Otis Nugatory
I bought Directions’ majesterial album “In Music” on CD in ‘96, thought the ensemble’s name was “Directions In Music” until this BC release (oof!)… which is wonderfully beat-driven and jazzamatazzy. RIYL Tortoise (of course), HiM, Madlib, The Books &/or Ui. Fingers crossed for more digital releases of music by Mr. Bundy K. Brown!
Favorite track: Echoes (Radio Edit 3).
Neil Cheyney
My copy of the 12-inch is tucked away somewhere, so it's nice to have a new vinyl pressing (with more music) readily to hand, as well as this nifty set.
Favorite track: Echoes (Continental Drift Version).
Jason Boucher
One of may all time pieces of music, so beautifully written and performed the reminds me of my college years. Also, best indie rock drummer ever? Doug Scharin. 👍
Ken Brown (aka Bundy K. Brown) is a storied producer, multi-instrumentalist, DJ, and professional food enthusiast. In a musical history that spans nearly four decades, he was a member of noise-rock trio Bastro (along with David Grubbs and John McEntire) and a founding member of that group’s evolution into Gastr del Sol – whom he left after forming the iconic Chicago band, Tortoise. In 1995 Brown departed Tortoise to pursue a number of projects, including remixes for Yo La Tengo, The Sea and Cake, Coldcut, and Calexico. He also formed a new trio with Codeine/Rex/June of 44 drummer, Doug Scharin and guitarist James Warden, which they called Directions. After releasing one album on Thrill Jockey, the band went inactive, with Brown completing one final Directions release on his own before retiring the moniker. That record – a scarcely limited 12” on the influential UK imprint, Soul Static Sound – would prove to resonate long after it disappeared from shops. It influenced a diverse array of artists and producers, most notably Kieran Hebden, who would call Echoes “the blueprint for the Four Tet thing,” explaining to prominent UK broadcaster Gilles Peterson, “it’s basically where I got the idea for everything from…it changed my life, this record.”
Available for the first time since its original release in 1997, Echoes – Anniversary Edition includes the two original side-long tracks, and has been expanded to also feature the nascent 1995 demo of “Echoes” (recorded on equipment borrowed from Tortoise’s John Herndon just after Brown had left the group), as well as a brand new remix by Deadly Dragons – the 1990s Chicago DJ crew whose members included Brown, Herndon, Casey Rice, and Daniel Givens, among others. Briefly reunited during COVID lockdown specifically to craft this new Directions remix, Deadly Dragons separately but collectively contributed a new 9-minute pastiche of spiritual jazz, hip-hop, and dub. The newly expanded album Echoes – Anniversary Edition was remastered from the original master tapes by Heba Kadry, and the vinyl was cut by Bob Weston at Chicago Mastering Service. The records were pressed at RTI, and are housed in all-new artwork created by Ken Brown’s longtime friend and collaborator, Rob Mazurek.
supported by 89 fans who also own “Echoes – Anniversary Edition”
My god, what an absolutely incredible Suite. I'll admit, I've struggled to get into Pharoah Sanders due to diving headfirst into some of his most challenging catalogue and that never worked. This is the perfect place to restart. Floating Points is new for me and I can honestly say I've never heard synthesizer music this lush and organic before. the LSO is just perfect. This is one of those albums that any serious music fan needs in their life. The perfect swan song for the great Pharaoh! 5/5 ClassyMusicSnob
Prefuse 73 is on fire! New albums, singles, and now a Name Your Price collection of ethereal, jagged, & loopy joints. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 3, 2015