Out to endless endlessness
Astro-black, of Cosmic Earth
The Universe is in my voice
The universe speaks through this song
To those of Earth, and other worlds
Listen, while you have the chance
Find your place among the stars
Get in tune with outer worlds
Get in tune with outer worlds
The Universe is in my voice
The universe speaks through this song
To those of Earth, and other worlds
Listen, while you have the chance
Find your place among the stars
Get in tune with outer worlds
Rhythm, multiplicity
Harmony, equational
Melody, horizons be
Astro Black, and cosmos dark
Astro Black, and cosmos dark
Astro Black, and cosmos dark
Greetings Earthlings! is what Sun Ra used to say when he spoke from the stage at concerts he performed throughout the 1960's through 1990's. I recall reading Sun Ra's name amongst the long list that Frank Zappa posted inside the Mothers of Invention's 'Freak-Out!' album which was released in 1966. I hadn't heard of many of the musicians, composers, authors and philosophers that Zappa had on the list but I was quite intrigued by many of the names and sought out the music of Varese, Stravinksy and Bartok soon thereafter. I bought my first Sun Ra album 'Heliocentric Worlds' in the fall of 1972 at Third Street Jazz in Philly and soon became a Sun Ra fanatic, which I still am today, more than a half century later. I caught the Sun Ra Arkestra, as well as Sun Ra solo perhaps 30 or 40 times between 1973 and 1993 when Sun Ra moved back to his home-world Saturn. I've also collected his many (200 ?) albums from his own Saturn label, as well as ESP, Delmark, Impulse!, Savoy, Shandar, Horo, Blue Thumb, Atlantic, Inner City, Improvising Artists Inc, Philly Jazz, Evidence, Modern Harmonic, Strut and DIW. My favorite gig was a nearly six hour, two set night at Soundscape in November of 1979, with the room wrapped in mylar, a dude in an astronaut costume who played a visual psych-light-show instrument called Spacescapes, long, cosmic synth solos from Mr. Ra and lecture/spoken word section during "Discipline" in which Ra opened with these words, "You've been bad Planet Earth", scolding all of us earthlings for not taking better care of Mother Earth. Considering that yours truly, my friends Fred Farber & Rickey Joyce were all tripping on acid, it was almost too much to handle. We have long stocked as many Sun Ra albums, CD's, singles, books and t-shirts as we can find. We've sold several dozen CD's and LP's over the past month so interest in Sun Ra to grow each year! "In some far place, many light years in space, I'll wait for you. Where human eyes have never seen, we'll build a world of abstract dreams and I'll wait for you, I'll wait for you!" In the 21st century, we have been bad to Mother Earth so Outer Space might be our only place to survive the demons still ruling on our troubled planet. A toast to SUN RA! Whose myth are you?!? - MC-BL
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THE DMG 34th ANNIVERSARY IN-STORE CONCERT CELEBRATION CONTINUES with:
Saturday, August 23rd: The Gauci-Music Series continues with:
6:30: THOMAS MILOVAC - Solo Bass
7:30: STEPHEN GAUCI - Tenor Sax / JAMES McKAIN - Bari Sax / ANNA ABONDOLO - Bass / KEVIN SHEA - Drums
8:30: HARUNA FUKAZAWA - Flutes / STAN ZENKOV - Bass Clarinet / SHU ODAMURA - Guitar
Tuesday, August 26th:
6:30: EVAN PALMER / KEN FILIANO / HILLIARD GREENE / BETH ANN JONES BASS QUARTET
7:30: AARON QUINN - Guitar / DAVID LEON - Sax
8:30: KRIS GUDA - Guitar / EVAN PALMER - ContraBass
Tues, September 2nd:
6:30: RICH ROSENTHAL - Guitar / DAVE SEWELSON - Bari Sax / NICK GIANNI - Tenor Sax / KEVIN TKACZ - Bass / COLIN HINTON - Drums
7:30: GIAN PEREZ - Solo Guitar
8:30: MOSTLY OTHER PEOPLE DO THE KILLING with MOPPA ELLIOTT - Bass / RON STABINSKY -Keyboard / KEVIN SHEA - Drums
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THIS WEEK'S GROOVY DISCS BEGIN WITH...
FIELDWORK with STEVE LEHMAN / VIJAY IYER / TYSHAWN SOREY - ThereUpon (Pi Recordings 109; USA) Fieldwork features Steve Lehman on alto sax, Vijay Iyer on piano & Fender Rhodes electric piano and Tyshawn Sorey on drums. Fieldwork have been around since the turn of the millenium and have three previous CD's under their belts. Vijay Iyer has been in the trio since they began with Steve Lehman joining them on their second CD and Tyshawn Sorey joining them on their third disc (released in 2008). Considering that all of these musicians are teaching in different colleges and all three have long resumes with different ensembles, it has been a long while (17 years) since their last release. All of the songs here were composed by Vijay Iyer or Steve Lehman with arrangements by the entire trio.
Commencing with "Propaganda", which is short yet intense with that furious tempo/urge M-Base-like circular pattern which is most exhilarating. On "Embracing Difference", the tempo slows down a bit while that circular pattern continues to pump. While Vijar Iyer pounds out the bass line with his left hand, the alto sax and drums are linked into the fractured line. On Mr. Iyer's "Evening Rite", the tempo is more moderate so that we can hear the complex written lines more clearly without the rush of adrenalin getting in the way of our attention. "Fire City" is freer with Mr. Lehman bending & twisting his breath-like notes inside out while Mr. Iyer matches the frantic freer side and Mr. Sorey locks in with both of his cohorts. What I find most interesting here is that on each piece the roles of all three members change position-wide and occasionally midway through a piece. Towards the end of "Domain", Mr. Lehman sounds like he is playing the sound of a seagull, which brought back visions of being at the ocean for me. "Astral" slows things down and is more cerebral, with a layer of suspense. The piece slowly builds in tempo and intensity until it turns into another M-Base-like circular stomper. The final piece, "The Night Before" is spacious and spooky when it begins, with all three players carefully placing each note or phrase. Mr. Lehman plays in a lyrical haunting way here, with Mr. Iyer playing spacious, skeletally on his Fender Rhodes. The solemn, eerie vibe which flows throughout this piece is quite hypnotic and it is a perfect way to bring this classic disc to a strong conclusion after some more intense flights of fancy foot & breath work. Most impressive throughout. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $15
SIFTER with BETH SCHENCK / ROB EWING / LISA MEZZACAPPA / JORDAN GLENN - Flake/Fracture (Queen Bee Records QB-010; USA) Sifter features Beth Schenck on alto sax, Rob Ewing on trombone, Lisa Mezzacappa on contrabass and Jordan Glenn on drums. Bassist/composer/multi-bandleader Lisa Mezzacappa recently had a residency at The Stone, bringing a handful of Bay Area musicians to play in different formations over her four night stay. Her label, Queen Bee Records, has been pretty active this year and she sent us a half dozen discs to stock and have reviewed. Sifter is the name of this quartet which includes Jordan Glenn (from the Fred Frith Trio) on drums, Beth Schenck (from Vinny Golia's 'Music for Like Instruments Series) on alto sax and Rob Ewing (busy Bay Area player who has worked with Cory Wright & John Schott) on trombone. Each of the four members of the quartet has composed all of the songs for this disc.
