Alexander Hawkins

Yeah - Derby has somewhat cornered the musician market in that part of the world

Hm, well, I suppose there's some ambiguity about the word "strong" here (= "forceful" or just "good"?), but in any case I think MG's an excellent, well-rounded player, capable of more than just going on a rampage [...] Of recent releases the ones I've been finding most exciting are actually the reissues or archival discoveries of the 1960s and 1970s South African expats--been playing McGregor's Up to Earth and Harry Miller/Isipingo's Which Way Now a lot recently. -- & oh yeah, just got Ray Warleigh's duo with Tony Marsh in the mail yesterday & have been spinning it a lot. It was about time he made a new album as a leader! Agree with all this...was going to say exactly the same about Mats. He's done some really lovely stuff IMHO. Played with Ray and Tony a couple of months ago...both are sounding incredible at the moment. I haven't heard this yet, but am looking forward to it!

Mats is Swedish and fwiw, not usually what I'd call a "weak link." Oops yes of course - forgot about Mats!

p.s. FWIW - the guys in 'The Thing' are Norwegian, not Dutch!

I'll state my vested interest here, in that I'm a mate of Harris and Taylor and have a band with both of them in, but just to say: I think all of Harris' leader dates are fantastic. I haven't heard this one yet, but it's 'sister' date 'Jalolu' on CIMP is an absolute killer. Harris is a real master of playing as free as you like, and as in-the-pocket as you like - if need be, at the same time. Another great one on Clean Feed: 'The Diplomats' with him, Steve Swell, and Rob Brown.

I think you're unquestionably right.

p.s. I also like to play on 'Lights on a Satellite'

Nuclear War is a favourite funky one!

Listen here, if you're interested! I've sequenced it with a longish piano solo beforehand, with sets it up a little, but here's the 'Ra' portion!

Too heavy...couldn't possible take that AND the rest of the Solar-Infinity Arsenal on gigs.

p.s. without vocals, but with steel pan.

I've just recorded this one for a forthcoming album...I'll try and post a snippet here when I get back to my own computer!

p.s. worth adding that that same trio has a newer (last year???) studio thing out on Boxholder...I haven't heard it yet, so can't comment however!

I know what you mean...I think maybe enjoyed it so much just because it was so confrontational and weird...but yes - great that someone does it!

I'd really recommend the albums with Eugene Chadbourne and Pat Thomas - some bewildering, often brilliant, reworkings of Hendrix. RIP.

Absolutely! [and I totally take the point that to say 'Eddie Gladden would've done it differently' isn't a dis on whoever that is !]

Right - Jean Toussaint - thought he looked familiar. Just IMHO but I think there's a risk of romanticising what he's doing with the band a little bit here...maybe actually the band sounds like a million bucks because they're not actually so bad...I'm not sure how a band where one guy is dragging the others along can sound like a million bucks! Blakey liked Toussaint enough to keep him for 4 years...For my taste, yes the trumpet player is a bit pedestrian, but I don't mind the drummer (who I think is poorly served by the sound job as much as anything).

I'm totally into 'Norma Lamont sings Stormy Wednesday'.

Yes, I'm pretty certain that's Phil Robson. Tenor player and drummer look vaguely familiar, but afraid can't place the trumpet player for the life of me.

If you're interested, Bacharach played the Electric Proms last night in London - video here. I caught a little of the performance...some nice stuff (beautiful arrangements especially for a couple of numbers), although his stage manner grated a little a times...

In addition to yesterday's Sophisticated Lady and Isfahan, just added Warm Valley and Prelude to a Kiss.

Recorded a couple of favourite tunes earlier today, just for fun...here!

Don't know anything about him, but I see he's here!

Hey Clifford - if you have any trouble at all getting it from a Stateside source (doubtless the quickest and cheapest way for you, I'd imagine!), I still have a handful, so can gladly hook you up! (And of course, thank you for the interest!)

You have to get the '64 thing, if only to hear Nick Moyake play 'I Cover The Waterfront'. An astounding ballad peformance!