Baroque Jazz Trio - Same / 1970An amazing French trio which took jazz fusion to it's limits on this album. Originally out on the amazing French Saravah label in 1970. The instruments include tabla, drums, sitars and harpsichords collide with free and funky improv jazz, giving the proceedings a spiritual world-jazz feel. The pieces are strong and complex! the Trio are just an amazing musicians, no other word can fit better. There is one track which is a baroque track rearranged by the group: "Largo" by Handel. The strongest thing about this album is that it sounds like middle ages music played on drugs at the 20th century and the best atmosphere creator here is the harpsichord. The CD came out only in 2004 and contain 2 bonus tracks. The sleeve reflects the album's atmosphere correctly. A must hear for Jazz/Baroque/Progressive rock/Free Jazz lovers!
Total grade (1-10): 9
Genere: Jazz / Free Jazz / Groove
Reissue by: Saravah
Giovanni Battista Pergolesi - Stabat Mater (2006)
There are many recordings of Pergolesi's beautiful, graceful "Stabat Mater" and there are also plenty of versions of both "Salve Regina" selections to choose from. The young Pergolesi, who died at age 26, had a flair for the theater and the "Stabat Mater" was often accused of being too operatic. Fabio Biondi presents it (and the other two pieces) without much sentimentality and he uses a vastly reduced orchestra, a mere three violins, viola, cello, double bass, and theorbo (and organ) which brings the stark religiosity to the forefront. Biondi chooses tempi that are quick enough to give each movement thrust while lingering on Pergolesi's dissonances effectively. The two "Salve Regina" selections are scored for one voice each and each soloist shines brightly. Among the many versions of these works, this new set stands out. Pergolesi's wrote Stabat Mater in 1736 and it is IMHO one of the most beautiful sacred pieces ever! What elevates this recording to the top of the heap is the world-class vocal talent Biondi recruited, German soprano Dorothea Röschmann and American countertenor David Daniels. Daniels' superior talent in phrasing and diction comes across on the thirteen-minute F-minor version of the "Salve Regina". His shimmering tone brings all the drama Pergolesi intended in realizing the hopeful aspiration of the prayer. If Röschmann is slightly less stellar on the eleven-minute A-minor version, it is simply that she doesn't quite have Daniels's innate theatricality. The accompaniment by Europa Galante is expert and often stunning. A relic in the skies of the music history!
Total grade (1-10): 8
Genere: Medival / Baroque / Sacred music
Reissue by: Virgin
There are many recordings of Pergolesi's beautiful, graceful "Stabat Mater" and there are also plenty of versions of both "Salve Regina" selections to choose from. The young Pergolesi, who died at age 26, had a flair for the theater and the "Stabat Mater" was often accused of being too operatic. Fabio Biondi presents it (and the other two pieces) without much sentimentality and he uses a vastly reduced orchestra, a mere three violins, viola, cello, double bass, and theorbo (and organ) which brings the stark religiosity to the forefront. Biondi chooses tempi that are quick enough to give each movement thrust while lingering on Pergolesi's dissonances effectively. The two "Salve Regina" selections are scored for one voice each and each soloist shines brightly. Among the many versions of these works, this new set stands out. Pergolesi's wrote Stabat Mater in 1736 and it is IMHO one of the most beautiful sacred pieces ever! What elevates this recording to the top of the heap is the world-class vocal talent Biondi recruited, German soprano Dorothea Röschmann and American countertenor David Daniels. Daniels' superior talent in phrasing and diction comes across on the thirteen-minute F-minor version of the "Salve Regina". His shimmering tone brings all the drama Pergolesi intended in realizing the hopeful aspiration of the prayer. If Röschmann is slightly less stellar on the eleven-minute A-minor version, it is simply that she doesn't quite have Daniels's innate theatricality. The accompaniment by Europa Galante is expert and often stunning. A relic in the skies of the music history!
Total grade (1-10): 8
Genere: Medival / Baroque / Sacred music
Reissue by: Virgin
William S. Burroughs - Break Through In Grey Room / 1961-1976I must admit that I am not really a spoken words lover, I am much more into music then words. There are exceptions though and this album is one of them. "Break Through in Grey Room" is a collection of William S. Burroughs' speeches and cut-up recordings performed and recorded between 1960 and 1976. Some works here are actual works while others are explanations about the pieces. Burroughs used electronic treatments to his works hence why I could not resist and bought this CD. The piece: "Jojouka," features Ornette Coleman playing in the hills of Morocco, recorded in January of 1973. I don't know too much about Burroughs but I do know that he is very much appreciated and should get some attention from any experimental music lover. The style of the album is mostly tape collages and spoken words which quite hard to digest but very interesting at the same time. Bottom line, it is a very good introduction to tape experiments lovers and to Burroughs.
Total grade (1-10): 8
Genere: Spoken Words / Experimental / Tape Collages
Reissue by: Sub Rosa
Arthur Lee Harper - Dreams And Images (1967) / Love Is The Revolution (1975)This is the kind of song writers that I always love. Quite, deep and medival in a way. I don't know too much about Mr. Harper but I do know that these two albums are just too good to be missed from the psychedelic/singer songwriters lovers. The CD contain two albums Harper did in the late 60's. The first album "Dreams And Images" from 1968 is very mellow and quite a bit like Nick Drake only American and not British which means that it's not that melancholic. The main instrument is the acoustic guitar and Harper's beautiful voice. Sometimes there are flutes, oboe, violin or cello accompanying. The second album is more heavy in the sense that there are more instruments including a drummer, violin, electric guitar with fuzz sometimes. The formula is the same only richer, Harper sounds better on this one but less unique then on it's first album. There are some nice studio effects on his vocals and instruments which might remind Linda Perhacs's album which for me is a masterpiece. The CD is just another brick in the wall of great American unknown albums from the 60's which will make the listener enjoy every single moment out of them. The CD came out on a Korean label: Papa's Choice and it should not be hard to obtain. Recommended!
Total grade (1-10): 8
Genere: Singer - Song Writer / Psychedelic
Reissue by: Papa's Choice
Olli Ahvenlahti - Bandstand / 1975
Finland's Love label was a very good and important label for Finnish musicians. The music is just great jazz-rock with electric piano and wonderful trumpet and sax. Olli is responsible to the keyboards and he play quite few types. The compositions are complex and floating all the time. The musicians are very very good and I would not think twice to say that they could get much more attention if they were Americans. The Finnish scene wasn't that small tough. There are no free moments to think on the album, it is on speeds and running like a mad man from point to point without stopping anywhere. The tracks are in the same vein and there are no weak tracks here, the album is perfect in it's style. The great thing is that you don't need to think too much with this album, you just put it and enjoy every bit of it. I know quite few albums Ahvenlahti made and I can't say that this is best, but I can and will say that all his 70's output that I am aware of is a must hear for any Jazz lover and even Progressive Rock fans because of the way he constructs his compositions. A wonderful album which deserves a wider audience and a wonderful musician/composer and music scene in Finland. Enjoy!
