The Music Improvisation Company
Studio album by
the Music Improvisation Company
Released1970 (1970)
RecordedAugust 25–27, 1970 (1970-08-25 – 1970-08-27)
StudioMerstham Studios
London, England
GenreFree jazz
Length46:04
LabelECM 1005 ST
ProducerManfred Eicher
The Music Improvisation Company chronology
The Music Improvisation Company
(1970)		 The Music Improvisation Company 1968–1971
(1976)
Evan Parker chronology
The Topography of the Lungs
(1970)		 The Music Improvisation Company
(1970)		 Collective Calls (Urban) (Two Microphones)
(1971)
Derek Bailey chronology
The Topography of the Lungs
(1970)		 The Music Improvisation Company
(1970)		 Improvisations for Cello and Guitar
(1971)

The Music Improvisation Company is the debut album by the Music Improvisation Company, recorded over three days in August 1970 and released on ECM later that year. The quartet features saxophonist Evan Parker, guitarist Derek Bailey, Hugh Davies on various self-made electronic instruments, and percussionist Jamie Muir, with guest vocalist Christine Jeffrey appearing on two tracks.[1][2][3]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
Tom HullB[5]

AllMusic's Chris Kelsey noted "Although the musicians were conversant in jazz styles, the music made by the MIC was essentially and intentionally non-idiomatic, drawing upon any and all elements of musical thought and given voice in the moment. The resulting music was dissonant, discontinuous, and ultimately in the vanguard of improvised music."[6]

Tyran Grillo of Between Sound and Space wrote that "As can be expected from one look at the roster, the musicianship is excellent. Evan Parker steals the show with his bubbling outbursts of indiscernible melody while Bailey cultivates an even more anonymous approach, cutting in and out with a surgeon’s touch. In the end, such a project can only be what one makes of it. Its difficulties are also what make it go down smoothly, even as its effortless approach renders it impossible to fathom. It is a mysterious object, to be sure, and one that casts a new reflection with every turn."[7]

Track listing

All music is composed by Derek Bailey, Hugh Davies, Jamie Muir and Evan Parker

Side I
No.TitleLyricsLength
1."Third Stream Boogaloo" (with Christine Jeffrey)Jeffrey2:40
2."Dragon Path" 10:25
3."Packaged Eel" 8:43
Total length:21:48
Side II
No.TitleLyricsLength
1."Untitled No. I" 7:06
2."Untitled No. II" (with Christine Jeffrey)Jeffrey7:33
3."Tuck" 3:05
4."Wolfgang van Gangbang" 6:54
Total length:24:38 46:26

Personnel

The Music Improvisation Company

Guest

  • Christine Jeffrey – vocals (tracks 1 & 5)

References

  1. ↑ Shapiro, R. Sessionography of Derek Bailey accessed May 5, 2016
  2. ↑ Hsu, W. T. & Rousell, P. Discography of Evan Parker accessed May 5, 2016
  3. ↑ ECM Records Catalog: 1000 series accessed May 5, 2016
  4. ↑ The Music Improvisation Company – Listing at AllMusic. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  5. ↑ Hull, Tom (February 28, 2018). "Streamnotes". Tom Hull – on the Web. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  6. ↑ Kelsy, Chris. Music Improvisation Company – Biography at AllMusic. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  7. ↑ Grillo, T. The Music Improvisation Company (ECM 1005) June 10, 2010
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