John B

Have any of you had a chance to explore the group Mujician yet? I've picked up a few of their discs and have yet to be diappointed. Fantastic playing by all involved. (Keith Tippett, Paul Rogers, Tony Levin and Paul Dunmall) This isn't easy listening, at over 70 minutes of sometimes dense, fiery playing, but, when I am ready for such things, the music is exceptional.

Off the top of my head I really enjoyed the Masada - Live at Tonic dvd. The Mingus was ok, but, I agree with you here, a certain spark was lacking.

If so, I'm right on time! As I recall, the most recent sign-up threads have not occured until answers from the previous test were posted. I agree that it makes more sense to take signups as discussions occur and mail the discs out once answers are posted.

I realize I am jumping the gun a bit, since the answers to BFT #25 have not been posted, but I want to minimize any delays and have my discs ready to mail out as soon as BFT #25 wraps up. This test will only be one disc. There is a "theme," but the disc can (hopefully) be enjoyed with no knowledge of what connects the tracks. If you are interested in participating please send me a PM with your name and address, and I'll post a running list of signups here. Also, if you are outside of the United States and would be willing to assist with distribution in your country, I would appreciate it! Members signed up: King Ubu Dan Gould Nate Dorward Stefan Wood brownie Bright Moments Hardbopjazz Jim Dye mikeweil MartyJazz cannonball-addict Durium Д.Д. Chaney tooter randyhersom marcoliv couw EKE BBB Eloe Omoe indigo dutchmanx Man With the Golden Arm Jim R fent99 catesta .:.impossible Noj Clunky Geoff

.....instead of Vermont. man, I hate that expression. Whenever I post about musicians coming here to play there is always a reply saying they thought the musician had died.

I was there last May and barely restrained myself by only grabbing three discs or so. Lots of very, very tempting items in their racks. I really miss browsing in Newbury Comics, too.

I think this is a VERY unfortunate response. Care to expand for those of us who haven't heard NY Capers and might consider picking up a copy?

I'm tracking down a copy now. Thanks for all of the recommendations!

Thanks for the heads up! I don't have two of those yet. As soon as my downloads refresh...

Twisted Village is one of the places I miss most now that I no longer live in Boston.

There is a nice article on cellist Erik Friedlander over at Bagatellen. I have yet to hear his solo cd Maldoror, which is something I need to correct quickly. He also has a new (?) solo cello dvd, Vanishing Point: A Road Journal, that sounds fascinating. It was recorded live on tour and features 50 minutes of live performance as well as footage shot while travelling and backstage. It is fairly inexpensive through his website, so I'll add that to "the list," too. There is a nice review of the dvd posted here.

Is that the "fictional" biography? I've never come across it and haven't been compelled to search it out. Is it worth tracking down, taken for what it is?

Very fine listening ahead. Please provide feedback on the records AND the book. Will do. I'm a bit conflicted on the book right now. I really enjoyed reading it, and it added greatly to my understanding of Marsh and his music, but the author's take on such an intensely private person comes across as extremely subjective. I'll have to do a search and read others thoughts but I get the feeling that Chamberlain is positing a lot that isn't really supported by fact. I have no clue if his conjectures are correct or not, but I'm taking a lot of what he says with a big grain of salt.

I just finished reading An Unsung Cat, so I decided to fill in a few holes in my Warne March Collection: Warne Marsh - A Ballad Album Warne Marsh - Star Highs Warne Marsh - Live at Dana Point Warne Marsh - Unissued Copenhagen Studio Recordings

