David Ayers

I know that the Okka catalogue is now distributed by Atavistic, but the Okka site itself has been down for a while and I wonder if they are still in business. Anybody know anything? Have I missed something?

I suppose I am asking because I'm not really sure what very recent jazz has a consensus on this board, let alone in terms of even broader popularity. Henry Threadgill and Steve Coleman have been going for decades and have had their big label chances. I don't think either was very successful, either in terms of the music or in terms of developing an audience: I wonder if they will get a second chance? Coleman turns 50 this year. Threadgill is in his 60s. So I don't think this is the answer. All I mean is, are we sure that the Verve CEO hasn't got a point? Edited to add that Threadgill's last Columbia release was ten years ago, since when he has released two CDs on Pi (both 2001) and an audiophile LP. Coleman's last release with RCA was 1999 - seven years ago.

Stan Getz, Wes Montgomery, Jimmy Smiff. MG So you agree with Chuck - Verve should stick to the reissues?

Who could sell so many records that a major label like Verve should sign them, do you think?

Thanks for the tips - I apprecite it! I'm staring by trialling Total recorder and taking it from there. If I need to move up a peg I will.

Ellison regarded bebop as a betrayal of black music, rejecting the cult of Charlie Parker's music as romantically identified with his suffering as an addict.

I'd like to capture radio streams in mp3 format. Can anyone recommend software for this? (I know you can - I've seen it mentioned but just can't find it....) Thanks for any help!

Well... if you must. But the repartee was so choice...

Happy Birthday man!

Thanks for checking on that Frank - what a shame...

Tolliver can be heard on Andrew Hill's Time Lines. There have been mixed views on this record, which is not too upbeat, but it is a way to catch some recent Tolliver. Grand Max is still easy to find; Impact and The Ringer now less so.

I tend to agree. This set reflects a pre-mp3 age of remastering! A little soft-grained by today's in-your-face standards, but very musical.

Looks interesting - are you recommending it? And do I go for the Japanese issue or the Cortical? This is extremely brutal scream-fest, I am not even sure what to compare it with (imagine Brötzmann and Bailey at their most noisy). I like it a lot. I have DIW edition, and the sound quality is very good. Hmmmm - thanks David - one there for an idle mouse finger to get to work on...

I do, I do. Honestly, other than Otomo, Sachiko and Toshimaru, I really haven't heard anybody from The Tokyo Crew. I also don't know what the last name for Japanese is (Otomo or Nakamura?). Looks interesting - are you recommending it? And do I go for the Japanese issue or the Cortical?

A good book, and I don't think anyone should be put off from reading it. Good books often make you feel you know better than the author.

I copied some things from two books of his I have when I used to play guitar. One book had a 7" of recorded material - that is the only stuff of his I have ever heard.

Any comment on the Diorio reissues from anyone who has heard either the originals or the reissues? PS There are also some releases on RAM (?) which I would like to know about if anyone has heard them.

I was sorry to pass on this set. On the one hand, an outstanding editorial venture. On the other, too much of a good thing for my tastes and budget. I certainly won't be buying the euro-criminal version though.

Just tell it like it is. I can take it.

Does anyone in general prefer the current Blue Note RVG CDs to his original LP masters? Isn't it clear that CD remasters are generally problematic?

!!!!!!

I do. If you already have some solo Hill I don't suggest this is a priority. Put it this way - you'll know if you need to have this. That said, I see it goes for reasonable prices. I'd caution against a sealed copy, as the rice paper inner sleeve which these AH LPs came in has a tendency to stick to the LP if stored under pressure.

My favourite Black Lion was a pair of LP reissues of Ornette's 1965 London Concert. The remastering was better than the versions I had. But they had missed off a track. A gem. But I forgive them: a big for this label!

Come on feel the noise! Or should that be, Cum on Feel the Noise? Or Noize? Maybe this belongs in Funny Rat?

Not so much of a technoduffer that I can't change my avatar...