Rabshakeh

Jean-François Pauvros and Gaby Bizen's No Man's Land (Un-Deux-Trois, 1972) Elvin Jones Trio's Puttin' It Together (Blue Note)

They still sound great. In fact, I think Disable Planets sound better than they did then. I love those groups' first couple of albums. The Low End Theory had a significant impact on my own jazz listening habits (I was around 14 at the time I discovered that album). Those were innovative hip hop acts. I'm not sure Guru holds up quite as well, but, hey. It's more the stuff from the jazz side that got my goat in the 90s and early 00s. It was a good period for young fogey music faking being up to date. It was also a good period for other musics too, as discussed above. Depending on the type of jazz or improvised music you like, it might even have been a "great" period. But I remember the sad hip hop cross over attempts getting quite a lot of the more "mainstream" jazz press attention. Particularly in the UK. I find the contrast pretty stark when compared to the current set of jazz musicians like Makaya McCraven and Shabaka Hutchings, who I think have staked out a much more convincing claim.

Some of those 90s attempts at jazz / hip hop fusion have aged pretty badly I think. Not because they're fusion, per se. I just think they were mostly playing catch up. Now that rap has itself moved on, those albums sound even more wretched and old fashioned.

Oh yes

On the neo bop side, was this a continuation of the young lions thing or something new stylistically (perhaps "new" is wrong)? I'd be interested in hearing about specific albums for these artists.

I always saw the first half of the 90s as one of the weaker periods of mainstream jazz, and music as a whole, but there's lots of good stuff. Personal favourites from the decade that aren't far off McLean are Banned in New York by Greg Osby (Blue Note, 1998) and Ancient Ritual by Sonny Simmons (Qwest, 1994).

Thanks for these. Some great sounding stuff that I wouldn't have identified on my own. Looking forward to piling in.

I know I know. It's the vague dusting of hair that's the worst bit.

What an album cover. One I shall never be able to unsee. I can't believe I hadn't thought of Lew T in the context of this thread. He always gets lost in the shuffle. What a great player.

Thanks!

I've seen a couple of recommendations for releases on RogueArt on here recently. I'd more or less missed the label in the past, probably because of its artwork (or lack of it) which makes me think of generically packaged out of copyright boxsets. Does anyone have any recommendations or favourites on the label? I've scanned the discogs page (www.discogs.com/label/54856-Rogueart), and some of it looks pretty damn mouthwatering.

In case anyone is interested, I've come across this interesting "interview" with Ayler from France in the '70s. Perhaps more of a sustained beatnik monologue. It's him talking for 40 minutes straight to what sounds like an audience of crickets. Either way, it's an interesting one.

I'm Nuts ... on Bethlehem is one of my favourite jazz flute albums. Terrible title and terrible artwork, but a great flute album.

Did this group ever record?

Giving an old thread a "bump", so as to recommend Nicole Mitchell's brilliant Awakening (Delmark, 2011) to any other flute fiends out there. I know Mitchell from various other settings, but this is her at her most mainstream, I suppose (so fewer nu-soul or AACM influences). It's something everyone can enjoy. Her flute playing is incredible on this album. Solos that are incredibly nimble but somehow have deep roots.

Thanks for the link! Right up my street.

Something like that...

Looks like I got lucky with mine too. Although I haven't tried it yet as my mother in law is staying. I'm not sure it's strictly mother in law appropriate.

Killer record.

I've been returning to this one recently: modern / avant pieces for solo saxophone, with thanks to D.D. for the recommendation. One striking part of the record are that there are more breathing and tonguing techniques being displayed than I normally expect from notated music, and they are applied with a degree of uniformity, despite the very different composers whose work is included. Presumably this is Delangle's own interpretative slant on these pieces. Has Delangle been involved in any other worthwhile projects, composed or improvised or in between?

Let us know what you all make of them. I've finally worked my way through my band camp backlog and I'm in the mood for more.

That's a good point. Basically psychedelic rock albums with Muddy Waters and Howling Wolf singing over them for some reason. I always though Cosey's playing was the better part of both of those albums.

Nice!

I have to say that I really enjoy DTM. It's a great resource. One of the best features of the writing, along with the musical insight, is the readiness to hand out off-the-beaten-track recommendations. I've learnt a lot from it, as I am sure have many others, so thanks. And Ira Sullivan's records aren't going anywhere.

Daily New Paradox by the Friedemann Graef Group (FMP, 1977). Some good earthy European free jazz.