...Faruq Z. Bey & the Northwoods Improvisers...

Faruq Z. Bey and the Northwoods Improvisers are a jazz group that I came across a year or so ago, and keep coming back to every now and then when the jazz bug bites me.  I've intended to put a mix together compiling this sort of stuff, but I haven't been able to get around to it.  Unfortunately, this past week, as I was revisiting some of his tunes, I discovered that Faruq actually passed away back in June.  So here, are a couple of tracks in memory of him and his great work.  You can also refer to the avant-garde jazz group, Griot Galaxy, to experience some of his earlier work from the 70's and 80's. Hopefully in the near future I'll finally be able to wrap up that mix that I've had in the works.  RIP Faruq Z. Bey.

*(((*)))(((SUN)))*(((RA)))(((*)))*

so i've been digging thru a trove of outrageously good videos on

youtube as of late. lots of outside jazz related stuff. the following

is not so much an outsider thing (especially considering that it

comes to us from the bbc), but it sheds a bit of light on one of the

most misterioso bands slash bandleaders to have ever graced

the cosmos: SUN RA!!!  i say a bit of light because le sony'r ra

was one of the most dedicated and unfliching personas of all

time.  many believed and still believe that he truly came from

another planet. if you are unfamiliar with SUN RA & his variously
named Arkestra then you ought take this worm-hole for a ride:

*(((*)))*(((keep a look-out for a post loosely related to this one sometime this week.)))*(((*)))*

(((Don Cherry)))---(((1978)))

Don Cherry is mainly known as one of the pioneers of free jazz from the trail blazing Ornette Coleman Quartet.  Images of him playing some variation of the trumpet (pocket trumpet, cornet, etc...) come to mind.  However, much of his musical career involved him traveling the four corners of the earth and participating in musical forms that sometimes had no resemblence to jazz.  In time he became a seasoned multi-instrumentalist of a wide variety.  He was a true student and explorer.  Initially, this seems to have been a personal journey into his African heritage, but it clearly struck an inspired nerve in him that never went away.  His experimentation with world music can be heard as early as 1968 on Eternal Rhythm, a live recording from the Berlin jazz festival.  Other stellar examples of this progression would include his Mu sessions recorded for BYG Actuel in 69 as well as Actions (co-led by Kryzstof Penderecki) and Blue Lake from 71.  Over the remainder of his career he covered a lot of territory.  As I researched this, 1978 seems to have been an especially rich year for him in this regard.  If you were to listen to the following recordings in their entirety, you might find some things you don't like, or at least I did.  Some tunes border too closely to a new age sound that I'm not entirely comfortable with.  However, there is a great deal to glean here as evidenced (i hope) by the following selections.  Please dig in.  I hope this inspires new pathes of interest and research.  Cheers!

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((        

Recorded At Studio Davout, Paris, France, June 1978.

Original LP release 1982 (Europa Records JP2009).

Sangam - Don Cherry / Latif Khan

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CODONA (ECM 1132)
Recorded September 1978 at Tonstudio Bauer, Ludwigsburg

Mumakata - Codona

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((

Flying Fish - 1978

Sounds from the Bush - Mandingo Griot Society

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Another sideman session also done in 1978, but less suited toward this post can be found here.

Below is a short documentary filmed in Sweden the same year and broadcast on Swedish television. 
It was the thing that originally inspired this post.  Enjoy.

////XHOL//CARAVAN////

I'm going to resist the tempation to make a Gene Simmons joke here. If you're still with me, I'm actually going to preface this entry with some discussion concerning John Coltrane. I've been listening to a bunch of fantastic audio interviews that he graciously gave on various occasions in the early and mid sixties.  This was a very pivotal time for jazz on several levels and the discussions are long, unpolished and very culturally revealing. They portray what I perceive to be a humble, searching man. Anyhow, they deepened my appreciation for his music and personhood and brought me back to what I would consider my desert island song as far as jazz goes. I'm not going to go too deep here, because this is a whole nother post that I most definately intend to write at some point.  All the same, John Coltrane's "Ole" recorded in 1961 is a song worthy of your full attention.  At some point, carve twenty minutes out of your life, seek out seclusion, sit between the speakers, turn up the volume, and drop the needle on this monster of a tune.  Eric Dolphy, Reggie Workman, McCoy Tyner, Freddie Hubbard, Elvin Jones, Art Davis.  It's a game changer. 

