Pax Recordings
In 1997, San Francisco composer/guitarist Ernesto Diaz-Infante began the Pax Recordings record label which is dedicated to the documentation, perservation, and contagion of music from the margins of our culture and psyches. He and filmmaker/musician Marjorie Sturm co-conspire and run Pax Recordings. Their most recent release is a compilation CD of twenty-six artists titled "Voices In the Wilderness: Dissenting Soundscapes and Songs of GW's America. Buy Pax CDs at CD Baby!
Link to home page : Pax Recordings
Musician's recording for this label. Select an artist's name for details.
CDs:
Artist: Bruckmann/Diaz-Infante/Shiurba/Stackpole
Title: grand mal
Critically acclaimed oboist, electronic musician, and composer Kyle Bruckmann, a fixture in Chicago's thriving experimental music underground, teams up with San Francisco Bay Area luminary musicians Ernesto Diaz-Infante (acoustic guitar), John Shiurba (electric guitar) and Karen Stackpole (percussion). This CD combines the discipline of a classical foundation, weaving together American free jazz and European free improvisation, with the raucous sensibilities of Dada and punk in a dizzying variety of artistic endeavors. Limited edition almost gone! "fresh, exciting, and genre-pushing...Recommended!" --Francois Couture, All Music Guide
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Label Number: bar 1234/pax
Artist: Ernesto Diaz-Infante
Title: Itz'at
Itz'at (Mayan word for artist) is San Francisco composer Ernesto Diaz-Infante's 1997 solo piano debut release. Features pieces composed to use as spring-boards for improvisation. Spacious, slow, minimalist, Feldmanesque feel. Limited edition almost gone! "Itz'at is that kind of peaceful reflective art that makes life in our decidedly unpeaceful world more bearable." --Noah Wane, Splendid Magazine read more and hear it
Label Number: PR90245
Audio samples for this CD
Pax Prelude I
Tu 3/31
Artist: Morgan Guberman
Title: Hamadryas Baboon
Hamadryas Baboon is a collection of compositions and free improvisations for solo contrabass by San Francisco Bay Area composer/improviser Morgan Guberman.
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Label Number: PR90246
Artist: Ernesto Diaz-Infante
Title: Tepeu
Tepeu is the follow-up to San Francisco composer Ernesto Diaz-Infante's 1997 solo piano release Itz'at. The improvisations are reflexive, very tonal, romantic at times, and flow into one another, gently drawing the listener in. Limited edition almost gone! "Thoughtful throughout and immaculately executed, Tepeu is serious music..." --Noah Wane, Splendid Magazine read more & hear it
Label Number: PR90247
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As Above, So Below
Artist: David Dvorin
Title: With(In)Communicado
Explorations into new music composition by Northern California composer David Dvorin. With(In)Communicado approaches art music through the use of untraditional and unusual instruments. Bowed psaltery, electric and acoustic guitars, banjo, sampler and computer are featured throughout the work.
Label Number: PR90248
Artist: Ernesto Diaz-Infante
Title: Ucross Journal
Ucross Journal is San Francisco composer Ernesto Diaz-Infante's third release in his series of solo piano music. Comprised of 25 Feldmanesque short pieces, written one each day the composer was in residence on the Ucross Foundation Ranch in Wyoming. Limited edition almost gone! "Among Mr. Diaz-Infante's prolific oeuvre, this is one of the "should haves" --Noah Wane, Splendid E-zine
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Label Number: PR90249
Audio samples for this CD
Tu 3/31
Artist: Ernesto Diaz-Infante
Title: Solus
Solus is San Francisco composer Ernesto Diaz-Infante's fourth release in his series of solo piano music. Comprised of 13 short abstract, atonal, quick cascading improvs, allowing the listener to experience a new dimension...Borah Bergman meets Nancarrow...Limited edition almost gone! "Diaz-Infante may have just released the CD that'll blow your mind!" --Andrew Magilow, Splendid Magazine read more and hear it
Label Number: PR90250
Artist: rev.99
Title: Turn A Deaf Ear
Environmental improv: composition by temperament & inheritance, playing as one walks in a group, conscious of sound, economics & disdaining "the jam." rev. 99 is led by post-modern artist 99 Hooker who has been performing out of NYC for the last decade. "If musicians hip to Eugene Chadbourne formed a Spontaneous Music Ensemble cover-band, they might sound like Rev.99" --Ben Watson, The Wire read more and hear it
Label Number: PR90251
Artist: Ernesto Diaz-Infante & Chris Forsyth
Title: Wires and Wooden Boxes
Their 2nd studio release recorded in NY 2001 of improvised duets for acoustic & electric guitars, & piano. Varied combination of jagged Bailey-esque, percussive, free jazz inspired romps, & meditative post-Feldman piano. Limited edition almost gone! "Both have a propensity to land on tonal islands in the flow of free improv, which gives them the power to destabilize and charm. Recommended." --Francois Couture, All Music Guide
