David, Shock horror! I thought you were already well-versed in Sharrockiana, or I would have bombarded you with hours of listening by now. For me, the essential album is "Guitar," from 1986. Sharrock "solo," multitracked parts. Sort of his "Conversations with Myself," I guess. I included one track from this on the "Preaching to the Choir" compilation for Frank's Apa a few years ago. Seems like that was the comp that never made it to your house, which means you've never been introduced to the pleasures of the Compulsive Gamblers, either. Poor guy. Other Sharrock to hunt down: "Ask the Ages," with Pharoah Sanders, Elvin Jones and Charnett Moffett. 1991, Bill Laswell produced. (Laswell also produced "Guitar.") And I like everything I've heard by Last Exit, the lung-bursting uber-quartet of Sharrock, Peter Brotzmann, Shannon Jackson and Laswell. There are several live albums, and one studio album which Brotzmann for one doesn't like, but which I still play pretty often. The coolest thing about Sharrock is the fact that he played guitar because asthma kept him from playing saxophone. I think you can hear that in his playing -- phrasing and duration and the clusters of notes seem to imply a lung-powered instrument. Not your average flatpickin'. Key Sharrock quote: "I consider myself a jazz saxophonist with a very fucked-up horn." William

I'm sure this lp has been mentioned here before. Is this a good introduction Sharrock lp or should I be looking elsewhere? The only other record I have is "Highlife". Opinions? Yr Pal David H.