JIŘÍ STIVÍN / PIERRE FAVRE – Výlety = Excursions (Supraphon / 2PL-1981)

Label: Supraphon / Gramofonový Klub ‎– 1115 3381-82

Format: 2 × Vinyl, LP, Album, Club Edition / Country: Czechoslovakia / Released: 1981

Style: Free Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, Free Improvisation

Recorded at Theatre of Music - Reduta hall and Domovina Studio Prague, in November 1979.  Mixed in the Mozarteum Studio in October 1980.

Booklet Editor – Miloslava Kulhavá

Design [Cover Design] – Aleš Krejča

Painting [Cover Painting] – Zdenka Krejčová

Arranged By, Edited By – Jiří Stivín

Engineer – Karel Hodr

Producer, Recording Supervisor – Tony Matzner

Executive-Producer – Sláva Kunst

Gatefold cover, Czech and English liner notes.

Matrix / Runout (A Runout): E 5317/A D N

Matrix / Runout (B Runout): E 5318/A B N 9

Matrix / Runout (C Runout): E 5319/B B V 3

Matrix / Runout (D Runout): E 5320/A C N 5

side 1:

Tajemný Výlet I = Mysterious Excursion I ................................................................... 22:40

     A1 - Proměna První = Metamorphosis One ................................ 6:05

     A2 - Skalní Koně = Cliff Horses .................................................. 2:51

     A3 - Starý Pramen = Ancient Wellspring .................................... 0:52

     A4 - Zvuk Rosy = Sound Of Dew ................................................ 2:48

     A5 - Kamínek = Pebble ............................................................... 0:41

     A6 - Kořeny = Roots ................................................................... 2:09

     A7 - Sladké Dřívko = Sweet Stick ............................................... 2:32

     A8 - Znamení = Sign ................................................................... 0:29

     A9 - Barvy Temnot = Colours Of Darkness ................................. 2:33

side 2:

Tajemný Výlet II = Mysterious Excursion II ................................................................. 24:00

     B1 - Myší Pohádka = The Mouse Tale ....................................... 0:46

     B2 - Tanec Pod Zvonem = Dance Under The Bell ..................... 4:32

     B3 - Noční Lety = Nightly Flights ................................................ 4:31

     B4 - Bludička = Will-O'-The-Wisp ............................................... 1:16

     B5 - Hadi A Štíři = Snakes And Scopions ................................... 4:11

     B6 - Dech A Jeho Stíny = The Breath And Its Shadows ............ 4:34

     B7 - Proměna Druhá = Metamorphosis Two .............................. 3:40

side 3:

Výlet Za Světlem = Excursion In Search Of Light ....................................................... 22:14

     C1 - Jeskyně = The Cave .......................................................... 7:10

     C2 - Závoj Hmoty = Veil Of Matter ............................................. 3:57

     C3 - Vyjasnění = Enlightment .................................................. 10:30

side 4:

Výlet Mezi Lidi = Excursion Among People ................................................................ 21:38

     D1 - Lidově = In Folk Style ........................................................ 4:08

     D2 - Povídal, Že Jim Hrál = So What, Said He And Played ...... 6:30

     D3 - Dosti Radosti = The Joys Are Over ................................... 5:26

     D4 - Skořápky Vodních Dutin = Water Cavity Shells ................. 3:50

     D5 - Proměna Třetí = Metamorphosis Three ............................ 1:02

Personnel:

Jiří Stivín – flute, alto flute, recorder, crumhorn, bassoon [renaissance], flute [transverse folk

                   pipe, fuyara], ocarina, alto saxophone, bass clarinet, recorder [bressan baroque]

Pierre Favre – drums, gong, tom tom, tom tom [water], bells, crotales, percussion [beans]

Pavel Kühn – vocals, voice

The sixth Pierre Favre' studio album, on which is significantly contributed the famous Czech jazz instrumentalist and composer Jiří Stivín, released in 1981.
Music By – Jiří Stivín, Pierre Favre

Jiří Stivín is one of the most famous jazz soloists of the seventies. His music is usually largely improvised free jazz. He played with Jazz Q Praha from their foundation in 1964 and also on their album with Blue Effect in 1970. In between his own albums he has played in countless formations at jazz festivals. The two first listed albums are typical free jazz offerings of the times, comparable to the earliest albums released on ECM and MPS by Jan Garbarek, Volker Kriegel, Wolfgang Dauner and others (his sources of inspiration were the sixties works of Coltrane and Coleman).

