A FEW 2015 RELEASES THAT ARE STILL IN THE PLAY PILE!

Posted on January 4, 2016 by Paul Brad

A FEW 2015 RELEASES THAT ARE STILL IN THE PLAY PILE!

AS WE’RE NOW IN 2016 I thought I’d stop prevaricating and just big up a few albums that were bought or sent to me in 2015 and have stayed the course.

K LPI have to say that Kamasi Washington’s ‘The Epic’ still packs the punch it had the first time I heard it. There is definitely something deep going down on the West Coast, a musical undercurrent that demands we listen. Check out Kamasi’s contribution to Kendrick Lamar’s much discussed ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’ – musically, there’s some seriously radical stuff going on that LP

Another album that Ninja sent me was the Romare album – a free flowing contemporary offering and a most pleasant surprise.

YouTo coincide with moving his IF Music boutique record emporium from Fitzrovia back to D’arblay Street in Soho the man called Jean Claude has released via BBE a double album of rare jazz cuts – none of which I’d previously owned. Appropriately entitled, ‘You Need This! A Journey into Deep Jazz’ this diverse selection homes in on a set of obscure, but not supa-rare albums from players like John Stubblefield, James Clay, Stanton Davis and Max Roach, whose excellent MBOOM project kicks off this venture. I can’t recall how many times JC has insisted, “You need this!” and for once I’m not going to argue.

Mbongwana Star Pic:

Mbongwana Star

It was nice to spot World Circuit boss Nick Gold in a pic taken in the White House with President Obama and the surviving members of Cuba’s Buena Vista Social Club. Just as I’d thought Nick had packed it all in at World Circuit a CD by Mbongwana Star dropped through my door. Obviously, Nick was much taken by the wayward music on this disc and did us all a favour by putting it out there. Mbongwana Star are five Congolese musicians, two of whom used to be in Staff Benda Bilili, plus Paris based producer Dr. L . Their debut album ‘From Kinshasa’ is a punky mix of spacey electronics, surging rhythms and flashes of Congolese guitar. Unique and other worldly!

Staying with Africa but on a crate digging tip I’m nicely vibed on the ‘Amara Toure’ album compiled by Samy Ben Redjeb for his mighty Analog Africa Label. Like the companion release ‘Senegal 70’ these albums deliver vintage Senegalese music but, for me, it’s the super cool Latin flavas of Amara Toure that wins out!

GL_LOGO-1200px_72dpi1-1024x10242016 will see the Olympics in Brasil and to go with it a guaranteed explosion of music. Over the past year I became an avid listener and staunch fan of Jody Gillett‘s Brasil Music Exchange. Produced by Folded Wing in partnership with Brasil Música e Artes, these shows have been essential listening for anyone interested in sound of modern Brasil. One album that Jody turned me onto is Goma-Laca -‘ Afrobrasiliades’ – an innovative album that homes in on Afro-Brasilian classics from yesteryear and transports them in another millennia. Seek it out: GOMA-LAKA.COM. Check Jody’s shows on Mixcloud (https://www.mixcloud.com/Brazil/) – The girl digs deep!

One album that gathered a rake of 5 star reviews, which I also gave a deserved props to, was Xáos. Several years in the making the duo of Nick ‘Dubulah’ Page and Jimi Ahetas returned to their Greek roots by employing a host of ancient instruments and musical concepts. Add some futuristic micro-tonal musings and you might just get the picture. Xáos provided a deep and proud soundtrack to a Greek nation battered and bruised in the anti-austerity struggle.I need to hear the full Xáos ensemble live in somewhere like the Union Chapel. It would sound amazing. I can’t understand why a promoter hasn’t jumped at the opportunity.

Dubalah & Ahetas

Xáos: Dubalah & Ahetas

On that UK NU-Jazz… Spiritual Jazz tip… four albums are holding tight…Baritone saxophonist and flautist Tamar Osborn can be seriously proud of the Collocutor album via On The Corner. As can Nick Woodmansey for his ‘The Light Years Of The Darkness'(Brownswood) – a set of colloborations done for the Steve Reid Foundations. The Light Years Of The Darkness’ has an all star cast feat. Tamar, Jessica Lauren, Kieran Hebden, The Pyramids, Finn Peters, Ahmed Abdullah, Kevin G Davy, Val Etienne, Philip Harper, Rob Gallagher, Liz Elensky et al. Seek it out. It was a bit of a shock to see ‘Dem Ones’ featuring drummer Moses Boyd and saxophonistBinker Golding notch up a MOBO! Recorded in Mark Ronson’s studio and then transmitted into the analog/audiophile set up of Gearbox Records next door, it’s been fascinating to hear two graduates of Gary Crosby’s Tomorrow’s Warriors pursuing a route that’s attuned to ‘Free Jazz’ world. Staying faithful to the Spiritual Jazz path is Mancunian trumpeter Matthew Halsall and his Gondwana Orchestra. The reflective compositions on the ‘Into Forever’ album build on the ensemble’s previous endeavour and the 1000+ audience that packed out the Union Chapel were clearly smitten!

Straight outta the UK comes another cutting edge, totally free, session feat. Black Top & saxophonist Evan Parker. Recorded live in The Vortex this is an intensely engaging set of boundary breaking music… it’s out on the Babel label… and I wrote the liner notes (so, it’s gotta be worth checkin’!)

Matana Roberts

Matana Roberts

On the US “jazz” front I have two LPs that are poles apart. For echoes of ‘Crescent’ era Coltrane look no further that Charles Lloyd‘s ‘Wild Man Dance’ (Blue Note) – it’s live album recorded in Poland in 2013. But if you’re a drawn to an alternative journey I’m still wrapping my head around Matana Roberts’ radical ‘Coin Coin River Capter3 River Run Thee’. Can’t believe I missed her playing at Oslo in Hackney!

