SPONTANEOUS MUSIC ENSEMBLE — Withdrawal 1966-7 (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Sometimes, unearthed documents can leave you cold, even though the intellect appreciates the historical gap being filled. With Withdrawal, history doesn't matter and the "archival document" ends up superseding the legit material by the Spontaneous Music Ensemble. This is gold -- pure artistic beauty. The year is 1966. John Stevens' group records the soundtrack for a movie (now lost) by George Paul Solomos. The continuous performance is edited into two parts for a total of 30 minutes of music. A slow piece dominated by a glockenspiel leitmotif, "Withdrawal Soundtrack" features beautiful trumpet work by a Kenny Wheeler who was just beginning to play free music. Other players are Stevens (drums), Paul Rutherford (trombone), Trevor Watts (saxophone, oboe), Barry Guy (bass, limited to sustained drones), and a very young and discreet Evan Parker (saxophone). A few months later, in early 1967, the same lineup, plus Derek Bailey on amplified guitar, recorded a reworked version of the soundtrack in three sequences, plus a suite called "Seeing Sounds & Hearing Colours," both intended for an LP release that never materialized. Watts plays some beautiful flute on "Withdrawal Sequence 2." Actually, the whole CD contains fantastic free music, almost completely detached from jazz -- very atmospheric, delicate, and highly organic with a strong sense of discovery. These are the earliest available recordings by Barry Guy and Evan Parker (even though the latter doesn't play much), and one of Bailey's earliest sessions playing free music (even though he is buried in the mix). Historical significance notwithstanding, Withdrawal is simply a great album, still very relevant and "new" today. François Couture    Tracklist :
Credits :
Double Bass, Piano – Barry Guy
Drums, Cymbal [Cymbals], Percussion, Composed By – John Stevens
Guitar [Amplified] – Derek Bailey (tracks: 5 to 11)
Oboe, Alto Saxophone, Flute, Voice, Percussion – Trevor Watts
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Percussion – Evan Parker
Trombone, Percussion – Paul Rutherford
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Percussion – Kenny Wheeler

EVAN PARKER with PAUL LYTTON, PAUL RUTHERFORD & HANS SCHNEIDER — Waterloo 1985 (1999) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Evan Parker is a household name -- that is, if your household is occupied by aficionados of the British improvised music scene. Otherwise, you might not have heard of him. But no matter. If freely improvised music is your bag, this disc is for you: it documents a 1985 concert by Parker (soprano and tenor saxophones) and trombonist Paul Rutherford, bassist Hans Schneider and percussionist Paul Lytton. As is often the case with this sort of thing, the instrumentation will mislead the unwary: not only is this not jazz, unless you listen closely you might not even believe that the instruments listed are the ones being used. That's because Schneider and Parker, in particular, employ extended techniques that produce lots of sounds not normally associated with their instruments -- whistling overtones from the bass, grunts and mutters from the sax, random skitterings from the percussion. The program consists of one hour-long track (titled "Dark Interior," for what that's worth), but its texture varies significantly as players drop in and out or turn temporarily to more lyrical approaches before returning to the skronky mayhem that prevails at the beginning and end. No, it's not for everyone. But then, lots of great music isn't for everyone. Take a chance. Rick Anderson
Tracklist :
1    Dark Interior    1:00:50
Credits :
Double Bass – Hans Schneider
Illustration – Kris Vanderstraeten
Music By – Evan Parker, Hans Schneider, Paul Lytton, Paul Rutherford
Percussion, Electronics [Live] – Paul Lytton
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Evan Parker
Trombone – Paul Rutherford

SPONTANEOUS MUSIC ENSEMBLE – Quintessence 1 (1973-4) (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In 1986, the British free improv label Emanem released a complete concert by the Spontaneous Music Ensemble over two LPs. For the CD reissues, each LP was given its own CD with over 20 minutes of extra material added. On Quintessence 1, we first have "Forty Minutes," a long improv performed in February 1974 at the ICA Theatre by an ad hoc quintet version of the ensemble: leader and drummer John Stevens, saxophonists Evan Parker and Trevor Watts, guitarist Derek Bailey, and bassist Kent Carter (heard here on cello). (The same lineup is featured on Quintessence 2 for the second half of this concert.) The 40-minute centerpiece of Quintessence 1 stands high on top of anything available by the SME: The true quintessence of Stevens' vision can be heard as the musicians give the best of themselves, remaining very personal in their playing (just compare Parker and Watts all the way through), while constantly keeping the focus on the group and the music happening here and now. Beautiful. In comparison, the three excerpts from an October 1973 trio session involving Stevens, Watts, and Carter lack the same qualities. "Rambunctious 1" and "Rambunctious 2" are different attempts at performing one of Stevens' loose compositions. Except for the drummer's shouts, it packs little excitement. On "Daa-Oom," he makes African-like vocal sounds echoed by Watts' wailing saxophone; once again interesting, but no match for the main course, a monument in itself. François Couture  
Tracklist :
1    Forty Minutes 40:11
Cello [Right] – Kent Carter
Guitar [Amplified, Left] – Derek Bailey
Percussion, Cornet – John Stevens
Soprano Saxophone [Left] – Evan Parker
Soprano Saxophone [Right] – Trevor Watts
2    Rambunctious 1    18:36
3    Rambunctious 2    4:47
4    Daa-Oom (Trio Version)    5:05
Credits :
Double Bass – Kent Carter (pistas: 2 to 4)
Music By – Derek Bailey (pistas: 1), Evan Parker (pistas: 1), John Stevens, Kent Carter (pistas: 1 to 3), Trevor Watts (pistas: 1 to 3)
Percussion, Voice – John Stevens (pistas: 2 to 4)
Soprano Saxophone – Trevor Watts (pistas: 2 to 4)

