mjazzg

I listened to No Now is so again last night as I have on regular occasions over the last few weeks and each time it reveals new depths. It really is shaping up to be one of the very most interesting releases of the year for me. It would appear that on each listen a different track comes to the fore - last night the sheer joy of Cowley Road Strut had me smiling ear-to-ear. It strikes me that not only are the original compositions so strong they are very selflessly arranged so that full talents of each of this unusual ensemble are able to emerge. So if it's slipped off your playlist I reccomend giving another spin and if it's not got to your playlist and you're interested in adventurous but accessible music, try it! Alex - your website mentions a BBC session, any idea of a broadcast date. Also, any more live dates for the Ensemble?

PM sent on Other Dimensions and Flow trio

Very kind :blush2: - actually, hopefully news in literally a day or two about the second album, a studio session from earlier this year what a tease ...a day or two's a long time in a jazz fan's life. Glad to hear there's another on the horizon

I don't know if it's appropriate but I do know it is an enjoyable and insightful read, thanks Clifford. I enjoy a number of recordings that Harris Eisenstadt appears on or leads and this interview helped me to understand his music-making more. I was particularly interested to read of the influence of Wadada Leo Smith. Canada Day's on my to-buy list just as soon as Claen Feed (what a great label) post it on their site.

Just wondering if anyone knows anymore about this book featured in today's Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/oct/0...zz-album-covers http://www.soundsoftheuniverse.com/releases/?id=17111# Looks like a compilation of album sleeves and artwork from the 60s/70s. Apparently due for publication later this month. I'm thinking that thia could be a very insightful analysis of an exciting part of Jazz history or it could be just another coffee-table arefact that merits the occasional glance. I'd be interested to hear from anyone with an advance copy

Just arrived this morning. Another fine release on Treader http://www.treader.org/. Wadada Leo Smith never fails to move me with his diamond sharp playing. On this release he's accompanied by the marvellous Pat Thomas on piano and synth. Guitar, that often doesn't sound like a guitar, from John Coxon and you can never go wrong with Mark Sanders on drums. Smith seems to have developed a very fruitful relationship with a group of UK players focussed around John Coxon and Ashley Wales of Spring Heel Jack and this is another valuable document. The sheer beauty of Smith's trumpet against the washes of sound from Thomas, Sanders and Coxon on track 2 is worth the entry price alone. If you fancy some electro-acoustic improv then why not give it a try.

It was a tad pricey but had a selection that seemed a lot wider than other possibilities especially for US releases. What I also liked about the Piccadilly Tower was it's late opening hours - something like 11pm I seem to remember. Many a purchase made eased by some alcohol earlier in the evening and a slight detour on the way home. I remember walking from the QEH/Southbank on several occasions having enjoyed a gig (Henry Threadgill being one) and being able to purchase a disc by the artists I'd just seen live - fabulous, beats coming home and ordering on-line.

My copy of this just arrived and after two listens I have to say I find this is an impressively realised and very original release. The sound of the steel pan is nothing like I'd imagined as the way it's played reminds me more of a marimba and provides a fascinating counterpoint to the piano. The overall sound reminds me of Henry threadgill's sextett - now I know that was a band with 'blown' instruments but somehow the swaying gait of the rhythms of this band's sound reignites memories of Threadgill's equally idiosyncratic soundscsapes. Maybe it's the cello, after all Deidre Murray was a very important element of the sound of that Sextett. Hey, i can't write about music nearly as well as i can listen to it and no way as well as others can play it. Suffice to say that this is a disc I'm very pleased to own. Thanks Alex for getting the band and music together. Having missed your recent Vortex gig can I put in a plea for more parochialism, please

Bev, Hickies it was - I never expected to come across that name again! Grew up in Reading and occasionally looked in their racks when not searching for AC/DC records in Knights or the independent store on the first floor of the Butts Centre (the name escapes me - probably a good thing) Yes, welcome, mjazzg. I was at university there from 1973-6. I recall a pokey place that was on one of the alleys that ran between the two parallel shopping streets. Though my main haunt, because it tended to have the less mainstream records, was on the main street nearest the railway station at the Butts end of town. Bought my first Keith Jarrett's there in '75 which started the tilt away from rock. Sorry about the directions - I've only been briefly back to Reading twice since '76. My mental map is probably all wrong. Thanks for the welcome, I'd lurked long enough. Your memory map is pretty impressive. I was a snotty schoolboy whilst you discovered Jarrett and I can't recall a shop you describe still being there a few years later - a shame, it may have saved me from AC/DC earlier. The alley was/is Union Street as had an Our Price on the Friar street end in my time. Apologies to others this is getting way too specific and we've not even got to the pubs! How come I never came across RRKirk in any of the shops I shopped in?! not fair

Bev, Hickies it was - I never expected to come across that name again! Grew up in Reading and occasionally looked in their racks when not searching for AC/DC records in Knights or the independent store on the first floor of the Butts Centre (the name escapes me - probably a good thing)

Jazzjet, my recent stroll revealed Soul Jazz still there. Selectadisc too and stocking secondhand/new Jazz vinyl. Also the Record & Tape exchange on Berwick street had a good few racks of Jazz vinyl (found Jackie Mac's Hipnosis after years of hunting). Just opposite R&T Ex is Revival records (phoenix born from Reckless Records) that stocks jazz vinyl and CDs. Spoke to Honest Jon's today so guess they're still alive and kicking - a visit a couple of months ago revealed all stock on one floor with maybe 200 jazz vinyl and as many secondhand and new jazz CDs - still tons of reggae/soul/dance etc. Rough trade still just off portobello and new store in Brick Lane (v little jazz). Rays providing the widest selection still with friendly informative staff. Sorry but can't think of an If Records. Camden? I gave up on there when Rhythm Records disappeared - I wonder if there's still any market stalls selling vinyl on weekends?