Steve Coleman groups ?

Joined : 06 Apr 2007 Posts : 12

I'd like to know the subtleties of the different groups (with Steve Coleman as a leader in) and the names employed.

An exemple to show why i'm asking this question Wink

Album Motherland Pulse is under name Steve Coleman Group,
Sine Die is under name Steve Coleman & Five Elements,
Rhythm In Mind is under name Steve Coleman (only),
Genesis is under name Steve Coleman and The Council Of Balance.

Behind all these names you can meet the same musicians and other ones, mixing.

I think that the most employed name is Steve Coleman and Five Elements Smile

And my real question is :

Is a name like Steve Coleman Group an another name variation for Steve Coleman and Five Elements or a totally different project ?

If it's a name variation, which name is a variation and which one is a different project (like
Steve Coleman and Metrics for example) ?

you got it right. Some of these group are only assembled for one-off projects, there have been a few, one for example called renegade way ( SC, Greg Osby, Joe Lovanoe, and may be Ravi Coltrane I don't remember).

The core group is really the 5 elements. The Steve Coleman Group was is very 1st recording, probably he didn't even think of a name yet.

More than the name of the groups, I think you will find much much more to think about in the titles of the songs and the titles of the albums. Have you reflected on what " On the rising of the 64 paths" would mean ? or on the meaning of " 64 path binding " ?

SC talks a bit about the group-names in the following interview (1995):

http://www.m-base.com/interview_DuMars.html

Joined : 06 Apr 2007 Posts : 12

Thanks for your answers Smile

I found strange the informations added in the Discogs database (http://www.discogs.com/artist/Steve+Coleman), that's why I asked. I'm going to submit good informations.

About releases and tracks names I didn't look into it, because of my english (hard to understand some subtleties) and because of my missing of knowledge in music theory.

Thanks for the interview link, very helpful !

Joined : 03 Apr 2006 Posts : 276 Localisation : Paris

here is how I see it :

Five Elements : regular, flexible, rather small band that englobe some special project and featured guests too on some occasion.

Metrics : incorporating lyricist with flavour of hip hop music.

Mystic Rhythm Society : mix with musicians not coming from the improv/jazz horizon. Famest is the mix with Afrocuba da Matanzas but you can also find Eastern european musicans, north africa, japanese koto player etc.

Reflex : 1993 trio music

Rameses 2000 : dedicated to the Ircam project in 1999

Council of balance : large ensemble music

Renegade Way : music for saxophones, has started with Joe Lovano (ts), Bunky Green (as), Craig Handy (ts), Kenny Davis (b), Al Foster (dms).
Then the gruop did a tour with Ravi Coltrane, Greg Osby, Gary Thomas, Steve, Tidd ans Sean Rickman in 99.

Secret Doctrine : special project group featuring guests, especially in the rhythm section as opposed to Fiev Elements with guests.

There has only been 2 events billed on this name as far as I know, one is the absolutly amazing gig with Bunky green in Netherland, a must have imho.

I hope it helps to clarify

Dim.
_________________
www.stevecolemanarchives.com

Joined : 06 Apr 2007 Posts : 12

Yes ! Thanks a lot Smile

I didn't see your post before, but now it's clear for me