Derek Bailey • guitar, drum 'n' bass

This interview with Derek Bailey was undertaken by Stefan Jaworzyn (of Shock records) in mid-1995. It originally appeared in the magazine Music from the empty quarter (an irregular publication), no. 12, 1995. 

Derek Bailey:

Well, I did some recording... The jungle music's by Ninj - a beautiful piece, about 50 minutes - in fact it's five pieces I think. He does mainly studio work I believe - an interesting character. So he'd done his thing... I got to the studio - all this had been arranged from New York by Zorn and Laswell - the day before we were supposed to tape it. The studio was run by Mick Harris, a nice little place... I set up and tried a few things, then said to him, "Have you got a chair because I sit down to play.' And he said, 'No'(!) then, 'Well, there's one in there' but it was no good because it had arms. So he didn't have any chairs - but there was his drum stool. So I said, 'Well, I'll try the drum stool' but the drum stool was broken and it kind of weaved around. It spun round, but not only did it spin round but it conducted a circle in which it would spin - it would spin round in a circle, if you see what I mean - the upright was not upright...

Stefan Jaworzyn:

It swooped...

Derek Bailey:

Yep. So it was a fairly skilful business just keeping upright on it. (I should have asked Zorn for a chair. I realise now that when I got to Birmingham I should have phoned him and said 'There's no fucking chair here John - get a chair!'). We got talking about the way to record, and he played me a bit of the jungle stuff and I said, 'Don't play it just now.' Then I went back to the hotel, and I remembered about the chair, so I rang him up and said, 'Tomorrow, get a chair'. And he said, 'It's impossible.' So I left it with him anyway... I turned up the following day and there's no chair! I used the drum stool. It turned out that the drum stool wasn't really a problem. What was a problem was that Mick didn't seem capable of mixing a DAT and a live instrument. There were also some things that went on that were somewhat in the chair vein - like I played with the first piece then said, 'I'll just have a listen to that'. he replied, 'I didn't record it.' and I said 'What the fuck do you think I was doing?' and he said 'I thought you were just getting used to it.' So we started again. Anyway, we finished after about 40 minutes - by which time I'd been into the control box a few times. And by, let's say the third take, it was possible to detect that there was a guitar player. Now I was playing comparatively loud, but that doesn't mean anything if you're mixing - you're at the desk with a DAT and a live instrument - but there was nothing there (on the DAT). Eventually, as time wore on, I could hear some plinking and plonking behind this very nice jungle stuff - a bit like rain falling on a roof, very softly. I said, 'Just turn the fucking thing up Mick, don't worry about what it sounds like.' but we never made it onto the tape; after about 40 minutes my spirits started to sag...

Stefan Jaworzyn:

Uh...(Longish pause) So...

Derek Bailey:

(Laughs) Ninj was there - I have to say his enthusiasm was the only thing that was sustaining me - he seemed knocked out by what was going on. It's just that none of what was going on was making it onto tape! So I finally said, 'We're going to stop this now.' And Mick - it seemed with some relief - said, 'Yeah. Maybe you could record it at Laswell's studio.' I bet I could. And they've probably got chairs too... So the two lads helped me down with my equipment and I got a taxi back to the station and that was the end of that session... It just completely baffled me - he seemed so relieved when I said 'Let's pack this up'... It was getting louder, but I was getting exhausted - when it finally got to the point where it was starting to register on tape I thought it should have been over!

Anyway, I've got the Ninj DAT and the aborted DAT, so I'll probably take it over to New York with me in September. I've talked to Zorn about it and the arrangement is that we'll do it with Laswell.

Stefan Jaworzyn:

So it's not as imminent as I'd originally thought...

Derek Bailey:
Oh well, these things... Zorn's releases are backed up to the turn of the century...

Stefan Jaworzyn:
So Laswell will engineer it?

Derek Bailey:
No, it'll probably be Bob Musso - he's very good. Plus I can borrow his amp - he's got a fantastic old amplifier...

Bailey says that what he'd really like to do most is play a concert with 'live' jungle (ie: with a couple of DJs and several turntables for an uninterrupted flow of music), but there are obviously many attendant problems - not least the (presumable...) incompatibility of jungle and improvised music audiences, not to mention the difficulty of finding a suitable venue. I find this idea most appealing, and it strikes me as closer to Bailey's aesthetics than producing a CD with specially composed jungle. Well, I guess it now just remains to be seen what actually emerges from all the apparent chaos...

•

1. N/Jz/Bm (Re Mix)
2. Re-Re (Up Mix)
3. Dnjbb (Cake Mix)
4. Concrete (Cement Mix)
5. Ninj (De Mix)
6. Pie (Amatosis Mix)

Derek Bailey
guitar

D.J. Ninj
drum programming

Bass and drums recorded spring 1995 in Birmingham, England.
Guitar recorded September 1995 at Bill Laswell's studio, NYC.


