Friday, April 21, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 4/18/06 - 4/21/06

Adds

OM: Conference Of Birds CD (Holy Mountain) - Sophomore effort from these former members of the great Bay Area group, Sleep, continues to mine a similar vein to their debut - heavy stoner grooves combined with mystical lyrics. A little quiter and more developed, perhaps (especially the "Kosmische" inspired, "At Giza"), but still pretty satisfying.

VANDERMARK 5: Free Jazz Classics Vols. 3 & 4 2CD (Atavistic) - I must admit that I've never been that impressed with previous Vandermark 5 releases, but this one really blew me away. Two discs, both live. The first covering compositions by Sonny Rollins, the second covering Rahsaan Roland Kirk. The Rollins disc is close to brilliant from start to finish, with the highlights being, "Freedom Suite, Part 2" and the slamming version of, "East Broadway Rundown". The Kirk disc isn't quite as solid from start to finish, but still has its worthy moments.

Did Not Add

SWAGGER JACK: The Feral Blood of Swagger Jack CD (Last Visible Dog) - This CD of noisy, disjointed "pop" from this one-man NZ band failed to satisfy.

VERLAINE, TOM: Around CD (Thrill Jockey) - Try as I might, I just couldn't get into this original Punk hero's latest solo release of introspective instrumental guitar minatures.

On Deck

Major Stars, Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble, and more!

Monday, April 17, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 4/16/06 - 4/17/06

Well, it's been a busy couple of days of listening. Here's the latest list of the releases I added and didn't add to my music collection:

Adds

HOWARD, NOAH (QUARTET): At Documenta IX CD (Boxholder) - More Jazz "back fill" from the catalog of the great Noah Howard in his best setting, the quartet. Solid live date, featuring excellent support on piano by Michael Joseph Smith. Not the definitive Howard document, but good to have it in the collection.

JESU: Silver CD-EP (Hydra Head) - Sonically similar to their other material, but certainly the weakest of the three Jesu releases. Still, two of the four tracks are really good, which makes this release worth having.

MECCA NORMAL: The Observer CD (KRS) - Thought provoking, emotion evoking songs delivered in Jean Smith's unique style!

VA: The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of 2CD (Yazoo) - Despite all the hype and deluxe packaging (including artwork by R. Crumb!), this isn't the be-all/end-all of rootical Americana 78 collections. Still, enough moments of interest to be of merit.

Did Not Add

ACKLEY, BRUCE (TRIO): The Hearing CD (Avant) - Another Jazz "back-fill" title on Avant that I picked up cheap. Now I know why it was in the cut-out bins and I hadn't bought it before. Good personnel and solid playing. Just didn't hit the mark with me for whatever reason, possibly even just a Jazz overload recently, in which this release was merely comparatively weaker than other titles I added.

BARON, JOEY (+ BARONDOWN): Crackshot CD (Avant) - Interesting trio concept - drums, trombone, and sax. Players I enjoy and respect - Baron, Swell, and Eskelin. Unfortunately, this never gets very "out there" (the drumming is particularly boring, which is really surprizing since this is a drummer-led trio!) and, as a result, failed to satisfy sufficently.

GROWING: Color Wheel CD (Trouble Man Unlimited) - Should be renamed Boring. If I didn't know that the friend of mine who recommended this to me (and whose musical tastes I, generally, respect) was completely straight-edge, I'd swear he must be smoking crack to have extolled the virtues of this turkey to me.

NO NECK BLUES BAND AND EMBRYO: EmbryoNNCK CD (STAUB 067CD) - Marginal 70's Krautrockers, Embryo, join the often entertaining, NNCK, around the campfire for a percussion-oriented circle jerk that falls flat, IMHO.

VALLEY OF ASHES: Cavehill Hunters' Attrition 3LP (BVF VA) - Lots of similar late-night improv folk racket going around lately, from Jackie-O Motherfucker to that whole North Eastern crowd. Some of it works for me and some of it doesn't. I'll even admit that it's often hard to describe why some hit while others miss, but this one definitely missed me. Bordering on being a waste of vinyl and surely a waste of $30+!

Still lots more to go through (new OM, Major Stars, and so on), so more updates/mini-reviews coming soon!

Sunday, April 16, 2006

Where Have We Heard This Before?

