Jazz & Improvisation / All styles

Ogun presents For the Blue Notes, Louis Moholo-Moholo's 8-piece Unit recorded live at the Theatre Manzoni in Milan, Italy, on 4 March 2012.

It was May 2009 when I first heard Alexander Hawkins play at the Vortex Jazz Club, with the Anthony Braxton s cornet-playing protégé Taylor Ho Bynum, bassist Dominic Lash and drummer Harris Eisenstadt in the Convergence Quartet. The music was an idiomatic white-knuckle ride, and all the players were variously fascinating but the then 28 year-old Hawkins was a revelation, for the audacity of his ideas, the depth of his understanding of both thematic and free-form musics, and for his Cecil Taylor-…

Ogun presents Before the Wind Changes, the quartet of Chris McGregor, Dudu Pukwana, Johnny Dyani and Louis Moholo-Moholo recorded live at Jazzclub De Hoop, Waregem, Belgium on 1st July 1979.

** Limited LP sealed w/hype sticker ** Afro7 Records presents Let's Go by The Scorpios. Everyone’s favourite Sudanese collective from London is back with another full album! Traditional meets today and everything in-between - future classic!

Ogun presents From Granite to Wind by Keith Tippett Octet. A 2011 CD release (currently out of print) on the Ogun label, recorded by the Octet at the Real World Studios on 30/31 January of that year. "Keith Tippett has been one of the UK's most inventive solo improvisers and composers since the 1970s, and this continuous-performance suite is a fine representation of those skills. It's a framework for the impressionistic poetry of his vocalist wife Julie Tippett, and the sax-playing of four fine …

Ogun presents Spiritual Knowledge and Grace. Transport hassles threatened to spoil the opening night of the Blue Notes 1979 Dutch tour, as Chris McGregor was delayed in reaching Eindhoven. Frank Wright was in town however and accepted Louis's invited to join him, Dudu and Johnny for a blow. And, blessed be, the gig was taped... Louis Moholo-Moholo - drums, voice. Dudu Pukwana - alto sax, piano, whistle, voice. Johnny Dyani - bass, piano, voice. Rev. Frank Wright - tenor sax, bass, voice.

Ogun presents Live at the Purcell Room by Keith Tippett & Julie Tippett. Released on CD in 2010 but currently out of print, this album sees the Couple in Spirit caught live in concert at the Purcell Room in London's South Bank Centre on 14th November 2008, as part of the London Jazz Festival. The recording was originally broadcast on BBC Radio 3's 'Jazz on 3' programme. Released on CD in 2010 but currently out of print, this album sees the Couple in Spirit caught live in concert at the Purcell R…

Ogun presents An Open Letter to my Wife Mpumi by Louis Moholo-Moholo Unit.  Louis Moholo-Moholo - drums and vocals. Jason Yarde - soprano, alto & baritone saxophones. Ntshuks Bonga - alto & tenor saxophones. Pule Pheto - piano. Orphy Robinson - vibraphone. John Edwards - bass. Francine Luce - vocals. Recorded in London, Nov 2008. "It's a ragged and jam-like studio set with a raucous live feel - but it confirms Moholo-Moholo's presence on the scene as a blast of fresh air." - The Guardian

For its appearance at the 2004 edition of the Ruvo Festival, Canto General founder and festival director Pino Minafra invited Keith Tippett, Tippetts and Louis Moholo-Moholo to guest with the orchestra and the Faraualla singers. With a repertoire drawn from Mongezi Feza, Dudu Pukwana, Harry Miller and some Keith Tippett originals, the musicians paid tribute to those who had sought to bring forth light and sound through jazz from beneath the desperate dark shadow of apartheid.

A duo recording from October 2004, produced by Evan Parker, which marked the first time that Louis Moholo-Moholo and Stan Tracey had worked together for thirty years and the first time ever as a duo. The pair entered Gateway Studios in Kingston, London with no prior discussion on what form the music should take, choosing instead to let the music take them. This glorious album is the result.

