Emanem CDs 2012-2013

STEVE LACY "The Sun" (1967-73) EMANEM 5022
Four sessions of music mostly against the Vietnam War - all featuring STEVE LACY and IRENE AEBI. (1) A previously unissued 1968 presentation of a complex text by Buckminster Fuller intoned by Aebi - a veritable 5-minute tour de force that presages rap. Plus a 7-minute instrumental head arrangement or graphic score by the quintet with ENRICO RAVA, KARL BERGER, KENT CARTER & ALDO ROMANO. (2) Also from 1968, a trio session with RICHARD TEITELBAUM containing two versions of Lacy's first song, 'The Way', and two duo improvisations, which feature some very adventurous playing on saxophone and synthesizer. This was previously only issued in 2000 on the very limited edition Roaratorio LP 01. (3) The same trio performing the previously unissued 'Chinese Food' in 1967, with Aebi reading 2500-year old anti-war texts by Lao Tsu. (4) Finally the powerful 1973 four-part anti-war suite, 'The Woe', with STEVE POTTS, KENT CARTER & OLIVER JOHNSON. This was previously issued on Quark LP 9998 and Emanem CD 4004. 74 minutes.

STEVE LACY "Avignon and After - 1" (1972/4) EMANEM 5023
Highlights from Lacy's first solo concerts in Avignon 1972 featuring pieces like 'The New Duck', 'The Breath', 'Name' and 'Cloudy' that became frequently played, as well as rarities like 'Stations', 'Josephine', 'Weal' and 'The Wool'. In addition to this material that was originally issued as Emanem LP 301 and reissued on CD 4004, this new compilation also contains four more short rarities from the same concerts: 'Bound', 'The Rush', 'Holding' and 'The Dumps'. Finally there is his performance of his somewhat outrageous 'Clangs' cycle from Berlin in 1974 - the first time a solo version of this has been issued. Previous issues of this suite were by a duo in 1976 and a double sextet in 1992. This solo performance is arguably the definitive version. Like the Avignon music, this piece finds Lacy's unaccompanied work at its most adventurous. 79 minutes.

JOHN BUTCHER & MARK SANDERS "Daylight" (2010-1) EMANEM 5024
Following on from their highly acclaimed appearance on the TREADER DUOS CD, here is a whole CD devoted to the highly compatible and innovative duo of saxophonist John Butcher and percussionist Mark Sanders. Their varied improvisations are heard at two afternoon concerts - one at the 2010 Freedom of the City festival in London, the other nearly a year later at Southampton University. 55 minutes.

VERYAN WESTON / INGRID LAUBROCK / HANNAH MARSHALL "Haste" (2011) EMANEM 5025
Haste is a improvising trio that has been in existence for a few years. This Barcelona concert shows how well they create together. Pianist Veryan Weston has been a leading member of the London improvisation scene for decades with numerous releases on Emanem and elsewhere. Cellist Hannah Marshall is a newer arrival who is already much in demand. Both have also been involved in pre-composed music. Saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock has been a part of the London jazz scene since she arrived here around 20 years ago, but has been moving in somewhat freer circles since her recent move to New York City. Together they improvise chamber music of the highest order. 56 minutes.

CHARLOTTE HUG & FRÉDÉRIC BLONDY "Bouquet" (2011) EMANEM 5026
Both Charlotte Hug (viola and voice) & Frédéric Blondy (piano) use extended techniques on their respective instruments making their duo sound like no other. The feeling varies from agitated and fast to calm and still, and the sound world from acoustic to electronically mysterious even though no electronic manipulation is used. The CD is summed up in Dan Warburton's notes as 'top-notch music made by two outstanding performers with exceptional ears for pitch, rhythm, timbre and structure at the micro and macro level.' 73 minutes.

STEVENS/RUTHERFORD/PARKER/GUY "One Four and Two Twos" (1978-92) EMANEM 5027
A fiery improvised quartet session organised by JOHN STEVENS, with PAUL RUTHERFORD, EVAN PARKER and BARRY GUY. This was previously issued on View LP VS 011 and Konnex KCD 5049 with the title 4, 4, 4,. Added to this are two previously unissued duo performances by Rutherford & Guy and Stevens & Parker, which contrast with each other and with the quartet. 78 minutes.

LOL COXHILL & MICHEL DONEDA "Sitting on your Stairs" (2011) EMANEM 5028
Lol Coxhill and Michel Doneda started playing soprano saxophone duets together in 2008. This improvised concert, recorded at Les Instantes Chavires near Paris in 2011, turned out to be their last musical meeting. Two musicians who manage to be themselves, stay out of each other's way, and yet make music together. Two fine improvisers at the top of their respective abilities. 57 minutes.

SPONTANEOUS MUSIC ENSEMBLE "Challenge" (1966-7) EMANEM 5029
Available again - the first SME LP reveals their free jazz roots with only hints of what was to come. KENNY WHEELER (flugelhorn), PAUL RUTHERFORD (trombone), TREVOR WATTS (alto sax), BRUCE CALE (double bass) and JOHN STEVENS (drums) improvise on pieces by Rutherford, Stevens & Watts. (JEFF CLYNE replaces Cale on a couple of tracks.) In addition, there is a performance from 1967 by TREVOR WATTS (piccolo & alto sax), EVAN PARKER (soprano sax), CHRIS CAMBRIDGE (double bass) and JOHN STEVENS (drums).
Reissue of Emanem 4053 (which was a long-overdue reissue - the first since 1966! - of Eyemark EMPL 1002). 67 minutes.

Available about June 20

SPONTANEOUS MUSIC ENSEMBLE "New Surfacing" (1978/92) EMANEM 5030
Two recordings from the beginning and the end of the longest-lived version of the SME - the trio of JOHN STEVENS (percussion, cornet or mini-trumpet, voice), NIGEL COOMBES (violin) & ROGER SMITH (guitar). The 1978 Newcastle concert was considered by the musicians and others to be the best performance by the trio, while the 1992 studio is also very fine. The original issues on Emanem 4150 and Konnex KCD 5049 were taken from cassettes. This reissue, taken from the original tapes, has considerably improved sound and about 8 more minutes of music. 64 minutes.

Available about June 20

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