The Squid's Ear Magazine


Freed, Moss / Union Division: Micromotives [2 CDs] (Discus)

Seeking new methods of performing real-time collective composition through improvisation, composer & guitarist Moss Freed developed a language of hand signals that could be used among a large ensemble with instructions to guide players towards particular activities, heard in this spectacular set of seven improvisations, each named for an iconic improviser or composer.
 

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Personnel:



Moss Freed-electric guitar

Laura Jurd-trumpet

Charlotte Keeffe-trumpet

Sam Eastmond-trumpet

Tullis Rennie-trombone

Rachel Musson-tenor saxophone

George Crowley-tenor saxophone, clarinet

Chris Williams-alto saxophone

Rosanna Ter-Berg-flute, piccolo

Brice Catherin-cello

Otto Willberg-double bass

Steve Beresford-piano

Elliot Galvin-piano

Will Glaser-drums

James Maddren-drums

Pierre Alexandre Tremblay-electronics, electric bass


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UPC: 5051078001821

Label: Discus
Catalog ID: 147CD
Squidco Product Code: 33005

Format: 2 CDs
Condition: New
Released: 2023
Country: UK
Packaging: Cardboard Gatefold 3 Panels
Recorded at City, University Of London, UK, on September 11th, 2018, and April 27th, 2021, by Alex Bonney

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"Six years in the making, Micromotives represents a dynamic and empowering vision of real-time collective composition, created by composer Moss Freed and showcased by large ensemble Union Division. With improvisation and sociality at its core, this is dazzling and surprising music that shifts nimbly between materials and structural events, encouraging synchronicity and collaboration while giving unusually high levels of creative control to individual performers.

The aim of the project was to engineer an large-scale environment that both maintained the personal freedoms, sense of 'nowness' and modes of communication that improvisers commonly experience in small groups; and produced distinct and distinguishable compositions that were audibly impossible to achieve through improvisation alone.

Freed established Union Division early in 2018 to workshop these ideas, bringing together some of the UK's top improvisers from a range of backgrounds. Through a shared language of hand signals, the collective practice that evolved enables large numbers of players to self-organise easily and transfer detailed information between themselves directly and inaudibly. There is no demarcated leader and any attempts to coordinate the group are invitations only.

Each piece within Micromotives has a unique set of compositional materials that guide players towards particular activities and soundworlds but, critically, there is no obligation for performers to use these: improvisation is always the default position. Players, then, have power to determine their roles and integrate improvisation with predetermined elements fluidly, as they see fit, from moment to moment."-Discus


Artist Biographies

"Moss Freed is a composer, guitarist and improviser. He studied music at the University of Edinburgh and Berklee College of Music (Boston), before completing a masters in composition at Goldsmiths College. He has received scholarships from the Countess of Munster Musical Trust, the Bucher/Fraser Trust and the Berklee World Scholarship Tour. Moss has composed for Aisha Orazbayeva, Joseph Houston, Joshua Hyde, Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra, DriftEnsemble, Via Nova and several of his own projects, with broadcasts including BBC Radio 3, Jazz FM and BBC 6Music, and TV credits including BBC 1's The One Show.

Moss founded and runs Let Spin ('an electrifying live band whose grooves could wake the dead' Guardian) and Moss Project ('nothing short of breathtaking' All About Jazz), also performing as a guitarist with Counter's Creek, Arun Ghosh, and the Spike Orchestra, whose albums of John Zorn's music have been released on Tzadik. Performances include HCMF, the Barbican Centre, the Southbank Centre, Ronnie Scott's, Pizza Express Soho, and various European festivals.

Moss works as a teacher, examiner and workshop leader, and presents his research regularly. He is currently researching composition at the Universities of Hull and Huddersfield as a NECAH PhD scholar and lives in London."

-Moss Freed Website (http://mossfreed.com/bio/)
3/25/2024

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"Composer-performer Laura Jurd's distinct voice as an improvising trumpet player is at the heart of everything she creates. Her music celebrates and innovates the rich traditions of jazz and folk music, whilst often reflecting her love of The Beatles and Stravinsky to name two notable influences. Her compositions dig into something primal, earthy and human, whilst taking twists and turns that both invite surprise and evoke the inevitable.

