‘Documenting a 2023 West Coast tour, this double LP goes deep. On 2023-05-12 Set II, the rhythm section gives Collier plenty of space to develop long, soulful saxophone lines that are full of invention and dynamic variation, culminating in a climax of squawking multi phonics, woody bass runs and multi-directional drumming. Best of all is a riveting set dedicated to Don Cherry, where Collier vocalises freely through a megaphone, setting off its alarm at key points’ (The Wire).

A singing trio from Charente-Maritime, reviving folk songs from the neighbouring department of Vendée, on France’s western seaboard. Mostly recorded at home, with guests playing accordion, violin, piccolo and contrabassoon, and cigar-box guitar.

In his liner notes, old admirer and collaborator Alasdair Roberts registers ‘a deepened richness’ in these new recordings, ‘unfolding with a patient confidence… considered and poised.’
‘There’s a greater complexity and subtlety to their unique three-part harmonising, too. Their voices mesh in even stronger — almost telepathic — ‘fraternité’ than ever before: now commanding and mighty as a full-rigged counter-vessel, now gentle and lulling as a mother’s cradle-croon, or a whisper in a lover’s ear.’

Two long, captivating soundscapes conjured by cello and Loop Station, inspired by the landscapes of Gaume and the Forêt de Soignes.
The disc is nestled in a wooden box, also containing multiple photographic inserts by Beata Szparagowska and the graphic designer Corentine Jaunard, as well as scraps of nature — feather, stone, leaf, moss — gathered by Gwen and friends. Click through for images.
Magical stuff.

‘Texts and numerous interviews pay tribute to a truly extraordinary figure in 20th-century American jazz. This volume unpacks the cultural legacy of musician, spiritual leader, wife and mother Alice Coltrane. Accompanying the eponymous exhibition at Los Angeles’ Hammer Museum (running till May 4), the book takes its title from Coltrane’s 1977 autobiography and devotional text, Monument Eternal, in which she reflected on her newfound spiritual beliefs and the path to healing and self-discovery. Coltrane was ‘ahead of her time,’ as her son, saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, says: she was ‘one of the first people to move outside the mainstream, and certainly one of the first female, Black, American jazz musicians to record her own music in her own studio, and to release music on her own terms.’ Alice Coltrane, Monument Eternal explores themes including spiritual transcendence, sonic innovation and architectural intimacy. The project juxtaposes works from nineteen contemporary American artists with pieces of ephemera from Coltrane’s archive — including handwritten sheet music, unreleased audio recordings and rarely seen footage — to honor her cultural output and practice.’
Cloth hardcover with debossing. 12.6” x 9.8”. 192 pages.

‘Part of Rashied Ali’s artistic strength involved turning improbable sound combinations into unchallenged masterpieces. After the pattern established by John Coltrane’s Interstellar Space, and Duo Exchange with Frank Lowe, the drummer stepped into this rather unlikely duet with violinist Leroy Jenkins. Five years with the Revolutionary Ensemble had established Jenkins as a composer; he designed all the pieces played on these 1975 duets with Ali.
‘The original LP is augmented by an informal phantom session in which Ali and Jenkins explore thoroughly other territories — standards, Coltrane’s music, and two untitled, unbridled improvisations.
‘Packaged in an old-school tip-on gatefold jacket that includes Stanley Crouch’s original 1975 essay along with new liner notes and excerpts from an interview with Jenkins.’

‘Style Scott and Flabba Holt, bedrock of the mighty Roots Radics, holding together the monstrous rhythms, while Adrian Sherwood works his magic at the controls. Features guest appearances from Lee Perry, Michael Franti, and Talvin Singh.’