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It's all available to stream on BC now so not sure which two you have heard, probably the vocal with Neneh Cherry? First side is quite in the vein of that tune but no more vocals. Side 2 ups the tempo a bit and is less string laden but they're still there. Unsurprisingly Allen doesn't blow long and hard on this but he's definitely a major solo voice, especially on side 1 but so too are Michael Ray and Knoel Scott in places. Marshall wrote all but one track so his voice is there compositionally too. Sleeve notes say they aimed for it to be wide ranging across the styles he's played. It is, which for some might mean it feels a little disjointed. I don't.

Marshall Allen - New Dawn [Week-End Records, Germany 2025] Just gorgeous

👍

Sad news indeed. Some great recordings in the catalogue. I saw him some years ago now and his health didn't appear robust even then.

Love June

Last night, Tyshawn Sorey trio at Café Oto, Sorey with Aaron Diehl and Harish Raghavan One of the great Oto nights, a performance for the ages. Over two hours, uninterrupted improvisation from a trio of truly superb musicians. Better words than mine describe it here https://thebluemoment.com/2025/02/11/tour-de-force/

Mine too!

Yeah, Mazurek on IA is only a very small part of an extensive catalogue and not necessarily the best part at that. The Chicago Underground Duo and associated ensembles take some beating in my view. The hard bop albums have something to do with a sojourn in Scotland or similar, very sketchy memory of reading that somewhere.

They're celebrating the 11th anniversary this year so had put in some hard graft before they became the next "new" big thing. I bought their first release the Mazurek solo album but the McCraven 'In the Moment' was 2015 and the one that really kick-started their profile I'd say.

That Jeff Parker was one of his best I'd say Just realised I'm listening to an IA album as I comment on them, Dezron Douglas

Still a steady release schedule, some interesting, some less so, as always They seem now to be releasing albums by artists from within the stable. Leader dates by artists that have previously been on other's albums or new combinations of previously recorded artists.

They were an absolutely invaluable resource for me at the time. Each new edition greeted with much anticipation.

I'd forgotten that, made quite a splash on release I remember. I must give it a listen.

I might just do that!

So you're not be wanting mine then...😃 Very pleased it's all turned out well. Enjoy the music!

Thanks for the reminder, just put my copy on. Must be 5 years since I heard it. It's sounding great

A favourite, I have two copies!

Nik Bärtsch's Ronin - Spin [Ronin Rhythm Records, Switzerland 2024]

I'm afraid not, too long ago and possibly too much alcohol involved on the night!

Kullhammar, of course, my mistake. He's good too

Agreed. That's run by Per Texas Johansson isn't it? He's very good in many different settings. Nacka Forum are an old favourite too

I used to listen to a lot about ten years ago so I'm behind the times now. From back then I'd suggest Atomic and each of the players from that band own leader dates. Also Paal Nilsson-Love Large Unit Definitely second Angles, in all its various sizes. More recently, Stahls Trio Organic Pulse Ensemble Oira Pena Superposition

Just back from 'A Complete Unknown' which I thought was pretty all round excellent I'm a Dylan agnostic so went with an open mind and no preconceptions about him as a person. Excellent performances by the main actors involved. I thought Chamalet was vocally very convincing, and Monica Barbaro as Baez was too, perhaps a little less What I really liked was that it made the music exciting, be that solo acoustic in a cellar or the electric performance at Newport.

There's lots more to discover by her too, all of it's good. Her more recent Snowy Egret band plays beautiful music

I had some very good news this week so treated myself to the Sam reissues. The Delmarks in my discogs cart would've cost the same as one Sam so it's wilful extravagance and I don't care a jot!