Funny Rat

[Guest Chaney]

$5 for Grand Mal? Nice. That's a date I'm very fond of.

[king ubu]

$5 for Grand Mal? Nice. That's a date I'm very fond of.

I got another Diaz-Infante disc, (as is stated...before known) from CDbaby's 5$ sales, haven't played it yet. That one's a duo with Chris Forsyth.

Ernesto Diaz-Infante & Chris Forsyth - "As Is Stated... Before Known" (Pax Recordings/Evolving Ear 2004, PR90263/EE07)

Uploaded to Aural Innovations: June 2004

As Is Stated... Before Known is Ernesto and Chris' fourth duo recording, and once again features Ernesto on acoustic and Chris on electric guitar. This may be their most subtle, and consequently most demanding album yet. It's always amazes me how adept these guys are at pure sound creation. The opening track features the acoustic guitar laying down a rolling, droning ambient drift, while Chris colors the music with rumbles and groans. "Tomorrow" is a highlight on which Ernesto's strumming creates a sort of avant-garde Shoegazer feel. The tension builds as Chris uses the strumming groove as the canvas to paint little sonic nuggets of electric guitar manipulation. And the boys get a bit into space on "Six Years", with it's dark atmospherics and head throbbing pulsations.

But it's the quiet, understated melodic-dissonance of the album that grabbed me on most of these tracks. My favorites consist of Ernesto doing his textural acoustic magic as a foundation for Chris' string scratchings and various other techniques. Just dig that fluttering sensation he creates during "On A Morning Five Years Ago". "Some Years Since" is a bit different, if only because Chris decides to take off for a while and do some nimble dancing about the fretboard. As usual, these guys excel at exploring sound and the possibilities of what can be communicated through their stringed instruments.

For more information you can visit the Pax Recordings web site at: http://www.paxrecordings.com.

Email at: info@paxrecordings.com.

Visit the Evolving Ear web site at: http://www.evolvingear.com.

Email at: info@evolvingear.com.

Reviewed by Jerry Kranitz

source: http://aural-innovations.com/2004/june/pax04.html

[Guest Chaney]

Just noticed that Hauts Plateaux (Potlatch) w/ Daunik Lazro (alto & baritone saxophones) and Carlos Alves “Zingaro” (violin & electronics) is now out of print.

Anyone interested better round up one of the remaining copies now.

[Д.Д.]

Here's a disc I just got from the 5$ sales at CDbaby's:

grand mal

Kyle Bruckmann (oboe, english horn, suana)

Ernesto Diaz-Infante (acoustic guitar)

John Shiurba (electric guitar)

Karen Stackpole (percussion)

barely auditable records 1234 / pax recordings

I'm halfway into this, and it's quite good so far. Here's the AMG review:

I hated this one - tried it 2-3 times, but never managed to finish. I thought Bruckmann sounded extremely ugly and monotonous (and in general I just love oboe sound!), and the whole disc had a rumbling, midless feel to it. I have Bruckmann's solo Entymology, also on bar, and I while I appareciated the instrumental virtuosity, it also didn't sound too interesting to me.

Liked Stackpole's percussion work on Grand Mal, though.

I have several Diaz-Infante discs, including a couple of solo piano ones as well as duos with Forsyth, and I thought they were all very interesting. Solo paino stuff is quirky pseudo-Feldmanesque minimalism, and guitar duos I need to revisit. A lot of Pax releases are a part of CDbaby $5-sale - and they are definitely worth checking out.

[Д.Д.]

Just noticed that Hauts Plateaux (Potlatch) w/ Daunik Lazro (alto & baritone saxophones) and Carlos Alves “Zingaro” (violin & electronics) is now out of print.

Anyone interested better round up one of the remaining copies now.

Grab this one asap!

[Д.Д.]

