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7 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.

CENTIPEDE ~ SEPTOBER ENERGY
DISCONFORME 1965 (Barcode: 8436006499654) ~ UK ~ Jazz

Recorded: 1971 Released: 2000

Only album by the giant ensemble CentipedeFind albums by this artist (over 50 musicians) led by the pianist Keith TippettFind albums by this artist and including members of all the great Prog, Jazz and Avant-Garde groups active at the time (Soft MachineFind albums by this artist, King CrimsonFind albums by this artist a.m.o.) - almost the entire UK Prog and Jazz scene at that time. The music is mostly improvised with spectaculat solos, very jazzy and sometimes even very free. This is a milestone in the history of British Prog and modern Jazz.
Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: CD 2 Recommend To A Friend

HARRY MILLER / ISIPINGO ~ WHICH WAY NOW
CUNEIFORM 233 (Barcode: 045775023328) ~ UK ~ Jazz

Released: 2006

Originally from South Africa, Harry MillerFind albums by this artist was one of the main forces on the UK jazz scene in the 1970s. He recorded and performed with all the major players during that period (John SurmanFind albums by this artist, CentipedeFind albums by this artist, Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist, Keith TippettFind albums by this artist, Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist, King CrimsonFind albums by this artist, Julie TippettsFind albums by this artist, Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist and Chris McGregorFind albums by this artist´s Brotherhood Of BreathFind albums by this artist) and his contributions were very significant in the development on that wonderfully diverse and prolific period. He and his wife founded the legendary OgunFind albums on this label label, which released many of that period’s essential recordings and documented the scene probably more efficiently than any other UK label at the time. Miller’s sextet IsipingoFind albums by this artist (Nick EvansFind albums by this artist - trombone, Mongezi FezaFind albums by this artist - trumpet, Harry Miller - double bass, Louis MoholoFind albums by this artist - drums, Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist - alto sax and Keith TippettFind albums by this artist - piano) recorded only one studio album and therefore this high-quality recording from 1975 by Radio Bremen is an invaluable addition to both Miller’s discography and the overall documentation of this illustrious period in UK jazz. The music is somewhat similar to the output of Chris McGregor´s Brotherhood of Breath (as is the group’s lineup), which played a special kind of jazz strongly influenced by Africa music, called “kwela”. Isipingo is just a bit more on the jazzy side of things. For the many fans of 1970s UK jazz this is a must of course.
 CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

DOM MINASI ~ THE VAMPIRE`S REVENGE
CDM 1006 (Barcode: 616892693727) ~ USA ~ Jazz

Recorded: 2005 Released: 2006

This momentous masterpiece by US guitarist / composer Dom MinasiFind albums by this artist is one of the most ambitious large scale Avant-Garde recordings I’ve come across since the turn of this Century. Although large scale Avant-Garde projects flourished in European Jazz in the late 1960s / 1970 (Keith TippetFind albums by this artist and his CentipedeFind albums by this artist ensemble, Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist’s Orchestra and many others), the complexity, cost and logistics involved with such projects basically doomed the prospects for such recordings over time with the cultural climate and openness for such endeavors virtually disappearing. Therefore, before even examining the music as such, one must take one’s hat off to Minasi for pulling it all together. The album presents a concept Free Jazz suite, inspired by the writings of Ann RiceFind albums by this artist, to which Minasi was first exposed in the mid-1990s and since then was slowly building up his material for a large scale work on the subject of Vampires – one of the most mysterious and fascinating themes in our world of fantasy, legend and imagination. The last pieces of this complex work were completed just shortly before the recording actually took place. For the recording Minasi assembled a formidable gathering of his “regulars” - his trio members Ken FilianoFind albums by this artist on bass and Jackson KrallFind albums by this artist on drums, his DDTFind albums by this artist cellist Tomas UrlichFind albums by this artist, his singer wife Carol MennieFind albums by this artist, his quartet member saxophonist Mark WhitecageFind albums by this artist and his former quartet member saxophonist Blaise SiwulaFind albums by this artist. In addition he enlisted some of the most prominent names on the US Avant-Garde scene like Borah BergmanFind albums by this artist on piano, Perry RobinsonFind albums by this artist on clarinet and others. A total of 22 musicians participated in the recording sessions for this album, including the conductor Byron OlsonFind albums by this artist, who conducted the immensely complex big ensemble pieces. Describing the music is a task beyond any lingual skills – it is meant to be listened to rather that written about after all. I’ll only say that there is so much music here that it will take even the most experienced listener several listening sessions to start digesting this immense work. Moving between quiet contemplative moments and crescendos of expressionist power, the music tells a story, which each listener might interpret differently, but none can stay indifferent to. Even the most experienced Free Jazz and Avant-Garde listeners will find innovation and exploration of uncharted territory here, which in today’s music is such a rare commodity. It’s demanding, overwhelming, complex and intricate and at the same time communicative and deeply moving. A brilliant piece of modern music, which although known to few, constitutes a ray of hope in contemporary music, symbolizing the pursuit of new horizons by the few musicians, who still care about expanding them. Amazing stuff!
Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: CD 2 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

