BORBETOMAGUS Live In Allentown (Agaric) cd 14.98
There's two types of people in this world. People who like Borbetomagus, and those who don't. Probably there's many more of the latter. But for the former, each and every Borbetomagus album is pretty much a must have. Kinda the same way with the likes of Merzbow and Jandek, many of whose fans are doubtless shared.
So, for whom it may concern: here's a new album from the notorious New York wall of noise sax/sax/guitar improv trio! Well, not exactly new, this is actually a reissue (first time on cd) of a cassette originally released back in 1986, now including an entire bonus 22 minute second set, live in Allentown, Pennsylvania (home to renowned fantasy artist Boris Vallejo we just happened to randomly learn today as well).
The usual Borbeto-trio of Sauter/Dietrich/Miller is augmented here by the bass of Adam Nodelman and the electronics of Scott Legrath, as if they needed more noise-making help! Apparently this was upon the occasion of a "3rd annual Halloween extravaganza" 10/29/86 and in the pictures everyone's wearing weird masks and stuff.
The boasted-of "killer" sound is indeed pretty much so, every bit of sax blurt and guitar skree is ear-piercingly present and accounted for. Scary. As is the way with Borbetomagus, their squealing squall of sonic intensity shall soon send the appropriate sort of listener into rapturous trance. Stress on "appropriate" (see paragraph one).
MPEG Stream: "First Set"
MPEG Stream: "Second Set"

BORBETOMAGUS Songs Our Mother Taught Us (Agaric) cd 14.98
It's been a while, but Borbetomagus is back! This upstate New York sax/sax/guitar trio has been making ears bleed with their extreme free improv skronk for years, but haven't put out a record for a little while, so we all were eager to subject (what are now) our ear-nubs to this. Recorded live at The 13th Note in Glasgow and at The Spitz in London back in 1999, the three tracks on "Songs Our Mother Taught Us" are prime Borbeto. What do we mean? How 'bout the never-ending ecstatic death-cry of a million screaming meemies as they plunge into the abysssss...? Take any crazy, noisy free jazz you've heard (minus the drums, but with extra feedback), multiply it by a thousand, and voila. We dare you to turn it up. Saxophonists Jim Sauter and Don Dietrich lock horns (literally) while Donald Miller's guitar grinds away in the lower registers, the trio together manufacturing a dense wash of drone-skree that will pleasantly numb your brain, if you're partial to this kind of noise/jazz/noise. Beautiful.
MPEG Stream: "Aftershock"

BOSTIC, EARL Let's Ball Tonight (Rev-Ola / Cherry Red) cd 15.98

BOX Studio 1 (Rune Grammofon) cd 17.98
We just love it when a plan comes together. Somebody thought it would be a good idea for these three Norwegians and one American to form a band and knock out some killer electric avant jazz improv jams. And indeed it was! Of course, just WHO these Norwegians and American were made a big difference: Box consists of guitarist Raoul Bjorkenheim (Scorch Trio and a million other projects over the years), bassist Trevor Dunn (Fantomas, Secret Chiefs 3, Mr. Bungle, etc. etc.), drummer Morgan Agren (Mats//Morgan Band), and on electronics & keyboards, Stale Storlokken (Supersilent, Humcrush). None of 'em novices at acting and reacting as interesting sound-makers in diverse contexts.
The first track, "Untitled 9", is the longest, at 17 minutes, and pretty much says "Shred". Loud and clear. If you liked the Scorch Trio's scorching disc on Rune Grammofon, you'll probably dig this too. And the remaining five tracks here are also worthy, offering up plenty more moody bass burble, glitchy synth textures, threatening electric guitar, and percussive percolation. And though the disc is entitled Studio 1, we should note that this was all improvised live to analog tape with no overdubs or edits. Just pure badass instrumental interplay from four dudes who know what they're doin'.
MPEG Stream: "Untitled 9"
MPEG Stream: "Untitled 13"

