Funny Rat

[Alexander Hawkins]

Have you checked out his two duo records with Eric Rosenthal, where they do standards? I've read mixed things, but I absolutely love them.

[Alexander Hawkins]

Regardless, Ho Bynum is a total scholar, and it's nice to see someone who's really studied and sought to apply the "often talked about but seldom confronted" lessons of the past couple of decades.

Total scholar indeed - dazzlingly intelligent on so much of the music. He writes a very nice blog, which has fascinating insights inter alia on working with Cecil Taylor and Braxton, etc.

[ep1str0phy]

I haven't heard the duet recordings, but I'm becoming increasingly fond of his work. I enjoy his contributions to the blogosphere--it's nice that there's a hub of improvisers industrious enough for regular reporting to the community. Bynum did a nice bit on the Olu Dara/Phillip Wilson hat duo on Destination: out a while ago.

[Alexander Hawkins]

Yeah, that Dara/Wilson duo stuff was great!

[randyhersom]

Can I drop a shameless plug in?

Very excited to say my first album should be coming out in a few months on FMR, featuring Taylor Ho Bynum, Harris Eisenstadt, and Dominic Lash - 'The Convergence Quartet - Live in Oxford'...will post more when I have a release date, etc!

It was completely fascinating talking with Taylor about working with Braxton. My awe of AB increases with every little thing I hear.

Start your own thread about the new release!

Why Yes!!! We wouldn't want Funny Rat to get off topic!!!

[Chalupa]

Going to see this on Monday...

Monday, March 26 | 8pm

INSTANT COMPOSERS POOL (ICP) ORCHESTRA

with

Misha Mengelberg, piano; Michael Moore, saxophone/clarinet; Ab Baars,

saxophone/clarinet; Tobias Delius, tenor saxophone; Wolter Wierbos,

trombone; Thomas Heberer, trumpet; Mary Oliver, violin/viola; Tristan

Honsinger, cello; Ernst Glerum, bass; and Han Bennink, drums

Bodek Lounge at Houston Hall | 3417 Spruce Street

Free Admission

Read the Philadelphia City Paper preview:

http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2007/03/22/all-of-a-sudden

Read the Philadelphia Weekly preview:

http://philadelphiaweekly.com/view.php?id=14266

"As much as any group anywhere, the Instant Composers Pool Orchestra

encompasses a full range of modern musics: Ellington and Monk, Kurt Weill

and European dance band music of a lost age, Weberny chamber music, South

African kwela, free improvisation, conducted improvisation, interactive

games, counterpoint and simultaneity, catchy melodies, pastel harmonies,

order and built - in chaos," writes Kevin Whitehead in his book, New Dutch

Swing. "ICP's mix is perplexing in the best sense: the music doesn't give up

its secrets on first hearing, or second, or third. It keeps you coming back.

This is jazz/improvised music at its most deft and sophisticated." Together

since 1967, the 10-piece ICP is co-led by Misha Mengleberg and Han Bennick

and features some of the best Dutch and European improvisers performing

today.

[Alexander Hawkins]

Very jealous - enjoy!

[clifford_thornton]

We will also enjoy in Austin!

[Alexander Hawkins]

Damn you all !

[David Ayers]

A brief reminder of fundamentals to show Tony we haven't forgotten how it's done! Welcome back man! Hope you can hang around.

(oh, and UMS rules!)

PS Come to think about it I am considering forgetting how it's done, so that I can have the pleasure of reminding myself all over again! Case in point for this UMS classic.

Edited March 25, 2007 by David Ayers

[clifford_thornton]

I have the original FMP vinyl and have not found that one as impressive as the stuff with Mangelsdorff, or even Pica-Pica for that matter. Just my $0.02... carry on.

[David Ayers]

I have the original FMP vinyl and have not found that one as impressive as the stuff with Mangelsdorff, or even Pica-Pica for that matter. Just my $0.02... carry on.

hey! It has a different flavor - depends what you are looking for, maybe...

