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Universal Ensemble Berlin
1990 release ** "The 'Gruppe Neue Musik Berlin' (Berlin New Music Group) represents an interesting aspect of Berlin's recent musical history: unlike comparable ensembles in other German cities, it is not, and has never been, committed to a unified style or to any one school. Although an organised, creative group, improvisation remains a permanent element. The cooperative project's aim is to facilitate performances outside the avant-garde music establishment, while preserving a high standard of i…
Diazepam
*200 copies limited edition* Drift, the ambient music project led by Gabriele Giuliani, originally active from 1995 to 1999 and recently revived after a lengthy hiatus, has become a significant name in the realm of isolationist ambient music. Drift’s compositions are often described as stark and minimalist, while the project’s albums have been lauded for their ultra-bleak soundscapes, characterized by extended, immersive tracks that evoke a sense of desolation, cementing Drift’s status as a cult…
Dreaming Of The Masters Suite
1991 release ** "During the late '80s and early '90s, the Art Ensemble of Chicago recorded a number of albums for the Japanese DIW label. While a couple of these releases were fine additions to their catalog (notably, Dreaming of the Masters, Vol. 1 and The Art Ensemble of Soweto), the majority found the band treading water, breezing through tunes and structures long a staple of their repertoire but rarely either breaking new ground or playing with inspiration. Dreaming of the Masters Suite is a…
12²
1998 release ** "Wendy Mae Chambers (b 1953) is known for the scope and originality of her works, typified by large and unusual instrumental combinations. In Chambers’s own words, Twelve² is a voodoo tone poem in eleven movements for twelve percussionists. Each movement is about 4 minutes in length. The last movement is 4'33" of lots of sound (in tribute to John Cage's 4'33" of silence). Voodoo drumming [calls] forth Cage’s spirit and the bells, chimes, and gongs [celebrate] ... celestial qualit…
Funny Valentine
In 1983, Bill Laswell's Celluloid label released a minor masterpiece by a downtown power trio called Massacre; the group consisted of Fred Frith on guitar, Laswell on bass and Fred Maher on drums. The album was called Killing Time, and it was a brilliant combination of quirky but composed avant-gardisms, experimental noise and post-punk funk. That album remains one of the great monuments of the downtown scene, right up there with A Taste of DNA and No New York. Fifteen years later, Frith and Las…
Aleph
In his liner notes to Aleph, Terry Riley explains that the work was created as "an improvised meditation on the various meanings of this supreme emanation from the Hebrew alphabet." It was made using a Korg Triton Studio 88 synth with his own sound design, and employing a just intonation scale used by Lou Harrison on his last work, "Nek Chand for Just Intonation National Steel Guitar," which was performed by Riley's son Gyan on the album Serenado. Riley has been using the scale for some time. Th…
Avant-Bass Live
1993 release (RARE) ** "Based in Chicago but originally from Japan, Tatsu Aoki is an acoustic bassist who recorded mostly avant-garde jazz in the '90s but can also handle straight-ahead post bop and traditional Japanese music. At times, he has combined jazz with elements of Asian music. Aoki was born and raised in Tokyo but moved to Chicago in 1978, when he was 19. Much of Aoki's music owes a strong debt to the AACM school of "outside" improvisation; often favoring space and silence over density…
Invisible Design
*In process of stocking. 2022 stock.* Tzadik is proud to present a solo album by contemporary music's most adventurous musical terrorist. An indefatigable instigator of countless musical projects, from funk, rock, hip hop and jazz to world music, ambient and a milliard of creative hybrids, Laswell steps here as a composer. Eight tracks showcasing full range of musical obsessions, radical studio techniques and virtuosic bass playing. Invisible Design is a CD of Black magic and spiritual passion. …
Naked curvature
Active since the 1960s, composer/performer/educator/instrument builder and improviser David Rosenboom, has been at the cutting edge of contemporary music, scoring for orchestra, opera, solo performance, chamber ensembles, improvisers, electronics, dance and more. This exciting release presents his whispered chamber opera/concerto grosso for six instrumentalists, whispering voices, electronics and interactive computer software. Written in modular open form sections allowing each performanc…
Meltdown
