Pixies, Charles Tolliver, Doug Hammond and More!

Brief commentary of vinyl releases from Pure Pleasure, 4AD and Modern Harmonic

PURE PLEASURE

From the UK-based audiophile outfit (www.purepleasurerecords.com) comes two releases. 

Doug Hammond’s Reflections in the Sea of Nurnen (1975) takes a Tolkein reference (Núrnen is a large inland body of water in Mordor, Middle Earth fans) and mixes analogue and electronic instrumentation plus Afro jazz influences. Highlights? I love the quietly introspective pieces balancing Hammond organ and drums.

Music Inc’s self-titled 1970 hard bop release featured new works from Charles Tolliver, Stanley Cowell plus 13 others in the supporting orchestra. It’s a bold, energetic, free flowing jazz excursion that moves Ellington to the next level.

PIXIES 

Come On Pilgrim…It’s Surfer Rosa (4AD; 4ad.com) is a 30^th anniversary edition from The Pixies.

Consisting of the eight-track mini-album Come On Pilgrim (originally released September 1987) and the band’s first full album, Surfer Rosa (released March, 1988), plus a bonus disc of Live From The Fallout Shelter, a concert/session that first aired in late 1986. On gold vinyl in a hardback book, it is a rather stunning release.

MODERN HARMONIC

Oakland Elementary School Arkestra – The Saga Of Padani is the elaborate title for a collection of avant-jazz music from a rare 1994 CD (‘Big Music, Little Musicians’) and limited tape release (‘The Thornhill Sound’) via Marshall Allen, Fred Frith, Terry Riley and, erm, schoolkids.

A remarkable collection that challenges the great Sun Ra himself!

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