Mike Osborne RIP

[Alexander Hawkins]

Some tasters here, for those unfamiliar!

[Captain Hate]

Glad to see such a large number of posters giving their thoughts on Mike Osborne, unlike the scant response at another bbs that leads me to believe that the posters there aren't nearly as steeped in edgy music as they like to think (although it was a poster there that first made me aware of him a few years ago and strongly urged that I get Bordercrossing/Marcel's Muse and Outback). I subsequently picked up Live at the Plough which might be my fave.

Don't have anything to expand upon what's been written already other than to reiterate how heartening it is to see such an overlooked figure recognized.

[clifford_thornton]

And with less thread-baiting than Bagatellen, too...

[king ubu]

Happy to see folks heading out for some of the leader material--it's really quite good. Lord knows Ogun is doing what it can, but I would be thrilled to see more of Ozzie's appearances on that label come "back" to light. And ubu--the Miller/Moholo team could and did play in about every "sort" of modern context, so expect the unexpected (nothing like the Brotzmann trio or large groups, actually really dissimilar to Harry Miller's groups--to say nothing of Keith Tippett's large-scale ensembles--and a bit more intimate, though I'm not sure I could say "more" or "less" flexible, than their Brotherhood work).

...

Playing "Border Crossing" now, first listen - sounds great, halfway into! I know how different the Miller/Moholo team can sound, depending on the context (I've heard the Brötz/Miller/Moholo on FMP and lots of live BoB, as well as the wonderfull Harry Miller box). What I like so much about them is their drive, how they swing, no matter what they're actually playing or what's going on around - they're just great, always!

Glad to see such a large number of posters giving their thoughts on Mike Osborne, unlike the scant response at another bbs that leads me to believe that the posters there aren't nearly as steeped in edgy music as they like to think (although it was a poster there that first made me aware of him a few years ago and strongly urged that I get Bordercrossing/Marcel's Muse and Outback). I subsequently picked up Live at the Plough which might be my fave.

Don't have anything to expand upon what's been written already other than to reiterate how heartening it is to see such an overlooked figure recognized.

Just in case, you're allowed to freely mention the names of any boards here - no ego-police thing going on here by the moderators!

[sidewinder]

is osborne on some of those beckett albums? if so they are v nice (i am thinking of flare up and warm smiles and theme for fega or whatever).

Yep - all 3 I think. Also not to be missed is is great playing with the Mike Westbrook Concert Band, his first major exposure on record.

[clifford_thornton]

border crossing is good but i sold it because i didn't like that it was on the same CD as that lamer session which is ok but not something i would spend $ to listen to. outback is nice. i haven't listened to it for a while so i will pull it out and don't have much to say except tthat it and shapes both to me start out sort of formless but both congeal into something more substantial. outback gets the edge for beckett, imo. but shapes is underrated. the SOS guys in front of a good rhythm section. the SOS album was disappointing. i wish surman got to pull out the synth more (and skidmore the drums). is osborne on some of those beckett albums? if so they are v nice (i am thinking of flare up and warm smiles and theme for fega or whatever). better than the ipisingo stuff which is sort of boring reptitive sort of grooving with that african horn sound you have heard a zillion times.

speaking of underrated-trevor watts is a UK alto guy who is still slept on for some reason. maybe if he was crazy or passed away twenty years ago or had recorded less he would have osborne status.

i am listening to shapes right now. i mean it is ok. not so memorable. both it and outback have moments that catch the ear. but i think outback is just a better session. SOS can just be a little tiring to listen to over hyped rhythms. would rather only one or two of them and these bass guys and drummer.

speaking of which...so cliff...this earl freeman turned into bo freeman and is the guy on those lame bill summers fantasy albums from the late 70s?

Earl Freeman is just Earl Freeman (or 'goggles' to those in the know), as far as I can tell. Anything he's on is worth having - he just lends a certain 'vibe' to a session.

Prefer Shapes to Outback and don't like SOS very much at all. Just one man's opinion.

[brucemacdonald]

Very sad news indeed. At the BBC Jazz Messagebored we were all unsettled by the news.

WFMU did an excellent 3-hour tribue on 28 September. Many thanks for that.

I'll have to check out some more of Ozzy's stuff.