Monday, November 19, 2012

Altaba/Cervera/Perucho/Nico/Solé - Tropopausa (Zeleste Concert, 1979)


Spanish record label Zeleste released a handful of progressive jazz-infused Spanish rock albums between 1974 and 1981, but Tropopausa was the only release on the imprint label Zeleste Concert. Although it maintains Spanish influences and has an occasional rock/pop sentiment, it is very much a jazz album. It is quieter and less structured than Zeleste's other releases which is probably why it was afforded a separate label. Most of the songs are based around melodic themes over which individual players are given space to experiment and improvise. The group has two double bass players, and all five members play various percussive instruments so these elements are prominent on most of the tracks. The group is comprised as follows- Eduard Altaba: double bass, percussion, salteri; Enric Cervera: double bass, percussion; Oriol Perucho: drums, percussion; Jordi Nico: alto and soprano saxophones, flute, percussion; Ramon Solé: spanish guitar, percussion. Download it here.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Garrett List - Your Own Self (Opus One, 1972)

Here's another early Opus One release. Your Own Self is trombonist, vocalist and composer Garrett List's first album. List attended Julliard in the '60s and it was there that he formed The Julliard Ensemble with Luciano Berio and Dennis Russell Davies. In the early '70s, his interest shifted to free jazz and he developed relationships with such distinguished artists as Anthony Braxton and Steve Lacy. He also encountered prominent composers John Cage, Frederic Rzewski and La Monte Young and performs on Young's legendary Dream House 78' 17"Since 1971, List has been associated with Musica Elettronica Viva, an influential collective of experimental composers formed in Rome in 1966. I will be posting more about MEV in the future. On Your Own Self, List beautifully combines minimalism and free jazz by incorporating slow movements and improvisation. Download it here and enjoy.