Mujician - 10 10 10 (September 24, 2021 Cuneiform Records)

For over 20 years, MUJICIAN set a gold standard for intuitive, highly spiritual, and near-clairvoyant communication within an improvising ensemble. Composed of four of the biggest names in the European jazz and improvised music community - Paul Dunmall, Tony Levin, Paul Rogers, and Keith Tippett – this “super group” was nonetheless a true cooperative, a collective critically praised for its sensitive interplay and coherent voice.

10 10 10 is their last studio recording, finally released a decade after it was recorded.

Whether on record or in performance, the quartet always worked within the simple-yet-vast idea of completely free improvisation, always adhering to their one ground rule of never discussing music prior to playing it.

“In 2010 Mujician did a short tour to celebrate Tony Levin's 70th year. Whilst on tour, on 10th October, Mujician were recorded in the Victoria Room at the University of Bristol Music Studios by the great engineer Jonathan Scott. Little did we know this would be the last time we would record, as Tony Levin passed away a few months later.

Mujician were together for 22 years, and in that time we played throughout Europe, Canada, Russia, South Africa and many concerts in the UK. In 2020 Keith Tippett died after a long illness. I believe that Mujician was one of the great groups in jazz history. It wasn't just a free jazz group; it covered so many areas that I think all we can say is it played outstanding music.” – Paul Dunmall 

1. 10 10 10 25:20

2. Remember 30:47

3. 10 10 10 (excerpt) 06:29

Keith Tippett : piano

Tony Levin : drums

Paul Dunmall : soprano and tenor saxophones, bagpipes

Paul Rogers : 7-string acoustic bass

Engineered, mixed and mastered by Jonathan Scott at the University of Bristol Music Studios, Bristol, UK on October 10, 2010.

PREORDER

Dunmall / Schubert / Dessanay / Bashford - Sign of the Times (2018)

Master UK saxist, Paul Dunmall, has been working with other saxists through the years (like Evan Parker & Dave Liebman) and obviously chooses them well. This is the third recording that Mr. Dunmall and Mr. Schubert have done together, working with Alex Von Sclippenbach and Willi Kellers in the past. Both Italian bassist, Sebastiano Dessanay and UK drummer, Jim Bashford, have recorded with Mr. Dunmall in the past as well. From the gitgo, there is a fire burning from within, with Mr. Bashford’s strong mallet work and Mr. Dessanay’s probing bass creating an uplifting undertow. Both saxes, first alto and then tenor, start spinning one at a time, the spirits slowly rising higher as they build, the energy and intensity edging upwards as the go. The interplay between all four members of this quintet is extraordinary, waves upon waves, spiraling higher and higher as they go. Both saxists, although different and distinctive in tone, toss their lines tightly back and forth, sometimes at furious pace, sometimes sailing down to a more restrained simmer. When they later switch to soprano, the stream is more contained yet no less focused. The ’Sign of the Times’ must be the setting free of those cosmic spirits since this is what we have here. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery

1. Sign Of The Times 31:49

2. Talbot 21:07

3. Blues Is The Colour Of My Beloved 08:19

Paul Dunmall, soprano, alto, tenor saxophones

Frank Schubert, soprano, alto saxophones

Sebastiano Dessanay, double bass

James Bashford, drums

Recorded at the Lamp Tavern, Birmingham, on 10/10/2017

Recorded and mixed by Matthew O'Malley

Wood engraving by Paul Dunmall

Produced for FMR by Trevor Taylor

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Dunmall / Schubert / Dessanay / Bashford - Sign Of The Times (FMR RECORDS 2018)

With packaging embellished by 5 images of Paul Dunmall's wood engravings, this album catches the saxophonist on soprano, alto and tenor in the company of saxophonist Frank Paul Schubert on soprano and alto, with Sebastiano Dessanay on bass and Jim Bashford on drums, performing live at Lamp Tavern, in Birmingham for an album of intertwining reeds and solid rhythmic support.

1. Sign Of The Times 31:50

2. Talbot 21:08

3. Blues Is The Colour Of My Beloved 8:18

Paul Dunmall - soprano, alto, tenor saxes

Frank Paul Schubert - soprano, alto saxes

Sebastiano Dessanay - bass

Jim Bashford - drums

Paul Dunmall Brass Project - Maha Samadhi (SLAM PRODUCTIONS 2017)

With his brass project 'Maha Samadhi' saxophonist/composer Paul Dunmall takes a rare step into the world of composition; the suite is based on episodes from the life of Sri Ramakrishna, 19th century Indian mystic and yogi. The group includes trumpeter Percy Pursglove and drummer Tony Bianco.

Paul's four previous albums on SLAM have defined his Coltrane interests and influences; the choice of the brass project picks up further on his love of everything Coltrane.

Paul writes: "I've been wanting to do a brass project for many years and finally I got the chance. I've enjoyed writing for it and have had some very positive feedback so maybe this will encourage me to do more writing in the future."

1. Ecstatic, Unbearable Love 12:24

2. Temple Of The Mother's Presence 14:04

3. In The Cossipore Garden 12:36

4. Maha Samadhi 14:12

5. Infinite Cry 5:24

Paul Dunmall (tenor saxophone)

Olie Brice (bass)

Tony Bianco (drums)

Percy Pursglove, Aaron Diaz, Alex Astbury (trumpet)

Dave Sear, Josh Tagg (trombone)

Josh Palmer, Jo Sweet (tuba)

Ed Bennett (conductor)