Label: Avant ‎– AVAN 060
Format: 320
Country: Japan
Released: 1996
Genre: Electronic
Style: Noise, Drum n Bass, Experimental

Buckethead • Day of the Robot

The most consistent and coherent-sounding of Buckethead's releases to date (two qualities usually absent from his earlier works). Most often referred to as his "jungle album" (it features rhythm tracks by U.K. beat scientist DJ Ninj), the hyperspeed breaks are actually the least interesting aspect of the album, which is instead notable for its steady and inspired, chaos-by-design integration of diverse elements (treated guitars, keyboards and pianos, loping bass, etc.). Much of the credit for this goes to Bill Laswell's excellent production.

AMG


1. Destroyer
a. Speed Flux Quadrant
b. Inclusion
c. Exhaust Release

2. Flying Guillotine

3. Quantum Crash

4. Collision

5. Caution Drop




Buckethead • guitars
Ninj (2,3,4,5) • bass, drums, keyboards
Bill Laswell • low bass, drums

Recorded at Coast Recorders, San Francisco, CA and Greenpoint Studio,
Brooklyn, NY
Rhythm tracks for 2,3,4 and 5 created in the UK by Ninj
Engineering in San Francisco: Oz Fritz
Assistant in San Fransisco: Mike Johnson
Engineering at Greenpoint: Robert Musso
Mastered by Robert Musso and Anton Fier



Produced by Bill Laswell


Label: Sub Meta ‎– SM 9804
Format: 320
Country: US
Released: 1996
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Breakbeat, Drum n Bass, Heavy Metal

Jaz Klash • Thru The Haze

 Perhaps the best thing out of Bristol drum'n'bass since New Forms, the debut album from the collaborative trio Jaz Klash is a set of jungle jazz with a definite edge to it, courtesy of live instrumentation by noted jazz keyboardists Jacky Terrasson and Brian Auger. The drum programming by More Rockers and the Angel is superb and distinctive, while even the Angel's own vocals on two tracks come off quite well.

AMG

1. Off The Edge

Louis Russell • Electric Guitar

2. Intrigue (Down For Whatever)

The Angel • Lead Vocals

Katisse Buckingham • Flute

3. BQE

Cokni O'Dire • Rap

4. Intoxicated

Katisse Buckingham • Flute

6. Traffic

Greg Cook • Bass Guitar

Rob Chant • Electric Guitar

7. Thru The Haze

The Angel • Lead Vocals

Brian Auger • Hammond Organ, Electric Piano

Katisse Buckingham • Saxophone

8. The Finale

Louis Russell • Electric Guitar

Jacky Terrasson • Hammond Organ, Electric Piano

9. The Gift

Louis Russell • Electric Guitar

10. The Party Next Door 

11. One Fine Day

All tracks recorded & mixed in Bristol & L.A.

Composed, Mixed, Engineer, Programmed, Performed, Produced by

The Angel, Peter D, Rob Smith

Label: Cup Of Tea Records ‎– COT CD 008

Format: 320

Country: UK

Released: 1996

Genre: Electronic

Style: Trip Hop, Drum n Bass, Jungle

Plug • Plug 1 | Visible Crater Funk

"Plug 1 are a drum and bass outfit with a difference. Hailing as west country Techno stars, they came to London and were influenced by the jungle sounds of their new surroundings."

"Spaced out jungle tunes on an ambient tip or intelligent jungle would hint at where this release is coming from but with music as unique as this why try to categorise things that are on a trip of their own."

Taken from the Distributor sheet that came with the promos

1. 7.10
2. 3.41
3. 7.44
4. 6.07

Created by Luke Vibert

Incidental information:
"Visible Crater Funk" is an anagram for Luke Francis Vibert.
 

Label: Rising High Records ‎– PLUG 1
Format: Vinyl Rip Flac
Country: UK
Released: 10 Apr 1995
Genre: Electronic
Style: IDM, Drum n Bass, Jungle

Jerry Gonzalez • Ya Yo Me Cure

 A monumental masterpiece of New York Latin Jazz by Jerry Gonzalez. I think this was American Clave's first release, I remember reading a Kip Hanrahan interview that he had some ambitious ideas which were not to Jerry's liking, prompting Jerry to comment maybe you should record your own album (Coup de tete).