In a different vein, anyone listen to this kind of ambient thing by Outward Sound Ensemble (Canada) with some Brits:

Thunder in a Clear Sky: OSE and special guests* (OS 0509) 77:04

Herb Bayley: trombone, trumpet, percussives

Chris Meloche: electroacoustic prepared guitar, percussives

Recorded live at Over the Top, Sheffield, England July 2, 2005 (Chris Trent) Herb Bayley overdubbed in London, Canada at Rough Cut Studios

I don't really know anything about this British label - it is my first of theirs.

Edited March 26, 2007 by David Ayers

[WD45]

I have the original FMP vinyl and have not found that one as impressive as the stuff with Mangelsdorff, or even Pica-Pica for that matter. Just my $0.02... carry on.

Baby Sommer is the bomb on Pica Pica!

[Matthew]

I know I'm way late on this, but you can buy off Ebay the Ictus 30th Anniversary box set through the "Best Offer" option now. I got it for $95.00; you might be able to go lower. It's worth it.

[Alexander Hawkins]

I have the original FMP vinyl and have not found that one as impressive as the stuff with Mangelsdorff, or even Pica-Pica for that matter. Just my $0.02... carry on.

Baby Sommer is the bomb on Pica Pica!

I love Baby Sommer - been recently checking out the Berlin album with Cecil and 'Touch the Earth...' with Leo Smith and Kowald. Sommer's fantastic on both IMHO!

[mandrill]

I have the original FMP vinyl and have not found that one as impressive as the stuff with Mangelsdorff, or even Pica-Pica for that matter. Just my $0.02... carry on.

Baby Sommer is the bomb on Pica Pica!

I love Baby Sommer - been recently checking out the Berlin album with Cecil and 'Touch the Earth...' with Leo Smith and Kowald. Sommer's fantastic on both IMHO!

Check out his solo CD- Sachsische Schatulle & his work as a member of Zentrallquartett- all CDs on Intakt Records.

[Alexander Hawkins]

Check out his solo CD- Sachsische Schatulle & his work as a member of Zentrallquartett- all CDs on Intakt Records.

Will do - thanks for the tip!

[WD45]

Check out his solo CD- Sachsische Schatulle & his work as a member of Zentrallquartett- all CDs on Intakt Records.

Will do - thanks for the tip!

Same here!

[king ubu]

Zentralquartett is fantastic all the way! First choice for me would be this one:

http://www.intaktrec.ch/069-a.htm

"Careless Love" I don't have, "Plié" is almost as good as the above, and so is the most recent one, which is their take on traditional songs from Germany.

Sommer also has a new one coming out of his duo with Wadada Leo Smith:

http://www.intaktrec.ch/128-a.htm

And here you'll find all his Intakt releases in one place: http://www.intaktrec.ch/babysommer-a.htm

[Alexander Hawkins]

I look forward to the Smith/Sommer duo - didn't realise that was on the horizon!

[king ubu]

I haven't seen it yet, don't know if it's out already or not... Intakt releases more/faster than ever before, they seem to do pretty good, which is great!

The Anderson/Schweizer/Drake I think was out for release (with the cover backed white instead of black) two years ago or so, but then disappeared and now it's finally in stores... no idea what happened, but this just as an example that their fast release schedule isn't really documented on their website in a proper way...

Just did some googling and found the Sommer/Smith is already out!

[Chalupa]

The DMG newsletter this week had a some bad news about Tonic.....

FLASH NEWS!!!

It seems Tonic, one of our favorite places, will be closing for good

on April 15th, unless radical economic help is forthcoming.

Some notable shows that are upcoming [and not yet known to be cancelled]:

Tuesday Apr 4th, 8PM

ADACHI TOMOMI - Performer, composer, sound poet and visual artist

from Tokyo, known for his versatile style. He will present solo

improvisations with combinations of voice, computer, self-made

instruments (electronic/amplified objects) and an original sensor

system named "infrared sensor shirt." His performance is

characterized by a sense of humor and a singular intensity with

visual pleasure. His CDs have been released from naya records and

Tzadik.