Finally, though D’Angelo‘s ‘Black Messiah’ was released at the end of 2014 I didn’t invest in the vinyl until 2015 so I’m including it here. The production is killing! May the funk be with you!

PS: I’ve loved watching Dayme Arocena develop since I first saw her sing in St Pancras Church and her ‘Nueva Era’ album on Brownswood points towards great things. I’ve just noticed that globetrotting saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings has a brand new Comet Is Coming 12″ and I’m excited. I’m also eagerly awaiting the arrival of some music via Universal Mind Systems. 2016 is looking good already!

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JANUARY 1st 2016: Heiroglyphic Being & Friends LIVE @ Cafe Oto!

Posted on January 2, 2016 by Paul Brad

JANUARY 1st 2016: Hieroglyphic Being & Friends LIVE @ Cafe Oto!

Hieroglyphic Being Pic by Celesete Sloman

Hieroglyphic Being Pic by Celesete Sloman

New Years day 2016. Following on his 6 hour New Years eve DJ set at Café Oto Chicago’s Jamal Moss aka Hieroglyphic Being returned to Oto to perform a live, totally free, improvised set with Black Top’s Orphy Robinson and master drummer Mark Sanders. I had toyed with dropping in on the 6 hour session but this meeting of musical minds provided a tantalizing alternative. It was imbued with much promise and had the potential to set the tone for the year to come. I was not to be disappointed.

I first came across Jamal while editing Straight No Chaser. I was a regular online visitor to the Dope Jams site and it was there that I came across the name Hieroglyphic Being. It was a name that had echoes of Ra and the music had therefore to be checked out. Rooted in Chicago’s house scene he is a purveyor of electronic music, a DJ, a post space age explorer with a sound and word vision that corresponds to a digital age which conditions our existence.

Jamal is a big man who gives off air of inner solitude. From beneath his hood tumbles a waist length crown of dreadlocks. He hunches over his mixer as the others ready themselves. His right hand moves in the air and a theremin comes to life. Mark Sanders is a model of versatility and his crisp, fluid attack on the drums has a lightness of touch that allows Orphy Robinson to play with the settings on his xylosynth as he searches for a middle ground between the trap drums and Jamal’s increasingly intense bursts of static noise. As if getting the feel of each other the threesome gather a dexterous and furious momentum only for it to suddenly give way to a fresh undercurrent. Orphy relaxed onto his rumba box as Mark maintained the rhythmic pulse on a small repenique sounding drum while Jamal took flight on the Ewe. The ethereal collided with the cavernous… there were keyboard sounds that were familiar but you just couldn’t lock down.

“This is not my signal…. My transmission… it’s out of my control….” declares Jamal on the mic through stuttering delays before the music settles into compelling, sensitive cosmic groove that which culminates in a cascade of what sounds like chiming bells. Then, out of a haze of static… a fact…a warning?… “Everything…. everything… our lives… our loves… our messages… all stored on an external hard drive…”. End of Set 1!

Set 2 commenced with Jamal asking, “Chakras or I Ching?” The I Ching – a Daoist divination and cosmological text with a history of more than two and a half millennia won out and it appeared that Jamal’s choice of instrument for this piece was an i-phone which was wired into his desk and subject to hand held manipulation.

“Say this! We are the people. Say this …”
“It is worthwhile crossing great rivers….”
“Only cultured people can understand….
‘IMAGE. Assimilation.”
“Sky and Fire.”
“Cultured people avoid trouble by virtue…”
“IMAGE. Imagine.”
“Greatness is balance”

Just a few snatches I managed to scribble on a piece of paper, sentences randomly selected and read from the Book Of Changes as sound and rhythm is woven around them.

From the I Ching they move on to a celebration, an evocation, of computer games from Hatari onwards and then as it was a Friday night Jamal slipped into the session a 4-to-the-floor beat that one posse next to me had clearly been longing for. The constriction of ‘the one’ offered new challenges to both Robinson and Sanders who both worked tirelessly within the groove to offer a myriad of additional polyrhythms and sounds. They were clearly having a good time. I was most surprised to see that despite the beats Cafe Oto was pretty much a head-nod free zone. Weirdly intense.

Mark, Jamal, Orphy

Mark, Jamal, Orphy

The set drew to a close with Jamal’s finger dancing across his I-Pad to conjure up sounds that came over like cross between kora and steel pan. Mark and Orphy both settled on mallets and got into a hypnotic but constantly shifting Malian style marimba/drum groove plus gongs. It was a mesmerizing climax to a wild, quite exhausting but energizing, journey into rhythm and sound that overall easily spanned two and half hours. It was all about the moment and I have to a give thanks to this supa-dynamic trio for kicking off 2016 in such a challenging and inspirational fashion.

For more from Hieroglyphic Being check: https://soundcloud.com/somuchnoise2beheard

PS. Along with the lack of head-nodding I also didn’t spot anyone filming on their phone! I liked that!

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QUESTS FOR 2016…THE OGONI… STRAIGHT NO CHASER – THE ARCHIVE….

Posted on December 28, 2015 by Paul Brad

QUESTS FOR 2016…THE OGONI… STRAIGHT NO CHASER – THE ARCHIVE….

As someone who is “under-employed” and pretty much unemployable in the straight world I find myself not alone. Like many of my friends and fellow cultural co-conspirators, who have spent decades self-employed, we find ourselves re-inventing who we are. We shapeshift into different roles and seek that elusive finance in order to pursue the creative path to which we are bonded.

