Michel Portal in Kleve 1978

Continuing with the Portal series, we're now up to 1978 and a concert in Kleve in Germany. A different line-up from the earlier Portal Unit postings here:

MICHEL PORTAL QUARTET

8-May 1978
Stadthalle (WDR Jazzmeeting), Kleve, Germany
source/line-age: FM > ? > CDR (trade) > Flac (level 6) > Dime


Michel Portal: cl,sax,bandoneon,voc
Dieter Feichtner: synth
Barre Phillips: b
Pierre Favre: dr,perc


1. unidentified title 28:23
2. unidentified title 14:24
3. radio announcement 00:24


Scholleck notes that "this recording doesn't include the complete concert (but likely the complete broadcast); it is usually circulating like this, but I've seen listed a longer version (actually with 8-May 1979 as date!!)

The setlist of that version:

1. Volcan (MP,comp) 30:18 (likely track 1 in this seed)
2. Journal Violone (BP,comp) 24:50
3. Bauernfreund (DF,comp) 15:23"

The second track in the posted set here may be "Bauernfreund" which sounds quite different from the first track - not unlike a type of electronically enhanced folk music from an unspecified location - shades of the Balkans and North Africa in there - something Terry Riley might have concocted. The first track is typical Portal - more to the fore here than in earlier Unit postings with Phillips laying down a steady rhythmic backbone for Portal improv. The second track from the alternative setlist seems to be missing - a Phillips composition which wound up up on a solo bass record of the same name. And no Portal is complete without him whipping out the bandoneon - right there at the end of the last track.

Still more Portal to come (and some Francois Tusques as well)

Ran Blake - Breakthrough (1976)

Here's a contribution from "guairao", dropped in our general section - solo piano by Ran Blake.

RAN BLAKE - Breakthru (1976).flac

The unique pianist Ran Blake is heard on this album performing brief versions (all but one of the fourteen songs are under four minutes) of a colorful variety of standards and originals. Blake's emotional playing (which emphasizes the contrast between silence and explosive sounds) is both witty and unpredictable. Among the many short sketches are versions of "You Stepped Out of a Dream," "If Dreams Come True," "Drop Me Off in Harlem," "All About Ronnie," "Tea for Two" and even "Spinning Wheel." Intriguing music. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Tracks
01 Breakthru
(Ran Blake)
02 You Stepped Out Of A Dream
(Nacio Herb / Gus Kahn)
03 If Dreams Come True
(Mills / Simpson / Goodman)
04 No Good Man
(Irene Higginbotham)
05 All The Things You Are
(Jerome Kern)
06 Wish I Could Talk To You Baby
(Leon SylversIII)
07 Grey December
(Frank Campo)
08 Spinning Wheel
(David Clayton-Thomas)
09 Sophisticated Lady
(Duke Ellington)
10 Manhattan Memories
- Bird Blues
(Ran Blake)
- Bebopper
(H. Gordon)
- Drop Me Off In Harlem
(Duke Ellington)
11 All About Ronnie
(Joe Greene)
12 What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life
(Michel Legrand)
13 Parkers Mood
(Charlie Parker)
14 Tea For Two
(Vincent Youman)

More Ran Blake (with Jeanne Lee) can be found here. And more Jeanne Lee can be found here and here.

George Lewis - Live in Florence '78

Continuing with George Lewis, here is a nice
solo trombone performance.
Creative music of course, but even technical
mastery of the instrument and great sense of
humour.

Rec. live in Florence, Italy, on July 8th, 1978
(mix recording)

George Lewis,trombone

1. Track #1 (07:54)
2. Track #2 (06:29)
3. Track #3 (08:28)
4. Track #4 (03:48)
5. Track #5 (03:42)
6. Track #6 (04:45)
7. Track #7 (04:15)
8. Untitled Dream Sequence (06:48)

Total Time 46:11

Muhal Richard Abrams Quintet - Live in Laren '78

This is (with the exception of George Lewis replacing
Anthony Braxton) the same lineup that recorded,
some months before, 1-OQA+19 for Black Saint.
From that album are taken the two long pieces here
performed as a suite.
A real "Dream Team"!

Rec. live in Laren, Holland, 1978
(radio broadcast)

Muhal Richard Abrams,piano
Henry Threadgill,alto saxophone,flute
George Lewis,trombone
Leonard Jones,bass
Steve McCall,drums

1. Charlie In The Parker_Arhythm Songy (1:06:38)

Chico & Von Freeman Quintet - Live in Margherita di Savoia '80

From "Ilario" collection something more bop
oriented : one of the first occasion in which the
two Freeman (father and son) are together on
the same stage (at least in Europe).

Rec. live in Margherita di Savoia (Foggia), Italy,
on July 15th, 1980 (mix recording)

Chico Freeman,tenor saxophone
Von Freeman,tenor saxophone
Donald Smith,piano,vocal
Reggie Workman,bass
Billy Hart,drums

1. Tenor Madness (29:57)
2. Unknown (19:47)
3. Unknown (11:52)
4. Unknown (11:13)
5. Scrapple From The Apple (16:42)

Total Time 1:29:33

Michel Portal in Köln 1977

Continuing our Michel Portal series, here is a fairly short piece recorded in Köln in 1977. His input here is more as a player and less as a composer/leader. This piece is also less jazz-related than previous postings and perhaps better categorised as new or contemporary music.