Stylo 

The debut recording as a leader by Jerry Gonzalez, Ya Yo Me Cure features an early version of the trumpeter/Latin percussionist's Fort Apache Band (although it had not been named at this point). The advanced Latin jazz set (which has been reissued on CD) features such notable sidemen as trombonist Steve Turre, Mario Rivera on tenor, pianist Hilton Ruiz, singer Frankie Rodriguez and several percussionists. In addition to three originals by Rodriguez, the hot ensemble Latinizes such unlikely tunes as "Caravan," Wayne Shorter's "Nefertiti," Thelonious Monk's "Evidence" and "The Lucy Theme." Frequently exciting music.

AMG

1. Aguaybana Zemi

2. Nefertitti

3. Ya Yo Me Cure

4. The Lucy Theme

5. Evidence

6. Baba Fieden Orisha

7. Caravan

Jerry Gonzalez • Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Coro

Frankie Rodriguez • Lead Vocals, Quinto, Bata, Chekere

Milton Cardona • Vocals

Steve Turre • Trombone, Conch Shell, Percussion

Papo Vázquez • Trombone, Coro

Mario Rivera • Tenor Saxophone, Coro

Edgardo Miranda • Electric Guitar

Hilton Ruiz • Piano

Andy Gonzalez • Bass, Coro

Gene Golden • Bata, Bata, Chekere

Carlos Mestre • Coro, Tumbadora, Chekere

Vicente George • Guiro, Percussion

Nicky Marrero • Timbales, Chekere, Guataca

Don Alias • Drums

recorded July / August 1979

Produced by Kip Hanrahan and Jerry Gonzalez

Label: American Clavé – AMCL 1001
Format: 320
Country: US
Released: 1980
Genre: Jazz
Style: Latin Jazz

American Clave • Anthology

An anthology of musics (sequences of angers, passions, sexualities made audible and intangible by music) formed by the labor of Kip Hanrahan, Jack Bruce, Astor Piazolla, Robby Ameen, Horacio El Negro Hernandez, Don Pullen, Silvana DeLuigi, Paul Haines, Milton Cardona, Ishmael Reed, Steve Swallow, Alfredo Triff, Allen Toussaint, Puntilla Orlando Rios, David Murray, Taj Mahal, Sting, Andy Gonzalez, Arto Lindsay, Giovanni Hildalgo, Fernando Saunders, Leo Nocentelli, Benjamin Bratt, Pablo Ziegler, Fernando Suarez Paz, Carmen Lundy, Bobby Womack, Robert Wyatt, Peter Scherer, Lester Bowie, John Tchicai, Mike Cain, Jerry Gonzalez, Xiomara Laugart, Lucy Penebaz, George Cartwright, Elysee Pyronneau, Pedrito Martinez, Olu Dara, Amadito Valdez, Yosvannit Terry, Chocolate Armenteros, Dziga Vertov and many others informed by, but irreverent of expected form; but informed by and not irreverent of passionate cause and intent ...1980-1992

A two-disc compilation of songs (greatest hits?) from american clave records

“American Clave is both the label and the vehicle of Kip Hanrahan, one of the most experimental musical artists working today. In addition to Hanrahan, some of the artists featured range from power rocker Jack Bruce on vocals and bass to soul singer Bobby Womack to blues guitarist Taj Mahal to avant garde jazz pianist Don Pullen to New Orleans keyboardist Allen Toussaint, usually in some combination with each other. As the above names suggest, Hanrahan has created a body of work that is the most imaginative and complete syntheses of different traditions ever put together... This collection proves that experimental music can be just as listenable and melodic as the most mainstream material..."
—Blade, Citizen Preview

Gold Disc • 1020
1. Salute to Elegua (traditional, arranged by Milton Cardona) Milton Cardona • iya; Hector “Flaco” Hernandez • checkere; Steve Berries • itotele; Jose Fernandez • okonkolo; Sandra “Fela” Wiles, YomiYomi Awolowo, Carole Awolowo, Paulette “Nirvana” Buckley, Amma Oforiwaa Agyapon, Denise Ola DeJean, Jean Evans, Amma Dawn McKean, Teresa Gomez • chorus / recorded 8/85 / from AMCL 1004

2. Tanguedia III (Astor Piazzolla) Astor Piazzolla • bandoneon; Fernando Suarez Paz • violin; Pablo Ziegler • piano; Horacio Malvicino • guitar; Hector Console • bass / recorded 5/86 / from AMCL 1013

3. “…when I lose myself in the darkness of love, no, this love…” (Kip Hanrahan) Fernando Saunders • electric bass; Giovanni Hidalgo • quinto; Milton Cardona • congas; Robbie Ameen • trap drums; Ignacio Berroa • trap drums; Kip Hanrahan • percussion; Diahnne Abbott • voice; Andy Gonzalez • bass; Alfredo Triff • violin / recorded 8/89 / from AMCL 1016/1017