BOYKIN, DAVID OUTET Evidence Of Life On Other Planets Vol.2 (BOXmedia) cd 14.98

BOYKINS, RONNIE The Will Come, Is Now (ESP Disk) cd 14.98
I, Andee, was shopping for a present for my soon to be father-in-law, who is a huge jazz head, just like me, and I thought it would be cool to get him some lps to go with his brand new turntable, but as we sat in my room listening to records trying to decide what he would or wouldn't like, it seemed my taste/collection was a bit on the way-out/free/abrasive side compared to his, especially many of my favorite ESP reissues. That is until we threw on this recently reissued Boykins disc. While retaining the free-skree-skronk that I love so much about ESP, "The Will Come, Is Now" reins it all in a bit, wrapping Boykins' freak-out tendencies in a warm rich blanket of almost traditional bop/post-bop and really accessible-without-being-cheesy melodies. As much as I am digging ALL the recent ESP reissues, this is the one I find myself throwing on more and more often!
RealAudio clip: "The Will Come, Is Now"
RealAudio clip: "Starlight At the Wonder Inn"

BRAND, DOLLAR African Piano (ECM) cd 16.98

BRAXTON, ANTHONY 12 + 1tet (Victoriaville) (Victo) cd 15.98

BRAXTON, ANTHONY 3 Compositions Of New Jazz (Delmark) cd 11.98

BRAXTON, ANTHONY Actuel Sessions (Fuel 2000) cd 12.98

RealAudio clip: "The Light On The Dalta"
RealAudio clip: "Simple Like"

BRAXTON, ANTHONY For Alto (Delmark) cd 16.98

BRAXTON, ANTHONY Quartet (GTM) 2006 (Important) 4cd 30.00

BRAXTON, ANTHONY s/t (BYG / Actuel) lp 16.98
The first of two Anthony Braxton albums released in the BYG/Actuel series. Recorded at the Studio Saravah in Paris on September 10, 1969, featuring Leo Smith (trumpet), Leroy Jenkins (violin) and Steve McCall (drums). Pressed on 180 gram vinyl, original artwork is restored on a beautiful gatefold sleeve, with pics of a movie-star handsome young Braxton. Vinyl only. (Oh, and it's not really self-titled, but we can't figure out a way to type Braxton's symbolic notation.)

BRAXTON, ANTHONY Saxophone Improvisation Series F (America) 2cd 25.00
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
WOW. And do we mean WOW!! Fifteen classic free jazz records from the late sixties / early seventies, long out of print, finally getting the ULTRA deluxe reissue treatment. Incredibly limited, these will probably be out of print before you know it.
Comes in a gorgeous diecut fullcover three panel sleeve, with new artwork, as well as a huge booklet with the original album sleeve notes, new liner notes in french and english as well as a bunch of cool photos. So nice!

BRAXTON, ANTHONY Solo Live At Gasthof Heidelberg Loppem 2005 (Kunsthalle Lophem) 4cd 60.00
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Completely mindblowing live 4 disc set from Anthony Braxton recorded in 2005. We got these direct from the label, only got 5 or 6 and once they are gone we won't be able to get more. they're a bit pricey, but the packaging is super nice, and it is 4 discs after all, of Braxton performing solo, running the sonic gamut from gorgeous and soulful to demented and ultra challenging. 
It's hard to know what to say really about Anthony Braxton and his music. Sure he's a genius, and yeah he's probably completely insane, he's collaborated with Wolf Eyes which is something very few jazz legends would probably do, but his music, no matter how confounding, or how delicate and lovely, is pretty much always totally and utterly mindblowing. But by now, most of you know all that. And if not, for chrissakes pick this set up and immerse yourself in 4 hours of dizzying brilliance.
Solo Live At Gasthof Heidelberg Loppem 2005 is a massive 8 panel, 4 tray-ed digipak, with all the song titles rendered complex magic markered squiggles and little black arrows and numbers, each classified numerically as well. It's always been unclear the taxonomy Braxton uses to classify and catalogue his pieces, but it almost doesn't matter, it only adds to the magic and mystery, and it's all about the music anyway, and the music here is divine. Very low on the difficulty meter, most of the tracks here are lovely and lyrical, long drawn out notes, the sound lush and lustrous, the melodies alternatingly emotional and playful, dark and melancholy. This is absolutely essential for Braxton obsessives, but would also make a pretty nice introduction for folks who have yet to explore the Braxton and his expansive catalog. Way recommended either way.
MPEG Stream: "Candy"
MPEG Stream: "Comp No. 307a"
MPEG Stream: "Violets For My Furs"

