[batreleaser]

Ive been diggin on Sonny Sharrock's stuff and find him to be a riducolously inventive guitarist, and an extremly underrated musician. His work with Pharof Sanders and Herbie Mann was incredible. Especially his records Tauhis with Sanders and Stone Flutes with Mann, at many times through these pieces its Sharrock's guitar work that outshines the brilliant musicians he was working with. Sharrock doesn't have an astounding amount of records as lead musician, but the ones that are out there are all fucking amazing. Ive been listening to Black Woman quite a bit, and it it some of the best guitar work Ive ever heard in my life. And less we forget, Sharrock has an uncredited part on Miles Davis's "A Tribute to Jack Johnson", which is easily in my top 5 Davis ablums, Sharrock holds his own playing next to John Mclaughlin, and at times tops him. After some time in retirement, Sharrock returned in the 80's with the ridulously loud punkish free jazz band Last Exit, alongside Bill Laswell, Peter Brotzzman, and Ronald Jackson. Extreme even by free jazz standards, Last Exit solidified Sharrock's position as one of the best and most adventurous Free Jazz Guitarists of all time.

Sharrock had an extremly unique approach to the guitar as well. He was enamored with Jazz Saxophone players such as Coltrane, but he was a severe asthmatic. Due to this, he considered himself, as wikipedia tells me, "a horn player with a really fucked up axe".

Sharrock was a big influence on Kim Gordon, and subsquently Sonic Youth. Especially because of his unique approach and alternative tunings.

If there are any Sharrock worshippers speak up now!