Additional information
Spontaneous Music Ensemble: Evan Parker (soprano & tenor saxophone); John Stevens (percussion). Additonal personnel: Peter Kowald (acoustic bass). Recorded in London, England in August & September 1967. Includes liner notes by Martin Davidson, Victor Schonfield & Evan Parker. Personnel: Evan Parker (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Peter Kowald (double bass). Liner Note Authors: Evan Parker; Martin Davidson . Recording information: London, England (1967). Photographer: Jak Kilby. This collection, which was originally released in 1995, features eight freely improvised duets between John Stevens on percussion and Evan Parker on soprano and tenor saxophones, with German bassist Peter Kowald added on two lengthy tracks. Each of the three was in his twenties when these pieces were recorded, and it is fascinating to hear Parker, in particular, at an early stage of his development. His playing was less mature, more disjointed, and lacking some of the advanced techniques he was later to develop. Still, the totality of the performances is special, and holds its own. The mediocre sound quality on some of the CD deters from the overall listening experience, but Martin Davidson's tiny Emanem label has performed an important service in making these sessions available. ~ Steve Loewy
