Record Reviews

STEVE LACY / STEVE ARGUELLES ~ IMAGE AH UM 001 ~ USA ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 1987 Released: 1989 This is a live duo album by the great American Avant-Garde saxophonist / composer Steve LacyFind albums by this artist and British drummer Steve ArguellesFind albums by this artist, who was only 24 years old at the time of the recording. The album presents seven tracks, six of which are original compositions by Lacy and one is by Thelonious MonkFind albums by this artist. This is the first release on the short-lived independent British record label Ah UmFind albums on this label. Duo recordings featuring drums and saxophone are very rare (see the John ColtraneFind albums by this artist / Rashid AliFind albums by this artist “Interstellar SpaceFind albums with this title” for example), and happen mostly on the European Free Jazz / Improvised Music scene, with some excellent, but little known recordings. This cross-continental effort is one of those obscure recordings, which is worth investigating. Ah Um’s owner Nick PurnellFind albums by this artist obviously saw (or rather heard) the potential, when he decided to record the concert and release it on his new label, which proves his artistic vision. Of course this kind of music is definitely not for a wide audience, but there are always some open-minded listeners, who are able to find the “Art of the Duo” element in Improvised Music, and this album is exactly for such listeners. Lacy was undoubtedly one of the greatest soprano saxophone Jazz virtuosi, and this album, as well as the other prolific recordings by Lacy, is an evidence to this fact. Overall, this is a beautiful example how two musicians are able to create brilliant music against all odds. For true Improvised Music lovers, this is a true treat! Side Note British composer / arranger Nick PurnellFind albums by this artist founded the short-lived Ah UmFind albums on this label label in 1989, which existed until 1993 and released a total of sixteen albums with some of the top British Jazz musicians of that period and a few American guests, which remain as of the finest recordings of that period. For some inexplicable reason all these albums are almost completely obsolete today, despite their excellent musical value, which is a shame, as they all deserve an honorable place in any decent British Jazz collection.

Updated: 16/10/2026Posted: 16/10/2026

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MIELCAREK / SILBERMAN ~ LICZBY UROJONE AUDIO CAVE 2025/006 (Barcode: 5908298549995) ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2024 Released: 2025 This is an album by Polish Jazz / Improvised Music duo, comprising of saxophonist Jacek MielcarekFind albums by this artist and drummer Lukasz StworzewiczFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. SilbermanFind albums by this artist). Both musicians employ electronics in addition to their instruments. Although Mielcarek and Silberman recorded together quite a few times before, this is their debut as a duo. The album presents seven tracks, three composed by Mielcarek, two composed by Silberman, one co-composed by them both and one composed by Emilia StworzewiczFind albums by this artist. Despite the highly improvised nature of the music, it is based on pre-composed themes, which are more or less audible within the duration. The music, in contrast to most improvised music albums, is very diverse, which of course makes things more interesting and listenable. At the core there is of course the saxophone / drums duet tradition, which does back to the John ColtraneFind albums by this artist / Rashid AliFind albums by this artist “Interstellar SpaceFind albums with this title”, or the iconic John SurmanFind albums by this artist / Jack DeJohnetteFind albums by this artist ECMFind albums on this label recordings legacy, but, as mentioned earlier, there is way more diversity and innovation herein, including the subtle, but significant usage of electronic effects, which add a completely new layer, both sonically and conceptually. Both Mielcarek and Silberman belong to the highly creative Polish Jazz Avant-Garde, which keeps evolving and reinventing itself continuously, which luckily prevents their albums to sound similar and repetitious, which often happens within the Improvised Music genre. Although obviously a minority cultural phenomenon, they manage to survive and create new music, which surely is not easy in these senseless times we live in. Kudos to Audio CaveFind albums on this label for supporting their music over time (their first album on the label was released almost a decade ago), which deserves respect for acting against all odds. Overall, this is another highly motivating, strange, irrational (like those imaginary numbers) collection of sounds, which can be as motivating and emotional as any other form of music, with a bit of effort and open mindedness from the listener. In these sad times, where corporate garbage dominates the music (and other cultural areas) scene, ambitious gems, like this one, keep our sanity together.

Updated: 30/08/2025Posted: 29/08/2025

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