ESP Erica Pomerance : You used to think (US,1968)*°°
ESP gave a very good example of free expression allowed to artists. They also released a few items from singers/singer-songwriters who were prepared to pass on the obvious (-MIJ is reviewed here-). I only know a few singers items with some free forms included, like David Stoughton's Transformer, and Alan Sorrenti's early work,.... The two first songs are pretty much in Janis Ian / Essra Mohawk style. "We came via" is the first attempt of an improvisation. Strange that when musicians improvise in a continuing form it always gives a bit an eastern or middle eastern touch, which we feel must be essential because we veer towards it. It's something all musicians should try out to develop the spontaneous side of their instruments / voice. At "Julius" she improvises a bit more freely, not sure if she really was used to all this or not, but she did, with a couple of friends, including a sitar player. It sounds a bit odd. I even have the impression she can barely sing in this free style. On the second site she continues with the same bunch of people, including an alto sax, all playing a bit against each other, but still shaping some form in some way or another. Where free jazz examples become inventive in its creative improvisation process, Erica's performance still keeps herself somewhere in the "blues-folk-singing" mood, no matter if it's attempting a "free-form jazz" sound. But it's bizarre enough in it is spontaneity to become enjoyable. Although it lacks a bit in ideas and experience to be of a real musical historical importance, this recording itself, in its enjoyment, it still work in stimulating others to do better in the 21st century.
Audiofile of a better track (taken from Tony Coulter's WFMU radioshow) : "The French Revolution"
