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Other Improvisers on Emanem CDs
MIKE ADCOCK & CLIVE BELL "Sleep it off" (1999-2001) EMANEM 4077
12 succinct improvisations by Adcock on prepared piano, accordion, harmonica, Indian
harmonium, Tunisian reed pipe, sansa, bird warbler & stones, and Bell on shakuhachi,
Akha khene, Thai khene, pi saw, harmonica, stereo goathorns & bird call.
56 minutes.
CD deleted
BADLAND "The Society of the Spectacle" (2003) EMANEM 4120
Badland is SIMON ROSE (alto saxophone), SIMON H FELL (double bass)
and STEVE NOBLE (drum set)
- a very fiery free improvisation trio that includes more than a hint of free jazz.
They have been in existence for a decade (with some change of personnel), and this
is their third and (perhaps) best CD.
67 minutes.
CD deleted
ALEX WARD (clarinet), ALEXANDER HAWKINS (piano),
DOMINIC LASH (double bass), PAUL MAY (percussion).
An improvising quartet comprising four excellent young improvising musicians based
in London and Oxford, none of whom have ever been to the outer London suburb of
Barkingside. Two complete performances from concerts at Cambridge University and
the 2007 freedom of the city festival in London. 60 minutes.
Special price 6 Euros
IMPORTANT NOTICE
CLIVE BELL & SYLVIA HALLETT "The Geographers" (2004) EMANEM 4112
Following their 2004 freedom of the city festival performance (heard on
EMANEM 4215), Clive Bell and Sylvia Hallett went into the
studio to record some more improvisations. Bell used Cretan pipes, harmonica, khene,
pi saw, shakuhachi, stereo goathorns and a whirling bat drum, while Hallett used
anklung, bicycle wheel, electronics, mbira, sarangi, saw, viola, violin and voice.
Between them they created a very exotic sound world. 65 minutes.
Extra special price 3 Euros
IMPORTANT NOTICE
JOHN EDWARDS & MARK SANDERS "Nisus Duets" (2002) EMANEM 4094
Edwards & Sanders have worked together since 1990 in various groups such as
those led by Veryan Weston, Evan Parker, Tony Bevan, Alan Wilkinson, Peter Brötzmann
and Frode Gjerstad. In the process, they have become one of the most formidable
and flexible bass & percussion teams around. This is their first duo record.
54 minutes.
CD deleted
MARKUS EICHENBERGER "Domino Concept for Orchestra" (2001) EMANEM 4084
Eichenberger directs the musicians to change what they are doing, but not what to.
The result is an hour-long performance with many changes, and surprises.
MARIANNE SCHUPPE & DOROTHEA SCHÜRCH (voices), CARLOS BAUMANN (trumpet), PAUL
HUBWEBER (trombone), CARL LUDWIG HÜBSCH (tuba), MARKUS EICHENBERGER (clarinets),
DIRK MARWEDEL (extended saxophones), HELMUT BIELER-WENDT (violin), CHARLOTTE HUG
(viola), PETER K FREY & DANIEL STUDER (double basses), FRANK RÜHL (electric
guitar) & IVANO TORRE (percussion).
59 minutes.
Special price 6 Euros
IMPORTANT NOTICE
FREE BASE "The Ins and Outs" (2003) EMANEM 4116
Free Base is ALAN WILKINSON (alto & baritone saxophones),
MARCIO MATTOS (double bass & electronics) and STEVE NOBLE (drum set)
- a very varied trio that includes both very fiery climaxes and becalmed moments.
Although they have been in existence for a decade, this is their first appearance
on record, apart from their highly praised contribution to the 2003 freedom of the city
festival (heard on EMANEM 4212).
72 minutes.
Extra special price 3 Euros
IMPORTANT NOTICE
THE GATHERING "For John Stevens" (2002) EMANEM 4091
The Gathering is an informal improvising session that has met in London once a week
since 1991. For the 2002 Freedom of the City festival, MAGGIE NICOLS assembled some
of the past and present participants. This studio recording from two months later
features a similar group of 25 musicians performing two extended improvisations
that are typical of the weekly sessions, with their distinctive mixture of voices
and instruments. Also included is a three-part tribute to John Stevens featuring
interpretations of his pieces, with poetry superimposed.
78 minutes.
CD deleted
KAY GRANT & ALEX WARD "Fast Talk" (2008/11) EMANEM 5021
Kay Grant (voice) started in the downtown New York scene but crossed the Atlantic,
while clarinettist Alex Ward started playing with Derek Bailey. Both have now been
vital members of the London improvising scene for many years, as these duo improvisations
- recorded at four recent gigs and one studio session - attest. Both bring their
individual experience in multiple musical styles, and their evolution together is
evident in the scope of the playing. (Three of the ten pieces also involve live
electronic vocal processing.) 52 minutes.