Rob Ewing's "Noisy Ghost" is fiercely focused and has the alto sax & trombone spinning their lines tightly around one another with the rhythm team also working tightly together as one force. Ewing's "Chant" sounds like a laid back blues groove of sorts with long, thoughtful solos by Ewing on trombone and Schenck on alto sax. Jordan Glenn's "Loose Change" is solemn and has the quartet quietly simmering spaciously together. The music here is quite different on each piece, structurally speaking. Ms. Mezzacappa's lone piece here, "Oro Blanco!", with her bass at the center and outlining the structure of the piece. both Ms. Schenck and Mr. Ewing takes a long solo, righteous in sound, winding their way through several changes in direction and tempo. Each of the eleven pieces here tell a different tale and provide some food for thought as each piece unfolds in different ways. There is little if any fireworks here yet I found each piece to be a work of art on its own merits. All of the releases on the Queen Bee label are worth exploring and shows that there is a rich, creative New Music underground in the Bay Area, just ready for thoughtful consideration. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $13
URSEL SCHLICHT - Creeks and Stars (Acheulian Handaxe Aha 2502; Earth) Featuring Ursel Schlicht on solo piano. I've known German-born pianist Ursel Schlicht for many years, checking out her varied collaborations with Hans Tammen, Reuben Radding, Bruce Arnold and Robert Dick. I've caught her live on several occasions when she was living here in the 1990's. She is currently living in the city of Kassel, Germany. Kassel is known for having a festival called Documenta which takes place every five years and was started soon after WWII. Ms. Schlicht organized a 100 day music event for Documenta in 2012 and produced a DVD of her event. Ms. Schlicht is currently working on a trio effort with Catherine Sikora and Andrew Drury which was recorded at the fest. For her first solo piano offering, Ms Schlicht based her solo improvisations on 32 concerts, seven of which were inspired by different music groups and artists which are described in the liner notes. "Creeks and Stars" opens this disc and was inspired by the outdoor sounds around the festival. The piece unfolds slowly at first and creates suspense as it evolves. Ms. Schlicht appears to be developing a theme based on several fragments which she plays and then expands upon. Each fragment seems to have a life or spirit of its own, some of which we can reflect on, others move more quickly and are transformed into other fragments or lines. "Undercurrent" was inspired by Ruangrupa, a collective group based in Jakarta, that Ms Schlicht felt connected to. Schlicht plays a series of soft waves on the piano with the pedal pressed creating several drones. This gives the piece a dream-like effect or vibe. "Fleeting, Light" was inspired by conversation(s), moving quickly from light to dark to bluesy to light again. Ms. Schlicht's lines are sped up a bit here, tapping out related fragments which erupt more intensely at times, building to an intense conclusion. "Cosmos of Sound" was titled by a Chilean visual artist and dancer named Tamara Cortez who collaborated with Ms. Schlicht's ensemble. Sparse and spooky at first, carefully playing one note or phrase at a time, allowing each one to resonate by itself, the suspense created is most effective and somewhat scary at times. "Sous la Tente" refers to a tent which housed the group Fondation Festival sur le Niger from Africa. This piece has a calm, peaceful center with some Philip Glass-like repeating lines played at a slower pace. Mr. Schlict slowly alters the patterns, the current becomes a bit more murky. While listening to this piece, I pictured myself on a raft or small boat on a small body of water, balancing quiet on the somber waves. Each of the seven pieces here evoke a different vibe, scene or place (within or outside of our mindscapes). The sun is shining radiantly through my kitchen wind today (8/21/25) and there is a cool breeze blowing through my window. The music here provided a nice respite from the usual turmoil of everyday life here in the land of tyranny and fascism. Thanks to Ursel Schlicht for a short vacation for our minds. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $14
JOHN ENGLISH / KRIS GRUDA / JEFF ARNAL - Jupiter (Generate Records 19; USA) Featuring John English and Kris Gruda on guitars and Jeff Arnal on drums & percussion. Recorded in May of 2024 in Black Mountain in North Carolina. Guitarist Kris Gruda has played here at DMG several times over the past few years and most recently duo a great duo with Stan Zenkov (on clarinets & trumpet) earlier this week (8/19/25). I recall drummer Jeff Arnal from the time he used to live here before moving to Pennsylvania. Arnal used to (and still does) have his own label called Generate Records, collaborating with Gordon Beeferman, Blaise Siwula and Nate Wooley. Guitarist John English appears to be unfamiliar to myself. When this disc begins, it starts with what sounds like electronic sounds. Layers of guitar fragments, bent and twisted with off effects to make things even weirder. Each guitarist seems to using different types of effects. Sustain, echo devices, plus perhaps banging on or twisting the strings with assorted objects, hard to tell who is doing what. Each of the four long pieces here are filled with odd twists and turns, strangling certain strings often turning the soundscape inside-out, altering reality in a variety of ways. Although there are some noisy moments and detours, the overall sound is often stunning in the way it keeps changing and bringing us to different places within. As I would focus on one guitar, the other one would change things by moving in a different direction. Drummer Jeff Arnal freewheeling percussion sounds somewhat like Chris Cutler on "Europa", with both guitars playing eerie sustained droney sounds together. From a distance, the music sounds noisy and at times unrelenting yet the more I/we listen closely, the more I hear the great way that these three musicians play together as a united force. If you are a fan of the variety of ways to evoke odd sounds from the guitar for a focused purpose then this disc should make you smile. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $14
