ART ENSEMBLE OF CHICAGO - Les Stances a Sophie (1970-2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In 1970, the members of the Art Ensemble of Chicago were living as expatriates in Paris. The group had only recently expanded to its permanent quintet status with the addition of drummer/percussionist Don Moye when they were asked by New Wave director Moshé Mizrahi to provide the soundtrack for his movie Les Stances a Sophie. The result was one of the landmark records of the burgeoning avant-garde of the time and, simply put, one of the greatest jazz albums ever. On two of the tracks, the Art Ensemble is joined by vocalist Fontella Bass, at the time the wife of trumpeter Lester Bowie and riding the success of her pop-soul hit "Rescue Me." She's featured most prominently on the opening number, "Theme de Yoyo," an astounding piece that has achieved legendary status as the finest fusion of funk and avant-garde jazz ever recorded. The mix is indeed seamless, with Moye and Favors laying down a throbbing, infectious groove, Bass singing the surreally erotic lyrics with enormous soul, and the horn players soloing with ecstatic abandon. The remaining pieces cover a wide range stylistically with no less beauty and imagination, including two variations on a theme by Monteverdi, intense free improvising, and soft, deeply probing sonic investigations. Their extensive knowledge of prior jazz styles, love of unusual sound sources (the so-called "little instruments), and fearless exploration of the furthest reaches of both instrumental and compositional possibilities came into full flower on this record. by Brian Olewnick  
Tracklist :
1     Theme de Yoyo 9:10
The Art Ensemble of Chicago
2     Theme de Celine 3:04
The Art Ensemble of Chicago
3     Variations Sur un Theme de Monteverdi I 3:02
The Art Ensemble of Chicago
4     Variations Sur un Theme de Monteverdi II 1:50
The Art Ensemble of Chicago
5     Proverbes, No. 1 2:38
The Art Ensemble of Chicago
6     Theme Amour Universal 3:51
The Art Ensemble of Chicago
7     Theme Libre 8:49
The Art Ensemble of Chicago
8     Proverbes, No. 2 1:22
The Art Ensemble of Chicago
Credits :
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass, Percussion – Malachi Favors
Drums – Don Moye
Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Saxophone [Bass], Clarinet, Flute, Percussion – Roscoe Mitchell
Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Percussion – Joseph Jarman
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Percussion – Lester Bowie
Vocals, Piano – Fontella Bass

ART ENSEMBLE OF CHICAGO - Phase One (1971) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

By 1971, the Art Ensemble of Chicago had become true denizens of the city of Paris and its environ. Regularly playing and recording, they were able to delve deeply into their Great Black Music aesthetic and explore not only the boundaries of free jazz, but also the intricate demands of African folk forms in improvisation. Dynamic, long a part of the AEC's M.O., had become a dominant methodology for the group, as had textural interplay, and nowhere are these more evident than on Phase One. Issued in 1971 on the French America Records imprint, this set has been reissued over a dozen times on LP and CD. Texture and dynamic are elegantly employed as a way of bringing the music from the quintet gradually, allowing it to unfold itself inside the framework of a composition as it does on the uncharacteristically hard swinging "Ohnedaruth." A long, slow spacious saxophone intro winds in the melodic themes before the three horns jump out and start the true head before it gives way to soloing and free improvisation. On "Lebert Aaly," (dedicated to the late Albert Ayler) a sparse, utterly gentle introduction gives way to utterly beguiling harmonic interplay between Lester Bowie, Roscoe Mitchell and Joseph Jarman. Malachi Favors' bowed bass offers the root to which all the players return and embark from as the band moves off into very free directions, all the while retaining an elemental sense of melodic engagement. Don Moye enters in earnest at about nine-minutes in and the entire proceeding takes on an even slower, random feel before the percussion disappears and the tonal inquiry reappears. It's gorgeous. This is one of the least well-known recordings by the AEC, but it is also one of their most enduring and a true high mark from their Paris period.
(This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa')
Tracklist :
1     Ohnedaruth 21:28
The Art Ensemble of Chicago / Joseph Jarman
2     Lebert Aaly 21:00
The Art Ensemble of Chicago
Credits :
Double Bass, Bass [Fender], Banjo, Cittern [Cythar], Drum [Log], Percussion – Malachi Favors
Drums, Marimba [Bass], Temple Block, Bells – Don Moye
Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Bass Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Whistle, Siren, Cymbal, Bells, Gong, Steel Drums, Congas [Conga Drums], Percussion [Logs] – Roscoe Mitchell
Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet, Oboe, Flute, Whistle, Siren, Guitar, Marimba, Vibraphone [Vibes], Bells, Gong, Congas [Conga Drums] – Joseph Jarman
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Bass Drum, Horns [Steer Horns] – Lester Bowie

