Geoff

These are the ones I have heard and recommend. P.Bley, Open to Love This is one of Bley's solo albums, and indeed it is a wonderful album. Bley was a hugely influencial pianist, and in the late 50s, 1958 he would creat a band that would become (minus him) Ornette Coleman's long time Quartet. He also recorded his debut album with Charles Mingus! This is to me one of Bley's best solo albums. It gets my star of approval. Brand (Ibrahim), African Piano King Ubu already has this, I think it is another fantastic solo piano album. The most interesting aspect is that it doesn't have the ECM sound. It was recorded by Japo production and it is suprisingly lo-fi for an ECM recording. I think even the piano is out of tune, but it is no matter to Dollar Brand. He uses african rhythm and melody in his one continous improvisation and the traditional western tuning system is largely irrelevant to what he plays on the album. This has been for a long time one of my favourite ECM albums. Essential! Holland, COnference of the birds This is my favourite Dave Holland recording. What more could you ask for, it features Anthony Braxton AND Sam Rivers!! It is beautiful, I especially like the flute playing. It is a fantastic album and highly recommended, with my star of approval Jarrett, Facing you I actually found this album on LP, it remains the only ECM recording I have on vinyl. (I am only 19 so I don't have too many LPs). I wouldn't give this my full seal of approval, but it is a pretty nice album. It was one of Jarrett's earlier solo recordings. So it gives an interesting prospective on what was to come. Stanko, Balladyna Tomasz Stanko is one of my favourite trumpeters, and I especially love his work with Kyzsztof Komeda. I actually havn't heard this cd, so I'm cheating. I just love Stanko's playing. It must be worth it just for him! These I would like to hear maybe? Paul Motian, COnception Vessel Barre Philipps, Mountainscaspes Surman, Upon Reflection Waldron, Free at Last Wheeler, Gnu High

can someone tell me a bit more about this steamboat thing?

I'm not too much of a fan of ECM either, although there are some good records. I don't really like the ECM sound.

I finally found a copy of John Cage's Sonatas and Interludes for Prepared Piano performed by Boris Berman on Naxos. These are my favourite versions of them. Best of all was the low naxos price! only $9.50 AUS, which must be only around $5 US.

I don't like much of the Cryptogramophone catalogue (at least what I've heard). However the Dresser is the thing on it by far, and from what I've heard very enjoyable.

Today I bought Cecil Taylor's Willisau Concert. It is beautiful.

I have heard the complete Bartok String Quartets performed by the Tokyo String Quartet. They do quite a good job as well.

I have heard the Vienna Art Orchestra's Minimalism of Erik Satie, and it is a pretty nice album, I really love their cover of Satie's Vexations. Very haunting and minimalist. Forget about Riley, Reich and Young, Satie invented mininalism way back!

this thread makes me wish I had more money. but alas I am just a poor student.

Yesterday I bought a cd for only $5 AUS (around 2.5 Euro/$3 US) (new) It was 'I Remember Thelonious: Live at Jazz In'' on the Italian label Nel Jazz. It features duets between Steve Lacy (on soprano saxophone) and Mal Waldron (on piano). A review can be found here http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&u...l=Abtx8b5m4psqk It is quite an interesting album, with all but one of the 9 tunes being Thelonious Monk compositions. The piano is sadly out of tune but Waldron has always had the ability to make the best of poor pianos (here his piano contribution to Dolphy's Five Spot albums where the piano was even more out of tune). Waldron has a unique solo style greatly suited to playing Monk's compositions and steve Lacy plays some interesting saxophone, often extending upon certain hooks in Monk's compositions. Overall Waldron and Lacy work very well as a team, but the condition of the piano hinders the quality and enjoyability of the recording. Still for the price I paid, I'm very pleased.

Hi, I'm finally here. I'm back from my holiday in New Zealand and ready to get involved in this little movement of ours.

I categorise by record label. Within the record label alphabetical order.