Tandem (1976) was recorded with only Rudolf Dašek as co-musician and is more accessible. Stivín obviously favoured such duo collaborations - as he recorded Zvěrokruh with Gabriel Jonás in 1976 and this jewel Výlety = Excursions  with Pierre Favre in 1979.

A great album. Enjoy !!!

If you find it, buy this album!

JOE HAIDER – Katzenvilla (Spiegelei – 28 772-2 U / LP-1971)

Label: Spiegelei – 28 772-2 U

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album / Country: Germany / Released: 1971

Style: Avant-garde Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, Free Improvisation

Recorded At Horst Jankowski Studio, Stuttgart 12.10.1971.

Published By O.B.H. Musikverlag, München

Coverdesign by – K. Fröhlicher

Engineer by – Claus H. Reisser

Produced by – Otto B. Hartmann

Matrix / Runout (Label side A) [etched]: A-0470 A/C 3 A  A

Matrix / Runout (Label side B) [etched]: A-0470 A/C 3 A  B

Tracklist

A1 - Fate Of A Child .......................................................................................... 4:02

A2 - My Little Darling ......................................................................................... 9:20

A3 - Capricorn ................................................................................................... 5:25

B1 - Katzenvilla ................................................................................................. 9:14

B2 - EJP ............................................................................................................ 7:47

B3 - And Now? .................................................................................................. 3:17

Personnel:

Joe Haider – piano

Isla Eckinger – bass

Pierre Favre – drums, percussion

On 12 October 1971 the music of this album was recorded at the Horst Jankowski Studio in Stuttgart. At that time it was Joe Haider's greatest desire to make a trio LP. Thanks to the producer and longtime friend Otto B. Hartmann this musical portrait has been created.

In the house named "Katzenvilla" Haider has lived for many years and spent a beautiful and important time of his life. Each track of the album tells a story that has to do with its human and musical development during this important part of its life.

The music was spontaneously recorded: Joe Haider's longtime friends, Isla Eckinger (bass) and Pierre Favre (drums) were the ideal partners with their empathy and their own great musicality to spontaneously capture the moods of these stories and implement them in the trio in an impressive manner.

If you find it, buy this album!

LÉON FRANCIOLI and PIERRE FAVRE – Le Bruit Court... (LP-1978 / ESC 367)

Label: L'Escargot – ESC 367

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album / Country: France / Released: 1978

Style: Free Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, Free Imprivisation

Recorded at studio Aquarius, September 18 and 19, 1976.

Artwork – Wannaz Mantial

Photography By – Alain Ogheri

Recorded By – Alain Français

Compositions by Léon Francioli and Pierre Favre

Matrix / Runout: Face1: E S C  3 6 7  A

Matrix / Runout: Face2: E S C  3 6 7  B

A1 - Le Rêve De Don Quichotte .............................................. 5:20

A2 - Le Bal Des Crapaux ......................................................... 5:25

A3 - Drôles D'Oiseaux ............................................................. 5:21

B1 - Stampede ......................................................................... 6:00

B2 - La Flèche Et L'Arc En Ciel ............................................... 5:35

B3 - Oh! Anton ......................................................................... 3:50

B4 - Singes Moqueurs ............................................................. 1:30

Léon Francioli – double bass

Pierre Favre – drums, percussion

Original 1978 French private pressing on the small independent L'Escargot records imprint. Great Improvisation, Free Jazz LP that hardly ever surfaces. First released on the label Evasion Disques – EB 100821 / France - 1976.

To   maximumbreak.   Enjoy!

