Thursday, July 14, 2011

FMP Records: FMP In Retrospect ? review

(FMP Publishing)

Germany's Free Music Production label grew out of the New Artist Guild co-operative in the 1960s (when else?), and recorded most of the legends of European and then American free-improvised music before legal battles and ownership fights hampered it in the 21st century. Founder Jost Gebers presents reissued and new material made between 1975 and 2010 ? but as important as the music is the accompanying 218-page book. It includes Bert Noglik's thoughtful setting of FMP against German socio-cultural evolution, American-jazz angles from Ken Vandermark and Bill Shoemaker, and spectacular photography. Musical highlights include Alex Schlippenbach's Globe Unity Orchestra ? represented by a structurally intriguing 1975 concert, including Kenny Wheeler and Anthony Braxton. There's plenty of Schlippenbach music featuring Evan Parker, some razor-sharp playing from Steve Lacy, dynamic Louis Moholo drumming behind saxist R�diger Carl and pianist Ir�ne Schweizer, and Peter Br�tzmann's awesome first multi-sax solo recording, from 1976 ? though no Cecil Taylor, FMP's biggest international recruit. In Retrospect is a unique portrayal of an idealist operation that made a big difference, so it's for free- improv obsessives, of course ? but that's an ever-expanding niche.

Rating: 4/5


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