The Battle Bus

The Battle Bus – Impounded by the Nigerian Government

Once such co-conspirator is Paris based Frances Feeny. I know her as Fanny, a Birmingham born misfit who shared her schooldays with renowned textile designer Virginia Hodge and her twin, Ali (Artistic Director of The Quick and The Dead – an international performance ensemble) and documentary film-maker Molly Dineen. A mighty quartet indeed! The teenage Feeny fled the UK and settled in Paris and became the co-owner of Blue Moon records – arguably the city’s premier reggae emporium. For several decades she channeled the spirit of JA to the ragamuffins of the city and the banliues via imports and her own Backchich productions.

Like myself, Frances Feeny found her own runnings drawing to a close. The shop closed, she had to move on. As a single parent and a warrior she did what she had to and got a job. But the creative in her pushed to explore new avenues and that has led her to ‘The Ogoni’ – a story of a people and a land devastated by the petroleum industry.

Back in 1995 I wasn’t fully aware of the struggle of the Ogoni with the Nigerian Government and the oil industry. But during the soundcheck for a MELT 2000 / Busi Mhlongo concert at the Africa Centre we received the news that Ogoni activist and author, Ken Saro Wiwa, along with 8 other activists had been executed by hanging.I was asked to make the announcement to the audience that night but preferred to hand it over to ANC activist and singer, Themba ‘Max’ Mutambo. It was dark news that hit everyone at that session hard but the fire of solidarity and resistance burned bright in the hearts of the South African musicians who performed that night.

Ken Saro Wiwa RIP

Ken Saro Wiwa RIP

Through Straight No Chaser I later got to know Ken Saro Wiwa’s daughter, Zina, who proposed and wrote several pieces in the magazine. That was my last link to the Ogoni people until Frances Feeny arrived in London in 2013 and asked me to help film a “Battle Bus” which had been constructed by her friend and sculptor Sokari Douglas Camp. The Battle Bus was dedicated to the Ogoni activists murdered by the Nigerian Government.

To cut the story short Frances followed the Battle Bus to Nigeria where it was impounded by the Government. That trip took her to the Niger Delta to experience first hand the ecological devastation and the impact it’s had on the families who live there and their story has become her mission to tell.

And so, as we enter 2016, it feels like we like-minded souls need to increasingly join forces and help out whoever is devoting their creative energies to assisting others. You may not have the money to help out (and I don’t) but we all have a web of contacts that span the globe and remain committed to promoting the culture of the African diaspora. And on that note, I ask that you give Frances Feeny some props, spread the word and share her mission to give voice to he Kpekpee family who live in the Niger Delta town of Bodo – a town where illness is rife and the primary social activity for the community is burials. This family’s livelihood and food supply has been poisoned by oil pollution in both the water they drink and air they breath. It’s a human story that needs to be told.

Dada is in her thirties, the mother of seven children, and comes from many generations of fishermen.

Dada is in her thirties, the mother of seven children, and comes from many generations of fishermen.

“With this film we want to paint an immersive and sensory picture of every day life as it is right now.” maintains Frances Feeny.”As an outsider arriving in the Delta last September one immediately sensed the sheer weight of getting through those daily tasks in such a toxic environment. This burden can only be expressed through the voices of the actions of the people who live there. How can you appreciate someone’s difficulties, their exasperation, if you’re unable to identify with them as fellow men and women?”

THERE@S A LONG WAY TO GO… check the funding page here – MUCH MORE INFO: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-ogoni-a-documentary-working-title#/

SNC tribe 14While I’m dedicating a little time to spreading the word on ‘The Ogoni’ and on Carleen Anderson’s amazing Cage Street Memorial project I’m also working on the words for Swifty’s forthcoming book with Gamma Proforma (I should be doing that as I’m writing this!). On top of that I’m trying to lay the mental foundations to get the focus, the vision, to tackle the Straight No Chaser archive. I’m even thinking about doing a couple more issues that bridge the gap between cessation of publication and now! Awoahh!

Thinking, thinking, thinking…. watch out for news on this Straight No Chaser bizniz. Gonna need the Chaser family plus there’s a new generation out there that we need to reach out to, which may not be too difficult as there’s a bunch people out there globally who kept the fire burning by linking the spirit of the past with the Sounds Of Now… you know who you are!

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YES MI SELEKTAH: SOUNDS OF FREEDOM! 2015 / INTO THE VORTEX!

Posted on December 27, 2015 by Paul Brad

YES MI SELEKTAH: SOUNDS OF FREEDOM! @ The Vortex …Finally, after ’nuff requests here are are a few tunes that I have had the privilege of playing between the live sets at Freedom! The Art Of Improvisation – the monthly Warrior Int. sessions @ The Vortex.

eddie gale_

FREEDOM! has allowed me to dig deeper into the vinyl and explore albums (and the odd CD) that one would never have expected to be able to play out! But that’s FREEDOM! for you.  Apart from you having to listen to those you might be sharing the stage with, the ground rule at FREEDOM! is there are no rules. The tunes I play between sets are not background music to chat over between one combination leaving the stage and another appearing. It’s about maintaining and testing the vibe, it’s about messin’ with both players and punters. It’s about wikkid music.

As I do get a portion of people going, “WHAT was that?” So, here’s a few tunes that that have graced the turntable.  It’s mostly vinyl but there’s a few CD bit that deserve a shot. On the night, it’s as the spirit takes me and that’s the case below… so, there’s no No.1 to whatever…. just a few memories.

Eddie Gale’s ‘Ghetto Music’ – ‘The Rain’ (Blue Note) I think I blew journo/novelist Jane Cornwell away with this one. Love it when the massed voices come sweeping in!

Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre – ‘Jays’ … this a trio gig from Sam River’s Wildflowers No 1 and it rocks the late great Kalaprusha on tenor, Jumma Santos on drums and Chris White on both electric and acoustic bass. This one builds and had veteran free-drummer Terry Day seeking some enlightenment as who was delivering such an intense left of centre groove. The Unknown Story of Kalaparusha’ was one the first pieces I posted on Ancient To Future… check Danilo’s film. https://ancienttofuture.com/2011/06/22/danilo-parra-tells-the-unknown-story-of-kalaparusha

Joe McFee’s ‘Shakey Jake’ – a 1971 recording I have on a Ubiqity Records comp – remains for me a solid FREEDOM! fave. Joe is a Cafe Oto regular these days so you can still check him out. This cut is one deep fried funk monster with chugging Hammond B3, riffing guitar, tambourine and traps and some heavy horns. Originally released on an LP called ‘Nation Time’.

Joe McPhee circa '71

Joe McPhee circa ’71

Gato Barbieri – ‘El Parana’ from the Flying Dutchman label – Scorcher! The sticker on the LP says £1.40… that’s what it cost me back in ’73. This opening track builds furiously over 9 glorious minutes… Argentinian tenor-man Gato trades licks with guitarist John Abercrombie… Mtume is on congas and Airto on percussion… amazing… STANLEY CLARKE on BASS!.. Lonnie Liston Smith on keys and a masterful Roy Haynes on drums. Nuff said.

Chico Freeman’s ‘Kings Of Mali’ is another masterpiece from the India Navigation label. The killer moment has to be when Cecil McBee’s bass drops in… has to played loud! Chico on tenor and balafon, Jay Hoggard on Vibes, AEOC’s Famoudou Don Moye on drums and percussion. Recorded in 1978. Mind blowing!

Charlie Haden Duets… released on A&M in ’76 I’ve dipped most of the tracks on this LP and had numerous queries about  Keith Jarrett’s ‘Ellen David’ and Alice Coltrane’s ‘For Turiya’ – which is devoted to pure consciousness. . Bassist Charlie Haden is outstanding throughout and it’s a joy to hear him and Ornette together on ‘O.C.’

Codona… Don Cherry, Colin Walcott and Nana Vasconcelos… a magical trio which I once had the pleasure of hearing at the Old Vic … Don was a little late for the gig due the Magic Bus from Amsterdam being delayed. I seem to recall he carried his instruments in a duffle bag. Anyway, the two LPs they recorded for ECM are both masterpieces and have provided some magic moments at FREEDOM!

‘Bush Baby’ by Black Arthur Blythe is one of a selection of early Blythe that has that deep head nod factor… tuba, guitar + Black Arthur= The Phunk. The original trio cut of ‘Bush Baby’ is  deep but below is a next version feat. James Blood Ulmer, Abdul Wadud, Bob Stewart. Bobby Battle and Fred Hopkins… killer band!

Ephat Mujura Ensemble ‘Spirit Of The People’ LP…. I don’t think I’ve progressed beyond playing the opening cuts of ‘Chipembere’ and ‘Marenje’… it was splendid seeing one of the FREEDOM! ensembles suddenly start dancing in unison to the deep “Mbira music of Zimbabwe” while setting up their kit!

Just finished reading Neneh Cherry‘s memories of Ornette Coleman,  who passed earlier this year, and that conjured up memories of a theatre in Victoria where Neneh and crew were dancing wildly in the aisle to his harmolodic onslaught. Good times.   ‘Ornette’ by Bright Moments is a sparse bass driven cut from ‘The Return Of The Lost Tribe’ Cd on Delmark. Straight outta Chicago this wonderful ensemble features Kahil El Zabar, Joseph Jarman, Malachi Favors, Kalaparusha and Adegoke Steve Colson. ‘Kudus’ is another Don Cherry flavoured FREEDOM! fave.

Collocutor – 1st track on this white label of their debut LP from On The Corner records… a supa-dupa & tuff homage to Ethio-jazz-don Mulatu Astatke from baritone saxophonist/flautist Tamar Osbourne and posse. Always sounds great!

Another woman player who often makes the mix is Amina Claudine Myers – former first organist at the Mahalia Jackson Church in Chicago and collaborator of Lester Bowie – It’s gotta be ‘Have Mercy Upon Us / Chant’ from ‘song For Mother E’. Piano or Hammond B3 or voice… take your choice.

Amina.jpeg

Mahmoud Ghenya… sadly, this Moroccan master Master musician passed away earlier this year… I usually play the first or second track on a CD that I got from visual artist & idren, Hassan Hajjaj. Dunno what it’s called ’cause it’s written in Arabic. Basically, it’s a deep Gnawa offering from Essaouira which features some mighty gimbri. Pure spiritual elevation.

Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett/Rebel Arms – Distant Drums (Fams 7″). Easy now…. Reggae in The Vortex… yes, indeed, after all we are in Dalston.  Heavy bass and percussion riddim track/version of a Yabby You/Prophets classic. This tune brought back some youth-man sound system memories for Hackney born & bred Cleveland Watkiss! Who feels it know it!

Aston 'Family Man' Barrett & Bob Marley

Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett & Bob Marley

Freedom JourneyStayin’ on a JA vibe…. FREEDOM! themes in the bag… Legendary vocalist Joe Higgs joins trombonist Karl Masters on ‘Freedom Journey’ (Elevation 7″) + ‘Freedom Dub’ – Burning Spear/Baba Leslie (City Line 7″ – “I’m not convinced Spear is on this record but it’s still tuff) + ‘Free Man Free’ – Mutabaruka/Larry McDonald (‘Drumquestra’ MCPR CD) – Orphy Robinson turned me onto this.

