Moore's post-Slapp Happy output, for years an underrated-to-outright unknown quantity, achieves another dimensional plane with this third archival release from his personal tape library. Home of the Demo triangulates upon the art-pop qualities found in his previously unreleased OUT (1976, officially issued 2020) and the new wave-adjacent Flying Doesn't Help (1979, reissued 2022), finding Anthony's early/mid-'80s compositions drifting into the actual mainstream, just moments before it began giving way to the inevitable Next Waves. Home of the Demo unpacks ten tracks from what might otherwise be called a lost era. Subtitled 'from the dawn of bedsit recording,' this collection largely represents something nearer to DIY than any of your fancy modern kit! As Anthony remarks in his liner notes, 'We are talking about a few hundred quid's worth of gear balanced precariously on bookshelves and table tops in bedrooms and basements.' And yet, the tracks sound right dreamy. Anthony was a songwriter and musician whose first decade-plus in the music 'business' had brought him outside-in, through experimental/avant projects into the pop music world he'd loved as a youngster. He was an old hand at getting sounds as well; distinctly '80s elements that might abrade the ear instead benefit from his tactile deployment of that gear stacked up on tables and bookshelves in the basement. In this manner, he produced well-appointed, ambitiously clever songs for himself and others, such as his friend David Gilmour's band, who used a couple pieces on Home of the Demo for their 1987 comeback album. Amidst the assiduous work of writing the Next Big One, a relaxed, almost playful mood prevails throughout the pieces assembled here -- as one might imagine at home demo sessions where one man plays all the parts. It's also true for the numbers that feature special guests, such as the ominously monikered 'Page The Oracle' on lead guitar -- or the singer simply dubbed, 'Guest' -- no doubt a safe alias for a hot young Bunnyman rising to his commercial peak in those halcyon days."
LP $26
PRIMITIVE ART GROUP - Primitive Art Group 1981-1986 (Amish Records AMI 054LP; USA) "Primitive Art Group 1981-1986 is presented on gatefold 2LP, and is a combination of the group's only two albums, consisting of one LP of Five Tread cuts plus 'Cecil Likes to Dance' a never-before-released live recording from Thistle Hall (1984) and the full 1985 LP Future Jaw-Clap. This material that has been unavailable since mid-1980s. It is well documented that in the early '80s, New Zealand was awash with adventurous new music. Though sharing the kind of happy isolation and the DIY ethic with contemporaneous outfits like Flying Nun, South Indies, and Xpressway, one band cut a decidedly different path. The Primitive Art Group, formed in Wellington, devoted itself to collective improvisation coming out of a jazz tradition. With the line-up of Anthony Donaldson (drums), David Donaldson (bass), Neil Duncan (saxes), Stuart Porter (saxes), David Watson (guitar), and originally with Pam Grey (on cello), the group's relatively brief existence left a lasting impression on the New Zealand's free music scene. Musically, there was no precedent in New Zealand for their combination of noise, collective playing and compositional freedom. The band's five-year lifespan was non-stop activity: rehearsing, touring, the creation of Braille Records (their own record label which released ten LPs), dance and theater work, appearances at music festivals, and hosting two hugely influential national festivals of improvisation at Thistle Hall, Wellington. In 1984, Primitive Art Group spent a week making their first recording, an ambitious double LP, Five Tread, which had only a single pressing and sold-out locally. One year later they were back in the studio making their second album, Future Jaw-Clap. This outing contained tighter pieces, as the band widened its repertoire with nods to broader influences and antecedents. In 1986, The Primitive Art Group gave their last concert at the Wellington Town Hall, just a half mile from Rawa House and the legendary Thistle Hall where their first shows had taken place. The band's Braille Records' recordings have never been released outside of New Zealand, nor have ever been available digitally. The group's brief tenure has continued to inspire new generations of improvisers, but nothing has ever quite matched the visceral blast of the Primitive Art Group's arrival on the scene. Every member of the group has carried on doing creative work at the highest levels: scoring films, making art, mentoring, organizing, touring and always playing."