MAX NAGL QUINTETT with MARTIN EBERLE / PHIL YAEGER / GEORG VOGAL / GREGOR AUFMESSER - Phasolny (Rude Noises 41; Austria) Featuring Max Nagl on alto & sopranino saxes, Martin Eberle on trumpet, Phil Yaeger on trombone, Georg Vogel on piano and Gregor Aufmesser on bass. I've had my eye on Austrian saxist Max Nagl since he was living in NYC and working with Downtowners like Steve Bernstein, Brad Jones and Tom Cora in the early aughts. Mr. Nagl's music career started a decade earlier in Austria and now has more than 50 releases as a leader or collaborator. Over time Mr. Nagl has also worked with numerous heavy hitters like Lol Coxhill, Ken Vandermark, Noël Akchoté and Michael Vatcher. Mr. Nagl has been running his own Rude Noises label since 1995 and this is their 41st release. Nagl generally sends us a new promo once or twice a year and I look forward to each one whether they are solos, duos, trios, quartets or even big bands. This, the Max Nagl Quintett has been around since 1999 and this is their 5th release. The personnel has changed over time with the current quintet, a more recent version, having 1 earlier CD released in 2020. I only know of the other members of the quintet from previous work with Mr. Nagl and fellow Austrian Martin Philadelphy. Mr. Nagl composed all but one of the sixteen mostly short pieces with one cover by Anthony Braxton. Considering that there is no drummer here, the quintet does sound like a modern chamber unit. This disc begins with "Brandl", which is a well written, rather complex work. The contrabass is pumping quickly at the center as the rest of the quintet play the quirky, tight ensemble parts. "Lavid" is a more somber, haunting piece with warm harmonies. Pianist Georg Vogel plays most majestically throughout and sounds more like a classical pianist rather than a free/jazz warrior. Many of these pieces are at moderate tempos, warm, thoughtful and graceful. As the pieces evolve, the writing and playing becomes more complex. In some ways, this music sounds like an updated version of Renaissance music. It sounds like Mr. Nagl has worked long and hard to compose, rehearse and record this music and it doesn't sound like anything I've heard from him in the past. No Matter how short or long each piece is, each one is carefully composed and played. I always look forward to each and every release that Mr. Nagl sends us as each one is captivating on one level or another. This just might be Max Nagl's best release so far! - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $12
SoSaLa with TOSHIMARU NAKAMURA / MASAKI SHIMIZU / RYO KATO - Live at CBGB 1994 (DooBeeDoo Worldwide Music; USA) Featuring Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi (a/k/a SoSaLa & Sadato) on tenor & soprano saxes & vocals, Toshimaru Nakamura on electric guitar, Masaki Shimizu on fretless bass and Ryo Kato on drums. Recorded at CbGb's in January of 1994 by Martin Bisi. Iranian-born saxist/vocalist/composer & musical activist, SoSaLa, has long been working in different bands of varied genres, as well as dealing with justice through activism. I know of Japanese guitarist Toshimaru Nakamura since he has been a longtime part of the Erstwhile/Onkyo scene. Fretless bassist Masaki Shimizu was also a member of the Sadato band with SoSaLa, releasing five records between 1989 and 1996. The New York No Wave scene existed from around 1977 until 1980 and featured bands like DNA, the Contortions, Teenage Jesus & the Jerks and Mars. Its brutal noise elements influenced quite a number of future punk, noise and new wave bands around the world. The No Wave influence seems to be at the center of the storm for this band and release. "Yurei (Ghost)" opens with a throbbing bass pulse, harrowing effects-laden guitar, SoSaLa's disturbing, brutal vocals and sax sounds in the distance. SoSaLa sounds like a preacher, bellowing out his observations about the tortured lives we are living through. SoSaLa is angry and letting it out here, his band punk-rocking slowly, churning, pounding, throbbing... Mr. Shimizu's rubbery fretless bass is often at the center of these throbbing, post-punk diatribes. In the mid-1980's I caught many of these post-no wave, post-punk bands like Ritual Tension, Live Skull, Scornflakes and Cop Shoot Cop. This is what comes to mind here as I listen to this disc. The music here is very focused and much tighter than you might imagine, nothing sloppy in the least. Toshimaru Nakamura, who later quieted down for his Erstwhile records, takes a number of strong, spirited guitar solos as SoSaLa does on sax. SoSaLa switches to soprano sax on "Tavalod", singing in an odd language, the angry vibes continue. SoSaLa sings in Farsi, the Iranian language, which he mentions as being the "number one enemy of America" in a song called "35 Cent Puppy Sandwich" which is dedicated to Fugazi, one of the most popular of all hardcore punk bands. Although the vibe here is unsettling and at times disturbing, it is also heartfelt at describing what many of us feel about the injustices of life then and now as well. I lived throughout and dug this era of Creative Music in many ways, way back when. I do not listen to much of this music today but I can still feel the surge of adrenalin that pumped through my/our veins. Historic and timeless as well. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $15
TERRY EDWARDS with MARC RIBOT / ALEXANDER BALANESCU - The Koln Concerts (Sartorial FIT 099CD; UK) "In 2002 Anthony Moore invited me to take part in the per->SON symposium which he curated at Kunsthochschule für Medien, Köln. There were lectures and discussions presented over the weekend along with performances by myself, Marc Ribot, Alexander Balenescu (with and without his quartet), Kenneth Fields and Yu Hongmei. This record documents my solo performances plus duets with Marc and Alex. Initially I'd asked Marc if he'd care to join me in a version of "Harlem Nocturne" but he said "Terry, we both know how Harlem Nocturne goes. Why don't we improvise instead?" -- so we did. Alex was game too. I've been meaning to put this out for a while and have finally been galvanized into action by the knowledge that 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the somewhat more famous Köln Concert album by Keith Jarrett. Respect to both him and the promoter of that concert, Vera Brandes." Recorded live at the Stadtgarten, Köln April 18-20, 2002.
