I'll start my new year's post with something energetic, political and hopeful. In The Somnambulist Brain post I referred to Żegota, a hardcore punk band from Greensboro, North Carolina. who took their name from an illegal organization rescuing Jews in Nazi-occupied Poland. They were a very politically-driven band belonging to the roster of the anarchist then-record label and now publishing collective called CrimethInc., which was founded by Brian Dingledine, vocalist of the legendary Catharsis. Their second bassist Ard, played also in the dutch chaotic hardcore band Cathode, which I have posted very early in this blog. Their music ranged from hard-hitting and emotional metallic punk on their first album Movement in the Music slightly akin to early Refused, to a very improvisational approach on their second album Namaste, which included medleys of songs from Movement, long punk-jazz-African percussion jams, and a cover of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's "Ohio" appropriated for the Bush era. On their third album Reclaim they combined a rawer, and more dissonant punk feel which sounds to me like a blend of Crass and Black Flag on the first side, with hypnotic African and lullaby-like melodies on the second side. On what was to become unfortunately their last release, their self-titled 7" contained an anthemic punk cheerleader song and an indescribably beautiful and passionate cover of "Sinnerman" (hence the Nina Simone pic below) which definitely ranks among the best cover songs of all time, and which they actually played when I saw them live in 2006, which was to be one of their last gigs).
Monday, January 1, 2018
Charles Lloyd/Billy Higgins – Which Way Is East 2XCD
Great experimental collaboration by Charles Lloyd and Billy Higgins just before the latter died. This ranges from free jazz and avant-garde classical to mournful introspective piano/ sax pieces and instrumentals focusing on African and Middle-Eastern music. A great musical adventure by two legends who didn't settle for playing the same old classics. 2004 2 x CD on ECM.
Download disc 1
Download disc 2
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