I find the Bush Administration's comments that questions/concerns about the potential for military action against Iran are simply "wild speculation" and that they wish to exhaust all "diplomatic measures possible" in resolving the current (artificially created) crisis over Iran's development of nuclear technology to be both laughable and frightening. I mean, c'mon, aren't those the exact same assertions they made before invading Iraq?!? Yep. absolutely. Even though it has now been made abundantly clear to all (except, perhaps, the few remaining people who are either so committed to the concept of an Imperial America that they don't care about the truth or are so blind/uninformed that they honestly don't know any better - and that latter group has gotta be a small number of people at this point) that Bush planned to go to war with Iraq from the get go, they still think the American public so stupid that they'll forget the facts of recent history and buy this bullshit. There was never any interest in nor chance of the US not invading Iraq. All of Bush's pre-war fear mongering was a pretext to justify an invasion he had long contemplated and desired. Well, at least we now know what the Bush Administration's exit strategy for Iraq is - invade Iran!

By the way, if you're pushing (or past) 50 and/or are really interested in politics, I'd highly recommend a new book, "31 Days", by Barry Werth. It details the first 31 days of the Ford Administration after Nixon's resignation. Not only is it a fascinating exposee to those, like me, who lived through that period, but Werth also clearly demonstrates how the events of those days cast a long, dark shadow on the geo-political landscape of today. Also a lot of familar names in this book - Rumsfeld, Cheney, and so on - seen in their relatively formative political years.

Saturday, April 15, 2006

New Adds To My Library 4/1 - 4/15/06

A rare couple of weeks - only adds, no rejects. Mostly "back filling" on Jazz titles, but whatever...

DICKEY, WHIT: In A Heartbeat CD (Clean Feed) - Clean Feed is a pretty cool Portugese label I recently discovered.

ERSEN: Dünden Bugüne CD UNDERGROUND MASTERS (FRANCE) - Another quality 60's/70's Turkish ethno-psych reissue.

GAYLE, CHARLES: Shout CD (Clean Feed) - A quiter and more structured, but still worthy, outing by the great Charles Gayle in his best format, the trio setting.

MORI, IKUE: Painted Desert CD (Avant) - Mori's drum machines provide the foundation for some pretty enjoyable dry surf guitar sonic landscapes by Marc Ribot and the late Robert Quine.

PSYCHIC ILLS: Mental Violence II 12” EP (TSR 014) - Debut 12" EP from this modern psych/kraut inspired outfit, who have a decent LP out now, "Dins", also on The Social Registry label. One track remixed by Pete "Sonic Boom" Kember.

I also purchased a lot more releases (22 in all!) whose fate I haven't yet decided. Among them new releases from Mecca Normal, Valley Of Ashes, the old-timey collection, "The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of" and more Jazz "back fill" by Joey Baron, Bruce Ackley, and Noah Howard. More on those later...

Raphe Malik...RIP!

Sunday, April 09, 2006

Some Releases I've Reviewed Over The Years

Just to give you an idea of what kind of music I'm into, here's a few reviews I've made for KFJC over the years. Some are from many years ago, like the early 90's. Listed in no particular order.

Mono - “Walking Cloud and Deep Red Sky ” - [Virgin Records Limited]

Japan’s Mono returns for their third full-length release with only slight refinements in their sound . Most tracks feature
Mono’s characteristic song structure: slowly building lengthy tracks, with delicate, icy guitar figures riding layers of droning strings and thick distortion that increase in waves of intensity and volume, until they explode in soaring crescendos of transcendent noise. Their sound on this outing, however, is a little more lush, with a greater emphasis on strings and more orchestral arrangements than previous recordings. There’s also a couple of shorter, quieter, less dynamic tracks that failed to impress this listener. For the most part, however, this is dynamic, almost sweepingly cinematic music, that achieves Mono’s stated goal of evoking feelings and emotions via music that are difficult to capture and describe in mere words. Play! DL

Comets on Fire - “Blue Cathedral ” - [Sub Pop Records]

Bay Area-based, KFJC favorites, Comets On Fire, return with their third studio full-length release. The material on this LP
represents the next logical step in the continuing developmentof the group’s sound. It is very similar to their previous efforts, however, the songs are a little more structured and the keyboards play an increasing role in their sonic attack. Nevertheless, from the ripping, heavy, psychosludge of the opening track, to the early-70’s Floydian prog-psych of “Brotherhood Of The Harvest", to the Chasney fueled acid folk of “Wild Whiskey", this LP is anoutstanding soundtrack for substance abuse. A little more subtle and refined, perhaps, but these guys are still just about the coolest stoners west of Dead Meadow. Highly recommended! DL

Electric Masada - “John Zorn 50TH Birthday Celabration ” - [Tzadik]

