HurdAudio Rotation: A Whole Lot of Sax and Drums

Peter Brötzmann/Michael Zerang: Live in Beirut. 2005. Al Maslakh Recordings: 03.

Peter Brötzmann: tenor saxophone, tarogate, clarinet
Michael Zerang: drum set, darbuka, percussion

Peter Brötzmann paints with broad strokes, both with the horn and with a paint brush. And in both media his instincts, and improvisational range, is impressive. It's easy to be drawn in by the prolonged intensity that he is so good at. But on repeated listening - particularly of this duo with drummer Michael Zerang - I'm struck more and more by the quiet moments that form between these players. It's this willingness to find contrast and place equal creative energy toward all textures that makes this disc something to savor.

Peter Apfelbaum & The Hieroglyphics Ensemble: Jodoji Brightness. 1992. Polygram Records/Antilles: 314-512 320-2.

Peter Apfelbaum: tenor saxophone, piano, organ, synthesizer, drums, percussion
Bill Ortiz: trumpet, flugelhorn
Jeff Cressman: trombone, pyramid bell, percussion
James Harvey: trombone
Paul Hanson: alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, bassoon
Tony Jones: tenor saxophone
Peck Allmond: soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, trumpet
Norbert Stachel: soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, bass saxophone, clarinet, flute, piccolo
Will Bernard: guitar
Stan Franks: guitar
Jai Uttal: guitar, harmonium, dotar, percussion
Bo Freeman: bass
Joshua Jones V: drums, timbales, bass drum, congas, bata, vocals
Deszon X. Claiborne: drums, percussion
"Buddha" Robert Huffman: congas, bell tree, gongs, bata, vocals
Rachel Durling: violin
Steven Bernstein: trumpet
Sekou Heath: bata, percussion, vocals

After having the sound of "Gypsies" rolling through my head - or more specifically, an exact aural image of this recording of "Gypsies" taking residence in my waking and sleeping moments - I had to reference the original along with the entirety of this outstanding collection from Peter Apfelbaum's west coast years. "Gypsies" was exactly as I remembered it - note for note. But what I hadn't realized before is what a great sound and arrangement "Light Leaving the Spirit Bridge" is. The rich detail and variety on this one leads to new discoveries no matter how familiar one becomes with this disc. And this is one that has been subjected to the test of time with frequent spins for over a decade now.

Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath: Bremen to Bridgwater. Recorded June 20, 1971/February 26, 1975/November 11, 1975. Re-issued in 2004. Cuneiform Records: Rune 182/183.

June 20, 1971 set at Lila Eule, Bremen, Germany
Harry Beckett: trumpet
Marc Charig: trumpet
Nick Evans: trombone
Mongezi Feza: trumpet
Malcolm Griffiths: trombone
Chris McGregor: piano
Harry Miller: bass
Louis Moholo-Moholo: drums
Mike Osborne: alto saxophone, clarinet
Dudu Pukwana: alto saxophone
Alan Skidmore: tenor saxophone
Gary Windo: tenor saxophone

February 26, 1975 set at the Bridgwater Arts Centre, Bridgwater, England, U.K.
Keith Bailey: drums
Harry Beckett: trumpet
Marc Charig: trumpet
Elton Dean: alto saxophone
Nick Evans: trombone
Mongezi Feza: trumpet
Malcolm Griffiths: trombone
Chris McGregor: piano
Harry Miller: bass
Mike Osborne: also saxophone, clarinet
Dudu Pukwana: alto saxophone
Alan Skidmore: tenor saxophone

November 11, 1975 set at the Bridgwater Arts Centre, Bridgwater, England, U.K.
Harry Beckett: trumpet
Marc Charig: trumpet
Elton Dean: alto saxophone
Nick Evans: trombone
Mongezi Feza: trumpet
Bruce Grant: baritone saxophone
Radu Malfatti: trombone
Chris McGregor: piano
Harry Miller: bass
Louis Moholo-Moholo: drums
Mike Osborne: alto saxophone, clarinet
Evan Parker: tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone
Dudu Pukwana: alto saxophone

This documentation is a revelation to my ears. Sun Ra's Arkestra may have come by way of Saturn via Chicago and the pyramids of Egypt. Comparisons to that great Arkestra frequently spring to mind when hearing this other worldly sound formed by South African expatriates and British jazz musicians. The remastering work of Michael King and Mikki Dandy coaxes a beautiful sound out of these old recordings and offers a glimpse at some outstanding big band textures. While Sun Ra may have penned "El is a Sound of Joy" this band infuses a sounding joy into every moment whether painting with rapid strokes of free improvisation or playing in lock-step through some well arranged melodic material. The opening track, "Funky Boots March," in particular serves an invitation to the sounds found on the rest of this double-CD compilation.