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Thanks for posting that interview, an interesting read. I noticed that when asked about who would join them in a quartet they didn't mention Evan Parker with whom they did play as a quartet at Oto. I'm not aware of any other musician who's played with them

The live experience may well feel different to Unfold as they always play two 45 minute (or thereabouts) improvisations. Unfold is fairly untypical as a Necks album in that it has shorter pieces - music sounds much the same but in smaller chunks. It's that (slow) development over the longer time frame that really stands out as a live experience. The contrast between their studio albums, especially over the last five or so years, which tend to include overdubbed instruments beyond the trio and their live albums (all of which reflect the longer timescales) which are all just piano, bass, drums is really interesting and instructive about their overall approach. I tend to enjoy the live recordings more than the studio. In fact, Unfold might be my favourite studio recording by them

I'll hazard a guess you're not the only person who's had that reaction to them. I suspect they're a bit of a Marmite band. The music tends to be a slow burn, often involving repetition of key motifs, and if you're expecting Jazz you'll not get any. Certainly the converts make for very enthusiastic audiences (probably drowning out any naysayers )

Great band, very good album. Luckily they like Cafe Oto In London so I've seen them a fair few times and will do so again in March. Always a scintillating live experience, enjoy!

Nice one, Clifford. John Martyn's albums, with or without Beverley, up to and including One World are a pretty impressive run

Thanks for posting this. I've never been disappointed by any Hampel music I've heard and I've heard a fair amount. I think he's one of the most underrated of the European free jazz fraternity. It's great that he's still out there presenting his music - I just wish he'd come to London, I'm not aware of him having played here in at least the last the 25 years. The film archive he talks about must be absolutely astonishing

I need to get a copy of that

Played "Discussions" again today. It is very good indeed,

Thanks for posting, a very enjoyable read

The method you describe of transcribing the trio improvisations was used for the previously released "Discussions" on Wide Hive. An excellent release from 2017 where the orchestra is drawn from the Mills College faculty. I'll be interested to hear from anyone who knows if any of the Nessa release is duplication.

Been following it's pricing for a few years now, Never seen it down at that price or near it, so I've never bought it. Destination Out have the digital if that can work for you https://destination-out.bandcamp.com/album/swinging-the-bim

Jason Stein Quartet - Lucille! [Delmark] another winner from Stein

music by Berio, Davidovsky, Fukushima, Levy ao

Worked for me, previously as I posted above

Thanks for posting that. I had no idea it existed. Listening now on Spotify

I don't and would like a copy too. A few years ago I contacted him directly through his website and he supplied me a copy of the Emmett Till CD that was seemingly non-existent this side of the Atlantic.

Michael Stipe's playlist of his favourite REM songs, on Spotify,to complement this article https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jan/18/michael-stipe-rem-not-good-rock-star-but-pretty-good-pop-star I loved all those early albums

Thanks for those comments. I suspect I may react similarly to the vocals - I tend to enjoy wordless more than lyrics. I'd missed the other Mitchell group in your first post. I'm a Moran fan so the prospect of them together entices, I don't know the other two. Here's hoping these groups both make it to a recording at sometime

I'm always interested in any new combination that Mitchell plays in. And, I really enjoy Ellman's playing on disc. How was this?

What a great cover, if a touch "of its age"

Of the earlier ones, these two are well worth a listen later on, I'm a fan of Stone Flute and Gagaku & Beyond and have a soft spot for the orchestral Concerto Grosso in D Blues. All of which speak both to his eclecticism but also strong individual voice. Herbie's alright by me

My first LP by a Jazz artist was David Sanborn's Hideaway, not much of a Jazz album from memory (I may still have it somewhere). Purchased off the back of this and also his playing on Young Americans and to think I could've bought a Michael Brecker or Jon Faddis album instead...next up was Weather Report's "Heavy Weather"

David Murray & Low Class Conspiracy - Vol.II: Holy Siege on Intrigue [Circle Records]

Oliver Nelson - Swiss Suite [Flying Dutchman]