Electric Masada is a new variant of Zorn’s long running and multi-facted Masada project. The group, which may be Zorn’s
most exciting and creative project ever, features many of the top players in the Downtown NYC scene such as, Marc Ribot
(the big star of this CD, IMHO) and Ikue Mori. On this disc, they are captured live in September 2003 as part of Zorn’s
incredible month long series of concerts at Tonic (NYC) to celebrate his 50th birthday. Rocking riffs, free jazz skronk,
hard swinging grooves, and atmospheric electronic exoctica are all blended together to create the unique and incredible
Electric Masada sonic attack. Powerful, yet lyrical; this is improvisational music at its finest. Genre blurring; this casts
a light down the path of the future of music and beautifully represents the forward thinking aesthetic of KFJC. One of
the top releases this year - don’t miss out! DL

Dara - “S/T ” - [Ecstatic Peace]

Dara has been a multi-media underground artist for a number of years (including, most notably, a stint in His Name Is Alive), operating in both the Ann Arbor/Detroit and NYC areas. This one-sided 12” is her debut solo release and she’s responsible for all sounds contained withiin. Organs, synths, guitars, and assorted electronic noisemakers generate white noise drones and electro beats to create little lo-fi pop gems and instrumentals. Vocals, when present, are almost spoken, not sung,
and are delivered in a little girl voice that reminded me of Cynthia Dahl. Nothing here is gonna change your world, but a quick hit of her outsider electro-noise pop will surely leave a smile on your face. DL

Masada - “John Zorn 50TH Birthday Celebration ” - [Tzadik]

Masada is one of Zorn’s longest running and most popular projects. For those who may be unfamilar with Masada, the project represents Zorn’s attempt to create a new form of Jewish music, one that celebrates and preserves Jewish musical traditions while integrating elements of modern music, as well. Elements of klezmer, Eastern and Middle Eastern music, jazz, avant-garde, and classical are integrated to create the unique Masada sound. On this disc, they are captured live in September 2003 as part of Zorn’s incredible month long series of concerts at Tonic (NYC) to celebrate his 50th birthday. The quartet is in top form, with Zorn and Douglas weaving complex lines around each other (especially on tracks 4 and 7 - yow!) over the solid rhythm section of Cohen and (the great) Joey Baron. Whether they’re executing ensemble passages with cool precision or blowing freely, for the most part, this is improvisation at its finest. Inspiring! DL

Nadler, Marissa - “Ballads of Living and Dying ” - [Eclipse Records]

NYC-based musician and artist, Marissa Nadler, throws her hat into the ring of the, currently hot, solo femme acid folk scene with her debut release, “Ballads of Living and Dying”. Nadler’s obviously been exposed to a diverse array of influences from
old-timey americana folk to modern avant acoustic guitarists, such as Fahey, etc., to psychedelia and beyond. The tracks on this LP range from pretty straightforward solo folk to atmospheric, late night folk-psych. As the title suggests, the lyrical content explores dark themes (death/suicide, ill-fated loves, etc.), all delivered in Nadler’s sweet, ethereal vocal style. Nadler also appears to be a fairly accomplished musician and performs on a variety of stringed instruments (six and twelve string acoustic guitar, banjo, ukelele, and autopharp), as well as organ, to weave her tapesry of sound. Personal favorites include “Fifty Five Falls”, ”Mayflower May”, and her haunting treatment of Poe’s “Annabelle Lee”. An interesting and excellent release
from this promising new artist. Recommended! DL

Boris “Akuma No Uta” [Fangs Anal Satan]

Although they are not as well known as such Japanese underground heavyweights as Fushitsusha or High Rise, Boris (yes, the name was inspired by the Melvins’ song) have been producing high quality heavy psych/rock/doom/drone for more than a decade. The highlights of the album are the lengthy tracks that begin each side. “Introduction” (on the A-side, naturally) is an incredible, heavy feedback drenched, doom droner. The B-side’s, “Naki Kyoku” is a heavy psych epic that features some awesome guitarwork. The remaining four, shorter tracks are all heavy rockers, with some being in the slow grind vein and others being more punkish, up tempo scorchers. Stylistically, this is certainly their most varied release to date and, perhaps, their best, as well. Play! DL

Fursaxa - “Madrigals in Duos ” - [Time-Lag]

Fursaxa is the (mostly) solo project of Tara Burke, a Philadelphia resident who has been intriguing us for years now with her efforts in a number of groups, most notably, Un. On “Madrigals In Duos” , her third full-length release, she displays all the required skills to earn her “acid folk” merit badge. Some tracks are more straightforward, in a lo-fi folk-psych vein, featuring mainly acoustic guitar and vocals. Other tracks shoot straight for the heart of that 3AM vibe, combining cosmic organ drones with ghostly, wailing vocals. Finally, there are a couple of noisier tracks, with dissonant electric guitars and repetitive, driving, hand percussion. Beautiful and otherworldly music. Mandatory for play on late night shows. DL