Total grade (1-10): 8
Genere: Fusion / Jazz-Rock
Reissue by: Love Records
Finland's Love label was a very good and important label for Finnish musicians. The music is just great jazz-rock with electric piano and wonderful trumpet and sax. Olli is responsible to the keyboards and he play quite few types. The compositions are complex and floating all the time. The musicians are very very good and I would not think twice to say that they could get much more attention if they were Americans. The Finnish scene wasn't that small tough. There are no free moments to think on the album, it is on speeds and running like a mad man from point to point without stopping anywhere. The tracks are in the same vein and there are no weak tracks here, the album is perfect in it's style. The great thing is that you don't need to think too much with this album, you just put it and enjoy every bit of it. I know quite few albums Ahvenlahti made and I can't say that this is best, but I can and will say that all his 70's output that I am aware of is a must hear for any Jazz lover and even Progressive Rock fans because of the way he constructs his compositions. A wonderful album which deserves a wider audience and a wonderful musician/composer and music scene in Finland. Enjoy!
Total grade (1-10): 8
Genere: Fusion / Jazz-Rock
Reissue by: Love Records
Dice - The Four Riders Of The Apocalypse / 1977Swedish progressive rock is one of my favorites. The musicians humor and skills are always great, the vivid style of playing is always evident as well. Dice were no exception, a very good prog group with two studio albums and one live CD made at the 70's. Dice are the perfect prog-rock outfit using very good keyboards including mellotrons and mini-moogs, great compositions with long suites and concept albums. This album was their first and had some great virtuosic musicianship and compositional skills. "The Four Riders of the Apocalypse" is an all-instrumental opus based on the biblical prophesy and Albrecht Durer’s engravings. The two shorter pieces (around 8 minutes each) are complex and fusiony, but surprisingly upbeat for such a dire themed album. The two longer pieces are around 11 minutes long and are the highlights as they go through a wide range of styles but still flow together nicely. The album is a pure symphonic progressive monument and really deserves more attention from progressive rock lovers. You can find many influences on Dice, from Yes, Genesis, Gryphon and Crimson. There are no vocals here so no excuses!
Total grade (1-10): 8
Genere: Progressive Rock / Symphonic Rock
Reissue by: Belle Antique
Felipe Campuzano - Suite Espiritual / 1974
Spanish instrumental album of soft progressive rock with lots of folk/flamenco flavors in it. 10 tracks over whole and a very nice atmosphere. The orchestration is wide with a big brass section. The spiritual part is well reflected in the music, giving it some mellow side but don't get my mellow description as a bad description one. The album was well recorded and sounds great I must admit. Don't expect any Triana here, it's more on the AOR side then on the prog side. Today, I feel that this album which I know quite many years is too simple for my taste. The guy, Felipe plays some very good Flute parts and he is quite famous in Spain as far as I understood. Don't kill anyone in order to lay your hands on this CD but if you happen to see it, grab it, you might enjoy it while you ride with your wife to a nice dinner :-)
Total grade (1-10): 5
Genere: Progressive Folk / Flamenco
Reissue by: Pinceladas Musicales
Selling my copy for $13 including shipping: meidad@yahoo.com
Luigi Nono - Complete Works For Solo Tape / 1960-1974
Tape music was always a challenge for me being hard to digest. This two Disk set allows you here to learn another aspect about Luigi Nono. The radical content of much of the work here certainly reflects the scale of time portrayed roughly the Sixties, the time of the student movements, Algeria,and Vietnam,the rise of Nasser and the still functioning anti-fascist Left in Europe. The overall effect of the tape sounds here are mural-like,and the timbres sound dated with many different voices occurring simultaneously, with long sustained enveloping sounds,sharply cut,then noise-like"musique concrete" events, shouting,all quite effective and powerful. The anti-war "Contrappunto dialettico alla mente" (1967-68) commissioned for radio broadcast especially has this incredible power of disunity,of fragmentations. It is serious music here with a rich complex pallette of sounds and texts from the Sixties. Nono thought of the medium itself of electronics as subversive, for it came to disrupt the logical projections of instrumental music. The set comes with a very detailed notes and complete texts for all the works here in the accompanying booklet, all translated into English. At the end of his life, Luigi Nono habitually used pre-recorded tape and electronics in his works, combining them with live instruments to create a succession of delicate, increasingly rarefied sound worlds. But his exploration of the possibilities of technology had begun more than 20 years earlier and, through the 60's, he had produced a series of works for tape alone, all of which are brought together in this comprehensive and scrupulously documented collection. The five-minute "Omaggio a Emilio Vedova" from 1960 was the first of them, and was to be Nono's only exploration of totally synthesized sounds; perhaps for that reason, it now sounds much more dated and clichéd than the later works here. All Nono's subsequent tape pieces employed pre-recorded material, often text-based, from a variety of sources; the 1966 "Ricorda Cosa ti Hanno Fatto in Auschwitz", for instance, a recomposition of material from his score for a play by Peter Weiss, creates a tapestry of colors from a children's choir and phonetic sounds sung by a solo soprano. "Contrappunto Dialettico alla Mente" was originally commissioned for the Prix Italia in 1968, but because of the anti-American sentiments of the texts, it was eventually excluded from the competition. It's the finest of Nono's purely electronic pieces, a beguiling fusion of the sounds of his home city of Venice with a collage of poetic texts that brings his music much closer than usual to the world of his contemporary Luciano Berio. If 1969's "Musiche per Manzo" is less a finished composition than a series of short soundscapes which were originally intended to accompany a documentary film, then "Für Paul Dessau", from five years later, was written for the 80th birthday of the East German composer. The box set is a pure labor of love and it demonstrates how interesting was Nono in his early days. Tape works lovers, here is a masterpiece for you!
Total grade (1-10): 9
Genere: Tape Music / Musique Concrete / Collage
Reissue by: Stradivarius
Stomu Yamashta - Raindog / 1975
Another good fusion/progressive rock album by Yamashta which kicks off with a 13 minutes suite which is much more Fusion\funky then expected and sounds a lot like Mahavishnu Orchestra. Again, the musicians are the cream of cream: Stomu Yamash'ta (pc), Gary Boyle (g), Tsuneo Matsumoto (g), Brian Gascoigne (p/cvt/syn), Daito Fujita (b), Hozumi Tanaka (d), Hisako Yamash'ta (vln) and this time with two vocalists: Murray Head (voc), Maxine Nightingale (voc). The music hints strongly towards "Go" having some more funky moments, fusion, jazz-rock and vocals which I personally don't really like which marks for me the end of the good music Yamashta wrote. For those who love the "Go" project and I must say that I loved it a lot when I was 14 this album is a simple must!
