Alexander Hawkins

All I have under his own name is 'Have No Fear', which I really enjoy. Also a nice place to hear John Young, a pianist whom I don't know beyond this record, but whose playing I enjoy a lot. Also, there 2 or 3 tracks from George Freeman's (brother of...) Delmark CD...damn, name escapes me...anyway, some pretty cool organ trio stuff (one mad track has Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre (ts) and Lester Lashley (tb)). Anyway, I like this appearance too.

Dollar Brand Johnny Cash Flash Gordon

Just pulled out the 'Big Brass + Trio' album from 1958 to have a listen, and think it's fantastic. Does this one get overlooked by 'virtue' of not being from one of his longer label residencies from the period (i.e. Prestige, BN, Contemporary?) Anyway, no matter, I think this is great. an early sighting of Henry Grimes, as well. For me, though, the standouts are probably the tracks with members of the MJQ. 'Doxy' and 'Limehouse Blues' are beauties!

Well, I followed the advice in the opening few posts, and got deeper into the band stuff before venturing into the solo piano music. BUT - I've recently been really enjoying Monorails and Satellites and the Teatro La Fenice gig; the former especially. IMHO, an interesting point of comparison is Muhal Richard Abrams, e.g. Young at Heart/Wise in Time. Ra sounds much much more introverted on the solo sessions. Edit: hang on - is it self-evident that he would be on solo sessions ? Oh well, I stick by the gist...

Thanks! Sorry for the flow of inane question...having one of those s...l...o...w days!

Can anyone recommend the 'Women in (E)Motion Festival' recording? I saw a slightly lukewarm review somewhere, but not necessarily one I'd trust. If anyone has a second opinion, I'd be grateful! Thanks, as always.

Ah...Ok, I'm getting there! This 20 Standards set which is upcoming, though - this is presumably the same band, is it? And from the same European gigs as 23 Standards? In any case, it's interesting that he should be releasing so many standards at the moment. Has the flow of 'traditionalist/stylist' orientated-stuff ever been like this before?

Must...stop...laughing out loud in public computer room I just picked up a 2-fer of 'Solid Gold Cadillac' and 'Brain Damage' for £1!

BTW, just to confuse myself even more, I was listening to 7 Standards Vol.1 earlier today, and really enjoyed it. It 'worked' a lot better for me than I had thought; Hank Jones plays really nicely (obviously!). That Warne Marsh tune...

Hang on - I'm confused: where did the 8 Standards come from ? I was referring to this But I'm tired, so almost certainly my mistake!

Crikey - more standards? Is this more culled from the same concerts, do we know?

Do you know the Passacaglia Op.1? I think it's a little less like the above!

Just got this XIII Ghosts record, and am loving it. I don't really know much of this type of music, but will be hunting down 'Giganti Reptilicus Destructo Beam'..!

Thanks Chuck. An audacious move, and at the age of 24! Wow. Coming up to my 24th birthday in a couple of weeks...Getting my head around the recording is enough; to imagine playing the stuff! Should have remembered the material from 'Congliptious', actually: I was enjoying the Art Ensemble box only last night! edit: for Italian readers, this looks to be an interesting article.

Ah yes, Mr. Walesa..!

They were fantastic when they came to London at the end of last year, although I didn't enjoy Kikoski's piano playing much...Very studied and safe, by the standards of this band.

By the way, those photos are stunning! I particularly like the B+W one of Ra through Anderson's horn.

Ubu - have you heard her playing in the Braxton quartets? Don't panic!

The content, I mean, although it looks nice too

Just finished Edith Grossman's new translation of Don Quixote. Quite simply the most beautiful book I've ever read.

I was wondering that too... Also, am I right in thinking it was a sort of AACM rite of passage to be able to play a solo recital? Were these types of outing common at AACM concerts, or was this record really out of the blue?

I'm really enjoying Mo'Rock (or should that be Mo-Roc? It's not entirely clear from the sleeve!) just now. I really like BFW's takes on the standards 'But Not For Me' and 'Misty'. I could do without those screams on that 'Unseen...' track, but the rest of that particular number's a beauty as well.

I just picked this up on vinyl yesterday. I've never heard of this guy, but thought the personnel looked interesting. It includes Sheila Jordan, Jeanne Lee, Lester Bowie, Enrico Rava, George Lewis, Gary Valente, Don Pullen, Fred Hopkins, Don Moye, etc. Only half-way through at the moment, but enjoying it! Does anyone know anything about Melis? No real information on AMG, or after a brief google search, and although All About Jazz has a discography, the accompanying article is in Italian!

Interesting. I like the idea of coming up with something this revolutionary on a home recorder, and dropping it into your company just like that!