Alexander Hawkins

I'd also add that - of course - 'freedom' is a precious thing for people who go into exile from regimes such as Apartheid SA. Louis (et al.) very much align with an aesthetic (similar to that of the AACM) of 'freedom to' instead of 'freedom from'...so playing tunes/vamps/grooves is no more or less free than the completely open forms, or any other. What is important is inhabiting the 'moment', and genuinely improvising...a type of empirical freedom, more than talking about what music can/can't/should/shouldn't be. I think this idea of the moment is related to the thrilling raggedness of a lot of the music...I mean - listen to their session work, and it's clear these guys can all nail 'orthodox' precision, but this takes you a little close to rules, and rehearsing out the spontaneity. (Cf Theme De Yoyo to show that the funkiest stuff comes just on the brink - whilst all the time it's clear that 'if they wanted' it could all be a lot more 'precise'). I've definitely been in rehearsals with Louis where we've junked a tune because it was all a little clean/polished, and lacking the loose-limbed thing... And temperamentally, count me in: one of the main things I feel I've learnt from Louis is the value of risking chaos in order to create conditions where the magic might happen, in preference to playing safe with a much higher percentage return of 'satisfactory' results. And that if you go into it with this attitude, you find that the chaotic stuff therefore has its own kick...

With a gun to my head, being made to choose between the two (but understand - it WOULD pretty much take a gun to the head) - I'd go with 'Very Urgent'...IMHO it has THE classic version of 'Marie My Dear'/'B My Dear' on it. Steve - I know buying budgets are what they are, but that box is running extremely, extremely low as far as I know...and I'm biased of course, but the music throughout is astonishing. If there's a heavier recording in this world than 'Blue Notes For Mongezi', then.....................

I don't know that particular SME, so really looking forward to it. Plus - with Johnny on bass - a COMPLETE no-brainer!!!

Steve - yeah, that's Jason! You're totally right about John Edwards. The sound is absolutely massive...and hook him up with Louis, and it's something else...whew... Louis and those bombs...once those drums are hit, they *stay* hit!!!

Thanks! Yeah, close indeed...lthough I have to say in fairness - (s)he was very discreet - I had no idea at all!

Not quite answering the question, but my two favourite improvising bassoonists are Mick Beck and Sara Schoenbeck - both incredible with all this extended technique stuff. Here's a clip of Mick with the great Phil Minton: ...he's a great guy, and they made a nice film about him recently: Sara is on a tonne of great stuff. She's amazing in the Braxton ensembles. There's also a really nice trio record with Taylor Ho Bynum and Joe Morris (here's a live clip of the group: ). She's also part of Wayne Horvitz's totally brilliant Gravitas Quartet...not to mention Harris Eisenstadt's incredible Golden State (with Nicole Mitchell and Mark Dresser): Oh and I forgot to mention Katie Young!!!

Just been alerted to this on YouTube for anyone interested in a nice half hour of the new Moholo-Moholo Quartet - this is us live at Cafe Oto a couple of months back!

Great! I should have mentioned - I believe the quartet is slated for early September, for people looking to combine an order...

Thanks Bev!

I hope it's not bad form to cross post like this (please do delete if so - no problem) - but I mentioned on the new releases thread that there's a new one just out from the Louis Moholo-Moholo Unit - 'For the Blue Notes'. It's the first release of Ogun's 40th anniversary year(!). [i don't think I'm breaching state secrets either to say look out for a studio album from Louis' quartet in a couple of months too...] Here's a nice early write-up at The Quietus. For those in the USA, Dusty Groove carry Ogun things.

Just thought I'd mention that there's a new live release from the Louis Moholo-Moholo Unit out on Ogun - 'For The Blue Notes' - the first release of the label's 40th anniversary year. Here's a nice early write-up at The Quietus. (I'm very proud to play on this one.) For those in the USA, Dusty Groove carry Ogun things!

p.s. I should add that 'Human' is not actually my band...I am in the group and on the album, but it's led by the fantastic Northern Irish drummer Steve Davis...but I really, really like that record...it's crazy, IMHO in a really nice way

I'm super excited about coming to Vancouver...my first time in Canada, let alone to play, so really looking forward to having a few days to hang out. Will be a lot of fun to reunite with Harris, and to play with Francois for the first time. Do say hi if you're able to make it!

It was really fun - thanks!

Just wanted to share a little of the joyful noise with everyone - here's a clip of us in Turin last week... ...it would be great to catch up with anyone in the vicinity of Copenhagen, Reading or London in the coming days!

Thanks so much everyone - it's been a great day!

The Davis/Newton/Wadud also came to mind - I've been listening a bit to that recently. One of my very favourites: Tatum/Tiny Grimes/Slam Stewart!