Sadly, I haven’t as yet had the opportunity to rinse out Kamasi Washington‘s ‘The Epic’ at FREEDOM! but I will… ‘Changing Of The Guard’, ‘Re Run Home’ etc. Positive vibes and pure energy equals a future FREEDOM! classic.

Another FREEDOM! classic comes via West Coast label Luv’n’Haight & is by trumpet player Longineu Parson‘s. This double LP features ‘The Gathering’ – a deep, 7 minute percussive composition that also showcases Sam Rivers. ‘The Gathering’ always provides an uplifting and unifying moment in the session.

I could go on… McCoy Tyner’s Milestone releases, John Gilmore playing ‘My Favourite Things’, Leon Thomas with Nucleus, Philip Cohran celebrating Malcolm X,  Joe Bowie with the Human Arts Ensemble, Julius Hemphill (Dogon AD), Art Ensemble Of Chicago, Art Blakey, Dudu Pukwana & Mongezi Feza, Billy Bang, Guelewar Band de Banjul, Glenmore Brown, Lever Brothers Gay Flamingoes & a few Sun Ra cuts amongst many other things.

The next FREEDOM! @ The VORTEX is on the second Monday of January 2016… January 11th 2016… from 8.30pm

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INTERNAL ALCHEMY & SHAOLIN ADVENTURES

Posted on December 12, 2015 by Paul Brad

INTERNAL DAOIST ALCHEMY & THE WAYWARD ADVENTURES OF A SHAOLIN DISCIPLE are the subjects of some recent reading matter….as the holiday approaches and new years resolutions are made savour some alternative lifestyle runnings!

Nick Hurst's Sugong: Quek Chong Tze.

Nick Hurst’s Sugong: Quek Chong Tze.

Despite having practiced “internal” martial arts with several different teachers not one of them introduced Nei Dan – Daoist internal alchemy – as an essential part of the curriculum. However, in recent times there has been an opening up, in terms of writings and therefore teaching, of the more esoteric energy cultivation techniques that have been practiced for centuries by Daoists.

In one of my recent reviews I was most fired up by Serge Augier’s lucid and engaging workbook on Shen Gong and Nei Dan in DA Xuan which covers the Daoist practices for developing mind, emotions and internal energy and provides specific exercises for cultivating and transforming the Jing (body energy), Qi (life force) and Shen (mind or spirit) on the path to enlightenment. Serge Augier’s book was published by Singing Dragon publications who have also published numerous books on internal Daoist practices by Mater Zhongxian Wu and UK based practitioner Damo Mitchell.

Damo Mitchell

Damo Mitchell practices Dao Yin

damo - whire moonWhite Moon On The Mountain Peak is Damo’s fourth and most recent book for Swimming Dragon and this weighty 380 page tome provides an accessible insight, for practitioners on all levels, into the “Alchemical firing process of Nei Dan”. Drawing on his own experiences, he explains the practice, the process and energetics of Daoist internal alchemy which until very recently been a closely guarded secret.

In the book he succeeds in drawing together a huge amount of esoteric material with the aim of presenting the underlining theories while systematically fleshing out a guide for practice that offers important insights into the different stages of attainment. He describes the tangible results that should appear through practice while warning of the potential pitfalls of alchemical training.

In the end I suppose it’s down to what you want out your training. There’a a lot more information available today that makes me wonder where I’d be today had I known about certain practices a couple of decades ago. That said, to focus on that would be a waste of energy. Right now, it seems more sensible to seek guidance as to what I should be focussed on and then get on it. A book like White Moon On The Mountain Peak is a guide to practice but it also hits home as a call to find a genuine teacher who can help you on a journey which, I sense, will be seriously demanding in terms of discipline and one’s mental state.

The Immortall Soul of the Daoist Adept

The Immortall Soul of the Daoist Adept

For those who are happy to ignore all this deep, esoteric Nei Dan stuff and just work on your taijiquan forms (if that’s your bag!) I recommend having a shufti at Wang Fengming’s – The Essence Of Taijiquan Push Hands and fighting Technique. I believe Master Wang is the son in law of the late Hunyuan taijiquan grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang, who was an inner door disciple of Chen taijiquan legend Chen Fake, and this book is rooted in Feng’s teachings.

wang FengmingIf you practice Chen village taijiquan and their push hands you will definitely find this book useful. I first came across Wang Fengming when I was researching the neigong exercise of Feng Zhiqiang and grandmaster Hu Yaozhen which I have long enjoyed practicing. back then, I sought out his book, The Essence Of Daoism Qigong. Unfortunately, for me, that book suffered from on the translation tip but there’s no such problem with this chunky large format book which features:
– Effective ways of cultivating Taiji internal power
– Variety of joint-locking techniques and counter techniques
– 13 postures of Taiji explained
– Leg work, including stances and kicking techniques
– unique silk-reeling exercises
– Rarely revealed vital point striking
– 7 styles of push-hands training
– 20 kinds of Taiji energy explained and demonstrated.

ABOVE: Feng Zhiqiang demonstrates on a young Wang Fengming in Japan

So, for all who are interested in push hands and the martial applications of taijiquan this could proved be a well thumbed book in a few years time.

sugong 2Finally on the Shaolin Kung Fu vibe is a book that I discovered via Alex Kozma and Steve Benitez’s Flying Monk Youtube vids. The book is called Sugong, it’s about the life of Shaolin master Qwek and Grand Master Sek Koh Sum and it written by Nick Hurst of the Nam Pai Chuan school in London. As my godson and his sister had trained at the Nam Pai Chuan school in London and as much of the book is located Malaysia – which was the focus of anther book I’d recently reviewed – Wisdom Of Taiji Masters: Insights Into Cheng Man Ching’s Art – I thought , “Yeah, I need to read this!”. Essentially, it’s a highly enjoyable, entertaining, warts ‘n’ all biographical tale of a relatively modern master. Good holiday read… check the vid…

!