BRAXTON, ANTHONY This Time (Actuel / Sunspots) cd 17.98

BRAXTON, ANTHONY Trio (Victoriaville) 2007 (Victo) cd 15.98
Saxophonist and composer (and professor) Anthony Braxton always blows our minds. Sometimes with his out-there jazz music. Sometimes just with his rather weird conceptual ideas. Of course, the two are closely related.
This album got us right from the cover picture. What the fuck is that thing he's playing? We've never seen a saxophone that big. It's gotta be like five feet long. And then there's an even bigger one (the mother?) sitting behind him. Wow.
On top of that, this disc, with Braxton's Diamond Curtain Wall Trio (sounds vaguely like some acid folk or "floorcore" band we'd be selling cd-rs or cassette tapes by), features Braxton not only playing oversized saxes but also doing live electronics via a laptop computer! Intriguing at the very least. So, of two recent Victo discs to come out of Braxton's performances at the 2007 Victoriaville new music festival (the other with a "12+1tet"), we've chosen to review this one. It's a single hour-long piece (""Composition 323c", the title being a drawing of a spiral intersected with a dashed line, joining a pink circle and a orange half-circle, with another dashed line branching off diagonally terminating in a blue circle, accompanied by the equation (40-B) with a vertical line and a Q under the 40... yeah that's way we love Braxton so much!).
Despite the size of the saxes, this starts off all quiet-like. Braxton's bleats and blurbles respectfully leaving space for the electric guitar of Mary Halvorson and the various horns (cornet, bugle, trombone, trumpets, etc.) played by Taylor Ho Bynum. Together they weave a tangled web of sound, sometimes calm, sometimes frantic, full of bumble-bee flights of horn blurt balanced between melody and out-and-out skree. The guitar and electronics add further cross-currents of texture, a vibrating sheen of drone sometimes surfacing as the band tiptoes around melodies. And when Braxton wants to blow in the bass frequencies, those bigass horns allow him to belch out a bowel-shaking rumble all right! You'd probably have to take a music theory and/or mystic philosophy class to figure out what's going on here and why, compositionally speaking, but even for casual fans of Braxton's eccentric jazz it's a varied hour to enjoy.
MPEG Stream: "excerpt 1"
MPEG Stream: "excerpt 2"

BRAXTON, ANTHONY & SCOTT ROSENBERG Compositions / Improvisations 2000 (Barely Auditable) cd 14.98

BRAXTON, ANTHONY W/ ALEX HORWITZ Four Compositions (Duets) 2000 (CIMP) cd 16.98
Imagine Neil Hamburger backed up by a drunk Albert Ayler. Imagine the worst comedian you've ever seen competing for your attention with an avant jazz musician in the same room. Imagine a 10 minute comedy sketch based on the assumption that DVD stands for digital -versatile- disc ("I mean, I imagine the DVD wearing a dress and singing a song or painting a picture" or something like that) all to the strains of atonal horns.
I mean, we're well aware that there's a healthy chunk of Aquarius customers that scan our lists specifically for things we describe as 'fucked' or 'ridiculous' or 'bizarre' or even just 'stupid'. Well, you're in for it now. You have been warned.
Anthony Braxton, much revered performer/composer/improviser, in yet another incomprehensible collaborative epiphany, has finally teamed up with...a stand up comedian. It's true. And of course, it wouldn't be true improvisation if the comedian weren't improvising as well, so what we're left with, is a series of skronks and squeals, and a series of witty (read: fucking stupid) riffs on newspaper headlines that are NOT FUNNY. REALLY NOT FUNNY.
I don't mean Neil Hamburger not funny, I mean plain old bad not funny...unbearably painful. So painful in fact that our own Andee qualifies this as a must own!!
RealAudio clip: "Composition No.281"

