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Contrasting Faces of Spontaneous Music Ensemble
As well as seeking out unreleased SME recordings and getting them fit for release, Emanem proprietor Martin Davidson is continually finding ways to improve those that have already been released by Emanem. For example, in 2007, two single CD volumes of Quintessence, consisting of recordings from 1973 and 1974, were replaced by a double CD of the same recordings; in the process, the music was programmed in a different order, one which showed it off far better. Now, Emanem has issued two CDs by SME, both of which have previously been released by the label in some form...
Spontaneous Music EnsembleChallenge
Emanem
2013
This is a straightforward reissue of Challenge which was previously issued on CD by Emanem back in 2001, housed in a plastic "jewel case," most of its content dating back to a 1966 vinyl LP release on the Eyemark label. For some time that 2001 issue has been out of stock, so it is good to have it back again, now clad in one of the high quality card sleeves that Emanem (and Psi) have used since 2009. Other than that change and some slight revisions to the sleeve notes by Martin Davidson, there are no alterations; the music is programmed in the same order as before with no detectable changes.
That is excellent news for lovers of improvised music. This album is a key document in the history of improv, as it caught SME on the cusp of the transition from free jazz to free improvisation. At the time, SME centred around the threesome of drummer
John Stevens
drumsb.1940
Paul Rutherford
tromboneb.1940
Trevor Watts
saxophoneb.1939
Evan Parker
saxophone, sopranob.1944
Spontaneous Music EnsembleNew Surfacing
Emanem
2013
New Surfacing contrasts starkly with Challenge in several ways? it is not a reissue of a previous Emanem release but a brand new issue which includes material previously available on other releases. Its first two tracks "Newcastle A" and "Newcastle B" (which justify the "New" part of the CD title) were previously included on Trio and Triangle (Emanem, 2008) alongside some tracks by the ten-member Spontaneous Music Orchestra. For that CD, they were sourced from a distorted cassette tape and cleaned up. Although the results were acceptable, there is no doubt that the versions here—sourced from the original tape of the concert—display a quantum leap in sound quality.
The music of this incarnation of SME differs radically from that of its 60's ancestor, mainly because of the shift of instrumentation from wind instruments to strings. With the benefit of hindsight, that change can be seen as highly significant and influential. That influence is evident in the impressive array of improvised strings albums—by the likes of
"
data-original-title="" title="">Arc, Barrel, "
data-original-title="" title="">Stellari String Quartet, "
data-original-title="" title="">Trio of Uncertainty, 
Charlotte Hug
viola
Fred Lonberg-Holm
cellob.1962
Tracks and Personnel
Challenge
Tracks: E. D.'s Message; 2. B. Ornette; Club 66; Day of Reckoning; End of a Beginning; Travelling Together; Little Red Head; After Listening; End of a Beginning; Distant Little Soul.
Personnel: Kenny Wheeler: flugelhorn (1-3, 6-9); Paul Rutherford: trombone (1-9); Trevor Watts: alto saxophone (1-8, 10), soprano saxophone (9 ), piccolo (10); Bruce Cale: double bass (2-8); Jeff Clyne: double bass (1, 9); John Stevens: drums, cymbals (1-6, 8-10); Evan Parker: soprano saxophone (10); Chris Cambridge: double bass (10).
New Surfacing
Tracks: Newcastle 78A; Newcastle 78B; Complete Surfaces.
Personnel: John Stevens: percussion, cornet, mini-trumpet, voice; Nigel Coombes: violin; Roger Smith: guitar.
Tags
Spontaneous Music Ensemble
Multiple Reviews
John Eyles
United Kingdom
London
John Stevens
Paul Rutherford
Trevor Watts
evan parker
Arc
Stellari String Quartet
Trio of Uncertainty
Charlotte Hug
Fred Lonberg-Holm
Comments
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