It should be stated that Coltrane's composition is based upon another, but I'll hold back on those details as well. As I've researched this song, I have come across a few covers (Pharoah Sanders, Noah Howard, etc...).  Recently I stumbled upon the following rendition by pioneering Krautrockers Xhol Caravan and have been really taken with it.  The others that I've heard have been great, but they've been done too much in the vein of the original and therefore fall terribly short.  Mere shadows.  The original is foreboding and visceral with a climax that peels the paint.  In a very different way, this version grooves.  It is at times funky, psychedelic, and slightly vague while staying true to the spirit of the song.  Though it isn't close to being in the same galaxy as Coltranes, it is easily my favorite cover.  That a couple of freaked out German kids laid this down in 1969 is down right fantastic.  Dig the additional videos and note the blonde haired boy playing the guitar against the organ. 

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Ole (John Coltrane) - Xhol Caravan 

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Part one of the videos that I had hoped to put up (including the above mentioned blonde haired boy) can be found here.  Unfortunately, the person who put them up disabled the embedding capability.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

...Hand In Hand/Neokarma Jooklo Experience...

I came across this song, "No Goal Can Be Too High", by Hand In Hand, a few months ago over at Microphone In The Trees. I snagged it because I noticed that David Nuss from No Neck Blues Band is a contributor to the group. I've enjoyed NNCK's recordings over the years, so I thought that I'd give it a shot. While somewhat similar in style to a NNCK track, this song differentiates itself with a very prominant vocal recitation of a passage from the biblical Book of Isaiah...pretty "out there" sort of stuff. Apparently the song appeared on one side of a, now out of print, 7" 45 hand cut lathe. Only 32 of the records were produced via Medusa Records. It's definitely not something I could listen to daily, but I find it interesting nonetheless. Check it out, even if for oddities sake.


"Hand In Hand: No Goal Can Be Too High"

This song is the B side from a record entitled "Peaceful Messages" by the band Neokarma Jooklo Experience. It was put out on Qbico records. It's a pretty cosmic tune, so I hope you can get your head around it.


"Neokarma Jooklo Experience: Holy Freedom"

...Other Dimensions In Music...

Ever since Doug posted his Outside Beat: A Mixtape, I've been on a little bit of a jazz kick. Among other things, I've been giving Live At The Sunset by Other Dimensions In Music quite a bit of ear.

This album came out in 2007 and features Roy Campbell on trumpet; Daniel Carter on sax/flute/trumpet; William Parker on Bass; and Hamid Drake on percussion/drums. I have enjoyed the collaborations of Parker, Carter, and Drake in the past, and respect them as some of the best free jazz musicians recording/performing today. This album only reinforces my sentiment. Check out the two tracks below and don't snooze on what's going down in free jazz today.

"Other Dimensions In Music: Hip Bop"

"Other Dimensions In Music: Slam Me Down (for Slam Stewart)"

////outside beat////a mixtape////

COSMIC EQUATION

Then another tomorrow
They never told me of
Came with the abruptness of a fiery dawn
And spoke of Cosmic Equations:
The equations of sight-similarity
The equations of sound-similarity
Subtle Living Equations
Clear only to those
Who wish to be attuned
To the vibrations of the Outer Cosmic Worlds.
Subtle living equations of the outer-realms
Dear only to those
Who fervently wish the greater life

- Sun Ra

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angels and demons at play - sun ra

