Jazz & Improvisation / Contemporary

**In process of stocking** Following on from the welcome revival of Lyman Woodard’s classic ‘Saturday Night Special‘ and drummer, Bert Myrick’s ‘Live ’n Well’ – which features the epic ‘Scorpio’s Child’ – BBE Records continue to dig deeper into the vaults of Detroit’s Strata label with The Contemporary Jazz Quintet album ‘Location’. Working in conjunction with 180 Proof’s Amir Abdullah BBE are poised to unearth a steady flow of hard to find or previously unheard gems from the short-lived but con…

If you thought that Rafael Toral’s quartet was named after some reference to Sun Ra’s spatial jazz, here is the confirmation that there’s much more at stake than that, even if the many allusions to the Saturn envoy are also true. Space is the valorization of pauses, interstices, a certain measure of expression and narrative, a way to create transparencies and, most of all, a return to a human dimension, aware of its heart beating, its organic, silent thinking/ inner living of bodily functions. I…

Clean Feed presents Nature Hath Painted the Body by Jonas Cambien Trio. André Roligheten  soprano and tenor saxophone, bass clarinet | Andreas Wildhagen  drums | Jonas Cambien  piano (soprano saxophone on track 4, organ on tracks 6, 11). Belgian-born, Oslo-based pianist Jonas Cambien couldn’t have chosen better partners than Andreas Wildhagen and André Roligheten to perform his cleverly constructed compositions. On its third studio album, his trio shows itself as a tightly interacting ensemble, …

** 2021 Stock ** Those artists that have the courage to bare themselves are often warned to "brace up." Since few things in improvised music are considered as dangerous as allowing space to others. Someone might easily grab all of that space and position themselves as ringleader, in the contest that a concert sometimes is. The Seppe Gebruers, Hugo Antunes and Paul Lovens trio are definitely not at each other's throats, though. The title of their 2018 album recorded 2016, The Room: Time & Space, …

Anemic Cinema is a fresh instrumental quartet at the junction of (free) improvised music, contemporary classical and heavy metal. Created for Citadelic 2020 by guitarist Artan Buleshkaj, it features some of Belgium’s most adventurous young improvisers. The omission of a conventional bass instrument allows other instruments to assume this role (or not). This creates certain interesting compositional and improvisational challenges. The timbre distinct for (heavy) metal simultaneously provides an a…

Don't judge a man by the size of his discography. Paul Van Gysegem can only be heard on a handful of releases, but he played a crucial role in the development and visibility of improvised music in Belgium. More than half a century ago, he started inviting international heavyweights to Ghent and performed with many of them. Aorta, recorded by his Sextet in 1971, was one of the key documents of that turbulent era and was rightfully reissued by French Futura label in 2011. However, let's not focus …

** 2021 Stock ** Dust, darkness, headlights. Motion in the nothingness, the wasteland. Like a single, lost particle, the first track roams through this black night. Exposition. We discover. We see how form and shape come into being, how a construct creates itself: A civilization, buildings, people, interaction. Paths intersect and the tension bursts. The sharp baritone saxophone (Marc De Maeseneer) cuts through the air, drilling into ones ear. The conflict is physically tangible and we see that …

** 2021 Stock ** The cornerstone of an ensemble like Fundament is the creation of a corporeal acoustic tour de force, via XL-sound bodies, be it strumento a fiato, a corda and corde vocali. 5 double-basses; 1 tubax, 1 bass saxophone, 1 trombone; 2 bass tuba's, 2 baritone saxophones; 5 throat-singers: all indispensable parts of the ensemble. By using the strumento a fiato, the sound is created by the breath current causing the air column to vibrate. The power of the breath and the nature of breat…

