T.D.

That 4% fee for credit card usage has become common at US (at least NY State) restaurants. The reasoning is that "they're passing on the bank interchange fee" that the credit card companies levy on them. Which is a post-COVID development. Until 2021 or so, merchants generally ate the interchange fees, but more or less subtly made it known that they'd prefer cash. One major exception being gasoline (petrol) stations, which have long offered a "discount" to those paying in cash. If Smoke's food is good, the menu items that I (vegetarian) would eat are fairly reasonably priced by Manhattan standards.

The mushroom ragout and Provencal ratatouille are labeled as "VG=vegetarian" and look vegetarian to me. Of course there are salads. [I'm vegetarian.] Plus some fish dishes. Vegans might have problems because the only 2 vegan options are appetisers: a salad and focaccia. Perhaps the kitchen could be requested to "hold the cheese" on some items. No bargains, and it depends on the portion size, but the rest of the menu doesn't look as absurd as the $32 burger. Perhaps that price is due to it using Wagyu beef? Also depends on the quality of the food. $30ish entrees are probably not unusual in decent Manhattan restaurants. The printed menu looks a little pretentious, so maybe Smoke tout their culinary prowess. Not that I'll be there anytime soon...

One of my favorite BS&SN boxes, especially the solo albums.

Incl. "the album with the streetwalker on the cover", far left above.

I prefer upping an existing thread to starting a new one. Why ignore available information? Of course, some of that could be insecurity / fear of starting a dud that gets 0 responses. 🤣

The band's website implies that he is. And the guy seated in Rod's video clip looks like him. (Thanks, Rod, looks like a pretty good show!) But I'm not certain.

The "Dirty Dozen Brass Band" is playing nearby tomorrow, but at an expensive venue. Formed in 1977, the original concept ("The Dirty Dozen incorporated funk and bebop into the traditional New Orleans jazz style") seems interesting but could be hit or miss. I can't find any recent clips or reviews (for instance on Bandcamp). Does anybody know about this ensemble?

When I see the name Baden Powell, I can't help thinking about the Boy Scouts...[a Brit with surname Baden-Powell founded Scouting].

DMG shows the box on their website as "SPECIAL", so it doesn't appear to be in stock yet. $250 if signed by John Zorn, $175 otherwise.

I like the uncropped version, too:

Scheduling bonus! Lace Mill show probably will run from 4 to 5:15-5:30 or so. Then from 6-7:30, the Creative Improvisers Orchestra 2-3 short blocks away.

Yes! One of the earliest (1966) recordings Mal made after his 1960s hiatus.

The other one is an obscure album of '70s Yugo jazz-funk. I enjoy it, but have bad taste so YMMV. It's on bandcamp and also had a CD reissue. I bought a CD from The Bastards because it was very cheap.

😁

Medley from (the former) Jugoslavija:

I enjoy the Alan Silva "Treasure Box" set (though I just have regular CDs)...Celestrial Communication Orchestra HR57 I-IV Though it might be in the "interesting rather than great" category. Recorded 2001, released 2003, just squeaks in time-wise.

Agreed. I was at the July 28 Lace Mill concert (NuMBQ) and Michael announced 8/24 as a trio KK, MB and TT.

My best guess is that a motor vehicle jumped the curb and took out the 2 pillars supporting the awning. But only a guess.

Thanks. I stand corrected. Will have to look into ownership of the Bonandrini material.

I've amassed a decent amount and it's always delivered. I thought of posting Guy, but don't consider myself enough of a "big band expert" to pontificate. I'll also second the ICP and Moondoc recs above. Probably some William Parker releases qualify, but he makes so many records that I can't keep them straight in my head. 😮

True. But they're all pretty good. Andrew Hill didn't make bad records. 🙂 That box set series had some flaws (illegible art reproductions, no bonus tracks, various choices of material were head-scratching [under name of different leader] or redundant), but I still purchased a lot of them! I think the parent label (Cam Jazz) is no longer in business, and have no idea what will happen to the catalogue.

Excellent mini (3 cd) box set from NoBusiness.

(another Togashi album)