What should I get next??

[Templejazz]

Alright. Have the Shaw, Rivers and Mitchell sets. I love all three. I need another but can't decide. I'm thinking about Elvin, Parlan, Byrd/Adams, or Gerald Wilson.

Then again I don't have any of the Selects. The Selects I've been thirsting for are Pearson, Patton, and/or Carmell Jones.

Any suggestions?? I need a set that will reward repeated listenings. Something swingin', perhaps a bit exploratory, bluesy.

Once that Hill Select is released, I'm all over it but I want something to hold me over till then.

Too many dang choices.

[Free For All]

Well, from the choices you provided I'd probably go for the Elvin or the Byrd/Adams. But that's just me.

EDIT: Hmmmm...bluesy, exploratory and swingin'- what about the Max Roach? or Turrentine (not so exploratory, but bluesy and SWINGIN'!)???

Edited September 23, 2004 by Free For All

[wesbed]

I really DON'T recommend the Pearson Select (although other opinions on this board may vary). Save your money on Pearson and get something good.

If you want a Select and like the organ, get the Patton. I enjoy it often. The 'sleeper' Select, to my ears, is the Bennie Green, which is very nice. The Carmell Select gives you some Carmell and some Gerald Wilson at the same time.

Do you have the JJ Johnson Mosaic Complete? Get the JJ before it goes OOP.

I'm currently enjoying the hell out of the Stanley Turrentine Mosaic, not a bad track in the set (and not so pricey either). I've read various opinions about the Turrentine Mosaic not having good sound. I like Ron McMaster, sometimes more than Van Gelder, and the Turrentine Mosaic sounds very fine to my ears.

If you want something more Ellingtonian, I recommend the Johnny Hodges Complete set. It contains mucho excellent material.

Edited September 23, 2004 by wesbed

[BFrank]

I would get the Gerald Wilson before I get the Carmell Jones. I've found that the Carmell Select doesn't hold up as well as I would have thought.

Besides.....the Wilson set is just a hell of a lot of FUN!

[Tony Pusey]

Wison or Byrd/Adams.

[sal]

  wesbed said:

Do you have the JJ Johnson Mosaic Complete? Get the JJ before it goes OOP.

I second that. I own 9 Mosaics and this one is my favorite. This along with the Carmell Jones would defintiely satisfy.

[David Ayers]

I'd say the Mobley is a priority among the older sets, and the Jazztet a priority among the newer ones. I don't think any of the Selects are a priority.

[Dave James]

Another vote for the J.J. Johnson. IMO, one of the best.

Up over and out.

[sal]

  David Gitin said:

Grachan Moncur!

I REALLY like this one too. If you're looking for "exploratory", look no further.

Edited September 23, 2004 by sal

[jlhoots]

Of the ones you listed, I'd get the Byrd / Adams & the Carmell Jones.

[jazzbo]

Of the ones you list, I would think the Elveen is the best single fit. But the Byrd / Adams I know you would love. . . if you don't have any of the individual lps get it!

[Peter]

I agree that none of the Selects are a priority. All the one's I've heard are a definate step down from a typical Mosaic. That said, the last disc in the Curtis Amy set is great!

[jazzbo]

I personally feel that the Randy Weston Select is the best of the lot and essential (for MY life!)

[JohnS]

Carmell Jones

[John Tapscott]

  sal said:

  David Gitin said:

Grachan Moncur!

I REALLY like this one too. If you're looking for "exploratory", look no further.

If "bluesy" takes priority over "exploratory" you might consider the Horace Parlan. It's a fine set, with lots of modern, if not "exploratory" jazz. On the other hand, if you need both in equal measure, defintely go for the Elvin. I don't own it, but I've heard some of a friend's set, and it is BAD!

[Templejazz]

Thanks for the recommendations, though I'm not sure it makes my decision any easier

I might go for the Parlan set. I don't go to 'Happy Frame of Mind' very often but when I do....SHEEE-IT!! I enjoy the hell out of it.

As for the Moncur select, I already have a chunk of the music so it's not a big priority right now. Maybe when I get some extra scratch.

I'm thinkin' either Carmell Jones or Patton for the Selects.

Parlan, Gerald Wilson or Byrd/Adams for the regular sets. Maybe Johnson too......Oh yeah and the Elvin Jones........DARN THIS ADDICTION!!!!!

[BFrank]

I say......go for the Patton Select and either the Gerald Wilson box (since you're thinking of Carmell Jones anyway) or the Byrd/Adams set.

Good luck!

[Brad]

Parlan, Byrd/Adams all great sets. If you're thinking about Selects, Carmell Jones is good but I don't think anybody's mentioned Curtis Amy. For my money, that's the best Select so far. Material was highly unavailable and music is top notch.

[Kevin Bresnahan]

As I said on another board to someone asking this same question, if I had one box set to buy from Mosaic out of all that they currently have in print, it would definitely be the Johnny Hodges. This is a phenomenal box and it's one that I play quite a bit. Of course, I'm also a huge Ben Webster fan so the combo of great Hodges with beaucoup Webster puts me in a fine mood.

Later,

Kevin

[montg]

From among those boxes I have, and that are still in print, I find the most consistently satisfying from beginning to end are (in no order):

1. Hodges

2. Mobley

3. Turrentine

(although I haven't gotten through them completely yet, the Eldridge and Jazztet sets are also likely going to be among the best of the best).

I agree with some of the other observations that the Selects may be a bit more inconsistent..I think the Patton is the best of the bunch in terms of pretty regularly delivering.

[PHILLYQ]

The Patton Select has some serious groove and about a disc of Grant Green. Put it in the player, relax and ride the groove.

[jazzkrow]

Montg:

You've got it...

Just add the Morgan and Stitt to the list.

Love the Patton Select and the Carmell Jones too.

[AmirBagachelles]

right on Randy Weston!

and:

Ornette's Beauty Is a Rare Thing - bluesy, exploratory, AMAZING.

[pryan]

I bought the Carmell Jones set as soon as it was released and was pleasantly surprised at the consistently high level of the music. Good variety in terms of ensemble sizes as well. The sessions with Gerald Wilson are excellent as are the quintet albums with Harold Land. Definitely a winner in my book.

I don't think you can wrong with the Parlan; Grant Green, the Turrentine brothers, and Booker Ervin are all featured prominently.

Conclusion: whatever set you choose most likely won't disappoint. Let us know which one(s) you ordered.

[Peter F]

Of the one you are considering, I would recommend the Byrd/Adams or the Parlan.

A couple I would recommend that you did not mention are:

JJ Johnson

The Jazztet

Peter F