David Williams

Thanks for posting that. Odd though: the author/interviewer obviously wasn't a fan - no fan would make the mistake of thinking Spencer The Rover was on Bless The Weather or Solid Air. A few other obvious errors too. My own recommendations for someone about to try JM would be Solid Air or Bless The Weather first, then Inside Out or One World next. I haven't heard (but have just ordered - £9.99 incl UK postage via JM's own site) Live At Leeds, but that's said to be a classic live recording. I also have a soft spot for Sapphire - the first of his albums I ever bought - quite unique and experimental, yet soulful and organic, use of synths.

Thanks Alan. Fanfare & Siesta looks interesting. Snurdy gets a very nice review by Chris Sheridan in the just-out April edition of UK magazine Jazz Review.... 'truly exultant music'.... 'pulsates, vibrates and excites at every turn'. It's a very inspiring, irrisistible write-up.

I love Rivers' playing on black stars, but also how together the piano/bass/drums sound.

The CD turned up yesterday. Very glad to have it - beautiful variety. That first track is irresistible, but I love the combination of out/free/marching band/funk styles - who'd have thought that could all work together? First time I've heard any of these musicians, as well. Love Roscoe's sound, and Hugh Ragin's too - he has a bit of that gorgeous brass band-type tone.

Notice from that thread that Chuck said he can supply Okkadisk CDs.

I know this is probably known to some, but I came across this interview (here; three pages of it) with Evan Parker by the Emanem label owner Martin Davidson. I'm not a fan of your typical uninformative magazine interview, but this is very interesting and thought-provoking (and possibly essential reading) if you're interested in EP's music and methods - discussing his views on group improvisation, giving pointers to the rationale behind his form of improvisation, and talking about the reasons, and necessity, for repetition in his solo playing. Possibly grabbed me so much because I felt the need for some help with, and explanation of, what I've been listening to over the last 4 or 5 months.

Ah, thanks.

Speaking of Okkadisk: what's happened to the site? Is it down for good?

That 'odd purple tint' is called a blue rinse, and they're cool: I plan to get one when I'm 70. Don't think I'll bother with the poodle, though.

Thanks for the tip, Harold: it is better.

It's almost unusable for me at the moment - too slow. Hope the revamp will make it quicker to load.

Message To Our folks is available on Charly as a budget-priced twofer with Jackson In Your House - at least in the UK.

Well I've been into the scene for just 4 months or so, but this is how it went for me.... comments on the BNBB and Jazz Corner finally piqued my curiosity, Peter Brotzmann's and Hamid Drake's 'Dried Rat Dog' and the Amassed CD gave me a varied introduction and led me to trying Evan Parker in various settings from solo to dectet as well as more recordings involving Barry Guy, Brotzmann, William Parker, Joe Morris.... in short, once I realised that I was enjoying sound, timbre and tonality without, necessarily, obvious melody and rhythm a new world was revealed (really, no exaggeration). The last few days I've been listening to little but Evan Parker's and Eddie Prevost's 'Most Materiall' 2CD set - beautiful conversations between sax and percussion (and not percussion played like I've ever heard before - I think he uses a bow a lot). A 'recommendation? Try Barry Guy's London Jazz Composers' Orchestra's 'Theoria' - a free improvisation piano concerto, with Irene Schweizer's sparkling piano in the lead role and an 8-piece (I think) band performing the role of the 'orchestra', though with plenty of solo and group improvisation

We call it a swede in these parts.

Already on it's way from Cheap-CDs, thanks.

Joe's version of Aric's Lou Donaldson conversation was funny, but it was someone else who later made a habit of translating Aric speak - not that funny, and got on my nerves a bit frankly - the bloke was obsessed about getting rid of Aric, I think, and just became a bore.

Can't say I like it either, but it's irrelevant at this point really; and anyway, it can't be denied it helps gives the recordings a unique character. Your post is a thought-provoker, Michel. I'm no expert I'm afraid, and the clown in me can't help wondering which particular tuning technique they used at the Cafe Bohemia in the 50's.

Unfortunately not. It seems to have acquired legendary status.

Apart from some Stan Tracey, I'm almost completely ignorant of any pre-80's British jazz. The Impressed LP is an eye-opener, and no mistake.

After a few hits of the Jazz Factory rip-off, finally found the real thing here: Cheap-CDs Is this site legit? Here too: CDNow (This is NOT one to buy used, though.)

The funny thing about John Patton is everyone seems to have a different favourite... or is it just my imagination. (Hello Dan! That feature that tells you who else is viewing a thread is creeping me out! Whoa - now you've gone!)

This used to apply to me as well, must admit. My excuse was that I got into jazz just as I was moving out of London (a couple more years and I'd of had to have been dragged away), and ended up in a place which didn't seem to have a local scene, no internet, limited press exposure for British artists, etc.... certainly nobody to talk to about jazz (sob... I thought I was a freak). I've been rectifying the situation to a certain extent over the last 7 or 8 years. The British player who has really caught my ear recently, though, is Evan Parker - I don't mean to mention him as a candidate for a British Top 10, but because he seems to be doing something genuinely original, and maybe internationally influential (and I'm not really qualified to make a statement like that, so feel free to argue). It's led me up a completely new tributary - very very exciting - and I was chuffed to pieces at the number of people who responded to my EP thread at the old place. Trio AAB, from Scotland, on the Caber label, have also set my pulse racing recently. Haven't picked up their new one yet, but their previous, Ornettish-yet-somehow-Celtic CD, Wherever I Lay My Home... was the business.

When I find it I'll let you know - planning to have a look tonight.

I've been meaning to get it for a long time, but, I suppose, I've delayed partly due to the criticism of some of the vocal performances. OK, I'll put things right asap.

Thanks! Three hours? Beyond the call of duty.