clifford_thornton

Bey didn’t have close living family from what I was told. I trust Gilles.

Two tracks in and it doesn’t sound like Denis to me. Huss was more known as a conguero and the kit drumming is very hand-drum informed to my ears. That’s true of Denis as well, but here it’s quite a direct correlation, drawing on constant accompanying patterns and subtler inflections than what we hear from Denis.

yeah, it's a superb record. It does indeed seem like the LP, which was a limited pressing, stayed stateside and was mostly sold at shows.

exactly... they're delicious.

It gives me great pleasure to let you know that on Thursday, May 15 Philadelphia's Bark Culture will be performing at Tubby's on a bill with Blue Lake (Denmark/Texas) and Ezra Feinberg (ye olde Hudson Valley). I've been trying to do something with Bark Culture –– which features vibraphonist Victor Vieira-Branco, bassist John Moran, and drummer Joey Sullivan –– for a while now, and finally we were able to lock something in. I first saw them in a collaboration with saxophonist Michael Foster at Smog (the student venue on Bard's campus, on a bill with Nicholas Serrambana's excellent band Trance Macabre), and was blown away. Moran and Sullivan are also in Foster's trio The Ghost, who have played in Kingston a couple of times, including with Joe McPhee at Tubby's in 2024. At that point we were hatching a plan to bring Bark Culture to the Tub around the time of their debut LP release, Warm Wisdom (which is one of thee great debuts of last year), but scheduling isn't always easy. Good things come to those who wait! Ever since I was a young person I've dug the sound and look of the vibraphone; my dad, a pianist and composer, played in a group in Topeka with a Milt Jackson-inspired vibist named Irving Curtis, and he was awesome. Once I actually got into jazz, Bobby Hutcherson and Karl Berger were quick favorites –– two musicians I was also lucky enough to see and speak with over the years, now no longer with us. Bark Culture is an equilateral unit that focuses on the dance between composition and improvisation among three highly inventive and direct players; they're also a somewhat new band, and exponentially getting more and more into their thing(s). Progressivism and advancement are loaded terms that don't always fit with creativity but suffice it to say that what has materialized on record and in concert from Bark Culture previously is just the tip of the iceberg. I'm also eager to see Blue Lake for the first time (psychedelic multi-instrumental music, not sure if the name is a Don Cherry reference) and Ezra Feinberg again (American acoustic guitar fantasias), and trust that the evening will be sonically varied and compelling. Tickets are available in advance or at the door. Thursday night hit, Dorjee momo from the kitchen and a well-stocked bar + incredible sounds throughout.

I had heard a few years ago that he wasn't doing well health-wise. Too bad. Crucificado!!!

cool record for sure.

Sad news; regrettably, I never saw him or Pere Ubu, but in college (latter 90s) was quickly schooled on what a great run of records they had.

yep getting another bank of shelves built and calculated that they'll be full pretty much immediately. I have two rooms full of records. I really just have to get rid of stuff.

that's too bad. I have the LP set but never owned the CD version.

That Cyrille is indeed good -- saw that band a couple of times.

My understanding is that after Delcloo had a falling out with the BYG people, he took the tapes of that record and Coursil's "Black Suite" to Pierre Berjot, who issued them on America. very good record. Have the 1970 black vinyl pressing.

Sad to report that the great jazz writer Francis Davis has died at age 78. He passed this morning. Source is reputable. May he rest easy, and I give thanks for his decades of work. Mods: could move this to another category, away from artists, but I leave that to y'all's discretion... he was significant in this music, that's for sure.

okay, I guess the CD is coming out this week so I'll be able to hear it soon. Denis was never someone I'd call pedestrian, which leads me to believe he may not be the drummer.

yeah, I guess he got hacked on FB at one point.

Well, I had zero guesses on who any of the performers were, but here's my take: 1. I like this more than I expected I would -- the flutist is more than capable with a bright sound and creative improvisational lines. Certainly a very recent production, and the rhythm section is solidly in the pocket. No guesses, but I enjoyed it. 2. Been guessed, but good to hear it again and it's interesting to now know who's part of the ensemble. I will admit I'd not known of Lakecia Benjamin before this BFT and am impressed. 3. The tune has been identified and this is an excellent rendition, but I can't hazard a guess as to who the performers are. I'd imagine it's somewhat recent (within the last 20-30 years) but beyond that, am not sure. The bassist and tenor saxophonist are certainly hitting some areas that are within my wheelhouse. 4. Not really my thing at all as far as the arrangement & composition go. But everything has its place. No guesses, probably would not revisit. 5. Spaulding is an interesting guess but I don't really think it is him. Ebullient rendition of a classic tune, though the pianist's solo doesn't really do it for me. 6. As I was talking to a fellow board member the other day, the Santana feel is strong here, though it's certainly not them (him?). Once the vocals began I checked out. 7. I do understand the valid connection between jazz and hip hop but this isn't my cuppa tea. It does seem very contemporary. 8. Recent guitar-organ fare, I recall being sent some things like this by the PosiTone label when I was reviewing albums. No guesses. The guitarist presents ideas in a cohesive manner that I could see going places, but the overall flavor isn't too distinctive. 9. I guess this would be crowd-pleasing in a concert setting, but again, I don't get it. Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground" reimagined as a jazz-funk tune? Sorta. Personally, I only lasted a few minutes. 10. Okay, the sentiment is admirable and the delivery is okay -- I'd gather the poet/speaker has spent a fair amount of time listening to how Amiri Baraka did things, at least on some level -- but the music doesn't deliver and feels quite, I don't know, not compelling, which is weird given the subject. Trumpet has some Hannibal-isms but I highly doubt it's him. Another Ropeadope release?

so they probably do bulk licensing deals from various labels?

essential music. I love those Savoy avant-garde LPs and hope that one day they're given really special reissue treatment.

would love to have seen that.

He can play the saxophone better than I can! I've seen and certainly enjoyed him but not felt the need to own any of his CDs. I do like him with Motian as well.

Interstellar Space and Signal are two shops that are supposed to be quite good. I have not been to CHI in years.

Lovely album. Took a few copies to find one without a lock groove.

Some of those Jazzland covers with abstract designs remind me of 'stock' covers that various labels used throughout the '60s and '70s. They are very cheap but some have their charm.

oh for sure.

I'll have to pick that LP up the next time I see it. Another fine Chris Albertson annotation.