CD $16
KLEISTWAHR - Winter/Music for Zeitgeist Fighters (Fourth Dimension FD 158CD; UK) In 2021 US label Helen Scarsdale Agency released Kleistwahr's Winter album on vinyl in an edition of 300 now more or less sold out, while Music for Zeitgeist Fighters preceded it by a few years on Egypt's Nashazphone imprint also as an LP limited to 300 and equally hard to find these days. Both albums are brought together on this limited edition 2CD release and feature, between them, five bonus tracks not previously made available elsewhere. Anybody paying enough attention in recent years will know that Fourth Dimension Records has long been dedicated to Gary Mundy of Ramleh's longstanding solo endeavor and is therefore happy to add these two wonderful albums to the fold. As with all of Kleistwahr's music, the very same strands of noise, tempered abrasiveness and serrated industrial hum that the project initially introduced in the early '80s can still be found guiding the sound but there's so much more to Kleistwahr than this. As with Ramleh, ravaged psychedelia and a tendency to infuse it with sensibilities found more often in art rock, prime period post-punk and even avant-garde music likewise play a significant role, rendering it a distinctive project driven by a singular vision that thankfully shows no signs of letting up. If you missed out on the original vinyl releases of these two albums, want to catch the additional material or simply prefer CDs, you'll need this set. Limited to 300.
2 CD Set $16
PASCOE & MARTIN - Here Comes Everything (De La Catessen Records DLC020CD; Australia) De la Catessen Records presents Here Comes Everything, a monumental 18CD box set marking the long-overdue recording debut of duo Pascoe & Martin. This is De la Catessen's most lavish production to date in its ongoing commitment to unearthing, documenting, and illuminating experimental music from Port Adelaide, Australia. The world of Here Comes Everything is rich, playful, and virtuosic. In its limitless variety it invokes a day-long perspective -- and what a glorious day -- of quotidian experiences, from the wondrous to the mundane. Here Comes Everything is sublime in its reverence of detail; awesome in its cumulative flood of experience; revelatory in its many extemporarious dialogues whispered and roared. Each of the 18 parts of this Here Comes Everything is a single long improvisation, named after one of the 18 chapters of Ulysses. James Joyce's schema for Ulysses -- an 18-row chart he devised to help his friends navigate the labyrinth of each chapter's themes and references -- is the structure on which Pascoe & Martin's far-reaching musical epic is based. Here Comes Everything is the saga of two contradictory musical characters in their search for meaning and for each other. Chris Martin's piano is elevated, cabalistic, and rapturous. Derek Pascoe's saxophone is earthy, sensual and profane. Pascoe and Martin's journey in Here Comes Everything is akin to that of Bloom and Dedalus in Ulysses, where the fundamental inspiration for Here Comes Everything can be found. Pascoe & Martin have been honing their craft as a long-form improvising duo for 25 years. Since 2000 their public performances have been unmissable events. Pascoe & Martin continue to challenge and contradict each other in their open-ended Socratic dialogue. Years in the making, yet entirely and thrillingly in the moment, De la Catessen Records presents Here Comes Everything in an edition of just 300 copies. Lavishly illustrated by Michael Hocking with drawings taken from life during 18 recording sessions, Here Comes Everything is not to be missed.
18 CD Box Set $125
BENAUD TRIO - Oblivion (De La Catessen Records 022CD; Australia) Benaud Trio celebrate their 20th anniversary year with the release of Oblivion on De la Catessen Records. Oblivion is their sixth studio album since bursting into the world in 2005 with the irresistible fusion of playfulness and professionalism that has characterized their career. Oblivion boasts all the pizazz that made Benaud Trio's previous albums like Mixtape (ABC Classic) and Bohemian Rhapsody (Melba Recordings) so popular, framed by a thoughtful selection of pieces that showcases them at their electrifying best. Chick Corea's modern classic "Spain" leaps out of the timeless classical melody of Rodrigo's "En Aranjeuz con tu Amor," in a fiery arrangement for piano trio by Nicholas Buc. "Closer" by Mark Isaacs was originally created for jazz quintet, and appears here in a warm and lyrical adaptation that sees Benaud Trio carrying its smooth sensibilities into the classical realm. Their readings of Piazolla's "Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas" and "Oblivion" are a smoldering account of his stylistic crucible of tango, jazz, and classical music. Benaud Trio have long been known for their alchemy onstage, fusing disparate qualities together: endurance and youthfulness; sincerity and lightness; playfulness and insight. In Oblivion, Benaud Trio are in their element, exploring fusion of the musical kind, through pieces by composers who share some of the same rare qualities as them.
CD $16
RAYMOND CHAPMAN SMITH // AMIR FARID - Amir Farid Performs Traktat Vom Licht: Piano Music Of Raymond Chapman Smith (De La Catessen Records 018CD; Australia) "Light is the vehicle of the community -- of the universe. All that is visible clings to the invisible. That which can be heard to that which cannot -- that which can be felt to that which cannot. Perhaps the thinkable to the unthinkable. Like ourselves, the stars float between illumination and darkening in turn -- but even in the state of darkness we are granted, as they are, a consoling, hopeful glimmer of companion stars that are luminous and illuminated." --Novalis, Traktat vom Licht
Amir Farid returns to De la Catessen Records with the premiere recordings of Traktat vom Licht/Variations on a Minuet by Mozart -- the second volume in an ongoing survey of endearingly quixotic piano music by Adelaidean composer Raymond Chapman Smith. In this new collection, following on from 2023's Nachschriften/Ländler (DLC 013CD), pianist Amir Farid sheds further light on a fruitful period of Chapman Smith's work, in which he utters in a uniquely mellifluous voice a beautiful old language recognized by so many but spoken by so few. Chapman Smith's musical journey, through Sydney's experimental scene of the early '70s, to his study with Australian modernist doyen Richard Meale, and his leadership of the notorious ACME New Music through the '90s, has led him to -- of all places -- the green pastures of nineteenth century German romanticism, where he invites listeners to join him in thoughtful spiritual contentedness through the current phase of his craft. The title of Chapman Smith's 26-part Traktat vom Licht is borrowed from a cycle of 26 poetic-scientific-metaphysical fragments by Novalis, a crucial voice in the formulation of the first phase of German Romanticism. Written in 2006 as an acknowledgement of the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth, Variations on a Minuet by Mozart takes the theme from the first piece in Mozart's catalogue -- his K1, written when he was five years old -- and turns it through a set of twelve variations.
CD $16
JON DALE - Theatre (De La Catessen 016CD; Australia) "It's music where nothing happened. It's the kind of music somebody might write in Adelaide, Australia. Nothing happened." - Morton Feldman. Theatre is De la Catessen's second venture into the archive of Jon Dale. Originally released in a tiny CD-r edition of 50 copies on Tristes Tropiques in 2019, Theatre now reappears in an edition of 150 glass-mastered CDs. Theatre sees Jon Dale eschewing the hearthwarm drones of his previous album on De la Catessen, Last Blues, and dwelling upon an elusive aural concept: a limbo. Theatre hums with an occupied silence, heightened by scattered expectant sounds: a door opens or closes; muffled voices murmur nearby. As almost nothing continues to happen, the listener occupying the silence seems to hover at the edge of (non)existence. It's tempting to classify Theatre as a purely conceptual listening experience, or to compare it to listening to someone who is in the quiet act of listening to something else, just out of earshot. But at its heart, Theatre is a simple and elegant manifestation of the dichotomy that dynamizes minimalism: how little of something -- versus how much of nothing -- must be.
