Catched this documentary years ago on television. It was part of a series (BBC co-production) called "Rhythms of the World" and is set around violinist Shankar, Caroline, percussion maestro Trilok Gurtu, ghatam player Vikku Vinayakram and multi-instrumentalist Don Cherry performing on New Years Eve (around 1991-92) in Bombay (nowadays Mumbai).

Also featured are Alice Coltrane, the wife of the legendary John Coltrane and Zakir Hussain. Interviews and Bombay street scenery mix in with concert cuts providing a great impression of Indian atmosphere. The sort of TV show I stayed home for on Saturday evening.

Pre-ordered my copy from Ninja Tune today, due to release in May. The bad boys from Norway go symphonic. However don't expect this to be smooth jazz. See for yourself in the clip below.

Well here it is. The tune I was talking about in my latest post. "I can tell"  was co-composed by Philippe Saisse. Not sure but I think he even provides backing vocals to Al's lead voice. Couldn't believe this when I first heard this but on the other side it's a fun catchy tune that might stick in your thoughts for the rest of the day. You just wouln't expect this to be from the Al Di Meola catalogue.

The real one? Well, yes obviously. Guess I have to thank the guys at JazzrockTV.de. Flashback to about fifteen years ago when I first discovered Mr. Saisse on Al Di Meola's "Splendido Hotel". More? Check my next post to find out the tune and search the internet for footage of PSP: Saisse in collaboration with Simon Phillips and Pino Paladino. There's some great material from One Shot Not presented by Manu Katché.

In over 40 years ECM has build an outstanding catalogue of recordings. Next to that the label has been praised for their graphic design which has become a fascination for many record buyers. In the last years more and more publications about ECM have been published and became collectors items on their own.

A view examples: Horizons Touched: the music of ECM, Sleeves of Desire: a cover story and follow up Windfall Light: the visual language of ECM. Accompanying the exhibition ECM: Eine kulturelle Archäologie at Haus der Kunst in Munich is a book by the same name. Essays, round table discussions, full list of recordings and more, this a new must-have for every serious music book owner. Available in German and English.

John Zorn turns 60 this year and Gent Jazz pays tribute to the enfant terrible of modern day music. Hear and see Zorn in different projects and settings on July 14th, 2013 in Ghent, Belgium. Amongst his possible guests: Mike Patton, Jesse Harris, John Medeski, Marc Ribot, Trevor Dunn, Kenny Wollesen, Joey Baron, Cyro Baptista, Steve Gosling, David Fulmer, Jamie Saft and Ikue Mori.

Zorn obviously has a little love affair with this country: remember the ecstatic concert of Masada at Jazz Middelheim 1999, beautifully documented on "Live in Middelheim", and more recent performances at the same venue in Antwerp. He even performed as a church organ player there in 2011. Photographers beware: mister Zorn wants you only in the back and not upfront.