Nothing like traditional instruments played in new ways and that’s what we have here. Since I haven’t heard the setar or shuranguiz before this, it is hard to tell what they sound like without any manipulations. The results are most mesmerizing and exotic nonetheless. Swirling acoustic strings and percussion woven into a handful of interconnected layers. The subtle bowing and bending of strings is done carefully and creates a constant aura of mystery. Superbly recorded with attention to detail and nuance. In search of the miraculous? You can find it here.

Splendid and genius, nothing less! Starting with a quintet of improvisers in a church setting is nice. When Christine Duncan (voice) and Jean Martin (drums) of Barnyard Drama are a part of it, it’s already better. When Jesse Zubot (violonist in Fond of Tigers and for Tanya Tagaq) is in too, it’s even better. Add in trumpeter Jim Lewis and, most of all, Eric Robertson on the church’s Casavant pipe organ, and you get something truly special. But are you ready for what REALLY sets At Rosedale United apart? A 51-piece improvising choir! This CD documents two sessions. Each opens with a short quintet introduction, followed by three long movements with choir, a choir that answers beck and call to Duncan’s directions. It’s more than beautiful, it’s majestic, grand, and utterly moving. A little more of that and I might just start going to church again, Very strongly recommended to fans of free improvisation, vocal music, or simply music that will move you to the core.

An avant-jazz trumpet/bass/drums trio. Very lively, the music leaps at you, shining and turning. Yet it’s not music to dance to. Still, Groove has a good one (groove), and the contorsions in Fourteen do sketch out something that could sweep you off your feet. Consistent improvisation, occasionally showing its teeth, delivered in small-to-medium doses (2 to 10 minutes per portion). Very good.

A solo concert recorded in July 2008 in Toronto (at Somewhere There, incidentally). A very fine performance consisting of a luminous 48-minute free improvisation — typical top-shape William Parker. Then, a short jazzier piece, with melody, dedicated to Don Cherry. And finally a short piece on flute. Classy. And a simple yet efficient recording.

The Fanfare Pourpour will be at Saint-Césaire on July 24, 2010. Parade at 5:30pm, concert at 7:30pm.

Ok, là j’ai juste trop de fun! Arrêtez moi quelqu’un sinon, j’ai bien peur que mon jeune cœur ne pourra plus le supporter pour longtemps! Mais attention, il ne faut pas écouter le disque de la Fanfare au travail. On rit, on hoche de la tête, on se prend au bureau pour faire rouler sa chaise par devant et par derrière, puis l’on est hanté par le doux fantasme de tout jeter à l’eau pour se consacrer au désir enfouit de se joindre à un cirque aquatique, voyageant autour de l’équateur pour répandre l’émoi et le plaisir de port en port. J’pense que je vais juste écouter ça à partir de maintenant, quin toé!