Chris McGregor - In His Good Time

[Head Man]

I've just noticed that this due out in the UK at the end of July. I've had it on vinyl since its release and it's a cracker. A solo piano performance and, according to the description at Amazon, it comes with five additional tracks:

"Ogun is extremely proud to present, for the first time on CD, this solo outing by the renowned South African band leader and composer Chris McGregor, recorded live in his adopted homeland of France in 1977. Best known as a member of the Blue Notes and leader of the international big band the Brotherhood of Breath, McGregor rarely recorded solo; his two recitals for the French Musica label have long since disappeared, and In His Good Time has been unavailable for many years. This long-awaited reissue comes directly from the original unedited analogue tapes and boasts a wealth of bonus material, restoring in its entirety the first set of the evening, a continuous performance of original works and arrangements of traditional South African folksongs. Five tracks edited from the second set complete the collection".

Edited July 19, 2012 by Head Man

[romualdo]

I've just noticed that this due out in the UK at the end of July. I've had it on vinyl since its release and it's a cracker. A solo piano performance and, according to the description at Amazon, it comes with five additional tracks:

"Ogun is extremely proud to present, for the first time on CD, this solo outing by the renowned South African band leader and composer Chris McGregor, recorded live in his adopted homeland of France in 1977. Best known as a member of the Blue Notes and leader of the international big band the Brotherhood of Breath, McGregor rarely recorded solo; his two recitals for the French Musica label have long since disappeared, and In His Good Time has been unavailable for many years. This long-awaited reissue comes directly from the original unedited analogue tapes and boasts a wealth of bonus material, restoring in its entirety the first set of the evening, a continuous performance of original works and arrangements of traditional South African folksongs. Five tracks edited from the second set complete the collection".

You can buy this directly from Ogun (Hazel Miller <ogunrecords@googlemail.com>) for 11 pounds (includes shipping)

Received an email from Hazel only last week

[Head Man]

You can buy this directly from Ogun (Hazel Miller <ogunrecords@googlemail.com>) for 11 pounds (includes shipping)

Received an email from Hazel only last week

Thanks romualdo. I e-mailed Hazel yesterday about this and am waiting for her to confirm the price.

[romualdo]

You can buy this directly from Ogun (Hazel Miller <ogunrecords@googlemail.com>) for 11 pounds (includes shipping)

Received an email from Hazel only last week

Thanks romualdo. I e-mailed Hazel yesterday about this and am waiting for her to confirm the price.

In her email she noted that she would not be available from july 11 to the 18 (medical reasons)

[Joe]

A superb record. Highly recommended... and nice to know there are more tracks from this set to be heard!

[Head Man]

My copy arrived direct from Hazel Miller this morning and it's an absolutely stunner.

The track order has been changed from the original vinyl and now consists of the complete first set (tracks 1-8) and extracts from the second set (tracks 8-13). All the extra music on the CD release comes from the first set (five extra tunes) and all of this is as good as the music on the original release.

In addition to the extra tunes, the CD also SOUNDS so good. My recollection of the original vinyl release was that it sounded rather "muddy" but the sound on this reissue is really sharp.

OK, I'm a fan of Chris McGregor but, even so, this is a very impressive re-issue by Ogun Records.

Edited July 24, 2012 by Head Man

[romualdo]

My copy arrived direct from Hazel Miller this morning and it's an absolutely stunner.

The track order has been changed from the original vinyl and now consists of the complete first set (tracks 1-8) and extracts from the second set (tracks 8-13). All the extra music on the CD release comes from the first set (five extra tunes) and all of this is as good as the music on the original release.

In addition to the extra tunes, the CD also SOUNDS so good. My recollection of the original vinyl release was that it sounded rather "muddy" but the sound on this reissue is really sharp.

OK, I'm a fan of Chris McGregor but, even so, this is a very impressive re-issue by Ogun Records.

just got an email from Hazel & my copy was shipped yesterday (will take a week plus to get to the Antipodean shores)

[Joe]

Reviving this thread to say I finally got around to ordering the new, expanded version of this. It's even better than I remember.

In fact, as far as solo piano recitals go, I'm willing to rank it at the level of some other (IMO) masterpieces from the 1970s: Cecil's SILENT TONGUES, Muhal's "Young At Heart", Andrew Hill's performances from Montreux 1975, Dave Burrell's WINDWARD PASSAGES, Bley's OPEN, TO LOVE.

McGregor's work is very different, of course, and very much rooted in song. But as those other records are also statements of purpose and provide a kind of unprecedented access to the inner workings of each pianist's unique approach to his materials, so too with this recording. Highly, highly recommended.

Edited December 23, 2013 by Joe

[Alexander Hawkins]

Absolutely - I love this record...what a player!

[king ubu]

Damn, still don't have it ... how would it compare to "Sea Breeze" on Fledg'ling?

[Joe]

Damn, still don't have it ... how would it compare to "Sea Breeze" on Fledg'ling?

SEA BREEZES is very, very good... but, IMO, it doesn't have the warmth of IN HIS GOOD TIME. I also find this earlier date more exploratory, with some bigger risks taken.

Great thing is, the repertoire on each disc is rather different. The only repeats are "Kwa Tebugo" and "Sonia." Consider them bookends!