Funny Rat

[Д.Д.]

Yeah, I remember also waiting for these Parallactic releases forever, and having a bit of a heated correspondence with Brandon Evans (who used to run the label). Brandon finally got into arrnagement with DMG and they supplied all those who paid for the discs (and who were anal enough to keep reminding Brandon about it) with copies. This was five months or so after the prepayment.

----------------

This Fela is excellent! This is a live recording, really raw and in-your-face and Baker is providign some kick-ass heavy drumming. If you are a Fela fan already, you cannot go wrong with this one.

My favorite one is Zombie, though.

----------------

And thanks for the Pukwana hint - I just ordered a copy from amazon. Not sure this will work - it still shows the copy available, although I, I, I just ordered it!!!!

Edited March 22, 2006 by Д.Д.

[blake]

And thanks for the Pukwana hint - I just ordered a copy from amazon. Not sure this will work - it still shows the copy available, although I, I, I just ordered it!!!!

I ordered mine a couple of days ago. Like you, the listing stayed active so I assumed they seller had multiple copies. Amazon just charged my account - I take that as a sign the disc has been shipped. Never had any past problems with Amazon sellers.

[blake]

Yeah, I remember also waiting for these Parallactic releases forever, and having a bit of a heated correspondence with Brandon Evans (who used to run the label). Brandon finally got into arrnagement with DMG and they supplied all those who paid for the discs (and who were anal enough to keep reminding Brandon about it) with copies. This was five months or so after the prepayment.

Sounds like we had the same experience with Brandon Evans. Brandon also told me he was going to submit my name to DMG to have them send the discs but they never arrived. DMG told me Brandon didn't give them my name/address. And I never heard back from Brandon after that.

That's the one and only time I've ever been burned on a music purchase.

[John B]

And thanks for the Pukwana hint - I just ordered a copy from amazon. Not sure this will work - it still shows the copy available, although I, I, I just ordered it!!!!

Good luck with the Pukwana disc. I'd love to buy a copy for myself, but there is no way that seller will be supplying either of you with an actual copy. That is the worst seller feedback rating I think I have ever seen on either Amazon or Ebay. 31% negative, 6% neutral, and many comments that he lists items he does not have in stock.

The Fela / Ginger Baker disc is fine, but not one of the first discs you should start with for Fela. Start with any of his 1970's discs from Open & Close through Zombie and enjoy them first. If the Ginger Baker disc is inexpensive grab it. You won't be sorry. Just keep in mind it is not the best Fela by any stretch.

[blake]

And thanks for the Pukwana hint - I just ordered a copy from amazon. Not sure this will work - it still shows the copy available, although I, I, I just ordered it!!!!

Good luck with the Pukwana disc. I'd love to buy a copy for myself, but there is no way that seller will be supplying either of you with an actual copy. That is the worst seller feedback rating I think I have ever seen on either Amazon or Ebay. 31% negative, 6% neutral, and many comments that he lists items he does not have in stock.

Hmmm...interesting. He was listed as a "new seller" when I bought - no feedback. Looking at the feedback now (all recent), I'd say you are most likely right. We'll see. If it goes bad I'm not worried about getting a refund from Amazon. Sure do want that disc though.

[ep1str0phy]

And thanks for the Pukwana hint - I just ordered a copy from amazon. Not sure this will work - it still shows the copy available, although I, I, I just ordered it!!!!

Good luck with the Pukwana disc. I'd love to buy a copy for myself, but there is no way that seller will be supplying either of you with an actual copy. That is the worst seller feedback rating I think I have ever seen on either Amazon or Ebay. 31% negative, 6% neutral, and many comments that he lists items he does not have in stock.

The Fela / Ginger Baker disc is fine, but not one of the first discs you should start with for Fela. Start with any of his 1970's discs from Open & Close through Zombie and enjoy them first. If the Ginger Baker disc is inexpensive grab it. You won't be sorry. Just keep in mind it is not the best Fela by any stretch.

I've had a copy of the Pukwana CD for some time now (purchased for a very, very reasonable price at the local Amoeba). Last time I checked, they were selling new copies somewhere on Amazon... I guess they ran out. Sort of afropop/SA jazz--somewhat surprising on the first listen (catchy in the vein of a Clash album, I'd say), but it's become one of my favorites. Pukwana is in my pantheon.

I started on Fela with the Fela/Ginger disc--and I wholeheartedly agree. A fine, groovy cut, but hardly the most outstanding date in the FK catalogue... it smacks of fun, but the soul/brutality just ain't the same. My favorite Ginger groove cut is Stratavarious (reissued on the "Do What You Like" twofer, if I'm not mistaken)--heavy, mysterious, noirish afrobeat (and Fela's on it, too).