4. “…she turned so that maybe a third of her face was in this fuckin’ beautiful half-light…” (Kip Hanrahan) Giovanni Hidalgo • quinto; Milton Cardona • congas; Robbie Ameen • trap drums; Ignacio Berroa • trap drums; Kip Hanrahan • percussion; Andy Gonzalez • bass; Fernando Saunders • electric bass; Sting • electric bass, voice; Alfredo Triff • violin / recorded 2/90 / from AMCL 1016/1017

5. ‘Sputin (Ishmael Reed, Leo Nocentelli, Alien Toussaint, Kip Hanrahan) Leo Nocentelli • guitar; Steve Swallow • electric bass; Bobby Womack • voice; Allen Toussaint • piano; Robbie Ameen • trap drums; Lenny Pickett • tenor sax; Olu Dara • trumpet; Hamiet Bluiett • baritone sax / recorded 2/89 / from AMCL 1015

6. Jes’ Grew (David Murray, Ishmael Reed) Taj Mahal • voice, guitar; Ejaye Tracey • voice; Don Jay • voice; Olu Dara • trumpet; David Murray • tenor; Jean-Paul Bourelly • electric guitar; Allen Toussaint • piano; Steve Swallow • electric bass; Jamaaladeen Tacuma • electric bass; Billy Hart • trap drums; Puntilla Orlando Rios • percussion / recorded 9/83 / from AMCL 1006

7. Make Love 2 (Jack Bruce, Pete Brown) Jack Bruce • voice, electric bass; Steve Swallow • electric bass; Ignacio Berroa • trap drums; Milton Cardona • congas; Puntilla Orlando Rios • congas; Peter Scherer • synclavier; Arto Lindsay • electric guitar; David Murray • tenor sax / recorded 2/84 / from AMCL 1010

8. Ah, Intruder (Female) (Astor Piazzolla; arranged by Kip Hanrahan and Astor Piazzolla) David Murray • tenor sax; Pablo Ziegler • piano; Andy Gonzalez • bass; Alfredo Triff • violin / recorded 5/86 / from AMCL 1012

9. Prelude to the Cyclical Night (part One) (Astor Piazzolla) Astor Piazzolla • bandoneon / recorded 8/87 / from AMCL 1019

10. The First and Last to Love Me (2, December) (Kip Hanrahan) Steve Swallow • electric bass; Jack Bruce • electric bass; Andy Gonzalez • bass; Giovanni Hidalgo • congas; Milton Cardona • congas; Ignacio Berroa • trap drums; Fernando Saunders • voice; George Adams • tenor sax / recorded 10/85 / from AMCL 1012

11. Ebioso (traditional, arranged by Milton Cardona) Milton Cardona • lead singer, atchere; Hector “Flaco” Hernandez • checkere; Steve Berrios • congas, checkere; Jose Fernandez • checkere; Sandra “Fela” Wiles, YomiYomi Awolowo, Carole Awolowo, Paulette “Nirvana” Buckley, Amma Oforiwaa Agyapon, Denise Ola DeJean, Jean Evans, Amma Dawn McKean, Teresa Gomez • chorus / recorded 8/85 / from AMCL 1004

12. The Author Reflects on his Thirty-fifth Birthday (Ishmael Reed, Steve Swallow) Bobby Womack • voice; Steve Swallow • electric bass; Don Pullen • organ; Alien Toussaint • piano; Robbie Ameen • trap drums; Eddie Harris • tenor sax; Leo Nocentelli • electric guitar; David Murray • tenor sax; Olu Dara • trumpet / recorded 9/87 / from AMCL 1015

13. Curtsy (Paul Haines, Robert Wyatt) Robert Wyatt • voice, keyboards, percussion; Evan Parker • tenor sax / recorded 8/86 / from AMCL 1014/1018

14. At the Moment of the Serve (excerpt) (Kip Hanrahan) Jamaaladeen Tacuma • electric bass; Arto Lindsay • electric guitar; Daniel Ponce • congas, iya; Jerry Gonzalez • congas; Anton Fier • trap drums; Ignacio Berroa • trap drums; Kip Hanrahan • percussion; George Naha • electric guitar; Carlos Ward • alto sax; Chico Freeman • tenor sax / recorded 1/81 / from AMCL 1007

• • • 

Red Disc • 1026

1. Meaning a Visa (excerpt) (Kip Hanrahan) Steve Swallow • electric bass; Elysee Pyronneau • electric guitar; Arto Lindsay • electric guitar; Alberto Bengolea • electric guitar; Jody Harris • electric guitar; Puntilla Orlando Rios • percussion; Kip Hanrahan • percussion / recorded 7/82 / from AMCL 1008/1009