CD $16
HISTORIC & ARCHIVAL RECORDS, RESTOCK & REISSUED DISCS:
KROKODIL - Getting Up For The Morning & Sweat And Swim (Made in Germany MIG 3452; Germany) Krokodil were a Swiss band who formed in 1969 and who recorded five albums before they broke up in 1974. They toured with famed German bands Can and Amon Duul and were often considered to be one of the Krautrock contenders. Their music is a blues rock hybrid with a vocalist/blues-harp up front, backed by guitar, el bass and drums. 'Getting Up in the Morning' is their fourth album and it was released in 1972. Their sound harks back to the time when blues rock was popular due to bands like JOhn Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Fleetwood Mac and Savoy Brown. The vocals are in English and singer Mojo Weideli has a strong voice. "Marzipan" is laid back and haunting with several layers of acoustic and electric guitars tastefully stacked. Similar to Fleetwood Mac, who started out as pure blues fanatics, both bands have expanded their palette to embrace different rock and prog elements. Lead guitarist, Walty Anselmo also plays sitar on a couple songs, an unexpected change of pace while lead singer Mojo Weidel plays flute as well as blues-harp (harmonica). I am reminded of a British band named Steamhammer who started out as blues rock but soon expanded beyond that category adding harpsichord to their evolving sound. Producer Peter Hauke does a good job of layers the guitars, vocals, harmonicas & rhythm team to sound different on each song. Had I heard this album when it was released, I would've considered this to be one the best roots rock bands of their time. Immensely charming on several fronts.
'Sweat and Swim" was the fifth album by Krokodil and perhaps their easiest to absorb. It begins with "Talking World War III Blues", a fun filled Bob Dylan song/spoof which sounds like a Canned Heat boogie of sorts with hilarious lyrics and clapping groove. Starting around 1966 or 1967, rock bands that began playing one type of music would evolve through other styles or genres with unpredictable results. The good thing is that when we give these bands the benefit of the doubt, they often come up with something strong, no matter what some might expect. Considering that Krokodil sung in English, it is often hard to tell that they come from Europe, often sound like an American blues/rock band with some progressive elements. They also cover several American songwriters like, playing "It's Alright, Mama" (written by Arthur Crudup & covered by Elvis Presley) and "Billy Dee" by Kris Kristofferson. 'Sweat and Swim' was a double album and covered quite a bit of territory. The more I listen to this disc, the more I am surprised by the different directions that Krokodil works with. It seems odd that most folks have never heard of this band despite the fact that all of their albums are well worth checking out. It's time for me to search out their earlier records. Two gems for the price of one. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG0
2 CD Set $20
GEORGIE FAME with COUNT BASIE BAND plus JOHN McLAUGHLIN / EDDIE THORNTON / JON HISEMAN / JOHN MARSHALL / et - Live in 1968 (1960's Records Randb 103CD; UK) The previous two sets in this series of live broadcast CDs from Georgie Fame covered the years 1964 up to 1967 and this one picks up the story from the start of '68. So, what changes did that year bring in Georgie's music? Impossible to ignore is the release of "The Ballad Of Bonnie And Clyde" in December '67. Was Georgie ignoring his roots? Not so if you examine this album. It starts off with Georgie's BBC TV show accompanied by the Count Basie Band and continues with Swedish and British radio recordings of Georgie with his Band, a tight eight-piece unit featuring jazz and Blue Flames luminaries such as Eddie Thornton, John Marshall, John McLaughlin and Jon Hiseman.
CD $16
THE ALAN PRICE SET - BBC Sessions 1966-68 (1960's Records Randb 104CD; UK) The Alan Price Set were among the most frequent visitors to the BBC studios between 1966 and 1968 recording 46 songs over 16 different sessions. Over two hours and thirty minutes playing time, this CD set presents the complete set of BBC recordings along with a further five tracks that Alan recorded as a solo artist after leaving the group. Also included are some revealing interviews he made at that time. The sound quality is excellent throughout.
2 CD Set $16
BOBBY PARKER BAND with CARLOS SANTANA - New George's San Rafael 1993 (1960's Records Randb 102CD; UK) The live sessions presented here were recorded on October 13th 1993 at New George's, a nightclub and concert venue located in San Rafael, California. There's an oft-recounted story how the Beatles used Bobby Parker's riff from his "Watch Your Step" for their hit "I Feel Fine" and Led Zeppelin used it on "Moby Dick" without credit on their second album. That song is of course featured here, which also includes several tracks together with Carlos Santana guesting on guitar. Bobby passed on in October 2013 aged 76 following a heart attack. He left a small but impressive body of blues recordings for listeners to enjoy.
2 CD Set $16
SUN RA ARKESTRA CD Restocks: All of the below but the ESP-Disks are Limited so check your stock!