** 2021 Stock ** Hōryū-ji or else Learning Temple of the Flourishing Law is one of the powerful Seven Great Buddhist Temples in Japan. Horyu-ji has entasis, in architecture, the application of a convex curve to a surface for aesthetic purposes. It also serves an engineering function regarding strength, the key word of this collaboration that brought together Sakata, Yermenoglou, Di Domenico and Damianidis in a two days live concert meeting in Duende jazz club at Thessaloniki in May 2018. The rec…

** 2021 Stock ** For his band Mephiti, Bogaerts can depend on guitarists Bert Cools and Ruben Machtelinckx, two exponents of a generation of string adepts who have worked themselves beyond the classic examples that elaborate on the blues. The sharpness of Bert Cools, on semi-acoustic and electric guitar, and the thoughtful and recognizable playing of Machtelinckx (electric) form a stream of dreamy, lyrical sounds, with the occasional strong outburst. Complemented with the klanklės handled by Lit…

** 2021 Stock ** Belgian baritone saxophone players Hanne De Backer and Marc De Maeseneer make music in their broadest available musical spectrum. Nevertheless, they go back for their very first release to the jazz and freejazz tradition and give it a personnal, contemporary and unique touch. For this recording (september 2016) they looked for the limits, colors and possibilities of the baritone saxophone in a perfectly resonating space at Het Bos in Antwerp.

Roland Dahinden's first release of his own compositions, the two parts of Free Lines, with his readings of Coltrane's Naima and Braxton's Composition 136, joined by Anthony Braxton, bassist Joe Fonda and drummer Art Fuller.

Piano-Drums Duos are the preferred playing arrangement of pianist Irène Schweizer. Her mastery of duets with important drummers of contemporary jazz are documented on numerous Intakt CDs. Han Bennink, Pierre Favre, Louis Moholo, Günter Baby Sommer, Andrew Cyrille and Joey Baron among them. The Chicago drummer Hamid Drake, born in 1955, and Irène Schweizer, born in 1941, have performed together on numerous occasions both in Europe and Chicago. Together they have appeared on the Intakt CD "Irè…

** 2021 Stock ** The Singing Painters as a trio began early 1998 and had its first performance at croxhapox. The original trio had Laura van (lyrics, vocals), Michaël Borremans (guitar) and Merlyn Paridaen (drums, percussion). After the split in 2011 Merlyn Paridaen and Laura van went on operating as a duo, occassionally with Adriaan Verwée on bass clarinet, until Mathias Van de Wiele (guitar/ Moker, Wheels) joined the troops, early 2016. From this The Singing Painters Meet Carver & Horn emerged…

** 2021 Stock ** Karl Van Deun has been active as a musician/composer since the late 80's. He has been involved in a.o. jazz, folk, rock, blues, and contemporary music. As a professional musician he was especially active in the late 80's and early 90's and played with musicians like Mal Waldron, Philip Catherine, Erwin Vann, Pierre Van Dormael, Michel Hatzigeorgiou, Kurt Van Herck, Dré Pallemaerts and many others... Because of hearing problems (hyper-acusis) Karl had to take a step back as a per…

** 2021 Stock ** Dikeman Parker Drake came about when the DOEK festival in Amsterdam invited the American saxophonist (and Dutch resident) to form a new group for the festival. Dikeman went straight for one of the greatest rhythm sections of the last 30 years - asking William Parker and Hamid Drake to join him in a trio. They played on that tour at La Resistenza Ghent and a recording was made for the el Negocito Records label linked to the club. William Parker and Hamid Drake first came together…

** 2021 Stock ** El Negocitio presents Linus + Skarbø / Leroux by Linus Quartet. Ruben Machtelinckx - banjo, guitar, acoustic baritone guitar. Thomas Jillings - tenor & C-melody saxophone, alto clarinet, synthesizers. Frederik Leroux - banjo, guitar, baritone guitar. Øyvind Skarbø - drums, hammond organ. Release 03/04/2015 at De Casino, St-Niklaas, Belgium. Recording & Engineering: Christophe Albertijn at La Chapelle, Belgium february 2015. Mixing: Christophe Albertijn, Ruben Machtelinckx & Thom…

