Mark Levin and his Free Unit - The Dragon Suite

[Bright Moments]

has anybody heard of this? Information please!

[mikeweil]

I have this, but it's awhile since I have listened to it. I remember I liked it quite a bit (and kept it) as it's a free jazz album, but not as wild as some other recordings, rather a chamber-jazz approach with its exciting and dense moments, but at times very subtle and never lost in screaming.

Players are Marc Levin on wood flutes and some smaller cornet-type brass instrument, South African trombonist Jonas Gwanga, Calo Scott on cello (who is magnificent as always), Cecil McBee on bass and Frank Clayton on drums. Bill Dixon (Levin's teacher) produced the album. Jerry Newman (!) was the recording engineer.

Levin is a rather obscure figure - he recorded another self produced album in the 1970's (again with Scott and Clayton and the drummer's wife at the time, Jay Clayton), and one for ENJA after he moved to Europe, but I haven't heard of him since. I bought the albums for Scott, mainly.

Edited December 3, 2010 by mikeweil

[clifford_thornton]

I've got them all - great stuff.

He's living in Denmark now, I think, and is a practicing psychotherapist.

[Niko]

he has a webpage:

http://web.mac.com/marclevin1

Edited December 3, 2010 by Niko

[Bright Moments]

thanks guys!

[mjazzg]

Just played my new LP acquisition, The Dragon Suite.

One word - Wow! second listen soon come

[Dave James]

Some interesting information here including some from Mr. Levin himself. Also, for those who do this sort of thing, there's a link that will let you DL The Dragon Suite.

http://inconstantsol.blogspot.com/2009/01/mark-levin-dragon-suitesavoy-new-jazz.html