2. Two (Still in Half Light) (Kip Hanrahan) Jack Bruce • electric bass, voice; Andy Gonzalez • bass; Milton Cardona • congas, checkere, quinto; Ignacio Berroa • trap drums; Giovanni Hidalgo • quinto; Steve Swallow • electric bass; Kip Hanrahan • checkere/ recorded 7/84 / from AMCL 1011

3. Soledad (Astor Piazzolla) Astor Piazzolla • bandoneon; Fernando Suarez Paz • violin; Pablo Ziegler • piano; Horacio Malvicino • electric guitar; Hector Console • bass / recorded 5/88 / from AMCL 1021

4. Fool-ology (The Song) (Lester Bowie, Ishmael Reed) Lester Bowie • voice, trumpet; Molly Parley • voice; Brenda Norton • voice; David Murray • tenor sax; Elysee Pyronneau • electric guitar; Jamaaladeen Tacuma • electric bass; Andy Gonzalez • bass; Frisner Augustin • congas; Milton Cardona • congas; Billy Hart • trap drums / recorded 8/83 / from AMCL 1006

5. A Lover Divides Time (To Hear How it Sounds) (excerpt) (Kip Hanrahan) Lisa Herman • voice; Daniel Ponce • congas; Jerry Gonzalez • congas; Ignacio Berroa • trap drums; Anton Fier • trap drums; Jamaaladeen Tacuma • electric bass; Arto Lindsay • electric guitar / recorded 2/81 / from AMCL 1007

6. India Song (Carios d’Alessio, Marguerite Duras) Carla Bley • voice, piano; Bill Laswell • electric bass; Chico Freeman • tenor sax; Orlando DiGirolamo • accordian; Billy Bang • violin; Carios Ward • alto sax; George Cartwright • flute; John Clark • french horn / recorded 1/81 / from AMCL 1007

7. Poem for Gretchen Ruth (Paul Haines, George Cartwright) Alex Chilton • voice; Wayne Horvitz • piano; David Hofstra • bass; Bobby Previtte • drums / recorded 10/86 / from AMCL 1014/1018

8. New Fast (Ikue Mori, Tim Wright, Arto Lindsay) Ikue Mori • drums; Tim Wright • bass; Arto Lindsay • guitar, voice / recorded 3/80 / from AMCL 1003

9. Velasquez (Kip Hanrahan) Jack Bruce • voice; Steve Swallow • electric bass; Puntilla Orlando Rios • congas; Ignacio Berroa • trap drums; Anton Fier • trap drums; Elysee Pyronneau • electric guitar; Arto Lindsay • electric guitar; Jody Harris • electric guitar / recorded 7/82 / from AMCL 1008/1009

10. There Aren’t These Things (Paul Haines, John Tchicai) John Tchicai • tenor sax; Andrew Cyrille • trap drums / recorded 1/90 / from AMCL 1014/1018

11. Leijia’s Game (Astor Piazzolla) Pablo Zinger • piano / recorded 8/87 / from AMCL 1019

12. Shadow Song (Mario’s In) (Rene Hernandez, Kip Hanrahan) Jack Bruce • piano, voice; Steve Swallow • electric bass; Ignacio Berroa • trap drums; Puntilla Orlando Rios • congas, bongo; Milton Cardona • congas; David Murray • tenor sax; John Stubblefield • tenor sax; Mario Rivera • baritone sax; Ned Rothenberg • tenor sax; Lew Soloff • trumpet; Richie Vitale • trumpet / recorded 2/84 / from AMCL 1010

13. Geography (Kip Hanrahan) Robbie Ameen • trap drums; Fernando Saunders • electric bass; Lucy Penabaz • voice; Leo Nocentelli • electric guitar / recorded 2/90 / from AMCL 1016/1017

14. Prelude to the Cyclical Night (part two) (Astor Piazzolla) Astor Piazzolla • bandoneon/ recorded 8/87 / from AMCL 1019

Produced by Kip Hanrahan

Label: American Clavé – AMCL 1020/26
Format: 320
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: Folk,  Latin
Style: Afro-Cuban, Religious

Weird Nightmare | Meditations On Mingus

Of the three Hal Willner tribute albums I have (posted) this is my favorite. I was searching for a copy of "Beneath The Underdog", a sales assistant at Mole Jazz Records, had warned me off the Penguin edition advising me it was an abridged version.  As the gods would have it, it was republished by Vintage books a few months into my search (around 1991) and this album followed shortly after.
What pulled me in to this recording was the strange instrumentation from instruments invented by
Harry Partch or mores to the point the excellent recording of these instruments. I'm not aware of Partch's instruments given this treatment but would be interested if anyone knows of other recordings of a similar bent. I remember some years later, dragging a girlfriend across London to watch a special presentation and film (can't remember what) on Harry Partch on one of the hottest nights of the year. The sound was irritatingly terrible as was the film presented in a room with no air-con, I think our next date was something along the lines of "it's not you it's me"...
As with the previous Hal Wilner tribute albums the line-up of musicians is pretty stellar.

