sidewinder

'Boogaloo' by about 10 miles. 'Memphis To New York Spirit' is pretty amazing too !

Yes, this was apparently a big attempt by Miles to increase his popularity in the wider market place. To be honest though, the music was far too individual and (for the early 70s) out on the fringes to have any real chance of popular success. Only in the last 10 years (helped I guess by the clearer CD transfers) is the importance of this music becoming apparent. I didn't like it when I first heard it years ago but as the years have gone on I've reversed my decision and feel that it is (along with the Agharta/Panghea and Get Up With It sessions) one of the greatest things that Miles ever released post 1970. I think of it very much as a 'variations on a theme' type of record, with not only strong influence from James Brown and Sly Stone but also considerable influence from Karlheinz Stockhausen - the way that themes/time sequences are varied and repeated with minor variation, ad infinitum. Indeed the cellist Paul Buckmaster (student of Stockhausen) was resident 'chez Miles' in NYC during the recording sessions and provided some of the conceptual input. According to Buckmaster though, the finished results did not adhere as closely as he had hoped to this original intent.

It's hard to pick out particular favourite Conns, I like most of them (including that excellent 10" series) but the following in particular stand out: (1) Bobby Hutcherson 'The Kicker' - Wonderfull stuff, can't fathom how this sat on the shelf so long. Hutcherson and Joe Henderson make a very compatible pairing. (2) Bobby Hutcherson 'Stick Up' - Another fine Hutcherson release from a purple period. Fantastic Billy Higgins on this one and some good reworking of Ornette Coleman material. (2) Andrew Hill 'Judgement' - Hard to choose between this and Smokestack. Superlative ! (4) Tina Brooks 'True Blue' - A perennial fave. 'Theme For Doris' still raises the hairs (or is it 'hair') on the back of my head. A search for the Brooks Mosaic becomes essential once you have heard this session (it was for me anyway ). (5) Booker Ervin 'The In Between' - My favourite Ervin, along with the 'Book' sessions and 'Back From The Gig'. I particularly like the mood of the album and the interplay with Richard Williams. To be honest, I can't think of any outright duds. Some of the more obscure and low key offereings (for example Harold Vick's 'Steppin' Out') also have plenty of excellent grooves on them and are worth picking up..

I've always had a real soft spot for Contemporary. Their vinyl issues were always superbly recorded and very nicely packaged. Obviously a major labour of love for Lester Koenig, nobly assisted in later years by son John. Distinguished by some classic releases in the 50s of West Coast material (such as the Curtis Counces, Art Peppers, Leroy Vinnegars etc) plus an open-ness to more advanced material such as the Woody Shaw 'Blackstone Legacy' and 'Song of Songs'. Oh - and 'Conflict' too .. 'Debut' is also a real fave. Labour of love by Mingus, wife Celia and Max Roach. Somehow they managed to release some amazingly non-commercial material but much of is it absolutely fascinating to hear. Well worth getting the Mingus Debut set to hear this.

This one sounds totally unlike any of the other Byrd/Adams albums, much more of a late 60s modal feel, almost like a Morgan session of that vintage, in that respect. I like it a lot and recall having my ears pricked up big time the first time I played it on the Byrd/Adams Mosaic. It's also around the time that Chick Corea did 'Now He Sings..' and 'Inner Space' so some of that feel is also apparent. The first track ('The Creeper') is so out of kilter with the groove on the previous Byrd/Adams track that it really gets your attention.

Great ! I've been looking everywhere for an image of this one to post but without success ! The copy I picked up by the way cost £7 and it was in absolutely mint condition with the deep groove from 1957/58.

I'd go as far as about 1969 but pretty well agree with what you say here Brad.

Oh oh .... more shelling out on 'essential Mosaics to have'

Thanks for the clarification. First post content makes a lot more sense now ..

Thanks RT !

How about that first Columbia 'Jazz Lab' album with Gigi Gryce. 'Speculation' is a particular fave ..

Sounds promising. Maybe this bargain acquisition will be free !. My package arrived today. The two Tatums, the Pepper, Monk and Bill Evans. Just listening to disk 5 of the Pepper at this moment - the 'Landscape' sessions. Wow - this one smokes ! Pretty nice recording quality too. Yes, the box arrangements and liner notes for all of the above are a bit skimpy. Very small print and the notes contain only an excerpt from the US booklets. Nevertheless, the discography for the sessions is in there and readable (assuming you have a magnifying glass ) For the money involved - no complaints !