Total grade (1-10): 7
Genere: Progressive Rock / Fusion / Funky
Reissue by: Bootleg Cat #: EECD116
Stomu Yamashta's East Wind - One by One / 1974
Very much like it's predecessor "Freedom Is Frightening" this album is a very good fusion/progressive rock album. This time Yamasht'a is getting help in the compositions from Sammi Abu which also sings at times and IMHO ruin the initial Yamasht'a composing technique. The musicians are: Stomu Yamash'ta (d/pc), Sammi Abu (voc/pc/fl), Hisako Yamash'ta (vln), Gary Boyle (g [9-12]), Frank Tankowski (g [7/8]), Bernie Holland (g [7/8]), Brian Gascoigne (kb), Hugh Hopper (b), Nigel Morris (d [1-6/9-12]) & Mike Travis (d [7/8]). The music leaves the traditional Japanese sound and goes deeper and deeper into Americana with Fusion and Funk. Probably the last really good Yamashta album before he gets into almost pop music and later into synth music ala Kitaro.
Total grade (1-10): 8
Genere: Progressive Rock / Fusion / Funky
Reissue by: Bootleg Cat #: EECD122
Stomu Yamash'ta's East Wind - Freedom Is Frightening / 1973
Personal's on this fantastic album: Stomu Yamash'ta (d/pc), Hisako Yamash'ta (vln), Gary Boyle (g), Brian Gascoigne (kb/syn/vib) & Hugh Hopper (b). The album is very much like "Come To The Edge" and "The Man From The East". Four pieces in total, the first one is the album title, starts with long chords of Hammond organ and Hopper's bass with his effects on it. The music, again, evolves very slowly into a great rhythm section lines and strange harmony. The second track: "Rolling Nuns" is a fantastic fusion piece which is much like later Soft Machine pieces at their "Bundles" period and the guitar solo Boyle gives here is quite amazing. Side two of the vinyl starts with: "Pine On The Horizon" which is the longest piece on this album, 12 minutes long and it is again, a good folk meets jazz meets fusion meets Canterbury piece. The last piece: "Wind Words" is different! it is a relaxed one with acoustic guitar and violin, very nice and quite and even sad in a way. A very good ending to an incredible good album!
Total grade (1-10): 8.5
Genere: Progressive Rock / Canterbury / Fusion
Reissue by: Bootleg Cat #: EECD153
Stomu Yamashta - Come To The Edge (Floating Music) / 1972
One of the best Yamashta albums! The albums starts with a 18 minutes pieces named: "Poker Dice" which takes of with some mind blowing rhythm section and electric piano and vibraphone solos. The rhythm section is a real killer, the bass and drums are perfect and the mood is grey and rainy and a perfect fusion meets prog piece. The second piece: "Keep In Lane" starts with percussions and Japanese Kabuki singing which reminds me a lot of Magical Power Mako's second album: "Super Record" but very soon the piece stops for trumpets tune which is a pure Jazz line ala Nucleus or even Liberation Music Orchestra, what a treat! The 3rd piece: "Xingu" starts like a Free Jazz piece ala Ayler and very soon relaxes into an atmospheric piece with very nice percussions and bass lines. The piece is quite long, almost 12:30 and it is the most Canterbury in style and sound which is expected as such being a piece by Morris Pert. The last piece on this album is "One Way" which is also a long piece, almost 12 minutes. This piece like the others on this album is constructed slowly and changes moods every now and then. The piece is the most avant-garde on this album and ends very nicely using Hammond long chords ala Sarceful Of Secrets by the Floyds. Another great album by very talented young Mr.Yamashta. The musicians on this album: Stomu Yamash'ta (pc), Morris Pert (d/pc), Robin Thompson (o/p/ss/as), Andrew Powell (b [3/4]), Phil Plant (b [1/2]), Peter Robinson (p [1]), Dave White (as [2]), R. Harris (tpt [2]), I. Goffe (tb [2]). Recorded on Jan 1972 at Queen Elizabeth Hall, London.
Total grade (1-10): 8.5
Genere: Progressive Rock / Progressive Folk / Free Jazz / Fusion
Reissue by: Bootleg Cat #: EECD162
Stomu Yamash'ta's Red Buddha Theatre - "The Man From The East" / 1973
Let's start with the people playing on this album: Stomu Yamash'ta (pc), Morris Pert (d/pc), Robin Thompson (ss [4]), Peter Robinson (elp), Alyn Ross (b), Gary Boyle (g [6]), Hisako Yamash'ta (vln [5/7]), Phil Plant (b [5/7]), Maggie Newlands (o [5/7]), Joji Hirota (claves/voc [5/7]), Hideo Funamoto (pc [5/7]), Shiro Murata (fl [5/7]), Yoshio Taeira (p [5/7]), Goro Kunii (voc [5/7]), Mikako Takeshita (laughter [5/7]). A monster joint venture between Japanese musicians led by Yamashta and English musicians. The album was recorded in 1972 at the legendary Advision Studios located in London with one track recorded at the Carré Thorigny Theatre, Paris (France). Yamashta, a legendary figure in the history of progressive rock music was quite known after his Go project took of at the mid 70's with many European musicians in it and a very good fusion of prog music in this album and the double live album: "Go Live". What people know less about Yamashta is the early albums that came before Go and that these albums suppress Go big time. Yamashta's history is quite long and I must admit that I miss quite info about it but the most interesting thing is that Yamashta was an amazing percussionist playing contemporary avant-garde music for percussions. The album "The Man From The East" starts with a movie atmosphere indeed and reminds me the beginning of the movie "The Wall" with the slow trumpets and wind moving from left to right. The first track called "Sunrise" and sounds like a called sunrise when the violins are taking over the wind with slow melancholic tune. The second track: "My Little Friend" is more light and start with a fusion rhythm section of bass, electric piano, violin and drums. The track is short: 4:03 and it is quite a nice one which reminds me a lot of Caravan without singing tough. The third track lasts 10 minutes and it is much more complex and serious than the previous two. The track: "What A Way To Live In Modern Times" starts of with weird vocals singing in a certain loop and percussions accompanying them, then when the clock is on 3 minutes the music starts to take off with an amazing keyboards sequences that soon is joined by the bass and a strange line that the flute plays with the violin. The track is quite experimental in it's mood and the symbolizes between the Japanese folk music and eastern sound is just perfect. The turning points happens again at 5:10 when the heavy drums are sounding like a soundtrack to an ancient Japanese theatre show which stops at once at 6:02 and becomes almost mysterious and reminds me a lot of providence by King Crimson with the percussions and flute/violin lines. Then the most amazing turn of a 360 deg at 7:10 approx when the song becomes a pure Japanese folk song with vocals in Japanese which sound a bit sarcastic although i don't speak Japanese unfortunately. The piece ends with bells and koto playing as if it was recorded 200 years ago in a small village in Japan. Track four named: "Mountain Pass" is a short one, 3:41 and it sounds like a wonderful film opener with soft percussions and sax tune which is Japanese in it's mood. Track five is a 12 minutes piece which starts with a mysterious ambient and Japanese Kabuki vocals which evolves around 4 minutes to a prog-rock piece with a good rhythm section and fine violin\flute solos again. The piece evolves and evolves very slowly just like Ravel's Bolero and bursts at 8:37 and finishes ambient again. The last piece "Memory Of Hiroshima" as the name implies is very dramatic and heavy with a lot of sad ambience and sad tune that concludes this wonderful album! A very good and promising carrier still wait's for Mr..Yamashta which I will cover more soon. The CD came out on a bootlegs label and I would love to see it official one day.
