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I held off on the Crossland but got the other two, then at the "last minute" added these two: Phil Haynes Liberty Now! https://philhaynesmusic.bandcamp.com/album/liberty-now Roots Rocking Zimbabwe - The Modern Sound of Harare' Townships 1975-1980 (Analog Africa No.41) https://analogafrica.bandcamp.com/album/roots-rocking-zimbabwe-the-modern-sound-of-harare-townships-1975-1980-analog-africa-no-41

It's Bandcamp Friday tomorrow. There are a few things I've been thinking of ordering. Still not quite sure what I will get, though I thought this was pretty nice: Ben Crossland w/ Alan Skidmore The Northern Run: https://jazzcatrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-northern-run Probably this Sun Ra release (with unreleased tracks): https://sunramusic.bandcamp.com/album/east-two-7 Maybe this live (radio) date by Eero Koivistoinen: https://jazzliisa.bandcamp.com/album/jazz-liisa-13 As always, just a bit too much to listen to thoroughly.

I have nearly all this as well. I'm sure I'm missing a few. I still leave the first 75 or so in the tall cardboard box, though that means accessing them is a hassle. I ripped them all back in the day, but at a low bit rate. One project (I keep postponing) is to rerip at higher bit rate and add in the most critical info in track properties. (I've actually just done this recently for the 2 Vogue boxes, but I need a spare portable hard drive before I get started on Jazz in Paris...)

I wrapped up Schulz and was about to return to Ada, but realized that given it is a bit longer than I expected (350 pages), I had to read Reva's Endling (an interesting novel about snails, mail order brides from Ukraine and the pending Russian invasion) for a book club next week. So I will finish Endling (off to a strong start so far) and then finish Ada for real this time.

Definitely interested, though the CD prices were on the high side. Maybe things will settle down after RSD is over. Any idea if there will be digital release eventually?

It looks like cancer got him, dammit. I guess it's a bit of a stretch to post here, as I don't think he ever hosted a jazz show on BBC and maybe never even guested on one. His thing was originally "alternative music" and then later "world music." I listened to him very regularly on his last stint on Music Planet and then the Kershaw Tapes. Always sad that his personal problems overshadowed his work by the end. I really appreciated his selections, even though he had a strong aversion to Fela Kuti, which I thought was a little odd. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/apr/17/bbc-radio-dj-andy-kershaw-dies-aged-66 I'm sure I have the Kershaw Tapes taped somewhere, and will have to dig them out. I likely have at least a few of his Music Planet shows archived. I was not aware that he had a podcast, so I'll see if those are floating around in the aether. He was the force behind two compilations: Great Moments of Vinyl History and More Great Moments of Vinyl History (perhaps ironically the 2nd compilation was also available on CD!) I'll listen to those as well.

Took a bit of a break from Nabokov's Ada, but will be returning to that shortly. In the meantime, I reread Bruno Schulz's Street of Crocodiles (aka Cinnamon Shops) and Sanatorium Under the Sign of the Hourglass.

Certainly very intriguing and overall positive news. I'm particularly interested in this Mapleshade Mystery Session series. Thanks for passing it along!

Just saw Orson Welles' The Trial, which I enjoyed aside from the ending.

I went to the theatre to see Apocalypse Now. I assumed it was the original but it was the 3 hour Final Cut! I enjoyed it. A lot of people say it hits the sweet spot between the original release and Redux. The trip up the river takes even longer, but I think that makes sense when you think about the source material (Heart of Darkness).

Thanks.

So has anyone heard Cassandra Wilson lately now that she is touring again (whenever she can step away from the keyboard)? I saw her ages and ages ago. I think it actually was in Carnegie Hall (which often isn't ideal for singers in small groups). Anyway, she is coming to Toronto in late June. Apparently this series of concerts is to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of New Moon Rising, and several of the musicians on that recording will be with her including Lonnie Plaxico. I'm leaning towards going, focusing on the music and not her non-musical past times. But it would be helpful if someone can report on how she sounds. Thanks!

Looks like some good local talent throughout April at The Rex and Hirut. I see that Rez Abbasi will be at the Rex April 29-May 2, and I'll try to make at least one of those dates. I have listened to a lot of his work when he teamed up with Vijay Iyer. I don't think I've seen him live, but maybe he was there at one of the Chicago Jazz Fest concerts featuring Iyer. I can't recall now though.

Apparently there are three more Jazz Liisa titles (#16-18) which do not appear to be on Band Camp, but are on Apple Music and perhaps Spotify. Curious... I'm listening to #18 right now.

I actually just finished this several months back. Yes, it is on the long side, and it was very difficult indeed to relate to Dombey, Sr., given how badly he treated (or at times simply ignored) his daughter.