I walked into a new store today here in town and grabbed a few things as an early birthday present to myself! Is anyone familiar with Environment for Sextet? I know pretty much nothing about it, and haven't heard much of the Ictus label at all, but it sort of stuck out so I picked it up. It is the Italian CD re-issue from the nineties, though I just read that the catalog is not being reissued again? Any thoughts on this recording, or the label itself?

I have it, but have never listened to it. Will check listen to it soon and report here.

I gave it a listen today in the car. The recording is not very dynamic, in that there doesn't seem to be any separation between the instruments. I'm not sure about audiophile terminology, so you'll have to bear with me. I will say this, when the music is cluttered, its cluttered, when its sparse, its sparse. I probably won't be listening to this too much. It was running a little long into the third track and lost my attention.

Well, I tried this one, and it didn't work for me either. I agree about extremely narrow dynamic range. There is this fairly monotonous peep emanating form unidentified instruments with muddily-recorded clumsy drumming on the top of it. Turned it off after 20 minutes.

i.

I have one of the FMR Amalgam reissues: "Another Time" - need to get to finally listen to it (particualrly after being so impressed by Watts' solo disc).

well i found that amalgam to be my least favorite, DD, but i think you have a more regal ear than i do. see what you think. one of the longer songs is just so annoying with it's repetitive bassline.

Regal ear? Meaning I am more likely to enjoy crap?

I've actually initiated a mercyless "jazz" CD purge with more than 50 CDs going into get-rid-of bin already. David Murray and Ran Blake have been practically eliminated. Roland Kirk eliminated completely. Of old favorities, a lot (but not all) of Braxton, Mingus, Pullen, Booker Ervin, Roscoe Mitchell and later-perioud Sun Ra will follow soon. Coltrane Atlantic box will go (will buy some individula discs from it, though), and some of Ornette too. Most CIMPs as well.

Haven't listened to much improv these days - mostly have been going through excellent ethnic music releaes on Network, particualrly enjoying really groovy Pakistan/Sindh stuff:

Edited May 4, 2006 by Д.Д.

[B. Clugston]

Bill Shoemaker reviews the Ictus box in the latest Point of Departure:

Imagine you have lost your main source of income, a bad shoulder prevents you from finding new work, and an earthquake has destroyed your home. In the face of all this, starting a record label devoted to improvised music would be, to put it mildly, counter intuitive. However, Italian percussionist Andrea Centazzo did just that in 1976, creating Ictus, “the creative label for creative music.” Within a half dozen years, Ictus became one of the bolder artist-operated labels in a halcyon era for such enterprises. Early Ictus LPs found Centazzo performing in Italy with established figures like Derek Bailey, Alvin Curran, Steve Lacy and Evan Parker. Centazzo also ventured to the US as early as ‘78, showing remarkable prescience by recording with a wide swath of emerging artists including Eugene Chadbourne, Rova Saxophone Quartet and John Zorn....

http://www.pointofdeparture.org/PoD5MoreMoments2.html

[Guest Chaney]

Thanks B. for the link.

Sets sounds pretty darned impressive. I'm very nearly pleased that I ordered it!

[jon abbey]

those Shoemaker reviews are so superficial, I'm not sure how anyone could take much out of them. "A Moment's Notice" seems pretty accurate, I passed on sending him review copies of Ersts.

[John B]

I just heard that Ayler has a new album ready for pre-order:

Charles Gayle Trio - Live at Glenn Miller Café (aylCD-015)

Charles Gayle, as - Gerald Benson, b - Michael Wimberly, dr

Recorded at Glenn Miller Café, Stockholm on February 12, 2006

Based on Jan's brief comments it sounds like they are playing standards for this set.

Ayler is also offering free shipping on Silkheart titles now.

Edited May 5, 2006 by John B

[Д.Д.]

Vel-Net Records.

[Guest Chaney]

Vel-Net Records.

Listening to the sound samples right now.

Pippo 'Ark' D'Ambrosio: Arte senza volto

Some very pretty playing but sounds too much like some of those acts trotted out by PBS during their all too frequent pledge drives. I'll give Pippo points as he's a paisan but still...

