Elliott Levin New Ghost - Live Upstairs At Nick's CD

Personnel: Rick Iannacone (vocals, guitar); Elliott Levin (vocals, flute, musette, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Jim Meneses (percussion).
Recording information: Nick's (01/23/1998).
Editor: Sal Centola.
Philadelphia flautist, saxophonist, and poet Elliott Levin's musical career has encompassed performances with the Philly soul legends Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes and the avant-garde jazz pianist Cecil Taylor. This live set features the talented musician and his New Ghost ensemble, performing his unique, stream of consciousness Beat poetry and cutting-edge experimental jazz-funk pieces.
In 2006, the revived ESP label issued this 1998 live set from the quartet New Ghost. The eccentric music is at its most vital when it involves free ensemble-oriented playing as on "It's That Passing Gleam" and "C.T." Some less successful spoken word poetry sections recall Albert Ayler's erratic Impulse albums, but in general the fiery and very open music holds one's interest. Percussionists (one at a time except for two appearing on "C.T.") make guest appearances on three numbers, adding to the fire of this stirring set. Saxophonist Elliott Levin in particular deserves to be much better known. ~ Scott Yanow