Modern/Avant New Releases: A running thread

[Rabshakeh]

21 minutes ago, Д.Д. said:

Thanks for the info. I am not too interested in Zorn, but there is some great stuff on the label by other artists:

 

I'll check that one out.

Ditto on Zorn.

[Д.Д.]

6 minutes ago, Rabshakeh said:

Ditto on Zorn.

Well, Zorn probably wrote another 200 pieces today, so you never know. Or maybe you do.

I remember actually liking this one when it came out in 2007 (the cardboard cover was rose scented!). Haven't listened to it for ages, not sure what I would make of it now: 

   

[Rabshakeh]

1 minute ago, Д.Д. said:

Well, Zorn probably wrote another 200 pieces today, so you never know. Or maybe you do.

I remember actually liking this one when it came out in 2007 (the cardboard cover was rose scented!). Haven't listened to it for ages, not sure what I would make of it now: 

   

I came to jazz through Zorn (more or less), but I find it very confusing why I liked him so much when I listen to his records now. 

There was something about it that was thrilling against the background of the 90s and early 00s music scene that no longer translates, or which has become too ubiquitous to be special without something else to make it stand out. It just seems a bit dilettentish to me from the point of view of 2023.

Plus he decided he was more of a composer than a musician and I don't really like his compositions (not that I'm mad on his horn playing but at least with an alto in hand there was a will to chaos involved).

[Niko]

Yes, Minimal Brass is amazing! Also looking forward to discovering Wadada Leo Smith on Tzadik beyond the Kabell Years box

[mjazzg]

55 minutes ago, Niko said:

Yes, Minimal Brass is amazing! Also looking forward to discovering Wadada Leo Smith on Tzadik beyond the Kabell Years box

Another Minimal Brass fan here. All the Wadadas are well worth a listen.

Kabell Years was a great service to music. Justifies Tzadik's existence alone

Edited September 28, 2023 by mjazzg

[Onxidlib]

Just made a pre-order for something quite special (IMO). Figured it would be of interest for some. Scheduled for mid-November. 

Derek Bailey & Paul Motian - Duo in Concert

[mjazzg]

2 hours ago, Onxidlib said:

Just made a pre-order for something quite special (IMO). Figured it would be of interest for some. Scheduled for mid-November. 

Derek Bailey & Paul Motian - Duo in Concert

It's really intriguing. Seemingly such an unlikely pairing 

[Onxidlib]

35 minutes ago, mjazzg said:

It's really intriguing. Seemingly such an unlikely pairing 

"Unlikely pairing" was exactly what I thought when I've discovered it yesterday at Squidco's website. And that's why I finally pulled the trigger - after some hesitation on my side.

[Rabshakeh]

Can you listen to samples?

[mjazzg]

I listened to some somewhere online this week but don't ask me to remember where... today's most helpful post 

21 minutes ago, Rabshakeh said:

Can you listen to samples?

If it's on the Squidco site they usually have samples but that's not where I heard it

Here...

https://music.frozenreeds.com/album/duo-in-concert

 

Edited October 15, 2023 by mjazzg

[mjazzg]

Perelman in a bigger group is unusual I think. I thought this sounded promising

https://sluchaj.bandcamp.com/album/seven-skies-orchestra-2

[Steve Reynolds]

5 hours ago, mjazzg said:

Perelman in a bigger group is unusual I think. I thought this sounded promising

https://sluchaj.bandcamp.com/album/seven-skies-orchestra-2

Great musicians. Sure would like a drummer. That being said, Maneri, Wooley, Moran & Lonberg-Holm et al is tempting. 
 

fwiw as great as Mat Maneri is in record, the last 2 quartet shows over the last 10 days featured his best playing live I’ve heard in 6-7 years. Last night in Kingston, NY was an incredible 80 minute set. Second set 10 days ago at Jazz Gallery in NYC might have been even better. Randy Peterson rules the world:)

[BFrank]

Just started listening to this album. So far, so good!

[Steve Reynolds]

10 hours ago, BFrank said:

Just started listening to this album. So far, so good!

Ava destroys atoms!! Need this one

[colinmce]

3xCD + 7" Gush set just out on Not Two. Looks quite nice:

https://www.nottwo.com/mw1020

Edit: it appears that since this morning the vinyl EP add-on has been scrapped(?)

Edited October 16, 2023 by colinmce

[Steve Reynolds]

1 hour ago, colinmce said:

3xCD + 7" Gush set just out on Not Two. Looks quite nice:

https://www.nottwo.com/mw1020

Edit: it appears that since this morning the vinyl EP add-on has been scrapped(?)

Ordered. $40 U.S. dollars / no mention of any 7” EP thankfully 

[Д.Д.]

22 hours ago, mjazzg said:

Perelman in a bigger group is unusual I think. I thought this sounded promising

https://sluchaj.bandcamp.com/album/seven-skies-orchestra-2

Fundacja Sluhaj is releasing some really good stuff.   