Eugenio Colombo: Racconto Flautato

:gasp: I.... can't....breathe... :gasp:

That circular breathing can sometimes make me very uncomfortable.

Sounds interesting.

Gianni Lenoci: Agenda

Soffused and dilated recompositions for piano of music by Steve Lacy

Hmmm... Can't tell about this one. Lots of ringing piano. Not one I'd care to take a chance on. Doesn't sound bad, though.

Ahhh... Track six, Retreat. I'm being won over.

Enrico Cosimi: Infinite works

Vangelis, anyone?

I don't listen to this type of electronic music much anymore but I still retain a soft spot for this stuff.

Knock knock.

Who's there?

PBS.

PBS who?

No, really. It's PBS. We're looking for someone to score Nature and thought you'd be ideal.

What's it pay?

Well...

Nico Girasole: Et Nico

Is it Cold in here? Anyone else feeling Blue?

Laraaji: My Orangeness

Cripes! No wonder you're so popular with the ladies!

Paolo Giaro: I Vu Di

I don't think so.

~~~~~~~~~~

The Ictus box set has once again been delayed.

New release date: May 20th

[Д.Д.]

Vel-Net Records.

Listening to the sound samples right now.

Pippo 'Ark' D'Ambrosio: Arte senza volto

Some very pretty playing but sounds too much like some of those acts trotted out by PBS during their all too frequent pledge drives. I'll give Pippo points as he's a paisan but still...

Eugenio Colombo: Racconto Flautato

:gasp: I.... can't....breathe... :gasp:

That circular breathing can sometimes make me very uncomfortable.

Sounds interesting.

Gianni Lenoci: Agenda

Soffused and dilated recompositions for piano of music by Steve Lacy

Hmmm... Can't tell about this one. Lots of ringing piano. Not one I'd care to take a chance on. Doesn't sound bad, though.

Ahhh... Track six, Retreat. I'm being won over.

Enrico Cosimi: Infinite works

Vangelis, anyone?

I don't listen to this type of electronic music much anymore but I still retain a soft spot for this stuff.

Knock knock.

Who's there?

PBS.

PBS who?

No, really. It's PBS. We're looking for someone to score Nature and thought you'd be ideal.

What's it pay?

Well...

Nico Girasole: Et Nico

Is it Cold in here? Anyone else feeling Blue?

Laraaji: My Orangeness

Cripes! No wonder you're so popular with the ladies!

Paolo Giaro: I Vu Di

I don't think so.

~~~~~~~~~~

The Ictus box set has once again been delayed.

New release date: May 20th

Of the Vel-Net major artists I know only Colombo who's a monster player and has some very interesting recordings - with Italian Instabile Orchestra and under his leadership (there is a good one on Leo with opera singers, and a couple of solid free-boppish ones on Splasc(H)).

Lenoci I know from his duo with Joëlle Léandre on Ambiances Magnétiques label that I listened to for the first time earlier today. It's OK. Lenoci is fine, but not particularly original. Reminds me of classicized Bley. Ms. Léandre shines, as (nearly) always.

I liked some (does one CD qualify as some?) of the Cold Blue titles, I really did.

Ictus box will be your Cold Blue, Tony

Edited May 6, 2006 by Д.Д.

[Guest Chaney]

Ictus box will be your Cold Blue, Tony

That could turn out to be very true.

[7/4]

I mentioned these guys a while back. It seems like nobody had heard of them.

Another, older interview.

[Д.Д.]

I mentioned these guys a while back. It seems like nobody had heard of them.

Another, older interview.

I actually bought one Borbetomagus CD ("Barbed Wire Maggots") last time I was in NYC (in DMG; I asked whether they had more - they didn't (to their own confusion), but Bruce said something along the lines of "it's all the same stuff.. and it's a bit intense"). The disc is at the very top of "to listen to" pile, but for now I just cannot stop listening to this one:

...and given that this is a 5-CD box, and I will most likely want to listen to it all, I doubt I'll get to Borbetomagus too soon.