SPONTANEOUS MUSIC ENSEMBLE - Quintessence 2 1973-4 (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Part two of an early 1974 concert performed by an ad hoc lineup of the Spontaneous Music Ensemble, Quintessence 2 was first released as an LP separate from Quintessence 1. The CD reissue contains both pieces performed during the second part of the concert, plus two pieces from a previous concert when the group was comprised of John Stevens and Trevor Watts performing as a duo. The quintet pieces also feature Evan Parker, Kent Carter, and Derek Bailey. The level of abstract bliss reached on "Forty Minutes" (the first half of the performance, included on the Quintessence 1 CD) is not matched here, but "Thirty-Five Minutes" and "Ten Minutes" are still suitable complements: Knowing that these five musicians had never played as a group before, the two improvisations impress by their level of listening and synergy. Bailey trades his amplified guitar for his 19-string acoustic guitar at one point, and it completely changes the sound palette. On "Corsop," the first duet, Stevens plays his cornet, something that might unnerve a few listeners. "Daa-Oom," a strange tribute to African singers and Albert Ayler (!), has him vocalizing while occasionally hitting a drum. This version is more satisfactory than the trio take on Quintessence 1. François Couture  
Tracklist :
1    Thirty-Five Minutes    34:39
2    Ten Minutes    10:06
3    Corsop    11:08
4    Daa-Oom (Duo Version)    10:18
Credits :
Cello [Right], Double Bass [Right] – Kent Carter (pistas: 1, 2)
Cornet, Voice, Percussion – John Stevens (2) (pistas: 3, 4)
Guitar [Amplified, Left], Guitar [Left] – Derek Bailey (pistas: 1, 2)
Music By – Derek Bailey (pistas: 1, 2), Evan Parker (pistas: 1, 2), John Stevens (2), Kent Carter (pistas: 1, 2), Trevor Watts (pistas: 1 to 3)
Percussion, Cornet – John Stevens (pistas: 1, 2)
Soprano Saxophone – Trevor Watts (pistas: 3, 4)
Soprano Saxophone [Left] – Evan Parker (pistas: 1, 2)
Soprano Saxophone [Right] – Trevor Watts (pistas: 1, 2)

EVAN PARKER | BARRY GUY | PAUL LYTTON - At the Vortex (1996) (1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 Evan Parker, Barry Guy, Paul Lytton. This trio has been going on since the mid-'80s, but the musicians were already playing together in various outfits in 1966. There is no shortage of albums by this band, but At the Vortex ranks as one of, if not downright, its strongest recording. Why? Because it was done in perfect conditions, with all musicians in astonishing shape, on home court, so to speak: downtown London in front of an enthusiastic crowd of hard-core fans. And because that night's performance is presented unedited, all 78 minutes split into two extended sets. Listen to Parker's circular breathing solo at the beginning of the second set: He is literally smoking. Guy burns his double bass to the ground; Lytton is everywhere at once. The energy is discharged in spasms of sound, one cathartic moment after another. And yet, there is no going overboard or becoming your own stereotype. The strength, the inspiration, the spirit, the simple joy of playing together: That's what this music is all about. Of course the standard saxophone/bass/drums trio format calls for something a little jazzier than usual, but Parker remains true to himself, firmly anchored in free improv waters. Unless you are incapable of a long attention span, At the Vortex is an essential recording, even a good place to start for newcomers. One tip: In order to put all the music on one CD, applause has been edited out and only five seconds were left between sets. Do yourself a favor: After the first set, press the "pause" button and take a couple of minutes off, like the musicians and the audience must have had that night. You'll feel fresher when the magic starts happening all over again. Strongly and heartily recommended. François Couture  
Tracklist :
1     At the Vortex (First Set) 38:19
Barry Guy / Paul Lytton / Evan Parker
2     At the Vortex (Second Set) 40:25
Barry Guy / Paul Lytton / Evan Parker
Credits :
Double Bass [Amplified], Music By – Barry Guy
Percussion, Drums, Cymbal, Music By – Paul Lytton
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Music By – Evan Parker