This was recorded sometime in 1977 at Studio Elektronische Musik (WDR), Köln, Germany

The players are:

Michel Portal: cl
Othello Liesmann: cello
Munir Bashir: oud
Fujiro Yuasa: shakuhachi
Thomas Kessler: electronics

1. Dialoge für zwei europäische und zwei außereuropäische Instrumente, Live-Elektronik und Tonband (Kessler) 18:12

Scholleck (who uploaded this piece at Dime) notes that "Kessler's list of works lists "Dialoge für 2 aussereuropäische u. 2 europäische Musiker und Vocoder" (1977). Reconstructing how and for what occasion this ensemble came to life is a little hard these days, but after all it is possible this actually is not a Portal-lead group, and he's "only" one interpreter here among others (it appears the latter at least is true in this recording at hand of the Kessler-composition)."

Portal is adept in crossing musical boundaries and was an important contributor to Stockhausen's "Aus den sieben Tagen" from 1968. This work appears to have led to the formation of New Phonic Art in 1969, a group of improvisors who made at least one record. It would certainly be very interesting to hear the Stockhausen work in total, originally issued as seven lps and later as seven cds. The cds can be ordered directly from the Stockhausen Verlag, though on the expensive side, but including a huge booklet. It would be interesting to know if any of our readers has heard it and has views about it.

More info here:

http://home.swipnet.se/sonoloco2/Rec/Stockhausen/14.html


Meanwhile, dig in! More Portal to come!

Roscoe Mitchell - Live in Pisa '78

Perhaps the best concert for alto saxophone i've
never attended.

Rec. live at "Piazza dei Cavalieri", Pisa, Italy,
on July 10th, 1978 (mics recording)

Roscoe Mitchell,alto saxophone

1. Nonaah (16:48)
2. Unknown (12:45)
3. Unknown (06:37)
4. Unknown (12:21)

Total Time 48:31

Anthony Davis & James Newton Quartet - Live in Moers '79

For "jazz flute" lover(s) here is a very good concert
by one of the finest groups (in my opinion) of the
late seventies. The highlight is, without doubt,
"Meditations on Integration" : tribute to the Genius
passed away few months before.

Rec. live at the 8th Moers Festival, Moers, Germany,
on June 3rd, 1979 (mics recording)

James Newton,flute
Anthony Davis,piano
Rick Rozie,bass
Pheeroan akLaff,drums

1. Lake [J.Newton] (10:02)
2. Of Blues And Dreams [A.Davis] (25:15)
3. Hocket In The Pocket [A.Davis] (08:30)
4. Pinky Below [J.Newton] (16:04)
5. Meditations On Integration [C.Mingus] (27:38)
6. Encore [Unknown] (11:19)

Total Time 1:38:52

Kris Wanders Double Trio - live in Melbourne 2009

This was dropped in the comments section by Sotise:

Kris Wanders ...was an original member of the Globe Unity Orchestra, was a close friend and cohort of Broetzmann, Van Hove , and being Dutch ..Breuker and the ICP people too.

he seems to have got tired of the European rat race , travelled to north africa ..the Americas and South-East Asia, before finally settling in Australia.

hes pretty much a player in the untramelled,hyper expressionistic ...Frank Wright , Broetzmann vein... high energy ..relentlessly ferocious..
sound appealing?

I recorded this show with Wanders Permission, and its been and gone at DimeAdozen.

Kris Wanders double trio
Kris Wanders t-s /Jeff Henderson bari- s/Rory Brown &
Mike Majkowski bass, Robbie Avenheim & Sean
Baxter drums

@ 'Bar Open'
Brunswick St, Fitzroy Melbourne
april 24 2009
recorded with a Zoom hd-at wav 44100htz- then converted to Flac using FLac frontend level 8
BUY KRIS WANDERS DISCS...GO TO HIS HOME PAGE
http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/~pkurth/HTML/Index.htm

Nicole Mitchell's Black Earth Ensemble live in Rome 2006

We had a request from Yelizev for "jazz flute" so I thought that might be a good pretext for posting Nicole Mitchell on this blog (as if one is needed). Nicole Mitchell is a second-generation AACM member which will fit nicely with the former post of AACM founder Muhal Richard Abrams.

Here's an introduction to the BEE from her official web site (from where the above pic is taken): "Nicole Mitchell’s Black Earth Ensemble (BEE) is a musical celebration of the African American cultural legacy. Founded and directed in 1998 by creative flutist/composer Nicole Mitchell, BEE has performed in festivals and art venues throughout Europe and Canada and in New York and Chicago. BEE’s music embraces the ancient past and paints visions of a positive future. The music is the weaving of swing, blues, avante garde jazz, bebop, African rhythms, Eastern modes and Western classical sounds. The name “Black Earth” was chosen to honor the feminine source that our lives depend on—Mother Earth. The purpose of Black Earth Ensemble is to inspire the human spirit with thought-provoking beauty and to present a positive, healthy and culturally aware image of African Americans. As a woman-directed, co-ed, multi-generational group, it touches a range of emotional spaces rarely expressed in a “jazz” setting. Black Earth's message is intended for audiences of all ages and backgrounds. "

Basic info from uploader "survivor 69" on Dime:

NICOLE MITCHELL'S BLACK EARTH ENSEMBLE

live FM radio broadcast from "Le Labbra Nude" festival, Auditorium of Parco Della Musica, Roma (Italy), by "Il Cartellone - Radio Tre Suite Jazz", RAI, on friday 12 May 2006, 22:25 hours

Nicole Margaret Mitchell, flute, alto flute, piccolo, vocals;
Dee Alexander, vocals;
Ugochi, vocals;
David Boykin, tenor saxophones, clarinets;
David Young, trumpet, vocals;
Tony Herrera, trombone, shells;
Jeff Parker, guitar;
Josh Abrams, bass;
Isahia Spencer, drums (NOTE: in place of Hamid Drake).