THE ART ENSEMBLE OF CHICAGO - Fanfare for the Warriors (1974-1998) WV (tracks+.cue), lossless

The Art Ensemble of Chicago's first (and arguably most significant) period concluded with this high-quality studio session, Fanfare for the Warriors. The quintet (trumpeter Lester Bowie, Roscoe Mitchell and Joseph Jarman on reeds, bassist Malachi Favors and drummer Don Moye) provides concise but adventurous performances. High points include Mitchell's "Nonnaah," Bowie's humorous "Barnyard Scuffel Shuffle" and "Tnoona," but all of the selections have their own musical personality. It's a fine showcase for this important avant-garde unit. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Illistrum 8:17
Malachi Favors
2     Barnyard Scuffel Shuffel 5:12
Lester Bowie
3     Nonaah 5:44
Roscoe Mitchell
4     Fanfare for the Warriors 7:58
Joseph Jarman
5     What's to Say 4:02
Joseph Jarman
6     Tnoona 6:25
Roscoe Mitchell
7     The Key 1:15
Roscoe Mitchell
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Joseph Jarman
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Piccolo Flute – Roscoe Mitchell
Bass – Malachi Favors
Drums – Don Moye
Illustration [Cover] – Christian Piper
Piano – Muhal Richard Abrams
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Lester Bowie 

ART ENSEMBLE OF CHICAGO - Chi-Congo (1972-2005) APE (image+.cue), lossless

You either love or hate these guys. If you believe that jazz is the sound of surprise, then these fellows occupy a special place in your heart. If, like others, you believe jazz is to be taken seriously and played only by men in suits, then this record will drive you batty. True to form, the tunes here have the loose kinetic swing that drives their early records, Ornette-ish funk and Miles-ish bop fractured by the hoots of whistles and the occasional yelp. Beyond everything else, though, is the undeniable fact that these gentlemen are sterling musicians and everything is done for a purpose, exactly when they want it to happen. A wonderful record by a bunch of really great guys. by Rob Ferrier
Tracklist :
1    Chi-Congo    11:40
2    Enlorfe, Part One    6:41
3    Enlorfe, Part Two    7:56
4    Hippparippp    10:30
Credits :
Bass, Banjo, Percussion – Malachi Favors
Percussion – Famoudou Don Moye
Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Percussion – Roscoe Mitchell
Saxophone, Clarinet, Oboe, Flute, Guitar, Percussion – Joseph Jarman
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Horns [Steer Horn], Bass Drum – Lester Bowie

ART ENSEMBLE OF CHICAGO — The Spiritual (1969-1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Originally a double LP, this stunning 1974 album, THE SPIRITUAL, finds the Art Ensemble of Chicago at their artistic height. Reduced to an unusual drummerless quartet for this session (reedsmen Joseph Jarman and Roscoe Mitchell, horn player Lester Bowie and bassist/banjo player Malachi Favors all double on various types of percussion), the group explores one of the main stems of jazz, New Orleans gospel and second-line music, without sacrificing its freer sounds. Indeed, without a traditional drummer, the group is free to play at its most unrestrained, unfettered by conventions of tempo.
Yet somehow, there's a basic earthiness to this music, especially on the magnificent title track and the mysteriously beautiful "That the Evening Sky Fell Through the Glass Wall and We Stood Alone Somewhere?," which keeps the Art Ensemble grounded. Listening to THE SPIRITUAL is an experience akin to reading Ishmael Reed's vividly ironic lampoon of Western culture, MUMBO JUMBO. AllMusic
Tracklist :
1     Toro 8:30
Roscoe Mitchell
2     Lori Song 3:58
Joseph Jarman
3     That the Evening Sky Fell Through the Glass Wall 6:00
Lester Bowie / Joseph Jarman
4     The Spiritual 20:06
Roscoe Mitchell
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Bass Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Whistle [Whistles], Siren, Bells, Percussion – Roscoe Mitchell
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet, Oboe, Flute, Piano, Harpsichord, Guitar, Percussion – Joseph Jarman
Bass, Bass [Fender], Banjo, Zither [Cythar], Percussion – Malachi Favors
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Horns, Bass Drum – Lester Bowie

