clifford_thornton

Sad news regarding the King Crimson percussionist, who also worked regularly with Derek Bailey and in the Music Improvisation Company. From Bill Bruford: https://www.facebook.com/100044343523529/posts/1245892226898883/

this is all getting more and more intriguing by the day. Haven’t picked up Black Music in quite some time but I do have a copy around somewhere. agree, Huss/Frank & Denis don’t look that similar, at least from the cover photo on Triangle.

I mostly know him from the Mike Taylor Quartet, seems as though he had quite an interesting life. https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2025/feb/13/dave-tomlin-obituary (1934-2.Nov.2024)

Credited as Frank with Archie Shepp, yeah. Very interesting theory about the cabaret card, and certainly possible given Denis’ proclivities.

Thanks! We’re getting some “weather” today but as for tomorrow, things look to be okay and running on time. Hope to see some of you there.

I’d love to go back in time just a little bit to when I was first becoming aware of the Actuel LPs and hoovering them up in the late 1990s. It was a really fun experience to hear them fresh without the benefit of YouTube or other digital media platforms.

Agree. Would have wished for complete Sonny and Linda footage with Herbie, because I understand it was part of the concert.

Summer of Soul is awesome!

Curious about this for sure. It’s supposed to be a very good documentary.

Only heard the two streaming tracks; are they indicative?

good guess on 12! I realize I own “Luv” but haven’t dug it out in many, many years… 😬

Recorded in 1970 and released first in 1971 as two single LP volumes.

Wish I could have seen him. My art history MA thesis in 2003 included a bit about his early music and the evolution of his trio as process and discovery (I interviewed Brötzmann for this thesis). Probably should’ve found a way to send it to him but hopefully it was out there in the ether. RIP Mr. Riley, and thank you.

Sad, sad news regarding the incredible British pianist: https://ukjazznews.com/rip-howard-riley-1943-2025/ There’ll never be another one like him, that’s for sure.

Cool — I’ll stop guessing. I haven’t heard much Lehman to be honest, but your comment about intertextuality made me think of him.

Huh. Alkebu-Lan tapes went back to Mtume (his estate has them), though perhaps Tolliver has copies. I thought all the Dolphy Series material was with Clifford Jordan and his estate. Keno Duke is indeed a mystery! According to a comment on the LJC blog, Duke was a NYC cop who moonlighted playing jazz… the photos I’ve seen of him appear to show a man well into his 50s or older by the mid ‘70s, so my doubts are that he’s still with us. Whatever the results of this Mack Avenue thing are, we can at least hope that these reissues are done properly… which was not always the case previously (bootlegs in the late 90s, needle-drops in the last decade).

Interesting.

Is 9 Steve Lehman?

Track 1 — no idea, but I love it. Did a little discographical sleuthing and couldn’t line up Elvin with this ensemble. Stumped. I assume this music is from Detroit? Track 2 — “Recorda Me” but I cannot identify the group or the bari player, who seems to be coming out of Ronnie Cuber (not him, though, I don’t think) Track 3 — already identified (I peeked) but it is nice to hear this group for sure. Track 4 — never heard this before. Not really my cuppa, personally. Track 5 — again, no idea, but a bari and bass sax duo is pretty unique. I both liked it all right and wished for more inventiveness or openness… something. Track 6 — already identified but a record I’ve never spent any time with. Should rectify that. Track 7 — excellent. Sounds left coast-y to me, but I can’t quite nail it down. Track 8 — feels like it was done in the last 20 years; guitarist reminds me a bit of David Torn or Bill Frisell, but seems unlikely to be either. I do like this. Trumpeter is good but I cannot identify them. Track 9 — definitely has bite, both the alto and the piano are tugging at things. The bassist has a beautiful tone. Feels relatively recent as well, and I’d like to hear more. Track 10 — wow. Lovely. Definitely not Ran — less spacious, less capricious — but another one I’d like to hear more from. Track 11 — I agree with Jim, but I do like this piece. I hear what they're going for, and while that thing occurred some time before this date came around, it’s honest. Track 12 — Cables, McBee, Hart?

Yeah, I’m curious as well. The only recordings of Huss that I know of are on congas, and later than this Dorham.

Denis also had a percussionist brother named Huss Charles. I don’t think he played trap set, though, so I’d be surprised if he was on this Kenny Dorham recording.

I think of it as tearing/ripping, though it can also mean to harry or denounce. regardless, it’s a fun album!

yeah, or at least inspired by what the Strata organization were up to. Yes, the artists owned their masters.

Paris is Wonderful has some excoriating alto from Mr Kühn, which I do enjoy. But worth being prepared!

Yeah, the Ra box is wanted. I have the Shandars, and they’re good.