+++tracklist+++++
01 Time For a Change [CUT, start missed] 2.07
02 Love Has No Boundaries 10.55
03 Woman's Body, Child's Mind 12.22
04 instrumental 10.50
05 For Daughters Of Young Love 2.59
06 Journey For The Three Blue Stones 8.43
07 Message From The Mothergoddess 5.45
08 Thanking The Universe For Our Path Together 12.29
-- encore break and radio announcements
09 Peaceful Village Town 7.48

running time : 73'58"

So, enjoy!

Muhal Richard Abrams - Live in Rome '79

Wonderfully recorded by my dear friend "Ilario",
this Muhal's concert remains among the best things
i've never listened by the Great Chicagoan pianist.
A true lesson about piano jazz and not only.
Higly recommended !
(the day after concert [February 11th] in the next future)

Rec. live at "Centro Jazz St. Louis", Rome, Italy,
on February 10th, 1979 (mix recording)

Muhal Richard Abrams,piano

1. Track #1 (36:30)
2. Track #2 (35:43)
3. Track #3 (07:58)

Total Time 1:20:13

Michel Portal Unit - Live in Lovere '79

My second and last contribution at the musical
story of M.Portal : a single piece, since the
concert devoleped as a long (very long) medley.
Terrific work by the couple Francioli/Favre,
at the level of the most famous Holland/Altschul
or Parker/Drake.

Rec. live in Lovere, Italy, on June 17th, 1979
(mix recording)

Michel Portal,reeds,bandoneòn
Albert Mangelsdorff,trombone
Leon Francioli,bass
Pierre Favre,percussions

1. Track #1 (1:19:49)

Michel Portal & Bernard Lubat - Live in Imola '78

Just a little help to kinabalu for covering
a bit of ground in M. Portal's musical story :
this is the first of two concerts, by the great
French musician, i've taped.
Really, more than a concert, this duo with
B.Lubat is an happening with moments
remembering the theatre of the absurd.

Rec. live at "Rocca Sforzesca", Imola, Italy,
on July 14th, 1978 (mics recording)

Michel Portal,reeds,bandoneòn
Bernard Lubat,percussions,piano,synth

1. Track #1 (46:10)
2. Track #2 (10:15)

Total time 56:25

Michel Portal Unit feat. Albert Mangelsdorff live in Willisau 1976

I've posted a set of the Michel Portal Unit from 1974 before, so fast-forwarding to 1976, here is a set live at the Willisau Jazz Festival on 27 August 1976. The line-up is as follows:

Michel Portal: sax,bcl,bandoneon
Albert Mangelsdorff: tb
Bernard Lubat: p,synth,perc
Beb Guérin: b
Leon Francioli: b
Pierre Favre: dr,perc

Portal, Lubat, Francioli and Guerin are in the picture above which adorned the front cover of the Chateauvallon 76 lp. In addition, Pierre Favre is in this line-up (as well as on the former Unit album from Chateauvallon 72) and last, but not least, Albert Mangelsdorff is putting in a fine performance here.

In essence, one long piece, cut into three on this upload from ........... As with the 1974 concert, a strong rhythmic pulse, driven by two percussionists and two bassists and a flowing shift between genres and styles, never losing sight of the melodious touch. At one point Portal is grabbing the bandoneon to insert a bit of folkiness and the final piece ends on a smoochy note with what sounds like fireworks erupting in the background. A communal feel to the unit with no leader calling the shots all the time and with enough space for everyone to throw their bits into the ring.

More to come from Portal for sure. I'm planning to do it chronologically, so we'll end up in 2009 for sure at some point in the future, but lots of ground to cover before then.

Borah Bergman - Live in Genoa '81

Thanks to IS i've met again (after many years) an
old friend of mine : "Ilario"
"I" has recorded all the Roman concerts, while i
was active in north Italy. This recording is the
first result of our new (and i hope long lasting)
collaboration.

About the music : probably this has been the first
concert held by Borah in Italy (the day after i've
listened to him in Milan but, unfortunately, i've
lost the tape). A totally unknown pianist (at that
time) for the European audience but a Real Giant!

Rec. live in Genoa, Italy, on July 27th, 1981
(mix recording from BC collection)

Borah Bergman,piano

1. Track #1 (10:30)
2. Track #2 (10:30)
3. Track #3 (09:17)
4. Track #4 (13:13)
5. Track #5 (11:35)
6. Track #6 (04:11)

Total Time 59:18

Lol Coxhill - Live in Florence '78

A brief but intense set by one of Greatest
of the European scene.

