Q – R – S

All artists filed by last name under Q, R and S :

Darren Johnston | Fred Frith | Devin Hoff | Larry Ochs | Ches Smith | Reasons for Moving | Not Two Records

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Although this is an improvised session it has that wonderful magic glue that these serious and seasoned musicians are so successful at. « Passing Fields » starts with spacious guitar and sax sounds, but soon the rhythm team kicks into a powerful groove. As Frith locks into the rhythm with some bold noise guitar, both horns spin furiously above. Frith sounds a bit like Sonny Sharrock jamming on an electric Miles session. Each piece explores different combinations of players. While « Dawn and the Flat Irons » begins with haunting trumpet and contrabass, soon the rest of the quintet is simmering along. One of the great things about this disc is that Darren’s trumpet and Larry’s saxes work so well together, in similar tonal areas. Fred Frith is the perfect middle man, balancing between the horns and rhythm team perfectly, whether dealing in dark colors and shades or occasionally soloing underneath or with the spinning horns. On a few on these pieces, Frith gets a chance to lead and stretch out and turn the quintet inside-out into a strange twisted (prog ?) rock unit. These pieces fall somewhere between Massacre and Material, yet they are still unique in their own way. Great things, fellows ! — BLG, Downtown Music Gallery Continue reading →

Michael Marcus | The Magic Door | Not Two Records

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The first album I heard with Michael Marcus was “Ithem” a sax trio with William Parker and Dennis Charles, and I was immediately charmed by this excellent musician. He has a very strong sense of melody and pitch when improvizing, a great sense of swing in his compositions, a clear respect for the traditional form which he recreates in a very open modern format. Whether he plays with Jaki Byard, the Cosmosamatics or in other bands, his core characteristics are always present as they are on this record. He sticks to his clarinet on all songs, with Jay Rosen on drums and François Grillot on bass on most tracks. Daniel Levin plays cello on three pieces and Rahsaan Carter and Eric Revis play bass on one track each, and Newton Taylor Baker drums on one track. Anyone interested in melodic free jazz with a great swing feeling, should look this one up.– Stef’s blog Continue reading →

Tomek Sowiński and the Collective Improvisation Group | Illustration | Not Two Records

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Irek Wojtczak – tenor & soprano saxes, clarinet, flute, voice | Darek Herbasz – tenor & baritone saxes, flute, voice | Piotr Mania – piano (#5,8), flute, voice (#2) | Tomek Sowiński – percussion, flute, voice | Adam Żuchowski – bass, flute, voice | Marcin Gawdzis – trumpet, voice | Jacek Namysłowski – trombone | Dominik Bukowski – marimba | Sławek Jaskułke – piano (#1,4,6,7). Recorded: night 18, 19 July 2005 at a loft in New Port in Gdansk and night 8, 9 February 2006 and night 14, 15 June 2006 at the Philharmonic Chamber Hall Olowianka, Gdansk. Sound engineered and mastered by Piotr Taraszkiewicz. Graphic design by Jacek Staniszewski alias dr.Jahill. Producer: Tomek Sowinski. Executive producer: Marek Winiarski. Continue reading →

Vandermark 5 | Four Sides To The Story | Not Two Records

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NotTwo Records extremely limited, outstandingly lavish 2- LP’s box-set, further pushes limits not only musical boundaries of improvised music but also the whole concept of conceptual package, as recently re-defined by its own issue of “Alchemia” by Vandermark 5. This exquisitely realized set includes 2 separate LP, housed together in a one-of-its-kind unique box with absolutely astonishing covert art. Comprehensive booklet with many personal insights from Ken Vandermark himself, rare pictures, interviews and essays from acclaimed critics, compliment the whole set. Continue reading →