Trans Am - “Liberation ” - [Thrill Jockey Records]

“Liberation”, the 7th full-length release from Washington D. C.’s, Trans Am, finds the band continuing to feature a familar mix of sonic elements - Krautrock, 80’s Synthpop, Electro-Ambience, Punk, and Post Rock. Despite its similarity to their
previous work, however, this album represents a new pinnacle of acheivement for the band. On “Liberation”, which features a strong theme of opposition to the policies of the Bush Administration, the band has a acheived a nearly perfect synthesis of cover art, “lyrical” content, and music. The cuts on this album (most of which track) flow almost seamlessly from synth-driven Krautrock grooves to danceable synthpop to late-night, electro-ambient pieces and driving rockers. The combination of political soundbites/synthesized vocals and ominous analogue sounds works perfectly to convey their damning indictment of Bush’s war in Iraq and evoke fear of Big Brother’s ever intrusive gaze/grasp. A beautiful record - sonically diverse and conceptually complete. Highly recommended! DL

Parker, William/Joe Morris/Ham - “Eloping with the Sun ” - [Hypo Production]

Three of the leading lights in the world of improvised music combine forces to create this very unique release. Performing respectively on the sintir (a Morroccan bass lute usually associated with Gnawa music), banjo and banjouke (a ukelele hybrid), and frame drum, these remarkable musicians create a sound that is both reminiscent of traditional instrumental Middle Eastern and African folk music and seemingly totally new at the same time. On each of the five tracks, Parker and Drake lay down a rhythmic groove while Morris freestyles over them like Earl Scruggs on crack. Innovative and hypnotic - play! DL

Jackie-O Motherfucker - “Change” - [Textile Records]

Jackie-O Mofo checks in with this field report as they continue on their journey down the path of musical exploration and cut-out bin obscurity. Always a fairly “free” unit, Jackie-O has toned down the louder, more raucous elements of their earlier releases in favor of a more textured, organic approach. The opening track, “Everyday”, sets the standard for that new (sub)genre that all the alleged “Americana” experts have completely missed: late-night, downcast, “free country”. “Sun Ray Harvester” is an eastern-tinged piece of atmospheric, bang and clatter, basement improv/psych. “7” is a 47 second waste of vinyl. “777 (Tombstone Massive)” mines a similar vein as ”Sun Ray Harvester”, except the eastern influences are replaced by more jazzy elements and the track is way more chaotic, in general, due to the abrupt changes that occur as a result of the track’s “cut and paste” editing.The album’s final track, “Fantasy Hay Co-Op” is another tense, late-night offering that centers around a couple of repetitive figures and is, as a result, more focused and satisfying (IMHO) than “777 (Tombstone Massive)”. Overall, this is quite an interesting and enjoyable release. Play! DL

Kinski - “Airs Above Your Station ” - [Subpop]

After 30+ years of psych/spacerock, it takes something pretty special to really make an impact on me. Unfortunately, this latest full-length from Seattle’s Kinski (their third) is not such an album. It is, however, an enjoyable record of (mostly) instrumental contemporary psych/spacerock, filled with the standard elements of the (sub)genre: analogue synth tones and drones, Krautrock rhythms, and thick, shoegaze, distorto-haze, applied in different combinations and intensities on various tracks to create music that is at some times spare, delicate, and melodic and other times is propulsive and soaring. “Semaphore” (which should already be familar to you, as a live version of it was included, under a different title, on KFJC’s, “…Devil’s Triangle, Vol. 4” compilation) and “Rhode Island Feakout” are the most straight-up rockers on the album. Both versions of “I Think I Blew It” are blissed out, ambient solo pieces by leader Chris (Ampbuzz) Martin. I find “Your Lights Are (Out Or) Burning Badly” to be reminiscent of GYBE, but in a shorter and way stripped down form. “Schedule For Using Pillows And Beanbags” is the album’s epic centerpiece. As I said, certainly nothing groundbreaking, but still an enjoyable listening experience. DL

Migrantes - “Monsoon Moods ” - [Eclipse Records]

This is the second full-length release from the Arizona Duo, Migrantes. Two tracks (A2 and B2) are actual songs in a folk psych vein. The remaining four tracks are more “otherworldly”, Featuring mainly droning organ and Caroline’s ethereal, effected vocals. “Gesture”, which features Jason on electric guitar, is the most loud/aggressive of these tracks, while “Baboquivari”, offers the most pure drone bliss. A nice soundtrack for rainy days and late nights. For those about to float…DL