utopia & visions - don cherry

africanasia part II - claude delcloo

b.t. - arthur jones

legacy - andrew hill

tarik - dewey redman

the will come is now - ronnie boykins

hum-dono - joe harriott/amancio d'silva quartet

rufus 3rd - new york art quartet

lonely woman (ornette coleman) - marzette watts ensemble

humility in the light of the creator - kalaparusha maurice mcintyre

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{][}-Sam-{][}-Rivers-{][}

Been meaning to get this up for weeks now. This post is the result of unfortunate news, but please do the right thing and enjoy the content - he's worthy of it. If you don't know already, Sam Rivers died the day after Christmas at the age of 88. If you don't know who Sam Rivers is, you're not alone, but it would do you good to familiarize yourself with the man. Hopefully this post will serve as a decent introduction. I will not go into any depth here. There is just way too much area to cover, and many others who are better qualified have written great articles in the last 3 or 4 weeks since his passing for those interested. The ever rewarding destination:OUT put up an excellent post here, and you can listen to a great hour-long audio biography here. Bottom line: there's more to this guy than meets the eye. His influence on the progression and preservation of jazz music is huge and his output was diverse and original. His pioneering in the nyc loft jazz scene of the 1970's alone speaks volumes (here). Both Josh & I seem to gravitate toward multi-instrumentalists in the realm of jazz (don cherry, eric dolphy, yusef lateef, etc...) and in my humble opinion, Sam Rivers is a monster in this regard. He played soprano and tenor sax, bass clarinet, flute, harmonica and piano as well as others played less frequently. To my ears, saxophone & flute playing was where he thrived most. I have included a handful of my favorite cuts below. They contain original compositions as well as contributions made as a sideman. Session leaders took Rivers on for his traditional slash outward inventiveness. Along these lines, I have ordered the songs to move from a some what traditional tone into a more outward direction. Notice the diversity in his playing. All of these songs represent Sam's original voice. His freedom was boundless. By the way, did I mention that this guy was known as a gentle spirited fellow and a one woman man. He and his wife Beatrice were married 56 years until she died in 2005, and she was his partner and greatest supporter. Classy. Dig in.
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Beatrice - Sam Rivers (from Fuchsia Swing Song - 1964)

Love Song - Anthony Williams (from Spring - 1965)

Conference of the Birds - Dave Holland Quartet (from Conference of the Birds - 1972)

Euterpe - Sam Rivers (from Contours - 1965)

Two Pieces of One: Red - Anthony Williams (from Life Time - 1964)

Paean - Sam Rivers (from Dimensions & Extensions - 1967)

Violence [Alternate Take] - Andrew Hill (from Change - 1966)
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...Dorothy Ashby: Afro-Harping...

Here's an album that I've had for a couple of years, and for the life of me, I can't figure out why I haven't put something up about it sooner. I mean, it's not the most elusive album since it was re-issued back in 2003. In fact, some of the songs may sound vaguely familiar to you, because many hip hop artists and DJs have sampled tracks from it. Maybe it popped into my head to post something on this because I've been on a jazz kick lately...I don't know.
Whatever the reason is, check this out. If you know anything about me and my taste in jazz, then you know that I really enjoy the stylings of Alice Coltrane. It was through searching for artists like Ms. Coltrane that I came across this album, originally released back in 1968. While there aren't a ton of similarities between Dorothy and Alice (other than that they both play jazz on the harp), one likeness that they share is that they both use the instrument in progressive ways. Whereas Alice works the instrument into spiritually rich, odes to the eastern hemisphere, Dorothy infuses funk and soul into her playing and uses the harp as a lead and solo instrument. Pretty unique stuff. There are some really good grooves here. I prefer this album over her later recordings, where Ms. Ashby ventures into areas of spoken word and vocal jazz. Press play and get mellow.

"Dorothy Ashby: Soul Vibrations"

"Dorothy Ashby: Afro-Harping"

{mal waldron} & {cold horizons}-{ten}

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japanese island - mal waldron
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atomic energy - mal waldron
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it would seem that mal is on the move here at !!crescere!! i hope you'll agree that this is a very good thing. he is fast becoming a new favorite of mine. many thanks to bacoso over at o.i.r. for this session as well as "reminicent suite" which reaped the beast that is "black forest." i posted that one back in february. on both of these recordings, mal is supported by a full on japanese backing band with no repeats of personnel from one session to the other. this one finds mal working in a trio, and like josh, i do love me a smokin' piano,drum & bass trio. these two tracks will tell you why.
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also included in this post is my last {cold horizon} poem for this season. i have thoroughly enjoyed this experiment and intend to pick it back up sometime early next winter. i hope you've enjoyed it also. this one was written days after the earthquake/tsunami struck japan's coast, and was definitely provoked by it. i had hoped to get it up sooner then this. all the same, enjoy:
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...Mal Waldron: The Quest...