Steve Swell | Remember Now | Not Two Records

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Remember Now is the second release of trombonist’s Steve Swell Slammin’ The Infinite band, and they now sound more like a unit. Rather than two front line soloists with a rhythm section, on this release they seem like a group of four equals. The rhythm section of Matthew Heyner (who is amazing on this disc) and Klaus Kugel (ditto) has really developed into a team that is just as able to step out in front and lead the band as to drive it along from behind. And the material Swell has written takes full advantage of this. The opening track “Antlers” is a good example. Those who think this group as merely an energy blowing band may be surprised by this track. The horns play written material throughout, a series of off kilter phrases that form a springboard for the rhythm section and a feature for Heyner. His arco bass work on this track shows that he’s the heir apparent to Alan Silva, with careening lines flowing effortlessly off his bow. Elsewhere Swell scores out fiery phrases for the horns. MB-1 (for Marion Brown) has the horns stating the theme, jabbing out staccato phrases.– Robert Iannapollo, All About Jazz) Continue reading →

Marco Eneidi | Peter Kowald | Damon Smith | Spirit | Ghetto Calypso | Not Two Records

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Posthumous Peter Kowald releases keep coming down the pike and this one looks very promising on paper. The first three surnames on the roll call require no introduction to regular Bags readers. The identity and credentials of Spirit are probably another matter. Patterning a sparse style that draws on both New Thing and European Improv customs, his light pattering touch sometimes feels a bit flimsy and transparent, particularly during the ensemble’s higher density moments. Fortunately, in a group like this one with two strong-willed bassists vying and colluding, it’s a strategy that complements rather than hinders. His brief solo drum foray “Obo” suggests time spent shedding to the sounds of Don Moye and Denis Charles, and like both he’s prone to gruff vocal commentary in conjunction with his stick play. Pale shades of John Stevens also arise in the pointillist side of Spirit’s approach, though I’m not completely sold on his cachet as a contender. — Derek Taylor Continue reading →

The Cosmosamatics | Zetrons | Not Two Records

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Zetrons The newest recording by the Cosmosamatics that you are now listening to, represents our story in the new millennium of American Jazz/Improvised Music. Among the musical tales you will experience, Dance of the Zetrons (title cut) represents a dance that is universal throughout the universe. Road Doggs is about the struggle and the strength of a band traveling on the iron horses (trains) in Europe. We also pay tribute here to the great Eric Dolphy and do a rendition of his classical composition, Serene. And of course, the beauty of Sonny’s tribute to Mingus with his suite: Mingus Mangus. We are a “band” – which is rare in Jazz these days. Sonny and I have been collaborating for years to keep the tradtion alive of being a bind (like these great groups: “Modern Jazz Quartet” – “Art Ensemble of Chicago” – “World Saxophone Quartet”, etc.) We are a group of improvisers, bringing a message of peace and healing love for all, trhough sound & sould. — Michael Marcus Continue reading →

Harvey Sorgen | Steve Rust | Michael Jefry Stevens | Decade | Not Two Records

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Over the past 35 years Pianist/Composer Michael Jefry Stevens has been associated with some of the most important figures in modern jazz. Beginning with his first CD release in 1991 as a member of Mark Whitecage’s Liquid Time Group, Mr. Stevens has been in the forefront of the NYC improvised music scene. Between 1988-1990 he co-led the now legendary “Mosaic Sextet” with Dave Douglas. This group included Mark Feldman on violin, Michael Rabinowitz on bassoon, and the rhythm section of Harvey Sorgen on drums and Joe Fonda on bass. Their “Today This Moment” CD release on Konnex Records and re-release on GM Recordings is considered one of the classic modern jazz recordings of the 1990’s. This rhythm section went on to become the nucleus for Mr. Stevens working quartet the Fonda/Stevens Group. Since the quartet’s inception in 1993, the Fonda/Stevens Group has released 10 cds, repeatedly toured Europe and is one of the premier working modern jazz groups on the international scene. Mr. Stevens also began a very fruitful and fulfilling relationship with Leo Records with his duo “Haiku” CD release in 1994, featuring Mark Feldman on violin. These piano/violin improvisations proved to be a pivotal link between Mr. Stevens work in both the composed and improvised music worlds. Mr. Stevens has currently released nine cd’s on Leo Records, including “Elements” with bassist Dominic Duval, and “Twelve Improvisations” with the Fonda/Stevens Group. To date he has released over 60 cds.


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