One of the most beautiful albums of the first production of the great South African pianist. Recorded live in 1965 at Cafe Montmartre in Copenhagen, in trio with Johnny Gertze - double bass and Makaya Ntshoko - drums, "Anatomy of a South African Village" shows the various aspects of the poetics of the then Dollar Brand and future Abdullah Ibrahim. From the circular and hypnotic pianism of African inspiration to the angularity of Monkish style, here expressed in the declared reinterpretation of c…

A memorable session in August 1963 when in the hot New York, John Tchicai - alto sax, Archie Shepp - tenor sax, Don Moore - double bass and J.C. Moses - drums, met each other. Four young lions of the New Thing struggling with scratchy themes and a lot of highly contagious rhythms.

A magnificent document of the music of the young Paul Bley. Recorded at the end of 1965 with Kent Carter - double bass and Barry Altschul - drums, "Touching" shows the already advanced musical conception of someone who over the years will establish himself as one of the greatest pianists in the history of Jazz. Between original pieces and compositions by Carla Bley and Annette Peacock, Bley's music unfolds with an autonomous step and extreme originality compared to most of the avant-garde pianis…

An album of piano / drums duets that Louis named for his beloved, and now tragically departed, wife Mpumi. The recordings took place in London in September, 1995, though the album was not actually released until 2002. "Louis Moholo-Moholo, Son of the soil, has embarked on this musical journey with two of South Afrika's treasures - pianists Mervyn Africa and Pule Pheto. The third Pianist being his old favourite and friend, Keith Tippett. Louis's vibrant, warm and marvellous sounds celebrate the m…

Ogun presents Bò Kay La Vi​-​a by Francine Luce. One of the lesser-known gems in the Ogun catalogue - check the the list of participating musicians to start with! Francine, originally from Martinique but a long-time resident of the UK, has contributed her unique vocals to Louis Moholo-Moholo's Unit and Septet, and to the Dedication Orchestra, but this her debut album from 1999 remains her only recorded output under her name on Ogun.

Ogun presents Bush Fire by Louis Moholo, Evan Parker, Pule Pheto, Gibo Pheto, Barry Guy Quintet. Recorded at Gateway Studio, London in July, 1995 and released in 1997. "Musicians who refuse to follow passing fashions represent a vital rejuvenating force on any music scene, and perhaps especially today in a jazz world dominated by nostalgia and revisits to the past. The influence of South African musicians on the British jazz scene has been a crucial inspiration to that kind of independence. Loui…

A second volume of valuable documents from the Ogun archives by label co-founder Harry Miller. the tracks come from three sessions spanning 1977-1982. All feature Harry on bass with Louis Moholo-Moholo behind the drum kit and Trevor Watts on sax, other musicians included are Alan Wakeman (sax), Bernie Holland (guitar), Keith Tippett (piano), Alan Tomlinson (trombone), Dave Holdsworth (trumpet). This joyful music, at times rough around the edges but full of life and spirit, conviction and enthusi…

Precious artefacts from the Miller family's box of tapes. This album presents three tracks recorded in London (1973) with a line up of Harry Miller, Louis Moholo-Moholo, Chris McGregor, Mike Osborne, Nick Evans. Four more tracks come from a French festival (1976) with Miller, Moholo-Moholo and Osborne joined by Keith Tippett, Mark Charig and Malcolm Griffiths.

“Procession” captures Chris McGregor’s Anglo/South African big band in explosive form. Originally released on LP in 1978, this historic recording has been painstakingly restored from the original two-track analogue masters for this 2013 CD edition, which features an additional 23 minutes of music.

King Crimson/Soft Machine alumnus Mark Charig played in Keith Tippett's group and Centipede big band, and here on his sole Ogun album Keith and vocalist Ann Winter formed a trio to create a gem of free improvisation. Recorded over two cold days in January 1977, in a Bristol church, it was released on LP as OG 710, then reissued in 2010 on CD (OGCD033) with an extra previously unreleased track.

The phenomenal trio of Mike Osborne, Harry Miller and Louis Moholo-Moholo at their fiery best. Tracks 1-6 were recorded at the Willisau festival in Switzerland in April 1975. Track 7 is of vague origin but is of a similar vintage, recorded live in Europe (somewhere...)

