mjazzg

Archie Shepp - In The Tradition (Horo)

That's it. I visit a couple of times a year and there's usually something tempting. Owner's pleasant and helpful too. I know Gandy St. but only without a record emporium, presumably the Roman road remains though

The only saving grace of the new Kings Cross is that it's very small. I'm not too sure that Gearbox is open to the public although I have visited. There's a nice shop in Exeter to break the journey between Bridport and Plymouth.

My problem is I can't stop looking at the site. And, to add insult and injury they've opened a new shop half an hour away so I don't even have to schlep out West if I want the physical retail experience...b@@~~~ds!

It means nothing more than it says. He clearly stated that he felt he couldn't pay enough attention to his young children if he continued in the music business. Quite a simple concept really, he wanted to focus his energies elsewhere other than on music. Good on him. In later years I think he was a resident of Tottenham - no smallholdings there. I know as it's just round the corner. I often wondered if I'd walked passed him on the high street

LCJO - Zurich Concerts [Intakt] sides 1&2 Polyhymnia, the Barry Guy piece

That's been winking at me from the Honest Jons site all week. I don't really know Ra's solo work and I wonder whether it's rather a big intro. edit to add: just found it on Spotify to trial

Hollis was very specific in stating he stopped making music to be a present father for his children. A choice that showed that showbiz wasn't the be all and end all for him (I think his approach to music making made that pretty explicit anyway). The royalty payments from his songwriting (more than one hit over here and the albums sold pretty well too) might well have given him an income sufficient for a comfortable, everyday living. His partner may well have worked and there's nothing to say he didn't do non-musical work either. Plenty of the 80s hitmakers touring again and it's not a pretty sight...that's just from the tour posters

That looks interesting. How's the sound quality?

Two players, Thomas and Peterson, that I've not followed for a while. I may have to investigate this one

Rufus Harley - A Tribute To Courage [Atlantic]

Whilst I have every confidence in CT's description, does the YouTube clip not play for you? I know that sometimes I can't access YouTube clips posted by US board members so maybe it's the same in reverse for you Here's a review http://ukvibe.org/album_reviews/infinite-spirit-music/ My main interest is the participation of Khalil El-Zabar and Henry Huff whose work together in the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble is tremendous. The Infinite Spirit is maybe similar in the centrality of rhythm and percussion but has the electric elements from the electric piano and possibly a bit of a "cosmic soul" influence in the vocals. I hate trying to describe music, sorry. I'm sure every retail outlet will call it "Spiritual Jazz", a phrase I'm increasingly finding difficult to understand and trust but in this case may be more applicable than in many others Over to Clifford...

8 Bold Souls - Last Option [Thrill Jockey] Ethnic Heritage Ensemble - 21st Century Union March [Silkheart]

It's not the strongest of the four I have but it still has its moments, quite a few of them. I fear a cull is imminent here too unless I plan to sleep on or eat off LPs

Well I'm certainly very pleased to see that Jazzman have struck again and are reissuing this, seemingly with the co-operation of Soji Adebayo. LP and CD, remastered.

It was certainly a mix of styles across the morning. Love the Ornette! Looking at them again I realise they are all titles I purchased either directly or indirectly because of posts on this board. So there was a connection.

Masahiko Togashi - Spiritual Nature [East West] Rod Levitt Orchestra - Forty-Second Street [RCA Victor] Ornette Coleman - Prime Design/Time Design [Caravan Of Dreams Productions]

That sounds intriguing to say the least. Good to have you posting again. You've been missed

The Joe Daley Trio - At Newport '63 [RCA Victor] first listen to today's arrival. Purchased simply because I've read so much about it on this board over the last few years and thought I'd better see what all the fuss was about!

Charles Mingus - Memorial Charles Mingus [America Records] some of my favourite Mingus on this.

Thank you everyone. Good to hear folk have had very positive experiences recently Interestingly, those are two that I too felt have been the stronger but not up to the high standards of before. Thank you everyone. Good to hear folk have had very positive experiences recently

Total classic

Anyone seen him live recently (not with DeFrancesco)? He's just announced a couple of nights at a nice London venue. The last time I saw him was ten years or so ago when he played a predominantly 'Astral Weeks' set which was with a full, ten-piece plus band and was pretty marvellous. A couple of years ago I watched a live concert on TV which was pedestrian at best, embarrassing at worst - he was uninvolved, didn't seem to want to sing complete songs etc. Everyone has an off night but... I'm a huge fan of everything up to 'No Method...' and haven't been overly impressed by any album since. I've seen him four or five times and I'm thinking it's about time to see him live again. Any thoughts from anyone who's seen him recently?

Dave Liebman/Tatsuya Nakatina/Adam Rudolph - The Unknowable [RareNoise] first of two new Liebman's on RareNoise Records (the other has Hamid Drake instead of Nakatina). This one is beautifully recorded. Rudolph's live processing really adds to the overall effect. As a Liebman agnostic this was a bit of a risk but I'm pleased I took it

was listening to that the other day. Very fine