Davis Redford Triad - “Code Orange ” - [Holy Mountain]

Hot on the heels of their recent stunning live performances (one at the Hemlock and one here at KFJC), comes this new disc from the Davis Redford Triad. “Code Orange” is a live collage of performances from their Spring 2002 tour. It includes material from their prvious releases, as well as rocked-out, electric versions of material from leader Steven Wray Lobdell’s excellent solo album, “Automatic Writing By The Moon“. In addition, there are three new pieces, which will appear onthe next DRT studio album. All the tracks are instrumental psych jams, some more Krautrock influenced, others more middle-eastern tinged, but all driven by the unique, effects-laden, colorful sonic attack of Lobdell and his old ES335. Overall, this certainly is worth a spin or two, but I can’t deny that it seems a little pale in comparison to the scorching brilliance of their recent shows. More proof that Dolphy was right. DL

Shipp, Matthew - “Equilibrium ” - [Thirsty Ear Recordings]

Anybody who has been at KFJC for, oh, more than a week or two, should already know that Matthew Shipp is widely regarded as the finest pianist in Jazz today. What is, perhaps, even more impressive to me than his incredible talent as a pianist, is the fact that he continues to explore new territories, rather than resting on his laurels. He could easily and, quite rightly, be satisfied with the adulation of his colleagues and fans and with the fact that he, unlike the majority musicians of any style, can make a living creating music he loves. But Shipp, through both his performances and his work as curator of Thirsty Ear’s peerless “Blue Series”, continues to push his limits and expand the concept of what Jazz is and can be. This outstanding release is the logical “next step” down Shipp’s personal path of sonic exploration, in that it brings together all the aspects of his recent recordings into a seamless mix of Jazz, beats, and electronic music. There are tracks (3) that remind you of the organic, ambient, post-music soundscapes of the “New Orbit” CD. There are tracks (2 and 4) that mix Jazz with electronics and beats, as heard on the “Nu Bop” CD. The remaining material is reminiscent of his “Pastoral Compusure” CD, in that fairly “straight ahead” Jazz tracks combine, in a less heavy handed manner, some of the elements described above to organically morph into a more modern, new form of Jazz. This is a brilliant album that, truly, can (and should) be played on almost every show. Don’t be afraid of the blue dot. Enjoy!!! DL

Sole - “Selling Live Water ” - [Anticon.]

Anticon member, Sole, returns with a very ambitious and successful second full-length release. Musically, he throws everything but the kitchen sink at you, as jazzy horns, vibes, ambient drones, bleeding Krautrock electronics, and seductive pop guitars are all integrated quite comfortably with traditional hip-hop beats, scratches, and classic soul samples. Lyrically, he also covers a lot of ground, with compelling rants about things we can all relate to (work, relationships, life/death, geo-politics) and deeply personal, soul baring sketches (that you also might be able to relate to, depending on your particular
psychoses), as well. Overall, this is a stunning release that fulfills the goals of the Anticon”mission statement” by transcending the traditional preconceptions/lmitations regarding what hip-hop is and/or could/should be. Music for the advancement of hip-hop, indeed! Play! DL

Drake, Hamid and Assif Tsahar - “Soul Bodies, Vol. 1 ” - [Ayler Records]

Having been duly impressed with, “Piercing The Veil”, Drake’s outstanding 2001 duo release with William Parker, I was looking forward to this release with great anticipation. As the liner notes indicate, Drake is currently one of the most respected percussionists in the Free Jazz scene and, like Parker, his playing impresses in seemingly every context. Tsahar, while less known, has been a major contributor in the NYC Free Jazz scene for the last decade or so, through his performances and his efforts as the head of Hopscotch Records and co-founder of the awesome Vision Festival. After the useless introduction track, there are three lenghty tracks. Two of them (the first and third tracks) are awesome freedom chases that are reminiscent of John Coltrane’s duo blowouts with Rashid Ali. The first of these, “Soul Bodies”, starts out slowly, with Tsahar soloing, before it really takes off; whereas the latter, “Heart’s Mind” is pretty scorching from beginning to end. The second track, “Clay Dancers”, is an excellent Middle-Eastern flavored piece in which Drake chants in Arabic while playing the frame drumand Tsahar adds some very tasteful bass clarinet. Excellent! DL

Howard, Noah - “Live at the Unity Temple” - [Ayler Records]