Ever since Doug posted a track from Mal Waldron in an earlier post, I've been checking more of his stuff out. You can imagine how pleased I was to find this 1961 album, featuring Eric Dolphy (one of my favorite jazz musicians) on alto sax and bass clarinet, as well as my favorite bass/cello player, Ron Carter, adding some unique sounds on his cello. Although this album is not as "free" as I normally like, there are definitely some unique ideas within the more straight-ahead, melodic, song structure making it enjoyable. The tracks below exemplify two of the more moody ballads on the record. They're pretty catchy and dripping with sentiment. This album was later re-issued under Dolphy's name. The original artwork is shown below, and the cover above is from the re-issue.

"Mal Waldron: Warm Canto"

"Mal Waldron: Duquility"

...Destroyer of Brains...

I know, I know....Destroyer of Brains is not exactly the kind of band name that makes me think, "Ooh, this is going to be good", but put the name aside for a second. What grabbed my attention about this band was that Chris Schlarb is involved in the project. I'm a fan of I Heart Lung and Schlarb's solo work, and since Doug has been posting all these great jazz tunes, I've been thrown onto a little bit of a jazz kick, so I figured I'd give it a chance. It didn't hurt that Destroyer of Brains put the two tracks I found, up for free over at Sounds Are Active. Boy, was I pleased. Not only is Schlarb involved, but members of Breakestra are all up into this. Come to find out it is a 6 piece free jazz project. You can get more band info, contributors listing, and the two tracks over at the band"s SAA page. Also, check out Chris' website for more specifics on the project. If you're mildly interested in jazz, or even if you're not, give this one a whirl.

"Destroyer Of Brains: Song For Charles Rocket"

"Destroyer Of Brains: Love Is The New Black"

Song For Charles Rocket (Take 2) from Chris Schlarb on Vimeo.

{(-)}For Japan{(-)}Part Two{(-)}

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Be Still My Soul - Kosuke Mine Quartet
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Drizzling Rain - Masabumi Kikuchi
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Sun In The East - Masayuki Takayanagi & New Direction For The Arts
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In the same spirit as Part One, my focus on the rich artistic contributions of Japan are intended to draw our attention toward their present needs and to cause us to ask the question, "What can I/we do?" In answer to this question, any comments or suggestions are very encouraged. Beyond this, I hope that you enjoy the content.
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I first latched on to Gary Snyder when I started getting serious about poetry - about a decade ago I guess. He's a very interesting man & much more than just a poet. He's accomplished a great deal in his 80+ years. If his work inspires you I would recommend reading up on him a bit. He lived in Japan from 1956 to 1964 I believe, studying Zen Buddhism & poetry. My original intention was to use his poetry exclusively, but after reading thru some of his translations of Kenji Miyazawa, a Japanese poet, science teacher & social activist (1896-1933), I felt compelled to use several of his poems. I'm gonna start out with one from Gary & follow up with three from Kenji:

{Andrew Hill}-{One For One}

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Illusion - Andrew Hill

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One For One - Andrew Hill

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Man oh man! Please know that on this fine afternoon, I am here to serve up the goods! Once you hit play & begin to take in Andrew Hill's "Illusion" I'm hoping you'll agree with me. No credit here - like most things, i just stumbled onto it, and it doesn't take an insider's ear to recognize just how good this is. Let me expand a bit:

{(-)}FOR JAPAN{(-)}PART ONE{(-)}

a few haiku from the master as well as two ode's to Japan via some fine jazz compositions (one original & one reworked). for part two i intend to flip this scenario with a poem that is an ode to Japan from a non-native followed by some excellent Japanese jazz - please look for it. lastly, if you're a person who prays, as you enjoy the contents of this post, please pray for Japan. let's encourage one another to support them in this and any other way. doug

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Japan - Pharoah Sanders

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Japanese Folk Song (Kojo No Tsuki) - Thelonious Monk

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The Giuseppi Logan Quartet

Almost always judge an album by it's slammin' good cover art. Definetly true in this case. Great cover art leads to great LP leads to great story. In fact, the intigue that lead me to this post has been more about the man than the music - but don't hear me wrong, the music is stellar! Here's the short skinny: Giuseppi Logan, a multi-instrumentalist from outside the scene emerges from the shadows into the New Thing/Avante Garde/Free Jazz movement that was thriving in New York City in the mid-sixties. With the help & musical assistance of Milford Graves (more on him in the coming weeks) he lays down his first ever recording session (as a leader nonetheless) along with Don Pullen & Eddie Gomez (this was the first recording session for all four players). From the many articles I've read, it seems that Logan was always perceived as his own man with his own approach to both people and his many instruments - unpredictable seems a good word. He lead two other sessions, one of which has never received a pressing, and sat in on a handful of others before disappearing back into the shadows in the early seventies. Gone. Decades without even a word. Incarcerated, homeless, locked away in mental institutions, thought dead, only to re-emerge from thin air in 2008 with a bushy white beard & a passion to get back on top in the world of Jazz music. Thus far he's released one live session with the same label he started with - ESP. Giuseppi Logan is very endearing & there's so much more to this story. If you're intrigued, please dig around. Signal To Noise put out a fantastic article in the Spring of 2009.