ART ENSEMBLE OF CHICAGO - Tutankhamun (1974-1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This landmark album is one of the most influential free jazz recordings in the '60s avant-garde canon. Beginning with the bizarre vocal stylings of bassist Malachi Favors, Tutankhamun's four lengthy tracks are filled with eccentric and eclectic horn arrangements, usually followed by extended improvisations. Creating a canvas of sound that swells from intense to distant, the Art Ensemble use rubato (non-tempo) musical statements with great tonal variety. What makes the Art Ensemble's music different from others writing free jazz during this period is their use of dynamic contrast. The highlight of Tutankhamun is "The Ninth Room," a piece that emphasizes the experimental soloing abilities of saxophonist Roscoe Mitchell and trumpeter Lester Bowie. Drummer Joseph Jarman uses a variety of unconventional percussion instruments on this track, including various non-discernable metal and wooden objects. This album is for the jazz aficionado looking to explore new aural vistas. The music on Tutankhamun is more about texture than melody, harmony, or even rhythm and counterpoint. The beauty of this music, however, is that the notes we hear offer a compelling and thought-provoking journey into the possibilities of sound itself. by Rovi Staff  
Tracklist :
1     Tutankhamun 18:10
Malachi Favors
2     The Ninth Room 15:35
Roscoe Mitchell
3     Tthinitthedalen, Pt. 1 4:24
Malachi Favors / Roscoe Mitchell
4     Tthinitthedalen, Pt. 2 4:54
Malachi Favors / Roscoe Mitchell
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Bass Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Whistle, Siren, Bells, Percussion – Roscoe Mitchell
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet, Oboe, Flute, Piano, Harpsichord, Guitar, Percussion – Joseph Jarman
Bass, Bass [Fender], Banjo, Sitar, Percussion – Malachi Favors
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Horns, Bass Drum – Lester Bowie

ART ENSEMBLE OF CHICAGO - Nice Gums (1979) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Nice Guys was the first Art Ensemble of Chicago album released after a five-year recording hiatus and the group's first for the ECM label. During those five years, the Art Ensemble toured Europe and continued to expand its compositional, improvisational, and theatrical jazz fundamentals, captured abundantly on Nice Guys. Broken up into six pieces, two each from Roscoe Mitchell and Joseph Jarman and one each from Lester Bowie and Don Moye, the album reveals how the AEC managed to turn individual compositions into a fully realized, surprisingly accessible, avant garde group collective. Nice Guys maintains its edge while incorporating reggae, New Orleans marches, and a wide use of space complemented by "little instruments" (car horn, whistles, etc.). The strongest portion of the disc is the finale "Dreaming of the Master," dedicated to Miles Davis and sounding not unlike Davis' mid-'60s quintet -- while maintaining the AEC edge. by Al Campbell
Tracklist :
1    Ja 8:39
Composed By – Bowie
2    Nice Guys 1:41
Composed By – Mitchell
3    Folkus 10:59
Composed By – Moye
4    597-59 6:43
Composed By – Jarman
5    Cyp 4:49
Composed By – Mitchell
6    Dreaming Of The Master 11:40
Composed By – Jarman
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Piccolo Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Gong [Gongs] – Roscoe Mitchell
Bass, Percussion, Melodica – Malachi Favors Maghostus
Composed By – Art Ensemble Of Chicago
Design – Barbara Wojirsch
Percussion [Sun Percussion], Drums, Bells, Horn [Bike Horn], Congas, Timpani [Tympani], Marimba, Bongos, Chimes, Conch [Conch Shell], Whistle [Whistles], Wood Block [Woodblocks], Cowbell [Cowbells], Performer [Etc.] – Famoudou Don Moye
Producer – Manfred Eicher
Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Sopranino Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Conch [Conch Shell], Vibraphone [Vibes], Gong [Gongs], Congas, Whistle [Whistles], Vocals [Vocal] – Joseph Jarman
Trumpet, Celesta [Celeste], Bass Drum – Lester Bowie