BRETZEL KILLING MACHINE Verdichtungen (1996-1998) (no label) cd-r 8.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Very interesting cd-r release from this German experimental jazz-rock group, led by Mr. Bungle fan and super-creative keyboardist Bjoern Eichstaedt. Guitar, tapes, percussion, double bass, various effects, voices, saxophone, flute, electric cello and more are used by the band and guests to form intriguing, warped soundscapes, seemingly inspired by horror films. Bretzel Killing Machine would fit right in to the avant-garde downtown NYC Knitting Factory scene. Cool.
RealAudio clip: "Thick Brown Air"

BROTHER AH Move Ever Onward (Ikef) cd 14.98
This is a long lost classic (originally released in 1975) from ex-Sun Ra band member Brother Ah, and features a 25 piece ensemble and a vast array of exotic instruments such as shakuhachi flute, gong, space beam (?!), koto, pan flute, french horn, sitar, kiti kup (?!), tabla, oboe, shawn (?!), as well as various vocalists chanting, singing, shouting, and pre-recorded nature sounds. Sound far out? Well, it is, even by Sun Ra standards. Starting out with an Eastern-tinged spaced out raga, with buzzing sitars and subtle percussion underneath spoken word, then to a dreamy flute-flecked jazz number with Ethel Merman-ish operatic vocals over the top, on to funky African percussion workouts to chanted almost liturgical sounding afro-jazz-pop....Weird but definitely cool. For VERY adventurous fans of afro-rock as well as fans of Sun Ra and that sort of out-there-jazz.
RealAudio clip: "Track one"

BROTHER AH Move Ever Onward (Ikef) lp 14.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
We listed the cd version last time, now we have vinyl too! ... This is a long lost classic (originally released in 1975) from ex-Sun Ra band member Brother Ah, and features a 25 piece ensemble and a vast array of exotic instruments such as shakuhachi flute, gong, space beam (?!), koto, pan flute, french horn, sitar, kiti kup (?!), tabla, oboe, shawn (?!), as well as various vocalists chanting, singing, shouting, and pre-recorded nature sounds. Sound far out? Well, it is, even by Sun Ra standards. Starting out with an Eastern-tinged spaced out raga, with buzzing sitars and subtle percussion underneath spoken word, then to a dreamy flute-flecked jazz number with Ethel Merman-ish operatic vocals over the top, on to funky African percussion workouts to chanted almost liturgical sounding afro-jazz-pop....Weird but definitely cool. For VERY adventurous fans of afro-rock as well as fans of Sun Ra and that sort of out-there-jazz.
RealAudio clip: "Track one"

BROTHER AH Sound Awareness (Ikef) cd 14.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Ex-Sun Ra band member and musical visionary Brother Ah created a world even farther out than Sun Ra's if you can believe that. This early seventies classic features two extended numbers, the first a dreamy, spacy, psychedelic soundscape with heavily reverbed, chanted vocals, and heavily affected nature sounds. Dark and drone-y and completely overpowering. As tripped out as anything Acid Mothers Temple or any other modern psych band has attempted. The second, a spare, rhythmic, super free, clattery No Neck Blues Band-ish hippy jam, with thundering percussion, howling horns, and bells and chimes and hand drums that slowly develops into a throbbing, jazz rock revival complete with celebrated drummer Max Roach testifying to the glory of LOVE while an enthusiastic crowd cheers him on as gongs and shouts and thrumming bass lines get more and more feverish, climaxing in a furious eruption of wild percussion. Way, way out there. Not for the faint of heart, but definitely for fans of Sun Ra, No Neck Blues Band, and all sorts of out rock/free jazz.
RealAudio clip: "Introduction"
RealAudio clip: "Rap"