** Two LPs (Border Crossing + Marcel's Muse) on one CD, in a six-panel digisleeve ** Reissue (from 2004) of the two Mike Osborne albums released by Ogun on LP format now together on CD: 'Border Crossing', featuring the renowned Trio with Louis Moholo and Harry Miller, recorded live at the famous Peanuts Club in Bishopsgate, London, in 1974, and 'Marcel's Muse' recorded in 1977. "Uneven and raw, but full of unflinching magic and flinty beauty." - John Fordham, The Guardian

Recorded live in a French club in May 1978, this important document captures the Soft Head line up on cracking form and in quality audio crispness. The original LP was released in 1978 (OG527) and the CD reissue (OGCD013) in 1996, including two extra tracks. Please note the typo on the spine - Soft Heap - this album does not feature Pip Pyle! Hugh Hopper - bass guitarElton Dean - alto sax, saxelloAlan Gowen - electric piano, synthesiserDave Sheen - drums

Ogun presents Coxhill on Ogun by Lol Coxhill. Packaged in a double-gated cardboard sleeve including a short biography of Lol Coxhill, portrait photo and visuals on inner panels. Artwork [Inside Etching] – Claire Coxhill. Artwork [Inside Painting] – Stephen Cochrane. Executive Producer – Hazel Miller. Layout – David Ilic. Mastered By [CD Mastering] – Shawn. Photography [Portrait] – An Italian Friend. Soprano Saxophone, Producer – Lol Coxhill. Visuals: "Diverse" illustration (front) from Victorian…

This famous recording previously released as an LP now on CD with extra music launched the Ogun label. Recorded live at the Willisau Jazz Festival, Sept. 1974. Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath big band was exciting packed audiences throughout Europe, and needed an outlet provided by this new label, home of the South African family. The cover was designed by Niklaus Troxler with sleeve notes by Val Wilmer. Recorded live at Willisau, Switzerland, 27 January 1973 by Roland Janz. Edited and re…

** Carefully remastered. 4 page booklet with rare and unpublished photos ** In May 1972, the wave of anger and the thirst for freedom that had swept the world in 1968 arrived in Madagascar. The Malagasy youth took the opportunity to exile in search of a brighter future. Several of them, all jazz musicians and often polyintrumentalists, came to Paris with their afro hair and bellbottoms. Their names were Sylvin Marc, his cousin Ange "Zizi" Japhet, Del Rabenja, Gérard Rakotoarivony and Frank Rahol…

** Carefully remastered. 4 page booklet with rare and unpublished photos ** While he was working on the repertoire for the new version of his group Malagasy, with young Malagasy musicians he had met in Paris in 1972 (and who can be heard on the album "Malagasy At Newport-Paris"), Jef Gilson realised that two of his new discoveries, in addition to being established polyinstrumentalists (who both had sharpened their skills in the legendary seja-jazz band from La Réunion, Le Club Rythmique), were a…

** Carefully remastered. 4 page booklet with rare and unpublished photos.** Paris, May 13th 1968. There was a general strike. One last plane left the runway, strewn with flaming oil drums. On board were three jazz musicians wondering whether they would be able to return home one day. But for the time being they really want to make it to Madagascar where concerts and workshops with young local musicians were waiting for them. Pianist and bandleader Jef Gilson was accompanied by his bassist Gilber…

* Featuring contributions from the queen of afrofuturism, June Tyson. Includes a bonus cut from the same sessions, not available on the original LP. * True studio albums of Ra with the Arkestra are rare on this planet or beyond. This studio saucer is an interplanetary interpreter, here to convert even the faintest of heart to the sounds of Sun Ra. Recorded with Arkestra veterans at the same NY studio that hosted countless Sun Ra sessions since the late 60s, this first ever reissue of Celestial L…

** 2021 Stock ** Assagai's debut for Philips' progressive subsidiary Vertigo was realized in 1971 to quiet applause. Critics soon became favorable as Afro-rock gained a foothold as the "next big thing" and it wasn't long before they would make their (only) appearance on Top of the Pops. Their journey in London's predominantly progressive underground music scene was brief, but also established a further chapter in the annals of Afro-rock alongside Black Velvet, Osibisa, Thor's Anvil, Uhuru and Th…

The title of Horace Tapscott's debut release is apt, if not self-referential, for indeed a giant of West Coast jazz had awakened with this, the pianist / composer / bandleader's 1969 album for the Flying Dutchman label. Tapscott went on to form two groups crucial to the flowering of modern jazz in the Los Angeles area, the Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra (or P.A.P.A.; the name is an homage to Tapscott's predecessor and peer, Sun Ra), which eventually became part of a larger umbrella organization, U…

Legendary British saxsophoneist Evan Parker, and two great improvisers from Denamark Lotte Anker and Torben Snekkestad. Three reed's masters from different generations in beautiful perfomance where logic, philosopy and emotions build astonishing space. Recorded live at “KoncertKirken – Blågårds Plads” in Copenhagen, 24th Of September, 2016 By John Fomsgaard. Mixed And Mastered By John Fomsgaard at Karmacrew. Cover Design: Małgorzata Lipińska. Executive Producer: Maciej Karłowski.