Rec. live in Florence, Italy, on July 6th, 1978
(mics recording)

Lol Coxhill,soprano saxophone

1. Track #1 (23:34)
2. Track #2 (08:05)
3. Lol Announcement (0:33)

Total Time 32:13

Muhal Richard Abrams & Fred Anderson - Live in Verona '79

One of the rare performances in duo by these
two Greats of the AACM.

Rec. live at "Sala della Guardia", Verona,
Italy, on May 20th, 1979 (mics recording)

Muhal Richard Abrams,piano
Fred Anderson,tenor saxophone

1. Track #1 (43:41)
2. Track #2 (47:29)
2. Encore (08:12)

Total Time 1:39:23

Theo Jorgensmann & John Carter - Live in Moers '79

After Bill Dixon another rather underrated Master :
John Carter, here together a young Theo
Jorgensmann (German clarinetist).
This concert was part of the morning projects at the
8th Moers Festival.

Rec. live at the 8th Moers Festival, Moers,
Germany, on June 4th, 1979
(mics recording)

Theo Jorgensmann,clarinet
John Carter,clarinet

1. Jorgensmann & Carter Duo #1 (01:44)
2. Jorgensmann Solo #1 (04:12)
3. Jorgensmann Solo #2 (06:44)
4. Carter Solo #1 (06:41)
5. Carter Solo #2 (06:13)
6. Carter Solo #3 (06:50)
7. Carter Solo #4 (07:31)
8. Carter Solo #5 (09:36)
9. Jorgensmann & Carter Duo #2 (06:20)

Total Time 55:56

Bill Dixon Sextet - Live in Verona '80

This (short) concert was taped few days before that
published on the double LP/CD "In Italy" by
Soulnote. An outstandig group including another
historical icon of free jazz (Alan Silva), a versatile
drummer (Freddie Waits) and three young students
of the Great trumpeter.

Rec. live at "Teatro Romano", Verona, Italy, on
June 6th, 1980 (mics recording)

Bill Dixon,trumpet,piano
Art Brooks/Stephen Haynes,trumpets
Steve Horenstein,tenor saxophone
Alan Silva,bass
Freddie Waits,drums

1. Track #1 (13:41)
2. Track #2 (09:40)
3. Track #3 (04:55)
4. Track #4 (21:10)

Total Time 49:28

Betty Carter Quartet - Live in Rome '79

This was the first time I saw Betty Carter in person
and since that evening i've always thought that she
has been the greatest jazz singer after Lady Day : i
had the occasion of listening in concert to E.
Fitzgerald,S.Vaughan,C.Mcrae,J.Lee etc. etc.,
but no one never impressed me as Betty that night.
I hope you could enjoy the recording.

Rec. live at the "1st Women Jazz Festival" in Villa
Borghese, Rome, Italy, on July 5th, 1979
(mics recording)

Betty Carter,vocals
John Hicks,piano
Curtis Lundy,bass
Kenneth Washington,drums

01. 'Round Midnight (05:39)
02. No More Words (04:03)
03. Deep Night (02:00)
04. What's New (07:42)
05. The Trolley Song (03:27)
06. I Think I Got It Now (03:14)
07. Droppin' Things (05:50)
08. Medley :If I Should Lose You /Just Friends/I Should
Care/All The Things You Are/Unknown/Star Eyes (09:44)
09. Open The Door (04:48)
10. My Favorite Things (01:47)
11. This Is Always (04:24)
12. Swing Brother Swing (03:15)
13. Every Things I Have Is Yours (07:30)
14. Sounds [Movin' On] (20:45)

Total Time 1:24:16

Don Pullen / Joseph Jarman / Don Moyè - Live in Frascati '78

Another trio (piano/reeds/percussions), this time
all American, another idea of improvised music :
personally i prefer the European approach

Rec. live at "Teatro Politeama", Frascati, Italy,
on december 18th, 1978 (mix recording)

Don Pullen,piano
Joseph Jarman,reeds,flutes,percussions
Don Moyè,percussions

1. Richard's Tune (47:51)
2. Unknown (17:32)

Total Time 1:05:24

Jimmy Lyons - Other Afternoons

I've noticed that blogger chums Serviceton and Sotise have started resurrecting old BYG Actuel records, so I thought I might as well get in on the game myself. This was posted on the Church#9 blog a couple of years ago, then in the mp3 format, so as to justify resposting it, I've upgraded it to the lossless flac format.

This was Jimmy Lyons' first record as a leader and with him were two other members of the Cecil Taylor group, Alan Silva on bass and Andrew Cyrille on drums. In for Cecil on this date is trumpeter extraordinaire Lester Bowie, a member of the Art Ensemble of Chicago and a Paris resident at the time.

Stylistically this is lodged somewhere between bop mode and excursions into freer areas. Only two tracks per side, the second low-key, low-tempo chill outs after the more upbeat first tracks on each side. "However" stays basically in a bop mode and both "Premonitions" and "My You" are as indicated are somber pieces coming off the peaked performances starting each side. However, it's the title track which is the real clincher here with Jimmy Lyons delivering one of those solos which have to go down in history as something else. Starting off modulating the prhrases, he builds up into a frenzy of shrieks, but stays in control all the while. Lester Young has to jump in at the top and keep riding the wave until it subsides in a Cyrille drum solo and things are gliding into the quieter territory of "Premonitions". Truly astounding!