stylo

Producer Hal Willner had created a reputation as a fascinating instigator, organizing homages to composers as diverse as Nino Rota and Thelonious Monk wherein he conscripted the services of musicians from all over the stylistic map, allowing them to bring their unique interpretations and approaches to bear on the subjects. For his Charles Mingus project, his central idea was as inspired as it was loony: to incorporate the amazing instruments invented and designed by another equally maverick composer, Harry Partch, into reinterpretations of Mingus' work. By and large, it works, making Weird Nightmare a strange and wonderful one-off event. There's a central band at work based around bassist Greg Cohen and guitarist Bill Frisell, with guest stars, mostly from the rock world, including Robbie Robertson, Dr. John, Keith Richards, and Chuck D Highlights abound; when Partch's Marimba Eroica is struck during "Pithecanthropus Erectus," the floors of the listener's dwelling may buckle. Elvis Costello's reading of the title song is, well, eerily weird. One special high point is the version of "Gunslinging Bird" where text from Mingus' autobiographical Beneath the Underdog is angrily and righteously declaimed by Chuck D.; it's arguably as pure and forceful as anything he ever accomplished with Public Enemy and makes one wonder why he never pursued this seemingly rewarding path. There are several missteps as well, to be sure. Most egregiously, Keith Richards' sneering condescension on "Oh Lord, Don't Let Them Drop That Atomic Bomb on Me," as though he had better things to do, is embarrassing. But eventually, it's simply the gorgeous music of Charles Mingus that carries the day, showing itself more than capable of shouldering the ghost of Harry Partch and the wayward inclinations of its interpreters. Most of the pieces glow in these unusual treatments, and make Weird Nightmare a must for any serious Mingus fan.

allmusic

1. Canon (Part 1)
2. Meditations On Integration
3. Canon (Part 2)
4. Jump Monk
5. Weird Nightmare  
6. Work Song
7. Self-Portrait In 3 Colors
8. Purple Heart
9. Tonight At Noon
10. Gunslinging Bird
11. Weird Nightmare Interlude
12. Reincarnation Of A Lovebird / Haitian Fight Song Montage
13. Open Letter To Duke
14. The Shoes Of The Fisherman's Wife Are Some Jive Ass Slippers
15. Oh Lord, Don't Let Them Drop That Atomic Bomb On Me
16. Eclipse
17. Pithecanthropus Erectus
18. Freedom
19. Weird Nightmare (Reprise)

Featuring

Don Alias | Art Baron | Elvis Costello | Chuck D. 

Bill Frisell | Diamanda Galas | Dr. John | Bobby Previte

Vernon Reid | Marc Ribot | Robbie Robertson

Henry Rollins | Henry Threadgill

Full line up info

Composed by Charles Mingus

Produced by Hal Willner

Label: Columbia ‎– CK 52739

Format: 320

Country: US

Released: 1992

Genre: Jazz

Style: Jazz, Avant-Garde

Amarcord | Nino Rota

After discovering the Monk album a friend lent me his copy this album which didn't get as much rotation as the Monk but non the less was a good listen. The William Fischer Medley track made it onto a few mixtapes.

stylo

This tribute to the music of film composer Nino Rota was the first of Hal Willner's unusual multiartist projects and one of his more jazz-oriented ones. Such musicians as pianist Jaki Byard, vibraphonist Dave Samuels, guitarist Bill Frisell, soprano-saxophonist Steve Lacy, trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and bands headed by Carla Bley, Muhal Richard Abrams and David Amram are heard from on these eccentric but very musical adaptations of Rota's themes from Fellini movies.

allmusic

 

 1. Amarcord

Arranged By Jaki Byard
Piano • Jaki Byard
   

2. Interlude From Juliet Of The Spirits

Arranged By Dave Samuels
Vibraphone • Dave Samuels

3. 8½

Arranged By Carla Bley
Conductor, Organ, Glockenspiel • Carla Bley
Bass • Steve Swallow
Drums • D. Sharpe
Engineer • Michael Mantler, Vince McGarry
Euphonium • Joe Daley
Piano • Arturo O'Farrill
Tenor Saxophone • Gary Windo
Trombone • Gary Valente
Trumpet • Michael Mantler
Tuba • Earl McIntyre
Woodwind • Courtenay Wynter 

4. Theme From "La Dolce Vita" And "Juliet Of The Spirits"

Arranged By Dave Samuels
Vibraphone • Dave Samuels

5. Juliet Of The Spirits

Arranged By Bill Frisell
Guitar • Bill Frisell

6. La Dolce Vita Suite

6a. Introduction

Arranged By Sharon Freeman
French Horn, Piano • Sharon Freeman
Steel Drums • Francis Haynes

