AN IMPORTANT RE-RELEASE OF AVANT GARDE JAZZ
Stuart Jefferson | San Diego,Ca | 09/15/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Three discs-70,63,and 61 minutes each approximately. This music has been remastered and is crisp,clear,and clean. These tracks also contain some of the warmth of the vinyl release,which is a real plus. The discs are held,bare,in half-cardboard sleeves,in a quadruple-fold cardboard sleeve,which is then slid into another cardboard sleeve. I won't go into my thoughts on packaging music this way-it would take to long. But it seems to be what a lot of companies are doing,so be it. The notes are short,but informative-mostly setting the scene when this music was recorded. There is no information on particular musicians,except who plays what instrument,on the various tracks. The cover photograph of Sam Rivers is great (but the original LP cover was better),as is the atmospheric shot of a concert inside Studio Rivbea (owned by Sam Rivers and his then wife Bea),and there are smaller color photos of a few of the musicians on this set.
This is a stupendous re-release for free-jazz,new music,avant-garde,outside jazz-or whatever people list this as. This was originally released on vinyl,on five separate discs,many years ago. Produced by Alan Douglas,many jazz listeners would speak reverently when referring to this music. Its been unavailable for many years,so its a nice surprise to see it back in circulation once again.
There is so much great music collected here,that its virtually impossible to single any one track (or tracks) out for recognition. The list of players reads like an encyclopedia of mid-seventies N.Y.City loft-jazz. Listeners familiar with this type of music will recognize names such as Sam Rivers,David Murray,Byard Lancaster,Henry Threadgill,Ken McIntyre,Anthony Braxton,Leo Smith,Randy Weston,Oliver Lake,Sunny Murray,Roscoe Mitchell,Jimmy Lyons,and on and on.
The music itself is presented in a fashion so that listeners won't be overwhelmed by to much to soon. The tracks (a number of which are long) that stick to a (fairly) regular rhythm are interspersed between tracks which are more abstract. Remembering when this music was recorded (May 1976),and where (Sam River's loft-studio),it still has the power to enthrall,excite,and amaze anyone adventurous enough to listen. There is so much to listen for,so much to sink your teeth into,that repeated listenings (a must) will amply reward anyone who likes this style of jazz. This is vital,important music,and should (hopefully) be heard by anyone and everyone with a passion for great jazz. Pick this up before it once again disappears,for this is one of the finest jazz re-releases this year."
Outstanding !!!
Asturiaņo | tampa, florida United States | 10/24/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"We use to sell this music on LP for $1.00 a copy as cut-outs in a record store I worked in. Never could figure out how it ended up on Casablanca, which was primarily a disco label. This is wonderful music, the Randy Weston cut on disc 2 is great. Essential free jazz!"
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1