I'm listening to Arthur Doyle's "The Songwriter" for the first time today--just thought someone here might appreciate that.

[Д.Д.]

And thanks for the Pukwana hint - I just ordered a copy from amazon. Not sure this will work - it still shows the copy available, although I, I, I just ordered it!!!!

Good luck with the Pukwana disc. I'd love to buy a copy for myself, but there is no way that seller will be supplying either of you with an actual copy. That is the worst seller feedback rating I think I have ever seen on either Amazon or Ebay. 31% negative, 6% neutral, and many comments that he lists items he does not have in stock.

Hmmm...interesting. He was listed as a "new seller" when I bought - no feedback. Looking at the feedback now (all recent), I'd say you are most likely right. We'll see. If it goes bad I'm not worried about getting a refund from Amazon. Sure do want that disc though.

Yeah, I guess my chances of getting this CD from this amazon.com seller are remote.

But now I got into a hunting rash, so I placed an order for it at amazon.co.uk that is known to be quite a fuck-up when it comes to accuracy of its listings (and quality of delivery, as some of us here could confirm). But I did get Evan Parker's Monoceros from them, when it was already way OOP. So we'll see.

Edited March 23, 2006 by Д.Д.

[blake]

From the Tzadik website...

Joseph Holbrooke Trio : The Moat Recordings

Released Mar 2006

cd 1 time - 68:36

cd 2 time - 72:54

US Price $25.00

Tzadik is proud to present a legendary reunion of 'Joseph Holbrooke' comprised of three master musicians - Derek Bailey, Gavin Bryars, and Tony Oxley - from the first generation of British improvisers. Originally produced by Gary Todd in 1999, the release of this exciting and historic music was delayed for years under tragic circumstances. These are the first and only studio recordings by this all-star trio whose brief existence in the mid Sixties has been a whispered rumor for decades. Produced in cooperation with the Cortical Foundation, this is astonishing, revelatory musical communication of the highest order.

This release slipped my radar. Does anyone have it? Opinions?

[Guest Chaney]

Helluva band.

Anyone?

THE VAMPIRE'S REVENGE: CDM Records is proud to annouced that March 6th, 2006 will be the release date for Dom Minasi's new double disc CD The Vampire's Revenge, which features Dom Minasi on 6 & 12 string guitars, Ken Filiano onbass/electronics, Jackson Krall on drums, and these special guest artists: Perry Robinson-clarinet, Joe Giardullo-soprano sax, Jason Kao Hwang-violin, Tomas Ulrich-cello, Joe McPhee- tenor sax, Sabir Mateen- tenor sax, John Gunther-reeds, Ras Moshe-reeds, Blaise Siwula-alto sax, Mark Whitecage-alto sax, Paul Smoker-flugelhorn, Herb Robertson-trumpet, Steve Swell-trombone, Francois Grillot-bass 2, Borah Bergman-piano, Matthew Shipp-piano, Carol Mennie-voice, Peter Ratray- recitative and Byron Olson-conductor.

CD Baby for sound samples; Squidco to buy.

[Nate Dorward]

I really love that Joseph Holbrooke reunion album on Incus, so I suspect the Cortical Foundation sessions will be really fine.

I have the Minasi; listened to the first few tracks, didn't get much out of them & flipped it off when his wife started singing, but, given the very tasty lineup, I should give it another try I suppose. I keep wanting to like Minasi, because he's got a really interesting personal story (the weird sojourn at Blue Note in the 1970s &c), but so far just haven't connected with the music.

[clifford_thornton]

It would be really something to hear recordings of Holbrooke from the '60s. Too bad none exist...

[Д.Д.]

I have Minasi's earlier trio recording (with Krall and Filiano), and I saw Minasi live once. Nothing interesting, IMO. The guy plays a lot of notes very fast, with pretty sound. Gets boring after 10 minutes.

[Guest akanalog]

i know the black saint/soul note talk is over, but let me say, as someone who is not really a fan of much cecil taylor i have heard past the blue note dates, that "winged serpents/sliding quadrants" or whatever it is called, from about 1984, is a very excellent cecil taylor album. interesting selection of bandmates including enrico rava and tom stanko on trumpets and frank wright and johnny tchicai as two of the sax players (i think gunter hampel might also be on there). most of the music actually has themes you can latch on to, at least for a little while, and the two drummers, who are both unknowns to me, bash nicely and even hint at rock rhythms at times (at least for a little while). i wonder if this album is considered too commercial sounding for true taylor fans, though....

[Д.Д.]

i know the black saint/soul note talk is over, but let me say, as someone who is not really a fan of much cecil taylor i have heard past the blue note dates, that "winged serpents/sliding quadrants" or whatever it is called, from about 1984, is a very excellent cecil taylor album.