BROTHER AH Sound Awareness (Ikef) lp 14.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
We listed the cd version last time, now we have vinyl too! ... Ex-Sun Ra band member and musical visionary Brother Ah created a world even farther out than Sun Ra's if you can believe that. This early seventies classic features two extended numbers, the first a dreamy, spacy, psychedelic soundscape with heavily reverbed, chanted vocals, and heavily affected nature sounds. Dark and drone-y and completely overpowering. As tripped out as anything Acid Mothers Temple or any other modern psych band has attempted. The second, a spare, rhythmic, super free, clattery No Neck Blues Band-ish hippy jam, with thundering percussion, howling horns, and bells and chimes and hand drums that slowly develops into a throbbing, jazz rock revival complete with celebrated drummer Max Roach testifying to the glory of LOVE while an enthusiastic crowd cheers him on as gongs and shouts and thrumming bass lines get more and more feverish, climaxing in a furious eruption of wild percussion. Way, way out there. Not for the faint of heart, but definitely for fans of Sun Ra, No Neck Blues Band, and all sorts of out rock/free jazz.
RealAudio clip: "Introduction"
RealAudio clip: "Rap"

BROTHER AH & THE SOUNDS OF AWARENESS Key To Nowhere (Ikef) cd 14.98
"The third in Ikef's series of Brother Ah re-releases brings his privately issued LP Key To Nowhere back to center stage. Like our previous two titles, Sound Awareness and Move Ever Onward, Key To Nowhere continues the musical search through global rhythms, tight grooves and an absolutely brilliant rendition of the traditional 'Motherless Child' that has had DJs and Jazz fanatics alike climbing the walls to obtain a copy of this gem."

BROTHERHOOD OF BREATH Travelling Somewhere (Cuneiform) cd 13.98

BROTZMANN / UUSKYLA / FRIIS NIELSON Live at Nefertiti (Ayler) cd 15.98
Legendary european avant-jazz saxophonist Peter Brötzman is still pummelling audiences, as this recording from upstart free jazz label Ayler Records documents. The trio pulls off some intense, dextrous improv, although I just can't hang with the electric bass- it's wanky sound distracts from the overall visceral impact.
RealAudio clip: "Off Sight"
RealAudio clip: "Nidhog 1"

BROTZMANN / VAN HOVE / BENNINK Balls (Atavistic) cd 14.98
"Archive FMP Edition" via Atavistic's Unheard Music Series of this classic Euro-free-jazz blow-out starring pianist Fred Van Hove, mad percussionist Han Bennink, and tenor sax terror Peter Brotzmann. The fourteen minute title track, a Brotzmann "composition", starts off quietly before erupting into mayhemic sax chatter, piano note-scatter, percussion clatter, and even some weird vocal patter. The rest of the album follows suit, the "free-action" of this soon-to-be legendary improv power trio taking no prisoners. All three players could -- and do -- fill solo albums with energetic, interesting art, so the combined youthful musical fervor of the three of 'em is something to behold, on this, their debut trio recording (and only the second FMP label release ever). The tracks on "Balls" are fierce yet tightly wound, making strong statements, no messing around, even as they explore a wide range of sounds, and even silences.
The four tracks from the original, long-out-of-print 1970 LP (remastered from the original tapes, packaged in a careful facsimile of the original LP design) are joined on this cd reissue by two untitled, previously unissued tracks cut by the trio in the same era, an exciting bonus indeed.
RealAudio clip: "Balls"
RealAudio clip: "Filet Americain"

BROTZMANN CHICAGO OCTET/TENTET (Okka) 3cd 27.00
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Live and studio material recorded in Chicago by German free-improv saxophone legend Peter Brotzmann and a cast of notables (including Ken Vandermark, Mars Williams, Hamid Drake, Michael Zerang, Kent Kessler, Mats Gustafsson, Fred Lonberg-Holm and others). Highly varied & all quite excellent.

BROTZMANN GROUP, PETER Fuck De Boere (Atavistic / Unheard Music Series) cd 14.98
Featured here are two previously unreleased recordings from the Frankfurt Jazz Festival in 1968 and 1970. The first track is an alternate version of Brotz's classic attack "Machine Gun", as performed by a nine piece instead of the octet featured on the FMP record. Recorded three months before the Machine Gun record, this is free music in its purest form, and surprisingly not as aggressive as the future studio recordings. Inherently chaotic, yet there is an incredible amount of restraint and beautiful moments not unlike those of Sun Ra's Arkestra. The second piece, recorded in 1970, is a another monster altogether. A ten piece featuring Derek Bailey, Han Bennink, Evan Parker, Willem Breuker and Fred van Hove! "Fuck de Boere" is a thirty-six minute onslaught, a bit more cacophonic and aggressive than "Machine Gun". A fun tidbit from the liner notes: "'No, no... I don't say that, no I can't...' So he didn't. The announcer of the German Jazz Festival in Frankfurt 1970, he didn't want to say 'Fuck'."
Definitely a must for any free jazz junkie, these two lost artifacts were lovingly recovered by the fine folks at Atavistic.

