Selected Tracks:
Trio (Oh Susanna)
  
Number 2 -- Qtet Take 7
  
Tatas-Matoes
  

Chuck Nessa's introduction to the 5-cd set reprinted here in its entirety:

In 1966 Bob Koester allowed me to make some recordings for Delmark.  This opportunity led me to Roscoe Mitchell, Lester Bowie and Malachi Favors.  Roscoe introduced me Joseph Jarman.  During this time we all encountered Terry Martin.  Originally from Australia, Terry had recently arrived from England and proved to be an insightful observer of the music scene and a good friend.

By the spring of 1967, my stay at Delmark was ended.  That summer Roscoe convinced me to start a record company and in the following eight months, we were in the studio four times to record two LPs.  The first was Numbers 1 & 2, issued under Lester Bowie's name, and the second was "Congliptious" by the Roscoe Mitchell Art Ensemble.

While we were making these "formal" recordings, Terry was taping rehearsals by the group.  In 1975, we issued Old/Quartet from these tapes.

By coincidence, in the fall of 1968, Terry and I were removed from Chicago by our occupations.  A few months later, Roscoe, Lester, Malachi and Joseph left for Europe to become the Art Ensemble of Chicago.

We present this music in a comprehensive package with a hope of focusing attention on a time when discovery and delight in the fresh seemed almost common.  It was a time when "the tradition" was not a crutch, but a platform to build upon.

As a guide to the processes that gave birth to the music, we have included Terry's preface to the Old/Quartet record, his expansion to cover the newly released material and my commentary on the studio sessions.

The Art Ensemble

Released in a limited edition of 2500 cds in 1993, this 5-cd set has been extremely difficult to find...until now. Documenting the recordings of the Art Ensemble before the geographical qualification was deemed necessary, this may be the best $75 bucks you will spend on your record collection this year.

There are only a few new copies of this set left, so don't miss this rare opportunity to hear this group of legends "generating the first mature expression of the new creative freedom which could accept and absorb, as well as reject, anything."

Without a doubt, this set comes with our highest recommendation.

Disc 1: 4 tracks in 42:07 minutes
Disc 2: 2 tracks in 67:54 minutes
Disc 3: 5 tracks in 71:53 minutes
Disc 4: 3 tracks in 64:09 minutes
Disc 5: 9 tracks in 58:05 minutes

More Nessa Records

If you missed this cd, you might enjoy listening to:

Funky Donkey (Luther Thomas Human Arts Ensemble)

Freedom & Unity (Clifford Thornton New Arts Ensemble)

Afrika Rising   (Nicole Mitchell and Black Earth Ensemble)

Music From Tomorrow's World (Sun Ra Arkestra)

Mining Our Bid'ness (Carie Thomas)

Roscoe Mitchell (Roscoe Mitchell)

Compositions for Creative Orchestra (George Lewis and the NOW Orchestra)