As a composer she has collaborated with the London Sinfonietta, the Festival of New Trumpet Music, the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and the Ligeti Quartet to name a few. She regularly performs throughout the UK, Europe and beyond with her Mercury-nominated band Dinosaur, having played the likes of North Sea, Montréal and Molde International Jazz festivals to name a few. She can also be heard playing alongside London jazz band Kansas Smitty's and leading a number of exciting projects in UK jazz and improvised music. Recent collaborators include drummer Seb Rochford, pianist Huw Warren and accordionist / sound-artist Martin Green."

-Laura Jurd Website (https://www.laurajurd.com/biography)
3/25/2024

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"Trumpeter Charlotte Keeffe's unique approach and passion for improvised, experimental and jazz music has seen her performing regularly across the UK and internationally as a soloist and as part of several ensembles, duos and trios. Her music has been featured on BBC Radio 3, Resonance FM and Jazz FM and recent appearances with her quartet include Jazz In The Round and a sell-out performance at Lancaster Jazz Festival. Other recent highlights include being featured as a performer and composer/arranger on Sheffield-based Martin Archer's latest project, Anthropology Band, performances with Alex Ward's Item 4 and regular appearances and conductions with the London Improvisers Orchestra.

Inspired by the likes of Miles Davis and Polish artist Tomasz Stańko, Charlotte studied Jazz Performance at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama before going on to become a scholarship recipient at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and a Help Musicians UK Award Winner. With her Quartet, Charlotte explores the relationship between her compositions and experimental improvisation, producing a unique musical experience inspiring creative freedom of expression. Bassist Ashley John Long, drummer Ben Handysides and guitarist Moss Freed join Charlotte in this latest collaboration.

Charlotte is also a performer with The Brass Monkeys, Moss Freed's Union Division and Calum Gourlay's Big Band. She took part in the Summer Studios Artist Residency 2019 with drummer Andrew Lisle and bassist Otto Willberg in Andrew's trio project at The Sage, Gateshead. Charlotte played in Marin Alsop's Taki Concordia Orchestra at the World Economic Forum 2019 playing to world leaders and celebrities including Sir David Attenborough. She's performed at several music festivals including Brecon Jazz as part of Steve Waterman's Big Band, Glastonbury and Wilderness alongside Liane Carroll, Charlotte Church, Laura Mvula, Kate Nash, Camille O'Sullivan and Will Young."

-Charlotte Keeffe Website (https://www.charlottekeeffe.com/biography)
3/25/2024

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"Sam Eastmond is a composer, arranger, bandleader, trumpet player and producer creating music incorporating a variety of genres including jazz, klezmer, cartoon, rock, surf, world, jewish and Downtown influences and composed and improvised sections into music that he identifies as avant-garde or Radical Jewish Culture.

He co-founded and leads the Spike Orchestra, a large ensemble who have recorded three studio albums since 2014, their debut Ghetto (Spike Records) and two collaborations with New York legend John Zorn as part of his Masada Book on Tzadik Label, Cerberus: The Spike Orchestra Play Masada Book Two and Binah from the forthcoming Masada Book Three series.

Other current projects include TORU a free improvisation group releasing an album a month, and Gulgoleth, a quartet comprised of the Spike Orchestra rhythm section playing a new Book of music composed for this outrageous group of players, album being recorded this year."

-Sam Eastmond Website (https://www.sameastmond.com/about)
3/25/2024

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"Tullis Rennie is a composer, improvising trombonist, electronic musician and field recordist.

His work has been presented at concerts and festivals across 20 countries worldwide, alongside UK national broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 and ResonanceFM.

He is co-founder of Walls On Walls with visual artist Laurie Nouchka, and a member of the Insectotr˜pics audio-visual collective, based in Barcelona. He curates the multi.modal label with Claudia Molitor.

His writing has been published in Organised Sound and Leonardo Music Journal. He features on releases by the Luminous label, ZeroWave and Efpi Records.

He is currently Senior Lecturer in Music at City, University of London. He completed a PhD in Composition at the Sonic Arts Research Centre, QueenÕs University Belfast."

