Summary
The Music Improvisation Company is the debut album by the Music Improvisation Company, recorded over three days in August 1970 and released on ECM later that year. The quartet features saxophonist Evan Parker, guitarist Derek Bailey, Hugh Davies on various self-made electronic instruments, and percussionist Jamie Muir, with guest vocalist Christine Jeffrey appearing on two tracks.[1][2][3]
| The Music Improvisation Company | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by the Music Improvisation Company | ||||
| Released | 1970 | |||
| Recorded | August 25–27, 1970 | |||
| Studio | Merstham Studios London, England | |||
| Genre | Free jazz | |||
| Length | 46:04 | |||
| Label | ECM ECM 1005 ST | |||
| Producer | Manfred Eicher | |||
| The Music Improvisation Company chronology | ||||
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| Evan Parker chronology | ||||
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| Derek Bailey chronology | ||||
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Reception edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [4] |
| Tom Hull | B[5] |
AllMusic's Chris Kelsey said, "Although the musicians were conversant in jazz styles, the music made by the MIC was essentially and intentionally non-idiomatic, drawing upon any and all elements of musical thought and given voice in the moment. The resulting music was dissonant, discontinuous, and ultimately in the vanguard of improvised music."[6]
Tyran Grillo of ECM blog Between Sound and Space wrote, "As can be expected from one look at the roster, the musicianship is excellent. Evan Parker steals the show with his bubbling outbursts of indiscernible melody while Bailey cultivates an even more anonymous approach, cutting in and out with a surgeon’s touch. In the end, such a project can only be what one makes of it. Its difficulties are also what make it go down smoothly, even as its effortless approach renders it impossible to fathom. It is a mysterious object, to be sure, and one that casts a new reflection with every turn."[7]
Track listing edit
All music is composed by Derek Bailey, Hugh Davies, Jamie Muir and Evan Parker
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Third Stream Boogaloo" (with Christine Jeffrey) | Jeffrey | 2:40 |
| 2. | "Dragon Path" | 10:25 | |
| 3. | "Packaged Eel" | 8:43 | |
| Total length: | 21:48 | ||
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Untitled No. I" | 7:06 | |
| 2. | "Untitled No. II" (with Christine Jeffrey) | Jeffrey | 7:33 |
| 3. | "Tuck" | 3:05 | |
| 4. | "Wolfgang van Gangbang" | 6:54 | |
| Total length: | 24:38 46:26 | ||
Personnel edit
The Music Improvisation Company edit
- Derek Bailey – electric guitar
- Evan Parker – soprano saxophone
- Hugh Davies – live electronics
- Jamie Muir – percussion
Guest edit
- Christine Jeffrey – vocals (tracks 1 & 5)
Technical personnel edit
- Manfred Eicher – producer
- Jenny Thor – engineer
- B & B Wojirsch – design
- Werner Bethsold – photography
References edit
- ^ Shapiro, R. Sessionography of Derek Bailey accessed May 5, 2016
- ^ Hsu, W. T. & Rousell, P. Discography of Evan Parker accessed May 5, 2016
- ^ ECM Records Catalog: 1000 series accessed May 5, 2016
- ^ The Music Improvisation Company – Listing at AllMusic. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
- ^ Hull, Tom (February 28, 2018). "Streamnotes". Tom Hull – on the Web. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
- ^ Kelsy, Chris. Music Improvisation Company – Biography at AllMusic. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
- ^ Grillo, T. The Music Improvisation Company (ECM 1005) June 10, 2010