CraigP

My review of Rich and Carson Halley's new CD The Wild, sax and drum duets. http://improvisedblog.blogspot.com/2017/03/rich-halley-and-carson-halley-wild.html

And here's a review of Ms. Fujii's Orchestra Tokyo recording, Peace. http://improvisedblog.blogspot.com/2017/03/satoko-fujii-orchestra-tokyo-peace.html

Invisible Hand from Satoko Fujii is a beautiful solo recording of contrasts. My review is up on my blog at http://improvisedblog.blogspot.com/2017/02/satoko-fujii-invisible-hand.html

I came out of my self-imposed "blog retirement" because I was so impressed with Mary Halvorson's new CD, Away With You, that the words came easily. http://improvisedblog.blogspot.com/2016/09/mary-halvorson-octet-away-with-you.html

Finishing up a series on my blog with a look at Houston bassist Damon Smith and his label, Balance Point Acoustics. http://improvisedblog.blogspot.com/2016/04/my-favorite-things-pt-4-balance-point.html

I'm finishing up my blog with a series of my favorite things. This time around I pay tribute to Stefano Giust's label, Setola Di Maiale. Adventurous, challenging music in a variety of settings and styles, held together by Giust's curation and his graphic design skills.

Next in my blog series of "My Favorite Things" is Pi Recordings, with a capsule review of Dan Weiss' Sixteen: Drummer's Suite.

I'm taking a pause from writing reviews on my blog at http://improvisedblog.blogspot.com/, but I'm ending with a series of "My Favorite Things", the labels and recordings I've gravitated to over the past few months. First up is Leo Records: http://improvisedblog.blogspot.com/2016/03/my-favorite-things-pt-1-leo-records.html Here are 4 really nice recent releases from that label: Simon Nabatov / Mark Dresser / Dominik Mahnig - Equal Poise Sarah Bernstein Quartet (with Kris Davis) - Still/free Kaufmann, Gratkowski, de Joode - Oblengths Uwe Oberg / Silke Eberhardt - Turns

Currently listening to disc 3 of 3 Nights at Café Oto, and all I can say is – awesome. And I’m not even the biggest free improv fan out there, normally I like a balance between composition and improvisation. But all 3 group aggregations kill, and it’s a revelation to hear Eddie Prevost in this context.

Pre-ordered through Amazon. Thanks for the heads-up!

Just sent my money.

After all, who can't use more monotony in their life?

I've always received first rate, friendly service from DMG, FWIW.

I'm in!

I've reviewed Ghost Tones on my blog improvised. Here's an excerpt: "The words I thought of when listening to Ghost Tones was “fever dream”. Through various solo, duo and group performances, a languid mood is sustained, mixed with Mr. Blake’s trademark Noir sensibilities. There are some subtle electronic touches that appear, and even though there are contributions from thirteen musicians sprinkled through the CD, a consistent tone and mood carries through all seventeen tracks. Ghost Tones plays as one continual piece, taking the listener through a time capsule of various aspects of Mr. Russell’s music and Mr. Blake’s signature conception. The CD begins and ends with Ran alone, with two gorgeous versions of Autumn in New York, beautiful harmonies capturing the perfect fall day in the city with a touch of sentiment and regret." You can read the full review on improvised.