If you find it, buy this album!

LÉON FRANCIOLI – Nolilanga (LP-1970 / Evasion Disques – LP E 109)

Label: Evasion Disques – LP E 109

Series: Living Now - 1

Format: Vinyl, LP / Country: Switzerland – Press in France / Released: 1970

Style: Free Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, Free Improvisation

Recorded on the 3rd of April 1970.

Layout – Studiopizz

Photography By – Alain Ogheri

Engineer – Stephen Sulke

Producer – Gaston Schaefer

A1 - Ndi'funa'imali ................................................................... 2:40

A2 - Noma'khephu .................................................................. 8:20

A3 - In Bubwe .......................................................................... 6:25

B  -  Nolilanga ........................................................................ 18:40

Léon Francioli – double bass, conductor

Alan Skidmore – tenor sax and soprano sax

Pierre Cullaz – guitar

Pierre Favre – drums, percussion

Alain Petitmermet – drums, percussion

Léon Francioli (1946 to 2016) was a Swiss double bass player, was born in Lausanne, Switzerland, on May 22nd 1946. After studying piano and double bass at the Conservatory of Lausanne, he worked sessions in studios for mainly 'rock' and classical artists (he was also an accomplished cellist). As a founding member and lead guitarist of the instrumental group 'Les Aiglons', from 1963 to 1965 he recorded several LP-s with them for the record label 'Golf Drouot de Barclay'. In 1970 however, Francioli released his first solo record, under his name but with assistance from Alain Petitmermet, Pierre Favre, Pierre Cullaz and Alan Skidmore. Michel Portal played with him during concerts in Nantes and at the Châteauvallon Festival in 1972, the both of them assisted by Favre, plus Beb Guerin and Bernard Vitet. He then went on to play as a duet with Favre, and this continued until 1980...

... He later recorded and toured with artists such as Johm Tchicai, Albert Mangelsdorff (in 'Triple Entente'), Don Cherry, Radu Malfatti (in 'Humanimal'), and sometimes just solo. In 1982, Francioli co-founded the 'jazz' ensemble 'BBFC' (along with J F Bovard on trombone, Daniel Bourquin on reed instruments and Olivier Clerc on drums). In 1984, he played once more with Pierre Favre, and also collaborated with composer Stan Tracey on the film music for the movies "Les Petites Fugues" and "Le Bus...", as well as playing with various dance bands. In 1995, he won the "Grand Prix de la Fondation Vaudoise pour la Culture", and since 1991 had helped create music for many musical shows, including "Border Line", "Le Cirque", "Une Saison en Enfer", "Amnésie Internationale" and "Délices des Jardins...". He later formed a group along with Daniel Bourquin, called 'Les Nouveaux Monstres'. Léon Francioli died in Lausanne on March 9th 2016. He was 69.

 Alan Skidmore – tenor sax and soprano sax

"Nolilanga", his first album as a leader, one of his few recordings where is in completely gave himself and showed what is actually a master of the instrument. But even more is its intuitiveness and its disconcerting but liberating power at all consider a purely playful angle that will push him to exceed the limits imposed by the shackles of too strict education. The playground is the music itself in time as malleable material which everything can be said. The abstraction of "Ndi'Fuma'Imali" opening is a good example: the bass is not content to play the strings, he played the instrument himself ... playing companions are, it must be say, extremely well chosen too: two drummers, Alain Petitmermet and painfully exciting Pierre Favre, guitarist Pierre Cullaz and finally the brilliant British saxophonist Alan Skidmore who is known for his solo work and participation in many UK jazz fusion/prog groups, i.e; Soft Machine, Keith Tippett's Centipede, The Nice, Elton Dean's Ninesense, etc... "Noma'Khepu" holds the long beach where you can hear that on balance is a philosophy of life be put into practice collectively. Tumultuous and energetic, "Nolilanga" faithful representative of a current to the envied but not always understood precepts, tends to prove that harmony can also be born from chaos...

If you find it, buy this album!