Tom, I really enjoyed listening to this disc! I wasn't able to nail any of the tracks 100% but I sure had fun trying. 1) orchestra transitioning into solo piano. I have no clue when this was recorded. I have a difficult time getting my head around this track, as it sounds like a small snippet from a much larger selection. 2) At first I didn’t realize I was listening to a new track, but this sounds like someone else at piano. Around 1:30 in I’m getting either some distortion or some crackle from vinyl. Too short for me to have any idea who this is. 3) This track sounds like something from a film score. I almost hear someone “modern” (W?) trying to emulate the classic Miles / Gil Evans sound, Sketches of Spain keeps coming to mind for some reason. Not much gabbing me here. The arrangement seems really busy, but I’m not hearing any real depth. 4) Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah, yeah! Nice change of pace from the last track. The bass and drums have a really nice groove going. Decent playing by the horn and guitar, but it’s the bass and drums that make this track for me. 5) This track sounds really familiar, but I can’t quite place it. I really enjoy this one. Very nice atmosphere, solid playing by all. This sounds very mid-late 1960’s to me. I’m looking forward to finding out who this is. 6) Very,very nice. It’s got a Mwandishi-era Herbie vibe to it, but it’s not that band. Something about this track doesn’t sound as fully-realized as the Mwandishi sides, but, as far as “second-tier” releases from the same era go this is really solid. Again, I’m really looking forward to finding out who this is. 7) No clue who this is, but this track is fantastic! Very lyrical playing. The time feels very elastic, but they all hold it together very nicely. 8) Rough, but endearing. I’m a fan of recordings that aren’t too polished. The trumpet player waivers a bit too much for my liking, but that is a minor quibble. No clue when this was recorded. Based on the fidelity I’m guessing this isn’t too recent, but I could be wrong. 9) The cherry on top of the sundae. Short, but sweet. No clue where this is from, but I have yet to hear a recording by him that disappointed me. 10) Speaking of brief – Rahsaan! One of those guys you can name based on one note. 11) Sounds like Woody Shaw. The bass and drums are buried in the mix, which makes me wonder if this is a live recording. This is a great performance! Fiery, and focused. I’d like to hear the rest of this disc. 12) This one isn’t really clicking for me. Everyone is playing their assess off, and the structure of the piece is unusual, but I’m just not feeling it. The “Scooby-doo” haunted house voice isn’t helping, either. 13) This one sounds like Woody again. I’m really enjoying the trumpet / drums duet. The drums just sound great. I don’t know if it is in the recording or in the tuning of the drums, but I really like the sound they are getting. 14) Some post-bop mixed with funk. Very 1970’s sounding track. No clue who this is, but the sax player sounds really familiar. This is nice enough, but doesn’t do all that much for me. 15) This sounds like Sam Rivers, but I’m not familiar with any albums of his that feature electric bass and guitar. Not as impressive as his “classic” albums, but this is still very solid. 16) The trumpet is reverbed to quite an amazing degree. This sounds like a slightly more reserved Toshinori Kondo to me. This group is playing with an almost too-restrained fire. I like the groove they have going, but wish they would cut loose a bit more. Sounds like a 1970’s European recording to my ears. on to disc #2....

great point. I agree with this 100%.

That would not be a problem for me, as a consumer. Paypal is pretty easy to use but does have its own fees for the seller.

That would be nice. My sister has promised to attend with me, should I go down for the shows. She has never heard any eai, so I'll have to give her something to listen to before dragging her to a show "blind."

I'm planning on making it down for the show(s), but it is difficult to be sure so far in advance. I'll have to figure out how easy it is to get from the venue to Brooklyn at night. The list of upcoming releases looks fantastic. Two more ErstLives for the year would be nice, too.

No, current release. Very, very good, although, at four hours, difficult to assimilate. I checked back, but Nutty had gotten too rich for my wallet. Oh well, another time.

I'm hoping that equals more new Ersts in the near future.

I'm taking your advice, Chaney. If anyone outbids me I will be pissed.

shipping is $1 within the U.S., more for international. PM me if you have any questions. George Russell - The African Game (Blue Note) oop - $10 William Parker / Joe Morris / Hamid Drake - Eloping With The Sun (Riti) - $8 George Benson - Body Talk (CTI / Epic) $8 Joe Farrell - Moon Germs (CTI/Epic) $8 Mark Helias - Desert Blue (Enja) $8 Jaco Pastorius - Word of Mouth (Warner Bros.) $7 Jaco Pastorius - The Birthday Concert (Warner Bros.) $7 Wynton & Ellis Marsalis - Joe Cool's Blues (Columbia) $5 v/a -Flying Funk $6 (Flying Dutchman / Bluebird, RCA) v/a - Flying Groove $6 (Flying Dutchman / Bluebird, RCA) Billie Holliday - God Bless the Child (MCA) $4 Kali Fasteau - Vivid (Flying Note) $7 w/ W. Parker, S. Mateen. H. Drake, J. McPhee Jack DeJohnette - Oneness (ECM) $8 non-jazz Jill Scott - Beautifully Human $7 Phish - Slip, Stich and Pass $7 Phish - Rift $7 Unkle - Psyence Fiction $9 Sound Tribe Sector 9 - Offered Schematics $9 Squirrel Nut Zippers - Hot $5 REM - Green - $5 Prince - Rave un2 the Joy Fantastic - $7

I know I don't "need" this, but that looks really tempting.

Discs received! I'll start listening this weekend.