SUN RA - Astro Black (Modern Harmonic 080; Earth)
CD $16 [LTD Edition of 1350]
SUN RA His ARKESTRA with JOHN GILMORE / MARSHALL ALLEN / DANNY DAVIS / KWAME HADI / ELOE OMOE / CLIFFORD JARVIS / ATAKATUNE / et al - Crystal Spears (Modern Harmonic 082; Earth)
CD $16
SUN RA and His ARKESTRA with JOHN GILMORE / MARSHALL ALLEL / KNOEL SCOTT / JUNE TYSON / JAMES JACSON / et al - Live at Inter-Media Arts (Modern Harmonic)
2 CD Set $24
SUN RA - Of Abstract Dreams (Strut 166; Art Yard; UK)
CD $16
SUN RA - To the Rescue (Modern Harmonic 222; Earth)
CD $15
SUN RA with WALT DICKERSON - Haverford College, January 25, 1980 (Modern Harmonic 270; Earth)
CD $16
SUN RA & His SOLAR ARKESTRA - Complete Heliocentric Worlds Of Sun Ra: Vol 1, 2, & 3 (ESP-Disk 4062; Earth)
3 CD Set $30
SUN RA & His ARKESTRA - College Tour Vol 1: The Complete Nothing Is... [aka Dancing Shadows] St. Lawrence University, May 18 1966 (ESP-Disk 4060; USA)
2 CD Set $20
SUN RA - Concert For The Comet Kohoutek (ESP-Disk 3033; USA)
CD $14
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SUN RA CD RESTOCKS with Reviews/Blurbs:
SUN RA - Astro Black (Modern Harmonic 080; Earth) In the mid-seventies when I first started collecting Sun Ra albums, I bought each of more than a dozen albums on the Impulse! and ESP labels, since there were so many cut-out copies around at $1.99 each!?! I savored each and every one of those albums and still do. Most of the Impulse! albums were reissues of the rare Saturn albums which were self-produced and released in short runs, mostly sold at Sun Ra concerts. There were only two Impulse titles that were not reissues and newly made in a better studio for the label. Those two titles were Astro Black and Space is the Place (not the soundtrack version). Both of those albums were favorites of mine as well as many other Sun Ra fans that I talked with. When the Evidence label reissued some 20 Sun Ra albums on CD, these two were not reissued for some reason. Space is the Place was finally reissued many years later and finally Astro Black was released in 2018. Rejoice Fellow Earthlings!
Astro Black captured what I love most about the Sun Ra Arkestra, it puts you on the spaceship bound for Saturn and takes you on a long cosmic journey. Acoustic bassist, Ronnie Boykins, sets up the ongoing, repeating groove here while Mr. Ra adds sly, eerie synth all over. While Mr. Boykins bows up a storm down below, the synth and various horns erupt above. Scary stuff! On the side-long piece, “The Cosmo-Fire, the Arkestra's legendary sax / horn section really gets a chance to stretch out. Both John Gilmore, who is said to have invented the multiphonic sax sounds that also inspired John Coltrane in the late fifties and Marshall Allen who also helped to develop those mindblowing sax sounds, truly shine here! Marshall Allen, who is currently 96 years young, still leads the Sun Ra Arkestra and still plays alto sax unlike any other humans on this planet. Hail to the Almighty Sun Ra Arkestra! - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $16 [LTD Edition of 1350]
SUN RA His ARKESTRA with JOHN GILMORE / MARSHALL ALLEN / DANNY DAVIS / KWAME HADI / ELOE OMOE / CLIFFORD JARVIS / ATAKATUNE / et al - Crystal Spears (Modern Harmonic 082; Earth) Another unreleased studio effort recorded in September of 1973 for Impulse but never issued. When Sun Ra signed with the Impulse! label in the early seventies, the label released a dozen or so rare Saturn reissues (which were poorly distributed & in small quantities) plus eight albums worth of new material. Only two were released at the time before the new exects (at the ABC) pulled the plug of the series. 'Crystal Spears' was one of those unreleased dates until 2018, more than forty years later. Listening to it now all I can say is “wow! The title track, “Crystal Spears' starts off with some mind-blowing solo synth, which is soon joined by ritualistic percussion and a double reed (oboe?) of some sort. On “The Eternal Sphynx" Mr. Ra weaves his organ with hypnotic waves of horns. “The Embassy of the Living God" features several layers of intense, mutant, bent-note reeds, one of the more distinctive sounds that the Sun Ra Arkestra often embraces. The highlight here is the side-long work, “Sunrise in the Western Sky", which is more thant 20 minutes long. Sun Ra's eerie electric keyboard simmering underneath various reeds, which erupt one at a time (usually), twisting their notes inside-out carefully. Different horn players, like John Gilmore on tenor, gets his chance to stretch out and take a long distinctive, inspired solo. Along with my personal fave from this same time, Astro Black', 'Crystal Spears' is another cosmic gem from Saturnian prophets. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $16
SUN RA and His ARKESTRA with JOHN GILMORE / MARSHALL ALLEN / KNOEL SCOTT / JUNE TYSON / JAMES JACSON / et al - Live at Inter-Media Arts (Modern Harmonic 023; Earth) Recorded at Inter-Media Arts Center in Huntington, Long Island on April 20, 1991. Featuring Sun Ra - keyboards & synth, John Gilmore - tenor sax & clarinet, Marshall Allen - alto sax & flute, Knoel Scott - alto sax, James Jacson - bassoon & flute, June Tyson - vocals & violin, Charles Davis - bari sax, Michael Ray, Ahmed Abdullah, Fred Adams & Chris Capers - trumpets, Tyrone Hill - trombone, Jothan Collins - bass and Buster Smith, Dos Santos Nascimento & Cliff Barbaro - drums.
This double disc set comes from a late period Sun Ra Arkestra concert, in April of 1991. Mr. Ra retired from performing live in 1992 and passed away in May of 1993, returning to his home-world, Saturn, where he still resides. After a quick intro, the Arkestra starts off with the standard sounding, “Springtime Again", which features the splendid vocals of June Tyson with the Space Ethic voices. The opening tenor solo is a heartwarming entre' as are the flow of flutes underneath and Mr. Ra's exquisite piano. This set and disc is superbly recorded. One of the defining sounds here is/are the ongoing layers of drums and percussion that flow rhythmically throughout. A number of my favorite Sun Ra standards are here: “Love in Outer Space", “Space is the Place" and “We Travel the Spaceways". What makes this disc and many of the Sun Ra Arkestra concerts so special is the way the band combines so many jazz styles and eras into one amorphous large ensemble, swinging tight & hard on one track and then taking off into free/jazz and the outer regions of outer space in the next track. This 2 disc set is one of the finest of all Sun Ra Arkestra live releases. You can take off with them for parts unknown, the next stop is Jupiter! - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
2 CD Set $24
SUN RA - Of Abstract Dreams (Strut 166; Art Yard; UK) “In 1974, Sun Ra found a musical home on the University of Pennsylvania campus, in the studio of public radio station WXPN. It was a scrappy, student-run venture, and a great spot for a jazz composer and self-proclaimed alien. He wouldt record at the station several times until 1980. For Sun Ra, an Afrofuturist who believed true peace for black people resided in outer space, finding solace anywhere on Earth was quite a surprise.
Newly released by Art Yard, Of Abstract Dreams collects a portion of the music Sun Ra performed on WXPN. Here, the cosmic jazz icon plays alternate versions of “Island in the Sun"‚ "New Dawn" arrangements while maintaining the songs' original structures. Take “Island" as an example: A Latin-influenced jam from 1974's The Invisible Shield, Sun Ra quickens the rhythm with thicker percussion, adding harmonic chants that bolster the track's divine essence. “Unmask the Batman" is also given new life on this set: with its deep scatting, piano stabs and winding horns, the song properly retains the original's blustery swing.
