clifford_thornton

Clean Feed, from Lisbon, is a force to be reckoned with. Over 40 discs in about two years, most free or avant-garde, and many from Portuguese players most of us have never heard of. Great, great roster of superbly-recorded and very 'alive' sessions. www.cleanfeed-records.com Check it!!!

The Japanese free jazz scene is very, very rich, and has been well-documented by labels like PSF, Alm, Trio-Nadja, etc. A few names: Masahiko Togashi (d), Kaoru Abe (as), Sabu Toyozumi (d), Motohiro Yoshizawa (b). Heavy stuff, particularly Abe.

Anything with Don Ellis from the early '60s is a motherfucker, and should be heard. That includes George Russell records, but y'all knew that anyway... Sidewinder, I don't think Simmons' "Rumasuma" is on CD, and the LP is very, very hard to find.

"Black Suite" was #49, "Scorpio" was #50. Both were hijacked from America, so I would think that they might come out as America/Universal CDs before BYGspots. The Coursils and Jones are some of the best from that period, for sure. I'm wondering if they will reissue the Joachim Kuhns or the Acting Trio. Kuhns are pretty good and pretty odd; Acting Trio (buncha heavily obscure French cats, tenor player Philippe Mate the only one of any real recording pedigree) is way, way out. Like Brotzmann playing Stockhausen... except 'French.'

Ray Russell - 3 on CBS, one on RCA-Victor, one on Black Lion. From Atilla Zoller-esque on the first two through a very 'out' hybrid of SHarrock, Bailey and Arto Lindsay on the latter, his career trajectory in the 60s and 70s is something to watch. Plus, his writing and group-assembly tactics are something to behold. I've also been enjoying the first Raymond Boni LP (at least to my knowledge), an album of solo guitar called "L'Oiseau, L'Arbe, Le Beton." Wonderfully warped, yet subtle improvisations, some almost minimalist. LP was on Futura's SON series, and it was reissued on CD by Marge. Don't care as much for his later synth-guitar ramblings, but this is a must for anyone whose solo-guitar tastes run askew.

THis is what I get for posting and abandoning (too busy to be a regular these days)... Yep, Joachim Kuhn is all over the alto on both BYGs as well as his work with Eje Thelin for EMI and Metronome, and his bro' on "Monday Morning" (HorZu-Columbia). All from 1970 onwards. His intonation leaves a lot to be desired, but he's a nutcase on the thing! Until next month... CT

Well, considered Back to the Tracks was only issued as a test pressing at the time, I'd say $1000 is on the low end of the price scale... I met some weirdo (in Paris, actually) who had one!

STEVE POTTS

Joachim Kuhn!

I hear you... he had a few good early years and then appeard to have lost whatever he had by about 1970. I mean, he doesn't even really play on that Tusques Shandar! I was recently trying to decide whether his solo on "Mr. Syms" was interesting because it was so odd or because of a lack of chops... either way, it is 'out'!

Hey guys, Thanks!!! I've been missing the board; my job has cracked down on 'personal internet' in the past months... Started the day an hour ago with Woody Shaw, so you can tell it's off to a good start! Adios Amigos, CT

I thought I read something about coloured vinyl being less dense (in order to dye it) and therefore less high-quality and more likely to be a poor pressing. But maybe that only goes for more recent dyed discs.

c'mon, you don't need no friggin' sound samples! You know the music is intense and badly recorded...

I've had a few of those 'finger to the stubborn grit' experiences. I should only have one of those experiences, but no, I have a few. Luckily nothing expensive, but still no excuse. Oh, and I dropped and broke a This Heat LP a couple of years ago. Probably shouldn't be dealing with records...

Lacy - Solo (Emanem UK)

to my right-hand man in SF. Happy b-day dude, I'm working on yet another mix CD for ye... hope yr day is a doozy!

Yeah, I never thought I would've been into a Clarke-Boland record, but that one is really tight. Some of those MPS dates look good, too, but the fact that the BN is a smaller band makes it more attractive to my sensibilities.

Speaking of AT, is "AT's Delight" on CD domestically, or is that just a dumb question? I like that record quite a bit. Second the Monterose and Clarke-Boland up's... Monterose needs more exposure, even though that's not his best date. "Golden Eight" is really nice.

So wait, they're not reissuing the also-ran Noah Howard record and a few more stoned Shepps?!? I guess the Kenyatta was already reissued some time ago, but that's a great one!

Huh. Well, despite my suspicions about a re-united Slint (interest-wise), they could probably use the money...

I used to have that boot and yeah, ugh. I don't think you could pay me to see them live (er, maybe) now but they are still a band I enjoy, even after all this time. I can't imagine they'd be raking in as much from a reunion as Black Francis and Company, though...

I'd have abstained too, if it weren't for the fact that my namesake is a dead trombonist (valve, of course)...

It was a toss-up for me between Rudd and Other... Moncur, Mangelsdorff, Christmann, Lewis, Rutherford et alia ... does Vinko Globokar still play or does he just compose now? Can't remember. So many boners, so little time to hear them all.

I like him quite a bit, actually, but that's just me...

After Love is worth it, if only for the amped cello / mandolin duet on side one. Nuts! Completely out!