*In process of stocking. 2022 stock.* A blistering live performance by one of the greatest instrumental rock trios ever. Fred Frith, Bill Laswell and Charles Hayward have each been responsible for some of the greatest concerts in new music in the last twenty years, and collectively they take rock improvisation to ecstatic new heights. Beautifully recorded by longtime Laswell associate Oz Fritz at Robert Wyatt’s Meltdown Festival in London, 2001, Meltdown is one of the most exciting recordings by…
The Icp Orchestra Performs Nichols - Monk
1989 release ** "The Nichols program, recorded in 1984, was by a band with Sean Bergin (alto sax), Michael Moore (alto sax), Maurice Horsthuis (viola), Toon de Gouw (trumpet), Han Bennink (drums), Ernst Reijseger (cello), Paul Thermos (alto sax), Steve Lacy (soprano sax), Larry Fishkind (tuba), Misha Mengelberg (piano), Wolter Wierbos (trombone), and Garret List (trombone). The Monk program, from 1986, consisted of Ab Baars (soprano and tenor sax, clarinet), Michael Moore (alto sax and clarinet)…
Devils On Drums (From The Sado-Island / Japan)
1986 release ** "Ondekoza (鬼太鼓座, Ondekoza) ("demon drum group"), sometimes referred to as "Za Ondekoza", is a Japanese troupe specializing in taiko drumming. Founded in 1969 by Den Tagayasu, Ondekoza was influential in the rise of the kumi-daiko (group taiko) style of taiko. Not a taiko player himself, Tagayasu helped transform taiko from a festival-based music form to a virtuosic performance art performed on stage. Ondekoza's performances in North America in 1975 was the first exposure for many…
Geboren, um zu dienen
8th part in the ongoing re-release series of all early Tietchens albums between 1980—1991. Described by Tietchens himself as his »Industrial« album, »Geboren, um zu Dienen« was originally released on the spanish Esplendor Geometrico label in 1986. The CD version incl. three unreleased bonus tracks from the same period and comes with a full colour fold-out booklet incl. liner notes by Tietchens himself.
Adventures In Sound / Nachtstücke
First in a series of 18 CD's aiming to make available all early vinyl albums by Asmus Tietchens between 1980—1991 on CD. Each release features the original tracks (sometimes extended / original versions) + unreleased bonus tracks from the same recording period, original artwork + accompanying texts by Tietchens. This — the only 2CD in the series — feat. his very first album Nachtstücke from 1980 (incl. 4 bonus tracks) + a 2nd CD with archive material recorded with his long time friend Okko Bekke…
Formen letzter Hausmusik
Part six in the ongoing re-release series of all early Tietchens albums on CD. »Formen letzter Hausmusik« was originally released on UNITED DAIRIES (the label run by Steven Stapleton of Nurse With Wound) in 1984. The original album consisted of a mix of archive tracks from the late 1960's / early 1970's and new tracks specially recorded for the release. Many people see »Formen letzter Hausmusik« as the first »real« Tietchens album laying the basis of what was about to follow in his long record…
New Archaic Music
1990 release ** "...melodic compositions in artistic arrangements for four wind instruments."
E
Continuing with the ongoing re-release series of all early Asmus Tietchens vinyl albums between 1980 and 1991, "E" was originally released on LP by Dom in 1988. This CD reissue includes both tracks from the bonus 7", "U", that came with the first pressing of the LP, plus two unreleased tracks from that period. As always the original cover artwork is reproduced as a fold out poster. The booklet includes editorial remarks on the release. Ltd x 600 copies.
Watching The Burning Bride
Long-awaited double cd reissue of the two Asmus Tietchens/Burrows collaborations which sound still remarkably fresh today. Watching The Burning Bride was originally released on Terry Burrows' label Hamster in 1986, while the second collaboration came out on Disaster Area in 1998. As usual the booklet reproduces the original lp sleeves and a lengthy text by Terry Burrows on how the collaboration between the two artists came about is also included. The release includes two short bonus tracks.
Monoposto
"17th and final part in the re-release series of all early Tietchens albums between 1980—1991. Originally released on Dom Elchklang in 1991. This new version incl. 3 Bonus tracks and is another joint release by German labels Die Stadt and aufabwegen. Jewel case with full color artwork and poster booklet also feat. the original front and back cover. First edition of 600 copies. “It was just before the end of the heroic times when CV Liquidsky and I decided to record a studio album together. Almos…
Stupor Mundi
Part 14th in the ongoing re-release series of all early Asmus Tietchens Vinyl albums between 1980-1991. 'Stupor Mundi' (Discos Esplendor Geometrico EGD 018) was originally released in 1990. This re-release comes with another poster booklet and feat. 4 Bonus tracks of unreleased material from the same period. Joint release with Auf Abwegen. 600 copies. Asmus Tietchens about the album: 'The opener of the album cites: 'Gitarren spielen kann ich leider noch nicht...' ('Unfortunately I can't play any…