Hmm....

Here's the first in a row of older posts that I 'll rework & reup  in the next weeks / months - Büdi and Gumbl's Hmm... LP released 1983 on the excellent Biber label.

The amazing cover art exploded when I pulled the lp out from some shelf in my favourite record store. At that time I had only 3 records on Biber (Dadadogs, Lenny MacDowell, Ralf Illenberger's Circle) and was on the hunt for more, because these 3 are GREAT! I don't have to tell how pleasing it was to see the Biber logo and all those NAMES on the back cover.... Was ist die Zeit (transl. what is time) has been my fave on the LP for ages and you probably don't want to know but this track (and Dadadogs' Big Piece, Big Peace) are included in my Autumn Air mix for Chee's Musicwise series (last copies still available). 

But please let me tell you that the whole record is a bust! If you like humorous Ethno Jazz and you missed it the first time around check it out now......

link in comments

Yas-Kaz Does Jazz

 

Yas-Kaz - Virgo Indigo

Yas-Kaz is a Japanese percussionist. His works are often filed under ambient, experimental, new age and classical. This record released in 1986 is more in the jazz vein. There are tracks on this record that would fit the experimental tag, and a couple could be heard as leaning towards the cosmic side of sounds. Weather Reporter, Wayne Shorter is featured on soprano sax on the title track. Sounds of flute, violin, guitar, guitar synthesizer, keyboards, and off course, lots of percussion fill out the mix. 

Music

West Coast Experiment

Jazz? Maybe . . . Gnawa? Could be. Techno? Hmmm. Ethno-jazz-hop? Whatever it is, it works. This head scratcher was released in 2009 in Portland, Oregon. Very limited release, very scarce, very good. This duo outing with guests goes by Sesqui and Tahrei. The release is called Setenta Y Dos. We get lots of ethnic percussion, keyboards and jazzy horns and a bit of chanting on a couple tracks. This pair could produce a very entertaining live show.

in the wake of Cabinboy's sunshine

Fal Frett – Fal Frett 2
LP 3A [3A 167]  (1979)

Personnel:

Piano, Synthesizer, Vocal, Composer - Jacky Bernard
Bass, Vocal - Alex Bernard
Saxophone, Vocal, Composer - Bib Monville
Lead Vocal, Percussions - Ralph Thamar
Flute, Vocal, Composer - Robin Vautor
Percussions, Vocal - Nicol Bernard
Drums, Vocal - Jacky Alpha

Engineer, Mixer - Robert Denis
Photo - Philippe Bourgade

Buy it here or here.

You have to thank Cabinboy who shared with me this fantastic record. Thank you Cabinboy!

Drum & Synth II

Hip Address is David Earle Johnson's third album as a leader and the second with Jan Hammer in the keyboards chair. I would rate this one maybe half a notch behind Time is Free, his first. As usual Johnson is playing an amazing array of percussion toys (and sounding like a one man batucada section), Jan Hammer is hammering (literally) out the melodies and Jeremy Steig is guesting on flute on tracks A5, B2, and B3. This record also features several vocal tracks which as usual are a showcase for Johnson's wit and Zappaesque delivery.

Bag it

Finale - Calender

Finally some japanese music again. Deep, spiritual, percussive and highly organic - no synthesizers needed. It might be perfect for this time of the year.... More info on the release here.
Happy new year folks!

Software Sunrise

Here we have Brüning von Alten's Sunrise Orchestra with the "Malata Suite" LP. No year indicated on cover or label, but from the cat# I'm guessing this would have been released in 1984 or 1985 on Software. Software Music seems to be a guarantee for good music. I don't know a single bad record from this label (must admit I never heard this one). There's an ealier release buy these guys that I don't know yet but I hope to obtain it soon....
The album starts off with 10 minutes of some fine afro cuban jazz. Lots of percussions of course, beautiful piano and some real nice horns too. A2 is all about percussion. Voodoo! Side B kicks off with african fusion in "Latsemanja". I'm unsure about the chanting but hey, the guys obviously had fun.....you'll also find some relaxed moments on side 2. In one case (B2 "Lady U." with some great guitar shreds ; ) it's awesome - in fact my fave on this LP. The other one is kind of - ahhemm - okay (B3 "For Christina" - stewardess on the Love Boat, I guess). I have thought about leaving it out, but I have done that before and got rewarded with comments on the missing track only. Bloody completists!! For the closing track we return to the heart of africa with the "Kalabash Song". Everybody bring your calabash.....
Cheers!