Then there is "I'll Wait For You", which is a robust funk-fusion cut that appears on Strange Celestial Road. A love story occurring across “many light years in space" the stripped-down composition allows Sun Ra's vocals to cut through, giving them adequate shine. 'Of Abstract Dreams' is the sound of a true genius fully aligned with his spirituality. Though the artist had long mastered the path of space travel through music, this set feels decidedly comfortable, as if he'd finally ascended to a higher level of consciousness. While Abstract is a fleeting glimpse, it's still an essential stop in Sun Ra's grand voyage." - Marcus J. Moore
CD $16
SUN RA with WALT DICKERSON - Haverford College, January 25, 1980 (Modern Harmonic 270; Earth) Featuring Sun Ra on Fender Rhodes electric piano, acoustic piano and Walt Dickerson on vibes. According to the liner notes, this disc is a reissue of a rare record which I'd never seen or heard of. The concert took place at Haverford College in Pennsylvania as part of a festival which also included solo performances from Anthony Braxton and Leroy Jenkins. The concert was supposed to be a duo of Sun Ra on piano and Walt Dickerson on vibes. These two musicians are both based in Philly and can be found on a couple of records together (Dickerson Qt's 'Impressions of a Patch of Blue' and a duo record called 'Vision' on Steeplechase). It was actually Mr. Dickerson's gig and he invited Mr. Ra to join him. Sun Ra ended up cancelling about two weeks before the gig due to the Orchestra getting a better paying gig that night. Former Art Blakey bassist Jymie Merritt was booked to take Sun Ra's place but he passed away close to the date of the show. Hence, Sun Ra showed up the day of the show and asked to play. The college had to scramble to find an appropriate keyboard and found a Fender Rhodes which Ra used. The first six tracks feature Sun Ra on the Fender Rhodes playing Sun Ra originals, improv pieces and covers of "Rhapsody in Blue", "St. Louis Blues" and "Over the Rainbow". Mr. Ra has always worked wonders on any electric keyboard that he plays on this CD is included in that list. Mr. Ra has long been able to blend the past, present and future into his own vision and sound. It is odd to hear the ancient jazz/classical epic "Rhapsody in Blue" played on an electric piano but Sun Ra does a fine job nonetheless. Sun Ra moves from his own classic "Space is the Place" then into "Over the Rainbow", a song which he had covered numerous times. Mr. Ra coaxes those space-age spirits here by combining the two songs. When Ra improvises on "Haverford Impromptu 2", he shows off his skills at creating his own dream-like soundscapes. There are also three bonus tracks here, two short ones with Ra on an acoustic piano from a different gig playing "Take the A Train" (Billy Strayhorn) and a long (16 minutes) duo of Sun Ra and Walt Dickerson, an encore from their concert. I dig how Mr. Ra pushes the Ellington standard so far out at times. The final long duo is something else. Both the vibes and the electric piano utilize an echo device of sorts which makes them sound similar. Walt Dickerson was always a master vibes player and I've collected his albums for many years. He rarely left Philly to play elsewhere so I think I might've caught him just once with the Sun Ra Arkestra in 1979 at Soundscape, not so sure about his presence there. The duo set here is extraordinary, it sounds like these two are coming from the same planet (Saturn) and the results are special. Sun Ra fans, don't sleep on this one. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $16
SUN RA - Concert For The Comet Kohoutek (ESP-Disk 3033; USA) "Recorded on December 22, 1973 in New York City at the famous Town Hall, this eclectic ESPDisk-sponsored celebration of the Comet Kohoutek featured a fire eater, talking drums, and dancers in platform shoes, in addition to Sun Ra's Arkestra. After taking the stage ninety minutes late, the band expertly navigates its way through cosmic free playing, big-band romps, and didactic vocal numbers. Compared to the original pressing, this re-issue is digitally remastered by Joe Phillips and includes brief liner notes by ESP label founder Bernard Stollman."
CD $14
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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 :
KENNY WOLLESEN / August 20th - 23rd
NOTE: ADMISSION THIRTY FIVE DOLLARS EACH NIGHT
FOR THIS EXTRA SPECIAL FOUR-NIGHT RUN OF PERFORMANCES EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE STONE KENNY WOLLESEN HAS ASSEMBLED A BAND OF HIS DEAREST FRIENDS TO TELL THE INCREDIBLE STORY OF HIS GRANDMOTHER—PRAIRIE SONGSTRESS ROSE THORNE, THROUGH ROSE’S OWN RECENTLY DISCOVERED SONGS AND WORDS FROM THE 1920’s 30’s & 40’s!!!
