Avant-Garde, "New Music", Now Playing>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

When Evan Parker reissued this on his Psi label in 2006 he removed Bailey's and Bennink's names from the cover. I appreciated having access to the music on CD, but mis-crediting it seemed pretty scummy to me.

 

My understanding is that he's not the nicest guy on the block.

 

That's unfair - you have to know the back history between Bailey and Parker and the Incus label.

And having spoken to him on numerous occasions I can say that he is a nice guy and very approachable. Some of his current views are...controversial but nobody's perfect.

Edit - if you have access to the 2006 CD take a look at what EP says about how Bailey effectively prevented him from reissuing the album until Bailey had died!

There's two sides to every story...

 

He’s been very friendly and approachable over the years the few times I’d gotten up the nerve to chat with him.

 

I can only go with what I've been told by folks who know him better then I, and stuff like this, and yes, his current views.

Follow the science: Evan Parker’s views on the pandemic and Brexit - The Wire

That said, I only really care about his music, and that I'm a very big fan of.

 

Out of the first four instalments of Sam Rivers' archive series I liked the most the 2nd and 3rd: Zenith '77 (quartet with the same tuba player) and Ricochet '78 (classic trio with Holland and Altschul).

The 1st volume Emanation '71 (trio with McBee and Connors) was a huge letdown for me (two years later Streams with the same lineup blows that one out of water), and unfortunately I found this 4th one (Braids '79) clearly inferior to the 2nd. Hence if you like Braids you should definitely check Zenith!

Now there is the 5th volume Undulation just out (quartet with Jerry Byrd on guitar) from the 1981 tour, which was previously documented on Crosscurrent: Live At Jazz Unité. It showcases Sam in his peculiar fusion phase and I love it, so I'm looking forward to hearing this newest release.

NoBusiness Records - Sam Rivers

 

Keith Tippett – Friday The 13th

 

When I saw him at the Bimhuis in Amsterdam he seemed very friendly and approachable, though I did not dare nor feel inclined to do so. He was standing by himself in the nearly empty concert room among the audience seats pre-concert, soaking up the scene, seemingly very relaxed and good-humoured. Meanwhile the audience was drinking and chatting in the adjacent bar and entree. Why would a curmudgeon expose himself like that? I got a good vibe off him for what it's worth.

His current views on Brexit, etc. are appalling and will come to bite him and his fellow Brit musicians, in fact, they already are.

 

Sad to hear of the death in a road accident of the founder of The Wire magazine.

Anthony Wood (7 June 1948–15 September 2021) - The Wire

I saw the very first issue with Steve Lacy on the front of it in Ray's Jazz way back in 1982 and have bought - and still have - every issue since.

It's been one of the main reasons my musical life has become so varied over years. I've lost count of the number of recordings that I bought of musicians that I didn't know at the time having read a review in The Wire.

RIP Anthony Wood.

 

It was not "mis-credited" as it is and always was an EP album. The other musicians are listed on the rear cover.

To get an idea of what Bailey thought of such a landmark recording - besides the fact that it was the first release on Incus - try reading Ben Watson's biog of Bailey. One single mention that it was released - no analysis.

 

Oh that's terrible. I don't have every issue but was aware of the magazine from it's very early days and have many. A great publication.

 

BLΩΩD MERIDIAN: Unauthorized Soundtrack to the Greatest Movie Never Made
by Jesper Eklow

released October 1, 2021
Done in the old ways. Jesper Eklow - guitars, loops, field recording, tinkery. Maggie Lyn - producer.

Eerie, dark, relentless music "soundtrack" from Jesper Eklow, a member of Endless Boogie. The low end gave my speakers a workout for an hour.

 

Phill Niblock - YPGPN (XI reissue, 2002)

The title stands for "A Young Person's Guide to Phill Niblock," and it was originally issued with that full title on Blast First in 1995. Since discovering Niblock about 4 years ago I've become a huge fan.

 

. . . and today Important Records announces that they will be reissuing Opus 17 on CD: ELIANE RADIGUE - Opus 17 - 2x CD - PRE-ORDER

 

I had to drive today....

River, Tiger, Fire Agusti Fernandez

The first disc is one of the greatest things I've ever heard, a large band and a great composition. The second is also great, kind of spacey atmospheric stuff. The last two tried my patience--too much piano tinkling for my philistine sensibilities.

Live at the Vortex Foxes Fox (Parker, Moholo, Beresford, Edwards) a favorite and has Kenny Wheeler on last two tracks, which are great.

Also listened to some Sun Ra and Wayne Shorter....

 

Sprits Rejoice! Louis Moholo Octet

Kind of a mix of catchy grooves and free jazz. Shows another side of Evan Parker.

 

Also last week I forgot to log New York Eye and Ear Control and Spritual Unity by Ayler, Peacock, Murray and on the former Don Cherry and John Tchai.

 

Keith Tippett – Mujician I & II

 

Spontaneous Music Ensemble Quintessence it's a lot all at once, but great insectoid stuff nonetheless...

 

Tashi Dorji & Marshall Trammell - Duo Damage, Vol. 1: Live in Portland
2021, SIGE

Tashi Dorji: guitar
Marshall Trammell: drums

 

Ses-Sens (EP)
by Tàlveg

released June 4, 2020

Marcel·lí Bayer, baritone saxophone
Ferran Fages, electric guitar
Oriol Roca, drums

The debut release from a trio based in Barcelona. I love the sound. To me it's quiet, ethereal, tons of space, kind of dark, with a few loud moments that come out of nowhere.

 

Arbori
by Tàlveg

released June 27, 2020

Marcel·lí Bayer, baritone saxophone
Ferran Fages, electric guitar
Oriol Roca, drums

This is unreal! The first few tracks sounded like a continuation of the EP, just like it's all one album. The intensity really picks up by the third track Volx, which shows some serious fire. They mix short and long pieces throughout the record to great effect. This is one of my favorite discoveries in awhile.