Total grade (1-10): 8
Genere: Progressive Rock / Progressive Folk / Soundtrack / Ambient
Reissue by: Bootleg Cat #: EECD167
Stomu Yamashta - Henze/Takemitsu/Maxwell Davies / 1972
For me no questions that this is the best Yamashta album ever!!! Electronics and percussions, what can you ask for more? Pieces by Henze, Davies and Takemitsu. The three are top notch composers of avant-garde music of the 20th century. The album came after "Red Buddha" which is made of percussions only and composed by Yamashta alone. The album is not recommended but a simple MUST for people who are into deep music which takes your mind into a psychedelic-philosophical journey. A Masterpiece Alarm!
The linear notes: The idea of music being visible can hardly be more convincingly perceived than in the playing of this musician. To begin with, sound, for Yamash'ta, is not an abstraction, but a mental and physical necessity. He is unable to execute musical textures per se: music to him means words, messages, calls, and self-affirmation, as though he were saying: Listen! I am still alive! Still alive! Aggression and defense are in his work. He knows everything about silence; that is why he unchains these acoustic outrages. He sniper-fires into the darkness of besieged cities, stops, waiting for an answer, shoots again. He remembers the ceremonial gestures of his ancestors' music as signals for anxieties and threats. His ears investigate both minerals and tissues. He is not bothered by conservative conceptions whatsoever. His researches lead him to surpass his domains: Kabuki, rock, the classic timpani, and the achievements of the music of the late sixties. He is at the exit, on the way to another beauty and to different music-making. His is a commentary on the Revolution, department Utopia.
Total grade (1-10): 9
Genere: Electro-Acoustic / Avant-Garde
Reissue by: Bootleg Cat #: EECD166
Stomu Yamashta - Red Buddha / 1971
The first Yamashta album. A solo percussions album with two long pieces, one for each vinyl side. The whole album is played on percussions only with overdubs so the sound is not thin at all. The music is serious and not really something to dance too but more on the academic side of things. Yamashta is a gifted percussionists but he is even more an ambient creator. When I listen to this album it is very much obvious that this guy had escaped from planet earth every time he played. His music is out of any known conception and even so it's something you can hear as avant-grade beginner. There are some hints for religious ceremonies but also influences of Cage, Stockhausen, Henze & Takemitsu which later on Yamashta recorded in a better album. Don't get me wrong, this album is a masterpiece in it's style and there aren't many in this caliber played only on percussions. A must hear at least if you are into modern classical!
Total grade (1-10): 8.5
Genere: Percussions / Avant-Garde
Reissue by: Spalax Music
Bise De Buse - Joue Sa Musique / 1975
BISE DE BUSE were a French group that started their way in 1975 at the city of Strasbourg. The group influences were modern classical contemporary composers ala Varese, Ligeti, Bartok etc... Folk music and progressive rock with Jazz influences with groups like Henry Cow, National Health, Gong, Caravan etc... and European jazz music with artists like Jan Garbarek, Eberhard Weber etc... The group giged quite a lot in their home town and did some very nice cover versions of the groups they were influenced of. Two cover versions are available in the CD reissue: "You Can't Kill Me" by Gong and "Kings And Queens" by Hugh Hopper and I must admit that musically these cover versions are not far from the originals and even have their own shine tough with bad sound. The album "Joue Sa Musique" is very much different from the groups that influenced them being a pure chamber music album which reminds me a lot of Art Zoyd in their acoustic period, another possible link to a similar group is Julverne or even Penguin Café Orchestra in a way. The group sadly made only one album which was recorded in 1981 by a trio (Keyboards, cello & saxophone) with two guests: Louis Merlet on violin, and Gong's saxophone player Didier Malherbe which for me appears here in one of his best recorded music ever. As said before the music is very much of a chamber music and not progressive nor jazz. The music is mostly written with few amazing solos which might be improvised but the album is very much academic and not improvised. The four bonus tracks are very nice addition which show the group in their early days and in a more progressive rock attitude before they developed their unique style. There are two problems to mention here, one is the mastering of the CD which is very thin and sound quite dull although i never heard the original vinyl so i can't tell if it's the remastering or the original recording. The second thing is the mix which tries to make a continues effect between pieces and inside them but with headphones you hear quite good the cuts and it shows that the editing wasn't really done by a professional sound man. The CD is highly recommended to lover of new music ala Art Zoyd, a very good discovery and thank you Musea for reissuing these rare pearls!