-Tullis Rennie Website (http://www.tullisrennie.com/about/)
3/25/2024

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"Rachel Musson is a saxophonist, improviser and composer living in London, UK. She is involved with a variety of improvisation projects, including a trio with Hannah Marshall and Julie Kjaer, a duo with vibraphonist Corey Mwamba, and a trio with Mark Sanders and John Edwards. She has released two albums under her own name, one featuring Liam Noble and Mark Sanders (Tatterdemalion, Babel Records), and one featuring her ensemble Skein (Flight Line, F-ire Recorded Music). She also plays with the London Improvisers Orchestra and Alex Ward's Quintet and Sextet, and has performed with a diverse range of musicians on the fluid European improvising scene, including Alcyona Mick, Han Bennink, Liam Noble, Gail Brand, Eddie Prevost, Olie Brice, Federico Ughi, Mary Halvorson, John Russell, Adam Linson, Sebastian Rochford, Louis Moholo-Moholo, Pat Thomas, among many others."

-Rachel Musson Website (https://rachelmusson.com/)
3/25/2024

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"George Crowley is a saxophonist, clarinettist, composer and promoter based in London.

Since his arrival in the capital in 2007, Crowley has steadily established himself as a key player within the city's burgeoning creative jazz and improv scene, and increasingly well known further afield, performing across the UK and Europe.

As a performer he is active across a range of styles; whether infusing melodic through-composed writing with open, searching improv in his own Can of Worms, channelling fiery avant-parade ghosts in Brass Mask, weaving through the polyrhythmic Ghanaian trance of Vula Viel or exploring more traditional repertoire, Crowley's energy and expressive, warm saxophone sound mark him out as a musician who demands attention.

He can also be found playing with bands and musicians such as Melt Yourself Down, Julian Argüelles' Septet, Yazz Ahmed, Red Snapper, the Michael Chillingworth Septet, Rick Simpson's Klämmer and the Olie Brice Quartet featuring Jeff Williams. Outside of the world of jazz and improvised music he has worked with artists such as Boy George and Culture Club and Mount Kimbie."

-George Crowley Website (https://www.georgecrowleymusic.com/about)
3/25/2024

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"Chris Williams. Instruments: Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone

Being inspired by Jazz in his early years, Chris graduated from Middlesex University with a 1st class honours in Jazz Studies in 2004. Since then, he has been an active member of the thriving music scene in London covering genres far and wide; ranging from electro pop and left field rock to African folk and free improv. Being involved in this vast array of styles has allowed Chris to develop a unique voice both as a musician and composer. This has led to critical acclaim and awards for a number of bands, performances at prestigious venues and festivals, as well as numerous TV and radio sessions broadcast around the world.

As well as developing technical ability along with awareness of harmony and theory, Chris encourages students to embrace improvisation and explore music through their instrument; drawing a link between the music that one feels as a listener and the music that one plays as a young musician.

With Mercury-nominated Led Bib set to release their sixth album and recording dates scheduled for a number of other bands (Let Spin, Metamorphic, Arun Ghosh, Namvula) all in early 2017, Chris will also be undertaking an MA in Jazz at the Royal Academy of Music, continuing his own development as a performer, composer, and music educator."

-Young Music Makers (https://www.youngmusicmakers.co.uk/lessons/woodwind)
3/25/2024

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"An exceptionally versatile and theatrical performer, Rosanna is a multi-flautist, improviser, actor-musician and creative collaborator in Europe and beyond.

Described as 'outstanding' by the Telegraph and 'super-charged' by the Guardian, Rosanna's performances exude class, personality and virtuosity. She is known for her charismatic presence and on-stage vitality and flair.

Forever resisting the urge to fit neatly in to a box, Rosanna enjoys performing many different styles of music - classical, contemporary, avant-guard experimental, pop, rock, Eastern European, latin and folk as well as directing and composing, which has led her to work on many different projects across the globe. Rosanna plays with some of the UK's most renowned improvisers, chamber groups, contemporary music ensembles, orchestras, pop, rock and theatre companies. She is also on the artistic and audition panel for the Park Lane Group.

Rosanna's versatility has led her to work as a soloist and ensemble musician with numerous artists and ensembles such as the contemporary classical/jazz ensemble Engines Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, Multi-Story Orchestra, Phaedra Ensemble, Disney's The Lion King UK tour and touring rock band Legend of a Band.