Like all but the biggest names in free jazz, Noah Howard has labored in relative obscurity for many years, despite performing with such luminaries as Albert Ayler, Archie Shepp, and Sun Ra and having releases on such legendary labels as ESP, Freedom, and so on. On this release, Howard leads his long-running and very tight quartet through five original compositions, including two of his signature pieces, “The Blessing” and “Schizophrenic Blues”. Howard’s playing is crisp,
melodic, and clear: alternating intense freedom chases with passages of mournful, Coleman-esque alto wailing. Pianist Bobby Few is also quite impressive on this date, providing an appropriate foundation in every instance for Howard’s alto flights. In fact, my only real complaint with this release is that Few’s incredible assaults on the keyboard are often times difficult to fully
hear (and appreciate) amongst Howard and Duncan’s sonic attack; such is the nature of live to two track recordings. Overall, a very satisfying blast of free jazz - enjoy! DL

Gate - “Metric ” - [Majora]

This latest LP from Gate (the solo/side project of Dead C. guitarist, Michael Morley) is a reissue of a 1991 cassette only release on Morley’s own Precious Metal label. The sound here is similar to the Dead C. (in fact, “Hope” and “Constellations” were later recorded by the Dead C.), although these tracks have a noticeably more “normal” song structure. Each side begins with a quietier, somber track which is followed by two tracks of dense Dead C. distorto-disintegration. The final track on each side is short. “Evidence” is a spliced tape sampler and “Forced Sight” is an excellent track with thick feedback over a droning organ. A great record: possibly my favorite by the Dead C. or any of its members. Play! DL

Sun City Girls - “Kaliflower ” - [Abduction]

Another blast from the prolific Sun City Girls. Most of the tracks exhibit their trademark eastern influences with lots of chanting, an emphasis on percussion, and twisted, psychotic instrumental workouts. A couple of the tracks, however, have an almost “normal” pop/rock sound. Yes, this is probably their most accessible release to date, but it is still great. Hopefully, those of you who’ve been scared by their previous releases will now give some airtime to one of the most innovative artists going. One of the bestreleases of the year. Play! DL

Cohran, Philip & the A.H.E. - ”S/T ” - [Aestruarium]

Although he has been credited on only a few releases, Phil Cohran has been among the leading lights of the Chicago Jazz scene for over 40 years. Highlights of his resume include being a member of the Arkestra in the early 60’s and being one of the founders of the AACM, along with such notables as Richard Muhal Abrams, Lester Bowie, and so on. This release documents previously unissued recordings of Cohran’s Artistic Heritage Ensemble from the mid-60’s. The music sounds like what you’d expect from an associate of Sun Ra and the Art Ensemble crew: extended jams that display a heavy African/Middle Eastern influence, with lots of hand percussion, bells, and exotic, homemade instruments like the violin uke and the Frankophone (an amplified Kalimba). Highlights include the showcase for the droning violin uke, “Unity” and the two Frankophone showcases, “On The Beach” and “New Frankophone Blues”. Truly a great discovery. Play! DL

Saturday, April 08, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 1/1/06 - 3/31/06

Well, a quarter of the year has come and gone. Here's a list of the releases I added and didn't add to my music collection during that the first quarter. Note - While the majority of these are new releases (or new reissues), a few are just things I recently became hip to and purchased.

2006

ADDs - 43

ASSEMBLE HEAD IN SUNBURST SOUND “S/T” lp (sunburst sound)

BADAWI: Safe CD ASPHODEL ASPH 2030CD

BAIN WOLFKIND: Music For Lovers & Gangsters CD (Hau Ruuk)

BLACK MOUNTAIN: “S/T” LP (JAG LP)

BLIND ALLEY: “The Ruby Kennel Club” CD (FREEK)

CASTRO, NICK AND THE POISON TREE: Further From Grace LP (Eclipse)

CAT POWER: The Greatest LP Matador

CROOK WITH THE RENDERERS, MARYROSE: Ghosts of Our Vegas Lives CD (3BOS 1009CD)

DER BLUTHARSCH: When Did Wonderland End? LP (NKW)

Drake, Hamid & Assif Tsahar: Live at Glenn Miller Café Soul Bodies Vol 2 CD aylCD-025

Drake, Hamid & Bindu: Bindu CD

ELECTRIC MASADA: At the Mountains of Madness 2CD (TZ 7352)

FEATHERS: CD-EP (Self Released)

FORSETI: “ERDE” CD

FROST, EDITH: It’s A Game LP (Drag City)

FUNCTION: The Secret Miracle Fountain CD (LOCUST 076CD)

GHQ “COSMOLOGY OF EYE” lp (TIME-LAG 031)

HJARNIDAUDI: Pain:noise:march CD (Paradigms)

ILK: Canticle CD (VHF 087CD)

LAMP OF THE UNIVERSE: Earth, Spirit & Sky LP (September Girls)

