Back from Athens this afternoon.

Having watched Control (great acting by Sam Riley [Ian Curtis] and directing with style by Anton Corbijn, however lacking something) and bought a couple of records (for more on my Athens activity see forthcoming post in merzbau). Firstly was Sun Ra and His Solar-Myth Arkestra with The Solar-Myth Approach (vol.1) originally out on BYG Actuel in 1971, my copy being a remastered edition (2002) Sunspots cd. It is still wrapped in its plastic bag.

Also paid a visit to A Strange Reactor [Solomou 14, Exarhia, Athens] a record shop that I had not heard of until recently. A heaven for all collectors into strange / experimental / extreme sounds. Modern experimental composition, 20th century Avant-garde, noise, industrial, experimental, minimal synth, free jazz, free improvisation, apocalyptic folk +more can be found in large quantities. This is where I got Anestis Logothetis’s – Aus welchem Material ist der Stein von Sisyphos!? double cd produced in Austria, released in 1995. Never seen this release ever before. It is the 1992 [17.10.1992] recording of the opera / multimedia stage event of the same name. At a first approach (through only the first cd) it feels and sounds like Ancient Greek Tragedy in its most original form [considering the narration-acting] placed on the sonic vessel of Logothetis’s sounds. I do not exactly know what to expect from a following hearing. Certainly more.

Back to Patsis record store for Miles In Person…Blackhawk vol. II I already talked about. Picked also Mario Pavone’s Dancers Tales on Knitting Factory Works. Beautiful jazz record much on the free-er side. 4/5 for starters.

Also arrived in mail Legendary Pink Dot’s – Curse. In spite of being an ex-library copy it is in a surprisingly good condition. At 0.99 pounds I would call it a bargain.

On my way to Athens tomorrow morning. Returning in three days time.

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Now playing: Mario Pavone – [Dancers Tales #04] Double Diamond [foobar2000 v0.9.4.5]
via FoxyTunes

For the second time within a week I stumble upon the uk label Chocolate Monk.

Their releases is a thing to get into in the near future. Speaking of Chocolate Monk (which is run by PK as stated on discogs.com)  today I heard @ Inzane Studios Prick Decay’s – Wake Wilting Magnet. Interesting tape, dada(?) experimental/noise music that deserves at least a try. 3,5/5.

Also quick hear through Philip Glass’s Dracula took place in afternoon. Much to the point creating the right atmosphere. As always solid performance by Kronos Quartet. More soon on this.

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Now playing: Mario Pavone – [Dancers Tales #03] Lunch with Julius(for Julius Hemphhill) [foobar2000 v0.9.4.5]
via FoxyTunes

Today’s pick from the lot is FMT – Tango and is a peek into Japanese free jazz / impro tradition. Free (Music) jazz Trio formed in late 70s (1977). Sax, cello and drums, ‘nice and clean’ improvisations in a clear sounding well produced release. Sure thing is I need to get more into jap free jazz scene. Easily a 4/5 for the time being. Recorded in Tokyo on December 17&18, 1997. Only the second (as to the extend of my knowledge) group’s release (the other being You’ve got a freedom). Out on Alagoas Disk (ALADI-001).

Ultralyd is another name for the day. Noise/free jazz is their game and I found them through a Utech release of theirs. On RYM read about their Chromosome Gun [a fellow RYMer notes : For fans of Ornette Coleman, metal working and Weasel Walters. ] a post was made on merzbau and album added to wishlist.

Then came Monks of the Balhill and their beautiful eerie sounds out of their limited edition Cormoran Sophistry cdr (111 copies). As described in their own words : ‘..strange tunes between antique rituals and birds in love.‘

Furthermore, there was an obscure Japanese band called Living Astro. If you have any info on any of their releases and if and where they are available for sale I am waiting to hear from you.

Also in account for Saturday was the acquaintance with the Greek (a pleasant surprise) experimental / noise label Absurd.

Lastly I got to know saxophonist Etienne Brunet through a duet release of his with Fred Van Hove (Imrpovisations on sax and church organ in St-Germain-des-Près et de St-Pierre St-Paul, more here) [I've got to hear these recordings]. There on his site I learned also about AXOLOTL band and downloaded their first album, Abrasive, for free.

Another cd from the lot was Lesley Olson’s Zwischen den Zeilen . This (along with Charles Cohen/Ed Wilcox – Those Were the Pearls That Were His Eyes and Family Battle Snake – Spiral Growl) was the next one to hear (just skipped through the other two). Did not get that much after three complete listening until the end of the day. Enough for it to qualify for a 3,5/5 because I think there is more in it. Also out on Berlston distributed by NNN (see previous post). OOP as a separate release and currently available only as part of collection.

During the day paid a visit to Patsis record store. Bought Schoenberg’s – Oeuvres pour piano [Claude Helffer, piano] on Harmonia Mundi (HMC 90752) and Toru Takemitsu - A flock descents into pentagonal garden on DG (477 5381) on 20/21 echo series. From the same series …explosante-fixe… by Pierre Boulez caught my eye and also Keith Jarrett’s Dmitri Shostakovich 24 Preludes and Fugues Op. 87 on ECM. While in shop I flirted with the idea of buying Knitting Factory compilation Knitting on the Roof and a Miles Davis concert disc (Miles Davis in Person, Saturday Night at the Blackhawk, San Francisco, Volume 2) but abandoned it to buy the one I mentioned previously. I will although for certain go back for that Miles one.

Received two rather large lots (16 cds in total) from ebay. Avant-garde, free jazz and improvised music. Many of them obscure (at least to my knowledge).

First cd to take a spin Paul Hubweber’s . Interesting (ab(?))use of trombone to create a muted voice. Beautiful minimal hand(drawn)made cover. Out on Berlston, distributed by NNN (Nur/Nicht/Nur), which turns out to be another find for the day. You can check more Hubweber work (not solo however) on Mutant Sounds, here and here.

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Now playing: Biblioteka Prospero – Heartworms
via FoxyTunes

Second blog on wordpress.com. This one serves as an account of my music related activity and has no functional relation with merzbau. Here I will talk about music I discovered, I re-discovered, I bought, I want and generally I am into at each time. It will be a free form diary largely for personal use. That does not mean that visitors are discouraged. In fact I will be glad if anyone enjoys reading this and I would be twice as happy if recommendations, information, trade requests and so on are received.

dmtls