EVAN PARKER - The Ayes Have It (2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

According to producer Martin Davidson, these two recordings (tracks one through four, and track five) were not released earlier because each was simply too short to fill an entire CD. Each features a group led by Evan Parker that only performed once as a unit. Parker is in his usually good form at both sessions, which were recorded more than seven years apart. Nonetheless, the two recordings are very different, due to the personalities of his colleagues. The first four tracks (recorded in 1983) are less than ten minutes each, and, without detracting from Parker's fine efforts, the distinguishing characteristics come from Paul Rogers' energetic bass and Jamie Muir's unusual contributions on percussion and toys -- the latter of which, although used highly selectively, adds a fascinating dimension. The 36-minute track (recorded in 1991) with the superb Dutch trombonist Wolter Wierbos offers an extremely rare opportunity to hear him with Parker in a small group. The results do not disappoint in the least -- although apparently due to the extreme heat and humidity, the trombonist stopped playing midway through the nearly 40-minute performance because of problems with his contact lens. Until then, Wierbos is in top form, the similarities to the playing of trombonist George Lewis evident in part, but with this artist displaying a more primitive-sounding approach. While the two sessions have ostensibly little in common (other than the common appearances of Parker and Rogers, and both having been recorded in London, England), each easily stands on its own as an excellent example of the free improvisational spirit of the period. Steve Loewy  
Tracklist :
1    Aye 1    9:16
2    Aye 2    4:02
3    Aye 3    8:54
4    Aye 4    9:29
5    The Eyes Have It 36:30
Paul Rogers - double bass
Percussion, Music By – Mark Sanders
Evan Parker - soprano & tenor saxophones
Trombone, Music By – Wolter Wierbos
Credits :
1-4
Percussion, Toy [Toys] – Jamie Muir
Soprano Saxophone – Evan Parker
Double Bass – Paul Rogers