★Emanem
Awareness response
Dunmall and Rogers have performed together for years both as a duo and as part of larger groups, such as the quartet Mujician. The three improvisations feature Dunmall on border bagpipes, tenor and soprano saxophones respectively. This is their earliest duo recording on which Rogers uses his A.L.L. bass. 60 minutes.
Number nine
Two Toronto musicians and a visitor from London formed this trio that has worked on both sides of the Atlantic. Group improvisations on acoustic guitar, alto saxophone and percussion that cover the whole gamut from dense high-energy to sparse interactions.
Soil
Fourteen improvisations by Goldstein on violin and Harada on piano (and voice). Another successful attempt to overcome the inherent incompatibilities of these two instruments, that sounds somewhat unlike all previous attempts.
The hearing continues
The hearing continues. The playing continues. The listening continues. The music continues. The London Improvisers Orchestra (LIO) continues to play the first Sunday of every month (except December & January) at the Red Rose. Every concert is different - has its own flavour - largely due to who is performing that night, and whose pieces are performed. Some musicians have other commitments on the night. Some musicians drop out completely, others join afresh. Some are just in London for an extende…
Worms organising archdukes
Extended concert recordings from Rotterdam and Brussels provide a contrast to their equally fine previous soprano saxophone & piano duo CD Boundless (Emanem 2021). There is also a short track on which Weston switches to chamber organ. 79 minutes -- previously unissued.
Boundless
A fine sequence of shortish soprano saxophone and piano duos reflecting the moods of two exceptional improvisers on a winter's day. The first time they have appeared as a duo on record since 1978, revealing their playing to be more adventurous than ever. 70 minutes.
More together than alone
Soprano saxophonist Lol Coxhill always sounds good regardless of what area he is playing in and who he is playing with. This present collection just features his free improvising, but with a variety of partners. The late Hugh Davies was a master instrument inventor. Guitarist John Russell is one of the major stalwarts of the London improvising scene (like Coxhill). Henry Lowther has been a much sought-after jazz trumpeter since the 1960s, but has always kept a toe in free waters. Pat Thomas is a…
Spectral soprano
This retrospective double CD gives examples of Coxhill's early to recent work involving elements of improvisation including R & B, formally structured jazz, electronics, spontaneous music, an open rendition of an old play, and the odd bit of singing. An enormous variety of music ranging from straight-ahead jazz, to a concerto performance with the London Improvisers Orchestra, to an underwater slide saxophone solo recorded using a microphone in a condom. 135 minutes -- mostly previously unissued.
Out to launch
Two complete solo soprano saxophone concerts, from Chicago and London, show that Coxhill is as inventive as ever some four decades after his first solo performances. In between there is a 10-minute improvisation by an impromptu 13-piece orchestra. 77 minutes -- previously unissued.
Digswell duets
The 39 minute duet with Simon Emmerson is an early example of interactive saxophone and electronics, wherein Emmerson modifies Coxhill's sound, and Coxhill reacts accordingly, etc. The 34 minute duet with pianist Veryan Weston is an early example of their very compatible duo, which is still going strong. Reissue of Random Radar RRR 005 with extra material from the same sessions. 73 minutes.
Alone and together
Improvised unaccompanied soprano and sopranino saxophone solos of the usual high standard, plus duets with STEVIE WISHART (violin & hurdy gurdy) and MARCIO MATTOS (cello & electronics). All recorded in concert. 70 minutes - previously unissued.
Beauvais cathedral
The long-awaited reissue of KENT CARTER's highly-acclaimed first solo album. As well as some solo cello and double bass improvisations, there are some collages in which he plays nearly all the parts himself courtesy of over-dubbing techniques. Carter had previously been heard with the groups of Paul Bley and Steve Lacy (among others), but such work did not prepare one for the unique music heard in this collection. Three previously unissued items (including a one-man string quartet) have been add…
Just play
Hard-swinging vibraphone and percussion free jazz duets based on compositions by Berger and Don Cherry. In contrast to these largely metallic sounds, there are also two African sounding improvisations on two instruments made from wood -- a bala(fon) (African xylophone) and an osi-drum (slit drum). Reissue of Quark 9996 with an extra piece from the same concert. 61 minutes. Recorded in Albany, NY, 3/20/76.
Temperament
A selection of improvisations using differing tunings (Pythagoran, Just intonation, Meantone 1/4 comma, Equal, and Rosenberg Augmented) derived from science, history and the imagination - featuring Rose on various violins, and Weston on various keyboards (piano, fortepiano, harpsichord, organ, harmonium & electronics), recorded in various locations in Europe.
New cool
With Gary Crosby, Ed Jones & Byron Wallen. As well as his pioneering work with the Spontaneous Music Ensemble, John Stevens continued to explore the jazz idiom. This group with three fine young musicians active on the London jazz scene, was one of his best as well as being one of his last. Byron Wallen (trumpet & flugelhorn), Ed Jones (soprano & tenor saxophones), Gary Crosby (double bass) & John Stevens (drum set) find fresh things to say in the areas associated with Ornette Coleman and John Co…
Three planets
John Russell: guitar. Ute Völker : accordion. Mathieu Werchowski : violin. A very fine acoustic (guitar, accordion and violin) improvising trio, made up of three musicians of three different ages from three different countries. Put together by a promoter for a French festival in 2001, they related so well, that they have continued to get together, whenever possible, to continue to make great music.
Birthdays
Adventurous acoustic guitar & percussion improvisations by two of the finest musicians around. A remarkable range of sounds without any amplification or other electronics, captured in a digital recording that reveals every nuance. "The whole CD sounds incredibly crisp and fresh. One of the best CDs of improvised music I ever heard." (Luc Houtkamp from an unsolicited email.) 69 minutes.
The fairly young bean
Acoustic guitar, cello or double bass, & percussion trio improvisations -- intended for release as the third CAW LP which never happened. Recorded 3/24/81.
Analekta
Three duos and a Quaqua. Russell's monthly Mopomoso concerts usually end with him playing a duo - this CD contains three examples. The guitarist's first duo with tenor saxophonist GARRY TODD was in 1975 and appeared on a long deleted Incus LP - this is a reunion 30 years later. An ongoing duo has been that of Russell and jazz trumpeter HENRY LOWTHER - not as unlikely as it may seem. CHEFA ALONSO, who plays soprano saxophone and percussion, is a new encounter for the guitarist. Also included is t…