BROTZMANN TRIO, THE PETER For Adolphe Sax (Atavistic / Unheard Music Series) cd 14.98
Legendary free jazz giant's first record, remastered and available for the first time on cd! Originally released in 1967 on Brotzmann's BRO label, he is joined by bassist Peter Kowald and Sven-Ake Johansson on percussion. This remastered version also tacks on a bonus cut featuring pianist Fred Van Hove. Raw and edgy, though not as demanding and brutal as Brotzmann's subsequent "Nipples" and "Machine Gun".
RealAudio clip: "For Adolphe Sax"
RealAudio clip: "Sanity"

BROTZMANN, PETER Born Broke (Atavistic) 2cd 21.00

BROTZMANN, PETER & HAN BENNINK Schwarzwaldfahrt (Atavistic / Unheard Music Series) 2cd 21.00
Who doesn't love Peter Brotzmann and/or Han Bennink? If you're into skronky European free jazz craziness that is. Saxophonist Brotzmann is a hard-blowin' legend, and Han Bennink is not only a percussion whiz but also a strong "pro" argument in the whole does-humor-belong-in-music? debate. Teamed up here on this expanded (meaning there's a whole bonus disc with ten previously unreleased tracks!) reissue of what those in the know, know as the 1977 Bro-Ben Black Forest recordings, Brotzmann and Bennink actually did the Jewelled Antler natureboy thing here and took their instruments out into the forest to improvise amid the trees and birds and small curious animals. Along with a supply of bread and wine they toted with them an assortment of clarinets and saxophones, a banjo, a viola, some toys, birdcalls, cymbals, and suchlike sundry instruments -- Han had to make do without his customary drum kit, playing instead on tree trunks and rocks with branches and stones. Their free music got all that much freer for being loosed in the great outdoors, and these Black Forest sessions certainly brought forth all the wildman whimsy you'd expect from this duo. In some ways a precursor to the field recording aesthetic practiced today by the Jewelled Antler gang and all those Finnish free-freak-forest-folk outfits we all love, Schwarzwaldfahrt is replete with the gurgling sounds of water, birds twittering, primal yelps from Han and/or Peter, and other things you wouldn't normally hear in more "civilized" jazz recording. At one point, Han pounds (or splashes) out a stacatto rhythm on the surface of a stream or pond, and you can for sure tell how much fun they were having! So much, that they recorded a lot more music/sound than they could release at the time. They had to edit down their tapes to just one LP's worth of material for the original edition of this on FMP, but now Atavistic's Unheard Music Series has given them two whole compact discs to fill up, and it's a joy.
MPEG Stream: "NR.7"
MPEG Stream: "NR.8"
MPEG Stream: "NR.9"

BROTZMANN, PETER / KEIJI HAINO / SHOJI HANO Shadows (DIW Records) cd 19.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Year 2000 improv meeting betwixt European free-jazz titan Brotzmann (reeds) and Japanese improv veterans Haino (guitar) and Hano (percussion).

BROTZMANN, PETER / MANGELSDORFF / SOMMER Pica Pica (Atavistic) cd 14.98

BROTZMANN, PETER / PAAL NILSSEN-LOVE / MATS GUSTAFSSON The Fat Is Gone (Smalltown Superjazz) cd 16.98

BROTZMANN, PETER / SHOJI HANO Funny Rat (Improvised Music From Japan) cd 17.98
To fans of energetic-improv-free-jazz-type music, neither of these guys should need an introduction. (If you DO need an introduction, there's probably other discs that would be better to start with.) Drummer Hano and sax-blaster Brotzmann have collaborated on many occasions -- this newly-released recording actually dates from 1991, it's a full concert from a live tour the duo did in Japan that year, previously only released on cassette by Hano. 72 wailin' minutes, turbulent yet elegant.
MPEG Stream: "Snake And Sheep"