6b. Notturno

Arranged By Muhal Richard Abrams
Conductor • Muhal Richard Abrams
Bass • Fred Hopkins
Drums • Warren Smith
Flute • Henry Threadgill
French Horn • Sharon Freeman
Piano • Amina Claudine Myers
Baritone Saxophone, Clarinet • Bobby Eldridge
Trombone • Emmet McDonald
Trumpet • Claudio Roditi
Vibraphone • Jay Hoggard

6c. Interlude

Arranged By Sharon Freeman
French Horn, Piano • Sharon Freeman
Steel Drums • Francis Haynes

6d. Valzer (Parlami Di Me)

Arranged By Chris Stein & Michael Sahl
Accordion, Percussion • Charles Rocket
Guitar • Chris Stein
Keyboards • Michael Sahl
Vocals • Deborah Harry
Drums • Lenny Ferrari 

7. Satyricon

Arranged By David Amram
Accordion, Percussion • Charles Rocket
Guitar, Penny Whistle, Double Ocarina, Shanai, Claves • David Amram
Bass • Victor Venegas
Drums • Lenny Ferrari
Flute • Jerry Dodgion
Percussion • Steve Berrios

8. Roma

Arranged By Steve Lacy
Soprano Saxophone, Gong • Steve Lacy
Engineer • Alain Cluzeau

9. Medley: The White Sheik, I Vitelloni, Il Bidone, 

The Night Of Cabiria

Arranged By William Fischer
Conductor • William Fischer
Bass • Ron Carter
Drums • Wilbert Fletcher
Piano • Kenny Barron
Tenor Saxophone • George Adams
Trumpet • Wynton Marsalis
Woodwind • Branford Marsalis

10. La Strada

Arranged By Jaki Byard
Piano • Jaki Byard

Written by Nino Rota

Produced by Hal Willner

Label: Hannibal Records ‎ HNCD 9301
Format: 320
Country: UK
Released: 1982
Genre: Jazz
Style: Free Jazz, Contemporary Jazz

That's the Way I Feel Now • A Tribute to Thelonious Monk

One of the many vinyl albums destroyed from a leaking roof many moons ago. Fortunate to find a rip sometime ago but I can't remember where, hope I thanked the original postee.  One of the curses (I find) of music blogs and blogging is that I hardly get time to listen to what I find, even the stuff I have been searching for forever. Gave this a bit of a listen while preparing the post and enjoyed what I was hearing.

• Stylo •

Two years after the death of pianist-composer Thelonious Monk, this very unusual and quite memorable double-LP tribute was put together. Producer Hal Willner's most successful project, the 23 interpretations of Monk originals all feature a different group of all-star players and stretch beyond jazz. Some of the performances are fairly straightforward while others are quite eccentric; certainly the crazy duet on "Four in One" by altoist Gary Windo and Todd Rundgren (on synthesizers and drum machines) and the version of "Shuffle Boil" featuring John Zorn on game calls (imitating the sound of ducks) are quite unique. There are many colorful moments throughout the project and the roster of musicians is remarkable: Bobby McFerrin with Bob Dorough, Peter Frampton, Joe Jackson, Steve Lacy, Dr. John, Gil Evans, Randy Weston, Roswell Rudd, Eugene Chadbourne and Shockabilly, the Fowler Brothers, NRBQ, Steve Khan, Carla Bley, Barry Harris, Was (Not Was) and many others. There is not a slow moment or uninteresting selection on this highly recommended set.

allmusic

 