Total grade (1-10): 8
Genere: New Music / Progressive Chamber-Rock
Reissue by: Musea
Hatfield and the North - Hatwise Choice: Archive Recordings 1973-1975, Volume 1
Hatfield and the North - Hattitude: Archive Recordings 1973-1975, Volume 2
Hatfield, what a great group! Canterbury at it's best nothing else to say. At the last few years we had a burst of reissues of unknown recordings by Canterbury groups like Soft Machine, Matching Mole, Caravan and even recently the Drury Lane live legendary concert by Wyatt & Friends. Somehow Hatfield didn't get their share with this storm of CD's and thank god someone was smart enough to start their rare recordings CD issue and that someone is the Burning Shed label. Up to now there are two CD's in this hopefully 1000 cd's series which contain amazing music by this band. The first CD, Hatwise Choice features sessions made for the BBC radio and some live performances as well. The nice thing about these recordings are the groups sense of humor and rawer improvisational bent replace the beauty, clever craft, and dry wit of their studio recordings. While the material is largely drawn from their two studio releases it is still giving fans the opportunity to enjoy these pieces in a different way. There’s also the opportunity to hear the group in its earliest days tackling pre-Hatfield material such as Miller’s “Nan True’s Hole,” renamed here to “Ethanol Nurse". The sound quality varies, with the BBC tapes being superior to the live recordings. Still, the mastering job creates a remarkably consistent experience that makes Hatwise Choice the next best thing to having been there: for existing fans. The second CD, Hattitude, is dedicated to Pip Pyle who died just recently during 2006. The sound recordings are amazing and the music rocks! lengthy pieces and short ones, Dave Stewart, Pip Pyle, Richard Sinclair & Phil Miller at their picks, no question! The music is vivid and carry your soul from the first note on this CD on. The thing with Hatfield is that they are in between Caravan's too sweet music and Soft Machin's sometimes hard music which makes them a wining combo. While Hatwise Choice: Archive Recordings 1973-1975, Volume 1, which is a collection of BBC radio and live recordings and was released in 2005. While its two studio releases were augmented with assorted Canterbury friends, Hatwise Choice presented Hatfield as a stripped-down four-piece unit that was completely capable of fleshing the music out and was none the less for it—stronger, in fact, in many cases. Hattitude: Volume 2 is defined by more consistent sound quality, thanks to keyboardist Dave Stewart’s autumn 2005 discovery of a box full of reel-to-reel live recordings. There’s little in the way of new material here, and there’s considerable overlap with Hatwise Choice. Still, Hattitude stands on its own, thanks to the group's energy and spontaneity, and drummer Pip Pyle’s outstanding editing work. The nice thing about Hatfield's live material is their “Name That Tune” by retitling familiar songs with new titles that reference the originals only obliquely, if at all. Hatfield in concert was every bit an improvising band, often significantly reshaping its studio material. Guitarist Phil Miller’s “Aigrette” (here titled “The Crest”) is expanded to include a longer vocal by bassist Richard Sinclair and a definitive solo by Stewart that begins on electric piano and ends powerfully on his signature tone generator. The majority of the music on Hattitude is culled from Hatfield’s eponymous 1973 Virgin debut, though there are small tastes of material from 1975’s The Rotter’s Club.The history of Canterbury showed me that every piece of music Dave Stewart laid his hands on the keyboards was a winner although it's unfair to give the credit only to Dave. I would seriously recommend to get these two CD's of live material but if you don't know Hatfield by now I would recommend better to start with their 2 studio albums.
Total grade (1-10): 8
Genere: Canterbury / Progressive Rock / Jazz-Rock
Reissue by: Burning Shed
Alwin Nikolais - Electronic Dance Music / 1966-1989
Vintage electronic music is a fascinating genre of it's own which I went deep into in the last 10 years. It is amazing to see how many amazing albums and pieces were recorded and made at the second half of the 20th century. Alwin Nikolais played electronics instruments in it's first days and his obsession was electronic sequences and rhythms. The CD I will review here is a compilation of modern dance pieces recorded between the mid 60's and late 80's just before he died in 1993 at age of 83. The music is mechanical and reminds me a lot of how Kraftwerk could sound if they remained experimental and less popish like they did on their first 3 albums. The atmosphere of this album is cold and robotic like. I would really want to see how people danced to this music. If i need to classify this album inside the electronic music genre I would say that it's really different and quite easy to digest. The album came on the CRI label which releases American unknown composers and having a very nice catalog. Recommended to Vintage electronic lovers and modern dance soundtracks lover.
Total grade (1-10): 7
Genere: Vintage Electronic
Reissue by: CRI Cat#: CD 651
Luciano Cilio - Dell'Universo Assente
Masterpiece alarm! Cilio was a name I hadn't heard of until late last year and what a loss! Who is Cilio? Apparently a very good friend musician of Alan Sorrenti the great. The albums starts in a way I cannot describe but it will be an understatement if I will declare it's one of the best pieces I ever heard in my life. Taking your sanity to another dimension, wrapping your mind with love, hate, fear and joy! No question that this lost soul who died unfortunately. It is for sure my favorite albums in existence. The label who reissued this pearl is Die Schachtel which I know from their early days and they are FANTASTIC. The album contains eleven songs that drench of passion and hope for a better existence. They breathe life through their careful instrumentation, and show how well simplicity can articulate one's thoughts. Cilio plays the piano and flute, but spends most of his time plucking the acoustic guitar. At its core, it's the fervor of the piano and acoustic guitar that ultimately lifts the album to a higher level. Not for one moment does Dell'Universo Assente embody anything that could be interpreted as filler. Some moments are more experimental than others. However, even the experimental pieces are capable of pleasing the most casual listener. The reissue came in an amazing packaging with English bio and nice amount of bonus tracks. Cilio commit suicide in 1983 but not before leaving behind one of the true landmarks of modern music. The atmosphere all over the album is melancholic and probably this what makes the album so intimate and free. I consider myself quite hard with grades but on this one I will put a 10 without hesitation, a true masterpiece that won't be available too long so don't sit back and wait for your luck to fade away.
Total grade (1-10): 10
Genere: Experimental / Melancholic / Ambient / Spiritual
Reissue by: Die Schachtel Cat#: DS 7
Michael Garrick - Troppo / 1974
What an album! Brit-Jazz, an unknown Jazz world to most of the people and I would say that it's a pure loss for these who don't investigate this magnificent world and that for me suppress any other form of jazz except for Free Jazz which British people don't tend to like. Back to our album: This is a landmark album from pianist Michael Garrick and one of the amazing coloration with vocalist Norma Winstone in the late 60s and early 70s! Garrick is an happy musician and you can hear it all over the album, the music is vivid, the solos are just the right ones as if this album is 100% written. The rhythm section is absolutely fantastic and it lifts the atmosphere immensely. Winstone's vocals are a perfect accompaniment when she just sings notes or words (less words). Her style is moody as oppose to Garrick's style. Players include Don Rendell, Coleridge Goode, Art Themen, and Garrick himself. The album is a must hear as far as I can recommend it either if you are a Jazz freak or a Progressive rock or better said Canterbury lover. Kodus Mr.Garrick, you bought yourself a true fan here.
Total grade (1-10): 9
Genere: Fusion / Progressive-Jazz / Brit-Jazz
Reissue by: Vocalion Cat#: 986 689 2
Michael White - The Land Of Spirit And Light 1973
I don't know any other solo album by Michael White but this one is unique album for sure. White on Violin, Prince Lasha on various flutes & clarinet, Ed Kelly on piano, Bob King on acoustic guitar, Cecil Mcbee on Bass, Ken Nash on percussions and three vocalists. The center piece on this album is the three parts suite "The land of spirit and light". The music is kind' a jazz mixed with African ritual music and it is special in this sense. Don't expect anything radical here, White plays harmonic stuff even though he is taking his music just a bit towards free jazz. The recording is clear and the reissue is superb. One of the best album covers in Jazz genre for sure which reflects very good the spirit of the album. The last two pieces on the album, "O Ancient One" & "Lament" are the best tracks on the album with a gloomy end that wraps your brain tightly. I wouldn't recommend to run to the closest shop and buy this album but I would say that if you are into jazz and you look for something a bit different then this one is the right one for you. Nothing radical but unique only. Enjoy!