BROTZMANN, PETER OCTET Complete Machine Gun Sessions (Atavistic Archive FMP Edition) cd 15.98
Never was a title better chosen. The juttering salvo of massed horns that opens this record is machinegunnery indeed. Legendary hardblowing German free jazz saxophonist Peter Brotzmann is still around today taking names and kicking ass, but he's perhaps best known for this album from 1968, a recording that embodies all the radical turmoil of that year, remaining a powerful statement of energy, anger, & freedom even today. For '68, this was among the ultimate in "extreme" music, regardless of genre. The amplified antics of most rock bands (with the possible exception of free jazz aficionados the MC5) couldn't touch it. Of course, we're ignoring the subtleties of this music in stressing that. But if the extremity hooks you in, that's fine. And it's certainly true that Machine Gun was the spiritual ancestor to such modern noisy-jazz-industrial acts as 16-17, Borbetomagus, and John Zorn's Painkiller. Apparently "Machine Gun" was Don Cherry's nickname for Brotzmann, and the album Machine Gun is basically Brotzmann times 8, he got a whole band who could play at his level of ferocious intensity, a screaming, skronking collective improv blowout, but one that's directed, organized into a killing machine of concentrated force when necessary, or subsides, chests heaving, into still-clattering lulls of relative calm and abstract beauty at other times.
The Peter Brotzmann Octet responsible for Machine Gun was really an all-star lineup, many musicians still well-known in the realm of European free jazz: Willem Breuker (tenor sax, bass clarinet), Evan Parker (tenor sax), Fred Van Hove (piano), Peter Kowald (bass), Buschi Niebergall (bass), Han Bennink (drums), and Sven-Ake Johansson (drums). That's some lineup. If you're familiar with those folks, chances are you've already heard this album, but if not, well it's one to get. And while it's been in print as an import cd on Free Music Productions (FMP) for some years, it hasn't always been easy to find. So it's great that it now takes a well deserved place in the Atavistic Unheard Music Series as a domestic cd release, and even better that they've added a bunch of bonus tracks to it! Extra alternate takes, and the only recorded LIVE version of "Machine Gun", from the '68 Frankfurt Jazz Fest. Plus there's new liner notes from Unheard guru John Corbett.
MPEG Stream: "Machine Gun (Second Take)"
MPEG Stream: "Responsible (Second Take)"

BROTZMANN, PETER OCTET Machine Gun (FMP) cd 18.98
Fuck yeah! Free jazz assault from the legendary Brotzmann octet. Jazz? Unlike anything you've ever heard. Well, at least back then you didn't... Get this! For fans of all things "out".

BROTZMANN, PETER SEXTET / QUARTET More Nipples (Atavistic / Unheard Music Series) cd 14.98

BROTZMANN, PETER SEXTET/QUARTET Nipples (Atavistic) cd 14.98
Free jazz fanciers rejoice, here's a long-overdue reissue of one of Teutonic sax titan Brotzmann's classic, pre-FMP, uber-rare 1969 LPs. One of Thurston Moore's official Top Ten "free jazz artifacts" in fact. Check out the lineup for this European free improv energy supergroup: Brotzmann, Evan Parker, Derek Bailey, Fred Van Hove, Buschi Niebergall (ok, maybe he's not so well known...), and Han Bennink! Damn. Recorded at Conny Plank's studio.

BROWN, ANTHONY Family (Asian Improv Records) cd 14.98
A mix of traditional Asian music and traditional jazz - commemorating the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII.