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Label Number: PR90252
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metallic strands
Artist: Rudis/Custodio/Diaz-Infante
Title: Crashing The Russian Renaissance
From three of San Francisco's leading experimental/new music purveyors, Crashing The Russian Renaissance finds the trio in some seriously adventurous compositions for electronics and guitar. Reflecting the artists' continued musical evolutions, the music constantly evolves over 30 compositions from thin soundscapes to heavy improvisational dialogues. Limited edition almost gone! "one of Diaz-Infante's most rewarding releases and collaborations to date."--Jeramy Ponder, Jackal Blaster Zine
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Label Number: PR90253
Audio samples for this CD
Track 7
Artist: Electro-Magnetic Trans-Personal Orchestra
Title: s/t
This nine-piece ensemble, with strings, woodwinds, guitar, accordion, and tuba, performs the structured improv compositions of Aaron Bennett, an active member of the vital San Francisco improv scene. Featuring Bay Area musicians Aaron Bennett - woodwinds; Mark Chung - violin; Jeff Hobbs - violin; Merlin Coleman - cello; Adam Lane - cello; George Cremaschi - bass; Joe Sabella - tuba; Dan Cantrell - accordion and John Finkbeiner - guitar. "It is an exciting recording with substantial depth..." --Frank Rubolino, One Final Note
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Label Number: PR90254
Audio samples for this CD
B
Artist: rev.99
Title: Everything Changed After 7-11
This is the second CD from Rev.99, the multimedia collective led by New York saxophonist, spoken word artist, and filmmaker 99 Hooker. Filtering real-time inputs from sources such as video, field recordings, live improv, and spoken word through post-production shaping and sculpting. Featuring 99 Hooker, Jeff Arnal, Ross Bonadonna, Anita DeChellis, Ernesto Diaz-Infante, Chris Forsyth, Jody Kurash, Donald Miller, Akio Mokuno, m2, LX Rudis, Glenn Sorvisto, Rotcod Zzaj, Bob Marsh, and Brother Russell Scholl. "If musicians hip to Eugene Chadbourne formed a Spontaneous Music Ensemble cover-band, they might sound like Rev.99" --Ben Watson, The Wire read more and hear it
download free mp3s of the two controversial tracks:
BritneySpearsAutopsy.mp3
NotesOnANervousBreakdown.mp3
Label Number: PR90255
Artist: Ernesto Diaz-Infante & Chris Forsyth
Title: 'march'
Their 3rd studio release recorded in NY following their 3 week European tour in 2002. A varied sonic guitar terrain of sparse, gestural preparations, electronic static, ringing open strings. John Cage meets Derek Bailey. Limited edition almost gone! "This CD stands in a class of its own and it's recommended!" --Massimo Ricci, Touching Extremes
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Diaz-InfanteForsyth.mp3
Label Number: PR90256
Artist: Diaz-infante/St.Chaos/Bohol
Title: long await between collapsed lungs
Probably one of the more accessible experimental, improvised noise cds you are going to hear. ED-I is joined by Texas underground, psychedelic-drone, minimalist guitarists, Pablo St. Chaos & Bohol, in a mesmerizing work of layered prepared drones and lo-fi 4-track songs. Limited edition almost gone! "Together they create a mood of experimental psychedelia with touches of alternative folk, lo-fi, shoegazing, or whatever you want to call it" --Francois Couture, All Music Guide read more and hear it
Label Number: PR90257
Artist: Go-Go Fightmaster
Title: s/t
Jazz that embraces both the avant-garde and the straight-ahead. Led by San Francisco Bay Area composer/saxophonist Aaron Bennett. Drawing on all forms of world, popular and folk music to create their refreshingly unique sound, which engineer/producer Myles Boisen has dubbed "Heavy-Metal Country Jazz". Featuring Aaron Bennett - saxophone; John Finkbeiner - guitar; Adam Lane - bass; Vijay Anderson - drums. "Heavy metal country jazz..accomplished and challenging!" --SF Bay Guardian
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Label Number: PR90258
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Newts in Space
Artist: Ernesto Diaz-Infante
Title: s/t
5th solo release & most diverse yet. Conceptual. Minimalist. Street recordings, solo guitar pieces, noise improvs, sound collages and vocals/guitar "songs." Jandek meets John Cage. Limited edition almost gone! "...a fascinating album, uncompromising to the bone!" --Francois Couture, All Music Guide
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Label Number: PR90259
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from henry who just wrote
Artist: The Abstractions
Title: Ars Vivende
2003 release, this San Francisco Bay Area collective continues to explore music in all its forms. post-rock, jazz, electroacoustic improv, & noise. "Ars Vivende takes their art much further than before." --Francois Couture, All Music Guide
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Label Number: PR90260/EDT4019
Artist: Moe! Staiano's MOE!KESTRA!