LÉON FRANCIOLI with PIERRE FAVRE, EJE THELIN, JOUK MINOR – Live in Montreux (LP-1972 / EA 100 804)

Label: Evasion Disques – EA 100 804

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo

Country: Switzerland / Printed in France / Released: 1972

Style: Free Jazz, Free Improvisation

Recorded live at the Montreux Palace Pavillion, 21 June 1972.

(6th Montreux Jazz Festival)

Layout – Studiopizz

Photography – Alain Ogheri

Engineer – Chris Pennycate

Matrix / Runout: Side1: EA 100 804 A1

Matrix / Runout: Side2: EA 100 804 A2

A - Public 1 ............................................................................. 20:28

B - Public 2 ............................................................................. 20:17

Line-up:

Léon Francioli – double bass

Eje Thelin – trombone

Jouk (Jouck) Minor – baritone saxophone / sopranino saxophone

Pierre Favre – drums / percussion

Note:

Evasion Disques, Swiss records and publishing company, created by Gaston Schaefer and François Vautier.

Evasion Disques has different label graphic styles and various confusing denominations such as: Disques Evasion; Evasion Records; and Evasion (in three different colors).

For its 6th edition – 13 days at the Montreux Palace Pavillion – the Festival hosts Chuck Mangione, Don Burrows, Herbie Mann, Les McCann, Lightnin’ Slim, Muddy Waters and Blood Sweat & Tears as well as Roland Kirk, Ray Bryant, Richie Havens and The Aces.

The first three days are devoted to the Blues, Claude Nobs' favorite music: Chuck Berry performs with two prestigious guests, Willie Dixon and T-Bone Walker.

John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra play at the Festival for the first time. Jean-Luc Ponty and Joachim Kühn give a duo concert as does Phil Woods with Daniel Humair.

Spectators also discover the Stan Getz Quartet, then comprising Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Tony Williams.

From local musicians, a remarkable performance (21 June) he had Léon Francioli with a group of friends and associates Pierre Favre, Eje Thelin, Jouk Minor...

This album requires active engagement on the part of the listener. It’ll push you through your confusion into a place satisfyingly close to enlightenment.

High volume and good speakers are heavily recommended.

Enjoy!!!

If you find it, buy this album!

MICHEL PORTAL – À Chateauvallon - No, No But It May Be (Michel Portal Unit) LP-1973-Le Chant Du Monde - LDX 74526

Label: Le Chant Du Monde – LDX 74526

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Repress, Gatefold / Country: France / Released: 1973

Style: Free Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, Free Improvisation

Recorded live at Châteauvallon, August 23, 1972.

Design – Henri Galeron

Photography By – Guy Le Querrec

Engineer – Bruno Menny, Jean-Bernard Plé

Supervised By [Recording] – André Francis

Executive Producer – Daniel Richard

Matrix / Runout (Side A Label): XWG 74526 A

Matrix / Runout (Side B Label): XWG 74526 B

A - No, No, But It May Be ........................................................... 19:46

B - No, No, But It May Be (2e T.) ................................................ 24:30

Michel Portal: clarinets, bass, double bass, alto & sopranino sax, taragot

Bernard Vitet: trumpet, horn, violin

Léon Francioli:  double bass

Beb Guérin: double bass

Pierre Favre: percussions

Tamia: vocal

Rare LP, French Press only; this record : 271 grams + package weight : 250 grams

...One of the artists that incorporates that huge creative streak, goes by the name of Michel Portal and those who minimally know his music, are aware of his constant search for new sounds, taking advantage of his provocative attitude to motivate himself towards new horizons...
In the autumn of 1973 by the Chant du Monde, the concert Michel Portal Unit to À Châteauvallon upset many minds and inspired a generation of French musicians.

Michel Portal, born in 1935 (Bayonne, France) stands out as a composer, clarinetist and saxophonist, while several other instruments like the bandoneon (small accordion) are also part of his repertoire.

In addition to having studied clarinet at the Paris Conservatoire, he also studied conducting with Pierre Dervaux, which would give him a solid background for future projects.