 Thelonious


Arranged by Bruce Fowler


Bruce Fowler • trombones


Phil Teele • bass trombones


Tom Fowler • bass


Chester Thompson • drums


Little Rootie Tootie



Performed by NRBQ and the
 Whole Wheat Horns


Al Anderson • guitar


Terry Adams • piano


Joseph Spampinato • bass


Tom Ardolino • drums


Donn Adams • trombone


Keith Spring • tenor saxophone

Reflections


Arranged and preformed by 
 

Steve Kahn • guitars


Donald Fagen • synthesizers


Blue Monk



Arranged and performed by
 

Dr. John • piano

Misterioso


Arranged by Carla Bley


Performed by 

The Carla Bley Band


with special guest
  

Johnny Griffin • tenor saxophone


Carla Bley • organ


Mike Mantler • trumpet


Gary Valente • trombone


Vincent Chancey • French horn


Bob Stewart • tuba


Steve Slagle • alto and baritone
 saxophones


Hiram Bullock • guitar


Kenny Kirkland • piano


Steve Swallow • bass


Victor Lewis • drums


Manolo Badrena • percussion, 
special effects


Hal Willner • the voice of death

Pannonica

Arranged and performed by
Barry Harris • tack piano

Ba-Lue-Bolivar-Ba-Lues-Are

Was (Not Was)
David Was • flute
Don Was • guitar, synthesizer, horn arrangement
Sheila Jordan • vocal
Marcus Belgrave • trumpet
Jervonny Collier • trombone
David McMurray • alto saxophone
Michael Ward • tenor saxophone
Larry Fratangelo • percussion
Sweet Pea Atkinson • background vocal
Harry Bowens • background vocal
Carol Hall • background vocal
Donald Ray Mitchell • background vocal

Brilliant Corners

Arranged by Mark Bingham
Mark Bingham • guitar
Brenden Harkein • guitar
John Scofield • guitar
Steve Swallow • bass
Joey Barron • drums

Ask Me Now

Arranged and performed by
Steve Lacey • soprano saxophone

Charlie Rouse • tenor saxophone

Monk's Mood

Arranged by Sharon Freeman
Sharon Freeman • French horn, celeste
Featuring special guest
Willie Ruff • solo French horn
Vincent Chancey • French horn
Bill Warnick • French horn
Gregory Williams • French horn
Kenneth Barron • piano
Buster Williams • bass
Victor Lewis • drums, percussion

Four In One

Arranged and performed by
Todd Rundgren • synthesizers, 

keyboards, guitar, drum machines

Gary Windo • alto saxophones

Functional

Arranged and performed by 

Randy Weston • piano

Evidence

Arranged and performed by  

Steve Lacey • soprano saxophone 

and Elvin Jones • drums

Shuffle Boil

Arranged by John Zorn
John Zorn • game calls, alto saxophone, clarinets
Arto Lindsay • guitar vocal
Wayne Horvitz • piano, organ, celeste, electronics
M. E. Miller • drums, timpani

In Walked Bud

Performed by Terry Adams and Friends
Roswell Rudd • trombone
Pat Patrick • alto saxophone
Terry Adams • piano
John Ore • bass
Frankie Dunlop • drums

Criss Cross

Arranged and performed by 

Shockabilly
Eugene Chadbourne • acoustic, electric guitars
Mark Kramer • piano, organ, bass guitar, alto trombone, 

Dad's clocks, tapes
David Licht • drums, percussion

Jackie-Ing

Mark Bingham • guitar
Brenden Harkein • guitar
John Scofield • guitar
Steve Swallow • bass
Joey Barron • drums
Additional horns
David Buck • trumpet
Don Davis • clarinet
Mars Williams • clarinet, tenor saxophone
Ralph Carney • bass saxophone, whistle

'Round Midnight

Arranged by Joe Jacckson
Joe Jackson • piano
Sharon Freeman • conductor
Jerry Little • concertmaster
Melanie Baker • violin
Sandra Billingsles • violin
Karen Gilbert • violin
Cheryl Hong • violin
Stan Hunt • violin
Crystal Garner • viola
Maxine Roach • viola
Muneer Abdul Fatah • cello
Enrique Orango • cello
Lawrence Feldman • clarinet
Steve Slagle • clarinet
Ken McIntyre • bass clarinet
Bob Cranshaw • bass
Buddy Williams • drums

Friday The Thirteenth

Original tracks arranged and performed by
Bobby McFerrin • vocals
and Bob Dorough • vocals
Dave Samuels • vibes, marimba, percussion

Work

Chris Spedding • guitars, arrangement, concept
Peter Frampton • guitars, solo
Marcus Miller • bass
Anton Fig • drums

Gallop's Gallop

Arranged and performed by 

Steve Lacey • soprano saxophone

Bye-Ya

Arranged and performed by 

Steve Slagle • alto saxophone

Dr. John • piano
Steve Swallow • bass
and Ed Blackwell • drums

Bemsha Swing

Arranged and performed
by Steve Lacey • soprano saxophone
and Gil evans • electric and acoustic pianos

ALL MUSIC COMPOSED BY THELONIOUS MONK Published by Thelonious Music BMI except: "Bemsha Swing" written by Thelonious Monk and Denzil Best 

 "'Round Midnight" published by Warner Bros. Music, and is registered as written by Thelonious Monk, Cootie Williams, and Bernie Hanighen 

"In Walked Bud" and "Monk's Mood" published by Embassy Music BMI

Recorded and mixed at
MEDIASOUND STUDIOS through MediaMax Corporation.
Recording and mix engineer Doug Epstien

Produced by Hal Willner

 

Label: A&M Records ‎– SP 96600
Format: 320 
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: Jazz
Style: Bop, Post Bop