Title: Two Forms of Multitudes: Conducted Improvisations
A leader in monster ensemble formations and percussionist for Sleepy Time Guerrilla Museum, Moe! Staiano is a unique bay area percussionist/composer who on this recording leads a mass amount of stellar bay area musicians playing in huge clusters in a dissonant array, forming a wall of musical noise. Presenting the pure vision of the artist without compromise or preconception. This album is a tri-release of: Dephine Knormal Musik/Pax Recordings/Edgetone Records. "Rollercoaster rides of sonic experimentation that leave many a listener reelin'!" --Aquarius Records
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Label Number: PR90261
Artist: Ernesto Diaz-Infante & Matt Hannafin
Title: all the states between
Extreme-ambient sound collage mixing electronics, field recordings, & radical turntablism with extended-technique percussion...from meditations on buses & amplified ground hum to bowed cymbal drones, TV-tube musique concrète, low drums & metals. Limited edition almost gone! "a focused avant-garde electronic soundscape." --Christian Carey, Splendid Magazine read more and hear it
Label Number: PR90262
Artist: Ernesto Diaz-Infante & Chris Forsyth
Title: (as is stated...before known)
Their 4th studio recording, continues & extends their joint investigation of the full range of the guitar. A kaleidoscopic range of post-Bailey approaches, quiet Fahey-esque folk-influenced fingerpicking, pointilistism... Limited edition almost gone! "I highly recommend this disc for a taste of some other aspects of what guitars can do"--Steve Koenig, Jump Arts Journal
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Label Number: PR90263
Artist: Dave Tucker West Coast Group
Title: Tenderloin
Although he is perhaps best known for his work as a guitarist in The Fall between 1980-1, Tucker is an experienced improviser, having worked regularly with improvising ensembles such as the London Improvisers' Orchestra and The School of Velocity with Evan Parker. An edgy player with a sharp musical mind, Tucker is joined on this recording by top-flight Bay Area musicians including Ernesto Diaz-Infante (acoustic guitar), Danielle DeGruttola (cello), Damon Smith (double bass), Scott R. Looney (laptop) and Garth Powell (drums/percussion). The result is music that mixes compelling rhythms, pointillism, atonality, electro-acoustic improv, and flexibility in playing techniques to explore new musical possibilities. Limited edition almost gone! "High energy avant-rock and jazz edge. Recommended!" --Jerry Kranitz, Aural Innovations
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Label Number: PR90264
Artist: 99 Hooker's Generica
Title: 99 Hooker's Generica
99 Hooker's Generica is to Pop Music as Crank is to Michelob. With noise legend Donald Miller, reeds master M2 (Chemical Brothers, Mercury Rev)and Lower East Side rythme king Ray Sage, 99 Hooker's Generica diverges from ye old art rock - instead of making normal people feel edgy, it gives the weird and twisted 40 minutes of belonging. "Generica provides a stimulating, provocative, unique listen. Recommended." --Francois Couture, All Music Guide read more and hear it
Label Number: PR90269
Artist: miba
Title: the corplate porblem
Miba (Kristin Miltner & Mark Bartscher) uses various self-created software patches to scan audio files, creating rhythmic granular textures ranging from harmonic washes to dense noise. Their installation work is made of suspended objects that trigger fragments of found sound. On this CD they perform their latest sample-based audio compositions. "A wonderfully atmospheric, deeply contemplative textural adventure." --Allan Harrison, Splendid Magazine
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Label Number: PR90270
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Pulled Towards The Earth
Artist: muck
Title: roc
Stumbling, dismantled slow motion drum beats and unusual lo-fidelity textures by the mysterious Alred T. Carmichael (aka Ability To Communicate) and And Gnat Vomit. Intense lyrics brought to you by the enigmatic poet Tina, sung and mumbled by Alfred. Gnat says this is similar to what he hoped "acid rock" would've sounded like before hearing the real thing. I just want to say (and you can quote me on that!) that it is the strangest, most disconcerting take on any kind of so-called post-rock I have heard to this day. The whisper-singing-over-tapes-slowed-down-to-a-crawl has grown into its own rock genre -- one I won't even try to label, as it would spoil some of the shocking experience that is listening to it for the first time. Although the most shocking thing about it is that once you get used to the sound of this "band", it grows on you.--Francois Couture, All Music Guide
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Label Number: PR90272
Artist: Ian Yeager
Title: music for guitar + computer
