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Tongues of Fire, a tribute to the Black Panthers - David Murray, the Last Poets, The Roots et al http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=10807 as with some other trans-genre collaborations I found this equal parts fascinating and frustrating. A very moving duet between and Murray on bass clarinet and Umar bin Hassan, reflecting on his relationship with Huey P Newton was perhaps my highlight. The vocals of Corey Glover did much to cut though what was sometimes a too thick musical stew. Vernon Reid was best when restrained and was then very good indeed. Black Thought's raps were pin sharp and delivered with diamond-hard concision but too few. The accompanying visuals of Emory Douglas were a thought-provoking back-drop Overall, perhaps the sheer camaraderie displayed between the performers was the true highlight

Tyrone Washington - Natural Essence [blue Note]

majority is CD but still a significant, and increasing amount of vinyl. Some MP3 downloads but not yet of anything available in the other two formats. MP3 rips of CDs for travelling

Cool record. The arrangements are quite massive and recall, to me (in parts) some of Bill Dixon's orchestral music, especially the combination of low brass and "woody" reeds. There are some amazing passages of brutal high-pitched trilling as well, and considering what one might "expect" from a Euro-American blowout, its textures are quite varied. If you're into the heavier realm of avant-garde improvised music, it's definitely worth some ear-time. Also a second on Rolf Kuhn. Fantastic and open-minded player, one who I'm glad is still with us. thanks Clifford, I appreciate your comments. Passed on a cheap copy recently but will go back and see if it's still there now. Think I'll check out Mr Kuhn as well

Steve (and other interested parties), until you persuade them stateside, I'd thoroughly recommend a recent release on Victo - Joe Morris, Simon Fell and Alex Ward - the Neccesary and the Possible. Sadly no Alex Hawkins but very fine nonetheless

Archie Shepp - The Magic of Ju-Ju because I just played .... Life at the Donauschingen Music Festival and had forgotten how great these albums were

I enjoyed her previous ECM so shall be looking this one out. Some clips available here http://player.ecmrecords.com/fort

Does anyone know this? Brotzmann's Clarinet Project - Berlin Djungle. Obviously not to all Clarinet fans' taste but I'm intrigued to know how he uses all the clarinets

I ordered on Friday and dropped through my letterbox in London, UK on wednesday - very impressive service (US post as well)

enjoying my first run through this disc. As soulful as anything WP's recorded before and pretty damn funky too. I like the organ sound - yes a bit 'rinky' but I wonder whether Cooper-Moore's sticking with the upper register to avoid WP's bass lines

Memorial concert listed here for those who can make it to London http://www.cafeoto.co.uk/harry-beckett-tribute.shtm

Of Mist and Melting - Bill Connors [ECM]

Often wondered about that one. Big fan of both Stanko and Gonzalez but ignorant of Faruq Z. Bey It's a very nice "modal" melodic/free record. Nothing that will shatter your brain but then again, that's not Gonzalez' usual m.o. thanks Clifford. Sometimes I can live without the brain-shattering so may well investigate further

Often wondered about that one. Big fan of both Stanko and Gonzalez but ignorant of Faruq Z. Bey

All the mentions of Jimmy Giuffre remind of Andre Jaume with whom Giuffre recorded on at least two occasions. On the Giuffre duets he's on tenor or bass clarinet but he can be heard to very good effect on clarinet on his own recordings (CELP) and on some of Joe McPhee's Hat Arts.

I got mine from Volcanic Tongue in Glasgow, Scotland. They may have a copy left but it was a Xmas present to self last year so some time ago. Happy hunting. It's well worth the effort if you find it

I love Marion Brown. I was listening to this recently. Uncategorizable, deeply imagined, and totally cool: Discogs says there was a Japanese CD issue, but I've never seen it. It really should be reissued. In fact, maybe someone could do a Marion Brown box set (Mosaic? ) Oh yes, great record. A Mosaic? Now that is an idea

another very impressive Brit is Alex Ward. A bit more improv than Messrs Coe and Barnes!

Afternoon of a Georgia Faun - Marion Brown [ECM] a lovely sounding recording on a new to me disc. This is a startlingly original listening experience

and another thanks from me. Ordered mine too

Very uncomfortable viewing. Just illustrates to me how petrified and disorientated the animal must have been. One day there will be the realisation that using animals for sport is not good for their welfare nor does it reflect well on humankind.

Francois Houle - missed off my earlier list, shouldn't have been

to give them scope to release the ultimate ultimate version later?

Louis Sclavis, Michel Portal and Gianluigi Trovesi would all be fairly high on my list which is undoubtedly topped by Jimmy Giuffre. A recent discovery for me has been James falzone (check out his allos Documents label) edit: to add Gabrielle Mirabassi to my list of Europeans worthy of note

certainly enjoyed my first listen through. A few bells of recognition ringing but no firm IDs yet. Track 10 is amazing maybe you can do us a vinyl-only BFT when you've recovered from this one?