Sugong is published by Sportsbooks (2012)
The Essence Of Taijiquan Push Hands and fighting Technique</em is published by Singing Dragon

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FAAJI AGBA TRAILER…. A JAZZHOLE RECORDS & SINGING TREE FILMS PRODUCTION

Posted on December 11, 2015 by Paul Brad

Loving this teaser for the documentary on Faaji Agba, a collective of Yoruba master musicians which included the late Fatai Rolling Dollar, Seni Tejuoso aka “Teje Baby” and Sina Ayinde Bakare. It’s directed by Remi Vaughan Richards of Singing Tree Films Productions who has been trailing members of the ensemble, which is rooted in Palm Wine Music, for the past three years. The Faaji Agba have been recording Yoruba classics for the past 10 years under the Jazz-Hole recording label based in Lagos…. so, BIG respect to Kunle Tejuoso at Jazz-Hole and all at the refuge that is the Glendora bookshop.

If you are in Lagos tonight – Friday December 11th from 7-9pm – Faaji Agba, will be showing at the Campos Square, Lagos Island from 7-9pm. There’s an after party performance by the Eko Brass Band at outside EBONY Funeral Home at, 7 Igbosere Road, Lagos from 10pm-2am. Wishing I was there!

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RAMMELLZEE’S ‘COSMIC FLUSH’: The Exhibition

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Paul Brad

RAMMELLZEE’s ‘COSMIC FLUSH’: The Exhibition at Magda Danysz Gallery in London from Thursday 10th December.

7cosmic flush

The NYC hip hop legend Rammellzee passed away in 2010, but before he left us he recorded his magnum opus, ‘Cosmic Flush’ with producer Jonah Mociun. Unreleased, eight years have passed. The collection of breakcore and speed metal-influenced rap tracks stand as a futuristic relic which is just now about to see the light of day.

Angel In The Middle - sheOne

Angel In The Middle – sheOne

‘Cosmic Flush’ fully realises Rammellzee’s complex philosophy and unique vision of futuristic hip hop, apocalyptic science fiction, and extreme sonic exploration.

To celebrate the life of one of our culture’s great minds Gamma Proforma are releasing ‘Cosmic Flush’ as a commemorative series of records and prints. There are 7 core tracks, each will be reinterpreted and remixed by a visual and audio artist.

Illustrating the groundbreaking influence and genius of the artist, The Rammellzee, will be Works from Futura, Doze Green, Ian Kuali’i. Delta, sheOne, Augustine Kofie, Poesia, Toxic, Dr Zulu, Will Barras, Divine Styler, Mr Len, Edan, Beans and more TBA.

Fight My Fire - Doze

Fight My Fire – Doze

You can view all of the paintings from the ‘Cosmic Flush’ project and hear the album and remixes at Magda Danysz Gallery, 61 Charlotte Street, London from the opening night on Thursday 10th December, 2015 until 28th December. For guest list on the opening night check – https://www.facebook.com/events/1648621978719085/.

Gamma are producing a commemorative catalogue for the show which includes all of the artwork and a limited number of these are available to order: info@gammaproforma.com

To buy prints & vinyl check – http://www.gammaproforma.com/

Crayzay - Delta

Crayzay – Delta

HOT NEWS! DJ Food wil be performimg an all Rammellzee set for Solid Steel Radio on the opening night! Big respek to Gamma don Rob Swain!

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BLACK LIVES MATTER! TA-NEHISI COATES WINS US NATIONAL BOOK AWARD

Posted on November 24, 2015 by Paul Brad

TA-NEHISI COATES’ ‘BETWEEN THE WORLD & ME’ WINS US NATIONAL BOOK AWARD

This morning I opened my computer only to watch a black man, Mercutio Southall, wearing a ‘Black Lives Matter’ T shirt being punched, kicked, choked and racially abused before being forcefully evicted from a Republican gathering in Alabama to the chant of “All lives matter.”. The guest speaker, Donald Trump – contender for the Republican Presidential nomination – was heard to say into the mic, ” Get ’em the hell outta here…”. He followed that up later with a statements to the media that “…maybe he should have been roughed up… ” before tweeting a graphic containing some inflammatory, racially divisive crime statistics.

National Book Award Winner!

National Book AAward Winner!

It’s in this context that I’d like to recommend Ta-Mehisi Coate’s award winning ‘Between The World And Me’. Written in the post Trayvon Martin/Eric Garner / Ferguson era, this 152 page letter to his adolescent son is dedicated to his Howard University friend Prince Jones who was murdered by a undercover African American police officer.

‘Between The World And Me’ is nor a rant. This is a quiet, deeply thoughtful reflection on his own life growing up in the hood in Baltimore with parents who were Black Panther Party activists; his arrival at “Mecca” – Howard University to the sound of A Tribe Called Quest; the move to New York City and the birth of his son. There are many memorable moments on that journey. He takes in a trip to the Petersburg Battlefield to reflect on an American Civil war that killed 600,00 people and ended slavery.He travels out of the USA for the first time and lands in Paris. He gets into a potentially incendiary situation when he berates a woman who pushes his 5 year old son out of the way as they leave the cinema.

