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2CD
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RANDB 068CD
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If there was one sound guaranteed to shock in British jazz during 1966 it was that of the Spontaneous Music Ensemble, the free-improvising collective centered around drummer John Stevens which that year helped establish London's Little Theatre Club as a stronghold of the "new wave". Although the avant-garde were slow in gaining a toe-hold on British jazz tastes, every so often a grass roots jazz club would take a chance on the new style, such as the night in June 1966 when the SME alighted on Greenwich's Prince Albert pub, eager to deliver their message to fresh ears. This CD set contains all the music played that night plus a 30-minute Q&A session, creating what must surely be one of the most important early documents of British "free" jazz. Disc two also adds a studio-taped session from later that year. Both sets are previously unissued and both are essential listening for those interested in the course of modern jazz development within the UK. 12-page booklet with notes by Simon Spillett.
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CD
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EMANEM 4150CD
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"John Stevens (percussion, cornet, voice), Nigel Coombes (violin), Roger Smith (guitar). The 1981 London concert features two of John Stevens' didactic pieces performed by nine or ten musicians, plus a trio improvisation. Another (previously unissued) trio set can also be heard -- the excitement of the music overcomes the imperfections of the recording on this half hour from 1978. Reissue of SFA LP 092 with extra trio material." 77 minutes.
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2CD
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EMANEM 4218CD
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"John Stevens (percussion & cornet) and Trevor Watts (soprano sax). Duo recordings selected from the Trevor Watts cassette archive that have cleaned up very nicely. The music is very conversational, and ranges from free jazz ferocity to quiet stillness. Until this release, there were no published SME recordings from between mid-1971 and late 1973, and none of Stevens playing cornet before late 1973 -- so a considerable gap has been breeched by some vital playing, mostly at London's Little Theatre Club. 150 minutes. (All previously unissued)."
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CD
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EMANEM 4039CD
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"Outrageous sounds produced by a workshop orchestra directed by John Stevens -- an SME-type improvisation; instrumental & vocal drones; a mechanically rhythmic yet unpredictable piece; and an all-out improvisation featuring non-vocal mouth sounds, vocal sounds & instruments. The exact personnels of this ensemble music are not known (apart from the leader on cornet), so they are not given. 70 minutes -- previously unissued." A series of various recordings made in London during 1973.
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