LUBELSKI, SAMARA: Spectacular of Passages LP (DESTIJL 054LP)

MAMMATUS: Mammatus CD (HOLY 17974CD)

MC BAIN, JOHN; The In-Flight Feature CD (Duna 011)

MEDESKI, MARTIN, & WOOD: Note Bleu: Best Of The Blue Note Years 1998 - 2005 2XLP (Blue Note)

OCTOPUS SYNG: Beyond the Karmadelic Coldness, There's the Lovadelic Warmth LP (Nasoni)

ODAWAS: Aether Eater LP (Birds And Rockets)

PARKER, WILLIAM: Long Hidden: The Olmec Series CD AUM FIDELITY AUM 036CD

PERERIN: Teithgan LP (GUESS 024LP)

PSYCHIC ILLS: Dins CD (TSR 024)

PINK MOUNTAINTOPS: Axis of Evol LP (JAG 083LP)

SELDA: Vurulduk Ey Halkim Unutma Bizi CD (WPC6 8492)

SUISHOU NO FUNE: Where The Spirits Are CD (HOLY 261283)

UFOMAMMUT : Lucifer Songs LP (Rocket)

WOODEN WAND AND THE VANISHING VOICE: Buck Dharma LP
(TIME-LAG 026)

WOODEN WAND: HAREM OF THE SUNDRUM & THE WITNESS FIGG
LP + 7” (TIME-LAG 028/029)

WOODEN WAND AND THE VANISHING VOICE: Gipsy Freedom 2XLP

ZORN, JOHN: Filmworks XIII CD

ZORN, JOHN: Filmworks XIV CD

ZORN, JOHN: Filmworks XV CD

ZORN, JOHN: Filmworks XVII CD (TZ 7353)

ZORN, JOHN: Filmworks XVIII: The Treatment CD (TZ 7355)

VA: Fonotone Records (1956-1969) 5CD BOX (DTD 003CD)

VA: Looking For Europe 4CD BOX (Auerbach Tonträger)


NOT ADDED - 39

AGAMENON: Todos Rien de Mi LP (GUESS 025LP)

BEANS: Only CD (THS 357167)

BIG STAR: In Space LP (DBK 115LP)

BUCKLEY, TIM: Goodbye and Hello LP (4M 132LP)

Causa Sui - S/T DBL LP (Nasoni)

CITAY: Citay CD (IMPREC 071CD)

Earthling Society - Albion LP (Nasoni)

Es - Sateenkaarisuudelma DBL LP (K-RAA-K)

FLOATING DI MOREL “REAL PEOPLE PSYCH” lp (marshy power, germany)

FOSTER, JOSEPHINE: A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing CD (LOCUST 079CD)

GYSIN, BRION: One Night @ the 1001 2CD SUB ROSA

LARSEN: SeieS CD (IMPREC 083CD)

LEAKH - Et Cetera CD (Prophecy Productions)

LIARS: Drum's Not Dead LP/DVD (STUMM 246LP)

LOS JAIVAS “EL VOLANTIN” lp (shadoks music, germany)

MASSACRE: Killing Time CD (FRO 010CD)

SHAWN DAVID MCMILLEN "CATFISH" lp (emperor jones)

MONO: You Are There CD (TRR 098CD)

MUDDY WORLD: Finery of the Storm CD (TZ 7261)

MULDROW, GEORGIA ANNE: Worthnothings CD (STH 2135CD)

OF THE WAND AND THE MOON: Midnight Will CD-EP (Heidrunar Myrkrunar)

OSTARA: Kingdom Gone CD (Eis Und Licht)

Painting Petals on the Planet Ghost - s/t LP (Time-Lag Records 030)

PEARLS AND BRASS: The Indian Tower LP (DC 300LP)

PEDRO: Pedro 2CD (MH 240CD)

POREST: Tourrorists! CD (ABD 034CD)

7 YEAR RABBIT CYCLE: Wind Machines LP (FPS 008LP)

SUPER NUMERI: The Welcome Table 2LP (ZEN 097LP)

TOWN AND COUNTRY: Up Above CD (THR 165CD)

MARK TUCKER “BATSTEW” lp (destijl)

VON, RONNIE: A Misteriosa Luta do Reino de Parassempre Contra... LP

WITCH: S/T CD (TP 065)

WIZARDZZ: Hidden City of Taurmond CD LOAD RECORDS

WOODEN WAND AND THE VANISHING VOICE: The Flood CD

ZORN, JOHN: Filmworks VIII CD

ZORN, JOHN: Filmworks IX CD

VA: And To The Disciples That Remain CD (AMI 023CD)

VA: Tibetan and Bhutanese Instrumental and Folk Music CD (SR 230CD)

VA: Wayfaring Strangers: Ladies From the Canyon CD NUMERO GROUP
NUMERO 008CD

Adbusters Rules!