Melodies merge and collide into sparking electronic abstraction and dusky sonic detail. Suffused with a quiet rigor and beauty,ambient in the best possible sense, a compelling, architectural soundworld which engages but does not intrude. "engaging vapor-like half riffs...that sustain with enough depth and peculiarity to be complete." --Eric Weddle, Signal to Noise
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Label Number: PR90273
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Track12
Artist: The Abstractions
Title: Novo Navigatio
From West Coast subtle, psychedelia-improv to experimental songs. Mellow & tense, noise & songs, dark & light. "Vision music" that consists of a colorful orchestration...plus, sinking commentary on the disillusioned atmosphere of George W. Bush's America. Limited edition almost gone! "sounds like Leonard Cohen deconstructed to some really nice abstract noise" --Dolf Mulder, Vital Weekly
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Label Number: PR90275/EDT4027
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Take Yourself Seriously
Artist: Voices In The Wilderness
Title: Dissenting Soundscapes and Songs of G.W.'s America
STOP THE WAR! Voices In The Wilderness was created out of the anxiety and disillusionment of Bush's reelection on November 3, 2004. This composition of twenty-six artists transcends music genres and ideologies with the common purpose of dissent towards the havoc and bloodshed cause by Bush and the U.S. military's dominance. This collection of political protest music spans experimental, rock, free-improv, electronic, folk, field recordings, and spoken word. Contributions from Marcos Fernandes, Neshama Alma Band, 99 Hooker, Cornelius Cardew Choir, Cheryl E. Leonard, Jess Rowland, Phillip Greenlief, Stephen Flinn, and many more. This CD is ultimately a reminder and wake-up call that we can not be silent during these times. END THE WAR IN IRAQ! Limited edition almost gone! "Perfect reminder that we must not forget this madness!" --Tom Sekowski, Gaz-Eta read more and hear it
Label Number: PR90276
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ready for the revolution
Artist: Jess Rowland
Title: 29.water
This collection of piano improvisation represents taoist practice in sound. Free-form explosions like a Sun Ra organ blast, unexpected tonalities like Schoenberg, & crisp edges like Cecil Taylor. Jess plays her unique form of "stream-of-consciousness..." I'm highly impressed, & hope we're able to hear much more... --Rotcod Zzaj, Improvijazzation Nation more info and hear it
Label Number: PR90277
Artist: Thollem McDonas
Title: solo piano
This CD is a long series of short compositions/improvs for solo piano. A collection of thollem's ideas from the last 5 years, some previously unpublished, others re-realized. his interaction with the world & the piano, some are simple, others complex. "Vigorous cadences and patterns flood the ears without undue angst, and form an easily digested whole--a satisfying story, every time" ---Tom Djll, Signal to Noise
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Label Number: PR90279
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Black Elk Speaks
Artist: Jess Rowland
Title: Scenes from the Silent Revolution
Jess Rowland takes found video of McDonald's children's video propaganda, Ashcroft "singing" his song "Let The Eagle Soar", Barbie promotional videos, and so much more pop culture tripe, then puts them through the improvisational blender to produce this DVD of "found video sound sculptures". Representing new approaches to the symbiosis of moving pictures and sound waves, these pieces have been performed live at arts spaces, new music venues, and movie theaters around San Francisco, and are now available for consumption in the comfort of your own home. This one-of-a-kind 2-disc set also features a CD of Jess' art-damage electronic music, and cover art by Chris Woods. "The soundtrack is a thing of genius!" --Aaron Nugua, Altar Magazine read more and hear it
Label Number: PR90280CD/DVD
Artist: Reverberations From Spring Past
Title: Diaz-Infante/Fernandes/Montoya/Romus
Recorded live and in studio during the Spring Reverb 04 festival in San Diego, California. Reverberations From Spring Past brings together four West Coast veterans Ernesto Diaz-Infante (acoustic steelstring guitar), Marcos Fernandes (percussion/phonographies), Robert Montoya (electronics), & Rent Romus (saxophones) who combine their distinctive voices to create a well informed, decidedly Californian sound. read more/hear it
Label Number: PR90281
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who created the canon?
Artist: Stephen Flinn/Noah Phillips Duo and trio with Tim Perkis
Title: Square Circle
The debut release from the Stephen Flinn/Noah Phillips Duo and trio with Tim Perkis is a collection of adventurous spontaneous improvisations. Stephen Flinn (drums, junk percussion) Noah Phillips (electric guitar) Tim Perkis (electronics). "Adventurous sapience and inquisitive sonic exploration!" --Massimo Ricci, Touching Extremes
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Label Number: PR90282
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Downtown