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

EVAN PARKER - Strings With Evan Parker (2001) 3CD SET | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This project is credited to Evan Parker's name for convenience, but also because he instigated it. In January 1997, the saxophonist invited a couple dozen improvisers to the studio to perform some large-scale pieces (the last track comes from this session). A year later, he reiterated the invitation, but this time only to a handful of string instruments and electronics players. Nine turned up, all from the British free improv scene. Strings With Evan Parker, a three-disc set, contains the whole session. Parker gave very basic instructions and joined in on soprano saxophone only on about one-third of the music performed that day. The set starts with short pieces ("The Sitting on the Roof Series," a warm opener), then moves to middle-length improvs. The 28-minute "Double Headed Serpent" is a dronelike piece on which Parker later overdubbed a solo -- a conclusive experiment. Disc two features mostly subgroup pieces. Each participant was given the chance to choose a number of players to lead a short improvisation. Results vary but are all interesting. Disc three contains another half-hour long improv with Parker performing with the group in real time. "Single Headed Serpent" is the same take as "Doubled Headed Serpent," minus the overdubbed solo. This experiment with a string ensemble is much more conclusive than the one Parker led with the TonArt Ensemble (released as Brot & Honig on True Muze, 2000). The music follows the vein of the Spontaneous Music Ensemble or the London Improvisers Orchestra (for a more contemporaneous reference). But it seems the album would have had more punch if limited to a two-CD set by omitting "Single Headed Serpent" (it feels redundant), "Flying Spark," and the weaker "The Ghost Series." The price tag accompanying this set makes it an item for fans only. François Couture  
Tracklist :
1-1    The Sitting On The Roof Series 1    6:07
1-2    The Sitting On The Roof Series 2    5:54
1-3    The Sitting On The Roof Series 3    3:37
1-4    Laughing In The House    11:35
1-5    Another Fire Dril    16:31
1-6    Double Headed Serpent    28:04
2-1    The Ghost Series 1: (Pizzicato)    5:15
2-2    The Ghost Series 2: (Pizzicato)    4:12
2-3    The Ghost Series 3: (Arco)    6:44
2-4    Sub-Group MM 1    2:52
2-5    Sub-Group MM 2    3:03
2-6    Sub-Group RD    3:47
2-7    Sub-Group MW    5:02
2-8    Sub-Group PC    6:28
2-9    Sub-Group PD    2:50
2-10    Sub-Group HD    2:47
2-11    Sub-Group JR    5:54
2-12    Sub-Group JE    3:05
2-13    Sub-Group KM    3:47
3-1    The Spider's Web    29:51
3-2    Single Headed Serpent    28:04
3-3    Flying Spark 5:38
Violin – Philipp Wachsmann, Susanna Ferrar
Credits :
Bouzouki, Guitar, Electronics – Peter Cusack
Cello – Marcio Mattos, Mark Wastell
Double Bass – John Edwards
Guitar – John Russell
Harp – Rhodri Davies
Soprano Saxophone – Evan Parker (pistas: 1-6, 2-10 to 2-13, 3-1)
Strings, Performer [Springs], Electronics – Hugh Davies
Violin – Phil Durrant
Violin, Electronics – Kaffe Matthews   

FOXES FOX - Foxes Fox + Naan Tso (1999-2005) 2 Albums | FLAC (image+tracks+.cue), lossless

 This is apparently the first recording of the quartet consisting of Parker on both tenor and soprano saxes, Steve Beresford on piano, Louis Moholo on drums, and John Edwards on bass. It is a stunning document all the way around. Parker plays on only five of the nine tracks, but the members of the rhythm trio perform magnificently on their features. Beresford is an original improviser form the Cecil Taylor school, while Moholo adds a sophisticated air, and Edwards continues to show himself as one of the leading free-style bassists. Still, it is largely Parker's show, and although the saxophonist does not mine any new ground, he is in superb form. He plays mostly tenor, on which he blows more conventionally, though no less thrillingly than on soprano. A generous recording time just over 77 minutes is an extra bonus. Steve Loewy
Tracklist :
1     Wood on Wood 3:58
John Edwards / Louis Moholo
2     Amoebic Mystery 22:33
Steve Beresford / John Edwards / Louis Moholo / Evan Parker
3     Running (With Scissors) 6:36
Steve Beresford / John Edwards / Louis Moholo
4     Bird With a Shell 11:57
Steve Beresford / John Edwards / Louis Moholo / Evan Parker
5     Snail/Kite 4:20
Steve Beresford / John Edwards
6     Fox's Fox 3:55
Louis Moholo / Evan Parker
7     Foxes Fox 17:16
Steve Beresford / John Edwards / Louis Moholo / Evan Parker
8     Toast Sweat 3:25
Steve Beresford / Louis Moholo
9     Dog Bone D Flat 3:34
Steve Beresford / John Edwards / Louis Moholo / Evan Parker
Credits :
Double Bass – John Edwards (faixas: 1 to 5, 7, 9)
Drums, Cymbal, Timpani, Claves – Louis Moholo (faixas: 1 to 4, 6 to 9)
Music By – Evan Parker, John Edwards, Louis Moholo, Steve Beresford
Piano – Steve Beresford (faixas: 2 to 5, 7 to 9)
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Evan Parker (faixas: 2, 4, 6, 7, 9) 