ART ENSEMBLE OF CHICAGO - The Third Decade (1985) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

For the Art Ensemble of Chicago, Third Decade marked both the end of their relationship with the ECM label and the beginning of a more streamlined stretch of music making. The band would cut back on their once predominant, free-form explorations to make room for more bebop and crossover material, like "Funky AECO" and the Caribbean-tinged bop tune "Zero," straightforward genre pieces the band still undermine with playful "found sounds" (bike horns, sirens, chimes, etc.). Along these more traditional lines, the lovely, '20s-style jazz ballad "Walking in the Moonlight" is also included. The group stretches out on more open-ended pieces like Joseph Jarmen's dirge-like opener "Prayer for Jimbo Kwesi" and Mitchell's magisterial number "The Bell Piece," but even here the group's traditionally frenetic playing is kept in check. This is not necessarily bad, considering the Art Ensemble's consistently top-notch and provocative solo work, straight-ahead or otherwise. The band does end the album, though, with the decidedly frenetic and free "Third Decade," as if to say they are equally adept at a variety of styles and so should not be restricted to only one. The point is well taken with this varied yet cogent set. by Stephen Cook  
Tracklist :
1    Prayer For Jimbo Kwesi 9:47
Written-By – J. Jarman
2    Funky AECO 7:39
Written-By – Art Ensemble
3    Walking In The Moonlight 4:07
Written-By – R. Mitchell
4    The Bell Piece 6:02
Written-By – R. E. Mitchell
5    Zero 5:55
Written-By – L. Bowie
6    Third Decade 8:19
Written-By – F. D. Moye, Art Ensemble
Credits :
Bass [String Bass], Percussion, Melodica, Bass Drum [Bass Pan Drums], Electric Bass, Cymbal [Cymbals], Balafon [Belafon], Percussion [Cans] – Malachi Favors Maghostut
Design – Barbara Wojirsch
Percussion ["Sun Percussion"], Drums [Trap Drums], Bendir, Horns [Bike Horns], Whistle [Whistles], Congas, Djembe [Djimbe], Talking Drum [Djun-Djun], Talking Drum [Donno], Bongos, Timpani [Tympani], Shekere [Chekere], Conch [Conch Shell], Horns [Long Horn], Horns [Elephant Horn], Gong [Gongs], Cymbal [Cymbals], Chimes, Wood Block [Wood Blocks], Balafon [Belafon], Bass Drum [Bass Pan Drums] – Famoudou Don Moye
Producer – Manfred Eicher
Sopranino Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Clarinet [Bb Clarinet], Piccolo Flute [Piccolo], Flute [Eb Flute], Flute [C Flute], Conch [Conch Shell], Gong [Gongs], Congas, Tom Tom [Tom-Tom Drums], Whistle [Whistles], Bells [Bell Rack], Siren, Horns [Bike Horns], Bass Drum [Bass Pan Drum], Synthesizer – Joseph Jarman
Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Bass Saxophone, Piccolo Flute [Piccolo], Flute [C Flute], Clarinet [Bb Clarinet], Bongos, Congas [Conga], Glockenspiel, Whistle [Whistles], Bells, Steel Drums [Pans], Horns [Bike Horns], Chimes [Dinner Chimes], Wood Block [Wood Blocks], Artwork [Cover Art] – Roscoe E. Mitchell
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Bass Drum, Cymbal [Cymbal Rack] – Lester Bowie