MAGGIE NICOLS / MATILDA ROLFSSON / MARK WASTELL ~ SEMIOTIC DRIFT
CONFRONT 37 ~ UK ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music

Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023

This is an album by Improvising Music trio comprising of British vocalist Maggie NicolsFind albums by this artist and multi-instrumentalist Mark WastellFind albums by this artist and Swedish percussionist Matilda RolfssonFind albums by this artist. The album presents one track of improvised music lasting for about thirty-five minutes. The album was released by ConfrontFind albums on this label Recordings, owned by Wastell, which is dedicated almost exclusively to the Improvised Music scene.

The music evolves around the vocal expressionism by Nicols, one of the few British Improvised Music vocalists, active since the late 1960’s as one of the pioneers of the genre, with Spontaneous Music EnsembleFind albums by this artist, Keith TippettFind albums by this artist’s CentipedeFind albums by this artist and others. Her recorded legacy is sadly rather limited, which is a great pity, as she is definitely one of the most individual voices of the European Improvised Music scene.

The music is as Avant-Garde as one might expect, completely free spirited and unconventional, going back to the first forms of expression available to humans, which were voice and percussive tools. Obviously this is mostly for the highly dedicated audience of Avant-Garde explorations, but the human voice enthusiasts should find this very interesting.

Overall, this is a fascinating opportunity to hear Nicols again, which is always a great adventure, and the Improvised Music buffs should be very happy to have this album in their collection. Wastell’s dedication to promote adventurous and uncompromising music is truly admirable.
Updated: 30/06/2025Posted: 30/06/2025CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

KEITH TIPPETT ~ BLUEPRINT
BGO 634 (Barcode: 5017261206343) ~ UK ~ Jazz

Recorded: 1972 Released: 2004

Pianist / composer Keith TippettFind albums by this artist is one of the pioneers of British Free Jazz and Improvised Music. His work in the late 1960s / 1970s both as a leader and sideman with the leading Avant-Garde ensembles at the time, includes some the most daring and revolutionary British Jazz achievements. This album was recorded shortly after the gigantic CentipedeFind albums by this artist project, led by Tippett and comprised of over 50 Britain’s leading Avant-Garde Jazz and Rock musicians recorded their seminal (and only) album Septober EnergyFind albums with this title. In complete contrast, this album is all about intimacy, recorded by five musicians in various formats from duos to quartets. The music is completely improvised, capturing moments of musical exchanges between the musicians with no preconceived clearly defined themes. Tippett’s companions include his wife Julie TippettsFind albums by this artist (vocals), who not only changed her name (from Julie DriscollFind albums by this artist) but also made an almost complete about face from her previous Pop and Jazz-Rock background, bassist Roy BabbingtonFind albums by this artist and two percussionists Frank PerryFind albums by this artist and Keith BaileyFind albums by this artist. The album was produced by no other than Robert FrippFind albums by this artist, with whom Tippett cooperated on a few King CrimsonFind albums by this artist recordings. The album remains a classic example of early British and European Improvised Music and lost none of its expressionist power over the years. Definitely worth investigating.
Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

KEITH TIPPETT ~ THE MONK WATCHES THE EAGLE
DISCUS 102 (Barcode: 5051078984025) ~ UK ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Classical Fusion

