B. Clugston

I was sorry to hear this. I used to work in the same town where he once lived and would see him at McDonald's in the morning, drinking coffee and reading the paper. I never had any interactions with him, but the regulars would always say "Hiya Bill."

I've wondered what the story is too. My copy has the TMS label and a Kabell sticker covering up the TMS reference on the cover. There's also a small square of type pasted on the back referencing Kabell. Great music whatever the presentation is.

Looks like the Last Tour was released earlier this year on Emanem: http://www.emanemdisc.com/E5039.html

I was just listening to his fantastic drumming on Steve Lacy's Capers just the other day. Definitely not forgotten.

Seiji Ozawa, Yomiuri Nippon Orchestra, Orchestral Space ( Varèse Sarabende). Stiff reading of Ligeti's "Atmospheres," ring modulator fun with Ichiyanagi, plus fascinating pieces from Xenakis and Takemitsu. Giorgio Gaslini, Gaslini Plays Monk (Soul Note). One of my favourite all-Monk LPs--Gaslini puts a neat spin on Monk.

When I saw the thread title, that was the first LP that came to mind. Great stuff.

The latest issue of Sound American us all about Braxton: https://tricentricfoundation.org/index.php/news/sound-american-anthony-braxton-issue-now-available.html

In honour of Albert Ayler's birthday... Bells (ESP) and Lorrach/Paris (hat MUSICS)

That's Fascinating Rhythm? I actually found a Chekasin LP and a Delius/Beecham box set with book when I was there, but otherwise it was as you described. On the bright side, at least their reissues and fusiony crap are cheaper than a certain west side Vancouver record store.

John Stevens also wrote some good tunes. No Fear (Spotlite, UK), for example, has some good ones.

Me too. Hal Russell is another, though he played other instruments.

Various compositions by Hungarian composer Istvan Lang. Another great album of modern Hungarian compositions on the Hungaroton label.

Sad news. Smoker was a very interesting player. I like his story about how he wound up playing with Braxton, which is in Mixtery, edited by Graham Lock. He saw Braxton in concert in Portland and met him backstage. The next day it turns out they were on the same plane together and they hit it off. Braxton asked Smoker to send him a tape. After much procrastinating, a tape was sent and soon after, Smoker was asked to join Braxton to do a couple of dates playing Composition 98. Braxton told him to get his music released: "You're committing a crime if you don't get it out!"

That was a great BFT. I especially enjoyed the Takeru Muraoka track.

The t is pronounced in my part of the world.

Sanborn is great on Tim Berne's Diminutive Mysteries (Mostly Hemphill). He's also guested with John Zorn the odd time.

I love that album. The hand of Manfred is apparent and it sounds more like at a Kenny Wheeler album at times, but all the more fascinating to hear Adams in this context. Heinz Sauer is also part of what is a really interesting group.

That Lucky LP is a great one. Hamilton really shines on it.

I saw this album sitting in a second hand shop the other day. I remember seeing Bill Cowsill performing covers in a pub back in the early 90s during one of the many mini comebacks he had in those days. It was sad and kind of surreal. Now spinning: Giorgio Gaslini Jean-Luc Ponty...et al (PA USA) & Philly Joe Jones/Dameronia, Look Stop Listen

Anthony Braxton and the Three Rivers Tri-Centric Ensemble, Ensemble (Pittsburgh) 2008. Excellent concert organized by saxophonist Ben Opie featuring some of Braxton's older creative orchestra songs. Braxton conducts and plays. There's also a CD-R featuring a high school ensemble doing a great job on some Braxton tunes.

Sad news. Baker is great on those George Russell Sextet dates and is a big reason why they were so good. Glad he went on to have a long, impactful career in music.

??? Hungarian String Quartet, Bela Bartok, The Six String Quartets (DG). Endlessly fascinating music.

John Coltrane, Black Pearls (Prestige).

Walter used to come up to Vancouver to record, teach and busk. I met him a few times and he was a nice guy and quite a character. I've always liked this LP, but certainly it's not in the top echelon of Lacy's works. The CD version has two further duets which appeared on the LP Call Notes. Now playing... John Coltrane, Offering, Live at Temple University (Resonance). It's late period Coltrane, but compared to the Japan and Olatunji concerts, this one comes across as mellow.

Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes!