The Kazzrie Jaxen Quartet | Callicoon Sessions | Cadence Jazz Records

What? You’ve never heard of Kazzrie Jaxen? Well you have but may not know it. She has been recording since 1979 but back then it was as Liz Gorrill and she did a number of releases on the Jazz Records and New Artists labels over a twenty year period. I know those recordings but I’ve never heard her as she is here. Why someone changes their name is often a many reasoned decision, but it would seem, coincidentally perhaps, that with that change came a new attack or addressing of her music – Viva la change! Here is a pianist with a strong, unequivocal attack, ideas in reserve which at times seemingly overflow themselves. And Charley Krachy seems inspired in this company, he arguably has never sounded better on recording. And credit to Don Messina and Bill Chattin for the unwavering support they provide. This was not only an unexpected surprise but a damn pleasant one too. This is exciting music. – Bob Rusch Continue reading

Big Hammer No. 5 | Iniquity Press

William Carlos Williams wrote of Alfred Kreymborg: “Crude symbolism is to associate emotions with natural phenomena such as anger with lightning, flowers with love it goes further and associates certain textures with. Such work is empty. It is typical of almost all that is done by the writers who fill the pages every month of such a paper as. Everything that I have done in the past – except those parts which may be called excellent – by chance, have that quality about them. It is typified by use of the word “like” or that “evocation” of the “image” which served us for a time. Its abuse is apparent. The insignificant “image” ma be “evoked” never so ably and still mean nothing. With all his faults Alfred Kreymborg never did this. That is why his work – escaping a common fault – still has value and will tomorrow have more (Spring and All).” Continue reading

Tom Kryss | Light Dark Light | Iniquity Press

Thanks to the editors of the following magazines and anthologies where several of these items first appeared: Bagozine — Split Whiskey Press | Bathtub Gin — Pathwise Press | Big Hammer — Iniquity Press / Vendetta Books | Come Together: Imagining Peace — Bottom Dog Press | Green Birds Skating — Green Panda Press | Guerilla Poetics Project | Poetry Bay | The Clevelanders — Kirpan Press. Continue reading

Big Hammer No. 15 | Iniquity Press

REMEMBERANCES

I don’t remember the reason we sat in front of Rite Aid that night. Someone needed a prescription filled. I do remember my mom banging her paims on the steering wheel, Asking, “Why did you ever become a writer?” “I don’t know mom. it was you and dad that bought me a desk for Christmas.” “That’s because your 6th grade teacher told us you had potential to be a professional writer. Not poetry, music and that other stuff.” She was visibly angry at the situation which brought us together. We were picking up pills for her husband Bob I now remember. It was the eve of his disappearance. Entering one hospital after another. Finally – allowed to rest – we surrounded Bob with the Lord’s Prayer. Such remembrance strangely triggered by a Leonard Cohen self-portrait – A drawing of his face – left lobe opened – in which he scrawled:

I never found the girl
I never got rich
Follow me

John Lunar Richey Continue reading

Kell Robertson | Iniquity Press | Three in One

In memory of Ben Hiatt. I did write you some stuff about Ben Hiatt didn’t? He was the first guy who really believed in my poetry. Got me started on my magazine…DESPERADO. Anyway man, give him credit for that. Maybe I should dedicate it to all the folks who gave me a shot with my writing. There have been damn few over the years. All the “fugitive” publications. And I’m honored to have Kryss doing the cover. Ride Easy. — Kell Robertson, November 20, 2008 Continue reading