anyone like muhal richard abrams?

i only have view from within (with the octet), and its got potential but isnt great. as its from the mid 80s, i just assume its inferior for those reasons.

yes, I like him. I don't know those records, though.

what are the ones most indicative of his style, hstencil? slash, which do you like best?

I have not heard nearly enough of his records. I own Muhal 1-OQA+19 and Lifea Bilnec, both of which I like but haven't listened to in a while.

Sightsong, an album of duets with Malachi Favors, is pretty choice.

Get his duo with Braxton on arista (from '76). I've got a couple on delmark, I remember his arrangements knocking me out but haven't heard it in a while so I'll pull it out and hear them again sometime (give me a year or two).

'as its from the mid 80s, i just assume its inferior for those reasons'

?

I've got most of his 60s and 70s records, but I wouldn't exactly say I'm a huge fan. The early Delmarks are all recommended, but I treasure them largely for the presence of all the AACM-affiliated sidemen; people like Threadgill, Braxton, McCall, etc. Afrisong on India Navigation is a pleasant disc of solo piano. Beware of the vinyl pressing though, it's horrible; I think that one's on cd. I like the duet disc with Braxton. I don't know those records Peter mentions. I think I have one or two of the 80s records on Black Saint that I need to spend more time with. I dunno, his music can feel kind of stodgy at times. Apparently he's kind of a bitter guy. I think there may have been some sort of rift between him and some of the AACM people? But I'm not sure of any particulars so I probably shouldn't say anything. He was one of the two or three big-name alumni who didn't return to Chicago when they held a big 30 year anniversary festival in 1995.

The album "Things To Come From Those Now Gone" has a song called 'How Are You', the lyrics to which are just the title sung repeatedly by a female vocalist, and I remember finding this totally hilarious when I heard it.

"Levels and Degrees of Light" was the first AACM album, no?

Pretty sure the first was Roscoe's Sound.

oh yeah. Levels and Degrees was the first Braxton appearance then?

I have View from within which is an 80's disc and i like it ok enough to have always thought i'd check out more of his stuff. That i haven't is probably indicative of a lack of real enthusiasm.

That said threads like this are great cos now I'll probably pull it out and give it another go.