Total grade (1-10): 7.5
Genere: Jazz / Folk-Jazz
Reissue by: Verve Cat#: 0602498842270
Amadeus - The Soundtrack (Remastered) / 1986
What a movie! What a soundtrack! probably one of the best ever made. What can be said more about this gifted composer who contributed probably one of the best heritage a human being can contribute. The music is amazing, the movie is amazing and this new product puts it even more at the front of soundtracks. The package includes pieces that were not included at the old edition and besides the sound is just fantastic! I would recommend this double CD to any music lover where ever you are! it is a must have at any cost.
Total grade (1-10): 9
Genere: Classical / Symphonic / Mass / Chamber / Opera
Reissue by: Universal Cat#: 589 754-2
Dionne – Brégent / 1974-1977
For me this reissue is one of the best of 2006 if not THE BEST together with Jacques Thollot's: Cinq Hop. This Canadian duo made two albums which are both here on this double CD reissue with some excellent bonus tracks. The duo come from the same city La Belle Province like Michel Madore which is a great artist I met 3 years ago in Paris. When ever you hear this album you cannot put aside it's Krautrockish sound and get to think it's from Canada makes me really surprise I must say. The booklet comes with French-only booklet reproducing the artwork. The two albums are very nicely remastered and sound very good and besides their two albums there are two unreleased tracks, one of which is a Stockhausen percussive piece Zyklus recorded in 1974 and before the duo were together(recorded pre-D-B time in 74) and the other a very Tangerine and Jarresque fusion. Quite a stunning close to this double set. This “anthology” is simply one of the moments’ best reissues and is absolutely necessity for all Krautrock fans and especially those into electronic music.
The first album starts with a dark piece named "Incarnation" with some ambient electronics, then when piece 2 starts it is starting to elevate the piece to another dimension. The second piece: "Chant D'espoir" sounds a bit like Tangerine Dream meets Mike Oldfield & Pierre Morlean. The 3rd piece is the same as the second only with a female singer which sings amazingly! The the album starts to kick off even more with the fourth track: "Resurrection". The track starts with loops of clocks and metal sounds, then the percussions just get more and more intensive adding each instrument at a cycle.... The synth's are growing as well on each few cycles and then it emerges into a fluid river of loops which create a drama I can't express in words. At 2:11 the piece start to get melodic with layers of synth's which makes me feel high in a sense that no matter what i do at the moment i hear it I fly! The piece close side one of Side A (...Et Le Troisieme Jour).
Side two starts very dark and ambient, The first piece entitled: "Possession / Destination" is almost 11 minutes long. It starts quite and dark and very soon it evolves into a very abusive track which sounds to me a lot like Univers Zero's Heresie. "Temple Du Silence" starts very quite with percussions only and creates a mystic atmosphere. The next track: "...Des Cycles Et Des Passions" is 6 minutes long and immediately takes off with avant-garde riffs of electronic synth's which very reminds me a lot Floyd's "On the run" with it's moog sequences. End of Disc 1.
The second Disk starts with "Ouverture" and sounds like one with pompous synth line and drums. The piece: "Evocatione De Re" sounds a bit like a Japanese folk tune from outer space with tam tam's and a lot of pathos that reminds me of Stumo Yamshta's Go. "Gratte-Ciel Polyphonique / Postlude" is another fine tune which sounds like a sci-fi soundtrack. On this album the duo have help from other musicians and on this track you can hear how they develop the piece by augmenting it using violins, flutes, acoustic piano etc... "Campus" is another 10 minutes long piece with amazing percussions and keyboards which again remind me of On The Run but this time they develop it to a much wider concept. The last album track named "Transit Express" is more energetic and even Fusion which makes me think how it is connected to the French Fusion group with the same name, who knows....
The first bonus track, "Zyklus" by Stockhausen is a classic avant-garde piece which I don't think one needs to justify as no less then an AMAZING PIECE OF MUSIC. The second bonus track is "Fil De Terre" sounds a lot like Tangerine Dream at their mid 70's.
No question that the second album is less interesting then the first one but it is very good and should not be compared to the first one.
Bottom line, GET THIS ALBUM NO MATTER WHAT IF YOU ARE INTO AVANT-GARDE / ELECTRONIC / DARK / PROGRESSIVE ROCK!!!
Total grade (1-10): 9
Genere: Avantgarde / Electro-Acoustic / Electronic / Progressive Rock
Reissue by: XXI Cat#: CD 2 1548
Libra - Musica & Parole 1974-1975
This Italian group made one studio album and one soundtrack album which I will review later on. Their music is moving between traditional Italian progressive rock ala Procession only they combine some Jazz-Rock elements ala Nova's Blink in their music. The music is vivid and floating very nicely throw out the album. The instrumentation is the classic formula of keyboards/guitars/bass/drums. From time to time the group have a romantic piece like "Forse E' Furia" which is a nice evolving 9 minutes piece but rather popish bottom line even if it evolves into a nice jazz rock groove later on. The musicians are awesome, no question but sometime they move from extreme sweet compositions to heavy jazz-rock which makes one style redundant. "Behind The Fence" was recorded live and it's the worst track on this album IMHO being a plane rock number. Musica & Parole the track is a pop ballad which develop nicely but nothing exciting here. The best two pieces on the album are the last two which makes side B of the vinyl and they alone worth to buy this CD. The first one being "Pegno D'amore" who start with a great atmosphere made by a sound research of the electric piano, bass, drums and guitar. Soon the rhythm section is up and the music start to rock ala soft Mahavishnu Orchestra in slow motion or better said soft version of Area's fusion parts. The vocals are much better on this piece and at one point the singer read some text and sounds almost like Demetrios Stratos on drugs, a wonderful track indeed! The second track, a 14 minutes piece named: "Inquinamento" starts very nice with a nice tune played by the guitar and electric piano which musically reminds me of "The Musical Box" quite parts in the immortal Genesisian "Nursery Crime" album. Then, a sound of bubbling water is stereoing from left to right and the rhythm section starts to blow off you head with text reading while they lift the drama up and up and up....
The album is recommended to Italian Progressive Rock lovers only otherwise it might be too much Italian to digest.
Total grade (1-10): 7.5 (could be an 8 without side A of the vinyl)
Genere: Progressive Rock / Italian Progressive Rock / Jazz-Rock
Reissue by: BMG Ricordi Cat#: 74321980682
Los Brincos - Mundo, Demonio y Carne / 1968
Brincos were a known pop and beat group in Spain. Their music on this album is very good in the genre of proto-prog, groove, psych and pop. The first piece is a 12 minutes long piece with few moods in it and nice effects and tape manipulations. Don't expect The United States Of America kind of effects but still it's more then expected from a popular group. The musicians are good and sound as if they enjoy themselves a lot. The Hammond sound is great, guitar rocks and there is even a mellotron every now and then. I would rate this album as one of the better ones coming from Spain and any psych/proto-prog fan should enjoy listening to this album.
