Illinois Jacquet Mosaic Box

[wesbed]

The Illinois Jacquet box has been in the Running Low category for a while now. Does anybody know how many sets remain?

I remember reading, at the BNBB, the Illinois box being described as 'good for being R&B.' The sound clips at Mosaic sound good to me no matter what type of label is placed on the music. As a familiar listener to bebop and the Blue Note sound, what is meant by the term R&B? I mean, I know what R&B referred to in the 1970s. But, the Illinois tunes were recorded in the 1940s.

Does R&B mean the music is intended to be dance music or romantic music? Does it mean the songs are focused around Illinois’ playing while the remaining players are used as the background support for Illinois’ horn? Does it mean the solos and rhythms are ‘simplistic’ to be easier on the ear? Does it mean there are no breaks for drum and/or bass solos? Does it mean there are vocals?

What makes Illinois R&B rather than bebop?

[Brad]

I've kind of shied away from that box because from what I've heard and read, a lot of it is like R&B or jump blues or something like dance music. It developed to replace the swing music that people could dance to whereas isn't the sort of music you could. I'm not sure how to define it, but maybe it's closer to pre-rock, with a lot of honking. This is probably not too helpful but it's the kind of thing that you know when you see it or hear it. I recently listened to one of those Prestige First Sessions, the one with Lockjaw and Bennie Green and it was way disappointing for the most part because it was R&B, with a lot of vocals.

I just looked at AMG and they define it sort of as I described it, as dance music, where the musicians played louder, with more electric instruments and accentuating riffs, boogies and vocals. Pianos pounded harder and louder and ditto for the saxes.

That said, R&B did play an important part in jazz. For example, Sonny Stitt played with Tiny Bradshaw and Coltrane played in a R&B band and this proved an important training ground for jazz musicians.

Edited March 11, 2003 by Brad

[clandy44]

GOM has it right. This is terrific music that you will regret passing up. I love this period and find the work energizing. Pull this off the shelf a fair bit.

[AfricaBrass]

I agree with GOM too.

I was hoping the Jacquet set was going to be like his album, The Kid and the Brute. I became a Jacquet fan after hearing it. I really love this album and it made me want the Mosaic set.

When I initially got the set, I was disappointed due to my initial expectations. As I've listened to it more, I've come to appreciate it for what it is. I actually like the Jump Blues stuff now.

[Ed S]

I think its terrific as well. GOM and the other above nail it. Its multi label content make it a rarity as well. I would not want to miss this one.

[desertblues]

Here's another "thumbs up" for the Jacquet box! I've got the lp set, sound is excellent on these. For me the playing of Jacquet's brother Russell was an unexpected delight on some of these sessions.

[Victor Christensen]

Another thumbs up for that.

I've the Mosaic box and I really like it. Some of it swings like a MF, and it don't try to be pretentious, just take it for what it is, no nonsense music and no high brow, just plain fun and IMHO is worth having in any serious jazz collection.

Vic

[Ed S]

Hey Victor

Welcome to the board. I'm glad you came over to check things out.

[king ubu]

More thumbs up for Illinois! One of those sets Mosaic does the best: collected from the most obscure record labels, it includes also (4 titles only, no alternates) a big band session feat. Fats Navarro and some Tadd Dameron arrangements as well as loads of wonderful jump (or whatever you may call it) music and many wonderful ballads. For me, this set (I bought it without knowing anything about Jacquet) was a real surprise. Get it while you can!

ubu