Six sounds, six perspectives, six personalities. The “Sestetto Internazionale” is unique in different ways. You won’t find this line up a second time: two soprano saxophones, violine, piano, turntables and quartertone accordeon. Three high melody instruments and three instruments which act rhythmically and harmonically and melodically. But those cathegories don’t exist here. The only thing that counts is listening. These six worldclass improvisors like to create and expend sound scapes. It’s not…

We don't need to explain anything. Pianist Agusti Fernandez and bass player Barry Guy, probably two most important and creative masters of their instrument and incredibly creative musician work together with great success from many years. Recently they invited to company a young Catalan saxophonist Don Malfon, one of the most promising voice on the scene. Result? Fully improvised cycle of seven miniatures recorded live on Kultur-Schranne in Dachau (Germany) that portray these marvelous artists i…

First time ever in the studio! Two great musicians! Double bass virtuoso from France, Bernard Santacruz and drum wizard Michael Zerang from the USA. Beautifully recorded in the legendary studio La Buissone in Pernes les Fontaines, where was made some most excellent recordings in such labels like for example ECM. Recorded on October 14th 2019 at Studio La Buissonne by Gérad de Haro. Mixed by Gérard de Haro. Mastering Nicolas Baillard. Liner Note: Michel Dorbon. Photo: Michel Dorbon. Cover design,…

Trevor Watts: a legendary man, an exceptional saxophonist, a forerunner of everything that is really valuable in European improvised music, turned 80 last year. As a still active and extremely creative musician (his latest productions can be found primarily in the Listen Foundation! catalog), his long creative journey took many artistic challenges. So before you reach for the music contained in this box set, here is a brief historical outline. Around the mid-1960s, after sharing their musical ex…

Twenty years ago bass player Rafał Mazur started his journey in the improvised music world. From that time he became one of the key figures on the European scene and one of the most adventurous acoustic bass players in the world. From that time he played with such great improvisers as Laurence D. Butch Morris, Joelle Leandre, Barry Guy, Agusti Fernandez among others. Now we celebrate this jubilee by releasing the four-CD box set where Rafał invited to play the music of such fantastic musicians a…

First time ever on CD, never before published Cecil Taylor Quintet feat. Harri Sjostrom - sax, Tristan Honsinger - cello, Teppo Hauta-aho - bass, and Paul Lovens - drums. The legendary band recorded live at Tampere Jazz Happening 1998. Recorded October 30.1998 at Tampere Jazz Happening by the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE at Tampere Jazz Happening. Originally produced for YLE by Veli- Pekka Heinonen. Final mix by Patrick Römer and Harri Sjöström + Paul Lovens. Mastering by Patrick Römer of Un…

Fundacja Słuchaj! presents Scratching Fork by Marek Malinowski, Robert Rychlicki-Gąsowski and Wojciech Zadrużyński. Recorded at A/V Studio in Bydgoszcz, 11-12.11.2017. Recorded, mixed by Artur Maćkowiak. Mastered by Marcin Bociński. All compositions by Marek Malinowski. Photos by Wojciech Woźniak. Liner Notes: Robert Rychlicki. Graphic Design: Zuza Ustjan. Executive Producer: Maciej Karłowski. Special thanks to Tomasz Łuczak.  A place between structure and fluctuation where planning and spontane…

Fundacja Słuchaj! presents Unmoved Mover, a solo album by Vasco Trilla. All music by Vasco Trilla. Recorded on 30/06/2020 by El Pricto at T.U.R.F, Barcelona. Mixed and Mastered by El Pricto. Photo by Arvydas Gudas. Graphic Design: Zuza Ustjan. Executive Producer: Maciej Karłowski. "Vasco Trilla is a masterful visionary sonic alchemist, a sound painter of subtlety and grace. His work has a great capacity for stillness and space, qualities both rare and much needed in these chaotic overstimulated …