Yes - thanks for the reminder!

Thanks Bev - Bush Fire is wonderful, isn't it? I think that's the first appearance of 'Mark of Respect', which is a tune we play a lot nowadays - a beautiful thing by Pule. Steve - believe me, I'm like a kid in a candy store playing with Louis and John...the number of times I went to hear those guys when I was younger...so I still have to pinch myself when I get to hear them from a particularly good seat in the house (i.e. the piano bench). Those are two musicians who are completely incapable of giving anything less that 100%, which is a lesson in itself. In fact, more generally, it's incredible to be able to play in any of the John Edwards + Mark Sanders/Steve Noble/Louis rhythm sections (though 'rhythm section' of course sells them short...) - I'm very lucky in that respect.

I know it's the wrong side of the Atlantic for most members, but just in case, for friends in the UK, Italy or Denmark - or who fancy the trip... - here are some upcoming gigs with Louis Moholo-Moholo...as ever, it'd be great to see anyone along the way. And I don't think I'm speaking out of turn by saying there'll be a new Ogun (Louis Moholo-Moholo Unit, 'For The Blue Notes') available at these shows...recorded live in concert a couple of years ago in Milan. Here's a video taster of the action... Saturday 26th April: Louis Moholo-Moholo Unit - The Vortex, London Wednesday 30th April: Louis Moholo-Moholo Unit - Torino Jazz Festival Tuesday 6th May: Louis Moholo-Moholo Quartet - JAZZHOUSE, Copenhagen Friday 9th May: Louis Moholo-Moholo Quartet - Jazz at Progress, Reading Monday 12th May: Louis Moholo-Moholo Quartet - Café OTO, London Vortex tickets: http://www.vortexjazz.co.uk/event/louis-moholo-moholo-unit/ Torino info: http://www.torinojazzfestival.it/eventi/louis-moholo-moholo-special-unit-for-the-blue-notes/ Copenhagen info: http://jazzhouse.dk/jazzklub/louis-moholo-moholo-quartet-zauk Reading info: http://www.progresstheatre.co.uk/whats-on/louis-moholo-moholo-alexander-hawkins-quartet Cafe Oto info: http://www.cafeoto.co.uk/louis-moholo-may-14.shtm Unit: Henry Lowther, trumpet; Alan Tomlinson, trombone; Ntshuks Bonga,Jason Yarde, saxophones; John Edwards, bass; AH, piano; Louis Moholo-Moholo, drums Quartet: Jason Yarde, John Edwards, AH, Louis...

I just wanted to share some larger ensemble music of mine that was recorded in February for German radio, live at the WDR festival. It's a nonet, featuring Peter Evans, Byron Wallen, Percy Pursglove, Hannah Marshall, Chris Cundy, Pete McPhail, David Powell, Mark Sanders, and myself...but I think the group possibly feels a little larger than that, since there are lots of 'doublers' in there... Unfortunately, they had to cut off the first two movements of the piece to fit the programme together, but it's available to listen to here. There's also a short bit of video here for a taster... Hope it may be of some interest

On the JJM site, one of the comments began with: "I find it strange that no one else included “Rah,” the first album by Mark Murphy". WTF? Anyway, I don't get all the "strange" references. There's nothing strange going on here. As Clunky said above, "Just like the polls here, ask 100 people get a hundred answers....." It's bizarre that someone would find it "strange" that one of their personal favorites wasn't mentioned, unless it was some universally-recognized classic (and even then, it might be too subjective to voice an objection). What was more surprising to me was that two of the participants in the linked story selected JJ's "Proof Positive". That's not to say I don't think it's worthy, but what were the odds? Even in one decade, the number of choices is immense. I might have chosen a Hawes Contemporary title too, btw, but probably "I'm All Smiles" or "Here And Now" over "Green Leaves", particularly because the material was generally more "contemporary" to the 60's. Completely agree in the sense you mean it - I think what I meant was just that I found it curious that the first one which came into my mind was the Hawes...forced to bet on it, I'd have had to put the money on the first thing popping into my mind being some Ellington, probably p.s. Love those two Hawes too! Just something about the title track which gets to me about Green Leaves...

I'd lose too much sleep to play this game I think...but strangely, the first which came to mind was Hampton Hawes' 'The Green Leaves of Summer'!

Wow - I've seen so many negative reviews of this but when I see this appear in Larry's list my curiosity to hear it increases enormously. If ever a session attracted diverse opinions it is this one ! It's an AWESOME record...can't imagine anyone being equivocal about it!

One of my favourite Braxton albums, so good. I was lucky enough to be there that night...one of the single most inspirational musical experiences I've ever had! Blew my 23-year old brain...