The diversity (or dissatisfaction) is present over a considerable part of the career of this unusual artist. Apart from multi-instrumentalist, also when it comes to musical genres, Portal has whittled different ways throughout his extensive career.

His musical anarchist tendencies revealed in different ways: in the participations with Stockhausen in the late 60s, the award-winning movie soundtracks and the reference pieces of contemporary or classical music, such as the remarkable participation as soloist in “Domaines” of Pierre Boulez.

But despite his artistic diversity, one of the labels he cannot get rid of, is the “father of the French modern jazz”, being considered by many as one of the architects of modern jazz and improvised music in the old continent. This reputable title comes from the fact that he participated in the initial phase of the free jazz movement in France (late 60’s) with musicians such as François Tusques, Bernard Vitet or Sunny Murray.

With the aim of promoting instant composition and collective improvisation, Portal still formed the “New Phonic Art” (1969) and developed a strong partnership with John Surman (first record of the Michel Portal Unit, created in 1971). 

“No, no but it maybe” was recorded in Chateauvallon on August 23, 1972 during a live performance. The recording by ORTF (Office de Télévision Française Radiodiffusion) had its first edition by the extinct “Chant du Monde”.

This session of about 45 minutes of pure listening pleasure, has no line-up or separation of tracks; only the magic of improvised music interpreted with great mastery.

Despite this excellent work having on the soils of Michel Portal and Bernard Vitet (who died on July 3, 2013) the main protagonists, the other elements of this group have an equally important contribution in creating pieces of great richness.

The first part presents us a deep atmosphere, marked by the rhythm of the bass and the interventions of Portal and Vitet on the reeds and horns. The percussion (Pierre Favre) and the double-bass with bow (Beb Guerin, Léon Francioli) also join this exclusive creation, conveying the idea of a natural atmosphere that grows in rhythmic intensity until its end.

The B side, in a something obscure and enigmatic line (with influences of movie soundtracks) includes a beautiful performance of targot (instrument of clarinet family) whose intriguing sounding triggers some vocal interventions (cries and whimpers) by way of incentive. While a tribal and theatrical sound develops in intensity, joins Tamia’s voice by way of scat-singing.

The instrumental diversity used throughout this session is extremely well coordinated, revealing the individual conscience of each element in favor of the collective sound, even in the case of an exercise of pure improvisation. Perhaps that’s why the name (Michel Portal) “Unit” makes some sense.

Given the difficulty in describing in words the result of this work, it is particularly important to hear it and feel it and therefore, no hesitation in recommending this work to all who are interested in the European free jazz movement.

With almost 80 years of age, Michel Portal continues active and although no longer recording with the regularity of the past, he continues to incorporate in his music a contagious energy. His last works alternate between Jazz (Bailador, 2010) and interpretations of classical composers like Mozart or Brahms. As for his next work, nobody knows, but will certainly have the stamp of innovation and excellence that this great artist has used throughout his career of over 45 years.

Absolument génial, Monsieur Portal!

Review by Mister W

Text taken from:

http://thejazzspot.tumblr.com/post/96501010638/michel-portal-unit-%C3%A0-chateauvallon-no-no-but

I thank Mister W.

If you find it, buy this album!

MICHEL PORTAL / LÉON FRANCIOLI / PIERRE FAVRE – Arrivederci Le Chouartse (Hat Hut ‎– ART / 2LP-1981)

Label: Hat Hut Records ‎– ART 2007

Format: 2 × Vinyl, LP, Box Set / Country: Switzerland / Released: 1981

Previously issued on HH2R22

Comes in a special cardboard box including one postcard.

