sidewinder

'CCS' (RAK Records) - with John Cameron and Harold McNair

Sam Ganges Dildo Baggins Gollum

A very touchy-feely box, this one !

I'm quite enjoying the track 'Minnie' on CD5, which is also on one of those 'Unknown Sessions' boot CDs as 'Latin' but with about 5 takes. The tune has quite a resemblance, of course, to the Ripperton single 'Loving You', which must have been a hit at around the time this session was done.

If it's the LP I think it is (came out on Embassy in the UK and I still have it) this was also the very first time I heard both Herbie - and Miles. If its the same LP there's also Mingus 'Slop' and Brubeck's 'Camptown Races' on there.

Too many knobs, dials and indicators on it ! I want a matt black box with a total blank front.

And just noticed a great little interview video in Miles' old back garden with Henderson, Cosey and Leibman here: Miles Video

Must be (although the 'Big Fun' 2CD did also sound pretty good). Incidentally, it's also interesting just how much of the material on 'Unknown Sessions' CDs 1 to 3 from the 72-75 period didn't make it onto this set. What are the Unknown Sessions CDs 1 to 3 from the 72-75 period? These were collections of studio out-takes, which appeared on 'dime' not too long ago. Just noticed today also that Amazon UK's price dropped down to £44.99

Must be (although the 'Big Fun' 2CD did also sound pretty good). Incidentally, it's also interesting just how much of the material on 'Unknown Sessions' CDs 1 to 3 from the 72-75 period didn't make it onto this set.

According to the notes, it looks like they commisioned Corky McCoy to do some more artwork, this being one of them.

I can believe it but I just go by what my ears tell me. For the most part, they sound great !

Diggin' 'Ife' a lot more than I used to do too, thanks to this remix.

"Never, in the history of BFTs, have I been so wide of the mark so many times."

You may wish to reconsider..

No complaints from me on the music, quality of the mastering or presentation of the set - all superb. The essays could have been a bit 'meatier' I guess, although Paul Buckmaster's recollections are very interesting (Stockhausen being put on the autochanger etc). That first page drawing of the 'devil' playing the tambourine sure had me laughing my head off though. Inspired !

Pretty happy with the sound of both mono and stereo Blue Notes on my LP12 with the Aro arm and Dynavector cart so will stick with this I think, for a long time to come.

They're definitely hibernating again (too cold) but the turnip lanterns are out and the 'Complete On The Corner' set is spinning.

Stan Tracey - Clark Tracey John Dankworth & Cleo Laine - Jacqui Dankworth, Alec Dankworth Amancio D'Silva - Stephano D'Silva Harold Land - Harold Land Jr Jimmy Skidmore - Alan Skidmore Michael Garrick - Christian Garrick

(gasp !)

Up for Gilad's current UK tour... and for 'Che' Been giving the 'Refuge' CD on ECM a spin over the last few days and it is a very good release. Contemporary 'British' jazz with Middle East/Balkans/electronica influences, played by a tight-knit group. Forgetting about the politics, the music itself is recommended.

Was our old board buddy Che in attendance? I seem to recall him talking quite a bit about Atzmon a while back. Didn't recall seeing anyone in the audience with beard, cigar and combat fatigues . Nice show and Gilad was on good form - one of the best players on the scene over here, for sure.

OK, sorry about the 11-th hour input and all that but here we go. Don't know any of the music on the disk but found it enjoyable - here goes: Track 1 - Vocalese intro about learning to read from pop. Sort of Mark Murphyish style but definitely not him. Haven't a clue I'm afraid ! Track 2 - Guitar/bass/drums trio - very 'open' sound. Something about the chordal work from the guitarist and his style reminds me quite a bit of Sonny Greenwich. Track 3 - Drummer heavily featured on this one (dustbin lid? Bill Stewart?) Pianist also strongly featured - strong and very precise chordal sound reminds me a bit of Renee Rosnes. Altoist reminiscent of Sonny Fortune. Guitar comping comes in during the latter part of the performance. The overall style of the group is somewhat reminiscent of early 90s 'Out Of The Blue'. Track 4 - Solo classical guitar feature - incredible technique with what sounds to be a django-esque influence in parts. Toned-down Derek Bailey? Track 5 - Trumpet/alto/bass/drums feature. Very musical playing by the drummer, lots going on there - reminds me of Andrew Cyrille. Stylistically it reminds me of Lester Bowie but that's a very long shot. Track 6 - Good feature for the tenor player. Came on like Warne Marsh at the beginning but over the piece metamorphosed into Albert Ayler ! Something about the inner logic of the early playing reminded me of Ingrid Laubrock but the later playing is too 'hard' to be Laubrock. An intriguing performance ! Track 7 - Herbie Nichols-ish (funilly enough mixed with Tristano) feel to the piano playing on this track but this is much more recent. Trumpeter sounds sort of a bit like Ted Curson but without Curson's technique. Track 8 - Virtuoso violin opening - amazing technique. Reminds me of Leroy Jenkins. Track 9 - Larger group with both trombone and tenor sax prominently featured. Sounds very much like one of Carla Bley's groups and one of Bley's compositions. Not sure if its Gary Valente or Roswell Rudd on trombone (sounds more like Rudd to me). Track 10 - There's something very EST/Jan Johansson about the piano trio (EST ?) backing the saxophonist on this performance. Very precise, sort of Scandinavian. Of course, I'm probably totally off the mark and it's some group out of Kansas or wherever. Track 11 - Violin/trombone/piano - short track to finish off the disk. Very 'Edwardian parlour band' with a hint of bluegrass. Nice ! Thanks very much for the music Nate - it will certainly be interesting to check out the answers.

Hope you both have a great day !