Strictly Jazz Sounds (Part 2)


Moving on to Julius Hemphill, with Abdul Wadud, Dogon A.D.

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Pulling things together on Luminous with Arthur Blythe, Chico Freeman and John Hicks at Ronnie Scott’s circa 1991. John Hicks is on fire on Avotja.

Read the hype sticker…it doesn’t even mention Snoop, who is also on it.

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Peter Brotzmann vs. Mars Williams Chicago Tentet Ultra Man vs. Alien Metron as featured on Corbett vs. Dempsey single sided vinyl.
A Who’s Who of the present Chicago Creative Music Scene.

  • Alto Saxophone – Mats Gustafsson
  • Baritone Saxophone – Ken Vandermark
  • Bass – Kent Kessler
  • Cello – Fredrick Lonberg-Holm
  • Drums – Hamid DrakeDrake, Michael Zerang
  • Tenor Saxophone – Peter Brötzmann
  • Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Mars Williams
  • Trombone – Jeb Bishop
  • Valve Trombone – Joe McPhee

Every record I pull out, especially 45rpm’s is a jaw dropping experience, Wow, this Count Basie also sounds like I heard it for the first time, totally immersive!

With a new turntable or even MC cart one can again rediscover their collection. Always fun times.

Yes, new turntable and arm , and recently bought SoundSmith Hyperion MKII cartridge, together totally magical experience! Some records that was so-so is now making me constanly say Wow!

Don’t forgot to listen to the music, :laughing:

Music? What music, I can’t manage to take my eyes off the performers! :joy:


Continuing on with my earliest exploration into the avant-garde that shaped my current listening habits. Lester Bowie Numbers 1 & 2 from 1967. After a visit to Europe this collective from Chicago’s AACM became known as Art Ensemble of Chicago.

Side A of Roscoe Mitchell Nonaah recorded live was not all that well received by the audience whom had anticipated a solo set from fellow Chicagoan Anthony Braxton. Their displeasure can be heard early on, but by its finish they had totally embraced Roscoe’s performance standing and applauding.


Anthony Braxton/New York Fall 1974, Arista record executives were so appalled by Braxton’s recordings that each was released directly to the cut-out bins. Fortunately I was not too proud to scrounge through the cut-out bins in the 70’s. An economical way to explore music I may have otherwise missed. Time has proven Micheal Cuscuna’s decision correct to capture Anthony Braxton live and in the studio on the Arista label.

Sun Ra Space is the Place, the rabbit hole just became an abyss. Hop in as we take a ride with the extraplanetary explorers of the Sun Ra Arkestra.


Yet another LP that opened my ears to the possibilities of Creative Music, Charles Mingus Mingus Ah Um.