mjazzg

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?

I was also an NME reader but a little later and I can remember into the early 80s some Jazz coversage. The review of Charlie Haden's Ballad of the Fallen (consequently one of my first Jazz purchases), full-page illustration accompanying a Monk obit and an article about the Blue Note re-releaase progamme which introduced the concept of 'brown-bagging' (you could buy any of them in a brown bag and they'd alll sound good?) And as for Ronnies, again somewhat later than other memories, the dreaded sandwich had disappeared but the chips had replaced them, the beer was still very costly but The Leaders, Geri Allen and Elvin Jones were all very memorable. The night buses north were as crazy as the ones described earlier travelling west - they probably still are

Whilst no fan at all of our new Con-Dem government I somehow think they've not quite earned the label 'fascist' just yet. I often feel uneasy when I see this word thrown around quite so lightly given the very real horrors (not alcohol legislation) carried out in its name. I do however agree that the proposed legislation is likeley to fairly ineffective as my memory suggests that teenagers were, and are, very resourceful when it come to accessing cheap stimulants of whatever stripe. What's propose is amply explained by Sidewinder, above and it might not be a bad thing for this country's health if the ridiculously low costs charged by our major supermarkets are addressed. I would also just add that some people have very little choice but to live in the areas affected by alcohol-related 'delinquency'.

Looks like it. I failed to find a way to bulk download, short of signing up for the premier service.

Ballads - Paul Bley (ECM) so pleased to have just tracked down a nice clean copy. What an album

What? How explicit do you need someone to be? Cliff clearly makes the distinction between what he feels about Armstrong's fundraising ("is all good") and his suspicions about his performances. Maybe he should have tried words of fewer syllables, although that'd be difficult with the phrase "is all good". I suspect people will be asking questions of Contador when, and if, he gets to five straight wins. Because of the doping history there'll always be suspicion about Tour racing now and suspicion will fall heaviest on the most successful (i.e. Armstrong). It might not be fair but it'll be there.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Much appreciated. I'm off to track down some Steeplechases for starters

Inspired by the film 'Jackie McLean on Mars' posted elswhere (thanks again Brownie) I find myself wondering which Jackie Mac albums released after the BN run are the ones to listen out for. Penguin Guide is pretty ambivalent about all of them. I know there must be many Jackie fans out there so any help gratefully received. I'm keener on the later BN's as a rule so something that picks up from there would be ideal. Thanks already to Joe who's pionted me towards 'Antiquity' which I'm enjoying right now (pun not intended )

thoroughly enjoyed it. thanks for posting btw which later post-BN McLean albums should I be tracking down?

Also his new release is now available here http://www.emanemdisc.com/psi10.html#04 on the 'to buy' list already

Just come across the Contact Trio's album Double Face. Recorded 1974 (?), released on Calig. Very interesting guitar, bass and vibes/marimba free/improv Now keen to hear their other two releases on JAPO. Initial research suggests I may be waiting some time to find them

Absolutely - should definitely be someone like this (I must confess I'm not really too familiar with Gene Ludwig's playing: I think someone like Dr Lonnie would probably get my vote ). Also - I've never looked at one of these lists before, and I guess it's really just a bit of fun so not to be taken too seriously, but it's really comparing apples with oranges on so many of the lists... Congratulations Alex. Certainly what I've heard of your organ playing, live and on record, deserves this nomination. I'm also pleased to see your name nominated as I'm not too sure such polls should always be about recognising players that have been at it for yours (ignored or otherwise) - some kind of long-service award/recognition. From this listeners point of view it's great to have new names appear in such poll categories. But as you say, there's little point in taking such things too seriously....

Yes, of course it was Roger Turner. Thanks Alex. No reflection on his drumming just my memory! Looking forward to the interview. Let's not forget a recent musical tribute to Mr Thomas - 'Cowley Road Strut. Message from the East (for Pat Thomas)' by a certain Alexander Hawkins Ensemble. Well worth listening to, once you've checked out the man himself

This is indeed good news. Too long overlooked. I saw him recently in a very interesting trio with Shabaka Hutchings and a drummer whose name escapes me - great piano playing Why not sample his work with Wadada Leo Smith on the Abbey Road Quartet disc on Treader? You'll get to her his playing on synthesizers too.

Flat-out Jump Suite - Julius Hemphill Quartet [black Saint] ...wondering whether I should spend £££ on a copy of Dogon A.D......

Having very recently had to recalibrate my spending on music this is an interesting and current question for me. I was very much in the Head Man school and thoroughly enjoyed buying whatever took my fancy. Now I'm looking to reduce from 10-15 CD/LP purchases/month to may 2 or 3. In this first month I've bought nothing so far because each time I've seen something it's not shouted 'I'm in the top 3 of your to-buy list'. But priority's looking like it'll pan out as 1. 2nd hand LP not released on CD at too-reasonable-to-miss price 2. new release CD by an artist I'm intrigued about from reviews or sidemen performances and that I have no or maybe one disc by 3. new release CD by artist I like so much I always buy their new-release 4. CD/LP sold at gig I've enjoyed 5. old release CD/LP that's been brought to my attention by reviews/articles/this board which intrigues but I know nothing else about 6. CD re-release I've taken to writing out the list of titles that I'd have previously simply purchased and it's very interesting to see how some titles just slip down the list as the initial rush of enthusiam passes

Indeed Bev. That's a marvellous disc. Brings back some great memories of seeing Working Week live (and that first album). Hadn't thought that it was Harry Beckett that was featured...will try and dig it out over the weekend Wasn't there also a dance floor 12" (forget the title but it wasn't by Working Week) with Larry Stabbins and Keith Tippett on it? That one was mentioned in the 'Jazz Britannia' documentaries and I'm pretty sure Harry Beckett was on that one too. Not ringing many bells here but sounds like it'd be worth digging out from somewhere. Maybe it was the only other single that Bev bought in the 80s? Bev? Just now listening to Themes for Fega - marvellous. "Enchanted" has some stunning Harry. Makes me wish I'd been born ten years earlier so I could've been at the ICA in 1972 when it was recorded.

Indeed Bev. That's a marvellous disc. Brings back some great memories of seeing Working Week live (and that first album). Hadn't thought that it was Harry Beckett that was featured...will try and dig it out over the weekend

What a shame. Never saw him live but enjoyed his playing, particularly on the Colliers and Flare Up.

taking the plunge for my first BFT. Also really looking fwd to the Free Jazz/Improv elements....load 'em up Download for me, thanks

I thoroughly enjoyed this article's historical perspective on today's stage. Especially enjoyed the story of the rider repairing his own bike in the local forge! http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/jul/22/tour-de-france-mountain-stage-centenary