Gorillas

Under The Sun Human Arts Ensemble Arista Freedom AL1022 The second of the two records released by the Human Arts Ensemble on their own Universal Justice label, and later re-issued on Arista/Freedom. The first, Whispers of Dharma is more trippy and eastern meditative sounding, whilst Under The Sun - while not forgoing these elements - is more of a groove record. Most importantly, it has free-jazz harmonica on it (a disturbing new theme in my posts - free-jazz harmonica...) It also has Marty Ehrlichs first appearance on record (rarely mentioned). Carol Marshall, James Marshalls then-wife, contributes wordless ululating cosmic scat singing that may bring to mind for some the "space whisper" of Gilli Smyth in early Gong. Star guests (see back cover) are Lester Bowie and Oliver Lake. But really, its an ensemble piece: - 2 big side-long groove-based compositions with simple themes to launch and recapitulate the action I always wondered about the "Featuring C Bobo Shaw" th...

X75 Volume 1 Henry Threadgill Arista Novus AN3013 Largely composed, and very very Threadgill.  Those that have heard his music might not be surprised to hear the heavy on the basses, heavy on the flutes sonorities going on here.  This doesnt get right up and swing - not is it a free jazz workout. Maybe its not a jazz record. But with Joseph Jarman, Douglas Ewart, Amina Claudine Myers, Fred Hopkins, Rufus Reid - hmm... Got pentatonic folk music, contrapuntal flute and bass charts, wordless wonderful vocals from Amina Claudine Myers. Got soul, got straight 4/4 against swing-time, got naive-on-purpose saxophone soloing.  Very damn nearly got Amazing Grace - plus, -later on - a bass section working some section work with the 4th member of the bass choir soloing above. Then the flute-section... Got Fe Fi Fo Fum - the last track and a quietly extraordinary piece of music . There was a Volume 2 recorded, but never released. Forthcoming though - is this Threadgill box from Mosaic...