** 2021 Stock ** Ifa y Xango are a number of musicians based in Belgium and Brazil. The group was founded in 2010 with all of the seven musicians in the band playing acoustic instruments and self- composed music at the time. Since releasing their debut album Abraham, which was elected as "Best debut album" by the New York City Jazz Record in 2013, they have expanded the band with three new members. The group is proud to present their upcoming second album “twice left handed \\ shavings”, inspire…

** 2021 Stock ** 'BackBack is the flamboyant jazz trio around renowned guitarist Filip Wauters. A unique blend of jazz, rock, free jazz, and funk, but with the impact and sound of a thunderous rock band. Their grooves remind us of Morhpine, but at the same time, the war between bariton sax and electrical guitar is reminiscent of the confrontation between John Surman and John McLaughlin on the latter's album Extrapolation.' - Glimps 2014 "An unusual line-up" you might think, or "no bass player, i…

** 2021 Stock ** Howard Peach finds its origin in New York, where Belgian drummer Lander Gyselinck (STUFF., LABtrio, Ragini Trio, Kris Defoort Trio, …) lived and studied for some time. He met numerous musical soul mates in the contemporary jazz scene. Besides taking part in these NY sessions and jams, Lander co-founded a brand new trio, with young Irish hidden treasure bassist Simon Jermyn (Large Detective, Pete Robbins Transatlantic Quartet, Jim Black, Tony Malaby) and renowned saxophonist and …

** 2021 Stock ** The music is played by guitarists Ruben Machtelinckx and Hilmar Jensson, Joachim Badenhorst on reeds and Nathan Wouters on double bass. These atypical occupation produces a distinctive and soothing sound. Strong melodies and earthy progressions form the basis of the compositions that often have a melancholic undertone. The music consists of atmospheric, warm, poetic sounds, and allows the individuality of each musician to come forward. The emphasis is on the sound texture and ho…

** 2021 Stock ** Recording a Trio CD with sidemen the likes of bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Paul Motian? No, not only Keith Jarrett has taken that opportunity. The Italian Brussels based Augusto Pirodda must be about the best kept secret in the Belgian jazz scene. Augusto Pirodda knows how to choose his fellow musicians well. The Italian bass player Manolo Cabras has been for over 20 years at his side. Cabras has been on stage and recorded with the Toots Thielemans Quartet, Manuel Hermia Tri…

** 2021 Stock ** Forming Sweet Defeat composer and multi-instrumentalist Tom Wouters (Flat Earth Society, Crap Squeezer, Flick Flack Bat) gathered congenial minds with gitarist Bert Dockx (Flying Horseman, Dans Dans, Score Man, Strand) and cellist Lode Vercampt (Kris Defoort, duo with Bart Maris) for a rather atypical trio. Together they create 'chamber jazz and beyond', which you might just as well take literally. Or how composition, surprise and tension can be synonymous. No well-trodden paths…

** In process of stocking ** Craftman Records presents Tomorrow by Hideo Ichikawa Trio. Recorded July 27 & August 17, 1976 at Epicurus Studio, Tokyo. Art Direction – Ben Nishizawa, Bass, Cello, Percussion [Kokiriko], Shaker – Isoo Fukui, Drums, Cowbell, Agogô [Au-go-go], Bells – Hideo Yamaki, Engineer [Recording] – Yoshihiko Kannari, Piano [Yamaha], Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Recorder, Bells [Wind-bell], Tambourine, Quena, Wood Block [Wood Brocks], Maracas, Composed By – Hideo Ichikawa, Pro…

** In process of stocking ** Craftman Records presents Samba De Sun by "Sleepy" Matsumoto Quartet. Recorded on March, 18 & 19, 1979. Bass – Takashi Mizuhashi, Drums – Hideo Sekine, Piano – Hideo Ichikawa, Tenor Saxophone – Sleepy Matsumoto.