This set is available for close-to-nothing from amazon.co.uk. Although I see they already raised price a bit (I got it for £15) - but still, this is a steal....

Edited May 7, 2006 by Д.Д.

[ep1str0phy]

I just heard that Ayler has a new album ready for pre-order:

Charles Gayle Trio - Live at Glenn Miller Café (aylCD-015)

Charles Gayle, as - Gerald Benson, b - Michael Wimberly, dr

Recorded at Glenn Miller Café, Stockholm on February 12, 2006

Based on Jan's brief comments it sounds like they are playing standards for this set.

Ayler is also offering free shipping on Silkheart titles now.

I've always enjoyed Gayle's playing on 'straighter' material, although he flourishes in more 'outside' environs. His acid-soaked Coltranisms on Touchin' on Trane are some of the most consistently inventive solos of his recorded career. I may check out the above, although Wimberly can be a little heavy handed sometimes (sometimes it's a simple as weird bass drum miking.

[Guest Chaney]

For those interested, David and I will be having a listening session tonight in the chatroom. All are very welcome to join us and, if at all possible, listen and comment along.

Don't know how many of you will have this one, but the early leader is:

the Happymakers (Balance Point Acoustics)

Wolfgang Fuchs, sopranino saxophone, bass clarinet; Jacob Lindsay, Ab, Bb and bass clarinet; Damon Smith, double bass; Serge Baghdassarians, guitar, electronics; Boris Baltschun, electronics.

Ma®ker#1 (04.26)

Ma®ker#2 (04.32)

Ma®ker#3 (03.24)

Ma®ker#4 (05.49)

Ma®ker#5 (06.09)

Ma®ker#6 (02.59)

Ma®ker#7 (05.17)

Ma®ker#8 (04.54)

Ma®ker#9 (03.36)

Ma®ker#10 (08.08)

Ma®ker#11 (05.29)

Recorded in May 2003 at 1502 8th St, Oakland, CA.

If anyone has a more readilly available Ratty title they'd like to suggest, feel free to do so.

[Д.Д.]

For those interested, David and I will be having a listening session tonight in the chatroom. All are very welcome to join us and, if at all possible, listen and comment along.

Don't know how many of you will have this one, but the early leader is:

the Happymakers (Balance Point Acoustics)

Wolfgang Fuchs, sopranino saxophone, bass clarinet; Jacob Lindsay, Ab, Bb and bass clarinet; Damon Smith, double bass; Serge Baghdassarians, guitar, electronics; Boris Baltschun, electronics.

Ma®ker#1 (04.26)

Ma®ker#2 (04.32)

Ma®ker#3 (03.24)

Ma®ker#4 (05.49)

Ma®ker#5 (06.09)

Ma®ker#6 (02.59)

Ma®ker#7 (05.17)

Ma®ker#8 (04.54)

Ma®ker#9 (03.36)

Ma®ker#10 (08.08)

Ma®ker#11 (05.29)

Recorded in May 2003 at 1502 8th St, Oakland, CA.

If anyone has a more readilly available Ratty title they'd like to suggest, feel free to do so.

Time is 9PM CET (3PM EST). Change of time possible, according to requests.

Edited May 7, 2006 by Д.Д.

[Guest Chaney]

For those who like this sort of thing:

CONFRONT PERFORMANCE SERIES

Confront have instigated a new cdr label dedicated to the swift dispersal of concert recordings. The intention is to release live material within a few weeks of the performance, enabling those that are interested to keep abreast of the fast moving, ever changing nature of live performance. Each release will be limited to a collectors edition of 100 copies and come housed in a hinged alluminium dvd case with circular clear window plus minimal printed insert.

The debut release was recorded a little over a month ago at the I-and-E Festival that took place in Dublin, Ireland.