Total grade (1-10): 8
Genere: Psychedelic / Proto-Prog / Rock / Pop
Reissue by: Unknown label Cat#: 50401020
Archie Shepp and the Full Moon Ensemble - Live in Antibes Volumes 1 & 2 / 1970
The album came on the now legendary BYG label which is a French label. As far as i know most of the albums that BYG made were taken from live concerts made in 1969 and 1970. The label introduced French and American musicians and gave the artists a lot of space to improvise. Most of the albums have two long suites (one for each side. This album was originally released on two LPs and has been remastered by the label "Fuel 2000". As I mentioned earlier there are two extended compositions (each over 48 minutes long) and it was recorded live at the French jazz festival in July 1970. The group consists of Shepp, Clifford Thornton on trumpet, Alan Shorter on flugelhorn and a French rhythm section. Shepp and Thornton also take turns pounding the piano keys. The performances have some good free jazz moments, but the pieces are too long and repetitious with rather simple structures and slow development. A highlight of the first piece, "The Early Bird," is guitarist's Joseph Dejean outside, chordal solo over the rumbling drums and bowed bass of the rhythm section. The most interesting part of the album is the second half of the second piece, "Huru," which has Shepp's best playing on the date, and a more varied sound, with ringing percussion and a noisy guitar solo. From the BYG label CD's I wouldn't say that this is their best but it is interesting to hear Shepp as free as he could get for sure.
Total grade (1-10): 7
Genere: Free Jazz
Reissue by: BYG/Fuel 2000 Cat#: 302 061 255 2
Malicorne - Same 1975
Folk Music is fascinating simply for the fact that each country produced it's own fold music hence it's such a wide criteria of music genre that one should search his entire life in order to hear only 1/1000 from the real output only till the 80's. France had few folk regions which are all great. There is a wonderful book about French Folk albums which I own and the inventory is amazingly high. This group however is one of the better known being categorized also as a prog group. The album I am reviewing here is their second and got a great taste of prog and folk in it. I would say it's an electric folk classic. The vocals are incredible and the use of electric and acoustic folk/medieval instruments is perfectly balanced. This group comes from Breton and they made 10 albums that I know of and all are GREAT only this one is very unique to me being the first i ever heard by them. The songs are haunting, making excellent use of drones and exquisite vocal harmonies. Make sure you hear carefully the track "La Fille Aux Chansons", it's a masterpiece in it's style. 70's prog/folk fans, this album is for you for sure!
Total grade (1-10): 8
Genere: Progressive Folk / Medival / Folk
Reissue by: Hexagone Cat#: GRI191262
Friedrich Gulda: Midlife Harvest (5 CD box set) 60's & 70's / Gegenwart 1976
Gulda appears on the famous NWW list, this is something to be checked for sure right? Well, so I did as a NWW list hunter and the result is amazing. This box set is one thing and the "Gegenwart" is another story. Gulda plays Jazz, Classical (even Mozart pieces), Avant-Garde, Experimental and ambient. He was born in Austria and was a key figure in the intersection between jazz and modern music on the European scene of the postwar years. The box set contains recordings done for Decca and MPS in the 60s and 70s! Gulda's work here takes a wide variety of formats from solo piano, to trio material, to larger group recordings with jazz soloists, as well as some more experimental sessions that step strongly into the territory of 20th century classical music. Artists who join Gulda: Drummer Klaus Weiss, Phil Woods, Fritz Pauer, Palle Mikkelborg, Freddie Hubbard, Tubby Hayes, Ron Carter, Sahib Shihab, and JJ Johnson. The package reproduces the booklet that came with the original 1973 9LP box set. The "Gegenwart" is a masterpiece of minimalism meets romanticism with gentle electronic layers.
A great artist who deserves to be known to a wider audience!
Total grade (1-10): 9
Genere: Free Jazz / Classic / Jazz / Experimental / Minimalism
Reissue by: MPS / Celestial Harmonies
Frank Wright: Unity 1974
ESP is one of the best label's for free jazz and acid folk. Established mainly in the 60's as the home of free music temple the label produced few of the best artists in this genre. It was a delight to see ESP reissues from many CD labels such as ZYX, Abraxes and ESP DISK but now I see that there are also CD's which never came out on vinyl's at the time and do come out from the ESP vaults on CD's. Frank Wright is one of the best ESP free jazzists and his output on ESP is crucial for free jazz lovers. This CD features a live recording from 1974 with Alan Silva on bass, Bobby Few on piano and Muhammad Ali on drums. The CD contains two lengthy pieces: Unity Part 1 & 2, each is more then 25 minutes long. The music is amazing! superb piano and sax parts, the bass and drums are killers as well! A lot of spiritual influences from Coltrane and Sanders are evident. Wright played with Lester Bowie’s Sho’ Nuff Orchestra, with Rashied Ali’s Funky Free Boppers, with Cecil Taylor’s Orchestra of Two Continents or Saheb Sarbib’s Multinational Big Band and he always played with an uncompromising passion that was the signature of his sound. Wright died in 1990 but never got the honor he deserved IMHO. The album is a must for free jazz lovers!
Total grade (1-10): 8
Genere: Free Jazz
Issued by: ESP-DISK Cat # ESP 4028
Dalton: Argitari 1975
The group's second album was basically in the same vein but I must say that musically it is less interesting a bit. Still the album is very good and enjoyable. The group released a single in 1974 named: "La donna e il bambino" which appears as a bonus track on the Giallo edition of the CD. Argitari still shows a great virtuosity of the musicians, especially to be notes is the flute player which sounds like Mauro Pagani meets Ian Anderson. On this album I hear more acoustic guitar and less electric one. One song on the album named "La Risposta" is a cover version to Bob Dylan's "Blowing in the wind" and I must say that it's a very good cover version. The album is more popish and less rockish but again being the second and final Dalton output I would recommend to Italian prog lovers not to skip this one as well.
Total grade (1-10): 7
Genere: Progressive Rock / Italian Prog
Reissue by: Giallo Cat # SAF 032
Dalton: Riflessioni: Idea D'infinito 1973
The group exists from the mid 60's doing some basic pop and beat stuff like a cover version of Venus by Shocking Blue. Later the group reformed in 1972 releasing a milestone album in the Italian progressive rock school. The album, "Riflessioni: idea d'infinito" is a monster prog-rock album with some amazing guitar and flute riffs.There are some Jethro Tull influences evident but definitely not a clone! The album vocals are in Italian but this should not ruin any fun of the album. The album is very short and build as a conceptual piece with a continues team that mix the tracks to be a long suite. The ballade "Cara Emily" is a San Remo like tune which might be considered more AOR. I would rate Italian progressive rock scene as one of the best ever, so if you are a progressive rock lover you should not say no to none English lyrics albums and particularly get use to Italian.