Ta-Nehisi Coates & son

Ta-Nehisi Coates & son

This book gives the reader a fleeting insight into what it’s like to inhabit a black body in the United States Of America and what strategies one evolves in order to live within it. As events in the US continue to unfold and degenerate, the words in this book keep coming back to me. As Toni Morrison declares of ‘Between The World And Me’ – “This is required reading.”

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LA CLAVE: Gilles Peterson Goes In Search Of Deep Cuban Rumba

Posted on November 18, 2015 by Paul Brad

rumba session1

Last night I found myself in a packed ICA cinema soaking up the UK premier of the ‘HAVANA CLUB RUMBA SESSIONS… LA CLAVE’ – an invigorating and enlightening investigation into the heart and soul of Cuban culture – RUMBA! – by globetrotting DJ/broadcaster Gilles Peterson and filmmakers Charlie Inman and Ben Holman.

Gilles is no stranger to Cuban culture. Over the past six years, through his Brownswood set up, he’s been working with Havana Cultura on an array of experimental projects with mostly new generation artists like mesmerising young vocalist Dayme Arocena. This film project is no less radical and over 6 parts – which will go on-line separately – we encounter the singers, the dancers, the drummers and get to meet the masters of the tradition alongside the youth who are shaping that tradition to new times.

Gilles defines rumba as a combination of “…music, mind, rhythm, party, thought and comedy…”. Inevitably he is drawn to fiery, spontaneous, streetwise energy of rumba and along with Dayme Arocena and London based Omo Ana and Babalawo, Ade Egun (Crispin Robinson), he sets off on a mission to explore the rhythms of guaguancó, yambú and columbia and their connection to the Africa religions that survived the Middle Passage – Abakuà, Palo and Santería.

Rumba is at the crossroads between African and European musical traditions. Hearing the vocals of Ruben Bulnes, which have a strong Moorish/flamenco flavour, connect with the African polyrhythms of the the congas and cajons – all connected by the ever-present clave – sends chills up the spine. Most people agree that raw, undiluted rumba doesn’t translate well in the recording studio and it’s fascinating to watch, in the documentary, Dayme combining her own version of ‘Close To You’ with rumba ensemble Osain del Monte.

For me, the global impact of rumba has been largely subliminal. We’ve had various experimental and deep offerings from the inimitable Kip Hanrahan. On the house music tip it’s been DJ/producers like Joe Claussell, Osunlade and Louis Vega who have combined their Latin roots and their Santero beliefs with club music to produce something fresh and unique. The world of salsa and timba aside, the long standing impact of rumba on jazz continues to evolve beyond the collaborations of musicians like David Amram, Herbie Mann or Dizzy Gillespie with master drummers like Los Papines, Potato Valdes, Mongo Santamaria, Daniel Ponce and Chano Pozo.

"Chachá"

“Chachá”


While we are on Chano Pozo there’s a classic moment in the film when Gilles and the crew arrive in Matanzas in search of the nephew of the legendary Esteban ‘Chacha’Vega Baccalao and his original set of consecrated Batá drums only to discover that Chano had also visited the house to pay his respects to the drums.

“What we found in there was like the equivalent of finding the holy grail in a little side street in Matanzas,” reflects Gilles. “That was quite an incredible moment for us to be able to experience the first set of Bata drums made in Cuba, that was a really deep moment.”

Another deep and rare moment in ‘La Clave’ was the filming of the Abakua elders testing each other in song and stories over some heavy rhythms and a few rums on the rooftop of a Havana building.

‘…La Clave’ clearly connects the dances to the music and shows the dance moves are not random individual interpretations of what the the drummers are playing. It is a physical conversation between men and women. It is an art passed down through generations and kept alive within the community. It exists in the conservatoire and thrives and evolves on the street. Maybe it’s because the implicit language of rumba as a dance which continues to thrive in Havana’s working class neighbourhoods is not understood outside Cuba that rumba remains too complex for a global generation of clubbers schooled on 4 to the floor or ballroom people devoted to “Strictly…”

daymeDayme’s role is interesting in the film. In the Q&A after the film she raised the painful issue of the lost film-card which had the takes of a new generation of young women challenging the machismo that continues to dominate rumba. It was hinted that another chapter was indeed warranted and may happen. Her involvement in the film also highlighted for her, as a 22 year old Cuban artist, her own relationship to the deep traditions of rumba.

“Knowing that people outside of my country are receiving what is going on in Cuba from my perspective is a great responsibility but at the same time a beautiful task,” she explains. “I feel bad because after this investigation I realised that I didn’t know even half of the things that being a Cuban one should know. The song [on the album] that says get to know Cuba first and abroad later on is very valid. I’ve been travelling around the world and didn’t even know what is truly my rumba, my Cuban music.”

Cuba’s music industry, which lacks the necessary resources to develop and support a new generation artists, has historically been damaged by the US embargo but the announcements by presidents Raul Castro and Barack Obama to move toward normalising relations potentially signals the wind of change. However, as films like ‘HAVANA CLUB RUMBA SESSIONS… LA CLAVE’ find a global following on the social networks we have to hope that a whole range of brand new possibilities arise.

Watch out for each chapter arriving on the web. If it comes to a cinema near you don’t hesitate… just check it. And then start seeking out the music of those rumba dons who appear in the film.

Rumberos 2

NEXT SHOWING – 2nd FEB @ THE ICA – tickets on sale soon!
http://havana-cultura.com/
http://www.gillespetersonworldwide.com/

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Warriors International + AACM – Celebrating 50 years of GREAT BLACK MUSIC & Chicago’s Avante Garde

Posted on November 10, 2015 by Paul Brad

AACM-1968

This Saturday, November 14th, as part of the London Jazz Festival, Warriors International celebrate 50 years of the the AACM with their ‘London – Chicago Vibration’ featuring Orphy Robinson’s SPonTANeoUS CoSMic RawXtra ensemble.

