Д.Д.

The ECM releases not produced by Eicher have always been much more interesting for me - whether this century or previous one. This ⬆️ album is one of those non-Eicher productions (IMHO, the album is weak by the standards of the participants, but it definitely is a step aside from the regular modern ECM routine). Kudos to supposedly dictatorial Eicher for allowing his associate producers (Steve Lake previously, I don't know the names of the more recent ones) to stray quite far from his preferred aesthetics often in decidedly commercially non-viable direction (remember those Hal Russell records?). Of the few recent-ish releases I skimmed through, I liked this one (produced by Sun Chung) quite a bit. Barre Phillips solo one was not that great (I am not sure Eicher / ECM are to blame here). This might have been the only recent ECM CD I bought (I love Barre Phillips!), but I sold it pretty fast. But really, with a cornucopia of excellent music released on other labels these days, I don't see a point of following what ECM does. For me at least, the label is essentially irrelevant.

I think I remember an interview with Bowie from mid-'90s where he specifically says that AEoC is not financially viable. Maybe he was referring to the US. I saw Bowie live in Paris with Brass Fantasy in 1999, just days before he died. It was a club date (New Morning, if I remember correctly). It was full, but it was still just a club (and not a very big one). In Easter Europe in early- to mid-nineties he would probably play concert halls. I am not implying that commercial motive was the main driver here, of course not. But it must have been a thrill to play with excellent young musicians to large enthusiastic audience. Btw, here is another fun record from mid-ninetees with Lester as a featured guest: https://www.discogs.com/release/5168591-Lorenzo-Gasperoni-Mamud-Band-Feat-Lester-Bowie-Amore-Pirata

Well, it's three records, two of which were recorded live. Please note that '90s were a very strange time in the ex-Soviet block. Newly liberated proletarian masses had great, albeit short-lived, enthusiasm for anything "new" and "unusual". Both Milosc and Bowie could gather large crowds even in provincial Polish towns, resulting in surprisingly good (relatively speaking, of course) earning opportunities. This could partially explain Bowie's repeated visits to Poland. And they fit really well together. I think the studio album and the second live one are fantastic with some of Bowie's best playing of the decade (I have to say I don't care much for most of AEoC and Brass Fantasy output, and definitely not in the '90s).

I listened to the stream of The Quartet, and, to my surprise, enjoyed it greatly. First of all, Brötzmann plays a lot of alto, which I really like (I remember at one of his concert I attended he played blistering mean alto behind the closed curtains during warm up only to play no alto at all during the concert itself). Second, possibly thanks to physical limitations, he is more concise that usual and less prone to falling back on repetitive licks. Adasiewicz's vibes add a melancholic tinge, and Noble is just fantastic. Good stuff, I might get the CD in honor of the great Mensch.

Otoroku is releasing Brötzmann's last live gig: https://peterbroetzmann.bandcamp.com/album/the-quartet

It's streamable too:

Today I was revisiting this Parker / Tracey duo live record on Psi: https://www.discogs.com/release/1333058-Stan-Tracey-Evan-Parker-Crevulations and it's truly phenomenal stuff. Parker is playing tenor only, which is a plus as far as I am concerned, and the way he and Tracey develop ideas together is fascinating. I listened to this album three times in a row (don't remember when the last time this happened was)! Psi label is no more, so I encourage everybody to seek this record without delay. There is an earlier studio recording by the same duo (also on Psi), which is definitely good, but this live one is the real deal.

This solo record is great (as long as you don't mind your solo bass a little bit over-the-top https://nobusinessrecords.bandcamp.com/album/irvins-comet

He's dead.

20% discount with a code Conspiracy### https://moved-by-sound.bandcamp.com/album/conspiracy-2

Never heard of this one. Will check it out, it's already on Spotify:

Ayler Records is offering a 55% discount on all its digital releases at bandcamp with a promo code olderwiserme . This works when you buy the (already deeply discounted) full catalog as well, so you can get the label's complete output (165 albums) for €140 (+ taxes). https://ayler-records.bandcamp.com/

Very sad, hers was a unique voice. Have had a couple of her albums in my bandcamp wish-list for years, will go ahead and buy them now. Susan Alcorn's bandcamp: https://susanalcorn1.bandcamp.com/

Karl, thanks for starting the fundraiser and sharing the information here.

😄