By Glenn Astarita submitted on behalf of Jacques Oger

Potlatch is a French independent label created in 1998, mainly devoted to what we call "free improvised music.” Saxophonist, Jacques Oger created the label after gaining invaluable experience while performing within the early 80’s French, free improvised music scene. He subsequently created one of the first groups (the trio Axolotl) of this kind in France during this timeframe time. This trio performed in France, Italy, Belgium, and Germany. The band made two LPs yet it disbanded in 1985. Jacques Oger sometimes played with Jacques Berrocal, Daunik Lazro, and Joelle Leandre. He gave up playing music in 1986.

When creating Potlatch, Jacques Oger asked Jean-Marc Foussat to get involved in this project. Jean-Marc Foussat is a noteworthy sound engineer and musician (he primarily plays analog synthesizers) involved with a group called "Marteau Rouge," featuring guitarist Jean-Francois Pauvros and occasionally with saxophonist Joe McPhee. Jean-Marc Foussat has recorded many free improvising musicians since the late 70's. Many labels - have requested his services: Incus, Hat Hut, Tzadik, Po-Torch, Leo Records, Emanem, Erstwhile, Victo, For 4 Ears, Rec Rec, Amoebic, Red Toucan, Fractal, Rectangle, Shambala, 33RevPermi and etcŠ

Potlatch strives to document trends (new and old) of free improvised music. We have old recordings of music, which is not so well documented on other labels. That is the reason why we released for instance a concert tape by Derek Bailey/Steve Lacy from 1983. For the same reason, we released another live recording with Derek Bailey/Joelle Leandre. Living in Paris, we have the opportunity to work and record live gigs in some of the most famous French venues presenting this type of music in such establishments as: Les Instants Chavires (http://www.instantschavires.fr.st). This venue is located in the suburbs very close to Paris. All musicians from this scene and from all over the world performs here on a regular basis. Moreover, sometimes, when we think it is necessary, we record musicians in other towns and venues. For instance, in Nantes, we taped (first time duo recording) Evan Parker and Keith Rowe at the Pannonica (http://www.pannonica.com). Alternatively, we also recorded the trio of Butcher/Dorner/Charles in one of the greatest jazz festival in France: Mulhouse (http://www.jazz-mulhouse.org).

Potlatch wants to document new trends of free improvised music, including improvised electronics. We have many contacts with these musicians, some of them not all that well known. In addition, we want to document some of the best French musicians who are not as well recognized abroad. That is the reason why we work closely with one of the most important organizations in France (and perhaps in all of Europe): Centre Culturel Andre Malraux -CCAM- located in Vandoeuvre near Nancy. This organization is directed by Dominique Repecaud (a guitarist), while Dominique Repecaud also organizes one of the greatest festivals of free improvised music in the world: Musique Action (http://malraux.fr.st). Hence, Potlatch occasionally releases tapes which were recorded in his recording studio, for instance 'Kristoff K.Roll/Xavier Charles' or 'Misere et Cordes'. And there will be others in the future.

The name 'Potlatch' comes from Indian tribes in North America and Canada. It is about habits and exchanges between tribes. Normally you have to make a gift to a person who, in turn has to take it, and make a new gift. I thought it was a relevant symbol explaining what is happening between the musician and the listener. Sometimes in Indian tribes, Potlatch was a ceremony turning into an orgy! These habits were first studied by French ethnologist Marcel Mauss (in a book called 'L'essai sur le don'). Claude Levi-Strauss was much influenced by this book. Georges Bataille too, in a book called 'La part maudite'. In the 1950’s, Potlatch was the name of a publication created by Guy Debord: a laudable member of the future Internionale Situationniste.

Potlatch is a small label lacking money to release all we would like to. Furthermore, we cannot commit to many worthy projects. Fortunately, sometimes we know other labels that can release them, yet for the moment (mid 2001) we have 11 CDs in our catalogue. We release approximately three CDs a year.

POTLATCH CATALOGUE:

• "Au Ni Kita" - A French quartet of guitarists: Pascal Battus, Emmanuel Petit, Dominique Repecaud and Camel Zekri. Recorded in 1999. English liner notes by Keith Rowe. (Potlatch 101)
• "The contest of pleasures" by Trio John Butcher (saxophones), Xavier Charles (clarinet) and Axel Dorner (trumpet). Recorded live at Mulhouse festival in august 2000. English liner notes by Dan Warburton. (Potlatch 201)
• "Nouvelles" - Solo CD by Jean-Marc Foussat (famous French sound engineer who is playing analog synthe + tapes and miscellaneous objects). English liner notes by Fred Frith. (Potlatch 301)
• "Billabong" by Denman MARONEY (hyperpiano) and Hans TAMMEN (endangered guitar). Recorded in NYC in 1999. (Potlatch 100)
• "Dark Rags" by Evan PARKER (tenor sax) and Keith ROWE (guitar) recorded live by Jean-Marc Foussat on 12/31/1999 and 01/01/2000 in Nantes (France). (Potlatch 200)
• "No Waiting" by Derek BAILEY (guitar) Joelle LEANDRE (bass) - (Potlatch P198)
• "La Piece" by KRISTOFF & K.ROLL (electro acoustic devices) and Xavier CHARLES (clarinet). - (Potlatch 199)
• "Outcome" by Derek BAILEY (guitar), Steve LACY (soprano sax) - (Potlatch 299).
• "Hauts Plateaux" by Daunik LAZRO (alto & baritone sax), Carlos "ZINGARO" (violin, electronics) - (Potlatch P498).
• "Anatomie des cles" by Michel DONEDA (soprano sax) solo - (Potlatch P598).
• "Flux" by Fred Van HOVE piano solo - Double CD - (Potlatch P2398).