In terms of the album, if you're into the genre, I couldn't recommend it more. From 1964, it has an incredible rythme section & is very free. Track one, Tabla Suite is perhaps more outside than the other four tracks, it includes a Tabla, a Pakistani Oboe, and a strummed piano & is a highlight for me - it definetly speaks of things to come with Milford Graves. Dialogue is also highly recommended along with Bleeker Partita which you'll find below. The later is accessible while containing the fullness of diversity that you get from the other four numbers. Just below, please check out a bit from a short documentary on Logan from 1966 and be sure to check recent footage in the side panel of the youtube page.
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Bleeker Partita - The Giuseppi Logan Quartet
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{cold horizons}-{eight}

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Pharoah Sanders - Upper Egypt & Lower Egypt

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{{{eight}}}

along with the world

i watched the protestors in Tahrir Square on the television set

as they bravely huddled together like pigeons

and began to rage against their diminishing cages & coops

they looked so unlike a crowded people all mashed together there

faces as free as a migratory flock

with their unrelenting wings beating in unison

against the current of their cold horizons

i sat there in my looking silence

i watched them fly a great distance

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{-}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

^^^BLACK FOREST^^^

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black forest - mal waldron/terumasa hino

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traversing the black forest,
nevermind what's behind you…

...a high coo moon

^^^^^^^^^^^^

{cold horizons}-{seven}

{utopia & visions} - {don cherry}

{{{seven}}}

when you rise up, quietly sing the humming wordless song that lights you - strum strum for the dancing curtains of the wintry morning - for if we’re to live for all of eternity - wheels that keep turning - pulling us further & further until they’re worn into nothing but a vanishing memory of time - than we should say so

go out - walk the treeline - feel the sun - cast your shadows – mutter afresh the story and listen – for if this day you can walk as you do - flannel flag flying free in the pink edges of an orange sky that is pink edgedly orange in just this way, never to be repeated - then you should say so

and if i – today - can tow with ease this chain of glinting thoughts & sounds as they unravel from me endlessly in just this way - churning & bobbing within my dome only - here & gone as quick as they came – than i should say so

for if we are immortal as we sleep in our tangled dreams & cotton sheets - if we are fixed in the sky of God’s good pleasure - a fixture of His golden gaze - set free to shine in ceaseless stardusting reverie - if we are loved - not merely tolerated beneath a pact of unspeakable bloodshed (holy & worthy of perpetual praise) but actually & truly befriended – invited – pursued – embraced – wanted – then strum strum - ring the bells - and let us say so!

WE FREE KINGS

some Christmas jAZZ for your listening pleasure. this was a tough mix to make. to my personal dismay, there appears to be very little material to work with in the avant garde department, though i'll never give up the search. however, this is excellent jazz throughout with a heavy dose of the Christmas Spirit, including a few tracks that really push the envelope. if you listen to nothing else, please hear roland kirk's (cool lookin' cat on the cover) interpretation of we three kings. a yuletide gem to rival coltrane's greensleeves (also included).
Merry Christmas

silent night, holy night - i heart lung
winter wonderland - sonny rollins
we free kings - roland kirk
variations on a Christmas theme - the modern jazz quartet
God rest ye merry gentlemen - oscar peterson
have yourself a merry little Christmas - dexter gordon quartet
what child is this? - vince guaraldi
chipmunk Christmas - john scofield
santa claus is coming to town - jimmy smith
sleighride (aka midnight sleighride) - sauter-finegan & their orchestra
little drummer boy - jazzcode
do you hear what i hear? - jack brokensha quartet
we three kings of orient are - wynton marsalis septet
greensleeves - john coltrane
white Christmas - charlie parker
hymn for st. john of shanghai - create (!)