In demand as a session musician, she has recorded for artists as diverse as Danalogue, Ana Silvera, Katie Melua as well as TV and film. She is the demo-flautist and recording artist for the global music exam board ABRSM, having recorded the syllabus CD and downloads for 2014-17 & 2018-21 .

In 2018, she won a place as an improviser at the Banff Centre of Creativity (Canada), working and collaborating with musicians across the arts spectrum and dancers

She is a founding member of the the improvisers collective Union Division, contemporary music ensemble Alluna and Brazilian band A Oca. She has performed as a soloist live on radio, at many festivals and at the UK's most prestigious venues including the Royal Albert Hall, The Southbank Centre, Wigmore Hall, the Bridgewater Hall and at over 50 music clubs. She has also been invited numerous times as a concerto soloist.

Rosanna has been an artist for the Park Lane Group, Live Music Now, Making Music AYCA, Countess of Munster and the Concordia Foundation.

Rosanna has a passion for the stage and was the alternate musical director of the Globe's transfer of Emilia to London's West-End (Triple Olivier Award Winner). In addition to directing the all-female cast of actors, she also performed on-stage with flute, voice, keys and drum. She works with the immersive opera show Vixen (Silent Opera/ENO) with whom she's toured internationally after rave reviews and the Royal Opera House's immersive productions touring across the UK. In Germany, she has worked on the cabaret production Der Neue Mensch as a musical director, choir director, actor, musician and composer and also with the immersive puppet show Bobe Mayses.

Never one to shy away from a stage, Rosanna also works with improv theatre and clowning.

Rosanna is passionate about collaborating and creating music as a way of communicating with people and works as an animateur, musical director, composer and teacher on creative music workshops and projects across the country. She gained a deeper insight into the animateur world through the invaluable training she received at Spitalfields Music. With an extensive background in performance and her experience working in theatrical and dramatic productions, Rosanna also works in educational settings creating performances and shows."

-Rosanna Ter-Berg Website (https://www.rosannaterberg.com/)
3/25/2024

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"Brice Catherin (born 16 October 1981 in Brussels, Belgium) is a French composer and cellist.

Brice Catherin studied the cello at the Haute Ecole de Musique de Lausanne (Switzerland) with professor Marc Jaermann (cellist of the sine nomine quartet) where he successfully completed his diploma in 2004. At the same time, he was studying composition at the Haute École de Musique of Geneva (Switzerland) with professors Michael Jarrell, Luis Naón and Éric Daubresse. He received his diploma in 2005. The following year he studied at the Basel Musikhochschule with professor Roland Moser.

During this period, Brice Catherin gave a few hundred concerts and performances as a cellist, a composer, an improviser, and a performance artist in Europe, Japan, Russia, Iceland and Canada as an independent artist. He composed about 80 works for soloists to big ensembles, from 10 minutes to 10 hours. He premièred a few works he commissioned for solo cello or chamber ensembles to composers such as Dror Feiler, Christian Rosset, Evis Sammoutis, Patricia Bosshard, Baudoin de Jaer, Abby Swidler, Jacques Demierre, Arash Yazdani and Ludovic Thirvaudey.

He worked with artists from various backgrounds: dancers (Foofwa d'Imobilité, Corina Pia, Judith Desse...), writers (Karelle Ménine, Cléa Chopard...), actors (Delphine Rosay...), and after works of movie directors (David Bestue and Marc Vives, David OReilly (artist)...) and illustrators (Yuichi Yokoyama...)

As a composer, Brice Catherin wrote more than 80 instrumental works with or without electronic.

As an improviser, he is known for engineering the concept of "improvisation laboratories", which refers to performances of constrained improvisations. The constraints can be as different as "playing an instrument you don't know", "playing a building", "improvise music for a cartoon", "improvisation of characters", or "mixing baroque music and free improvisation". "

-Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brice_Catherin)
3/25/2024

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Otto Willberg is a professional double bass and bass guitarist, with considerable experience playing both jazz, classical and popular music. He has toured Europe and the US with different groups, and has a strong passion for sharing his skills and knowledge of music. He has worked with Alex Ward, Andrew Cheetham, Colin Webster, Andrew Lisle, Toshimaru Nakamura, Sam Andreae, Ashley Paul, Hannah Marshall, Dirk Serries, Ianncu Dumitrescu, &c. &c.