1. Other Afternoons
2. Premonitions
3. However
4. My You

Jimmy Lyons - alto sax
Lester Bowie - trumpet
Alan Silva - bass
Andrew Cyrille - drums

Recorded 15 August 1969 in Paris.

As the pieces more or less run together, I've ripped the A and B sides as two contiguous tracks. Scans are included in the attached files.

Enjoy! One of the seminal BYG albums!

Misha Mengelberg / Peter Brotzmann / Han Bennink - Live in Lovere '77

Having only the sound (when Mr. Bennink is
present), probably it's difficult to understand
what really happened on that stage :
use your imagination !

Rec. live in Lovere, Italy, on June 11th, 1977
(mix recording)

Misha Mengelberg,piano
Peter Brotzmann,alto saxophone & bass clarinet
Han Bennink,percussions,violin,bass clarinet

1. Improvisation (57:45)

Total Time 57:45

Paul Bley - Live in Milan '79

A fine performance by one of the true masters in
the modern jazz piano

Rec. live at "Teatro Ciak", Milan, Italy on May
23th, 1979 (mics recording)

Paul Bley,piano

1. All The Things You Are (22:26)
2. Turnaround (09:06)
3. Please, Don't Ever Leave Me (07:13)
4. Ida Lupino (12:02)
5. Ramblin' (05:00)
6. Harlem (03:54)

Total Time 59:45

Sam Rivers - (1979) Contrasts - ECM 1162

Sam Rivers - tenor and soprano saxophone, flute
George Lewis - trombone
Dave Holland - bass
Thruman Baker - drums, marimba

Recorded in Ludwigsburg, December 1979

01 Circles
02 Zip
03 Solace
04 Verve
05 Dazzle
06 Image
07 Lines

Review by Scott Yanow

Tenor saxophonist Sam Rivers (also heard on soprano and flute) teams up in a quartet with trombonist George Lewis, bassist Dave Holland and drummer Thurman Barker (doubling on marimba) for a date that certainly defies the stereotype of a typical ECM session. The seven Rivers originals, although sometimes having colorful melodies, are quite complex. However, the intriguing and very alert interplay between the brilliant musicians makes the music seem fairly logical and worth exploring by adventurous listeners.

An astonishin' group and record for ECM today unbelievably oop. In my opinion one of the best ECM at all. I really can't say or imagine why Manfred Eicher did't reissued this album. To my knowledge there are only two editions: ther first in 1980 followed by another in 1981. Sam Rivers in top form with some of the best musicians in those days, and still today. The half of this group (George Lewis and Dave Holland) is the same of the Braxton Dortmund 1976 concert. The music is in the same joyous vein and yet very different.
I think this is a neglected gem.

"Last but not least" This is not a rip by me, since I haven't got this album in my personal collection. So my greatest thanks go to dear friend, cattalan, who did the work. I even didn't know this album before. What a great gift You made me "catta": THANKS.

Steve Lacy Trio - Live in Milan '77

Simply Lacy at his best...

Rec. live at the "Teatro Lirico", Milan,
Italy, on June 4th, 1977 (mix recording)

Steve Lacy,soprano saxophone
Kent Carter,bass
Andrea Centazzo,percussions

1. Stamps (05:17)
2. The Crust (14:55)
3. Outline (08:51)
4. Underline (06:20)
5. Coastline (12:07)
6. Deadline (14:03)
7. Ducks (09:15)

Total Time 1:10:50

The Dedication Orchestra - Spirits Rejoice

Another request - from regular commentator Paul (the others will be coming, Paul) - this time an item which I believe to be OOP, it's not listed in the Ogun catalogue - the Dedication Orchestra's first cd (another was to follow two years later).

The Dedication Orchestra was/is committed to preserving the music of the Blue Notes and the Brotherhood of Breath and their individual members. At the time of this release - 1992 - the only surviving member of the Blue Notes was Louis Moholo and he's on this recording. The remaining big band consists of players who had been in the Brotherhood of Breath or who had played with Blue Notes members or who in various way were part of the UK scene and were familiar with the music and the musicians.

Organised by Steve Beresford, the Orchestra is, one might say, a sort of Brotherhood commemoration project, and listening to these arrangements, they come across as more polished than what the originals sounded like, particularly when they were performed live, often veering into cacophonous collective improvisation and being brought back on track by the rock-solid rhythm section of McGregor, Miller and Moholo, but at all times, beautiful cacophony.

Those familar with the BoB will know what to expect and relive the memories from the old records, but hopefully, there may be some out there who may be introduced to the BoB by these faithful recreations.

The basic facts:

Ogun OGCD 101 Spirits rejoice

The Dedication Orchestra
Phil Minton, voice; Maggie Nicols, voice; Julie Tippetts, voice; Guy Barker, trumpet; Harry Beckett, trumpet; Claude Deppa, trumpet, voice; Jim Dvorak, trumpet, penny-whistle; Kenny Wheeler, trumpet; Django Bates, E-flat peckhorn; Dave Amis, trombone; Malcolm Grifiths, trombone; Radu Malfatti, trombone; Paul Rutherford, trombone; Dave Powell, tuba; Neil Metcalfe, flute; Lol Coxhill, soprano sax, tenor; Ray Warleigh, alto sax, flute; Elton Dean, alto sax; Evan Parker, tenor sax; Alan Skidmore, tenor sax; Chris Biscoe, baritone sax; Keith Tippett, piano; Paul Rogers, bass; Louis Moholo, drums, voice.

