Д.Д.

Exactly my feeling regarding Hooker. I have several Hooker CDs, and while they cover a really wide ground and have some interesitng moments, none of them really grabbed me, and some of them were downright annoying. Also his drumming itself is not exactly spectacular - good, but nothing outstanding or particularly original IMO. ----------------------- Tony, I will order this Kowald Rastascan CD. Kowald is THE MAN (even when he sings), and I liked most of the Masaoka works I've heard (particulalry the fantastic Fly Fly Fly on Intakt with Larry Ochs and Joan Jeanrenaud. ----------------------- Tony, if you want to hear somewhat harsh koto, here is a disc for you: http://www.leorecords.com/?m=select&id=LeoLab_055 ... although I probably would advice against.

The trip was good. It was nice to be in States again, even if I didn't get a chance to get to NYC. Left Russian CDs in Moscow, of course, so ubu will have to wait till Christmas to get his copy. Bought Pharoah Sanders "Live at the East" in London for insane £18. -------------------------------- As for Bobby Few, don't you find that he overplays a bit on this solo disc?

Friends, I just returned back home from a 5-week trip. To my indiscribable delight, in addition to discovering that my trees are not dead, I also found some mysterious funny and ratty looking packages from usual suspects. Thanks a lot Tony, John B and Flurin! As soon as I recover a bit, I will listen to all the 74 CDs you sent me (should take a couple of days at least), and will report here. ------------------------------------ As for the Other Dimensions band, I have a CD of a cousin band called Fractured Dimensions (recent FMP release) - it's Parker, Carter, Campbell and Alan Silva. Despite my displike for William Parker, and indifference towards Campbell, I liked this disc quite a bit due to nice playing by Daniel Carter (who is a brilliant, if a bit unfocused musician, IMO), and even more so, insane synth playing by Alan Silva that really elevates the record beyond the typical post-free American blow-out.

An mp3 from the SKETCH records website: http://www.sketch-studio.com/sketch-jazz/sons/20vestiges.mp3 Nice! Compositionally reminded me of Andrew Hill a bit.

Curious about FMR label ( http://www.fmr-records.com ) - any recommendations? Also, anybody ever tried buying directly from them?

New Zappa release Joe's Corsage can be heard complete in RA here: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/umrk/

Full mp3 files on Ned Rothenberg's homepage: http://www.nedrothenberg.com/sounds.html Good stuff.

Looks good!

To my shame, I never heard anything by Willem Breuker. Probably subconsciously I was afraid that I would like it, and then I get another enourmous discography to explore (check the BVHAAST catalog out). So what label is In Holland on ?

The alto player looks like Sony Simmons to me.

Very true. You absolutely need Lowe-Ali "Duo Exchange". I got my copy from themusicresource.com for quite cheap. And I also think that Black Beings, while good, is not as strong as other early Lowe - The Flam and Fresh (on Black Lion).

Oh yes. The main connection with Funny Rat thread is that it is unpredictable and it is GOOD!!!

I like Matt Wilson's playing a lot (I have a couple of albums with him as a sideman, nothing as a leader), and I was very curious about this album, given the personnel - it's a shame it sounds like an unrealized opportunity. Dewey Redman seems to be in consistently uninspired mood over the last years, unfortunately (judging from ubu's and mine seeing him live), and from what I remember, Matt Wilson (he is Dewey's band) was even worse during the concert I saw. The CD to hear both Redman and Wilson in good form is Redman's Live in London (Palmetto), lalthugh I would have probably preferred if it were slightly funnyrattier.

It's Lowe.

Oh yes: http://cdbaby.com/cd/kjjfaf

These two are excellent. Of the other ones you listed, I have only Percolator, but don't remember it too well.

New Black Saint / Soul Note / DDQ website: http://www.blacksaint.com/ Nice to see that the label is still alive.

Thanks couw!

I was considering this one, but then listened to the sampe and decided that the straws sound very ... hmm... conventional, so I passed. But as for lIMItEd SEdItION in general, I was very pleased with most of the music I bought from them, and will be buying more as well - probably some Matthew Sperry stuff.

Oh, HELLYEAH! Just arrived at "Body & Soul" - wow! This is magisterial music! Do a google search for "Frank Lowe" and you'll find a nice Fireside chat by Fred Jung (on AAJ). ubu Yeah, this one is great. And this is Lowe far from his prime as far as pure chops go. ABsolutely check out The Flam on Black Saint - some mighty mighty blowing there.

I'm not too familiar with Ms. Leandre's output. The only one I heard is Leimgruber-Hauser-Leandre "No Try No Fail" (hatOLOGY) - an excellent disc, but definitely not an easy listen - pretty intense even by healthy Funny Rat standards, I would say. I have Leandre's solo bass CD (on Red Toucan) somewhere and her latest Leo release (with Mat Maneri and other good people). -------------------------------------------------------------- Thinking about it, No Try No Fail could be a good subtitle for this thread...

I was very enthused over this one upon first hearing it -- I even began a thread on it -- but after further listening, I began to consider it just average - SINOW, that is. VERY enjoyable though. Reminds me of ConSequences in that so many of the tunes are catchy... or is it that they're derivative? Can never figure that out. Didn't find it that interesting either. Derivative is the right word, IMO. Good playing, though.

Funny Rat is an equal opportunity thread. I have to admit, I have never listened to Jelly Roll. does he sound like Herr Broetzmann? As far as I know, Morton was influenceda lot by later-period Sun Ra Arkestra. ----------------------------------------- Tony, I think you are pulling the Funny Rat leg - Zen Widow is a philosophical concept of something that is mysteriously irresistably attractive but can never be attained in reality - there is no way you could actually have received it in physical format of a CD... Goodheart plays piano and Powell plays drums, as far as I know, but they could have exchanged names for this release. As for ordering these CDs (NOW), please keep in mind's Tony's experience of buying directly from Evander. Older Evander releases are avialable from http://www.indiejazz.com/, who proved to be quite reliable - so if we are persistent enough they will stock the new Evander releases as well.

New Drimala releases. From the Drimala newsletter: Let Them Pass (laissez-passer) featuring Montreal-based drummer John Heward in his first recording as leader with longtime associates Joe Giardullo (tenor, flute, bass clarinet) and Mike Bisio (bass). The music flow effortlessly from the Middle East-East European model traditions to a simple American blues form....quiet, yet powerful. As All About Jazz says, "Let Them Pass transmits a deep sense of intellectual reflection, musical interaction, and human honesty." More at: http://www.drimala.com/title/let_them_pass.html PLAY continuing Drimala Record's exploration of the art of the duet. This recording reunites pianist Michael Jefry Stevens with former Mosaic Sextet band mate Michael Rabinowitz on bassoon (bassoon!!!!). The music is open, powerful, graceful, and reflective....always with an ear towards the possible without forgetting the past. More at: http://www.drimala.com/title/play.html <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<oooooooooooooooooooooooo>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Now you can enjoy all the Drimala catalogue through digital downloads in all your favorite formats directly from our website. Just go to http://www.drimala.com and click on the Digital Storefront.

Ware's Columbia contract was terminated a couple of years ago.