A stupendous, exhilarating mix of Afro-Latino roots, out-jazz and rollicking dance rhythms by this top-notch twenty-piece, from 1988. Killer.
A precious, previously unreleased live recording from 1977, when Jacques ‘Jeter La Girafe A La Mer’ Thollot was drummer.
‘Earl is on another level. The way he deploys his skill, humor, and encyclopedic knowledge of hip-hop has made him one of the most effortlessly deep and cool rappers alive’ (Pitchfork).
Conscious lovers — Paulette’s own upful, considered advice, delivered with fresh, youthful persuasiveness, and deadly horns. Another killer one-away.
‘What would happen if Erykah Badu, DJ Screw and Sa-Ra had a baby? You’d get Liv.e’ (NPR).
‘Martian soul music’ (Fader).
264 pages of essays, librettos, lyrics, memories, nuff photos, scores, personal anecdotes by musicians, visual artists, researchers and archivists; including contributions by Mary Jane Leach, George Lewis and Kodwo Eshun, besides Eastman in his own words.
Bracingly hostile towards settled, sanctimonious thinking about the composer and musician — Hans Werner Henze’s favourite bass player, featured on Arthur Russel’s Go Bang — especially any squaring off his sexuality and skin colour in relation to canonical minimalism, this is a punchy, immersive, diverse and thought-provoking homage.
Remastered from the original tape reels, this is the first official release of the legendary guitarist’s live recordings at the Penthouse jazz club, alongside bassist Sebastiao Neto and drummer Paulinho Magalhaes. With an extensive forty-page booklet containing rare photos of the performances; an essay by jazz critic Greg Caz; new statements by Carlos Santana, Lalo Schifrin, and others; and an effusive tribute by the John Fahey.