CraigP

Yes, it's really great.

My set arrived dented as well, but the even more recent 12 cd box is indeed in a box, and shipped in a box.

Steve Lehman is back with the same group featured on Travail, Transformation and Flow. Here's an excerpt from my review: "The combination of Lehman’s ascetic alto, the intricate yet melodic compositions, and the overtones created, particularly by the vibraphone, creates a signature sound. Vibist Chris Dingman plays a key role, prominent in the mix, his dense ringing overtones a continual presence in both solo and ensemble sections... There’s always been an element of emotional distance in Lehman’s music, but it serves here to create an air of mystery. The combination of the geometric arrangements and ringing vibes create a feeling of suspended animation... Mise en Abîme is a confirmation of Steve Lehman’s talents as conceptualizer and composer, synthesizing influences such as Jackie McLean, Anthony Braxton, spectral composer Tristan Murail, and M-Base. There’s no other group out there that sounds like this." You can read the full review of Mise en Abîme on Improvised.

Great news Chuck. I really enjoyed speaking with Bobby when he came to Dallas.

And everybody thought 3D printing was only good for guns...

The two xybert mentioned caught my eye as well. I'm also curious about the Pharoah & the Underground album.

Jsngry makes a very good point - I have some of the others in that series and I love the packaging. I'll take it! Will get the PayPal thingy going. Clifford: Eight big ones? You mean it's $800???

Allen, Is there anything on In Transition that isn't on other records? I believe this packages Jazz Advance and Love For Sale, correct?

Yes, I'm in for the Daley box set as well.

Portuguese trumpeter Luis Vicente utilizes two-thirds of the RED Trio on Clocks and Clouds from FMR Records. Here’s an excerpt from my review: “Based on my limited experience with the RED Trio’s music, I thought Clocks and Clouds was going to be a minimal, lower-case affair. Boy was I wrong, but gladly so, because this is a free improv record that has some muscle… Vincente does a nice job expressing himself through both traditional and extended techniques, with the open horn and with a mute. Pinheiro sounds like two piano players at times, exploring the extremes of both the lower and upper registers of his instrument. The RED Trio is a group that’s never really clicked for me for some reason, but with Franco in the driver’s seat things really take flight.” You can read the full review of Clocks and Clouds on Improvised Blog.

Saxophonist and composer Brandon Evans is probably best known for his work with Anthony Braxton beginning in the 90’s. Evans also collaborated with Sonny Simmons on several albums issued on Evans’ Parallactic Records label. He produced and directed a documentary in 2003 about Simmons called The Multiple Rated X Truth. Evans seemed to drop out of site for several years, and releases on his label became highly sought-after by collectors, such as the excellent 3 CDR set of duets with Anthony Braxton, Elliptical Axis 15. In recent months, however, Evans has uploaded all the Parallactic releases to his Bandcamp page. And now, there’s even better news: All of these albums are available for download for free, or “name your price”, during the month of July. One of these is a new release entitled Harbors. You can read more about Evans and his recordings on my blog. Brandon Evans Bandcamp page.

Dumptruck - Positively Dumptruck Ciccone Youth - Into The Groovy

Amen!

How was the show?

That's the concert at which I met you in person, finally!

Satoko Fujii has brought back her collection of downtown all-stars for Shiki, the ninth album with her Orchestra New York. Here’s an excerpt from my review: “Shiki, both the composition and the album as a whole, comes across as the trumpet section’s showcase, given the solos on the title track by Herb Robertson and Steve Bernstein, and for Natsuki Tamura’s contributions… The album continues in the vein of its predecessor, Eto, in that the title composition plays more of a supportive role rather than standing out for its theme. Shiki, which means “four seasons”, presents a series of long simple motifs that rise and fall like the swell of waves, constantly building and releasing tension. The composition serves as a backdrop, framing a series of explorations by individual soloists. Just when you think the band has lost its way, Fujii re-introduces a thematic thread to pull the performance back together. “ You can read the full review of Shiki at Improvised.

"...he could make Hamid Drake look like Paul Motian..." That made me laugh. Thanks Leeway and Relyles and Stevie for your reviews. I'm a big Satoko Fujii fan, and I just want to tell Natsuki Tamura that ITS OK SOMETIMES TO PLAY THE TRUMPET LIKE A TRUMPET IS MEANT TO BE PLAYED, YOU KNOW...WITH AN ORDINARY TONE?

It does sound good.

Thanks for the heads-up on both, hadn't heard of either of them.

I like Seamus Blake, have a couple of his albums from years ago.

Just got this yesterday, along with that Braxton 12 CD set, as a birthday present. Can't wait to dig into both (if I wasn't constantly working)

Thanks! Overdid the tequila a little last night.

Let us know what stands out for you.

I'd like to hear all of Scratching The Seventies at some point, to see how Josh rearranged the tracks.

Ideal Bread has just released their interpretation of the Steve Lacy triple CD set Scratching The Seventies that came out on the Saravah label. Here's an excerpt from my review: "Beating the Teens plays like a jazz concept album. It’s not about the individual solos, or even the individual songs, but the gestalt of the whole set...Lacy frequently incorporated texts into his music, either overtly or as inspiration, and this speech-like quality is brought out on Teens; it’s like listening in on a conversation between four old friends, with arguments, laughter and passionate debate." You can read the full review of Beating the Teens on improvised.