Derek Bailey – Incus Taps

Picked up a vinyl copy of this locally at a reasonable price. Each tape segment is separated on the record by some dead wax space such that you have to physically move the needle to the next one, thus preserving some of the inconvenience of the original reel tape issuing. Hilarious and, great stuff, if you're a fan. After reading below I have to hope that DB had some hand in or, at least, knowledge of this odd, anti-album arrangement. He clearly had a sense of humor. Very nice, hefty, 240 GM pressing sounds fantastic.

TAPS 104 never existed as a tape, as far as I know. Derek Bailey sent a tape of unissued solos to Peter Riley, who later lent it to someone, or perhaps made a copy of it. When Organ of Corti issued the music, they somehow acquired Peter Riley's tape, added the contents to their CD, and created a cover presumably by cutting and pasting. I have the three original tapes: 3" spools in small boxes, which I think were copied by Derek Bailey or Evan Parker as they were ordered. I bought mine from Evan. I don't know how many copies were sold - not very many, I imagine. I believe that Derek's numbering of the tapes as 2,3 and 5 was a joke at the expense of any future discographers - discographies of the music being, in those days, unthinkable.
Richard Leigh