Special price 6 Euros
GROSSE ABFAHRT "Everything that Disappears" (2007) EMANEM 4146
TOM DJLL (trumpet, pocket cornet & preparations), MATT
INGALLS (Bb clarinet, bass clarinet), FRÉDÈRIC BLONDY (piano),
JOHN SHIURBA (electric guitar), GEORGE CREMASCHI (double
bass & electronics), LÊ QUAN NINH (surrounded bass drum), JOHN
BISCHOFF (electronics), TIM PERKIS (electronics), GINO
ROBAIR (energised surfaces & voltage made audible). Tom Djll put this
electro-acoustic improvising nonet together when Frédèric Blondy and Lê Quan Ninh
were visiting the San Francisco area, resulting in some extended performances that
are more about the group than the individuals. 74 minutes.
Special price 6 Euros
IMPORTANT NOTICE
GROSSE ABFAHRT "Vanity" (2008) EMANEM 5007
TOM DJLL (trumpet, preparations & electronics), MATT INGALLS (clarinet, bass clarinet),
MATTHIEU WERCHOWSKI (viola, violin), THERESA WONG (cello), DAVID CHIESA (double bass)
JOHN SHIURBA (electric guitar), GTIM PERKIS (electronics), GINO ROBAIR (energised surfaces & voltage made audible).
Tom Djll put this electro-acoustic improvising octet together when Matthieu Werchowski
and David Chiesa were visiting the San Francisco area, resulting in some performances
that are more about the group than the individuals. A duet by the two visitors
is also included. 60 minutes.
Special price 6 Euros
SYLVIA HALLETT "White Fog" (1998-2001) EMANEM 4057
Three aspects of this remarkable musician's work: Wheelsongs is a 36 minute cycle
featuring four original songs appearing within an improvised setting created solely
with bowed bicycle wheel and digital delays. There is also a violin and voice
improvisation (without any electronics), and a tape collage soundtrack made for
a dance film. 64 minutes.
CD deleted
PAUL HUBWEBER & PHILIP ZOUBEK "Archiduc Concert : Dansaert Variations" (2007) EMANEM 5011
The whole of a duo concert on trombone and prepared piano, recorded at L'Archiduc
in Brussels - a bar whose art deco interior is featured on the cover. This is the
second CD by this duo following on from the highly acclaimed NOBODY'S MATTER
BUT OUR OWN on NurNichtNur. Both musicians are now amongst the freshest exponents
of their respective instruments, and they interact with each other superbly. 60 minutes.
Special price 6 Euros
MICHAEL KEITH / JOHN OSWALD / ROGER TURNER "Number Nine" (2005) EMANEM 4129
Two Toronto musicians and a visitor from London formed this trio that has worked
on both sides of the Atlantic. Group improvisations on acoustic guitar, alto saxophone
and percussion that cover the whole gamut from dense high-energy to sparse interactions.
51 minutes.
Special price 6 Euros
IMPORTANT NOTICE
CAROLINE KRAABEL "LAST1 and LAST2" (2016/7) EMANEM 5048
LAST is part of a series of CAROLINE KRAABEL pieces mixing live improvisation
(sometimes controlled and prepared) with pre-recorded material that reflects its
own condition. A few years ago, Kraabel asked ROBERT WYATT if he'd sing a song for
this purpose, and after hearing some other work of hers he agreed. The song was
written for his voice, but also to be fragmented, interrupting live acoustic music.
CAROLINE KRAABEL conducts 15 improvising musicians on LAST1 (for large
ensemble) in one of the most imaginative conducted improvisations ever recorded. They rehearsed
without the recorded voice, so none of the musicians had heard the song until they
were actually playing LAST1 live.
The quartet in LAST2 (for small ensemble) all knew the voice recording very
well. Featured are superlative unaccompanied solos by percussionist RICHARD E
HARRISON and saxophonist CAROLINE KRAABEL, as well as a duo of vocalist MAGGIE
NICOLS and bassist JOHN EDWARDS - all four improvising at their best.
Both of these concerts, conceived and directed by CAROLINE KRAABEL, were performed
at London's Cafe Oto, to raise money to support migrants in northern France.
Musicians' profits from sales of the CD will be donated to CARE4CALAIS and Utopia 56.
56 minutes.
Special price 9 Euros
OKKYUNG LEE / PETER EVANS / STEVE BERESFORD "Check for Monsters" (2008) EMANEM 5002
Cellist Lee organised this trio with Evans on trumpets and Beresford on piano for
a mini-tour. This CD contains music from two of their four concerts - in New York
City and Philadelphia. Although they had not played together before as a trio, they
manage to sound like a long-standing improvising group, with much togetherness and
listening to each other - finding numerous ways to complement each other. The music
is often very dense or fast, but they do frequently come back down to earth. Anyone
who either likes or dislikes any of the participants is bound to enjoy this music
which showcases both the individuals and the group. 58 minutes.
Special price 6 Euros
LINES "in Australia" (2000) EMANEM 4075
MARTIN BLUME (percussion), JIM DENLEY (flutes & alto saxophone), AXEL DÖRNER
(trumpet), MARCIO MATTOS (cello & electronics), PHILIPP WACHSMANN (violin &
electronics). Their second CD finds this excellent quintet absorbing some of the
differences of the other side of the world. 56 minutes.