I don't have this one, but if you want more tame Cecil, go for For Olim, also on Black Saint / Soul Note - this is a solo disc, and a rather atypical one for Cecil - relatively short pieces, quite lyrical, a lot of striaght melodies. Beautiful piano sound as well.

[Alexander Hawkins]

It would be really something to hear recordings of Holbrooke from the '60s. Too bad none exist...

I think there is one on Derek's Incus label (now run by his wife Karen). Including a fascinating version of Miles' Mode.

[Alexander Hawkins]

This is one thing I was thinking of, although not sure where that Miles' Mode is!

[blake]

This is one thing I was thinking of, although not sure where that Miles' Mode is!

I have this one. It's an EP, just 10 minutes long and a rehearsal piece. I haven't listened to it in a while but I recall it being rather straight ahead to begin with. And that the improvisations that follow pretty much leave the context of Miles' Mode in the dust...exactly what you would expect from these guys.

[blake]

i know the black saint/soul note talk is over, but let me say, as someone who is not really a fan of much cecil taylor i have heard past the blue note dates, that "winged serpents/sliding quadrants" or whatever it is called, from about 1984, is a very excellent cecil taylor album. interesting selection of bandmates including enrico rava and tom stanko on trumpets and frank wright and johnny tchicai as two of the sax players (i think gunter hampel might also be on there). most of the music actually has themes you can latch on to, at least for a little while, and the two drummers, who are both unknowns to me, bash nicely and even hint at rock rhythms at times (at least for a little while). i wonder if this album is considered too commercial sounding for true taylor fans, though....

I really like Winged Serpents (Sliding Quadrants). I've heard some unreleased live recordings of this Orchestra of Two Continents that are equally interesting and powerful - what a great band. CT hasn't done too many large ensemble projects and this one might be my favorite. I think this may have been the last CT release with Jimmy Lyons on it. He passed away soon after.

Rashied Bakr and Andre Martinez were the drummers.

Bakr was also the drummer in Other Dimensions In Music with William Parker, Roy Campbell, Matt Shipp and Daniel Carter. That band was very influenced by CT. Bakr has recorded with William Parker quite a bit I think.

Andre's latest project is called Earth People. It's more of a collective than a band and has included Sabir Mateen, Daniel Carter and Karen Borca among others. The music is a jazz-fusion based gumbo of sorts with stylistic influences from all over the planet. Samples and CDs are at CD Baby.

Earth People

[Nate Dorward]

The Taylor/Lyons duo (actually there's a little percussion too I recall) that takes up the end of the 2nd track on Winged Serpents... is, IIRC, one of the most moving things either musician recorded. One of CT's best discs.

The BBC posthumous feature on Bailey included that entirety of "Miles' Mode"--interesting to hear, though I'm glad I didn't fork out for the CD. There is an unreleased tape of Joseph Holbrooke accompanying Lee Konitz from the same period; I'm told that it's not "really" a JH performance in that they simply play conventional jazz accompaniment behind Lee. I've heard conflicting stories about who now possesses the tape (Bryars maybe?), & I don't think there are any plans to release it for now.

[paul secor]

I have Minasi's earlier trio recording (with Krall and Filiano), and I saw Minasi live once. Nothing interesting, IMO. The guy plays a lot of notes very fast, with pretty sound. Gets boring after 10 minutes.

I haven't heard that trio recording, but I bought his organ quartet CD, Quick Response, with Mark Whitecage, and like that a lot - not the kind of organ record you usually hear.

[Д.Д.]

Andre's latest project is called Earth People. It's more of a collective than a band and has included Sabir Mateen, Daniel Carter and Karen Borca among others. The music is a jazz-fusion based gumbo of sorts with stylistic influences from all over the planet. Samples and CDs are at CD Baby.

Earth People

No good, IMO.

[Guest akanalog]

you, the guy who's screenname is the symbols i don't know the name of-i like that you seem to you know, not look at everything through rose-ey glasses. when something isn't to your liking, you say so.

[clifford_thornton]

This is one thing I was thinking of, although not sure where that Miles' Mode is!

I didn't think that ever came out. Guess I was wrong!

Thanks!

[B. Clugston]

This is one thing I was thinking of, although not sure where that Miles' Mode is!

The rehearsal extract is of "Miles Mode."

[John B]

"the guy who's screenname is the symbols i don't know the name of"

D.D, this should be your new user name.

Are you familiar with a Russian composer Anton Batagov? I recently bought a 3cd set of his called The Wheel of the Law. Very minimalist, very beautiful.

"Three discs, three tracks composed for organ, glockenspiel, xylophone, piano and percussion, inspired by Buddhism and the Quest for Nirvana, and the practices involved: peace, meditation, deep thought, breathing, conciousness. Repetitive and melodic, lush and so so beautiful."

Edited March 25, 2006 by John B