 Foxes Fox - Naan Tso
(2005, psi – psi 05.07)

Recorded five years after Foxes Fox, this quartet's debut (released under the musicians' separate names with Evan Parker in the lead position), Naan Tso brings listeners up to date on these sly improvisers' adventures together and serves as a farewell to drummer Louis Moholo, who moved back to Cape Town, South Africa, in September 2005, after decades spent in exile in England. Naan Tso features four improvisations recorded at Steve Lowe's Gateway Studios. The whole quartet is heard on three of these pieces; pianist Steve Beresford sits out the slightly shorter "Slightly Foxed." With seasoned improvisers such as Parker, Beresford, Moholo, and John Edwards, there is no need to worry. Though the music is free to (and does) go anywhere, the listener usually knows what to expect -- and Naan Tso does not disappoint: dynamic playing, fierce exchanges between tenor sax and piano, delicate work from bass and drums, and a willingness to share collective fun with the listener. Free or not, Moholo always had that certain swing in his fingers (listen to his ride cymbal in the first minutes of "Renard Pâle," among other places). This jazziness permeates the music, crossing over from stage right to stage left to clash with Beresford's "classical pianist going through a breakdown" style. More often than not, that is the force field driving the music onward. Naan Tso may lack a bit in the surprise department, but it still offers a good, enjoyable session from a formation that has had very little exposure outside of England. You might want to get Foxes Fox first, though. François Couture
Tracklist :
1    Naan Tso    30:58
2    Slightly Foxed    8:43
3    Reinecke Gefettet    13:56
4    Renard Pâle    15:24
Credits :
Double Bass – John Edwards
Percussion – Louis Moholo-Moholo
Piano – Steve Beresford
Tenor Saxophone, Liner Notes – Evan Parker

ANTHONY BRAXTON & DEREK BAILEY - First Duo Concert : London 1974 (1996) APE (image+.cue), lossless

These twelve duets between African-American avant-gardist Anthony Braxton and Brit Derek Bailey are remarkable for several reasons, not the least of which is that this is the first recording of these two seminal figures performing in tandem. For this live concert, Braxton brought his array of horns: contrabass, soprano, and Bb clarinets, flute, and sopranino and alto saxophones, while Bailey alternated between amplified and acoustic 19-string guitars. Coming from entirely different traditions of free music, Braxton emits a more melodic, tonal approach, while Bailey exemplifies an atonal, abstract concept. The results are hugely successful, with the two meeting halfway. As an indication of Braxton's remarkable diversity, it is worth noting that he recorded his two mainstream In the Tradition albums for SteepleChase just the month before. The duo recorded here with Bailey is surprisingly accessible, and contrasts two complementary approaches within the free music genre. Steve Loewy
Tracklist :
1    The First Set - Area 1    8:22
Derek Bailey / Anthony Braxton
2    The First Set - Area 2    3:12
Derek Bailey / Anthony Braxton
3    The First Set - Area 3 (Open)    8:44
Derek Bailey / Anthony Braxton
4    The First Set - Area 4 (Solo)    2:43
Derek Bailey / Anthony Braxton
5    The First Set - Area 5    5:21
Derek Bailey / Anthony Braxton
6    The First Set - Area 6    6:08
Derek Bailey / Anthony Braxton
7    The Second Set - Area 7    6:48
Derek Bailey / Anthony Braxton
8    The Second Set - Area 8    6:23
Derek Bailey / Anthony Braxton
9    The Second Set - Area 9 (Solo)    5:56
Derek Bailey / Anthony Braxton
10    The Second Set - Area 10    4:29
Derek Bailey / Anthony Braxton
11    The Second Set - Area 11 (Open)    15:29
Derek Bailey / Anthony Braxton
12    The Second Set - Area 12    3:57
Credits :
Flute, Clarinet, Clarinet [Soprano], Clarinet [Contrabass], Alto Saxophone, Sopranino Saxophone – Anthony Braxton
Guitar [Amplified], Guitar [19-string (approx)] – Derek Bailey