ART ENSEMBLE OF CHICAGO & LESTER BOWIE'S BRASS FANTASY - Live at the 6th Tokyo Music Joy (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Art Ensemble Of Chicago – Yobu-Sun 4:35
Written-By – Famoudou Don Moye
2    Art Ensemble Of Chicago – Ride The Line 3:56
Written-By – Malachi Favors
3    Art Ensemble Of Chicago – Song For Atala 2:49
Written-By – Roscoe Mitchell
4    Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy–    Night Time (Is The Right Time) 3:04
Arranged By [Arr. By] – Byron Bowie
Written-By – L.Hermann
5    Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy–    Good Morning Heartache 8:44
Arranged By [Arr.] – Earl McIntyre
Written-By – Billie Holiday
6    Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy–    Music Of The Night 7:13
Arranged By [Arr.] – Earl McIntyre
Written-By – Andrew Lloyd Weber
7    Art Ensemble Of Chicago & Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy–    The Emperor 13:45
Arranged By [Arr.], Written-By – Steve Turre
8    Art Ensemble Of Chicago & Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy–    Variations 9:07
Arranged By [Arr. By], Written-By – Roscoe Mitchell
9    Art Ensemble Of Chicago & Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy–    Jackson In Your House 4:50
Arranged By – E.J.Allen
Written-By – Roscoe Mitchell
10    Art Ensemble Of Chicago & Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy–    Great Pretender 3:10
Arranged By [Arr.] – Steve Turre
Written-By – Buck Ram
Credits :
Bass, Percussion – Malachi Favors Maghostut
Drums – Vinnie Johnson
Drums, Percussion – Famoudou Don Moye
French Horn – Vincent Chancey
Producer – Art Ensemble Of Chicago
Saxophone [Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass], Clarinet, Flute, Percussion – Roscoe Mitchell
Saxophone [Soprano, Alto, Tenor], Clarinet, Flute, Percussion, Synthesizer – Joseph Jarman
Trombone – Clifton Anderson
Trombone, Conch [Shell] – Steve Turre
Trumpet – E.J. Allen, Gerald Brazel
Trumpet, Percussion, Leader [Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy] – Lester Bowie
Trumpet, Trumpet [Piccolo] – Stanton Davis
Tuba – Bob Stewart 

THE ART ENSEMBLE OF CHICAGO – Bap-Tizum (1973-1998) RM | Atlantic Original Sound | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This was the Art Ensemble's breakthrough -- however short-lived -- onto a major U.S. label (Atlantic), as well as a document of the freewheeling band's first appearance at an American festival (the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival). With activist John Sinclair delivering the introduction, politics is in the air; the crowd is young and predisposed to radical ideas and the Art Ensemble holds back nothing in a chaotic, meandering, exasperating, outrageous -- and, thus, always fascinating -- performance. The band seems to be clearing its collective throat in the first half of the concert, opening with a battering all-percussion prelude. Roscoe Mitchell and Malachi Favors go at it at length in a staggered, honking tenor sax/bass duet on "Unanka," and Mitchell ratchets up the gears into screeching overdrive on "Oouffnoon." Finally, after a mocking intro by Lester Bowie, the 15-minute "Ohnedaruth" puts the Art Ensemble on full, ultra-colorful, wailing, free-form display (complete with a few vocal obscenities) before signing off with the "relatively" straight-ahead "Odwalla." It is interesting that Atlantic would lease these way-out recordings to Koch at a time (1998) when it was simultaneously putting out new, safer-sounding releases by the current Art Ensemble and its members. Richard S. Ginell   
Tracklist :
1 Introduction 0:42
2 Immm 5:31
Don Moye
3 Nfamoudou-Boudougou 4:15
Roscoe Mitchell
4 Unanka 10:43
Malachi Favors
5 Oouffnoon 3:25
Roscoe Mitchell
6 Ohnedaruth 15:00
Joseph Jarman
7 Odwalla 5:42
Roscoe Mitchell
Recorded at the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival at Otis Spann Memorial Field, Ann Arbor, Mich. on September 9, 1972.
Note : At two points during this performance, a stage hand toyed with the recording microphones for the bass, causing a small amount of static. To edit out these moments would destroy the continuity of this music. The minor disturbance should not detract from the full enjoyment of the music.
Credits:
Lester Bowie – Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Kelphorn, Bass Drum, Percussion, Vocals, etc.
Roscoe Mitchell – Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass Saxophones, Clarinet, Drums, Percussion, Vocals, etc.
Joseph Jarman – Sopranino, Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass Saxophones, Alto Flute, Conga Drums, Vibes, Percussion, Vocals, etc.
Malachi Favors – Bass, Electric Bass, Gong, Log Drums, Whistle, Vocals, etc.
Famoudou Don Moye – Drums, Conga Drums, Bass Marimba, Gongs, Log Drums, Whistles, Percussion, Vocals, etc.