Having been a devotee of the music produced by the various members of the AACM since the early Seventies I’ve got a few records on the shelf by composers and players like Muhal Richard Abrams, Philip Cohran, Steve McCall, Henry Threadgill, Anthony Braxton, Art Ensemble of Chicago, Kalaparusha, Kahil El’Zabar, Wadada Leo Smith, Amina Claudine Myers, Leroy Jenkins and Chico Freeman amongst others. It therefore is a joy to see an all star alliance of players take to the stage at Rich Mix in Shoreditch to offer their own homage to a generation of relentlessly innovative, militant and enlightening educators that emerged out the Windy City to take the world by storm.

aacm Lewis_chp10_07

if you haven’t heard of the the AACM here’s some classic photos along with some words from their own website:

“Internationally renowned for unparalleled contributions to modern music, the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians, Inc. (AACM) has been an inspirational leader within the cultural community since 1965. A non-profit organization chartered by the State of Illinois , the AACM is a collective of musicians and composers dedicated to nurturing, performing, and recording serious, original music. This collective of dynamic and visionary artists formed the AACM to meet their emergent needs to expose and showcase their original compositions and to create an outlet for the development and performance of their music.

Art Ensemble Of Chicago - Roscoe Mitchell, Malachi Favors, Famadou Don Moye

Art Ensemble Of Chicago – Famoudou Don Moye, Roscoe Mitchell, Lester Bowie Malachi Favors,

Since its inception, one mission of the AACM has been to provide an atmosphere conducive to the development of its member artists and to continue the AACM legacy of providing leadership and vision for the development of creative music. The AACM first coined the phrase Great Black Music to describe its unique direction in music. The AACM pays homage to the diverse styles of expression within the body of Black Music in the USA, Africa and throughout the world. This experience extends from the ancient musics of Africa to the music of the future.

The AACM may best be known for its leading-edge public concerts featuring some of the most accomplished, versatile and innovative musicians performing original creative music. The organization takes particular pride in developing new generations of talent through the free music training program conducted by members for city youth, the AACM School of Music. Another equally important aspect of AACM ‘s mission is the high moral standard members seek to provide in their capacities as performers, artists, teachers and role models.

Muhal Richard abrams

Muhal Richard abrams

The AACM has continuously achieved international recognition for its contributions in modern music. AACM groups have performed in Moscow, Japan, Europe, Africa, and the USA. Members are regularly awarded grants and commissions to compose music for solo instrument, small ensemble and full orchestra. In 1990, AACM co-founder Muhal Richard Abrams was the recipient of the prestigious Jazzpar Award in Denmark to compose for the Danish Orchestra. AACM member Lester Bowie composed and performed the theme music for The Cosby Show seen on network television. In 1990 the City of Chicago saw fit to honor the AACM by dedicating an evening at the 1990 Chicago Jazz Festival to the music an members of the organization. AACM members Anthony Braxton and George Lewis were awarded Genius Grants from the MacArthur Foundation. AACM flutist Nicole Mitchell was recently awarded the prestigious Doris Duke Artists award.

With the aid of the MacArthur Foundation and Columbia College in Chicago, the AACM produced its 1990 25th Anniversary Festival, a three day celebration of music and lectures featuring musicians in various formats, from solo performance, to a 27 piece orchestra, to a presentation by the AACM School of Music Choir, made up of children from the school. Held at the Getz Theater of Columbia College, the festival was a popular and critical success, playing to standing room audiences each night. In addition to a celebration, the festival was acknowledging the dedication, perseverance, and artistry of its members. Subsequent have been produced annually with the golden 50th Anniversary in 2015. The AACM is now the oldest and most venerable organization of it s kind.”

In Session!

In Session!

Long may the AACM continue to thrive!

THE SPonTANeoUS CoSMic RAwXtra to play specially commissioned arrangements from Orphy Robinson, with visuals by SDNA, that will breathe a distinctively London energy into the AACM legacy.

The show is at 2pm.- 4pm…early doors! the essence of the performance focusses on the art of improvisation and it will feature: Orphy Robinson (MD & vibes), Nikki Yeoh (piano), Rowland sutherland (flutes), Phillip Achille (harmonica), Byron Wallen (trumpet), Jason Yarde (sax), Nubya Garcia (sax), Jerome Harper (trombone), Andy Grappy (tuba), Corey Mwamba (vibes), Doug Boyle (guitar), John Edwards (bass), spoken word/vocal artists – HKB Finn, Cleveland Watkiss, Lisa Lore (NuBluz Aesthete) and the great South African drummer Louis Moholo-Moholom.

To celebrate this legacy, there wiii also be a Workshop / 11am – 1pm / £20 (includes ticket to concert) / Upstairs This is an opportunity for adult vocalists, wind and brass players to workshop material with Orphy Robinson, renowned vibraphonist and multi-instrumentalist, composer and music educator – then join the mighty SPonTANeoUS CosMic RAwkXtRA to perform their new work in the afternoon’s concert. If you’re interested in learning more about free jazz, improvisation, and conduction techniques, this is for you. For adults (18+) who can play to ABRSM Grade 5 standard: wind, brass and vocals only. Please advise box-office of your instrument when booking.

BOOK NOW! THIS IS A KILLER ENSEMBLE….. GOT TO BE ONE OF THE BADDEST SESSIONS OF THE FESTIVAL! http://www.richmix.org.uk/whats-on/event/efg-london-jazz-festival-chicago-london-vibration-a-celebration-of-the-aacm-at-50/

AACM graphi muhal 5 TBL - C-Dv

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