2 LP Set $34
YERBA MANSA - Gravity's Joke (Feeding Tube / Cardinal Fuzz FTR 772LP; USA)
Cardinal Fuzz and Feeding Tube Records have the pleasure of unleashing the sizzling contact high sounds of Yerba Mansa's new LP release -- Gravity's Joke. As the heppest of you undoubtedly know, Yerba Mansa are Edwin Stevens (Irma Vep, Klaus Kinski, The Web of Lies) and Andrew Cheetham (Richard Dawson, Jane Weaver, Waterless Hilss). Both have been members of Desmadrados Soldados de Ventura, and are purveyors of raging, mind-bending primitive garage infused Middle-Eastern free-rock psychedelia. Showcased here is Edwin's mesmerizing guitar playing, capable of conjuring sonic specters from thin air and Andrew's limitless drumming, rooted in jazz and totally mesmerizing in fluidity and movement. Within Gravity's Joke, the grooves are some of the fiercest apocalyptic and heady jams you will hear this year. Yerba Mansa whirl up demonic raga meltdowns which showcase their individual chops and duo telepathy; the guitar vernacular is pure Sharrock/Flower/Quine -- indeed the tuning sounds like it could be ostrich, and the drumming is more octopus. Side two is a near 20-minute mystical freak out. The whole shebang could and should implode at any time, but doesn't. It hangs together somehow as melodies appear out of the chaos, and the title track relentlessly builds up to a shamonic climax, akin to stumbling across a Voodoun ritual in the American Plains. Sizzling, stifling and ever so slightly ear-scraping -- this is a must for any lover of untamed music.
LP $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
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THE STONE RESIDENCIES / LAURA ORTMAN / OCT 16-19
Four nights of double bills! Each evening the concert will begin at 830pm and end at about 930pm—with each 'set' lasting about 30 minutes.
10/16 Wednesday
8:30 pm - Aunties Bad Ensemble / Alcorn-Ortman duo - Jennifer Kreisberg (vocals, hand drum) Aunties Bad Ensemble Laura Ortman (violin, Apache violin) Susan Alcorn (pedal steel)
10/17 Thursday
8:30 pm - Daniel Carter- Lea Bertucci-Laura Ortman trio / Victoria Keddie-Laura Ortman duo; Daniel Carter (saxophone) Lea Bertucci (saxophone) Laura Ortman (violin, voice) Victoria Keddie (electronics, bells, voice)
10/18 Friday
8:30 pm - Ryan Sawyer-Laura Ortman duo / C. Spencer Yeh-Laura Ortman duo
Ryan Sawyer (drums, vocals) Laura Ortman (violin) C. Spencer Yeh (violins, tapes)
10/19 Saturday
8:30 pm - SOLO / BASS NIGHT - Laura Ortman (violin) Algis Kizys (bass) Shayna Dulberger (bass) Ego Sensation (bass) Carlos Santistevan (bass) Luke Stewart (bass) Laura Ortman (violin) Sto Len (bass) Sue Garner (bass)
THE STONE RESIDENCIES / YUKA HONDA / OCT 23-26
10/23 Wednesday
8:30 pm - CUP - Nels Cline (guitar) Yuka Honda (electronics)
10/24 Thursday
8:30 pm - Theia - EUCADEMIX (Yuka Honda solo electronics)
10/25 Friday
8:30 pm - Control Burn - EUCADEMIX (Yuka Honda solo electronics)
10/26 Saturday
8:30 pm - Farm Psychedelia
EUCADEMIX (Yuka Honda solo electronics)
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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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…
Friday, October 18, 2024. 8:00 pm
Fred Moten & Brandon Lopez
Sunday, October 20, 2024. 4:30 pm
Roulette Open House // featuring Laraaji
Tuesday, October 22, 2024. 8:00 pm
Ellen Christi Ensemble featuring Patricia Nicholson
featuring Dave Burrell, Ken Filiano, Michael T.A.Thompson
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Sylvie Courvoisier: Poppy Seeds
With Patricia Brennan (vibraphone), Dan Weiss (drums) and Thomas Morgan (bass)
Thursday, October 24, 2024. 8:00 pm
Zeena Parkins and Ikue Mori: Phantom Orchard plays the world of Izumi Suzuki
Monday, October 28, 2024. 7:00 pm
Charles Gayle Memorial 2024 Featuring:
WILLIAM PARKER BASS CHOIR
MICHAEL TA THOMPSON & JASON KAO HWANG
DRUM CHOIR
MATT SHIPP / MIRIAM PARKER / PATRICIA PARKER
KYOKO KITAMURA / ELLEN CHRITI / LISA SOKOLOV
ISAIAH COLLIER / WILLIAM PARKER / DAVE BURRELL
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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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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