-Squidco 3/25/2024

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"Steve Beresford (born 1950) is a British musician who graduated from the University of York. He has played a variety of instruments, including piano, electronics, trumpet, euphonium, bass guitar and a wide variety of toy instruments, such as the toy piano. He has also played a wide range of music. He is probably best known for free improvisation, but has also written music for film and television and has been involved with a number of pop music groups.

Beresford played in Derek Bailey's Company events and in the groups Alterations with David Toop, Terry Day and Peter Cusack, and the Three Pullovers with Nigel Coombes and Roger Smith. He was also a member with Gavin Bryars and Brian Eno of the Portsmouth Sinfonia.

Beresford has continued to play free improvisation with a number of prominent musicians, including Evan Parker, Lol Coxhill, John Zorn, and Han Bennink. He has collaborated extensively with Swiss-American artist/musician Christian Marclay and is an active member of the long-standing London Improvisers Orchestra.

From 2010 he performed various pieces by John Cage, including Indeterminacy with Tania Chen and comedian Stewart Lee, and a performance with Ilan Volkov at The BBC Proms 2012 at The Royal Albert Hall in London.

He has also worked with a number of popular musicians, including Ray Davis, The Slits, Frank Chickens, Ted Milton and The Flying Lizards. In 2015 he performed a duoproject with the upcoming Norwegian singer Natalie Sandtorv at the Blow Out! festival in Oslo, Norway.

He was awarded a Paul Hamlyn Award for Artists in 2012. He is a senior lecturer on the Commercial Music course at University of Westminster.

Beresford's music and his teachings have inspired the musical community in the UK for over a decade. British songwriter and performer Katy Carr cites Steve Beresford's lectures on musical themes associated with Free improvisation, Experimental music, John Cage, musique concrète, Diamanda Galás and The Slits as a source of initial inspiration with regards to the creation of her debut album, Screwing Lies released in 2001."

-Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Beresford)
3/25/2024

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"Elliot Galvin is one of the groundbreaking new talents in UK jazz, who blends colorful piano and keyboard playing with excursions to toy instruments, cassette deck and microtonal melodica. His compositions reveal influences from many different directions, from jazz to Stravinsky and Ligeti and from indie rock to films by David Lynch, the Dada movement and literature by James Joyce."

-Bimhuis (https://www.bimhuis.nl/en/calendar/elliot-galvin-trio-jungsu-choi-tiny-orkester-2/)
3/25/2024

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"Will Glaser is a Nottingham born Drummer and Percussionist. An emerging talent on the British Jazz scene Will has had the pleasure of working with British Jazz luminaries such as Dame Cleo Lane, The London Jazz Orchestra, Ian Shaw and Julian Joseph.

He is a member of Tom Mcreddie's Inkine, The Ben Cox Band and leads his own trio, 40 Ton Parachute, with saxophonist Sam Rapley and guitarist Nick Costly-White. With a broad range of influences Will can be seen performing regularly in various contexts throughout the capital."

-Ben Cox Band (http://www.bencoxband.com/members/will/)
3/25/2024

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"British jazz drummer born in 1987 based in London. In 2004 while still at school he traveled to London to study with one of Europe's top multi-instrumentalists, Jim Hart, who Maddren cites as a significant early influence and inspiration. He went on to study jazz percussion at the Royal Academy of Music with Martin France as his drum tutor. Graduating in 2009 with a 1st class degree James was also given 'The Principal's Award For Outstanding Studentship'.

He is known for the groups: Andreas Dombert Trio, Bastian Stein Trio, Bunch Of Five, Enemy, Ferg Ireland Trio, George Crowley Quartet, Jake Goss's Banyan, Jonathan Bratoëff Quartet, Kit Downes Trio, Mark McKnight Organ Quartet, QCBA, Ronan Perrett Trio, Sam Crockatt Quartet, Satori, The Calum Gourlay Quartet, The Gwilym Simcock Trio, The Printmakers."

-Discogs (https://www.discogs.com/artist/1936770-James-Maddren)
3/25/2024

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"Pierre Alexandre Tremblay was born in 1975 in Montréal, Québec. He studied classical guitar and music theory from an early age, and as a teenager discovered bass guitar with Jean-Guy Larin, Sylvain Bolduc and Michel Donato. He also studied composition with Michel Tétrault, Marcelle Deschênes and Jonty Harrison. He earned his BA in music at the Université de Montréal in 1998 and his doctorate at the University of Birmingham in 2005. Since then, he has been teaching composition at the University of Huddersfield, in England.