[colinmce]

32 minutes ago, Steve Reynolds said:

Ordered. $40 U.S. dollars / no mention of any 7” EP thankfully 

Yes, no skin off my back but since it didn't seem to affect the overall price its presence wouldn't bother me. Looking forward to digging into this one. 

[Д.Д.]

I think I have most of Gush CDs, and the only one I really liked was a somewhat uncharacteristic one - Gushwachs with Phil Wachsmann. I love Strid, but sort of indifferent to Gustafsson and really dislike Sandell. This NotTwo set has some interesting Gushguests - I am particularly intrigued by Christine Abdelnour / Philipp Wachsmann combo, but it's still most likely a pass for me.    

Talking of Strid (aren't we always?), he has a bandcamp page where he posts some good stuff: https://raymondstrid.bandcamp.com/ 

[Steve Reynolds]

Why do you hate Sandell?

lots of people don’t like Mats

[BFrank]

On 10/16/2023 at 7:49 AM, Steve Reynolds said:

Ava destroys atoms!! Need this one

Yes - I think you DO!
I saw her at Big Ears this year. She put on a clinic in solo shredding.

Edited October 22, 2023 by BFrank

[Д.Д.]

On 10/16/2023 at 8:28 PM, Steve Reynolds said:

Why do you hate Sandell?

lots of people don’t like Mats

I don't like Sandell's always-on-the-high-notes semi-random plink-plank style (I dislike Van Hove for the same reason). His vocalizing is annoying too. I am sure this clarifies it. 

I like Gustafsson on tenor, he can play gorgeously - like on this release, for example: https://www.discogs.com/release/2008024-Boots-Brown-Boots-Brown . But his baritone or (God forbid) flutophone ... I mean it surely is entertaining for a couple of minutes (Mats getting all red like he's about to explode adds additional comic value) and even awe-inspiring volume-wise - but becomes annoying very fast (IMHO, of course).           

[Steve Reynolds]

16 hours ago, Д.Д. said:

I don't like Sandell's always-on-the-high-notes semi-random plink-plank style (I dislike Van Hove for the same reason). His vocalizing is annoying too. I am sure this clarifies it. 

I like Gustafsson on tenor, he can play gorgeously - like on this release, for example: https://www.discogs.com/release/2008024-Boots-Brown-Boots-Brown . But his baritone or (God forbid) flutophone ... I mean it surely is entertaining for a couple of minutes (Mats getting all red like he's about to explode adds additional comic value) and even awe-inspiring volume-wise - but becomes annoying very fast (IMHO, of course).           

I always appreciate your honest commentary

I was at a gig last night. 3 short sets by 3 groups.  Mostly very young. Incredibly loud and very energetic. First trio was Chuck Roth on guitar, Ron Anderson on electric bass & James Paul Nadian on drums. Best and loudest of the groups despite that the older dude who played last night was the weakest. Anderson is a fine bassist but Chuck & James brought the heat. But hard to really know the depth of this or the other sets. But seeing these sets is invigorating. Will be great to see them grow. Key is allow silence & softer passages. Usually happens with dedication. Will see more experienced musicians Thursday. 

[AllenLowe]

55 minutes ago, Steve Reynolds said:

I always appreciate your honest commentary

I was at a gig last night. 3 short sets by 3 groups.  Mostly very young. Incredibly loud and very energetic. First trio was Chuck Roth on guitar, Ron Anderson on electric bass & James Paul Nadian on drums. Best and loudest of the groups despite that the older dude who played last night was the weakest. Anderson is a fine bassist but Chuck & James brought the heat. But hard to really know the depth of this or the other sets. But seeing these sets is invigorating. Will be great to see them grow. Key is allow silence & softer passages. Usually happens with dedication. Will see more experienced musicians Thursday. 

Nadien is a terrific drummer; I will be recording with him in January.

Very curious as to who the weak link was (older dude). It wasn't me.

[Steve Reynolds]

27 minutes ago, AllenLowe said:

Nadien is a terrific drummer; I will be recording with him in January.

Very curious as to who the weak link was (older dude). It wasn't me.

Ron Anderson / weak is a very relative term. Probably too strong. Issue is that Chuck Roth (26 years old) is one of the greatest young guitarists I’ve seen. My friend Kevin called Chuck a wunderkind. Recordings should start coming out soon. Incredibly original and very intense. 

Plus the bass amp wasn’t designed for a bass so his sound was a bit covered up. Nice dude, fwiw.

second group was strong as well. Tom Weeks on alto, James McKain on tenor, Caroline Morton on double bass & Kevin Murray on drums. Out of Ayler but with a current modern touch. The 2 saxophones were tremendous. I’ve seen James McKain quite a few times this year and he is excellent. Great taste. Knows what the fuck is up. Very learned and is a critical listener. Was very impressed first time seeing or hearing Tom Weeks. Caroline Morton is young and just another one of the great young woman musicians on the scene. Very inspiring and invigorating to these older ears. Murray is a beast. They are starting to find space and the saxophonists both know when to step back. Strong listening all around. 

Edited October 18, 2023 by Steve Reynolds