** In process of stocking ** Craftman Records presents Back to the Sea by Bingo Miki and Inner Galaxy Orchestra. Recorded at Epicurus studio, Tokyo, Japan on June 20, 27, 28 & 29 1978. Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar – Masatsugu Matsumoto, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet – Kenji Mori, Bass Guitar – Yukinori Narishige, Bass Trombone – Sumio Okada, Bassoon – Josuke Ohata, Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Masao Suzuki, Composed By, Liner Notes – Bingo Miki, Double Bass – Mit…

** In process of stocking ** Craftman Records presents Sei Shonagon by Jimmy, Yoko & Shin. Produced For Three Blind Mice Records, Inc. Recorded June 22, 23, 1978 at AOI Studio Tokyo. Acoustic Guitar, Electric Bass, Vocals – Jimmy Shironaga, Drums, Congas, Bongos, Wood Block, Electronic Drums [Moog Drum], Synthesizer [Mini Moog], Percussion, Vocals – Shin Okabe, Liner Notes – いソノてルヲ, Piano [Steinway], Electric Piano [Yamaha CP-30], Organ [Yamaha YC-30 Combo], Synthesizer [Yamaha CS-60 Combo, Mino…

** In process of stocking ** Craftman Records presents Lover Man by Yoshio Otomo and Hidefumi Toki Alto-Madness. Recorded May 26, 1975. Alto Saxophone – Hidefumi Toki, Yoshio Otomo, Art Direction – Ben Nishizawa, Bass – Nobuyoshi Ino, Drums – Steve Jackson, Engineer – Yoshihiko Kannari, Guitar – Kazumi Watanabe, Producer – Takeshi Fujii.

** In process of stocking ** Craftman records presents Greensleeves by Shoji Yokouchi Trio Plus Yuri Tashiro. Art Direction – Ben Nishizawa, Bass – Kunimitsu Inaba, Drums – Hajime Ishimatsu, Electric Guitar – Shoji Yokouchi, Engineer [Cutting Engineer] – Mitsuharu Kobayashi, Guitar [Folk Guitar] – Shoji Yokouchi, Guitar [Gut Guitar] – Shoji Yokouchi, Liner Notes – 岩浪洋三, Organ [Hammond] – Yuri Tashiro, Producer – Takeshi "Tee" Fujii, Recorded By – Yoshihiko Kannari.

** In process of stocking ** Craftman records presents Maya by Shunzo Ohno Quintet. Recorded July 22 and 23, 1991. Alto Saxophone – Steve Wilson, Bass – James Genus, Drums – Billy Drummond, Engineer – Michael McDonald, Flugelhorn – Shunzo Ohno, Mastered By – Yoshio Kobayashi, Piano – Renee Rosnes, Producer, Liner Notes, Photography By – Takeshi "Tee" Fujii, Tabla – Ray Spiegel, Trumpet – Shunzo Ohno.

** 2021 Stock. In process of stocking ** Craftman Records presents Fine and Mellow by Shigeko Toya. Recorded May 17, 18, and 24, 1973. Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar – Masayuki Takayanagi, Alto Saxophone – Akitoshi Igarashi, Art Direction – Ben Nishizawa, Bass – Takashi Mizuhashi, Drums – Tetsujiro Obara, Engineer [Recording] – Yoshihiko Kannari, Piano – Masaru Imada, Producer – Takeshi Fujii, Vocals, Piano – Shigeko Toya.

** 2021 Stock. In process of stocking ** Craftman Records presents Concierto de Aranjuez by Hideto Kanai Quintet. Recorded November 2, 1978. Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Mikinori Fujiwara, Bass – Hideto Kanai, Drums – Michael Reznikoff, Piano – Yoshito Osawa, Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Toshihiko Inoue.