In 1993, he explored improvised music with Facteur X, which led to the formation of the contemporary jazz ensemble [iks] in 1996. He directed this ensemble for 11 years, recording seven albums, touring Europe and North America and spending three months in Senegal for a cultural exchange with traditional West African musicians. This journey was chronicled in Étienne Deslières�s documentary film Le journal de sable.

He is currently collaborating on a variety of projects, playing bass guitar and manipulating sound on a laptop. He is a member of the contemporary jazz trio ars circa musicæ with Nicolas Stephan (saxophone) and Sébastien Brun (drums and machines), and the duet de type inconnu with Sylvain Pohu (guitar and laptop). He also works on pop music projects in studio as producer and bass guitar.

Tremblay is now working on hybridizing his aesthetic approaches, which he feels complete each other, into a single, coherent poetic language. He composes fixed media, instrumental and mixed music, sometimes integrating video, improvisation and real-time processing.

As a composer, he is fascinated by the listener�s experience rather than the process of creation. He considers the perception of form extremely important, and gives ample room to the emotional content, the poetic impact of the music.

He also programs sound processing software, mostly using Max/MSP, and freelances as artistic and technical director for contemporary music projects. He devotes the rest of his time (sic) to reading, photography and his family. Founder of the no-tv collective, he does not own a functioning television set."

-Pierre Alexandre Tremblay Website (https://www.pierrealexandretremblay.com/detailedbio.html)
3/25/2024

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Track Listing:



CD1



1. Union of Egoists (For Anthony Braxton) 20:45

2. Unprecedented Times (For Pauline Oliveros 18:15

3. Left-Leaning (For Louis Andriessen 21:33

CD2



1. Kilter (For John Zorn) 15:58

2. Starlings (For Christian Wolff) 16:28

3. Hidden Hand (For Terry Riley) 15:14

4. Hung Parliament (For Barry Guy) 19:02

Related Categories of Interest:


Improvised Music
Jazz
Free Improvisation
Collective Free Improvsation
European Improvisation, Composition and Experimental Forms
Large Ensembles
Staff Picks & Recommended Items
New in Improvised Music

Search for other titles on the label:
Discus.