Traumatic experience [arranged by Keith Tippett] (04:15), Ithi gqi [arranged by Radu Malfatti] (11:18), B my dear [arranged by Kenny Wheeler] (07:44), Dancing damon [arranged by Keith Tippett] (04:09), Hug pine [arranged by Django Bates] (08:17), Andromeda [arranged by John Warren] (09:17), Manje [arranged by Mike Westbrook] (05:02), Sonja [arranged by Jim Dvorak] (07:41), Introduction to You ain't gonna know me (03:55), You ain't gonna know me 'cause you think you know me [arranged by Eddie Parker] (06:13), Woza (05:37).

Recorded at Gateway Studios, London, January 2 and 3, 1992.

Line producer Steve Beresford; post production Evan Parker and Steve Beresford.

Front cover painting (reproduced above) by Louis Maqhubela.

Dig in and dig it!

Quartet Circle "Circulus" (United Artists, 1978, 2LP)

This one as to be considered a gem. At least that's my opinion. Quartet Circle was a brief quartet with four astounding players: Chick Corea, Anthony Braxton, Dave Holland and Barry Altschul. As far as i know, this group recorded and edited 4 double Lps to United Artists, end of 60's beginning 70's. Nobody knows why but the luminaries at UA never considered reissue those albuns on CD, so they remained forgotten, which is incredible due to the high quality of the music.

Quartet Circle features Chick Corea as you never heard him before and after (at least for those who don't know this group). Partners Braxton, Holland and Altschul are in high avant-garde shape with ideas and playing far from being conventional. The interplay between the quartet is amazingly top quality avant garde free music. One might expect that due to subsequent Corea's career this couldn't be possible, but it was.



About "Circulus":

double gatefold LP
United Artists, 1978


side one: "Drone" (track 1)
(trio without Braxton, recorded April 8, 1970, New York)


side two: "Quartet Piece No. 1" (track 2)
(quartet, recorded August 21, 1970, New York)


side three: "Quartet Piece No. 2" (track 3)
(quartet, recorded August 21, 1970, New York)


side four: "Quartet Piece No. 3" (track 4)
"Percussion Piece" (track 5)
(quartet, recorded August 21, 1970, New York)



Chick Corea: piano, prepared piano, vibes, percussion, bass marimba
Anthony Braxton: alto sax, soprano sax, clarinet, contrabass clarinet
Dave Holland: bass, guitar, percussion
Barry Altschul: drums, percussion, bass marimba


About the transfer:
recorded directly from the vinyl to DAT record to audio CD through CD recording (not PC).
From CD to lossless Flac files. Crisp and clean as you can hear on the deepness and colourful music. On last flac file you'll find high quality scans of outer and inner sleeves from the gatefold LP. Hope you enjoy it.

Steve Lacy sextet Wuppertal 1983 jan 14

Steve Lacy Sextet

Wuppertal, Germany,1983-January-14

Steve Lacy,soprano sax
Steve Potts,soprano and alto sax
Irene Aebi,cello,voice
Bobby Few,piano
Jean-Jacques Avenel,bass
Oliver Johnson,drums


Total timing 54:31

1 Announcement Speaker 2:10
2 Sands Suite: Stand 9:10
3 Sands Suite: Jump 10:48
4/5 Sands Suite: Fall 6:39/2:15
6 Gay Paree Bop 19:41
7 Announcement SL/StP 0:32
8 Announcement Speaker 0:16/0:08
10 The Whammies! (fade-out) 2:52

Lineage: fm > cdr trade > flac > dime

Sound Rating: A-



From this concert exists some more files:

Stamps/The Blinks/Raps 16:21/The Whammies! complete

Thanks to JAZZRITA who uploaded this on dime in 09.04.19

Steve Lacy with his "classical" and enduring band. An astonishing group with Potts, Aeby and Avenel. In my opinion one of the best groups of the eighties. In 1983 Steve Lacy was still at the top of his form and with this same sextet recorded that masterpiece called Songs.

Enjoy the music!


I had this new graphic design program and enjoyed myself thinking to this fake album cover. The shot was taken by me in the court of a marvellous ancient villa in northern Italy just before a marvellous concert given by Roberto Ottaviano (sop, sax) and Han Bennink (drums). I thought this, as the whole concert by the way, could be a fine homage to Mr. Steve Lacy.

Gil Evans & Lee Konitz - Live in Rome '80

Certainly Gil Evans wasn't the best keyboardist/
pianist with whom Lee Konitz has never played,
in spite of this, the duo maintains a certain
interest for lovers of both players.



Rec. Live in Rome, Italy, on March 8th, 1980
(mix recording)

Gil Evans,keyboards
Lee Konitz,alto & soprano saxophones

01. All The Things You Are (06:07)
02. Orange Was The Colour Of Her Dress, Then Blue Silk (08:17)
03. How Insensitive (05:08)
04. Lover Man (05:40)
05. Reincarnation Of A Lovebird (06:52)
06. Summertime (03:17)
07. What Am I Here For (04:12)
08. Prince Of Darkness (03:58)
09. Prelude No. 20 In C Minor, Op. 28 (10:14)
10. Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You (04:45)
11. The Moon Struck One [uncompleted] (03:26)

Total Time 1:02:00

Anthony Braxton and Evan Parker in duet

We have posted these two gentlemen before, solo, in duos or in smaller and larger constellations, though not together, so about time then.