Thurs & Friday April 6 + 7, 8 PM & 9:30 PM

MISHA MENGELBERG & ICP ORCHESTRA - Four Shows In Two Nights!!!

"My main thought about the ICP is: How do they do it? The show is

always radically different. But perhaps what amazes me most is the

way they wander in and out of strictly composed material. The crux of

what they do, as the name implies, is improvisation. And they do it

as well as anyone out there."--Dave Douglas

Wed April 11th, 8PM

PETER BROTZMANN-MARINO PLIAKAS-MICHAEL WERTMULLER

Peter Brotzmann (Germany, reeds) - the living legend of the European

new jazz. A founder of European Free Jazz movement, his work includes

collaborations and recordings with Last Exit (with Bill Laswell,

Sonny Sharrock and Ronald Shannon Jackson), Evan Parker, Misha

Mengelberg, and Borah Bergman. Recent projects include Die Like a Dog

(with William Parker, Hamid Drake and Toshinori Kondo), his homage to

Albert Ayler, the Chicago-based Brotzmann Tentet and many more.

[Matthew]

I received my Ictus 30th Anniversary Box yesterday. Was anyone else afraid to open the cds? Hate messing up the beautiful band around the cd. Music is very nice also. Mine is #290. How many set were made? Highly recommended.

[clifford_thornton]

The DMG newsletter this week had a some bad news about Tonic.....

FLASH NEWS!!!

It seems Tonic, one of our favorite places, will be closing for good

on April 15th, unless radical economic help is forthcoming.

Some notable shows that are upcoming [and not yet known to be cancelled]:

Tuesday Apr 4th, 8PM

ADACHI TOMOMI - Performer, composer, sound poet and visual artist

from Tokyo, known for his versatile style. He will present solo

improvisations with combinations of voice, computer, self-made

instruments (electronic/amplified objects) and an original sensor

system named "infrared sensor shirt." His performance is

characterized by a sense of humor and a singular intensity with

visual pleasure. His CDs have been released from naya records and

Tzadik.

Thurs & Friday April 6 + 7, 8 PM & 9:30 PM

MISHA MENGELBERG & ICP ORCHESTRA - Four Shows In Two Nights!!!

"My main thought about the ICP is: How do they do it? The show is

always radically different. But perhaps what amazes me most is the

way they wander in and out of strictly composed material. The crux of

what they do, as the name implies, is improvisation. And they do it

as well as anyone out there."--Dave Douglas

Wed April 11th, 8PM

PETER BROTZMANN-MARINO PLIAKAS-MICHAEL WERTMULLER

Peter Brotzmann (Germany, reeds) - the living legend of the European

new jazz. A founder of European Free Jazz movement, his work includes

collaborations and recordings with Last Exit (with Bill Laswell,

Sonny Sharrock and Ronald Shannon Jackson), Evan Parker, Misha

Mengelberg, and Borah Bergman. Recent projects include Die Like a Dog

(with William Parker, Hamid Drake and Toshinori Kondo), his homage to

Albert Ayler, the Chicago-based Brotzmann Tentet and many more.

Never really "dug" the place, though I did see a few good gigs there when in NYC. Still, one less venue is one less venue...

[ep1str0phy]

I received my Ictus 30th Anniversary Box yesterday. Was anyone else afraid to open the cds? Hate messing up the beautiful band around the cd. Music is very nice also. Mine is #290. How many set were made? Highly recommended.

Consider it an achievement that you shelled out for it. I have no doubt that quite a bit of what's included on those records is very good--but talk about steep.

I find it ironic that the box is still the cheapest way to hear a lot of those albums. One of my favorite LA record shops was carrying an Ictus for $50 (unfortunately for me, it was the last one--the shop owner said a "couple of Japanese guys came in and bought up all the weird jazz--dropped about $300.").