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Dreamsing
(577 Records)
The debut solo album of London tenor saxophonist Rachel Musson, the title a wordplay on the spoken word interactions that accompanying her unique voice on the sax -- gritty melodic lines trading off with unusual asides and techniques -- engaging the listener as she interjects words, phrases and utterance that serve as jumping off points to direct her improvisations.
Frasch, Heather / Ryoko Akama
Linking
(Ftarri / Meenna)
US sound artists Heather Frasch and UK Ryoko Akama, who together run the mumei journal exploring the relationship between text and sound, in works commissioned by Bruno Duplant based on written texts, each interpreted, recorded and edited by the other using objects, field recordings, electronics, cello & voice, with one piece from Frasch and two versions from Akama.
Musson Rachel / Pat Thomas / Mark Sanders
Shifa - Live at Cafe Oto
(577 Records)
"Shifa", or "Healing", is the London-based trio of saxophonist Rachel Musson, pianist Pat Thomas, and drummer Mark Sanders, here in a live concert at Cafe Oto in 2018 of two collective improvisations of arching sax lines, rolling and potent drumming, powerful block chords and intricate lines, from dark to joyful moments, an intoxicating tonic for the ears.
Musson, Rachel / Pat Thomas / Mark Sanders
Shifa - Live In Oslo
(577 Records)
Performing as part of the Blow Out Festival 2019, the UK improvising trio Shifa, meaning "healing", of Rachel Musson on tenor saxophone, Pat Thomas on piano, and Mark Sanders on drums, are captured live in Oslo for four dramatic and masterful collective improvisations, passionate and building works, releasing their tension and rebuilding in powerful waves.
Musson, Rachel / Pat Thomas / Mark Sanders
Shifa - Live In Oslo [VINYL]
(577 Records)
Performing as part of the Blow Out Festival 2019, the UK improvising trio Shifa, meaning "healing", of Rachel Musson on tenor saxophone, Pat Thomas on piano, and Mark Sanders on drums, are captured live in Oslo for four dramatic and masterful collective improvisations, passionate and building works, releasing their tension and rebuilding in powerful waves.
Orchestra Entropy
Rituals
(Discus)
An extended work for 10 improvisers using a composite composition of graphic scores, open notations, and two trio sub-pieces titled "skelf" (electric guitar, double bass and drums) and "antiphon" (violin, viola and double bass), all directed by UK saxophonist Matt London in an ensemble with reeds, winds, brass, strings, electric guitar, and Mark Sanders on drums.
Musson, Rachel / Naoko Saito / Audrey Lauro
The Region Of Braille Responsibility [CD with English Braille Sheet]
(Armageddon Nova)
Three female saxophonist from around the world--Rachel Musson (UK), Naoko Saito (Japan) and Audrey Lauro (Belgium)--in a compilation of solo saxophone works, two extended pieces from Musson and Satio, and four shorter works from Laura, with a CD insert with English Braille characters, and a QR code that, when scanned, plays the audio information for the album.
Archer, Martin
Anthropology Band [2 CDs]
(Discus)
Inspired by the music of 70's Miles Davis electric work, composer and saxophonist Martin Archer presents 15 compositions performed in two parallel sessions over two CDs, the first in a septet that includes Corey Mwamba, Pat Thomas and Dave Sturt, and the second an extended ensemble with brass and wind sections, each bringing distinctive life to these inspired compositions.
Musson, Rachel / Pat Thomas / Mark Sanders
Shifa: Live at Cafe Oto [VINYL + DOWNLOAD]
(577 Records)
"Shifa", or "Healing", is the London-based trio of saxophonist Rachel Musson, pianist Pat Thomas, and drummer Mark Sanders, here in a live concert at Cafe Oto in 2018 of two collective improvisations of arching sax lines, rolling and potent drumming, powerful block chords and intricate lines, from dark to joyful moments, an intoxicating tonic for the ears.
Ughi, Federico feat. Rachel Musson
Transoceanico [VINYL]
(577 Records)
"Transoceanico" signifies the global reach of Rome, Italy-born improvising drummer Federico Ughi, celebrating 20 years since his first album recorded in London while residing there, leading to his current Brooklyn launchpad for many global tours and albums, this impressive LP realized in a superb free jazz trio with bassist Adam Lane and tenor saxophonist Rachel Musson.
Other Recommended Releases:
Caines, Ron / Martin Archer Axis
Blutopia
(Discus)
The fourth collaboration between composer & saxophonist Ron Caines and arranger & saxophonist Martin Archer, recorded in Brighton between 2022 & 2023 with a cast of UK luminary improvisers--Charlotte Keefe, Chris Sharkey, Graham Clark, Gus Garside and Johnny Hunter--chosen for their applicability to each piece, in configurations from solo to full octet ensemble.
Tippett, Keith / Julie Tippett
Couple In Spirit: Sound on Sound
(Discus)
Planning a duo album since 2019, this was to be pianist Keith Tippett & vocalist Julie Tippett first new studio album in 30 years, but tragically pandemic and Keith Tippett's passing prevented that, Julie instead turning to unreleased live solo piano recordings from 1979 through 1996 to which she added new vocal performances in the studio, creating eight impressive virtual duos.
Tippetts, Julie / Martin Archer
Illusion [2 CDs]
(Discus)
Their first album after a 6-year break, the collaboration of vocalist Julie Tippetts and multi-reedist & electronic artist Martin Archer is heard in two distinct presentations: a large and stunningly complex suite with an ensemble of acoustic and electronic artists; and a sequence of 13 separate and contrasting songs, performed by various small groups drawn from the JTMA Ensemble.
Ward, Alex Item 4
Furthered
(577 Records)
An assertive album of compositional jazz from clarinetist & guitarist Alex Ward's Item 4 with London improvisers Charlotte Keeffe on trumpet & flugelhorn, Otto Willberg on double bass and Andrew Lisle on drums, a dynamic album that elicits exciting solos from all players around unusual structures that surprise in quick turns and changes of mood; inspiring!



The Squid's Ear Magazine

The Squid's Ear Magazine

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