BILL DIXON, FRANZ KOGLMANN, STEVE LACY
Opium (Between the Lines)
FRANCOIS HOULES
Cryptology (Between the Lines)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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It makes the masses shudder, tsk and roll eyes. It is easily dismissed, usually ridiculed and often despised. It is the sketchy world of avant jazz. And it takes a brave soul to attempt it, and perhaps a braver soul to release it. Cleverly, Between the Lines has entered this crazy game with the accepting European market in mind, and of course, the few daredevil souls in North America. New and old gems of the genre are released in visually striking fold- out digipacks (little art treasures in themselves), appealing to both music fanatic and collector. "Opium" resurrects two hard to find seventies albums brimming with horn and bass improv intricacies, highlighted by the stellar blowing of Franz Koglmann. Francois Houle, in sharp contrast, delivers a sharp, minimalist set fueled by the edgy sounds of violin and violoncello (Peggy Lee), that is based on cryptology. It is musically the more diverse and quirky of the releases. You know who you are...

© 2001 - John Sekerka