BROWN, MARION Why Not? (ESP Disk) cd 14.98
Another essential ESP reissue, this time from Marion Brown, who was an integral part of sixties free jazz, having played on Coltrane's 'Ascension' and collaborated on Archie Shepp's 'Firemusic'. This record features the legendary Rashied Ali on drums and the equally legendary Sirone, who did time with various Art Ensemble of Chicago members and several tangential groups. And unlike a lot of ESP reissues, this one is downright easy listening (not 'easy listening' but easy to listen to), heavy on the melody and light on the 'free' if that makes any sense. Very lovely and melodic and almost dreamy, with very little skronk or skree. Perfect late night jazz.
RealAudio clip: "La Sorrella"

BROWN, MARION QUARTET s/t (ESP Disk) cd 14.98

BROWN, MARION QUARTET s/t (Get Back / ESP Disk) lp 14.98

BRUCE ACKLEY TRIO The Hearing (Avant) cd 18.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Rova Saxophone Trio founding member (and former AQ-er) Ackley's debut as leader, with Masada members Greg Cohen and Joey Baron rounding out the trio. "...moves from conceptual improvisations to lovely ballads and straight-ahead swingers, showcasing one of the great soprano saxophone jazz soloists around." Truly.

BRUCKMANN, KYLE Entymology (Barely Audible) cd 12.98
Solo improvisations for oboe, English horn, and Chinese suona by the frontman of Chicago's Lozenge. Pieces range from ear piercing sonic attacks ala Peter Brotzmann to calm, intimate gestures reminiscent of Kaoru Abe or Evan Parker. The liner notes claim that Entymology was recorded in a living room, quite convincing given the personal nature of these pieces. The lo-fidelity of this recording is quite charming as you can hear the gasps for air between notes as well as the clanking sound of the keys of Bruckmann's instruments as he renders them unrecognizable!

BRUTE FORCE s/t (Sepia Tone) cd 12.98
Eponymous debut and only ever release from this soul jazz outfit circa 1970, reissued now probably primarily because of the unmistakable presence of avant-jazz electric guitar legend Sonny Sharrock on six of the album's seven tracks (not just three as the cover sticker states). Definitely for Sharrock fans who've got a taste for some groove and soul (this ain't Last Exit!). Sharrock's spidery skronk sneaks out betwixt the sunshiney day horns and positive vibe vocals on this freely funky platter. But if the name Sonny Sharrock doesn't mean anything to you and you'd like to rectify that, we'd recommend checking out his 1991 classic Ask The Ages (sadly out of print at the moment), or perhaps his 1966 debut on Pharaoh Sanders' Tauhid album.
MPEG Stream: "Do It Right Now"
MPEG Stream: "Monster"

BUFFALO 66 (SOUNDTRACK) (Will Records) cd 15.98
The original motion picture soundtrack to Vincent Gallo's wonderful movie, the music for which was written, composed, and performed by the multi-talented Gallo himself. Additional music by Yes (Gallo's favorite group of all time!), King Crimson, Stan Getz, Eddie Sauter, Nelson Riddle, and Vincent Gallo, Sr. (who really recorded the song that Ben Gazarra as the father sings in the movie!).

BURRELL, DAVE After Love (America Records / Verve) cd 17.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
WOW. And do we mean WOW!! Fifteen classic free jazz records from the late sixties / early seventies, long out of print, finally getting the ULTRA deluxe reissue treatment. For some reason these are incredibly limited, so these have been a bit tough to get, so we're going to list a few at a time as we can get them. First up is After Love, originally released in 1970 by pianist Dave Burrell. Accompanied by Roscoe Mitchell on reeds, Alan Silva on cello and violin, Ron Miller on double bass and viola, Michel Gladieux on double bass and Bertrand Gauthier and Don Moye on drums. The opening track is a massive twenty two minute psychedelic free-jazz freak out. Super rhythmic, amd tribal, clattery and confusional, wild skronking horns and skittery percussion, pizzicato strings and rubbery bass and slippery string scrapes. Track two mellows out a bit into some smooth and sultry piano, and some creaking droning horns. The final twenty minute track starts off with gorgeous solo piano, languid and melodic, before the whole thing slips into some more traditional bop, but flecked with plenty of free-isms, eventually getting more and more dense and beautifully tangled. Comes in a gorgoeus diecut fullcover three panel sleeve, with new artwork, as well as a huge booklet of liner notes with the original album liner notes, new liner notes in french and english as well as a bunch of cool photos. So nice!
MPEG Stream: "After Love Pt. 1 (excerpt)"