GET THERE EARLY! LIMITED SEATING
8/20 Wednesday
8:30 pm - THE MUSIC OF ROSE THORNE
Kenny Wollesen (drums) Sami Stevens (voice) Dida Pelled (voice, guitar) Sasha Dobson (voice, guitar) Doug Wieselman (guitar, tenor saxophone) RIchie White (trombone) Will Shore (bass marimba, marimba, song bells) Tony Scherr (guitar) Vicente Archer (bass) Jesse Harris (guitar, banjo) Micheal Coleman (electric piano, synthesizer) Yusuke Yamamoto (electric vibraphone, steel pan) Elizabeth Pupo-Walker (congas, percussion) Steven Bernstein (trumpets) Julia Elsas (narration, wollesonics) Briggan Krauss (alto saxophone) Charlie Burnham (electric violin); Kenny Wollesen’s grandmother’s recently discovered songs from the 1920’s & 30’s - Admission $35
8/21 Thursday
8:30 pm - THE MUSIC OF ROSE THORNE
Kenny Wollesen (drums) Sami Stevens (voice) Dida Pelled (voice, guitar) Sasha Dobson (voice, guitar) Doug Wieselman (guitar, tenor saxophone) RIchie White (trombone) Will Shore (bass marimba, marimba, song bells) Tony Scherr (guitar) Vicente Archer (bass) Jesse Harris (guitar, banjo) Micheal Coleman (electric piano, synthesizer) Yusuke Yamamoto (electric vibraphone, steel pan) Elizabeth Pupo-Walker (congas, percussion) Steven Bernstein (trumpets) Julia Elsas (narration, wollesonics) Briggan Krauss (alto saxophone) Charlie Burnham (electric violin) - Kenny Wollesen’s grandmother’s recently discovered songs from the 1920’s & 30’s - ADMISSION THIRTY FIVE DOLLARS
8/22 Friday
8:30 pm - THE MUSIC OF ROSE THORNE - Kenny Wollesen (drums) Sami Stevens (voice) Dida Pelled (voice, guitar) Sasha Dobson (voice, guitar) Doug Wieselman (guitar, tenor saxophone) RIchie White (trombone) Will Shore (bass marimba, marimba, song bells) Tony Scherr (guitar) Vicente Archer (bass) Jesse Harris (guitar, banjo) Micheal Coleman (electric piano, synthesizer) Yusuke Yamamoto (electric vibraphone, steel pan) Elizabeth Pupo-Walker (congas, percussion) Steven Bernstein (trumpets) Julia Elsas (narration, wollesonics) Briggan Krauss (alto saxophone) Charlie Burnham (electric violin) Kenny Wollesen’s grandmother’s recently discovered songs from the 1920’s & 30’s - ADMISSION THIRTY FIVE DOLLARS
8/23 Saturday
8:30 pm - THE MUSIC OF ROSE THORNE
Kenny Wollesen (drums) Sami Stevens (voice) Dida Pelled (voice, guitar) Sasha Dobson (voice, guitar) Doug Wieselman (guitar, tenor saxophone) RIchie White (trombone) Will Shore (bass marimba, marimba, song bells) Tony Scherr (guitar) Vicente Archer (bass) Jesse Harris (guitar, banjo) Micheal Coleman (electric piano, synthesizer) Yusuke Yamamoto (electric vibraphone, steel pan) Elizabeth Pupo-Walker (congas, percussion) Steven Bernstein (trumpets) Julia Elsas (narration, wollesonics) Briggan Krauss (alto saxophone) Charlie Burnham (electric violin); Kenny Wollesen’s grandmother’s recently discovered songs from the 1920’s & 30’s - ADMISSION THIRTY FIVE DOLLARS
THE STONE RESIDENCIES - TREVOR DUNN - AUG 27-30
8/27 Wednesday
8:30 pm - HANNAH HÖCH TRIO
Webb Crawford (guitar) Chris Corsano (drums) Trevor Dunn (bass)
8/28 Thursday
8:30 pm - JOSEPH BEUYS TRIO
Alex Koi (voice) Sae Hashimoto (percussion) Trevor Dunn (bass)
8/29 Friday
8 pm - DIETER ROTH SOLO
Trevor Dunn (bass)
8/30 Saturday
8:30 pm - SOPHIE TAEUBER-ARP QUINTET - Laura Ortman (violin) C. Spencer Yeh (violin) Jessica Pavone (viola) Lester St. Louis (cello) Trevor Dunn (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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ZĀM RECORD RELEASE SHOW
Saturday 8/23/25, 7:30pm
Hart Bar - 538 Hart Street, Brooklyn, NY
ZĀM - Trio featuring Anthony Pirog of the Messthetics
JANEL LEPPIN - Solo (Washington DC)
SALLY GATES - Solo (NYC)
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September 5, 2025
Musicians For Musicians Celebrates 10 Years of Music Advocacy with Star-Studded Performance Event at The Cutting Room
Musicians ForMusicians (MFM), a nonprofit association advocating for the rights, recognition, and fair pay of freelance and independent musicians, proudly announces its 10-Year Anniversary Celebration on Friday, September 5, at The Cutting Room in New York City. This special event kicks off at 9:00 p.m., with musical performances starting at 9:30 p.m.; tickets are free for MFM members, and $20 for non-members.
Buy ticket here: https://mfmassociation.thrivecart.com/mfm-anniversary/
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Saturday, August 16, 2025
JOEL HARRISON'S Mastery in Motion:
An Evening of Guitar Artistry -
Featuring: Wolfgang Muthspiel, Fareed Haque, Dan Lippel & Joel Harrison
7:00 PM 9:00 PM
Taking place at:
Christ & St. Stephen's Church
120 West 69th Street New York, NY, 10023
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Double Bill
Sat, Aug 16 - Double Bill at IBeam:
8:00pm TRIO: HOOKER / DEBRUNNER / ROSENBLOOM
William Hooker - Drums
Claire DeBrunner - Bassoon
Mara Rosenbloom - Piano
9:00pm TRIO: CRUDUP / MOORE / SÁNCHEZ
Warren "Trae" Crudup III - Drums
Jamal Moore - Reeds & Percussion
Marta Sánchez - Piano
At Ibeam in Brooklyn
168 7th St (btwn 2nd & 3rd Aves), Brklyn
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THIS NOTE COMES FROM MY GOOD BUDDY JOEL HARRISON, Gifted Guitarist and Organizer. His yearly concerts at LPR have been a highlight for myself and other Guitar Freaks…
Dear Guitar Enthusiasts … There's a lot going:
—MIDWESTERNERS: please take note of the below dates. I'm lucky to be playing with two of the greatest B-3 organ players alive, and fantastic drummers as well. https://joelharrison.com/shows/
—On March 14 AGS (Alternative Guitar Summit) recordings releases ANUPAM SHOBHAKAR'S LIQUID REALITY, a tour de force on double neck guitar that fuses Indian music, jazz, and rock. If you like John McLaughlin this is for you. Preorder here: https://agsrecordings.bandcamp.com/
—We have uploaded some GREAT NEW PODCASTS to the AGS youtube channel with Ben Monder, Redd Volkaert, and more to come. Please check it out.
https://www.youtube.com/@alternativeguitarsummit
—For a couple of years I have been working on a major piece entitled "Burn Pit." The orchestration is jazz big band and a 16 person chorus. The subject matter is the deadly toxic burnpits from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that killed or sickened hundreds of thousands of military personnel. To fulfill my obligation to the NY State Council on the Arts and the Governors Office of NY, from whom I received a generous composition grant, I have posted a video discussing and playing excerpts from this work here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulyk1Pgrym8
Don't forget to sign up for our summer camp! Kevin Eubanks, Vernon Reid, Kurt Rosenwinkel, John Scofield...come on! https://www.alternativeguitarsummitcamp.com/ - Joel Harrison
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NEW VIDEOS from GUITAR MASTER HENRY KAISER:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgcxTkoIgQI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAWxt3EJSPw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcvoYygehqE
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From 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