This was recorded on 2 June 1994 at the Weiler Concert Hall, Greenwich House Music School, New York, NY.

4 tracks in all, 43.15 minutes

Anthony Braxton (reeds)

Evan Parker (Tenor & ss)

With two such distinct players, it's always a treat to hear how they work in tandem and to these ears they mesh very well, covering the spectrum from quiet introspection to shrieks in the upper register and staccato stabs in the air, and as with good improvisors, always with a keen ear to what the other is doing.

So in other words, enjoy!

Antonello Salis - Live in Florence '79

One of my favourite italian pianist, here just at the
beginning of his activity as soloist.
It's still clear the influence of Cecil Taylor (among
others), but even his distinctive approach, intensely
physical, to the piano.

Rec. live in Florence, Italy, on July 4th, 1979
(mics recording)

Antonello Salis,piano

1. Improvisation (45:57)
2. Encore (11:45)

Total Time 57:43

Anthony Davis & Douglas Ewart - Live in Verona '79

This set was the second part of an evening with
the George Lewis Ensemble "dismantled" : in the
first part the George Lewis/Richard Teitelbaum
duo. I think that both A.Davis and D.Ewart deserve
to be remembered here on IS.

Rec. live at Sala della Guardia, Verona, Italy, on April 28th, 1979 (mics recording)

Anthony Davis,piano
Douglas Ewart,reeds,flutes,percussions

1. Five Moods From An English Garden [Davis solo] (12:52)
2. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes [Davis solo] (05:06)
3. Improvisation #1 [Ewart solo] (20:35)
4. Improvisation #2 [Davis/Ewart duo] (36:06)

Total Time 1:14:40

Jonathan Lomax / Nicholas Wrigley Land Of Ham

Jonathan Lomax / Nicholas Wrigley Land Of Ham [Oro Neese, 1998]

1. Great Golden
2. Panchanka Sleep
3. In Valley of Firefly
4. For Le Sony r Ra

Forgive the visual pun, but I don't have any art work for this one.

I thought you'd like to give this a try. I love it. Jonathan Lomax and Nicholas Wrigley are an improvising and enterprising duo from the UK. Lomax plays acoustic or electric piano, or harmonium depending upon the recording, and Wrigley percussion.

It's hard to find much on these interesting players, but they seem to have produced four self-released records.

Suns [Oro Neese, 1998]
Land Of Ham [Oro Neese, 1998]
Lord Of An Unerring Bow [Oro Neese, 2000]
Piiiiii Piiiiii [Oro Neese, 2000]

I've managed to track down the first three, but Piiiiii Piiiiii remains illusive. You can find shares of Suns and Lord Of An Unerring Bow at ile oxumare, where I first discovered them. Some kind soul shared this recording with me, and was happy that I shared it with you. Many thanks to this anonymous sharer.

I've been in a melancholic state for quite some time, and these record just fit with that. It's music that just lives in the moment, almost in suspension. The few online references suggest a likeness to Sun Ra, or Alice Coltrane. It's not a bad reference point, and the title of the forth track on this short LP suggests an influence at work, but Lomax and Wrigley have carved out something pretty unique here. There's no showing off, or technique for technique's sake, and I think the sound is far more European that African American in its texture and temperature. Highly recommended.

I'd welcome more details of the duo, and information on where their recordings can be found for sale.

Oliver Lake Trio - Live in Alassio '79

i've taped this set a week after the Willisau concert
(September 1st, 1979) published by hatArt (Zaki).
The music is rather different, more varied, well
representing Lake's eclecticism.

Rec. live in Alassio, Italy, on September 8th, 1979
(mics recording)

Oliver Lake,alto saxophone,flute
Michael Gregory Jackson,electric guitar,vocals
Pheeroan ak Laff,percussions

1. Clicker (17:09)
2. Unknown (08:19)
3. Unknown (09:26)
4. Unknown (04:34)
5. Shine (13:04)
6. Unknown (10:47)
7. unknown (09:32)

Total Time 1:12:53

Archie Shepp Quartet + Guests - Live in Antibes '77 (John Coltrane Memorial Jam Session)

During summer 1977, Shepp was on tour with his wonderful quartet (Waldron/Brown/Persip) when this jam (dedicated to John Coltrane) was organized at the Juan-les-Pins Jazz Festival : here are two pieces broadcasted at that time by Radio France.
A special mention for Charli Persip : great and underrated drummer.

Rec. live in Antibes, France, on July 21th, 1977
(radio broadcast)

Archie Shepp/George Adams/David Schnitter,tenor saxophones
Albert Mangelsdorff,trombone
Mal Waldron,piano
Cameron Brown,bass
Charlie Persip,drums

1. Straight No Chaser (26:09)
2. Mr. PC (23:50)

Total Time 49:59

Derek Bailey & Evan Parker - Live in Pisa '77

Empathy, is the first word that comes to
the mind listening to these Masters of
the european creative music : the most
radical and rigorous duo of all Seventies.

