various artists - The New Wave In Jazz

I swear to God, I didn't die in a ditch over New Year's.

I actually went to the in laws in Central California, where I had a pretty rad time with my recently mobile and speechifying niece. But I forgot to bring my laptop, which meant a month without any blogging. Sorry, gang.

I may come back later to flesh this one out. I don't have much in mind right this second, so stay tuned for the postscript. It's ridiculous that this one hasn't been reissued for 30 years, and that the Ayler cut that appeared on the original LP isn't present on this 1994 GRP/Impulse! CD. Still, it's a killer early document of the burgeoning free jazz scene in NYC, one that drew pretty polarized reviews back in the day.

Either you get it, or you don't.

Discogs

Click here to download.

Monks - Black Monk Time

End of the month. Summer's turning towards fall. How about a slapper of an album?

Rather than go on about one of the great garage/proto-punk records of all time (a task undertaken by far more vested and interesting types than myself), let's talk about this specific version. You get the original LP, released on International Polydor in Germany back in 1967, along with the two non-LP singles released alongside "Black Monk Time". There's also an interview with two Monks by Mike Stax from Ugly Things Magazine. Not to mention: it was the first time this was available from a Stateside label. Thanks again, Rollins!

I have a hard time understanding why this isn't steadily in print.

Discogs

Click here to download.