** 2021 Stock. In process of stocking ** Craftman Records presents Shuko Mizuno's "Jazz Orchestra '73". Recorded August 23, 1973 (Part 1), and September 2, 1973 (Part 2). Alto Saxophone – Isao Kimura, Kazumi Oguro, Baritone Saxophone – Shigeru Hirano, Drums – Isao Yomoda, Electric Bass – Masaaki Ito, Tenor Saxophone – Mamoru Mori, Seiji Inoue, Trombone – Masamichi Uetaka, Takahide Uchida, Takashi Hayakawa, Teruhiko Kataoka, Trumpet – Kazumi Takeda, Shuji Atsuta, Shin Kazuhara, Yoshikazu Kishi.

** 2021 Stock. In process of stocking ** Craftman Records presents Touch by Isao Suzuki & His Fellows. Recorded November 20 and 26, 1975. Art Direction – Ben Nishizawa, Bass – Isao Suzuki, Congas – Yoichi Ogawa, Drums – Tetsujiro Obara, Engineer [Recording Engineer] – Yoshihiko Kannari, Guitar – Kazumi Watanabe, Masayuki Ise, Liner Notes – いソノてルヲ, Piano – Kunihiko Sugano, Producer – Isao Suzuki, Takeshi Fujii.

** 2021 Stock. In process of stocking ** Craftman Records presents Scandinavian Suite 三木敏悟 / Reissue album from Bingo Miki, Tatsuya Takahashi & The Tokyo Union. Originally released by Three Blind Mice in 1977. Recorded May, 15 and 22, 1977.

** 2021 Stock. In process of stocking ** A live recording of 1974 released by Hokkaido-born bassist Takashi Mizuhashi from [Three Blind Mice] in his own group after working for Masaru Imada and Isao Suzuki. Seiichi Nakamura (TS) and Shigeharu Mukai (T) participated in the quartet of Yoshio Otomo (AS), Fumio Karashima (P), and Hideo Sekine (D) only for B1 "Sugar". Includes the hit song A1 "When A Man Loves A Woman" sung by Percy Sledge in 1966, and A2 "So What", a thrilling performance of Miles D…

** 2021 Stock. In process of stocking ** Craftman Records presents Debut by Takao Uematsu Quartet/Quintet. Art Direction – Ben Nishizawa, Bass – Yoshio Suzuki, Drums – George Ohtsuka, Electric Piano [Fender Piano] – Sadayasu Fujii, Engineer [Recording Engineer] – Yoshihiko Kannari, Producer – Takeshi Fujii, Tenor Saxophone – Takao Uematsu, Trombone – Takashi Imai.

In process of stocking. Craftman presents a live concert by New Direction recorded at Jazzbed, Tokyo on September 27, 1970. The album includes 2 tracks performed by Masayuki Takayanagi - Guitar, Kaoru Abe - Alto Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Performer, and Hiroshi Yamazaki - Drums, Percussion. Masayuki 'Jojo' Takayanagi was a Japanese jazz / free improvisational musician. He was active in the Japanese jazz scene from the late 1950s. Was one of the earliest noise guitar improvisers, and the first (wi…

In 2002 Misha Mengelberg was invited for the second time to the AngelicA Festival in Bologna. That edition, the twelfth, took part entirely in a squatted social centre of the city, and, in collaboration with Tristan Honsinger, was conceived as one large opera lasting six days – an opera within which the performances of many national and international artists fitted in like individual mobile “modules”. Especially for this occasion and on the festival director’s suggestion, who had attended a perf…

**2020 stock** Corbett Vs. Dempsey present a reissue of Amarcord Nino Rota, a tribute album assembled by producer Hal Willner, originally released by Hannibal Records in 1981. If you think you know how to put a mix-tape together, take a lesson from Hal Willner, the absolute master. In 1981, Willner produced a landmark record of interpretations of music written by Nino Rota for the films of Federico Fellini. With ten tracks and as many different lineups, this record set the template for a series …