Rec. live at "Giardini Scotto", Pisa, Italy, on
July 21th, 1977 (mics recording)

Derek Bailey,guitar
Evan Parker,tenor & soprano saxophones

1. Improvisation #1 (24:09)
2. Improvisation #2 (10:02)
3. Improvisation #3 (09:36)
4. Improvisation #4 (09:24)

Total Time 53:12

Andrew Cyrille Trio - Live in Milan '78

When this concert was held, the Andrew Cyrille's
Quartet had just recorded the fine "Metamusicians'
Stomp" for Black Saint.
Here, unfortunately, David S.Ware (who completed
the quartet) isn't present, so you have "to be
pleased" with the simple trio.

Rec. live at "Il Capolinea", Milan, Italy,
on October 1st, 1978 (mics recording)

Andrew Cyrille,drums,african percussions
Ted Daniel,trumpet
Nick DiGeronimo,bass

1. African Percussions (15:28)
2. Gipsy Folk Tales (21:00)
3. Shell (20:35)
4. Prelude To A Kiss (12:29)
5. Unknown (27:04)

Total Time 1:36:39

Mal Waldron & Johnny "Mbizo" Dyani - Live in Rome '79

Only one official record exists by this great duo :
"Some Jive Ass Boer: Live At Jazz Unité '81", so i
think that this recording could be an helpful
addition for both Waldron's and Dyani's lovers.

Rec. live at "Centro Jazz St. Louis", Rome, Italy, on
October 27th, 1979 (mics recording)

Mal Waldron,piano
Johnny Dyani,bass

1. Track #1 (39:30)
2. Track #2 (05:53)
3. Track #3 (43:27)

Total Time 1:28:52

Arthur Blythe Quintet - Live in Milan '82

Probably the most curious group ever led by Blythe,
able to create a fascinating sound, perfect for his
own compositions.

Rec. live in Milan, Italy, on November 1st, 1982
(mics recording)

Arthur Blythe,alto saxophone
Kelvyn Bell,guitar
Bob Stewart,tuba
Abdul Wadud,cello
Bobby Battle,drums

1. Miss Nancy (16:29)
2. Faceless Woman (13:42)
3. Bush Baby (36:22)
4. Illusions/Break Tune #2 (17:37)

Total Time 1:24:12

Max Roach / Archie Shepp - Force

vinyl rip, 320 mp3, Uniteledis


Max Roach - drums
Archie Shepp - ts

France 1976

Sweet Mao - La Preparation
Sweet Mao - Le Marche
Sweet Mao - Commencement
Suid Afrika 76


http://rapidshare.com/files/223791879/Force.rar

Brötzmann/Kondo/Pupillo/Nilssen-Love live in Europe 2008

I was going to post the Bimhuis set of this crew from 6 September when I made the discovery that it has just been commercially released on the Okka Disk label and can in fact be ordered directly from the label:

http://www.okkadisk.com/releases/od12076.html

So, a quick change of plan, then. Instead, we'll have two other concerts from the same tour, the first one in Schorndorf in Germany on 8 September and the second in Barcelona on 14 September. Both dates are audience recordings, in contrast to the Bimhuis set which was professionally recorded by Dutch radio and also transmitted by BBC Radio 3 later in the month.

Brötzmann has played with Kondo before, most notably in the Die like a Dog quartet with William Parker and Hamid Drake providing the rhythmic backdrop. This crew is quite a different proposition with Massimo Pupillo from Zu manning the electric bass and Paal Nilssen-Love taking over on drums. These two guys change the sonics into a much tougher, heavier, hard-hitting aural assault, which to my mind recalls the spirit of Last Exit, if not the actual sound. Brötzmann did not quite agree, when I had a chance to chat after their Oslo gig (and to share a bottle of red wine with Kondo); Last Exit was different, he thought, but still, there is a decidedly different ambience to these sets which really energises the old gentleman and it is definitely beyond the usual genre boundaries of free jazz. Kondo is extending the sound of the trumpet with all sorts of electronic manipulations, possibly recalling the electric Miles of the 70s, but whereas Miles was steeped in deep funk, this setting better revitalises the noisy punk indie spirit of the times. Pretty hairy, bony stuff, in other words.

This quartet has become a regular working band and they will be gigging in Europe in both the first and second half of 2009 as well as in the first half of 2010, so take the opportunity to see them if they should cross your path (and get their Bimhuis record).

These go out as high-quality mp3s. I realised that posting both sets as lossless flacs would run well over one gigabyte which might be excessive for most downloaders. Thanks to uploaders and seeders at Dime, as usual.

Archie Shepp / Bill Dixon Quartet

Number 10 from I Forgot Clifford. This was one of the first posts on the blog and is still rare vinyl.

This is a vinyl rip 320 mp3 from the classic Savoy LP featuring Bill Dixon on trumpet and Archie Shepp on tenor sax. This has a mainstream feel for both artists and yet has a 60s pulse as they drive through originals and Leonard Bernstein. Bass and drums by Reggie Workman, Don Moore (b) and Paul Cohen, Howard McGhee (dr) October 1962.

1. Trio
2. Quartet
3. Somewhere
4. Peace

http://rapidshare.com/files/192574076/Side1b.mp3

http://rapidshare.com/files/192579017/side2b.mp3

I am going to close the Clifford Blog. There were other favorites including Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, Hannibal, Paul Bley, Paul Smoker and more. I do plan to post some other stuff on this blog.