The out-of-this world, near-extinct tones and effects of copper plate, balanced on either thumb, with left-hand fingers playing ornamentally, the melody with the right, as accompaniment to singing in the Sanaan style, setting courtly poetry in classical Arabic.
John Simon’s funny, entertaining chop-up of a mock MM debate, enacting subjectivities split and scattered, narratives disrupted, signification broken down… ‘Drop this jiggery-pokery and talk straight turkey.’
Highly entertaining, varied session for New Jazz in 1963 — the same year as Cracklin’ — with Frank Strozier (playing saxophone and flute), Larry Ridley and Ronnie Matthews. The tricky, careering opener Modette is terrific.
This time coupled with an unedited version of his crossover modern dancer It’s No Mistake.
With Virgil Jones, Clarence Thomas, Melvin Sparks, Jimmy Lewis, Buddy Caldwell and Harold Mabern. Roars out of the traps with a low-slung Express Yourself; then Joe Dukes’ Soulful Drums; then a cooking Super Bad.
Evan Parker, Kenny Wheeler, Radu Malfatti, Nick Evans, Keith Tippett, Johnny Dyani, Harry Miller.
Jason Yarde on saxophones, Alexander Hawkins, piano; John Edwards, bass. ‘The listener is overwhelmed by the feeling that there might be no end to the beauty conjured by this extraordinary combination of musicians’ (Richard Williams).
A quintet with Evan Parker, Pule Pheto, Gibo Phet and Barry Guy.
Duets with Stan Tracey.
Duets with Alexander Hawkins.
Five Blokes: John Edwards, Louis Moholo, Alexander Hawkins, Jason Yarde, Shabaka Hutchings.
Louis Moholo, Dudu Pukwana, Johnny Dyani, Frank Wright.
With Chris McGregor delayed, the three Blue Notes were at a loose end in Eindhoven — till they heard Frank Wright was in town.
A previously-unissued live recording from 1969.
Terrific solo guitar recordings of the Catalan’s own compositions — in the flamenco tradition, but also nodding to Baroque music, specifically Bach.
Alluring duets by Swedish nickelharpa and accordion, inspired by Bach’s sonatas and Pergolesi. (You might recall Matinier from sessions with Anouar Brahem and Louis Sclavis.)