Total grade (1-10): 8
Genere: Progressive Rock / Italian Prog
Reissue by: Vinyl Magic Cat # VM 012
Bach: English Suites / Angela Hewitt
Angela Hewitt, what can I say? An amazing human being that got the best gift a human being can ask for, to play Bach in such a delight and deep way. Hewitt is playing Bach in such a vivid way I can't even review. The simple thing I can say about this double CD is a must have if you are into solo piano classical music. I hope I should not say anything about the music itself because if the subject is Johan Sebastian Bach then I would hope that this super human should be known by any genere music lover all over the globe. The CD came out on the Hyperion label and it is an hybrid CD that can be played on SACD/DSD players as well as on regular CD players. The sound recording is amazing altough I miss some high frequencies but still the performance, package & sound is top of the line!
Total grade (1-10): 8
Genere: Classical / Piano solo
Issued by: Hyperion Cat # SACDA67451/2 (2 CD's)
Roger Doyle - "Rapid Eye Movements" 1968-1980
The second album Doyle made which collects works between 1968-1980. The idea is almost the same like in "Oizzo No" only much more developed and mature. The first track is a 25 minutes long tape work which put Doyle among the best tape musicians and composers ever. There is a part which combines children voices playing which reminds me a lot of Karlheinz Stockhausen's: "Gesang der Jünglinge" (Song of the Children), composed in 1956. Another reference i would give is Robert Ashley only less aggressive. The Piano suite that follows is a good example of the romantic Doyle playing plain classical music on it's piano. "Why Is Kilkenny So Good?" is a piece I already talked about which is also a tape music with voice and it's very dense and powerful. “Rapid Eye Movements," the piece ends with the ticking of a clock which stops and the alarm clock rings, then, the clicking starts again, only a little bit softer, and further away from the clock. The symbolism is great and put this album as a unique milestone of tape music ever made with such a conceptual idea in it.
Total grade (1-10): 8
Genere: Tape Music / Experimental / Ambient
Reissue by: Cat # SIDO 013
Michael Mantler - Live 1987
Mantler is a very interesting composer which was the master mind behind "The Jazz Composer's Orchestra's" group which as far as I'm concerned is the most ambitious groups ever. The music Mantler writes was always different and quite intriguing for me. The music is always complex and really hard to understand. Mantler released few masterpieces but on top of all I would rate "The Hapless Child" which is one of it's kind and probably one of my top 10 albums ever. The personal on "The Hapless Child" are the best a person can ask for with Robert Wyatt (voice), Terje Rypdal (guitar), Carla Bley (piano, clavinet, synthesizer), Steve Swallow (bass) & Jack DeJohnette (drums). Mantler tried few more times to repeat the Hapless Child sort of albums but in my opinion never got to it's level again. The live album I am talking about here combined tracks from "The Hapless Child" and also from "No answer". My main problem with this album is first of all the musicians, you can't put behind the drums Nick Mason to take the role of Jack DeJohnette, neither Rick Fenn doing Rypdal solos, Don Preston's synth's sound really 80's and ruin a lot from the small amount of warmness that the original recordings had. Mantler is not a very sensitive guy so if you put more metal sounds in his music it's like over-cocking a good steak. The bass player John Greaves is excellent and is doing quite good but the worst thing I can say about this album is letting Jack Bruce sing Wyatt parts, I would stop here because I do respect Bruce. The ambience of Mantler is there, no one can take that for sure, Mantler is Mantler even live but that is too much to barre here. I would really recommend to avoid this album unless you are a Mantler completist or a "Hapless Child" freak like me and this is the only live versions you will hear from it.
The personal on this album are:
Jack Bruce (voice) Michael Mantler (trumpet) Rick Fenn (guitar) Don Preston (synthesizers) John Greaves (bass, piano) Nick Mason (drums) Recorded live, February 1987 International Art-Rock Festival, Frankfurt
Total grade (1-10): 5
Genere: Progressive Jazz / ECM
Reissue by: ECM Cat # Watt/18
Perigeo - Live At Montreux 1975
Perigeo was a fantastic jazz-rock-fusion group from Italy's heydays of progressive rock music from the 70's. The group made few fantastic albums which will probably get their respect in my humble blog later on. The group live albums are only two, the one in Montreux 1975 and their doulbe live in Italy CD by Contempo. The performance is taking place at the Montreux festival in 1975, the group is tight, strong, sounds kicking and at their best. The compositions are their well known studio albums themes but they improvise far more live hence long pieces are presented. "Genealogia" for example is streched over more then 15 minutes or the excellent 11 minutes of "In Vino Veritas". Also it's important to mention Track 4, "Alba Di Un Mondo" which is a magnificent intro to "Old Vienna", a killer track combining some free improvisational moments as well. The beginning of the track is made of layers of percussions which wonder around, Then at one point, the bass is getting into a dramatic fast rhythm, soon the drums goes with it and the electric piano & saxes are getting into an amazing role which sounds to me a lot like Soft Machine at their 4ft or 5ft albums. There is quite a lot to do between Perigeo and the Canterbury school of the early 70's for sure. The sound recording is excellent and the over whole product is very much recommendable to fusion/Italian prog/70's Jazz lovers.
Total grade (1-10): 8
Genere: Fusion / Jazz-Rock / Progressive Jazz
Reissue by: RCA/BMG Cat # 74321-14984-2
Roger Doyle - Oizzo No 1968-1975
The early recordings of Roger Doyle from the late 60's to mid 70's. Doyle is a well known avant-garde composer from Ireland. The style of the album is versatile and contains some different moods which can range from honky tonky like piano piece to heavy tape collages or dark moments. The title track "Oizzo No" is very good and combines great tape music with electronic manipulations combined with acoustic instruments as well, probably the best track on this LP. Another very good track for tape music is "Why is kilkenny so good?" which sounds very dark and can take your mind for a 15 minutes trip easily. Over whole I can't really say that it is a must have for electronic music lovers nor if you are into experimental music but having said that I can't say it's not a great album only less focused on a certain type of music. Doyle mixed here too many types of music which makes the album a bit of a mess. If you are into soft experimental (soft in terms of not agressive to the ear) music then Doyle is for you at least in his two first opuses: "Oizzo No" & "Rapid Eye Movements". Later on Doyle went on to produce big projects like "Babel" and "KBBL" which are less interesting IMHO but i hope to review them one day as well.
Total grade (1-10): 8
Genere: Tape Music / Experimental / Ambient
Reissue by: Dom/Artware
This Blog will act like a personal diary of my musical voyages. I am collecting music for more then 20 years now and the passion just grows and grows! The main music styles I'm into are: Avant-garde, Improvisational, Contemporary Classical, BACH, Progressive Rock, Psychedelic music, Collages, Musique-Concrete, Vintage-Electronic, Free Jazz, Jazz, Classical, RIO, Zehul, New Music etc...
I hope that this blog will be a good source of information both for professionals and beginners...
Feel Free to comment please... I always love to learn...
Thanks, Meidad