Recorded: 2004 Released: 2020

This is a sensational archive album by British Jazz pianist / composer Keith TippettFind albums by this artist, which presents a live recording of his composition for large choir, solo voice and a two saxophone quartets, with lyrics by Julie TippettsFind albums by this artist. The work was commissioned for the 2004 edition of the Norwich and Norfolk Festival and was premiered that year at the Norwich Cathedral where it was also recorded for broadcast by the BBC. Tippett conducted the performance, which included Julie Tippetts on solo vocals, the BBC SingersFind albums by this artist choir, an improvising saxophone quartet comprising of Paul DunmallFind albums by this artist, Kevin FigesFind albums by this artist, Ben WaghornFind albums by this artist and Chris BiscoeFind albums by this artist, and also the Apollo Saxophone QuartetFind albums by this artist.

The music is every bit as innovative, far-reaching and groundbreaking as the rest of Tippett´s musical legacy and this posthumous release expands even further the scope of his musical vision, which encompassed enormous variety of works between solo piano music to extremely large ensembles like CentipedeFind albums by this artist or smaller ensembles like ArkFind albums by this artist, and stylistically spanning various Avant-Garde sub-genres between Improvised Music, via Free Jazz to contemporary Classical Music, rubbing shoulders with Progressive Jazz and Art Pop.

Most of the body of this work is performed by the choir, which often sounds like an instrument rather than a choir, resembling choral works of 20th Century Classical composers like Henryk GoreckiFind albums by this artist, György LigetiFind albums by this artist and Krzysztof PendereckiFind albums by this artist to mention just the most audacious ones. When accompanied by the saxophone quartets, one supporting the music harmoniously and the other spicing the proceeding with intensive improvisations, the music offers several climaxes, which mark the transitions between the consecutive sections of the entire composition.

It is not surprising to see Julie Tippetts taking a major part in this project, like she did in so many of his endeavors over the years. Her vocal performances are the focal point of this music and her improvised soloing should remind everybody of her incredible abilities from the first moment she arrived on the music scene as a Pop star and throughout her transformation as a highly idiosyncratic Avant-Gardist. The presence of Dunmall and Biscoe, two of the British Jazz most significant veteran saxophonists, adds additional quality to the rich tapestry of sounds and aural stimuli.

Overall this album is an absolutely essential piece of the puzzle, which Tippett managed to create during his lifetime, and perhaps even one of the most inspired of his works. As usual Martin ArcherFind albums by this artist and his DiscusFind albums on this label label manage to bring an essential piece of the British Culture back to life, saving it from the imprisonment in the darkness of the BBC vaults (God bless them for recording the music), with a lot of help from Julie. This album is an absolutely essential piece of music in any serious music collection!
Updated: 13/11/2020Posted: 13/11/2020CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Essential Recommend To A Friend

PAM & GARY WINDO ~ AVANT GARDENERS
REEL RECORDINGS 001 (Barcode: 641444015320) ~ UK ~ Jazz

Recorded: 1974 - 1976 Released: 2007

Saxophonist Gary WindoFind albums by this artist was one of the most prominent figures on the British Jazz scene. A brilliant player and improviser, he led his own group as well as cooperated with ensembles such as Brotherhood Of BreathFind albums by this artist, CentipedeFind albums by this artist, Matching MoleFind albums by this artist and others. He also worked with many musicians associated with the Canterbury scene, like Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist and Robert WyattFind albums by this artist. He played also with Pink FloydFind albums by this artist’s drummer Nick MasonFind albums by this artist. Gary died in 1992, sadly prematurely when his immense contribution to music was cut short much before it was exhausted. This album presents Gary in a series of improvised music pieces recorded with his pianist wife Pam WindoFind albums by this artist in a duo, trio (with Frank PerryFind albums by this artist on percussion) and quartet (with Harry MillerFind albums by this artist on bass and Louis MoholoFind albums by this artist on drums) settings. The music is a superb example of spontaneous creation, complex and demanding, but richly rewarding. Intended to Free Jazz and Improvised Music enthusiasts.
 CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

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