Direct orders to info@sound323.com

£4.99

+

£1 post uk / europe

£1.50 post rest of world

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

david lacey : percussion & e-bowed monochord

paul vogel : computer and clarinet

mark wastell : ride cymbal, cd player, mixer

live concert from the i-and-e festival 1 april 2006

recorded at the unitarian church, dublin, ireland

digital recording by david reid

www.i-and-e.org

confront performance series 01

www.confront.info

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

Review from Rod Warner

Saturday Afternoon: Unitarian Church, Dublin.

David Lacey, Paul Vogel and Mark Wastell.

An impressive venue, light-filled and dominated by the rather beautiful stained glass windows, it seemed a (more?) appropriate place for this brand of improv which at times seems to embrace an austere albeit antinomian search for purity, whether coincidental or intentional – or whose strategies contain fluctuating incidences of both. (More appropriate because of the space as well – the long room at Trinity while possessing great acoustics was a bit too cramped and the sitelines were not that great accordingly). A good crowd of about fifty or more... I had no idea what the guy who introduced the afternoon was saying (again) as his voice didn't carry beyond the first couple of pew rows – this could have been remedied easily enough with a microphone. (If I hadn't printed off a program before leaving England I would have had no idea who some of the musicians were). The first cohort of improvisers: David Lacey, Paul Vogel and Mark Wastell. Their performance commenced with a barely-audible sustained tone – (signature of the festival?) the occasional slight rustling in the audience and the scratching of my pen on pad again were as easily heard – a democracy of sound. As the volume of the tone rose, it seemed to fill the air. When other elements slowly came into the mix I became further aware of the space of the church – at these low levels of sound, the constituent elements have considerable acoustic room to move through. When the volume increased, I could tangibly register the individual expansion and collective contraction as the constituent musics proceeded to fill the space, rubbing up against each other. As the piece develops, I became aware of three motival distinct levels- a deep, remote bass tone, a rushing granular sound in the middle and a high, pure sine wave overall. The bass provided an approximation of rhythmic pulse, the reverberating granularity of cymbals a thickening centre and the woody clarinet mutated by laptop manipulation becoming an actual slow moving harmony when additional clarinet notes were added in real time. They built quite a head of steam, rising in volume as reverberating cymbal(?) set up cross-rhythms, susurrations that evoked a sea washing over a beach. Stunning.

Edited May 7, 2006 by Chaney

[7/4]

I mentioned these guys a while back. It seems like nobody had heard of them.

Another, older interview.

I actually bought one Borbetomagus CD ("Barbed Wire Maggots") last time I was in NYC (in DMG; I asked whether they had more - they didn't (to their own confusion), but Bruce said something along the lines of "it's all the same stuff.. and it's a bit intense").

Sounds like Bruce. I know where he's coming from...

- about 12 years ago I was taping the overnight show on WKCR, the next morning I played it back and had my first Borbetomagus experience.

- I don't own any of their albums, you probably only need one.

- I did hear them perform once at the Knit. VERRRY loud. I wouldn't mind checking them out again.

- I've heard Donald Miller many times with other musicans. Like with Charles Curtis:

The disc is at the very top of "to listen to" pile, but for now I just cannot stop listening to this one:

...and given that this is a 5-CD box, and I will most likely want to listen to it all, I doubt I'll get to Borbetomagus too soon.

This set is available for close-to-nothing from amazon.co.uk. Although I see they already raised price a bit (I got it for £15) - but still, this is a steal....

I should go on a Bach binge. It's been a while.

[Д.Д.]

No wonder many people think all this free improv stuff sounds kinda samey...

[David Ayers]

Peggy Lee seems to have branched out a bit since those Beauty and the Beat days...

[Guest Chaney]

Peggy Lee seems to have branched out a bit since those Beauty and the Beat days...

Late in her life, Peggy became quite demented and so was in the perfect frame of mind to play free jazz improv. Really quite sad.

[AmirBagachelles]

Did anybody get their Ictus set yet? Distributor said it was to be mailed a week ago USPS Priority from Calif. I think, nothing here yet in Brooklyn.