Style: Free Jazz, Free Improvisation

Recorded live October 3, 1980 at Lapin Vert, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Producer – Pia Uehlinger

Producer, Artwork By – Werner X. Uehlinger

A - Arrivederci I . . . . . . 16:00

B - Arrivederci II . . . . .  16:45

C - Le Chouartse I . . . . 17:40

D - Le Chouartse II . . .  18:45

Michel Portal – clarinet, bass clarinet, alto and tenor sax

Léon Francioli – bass

Pierre Favre – drums, percussion

On that particular day, for just a moment - the right moment - Léon Francioli, Pierre Favre and Michel Portal possessed eternal youth - "Youth is when one doesn't know what’s going to happen next" (Henri Michaux).

Michel Portal / Léon Francioli / Pierre Favre

This live date is a reunion of the reed and drum duo of Michael Portal and Pierre Favre that so freaked out French audiences in 1972 there was a televised debate about live improvised music. However, this time there is the addition of the formidable bass talent of Leon Francioli, a player of such distinction and diversity he is equally at home playing the music of Thelonious Monk or Hans Werner Herze. Playing in front of an audience for the first time -- there had been only two rehearsals -- Portal and Favre hadn't played together in years either; in Switzerland of all places, that feeling was obviously in the air because it can be heard here, that something unexpected was about to happen. It starts like an out improv date with "Arrivederci" with odd whispered rhythms played against an improvised bowed bass slipping along, trying to find a place to begin. The bow saws slowly and quickly from register to register, finding the trace of some ancient melody to bring in before tripping on as Favre kicks up the heat just a notch. Nothing else much happens except the tension of the ambience until about three minutes in when Francioli tags tough with a bit of "O Tannenbaum." Bass and drums continue to toy with one another, turning up the tension level until five minutes in, the atmosphere tight as a wire, Portal enters with an elegantly bluesy "Take the A-Train," improvising alone off the beauty of this cadence. When the band moves in to take him up on it, they slip through post-bop and modal territory like well-rehearsed schoolboys at exam time, all the while looking for the proper syntax to being the exploration. With Portal blowing the blues the way he is, there is little else to do except mine the emotion he lays out. Finally, there are a series of long singe notes, and the improvisation commences in earnest. Rhythm, melody, and harmony -- in almost the same manner as Bill Evans, Paul Motian, and Scott La Faro used them -- become a challenge. They are not to be undone so much as unwound, granting room for dissonance and subtle, yet fickle tonal sonances that normally find their way into only most extreme blowing sessions. Here, all three players share the rhythmic concern, grooving together in this unwinding musical sprawl where overtone and interval questions encounter melodic ones in the process of swinging through in mode and rhythmic meter. It's amazing, really. Semi-quavers appear every third or fourth interval, and the mode changes, as does the harmony. It's all jazz, but it's all improvisation. The swing is definitely the thing as bits of everyone from Ornette Coleman to Dave Brubeck find their way into the floating, slinky twists and turns this trio takes each other through on their way to someplace nobody's been yet. For 32 minutes, "Arrivederci" rolls on, with Francioli playing some deeply funky Horace Silver lines on the bass. The next two works are actually an improvisatory suite, "Le Chouartse," of about 35 minutes in length. Portal gets out the clarinets and puts them to work with the saxophones in a rhythmic counterpart to Favre. There is polyrhythmic in his embouchure before any melodic or harmonic idiom is established. The evidence for the confusion is the lack of Francioli's presence until about three minutes into the track when he realizes the rhythmic line Portal is playing is the melody. Once he's in, and Favre is using his hands all over his muted toms toms, the fun begins. This suite is a trip down the rabbit hole but without Alice and in the dark. It steams, and whispers, shouts, screams and coos with six sets of rhythms all playing against each other at once, Portal accomplishing his with microphonics à la Pharoah Sanders -- but on bass clarinet. There are long periods of near silent communication happening during this work, but when the dynamic changes, so does everything else, the notion of jazz tradition -- i.e., melody, rhythm, and harmony -- has been reinvented, extended to include dissonant harmony and fragmented modal ideas in its rhythmic concepts, thus, opening up an entirely new space for the definition of melody as an extension of rhythm which is the next extension of harmony. A truly remarkable session, one that should be far better known than it is.

_ Review by Thom Jurek

If you find it, buy this album!