Jeremiah Cymerman - Under a Blue Grey Sky [Porter]

Under a Blue Grey Sky

Olivia De Prato - violin

Jessica Pavone - viola

Christpher Hoffman - cello

Tom Blancaforte - bass

Jeremiah Cymerman - composition, electronics

Porter Records 2010

With a couple concerts of Jeremiah Cymerman coming this week I decided to gave this one a few closer listenings, never mind it doesn't exactly fit the blog's profile (meaning it's most definitely not jazz). And I can definitely say that this is a very rewarding record, even if it takes some time getting into it. With string quartet and electronic treatments (subtle ones) this one takes You into a sonic world that is rich and deep, both classical and forward-thinking. 

Lou Grassi PO Band with Marshall Allen - Live at the Knitting Factory vol. 1 [Porter Records]

Live at the Knitting Factory Volume 1

PO Band:

Lou Grassi - drums

Marshall Allen - alto sax, flute

Paul Smoker - trumpet

Steve Swell - trombone

Perry Robinson - clarinet

Wilber Morris - double bass

Porter Records 2010

recorded at Knitting Factory on September 26, 2000

While some of the most active avant-garde / free-jazz musicians release a handfull of records each year other remain criminally underrecorded which makes each available cd/lp even more precious. Bill Dixon comes to mind - an extraordinary artist of immense vision whose almost entire recorded output fits comfortably into one small box ("Complete Recordings on Soul Note and Black Saint" box set). What makes the recording presented here worthwile is obviously the music, but the fact that You get to hear such musicians like Perry Robinson, Paul Smoker or Marshall Allen (whose recordings outside of the Sun Ra Arkestra are extremely rare) makes it also one of a considerable historic value for jazz maniacs like You and me (or maybe just me). This is also somehow of an archival set since the concert presented took place a decade ago.