One of the best magazines out there today. Always thought provoking in an artful way. If you're not familar with it, then do yourself a favor and check out Adbusters!

Over Rated: WFMU

In the interest of full disclosure I must note that I have been involved with KFJC 89.7 FM since 1989, so, obviously, I am biased in these matters.

Nevertheless, I must say that NYC-based free form radio legends, WFMU, are incredibly over rated. Sure, they have a few shows that are quite progressive in their sound. And, yes, the majority of their remaining shows do not play a lot of material that you would hear on commercial stations. These shows do, however, tend to be focused on a lot of novelty crap, which, again, is outside of the mainstream, but that alone doesn't make it good music nor is it really the kind of boundary pushing programming that truly committted underground stations should be featuring. Overall, I'm sorry, but I'm not very impressed with WFMU.

If KFJC were in NYC, instead of Los Altos Hills, CA, we'd rightfully be reknown as being the most cutting edge station on the planet - and we'd be blowin' the doors off of WFMU!

Friday, April 07, 2006

Under Rated: Noah Howard

Although he is documented on relatively few releases, alto saxophonist, Noah Howard, is one of the truly great free jazz players.

Howard was born in New Orleans in 1943. He started out on trumpet (the instrument he played in the military during the early '60s) but subsequently switched to alto. He was on the ground floor of the early free jazz movement, making his debut as a leader for the groundbreaking ESP label, with a pair of releases in 1966 (NOAH HOWARD QUARTET and NOAH HOWARD AT JUDSON HALL).

Dissatisfied with the reception given his music — and the avant-garde movement in general — in America, Howard, like so many American free jazz musicians of the era, relocated to Europe in the late 60's. There, he played with Frank Wright, most notably on Wright's UHURU NA UMOJA LP. He also recorded with Dutch masters, Misha Mengelberg and Han Bennink (among others) on PATTERNS, which he issued on his own AltSax label.

Howard continued to languish in relative obscurity, with only sporadic releases of his recording activities for the majority of the next three decades, until the late 90's when interest/visibility in his career was renewed with the reissue of PATTERNS (along with a 1979 recording, MESSAGE TO SOUTH AFRICA) on the great Eremite imprint. Releases of his recordings then began to appear on labels other than AltSax, most notably, a pair of awesome live dates from 1997, NOAH HOWARD QUARTET - IN CONCERT (Cadence) and LIVE AT THE UNITY TEMPLE (Ayler). Other worthy releases/reissues in the new millenium include, LIVE AT DOCUMENTA IX (reissued in 2002 by Boxholder) and a compilation of a wide range of his recordings, NOAH HOWARD - THE EYE OF THE IMPROVISER (2003 on Howard's AltSax imprint). He has also made a number of recordings with vocalist, Eve Packer, which I must sadly admit that I have not yet sampled, so I can't make any comments on them.

Spurious observations/points - Howard's best recordings seem to come in the quartet setting and, in particular, he seems to leave a lot of space for/relies on the excellent pianists who have graced his recordings, most noatably, Bobby Few (another under rated free jazz great!). I must also say that I'm surprised that in all the influences name dropped in reference to Howard (Ayler, Coleman, and so on), the name, John Coltrane, never comes up. Yeah, Howard plays alto, but his style, especially on those 1997 live dates really reminds me of Coltrane and he has released at least two Coltrane covers (Ole and Afro Blue) and one homage (We Remember John).

I'm glad that Howard has finally begun to get a little more credit for being a truly great alto player and an early avant-garde innovator. If you're not familar with his work and you're interested in free jazz, then you owe it to yourself to check out Noah Howard!

Monday, April 03, 2006

Fuck The MLS And AEG

As a dedicated season ticket holder of the San Jose Earthquakes, I just want to say - fuck The MLS And AEG, for taking away the Quakes. This move to the greener pastures of Houston is a complete bunch of bullshit. The fact is there is no stadium deal in Houston. AEG acts like this guy Luck is some great manager, yet he bungled something as basic as naming the team. Already they've had to change their initial poor selection, The 1836. I think Horse-Thieves would be an appropriate alliteration. In addition, the new stadium in a Texas market experiment has already been tried in Dallas. They drew approximately 2,000 per game LESS than the Earthquakes, even with a winning team and their new stadium. So fuck you, again, AEG and the MLS! I won't watch a fucking match of your pathetic league until the Bay Area gets another team!