Extra special price 3 Euros
IMPORTANT NOTICE
PAUL LOVENS / PAUL HUBWEBER / JOHN EDWARDS "PaPaJo" (2002) EMANEM 4076
Recorded in Bremen, this is the whole of the sixth concert of a six day, six concert
tour. A very egalitarian example of trio improvising by Hubweber on trombone,
Edwards on double bass, and Lovens on percussion & saw. 74 minutes.
Special price 6 Euros
IMPORTANT NOTICE
TONY MARSH & CHEFA ALONSO "Goodbye Red Rose" (2008/9) EMANEM 5043
Chefa Alonso performed with numerous musicians during her 2004-8 stay in London.
Perhaps the most profound and rewarding musical relationship was the duo with Tony
Marsh. This is at least the fifth soprano saxophone and percussion duo on Emanem.
While perhaps influenced by the other duos, the strengths of the two participants
mean that it is a unique addition to the instrumentation. Besides their contribution
to the last night at the Red Rose, there are also appearances at another London
venue, FlimFlam, and a concert in Huesca from their Spanish tour. 69 minutes.
Special price 9 Euros
MAGGIE NICOLS / CAROLINE KRAABEL / CHARLOTTE HUG "Transitions" (2001) EMANEM 4068
A month after their amazing performance at the Freedom of the City Festival, this
improvising trio returned to the Conway Hall to record some further distinctive
music. Three strong individuals - Nicols (voice), Kraabel (alto saxophone &
voice) and Hug (viola) - combine to make an exceptional trio. 56 minutes.
CD deleted
ROLAND RAMANAN "Shaken" (2001-2) EMANEM 4081
Trumpeter Ramanan (who doubles on wooden flutes) has been quietly enriching the
London scene for some 15 years now. For the first CD under his leadership, he presents
his imaginative current quartet which spans the ground between Free Improvisation
and Free Jazz. With MARCIO MATTOS (cello & electronics), SIMON H FELL (double
bass) and MARK SANDERS (percussion). 72 minutes.
Special price 6 Euros
IMPORTANT NOTICE
ROLAND RAMANAN "Caesura" (2003) EMANEM 4123
This second CD is looser and veers more towards Free Improvisation than the first
SHAKEN. Once again, trumpeter Ramanan (who doubles
on wooden flutes) is with MARCIO MATTOS (cello & electronics), SIMON H FELL
(double bass) and MARK SANDERS (percussion). One of the eight tracks is a bass solo,
and another a string duet.
62 minutes.
Special price 6 Euros
IMPORTANT NOTICE
OLAF RUPP / TONY BUCK / JOE WILLIAMSON "Weird Weapons" (2002) EMANEM 4119
Three musicians, from three different continents and three different backgrounds,
happened to be living in Berlin a few years ago, and managed to make superb music
together. Two extended dense improvisations by Rupp (guitar), Williamson (double
bass) and Buck (percussion) without any amplification or electronics. 'I think the
three of us in the trio try to achieve a kind of stillness through density and a
certain degree of activity. Like the many complex colours and shadings in a pointillist
painting that combine to form an impressionistic image, our playing is often very
active and busy, while, in totality, creating a slowly shifting, almost three dimensional
texture or soundscape.' Tony Buck.
58 minutes.
Special price 6 Euros
IMPORTANT NOTICE
IAN SMITH "Daybreak " (2000) EMANEM 4059
For his second CD as leader, IAN SMITH has put together a group with a most unusual
instrumentation. There is the brass trio of himself on flügelhorn and trumpet,
GAIL BRAND on trombone, and OREN MARSHALL on tuba - three younger improvisers who
have already made quite an impression on the scene. Also present are DEREK BAILEY
on amplified guitar, and VERYAN WESTON exclusively on chamber organ. Some of the
14 improvisations are by the quintet, however most feature sub-groupings. A
different take on the London improvising scene. 70 minutes.
CD deleted
LARRY STABBINS "Monadic" (2002) EMANEM 4093
A sequence of improvised soprano & tenor saxophone solos featuring a unique
fusion of high energy, austerity and sublime melody. This is Stabbins' first solo
album even though he first played solos in public more than 30 years ago.
75 minutes.
Special price 6 Euros
IMPORTANT NOTICE
ALAN TOMLINSON / STEVE BERESFORD / ROGER TURNER "Trap Street" (2002) EMANEM 4092
A studio session of trio improvisations, featuring a rare opportunity to hear trombonist
Tomlinson with Beresford using electronics & toys and Turner on percussion.
The music ranges from 'the quiet and subtle' to a section that 'sounds like the
Sabre Dance remixed by Xenakis'.
63 minutes.
CD deleted
TONY WREN / LARRY STABBINS / HOWARD RILEY / MARK SANDERS "Four in the Afternoon" (2001) EMANEM 4067
A fine improvising quartet convened by the exceptional bass player Tony Wren, with
the austere saxophonist Larry Stabbins appearing on record after a gap of too many
years, pianist Howard Riley proving that he is still a master of free group playing,
and drummer Mark Sanders showing why he is so much in demand. 75 minutes.
CD deleted
Return to Emanem home page or
complete CD list
or go to index of musicians
or complete discography