Yes, I have it and like it quite a bit. Also liked the previous album with Freddie H but if anything this is better. Highlight for me was Joe Chambers usual pristine contribution on track 2 ('A Little Twist'), which is a very fine David Weiss arrangement with great Craig Handy soprano solo. 'Abdullah's Demeanor' and 'The Dove' are also both intricate and thoughtfull arrangements, again with good solo work by Xavier Davis. Amazing what you can achieve with an octet given good arrangements .. The general feel of the album reminds me a bit of Joe Chambers 'Mirrors' release on BN of a few years back and in general there's a bit of a mid-sized BN group feel to this session. Recommended !

Pee Wee rocks ! Another one in that direction ..

Don did indeed post some very interesting recollections of the concert on the BNBB. I believe that he still lives in the Toronto area, hopefully he will post some more of his memories of the event here. Have just picked up a copy of the book and (almost simultaneously) landed a nice copy of the 'Quintet of the Year' LP on Vocalion (first UK 12 inch issue) that is featured in one of the figures (the one with the band shown as faces on the pack of cards, with Dizzy as Joker and Charlie Parker as 'Charlie Chan' with back turned. A very cool LP cover indeed .. First opinions are excellent. A series of very good precis of each band member, leading into the Massey Hall concert. The overviews on Parker and Bud Powell show real insight. The details of the very humble beginnings of Parker and Gillespie in particular (and the turbulent early life of Mingus) make their achievements monumental. Max Roach is also to be truly applauded for the way he handled his treatment in the hotels down South. Shear class ! Will post more thoughts on this one when I've read a bit further ! :rsmile:

I have the 'Boplicity' UK LP reissue of this session. The track listing is: Side 1: 'Conflict' 'Coming Home' 'Aim' Side 2: 'Apart Together' 'Look To Your Heart' 'Pazmuerte'. Any info on the bonus tracks? and if there was any town in continental America that was most unlikely to have a jazz scene it would be Anchorage IMO. Excellent to hear that Jimmy Woods is still actively playing here.

Hutcherson's 'San Francisco' too, I believe.

This Organissimo board is a worthy successor indeed to the BNBB. Lots of good stuff on here and long may it continue ! Any new BNBB has a tough act to chase ..

A wonderfull CD and very nicely remastered. Worth picking up for Cat Anderson's stratospherics alone. 'Afro Bossa' is one of my favourite Ellington albums ..

Presumably this is Walter 'Gil' Fuller, arranger for the early Gillespie Big Band and the reunions at Monterey in 66 and the Europe tour shortly thereafter. Sorry to hear this. I'll give the 'Monterey' and 'Reunion Big Band' LPs a spin a bit later. Both are exceptional and a fitting tribute ..

I have to say that Lee's playing on McCoy's 'Tender Moments' gets my vote. This is an absolutely cracking session with some exceptionally fiery Lee Morgan that seems to be routinely overlooked. 'Lee Plus Three' is one of his greatest tracks.. Not far behind in my estimation are Lonnie Smith's 'Think' and Larry Young's 'Mother Ship'. The latter could probably have done with a little more rehearsal, nevertheless it's still a fine session. For me, the track 'Love Drops' is probably the finest thing on the album (and also the most straight ahead). 'Think' is distinguished by an unlikely but very compatible front line of Morgan and 'Fathead' Newman. These two work together exceptionally well (as they did on the 'Sonic Boom' session). Just listening to 'Trip Merchant' on the LP version of the Larry Y Mosaic. Can't say that I see a massive similarity with Miles' work on 'Pharoah's Dance' but nevertheless both of these albums have strong mutual influences. Dig Larry's phenomenal organ solo on 'Mother Ship'. Unbeatable ! In descending order, I would rate the top 5 as follows: - Tender Moments - Think - Mother Ship - Prime Element - Grass Roots/Lift Every Voice. Haven't heard 'Turning Point', 'Love Bug' or the Mabern so can't comment on those. 'Easterly Winds' is a nice, more or less straight ahead date. Nothing exceptional happens but its by no means a bad one either. Worth a listen !

Joe Chambers would be one of my first ports of call (Double Exposure - Muse). From the Lifetime years there's also Jack Bruce, Don Alias, Ron Carter and Warren Smith (from album 'Ego'). Hope that this event works out. Great initiative !

I picked up 'Ready For Freddie' and 'Open Sesame' on this series. 'Basra' was issued too.

How about the Clifford Jordan/John Gilmore 'Blowin' In From Chicago'?

Have been enjoying Neil Ardley's 'Kaleidoscope of Rainbows' (Gull). An unexpected discovery, this one. Also the following: - Cecil Taylor 'Conquistador' (BN) - Curtis Fuller/Red Garland (New Jazz) - Blue Mitchell 'A Sure Thing' (Riverside) and Billy Harper 'Soul of an Angel' (Metropolitan)