Tao of Steve

March 24, 1976: Steve Lacy plays his first concert in Montreal, at St.-Jean l'Évangéliste Church. This solo appearance was recorded but only 25 minutes of the performance can be found on side one of the 1979 Quark LP The Woe (side two being "The Woe"). Over 20 years later, the label Emanem released the complete concert (minus an aborted piece and applause) on the CD Hooky…

This is a united & mighty pair of brand new studio albums from drummer-bandleader Whit Dickey which were created together with two distinct yet interrelated Quartets. The two works represent the Yin and the Yang respectively, the inseparable and complementary opposites, following an ancient and enduring understanding of the world. Dickey chose Tao Quartets as the name for these groups / this specific work as the Tao wholly incorporates an understanding of this eternal dynamic, and it is here to be heard.

Steve Linnegar was an accomplished songwriter, musician, painter and martial arts disciple. A legendary figure from the South African 60s-70s underground music scene, the "hippie king of Cape Town" formed the Snakeshed band in the 70s along with top guitar player Martin Kopelowitz. Refusing offers from some record labels who insisted they should go "commercial", they decided to record and release their first album, "Classic Epics", all by themselves with collaborations from keyboard player/producer Peter Hubner and legendary session guitar player Jehtro Butow. Released in 1982 on their own private label, this is one of South African Prog/Psych crown jewels. Layers of acoustic/electric guitars, Gilmour-alike guitar solos, ultra-melodic vocals, effects, cool Oriental-Tao inspired lyrics…