Milestone Profiles

[GA Russell]

Apparently the Prestige Profiles series out last Christmastime was a success, because Concord/Fantasy is going to put out five "Best of" Milestones called Milestone Profiles on June 6.

I'm looking really looking forward to the Joe Henderson, and almost as much to the Sonny Rollins and McCoy Tyner.

It may be blasphemy to say this here, but I've been listening to Joey DeFrancesco's Organic Vibes so much the past few weeks that I'm not sure that I'm going to be ready for another organ album, even if it is Jimmy Smith.

I can't say that Jimmy Scott has ever appealed to me, and I plan to give that one a pass.

Each of the Prestige Profiles came with its own bonus disc. It looks like all of the Milestone Profiles will come with the same bonus disc.

Here's the press release I received yesterday:

Founded in New York by producer Orrin Keepnews in 1966, two years after the demise of his earlier label Riverside, Milestone Records quickly established itself as a forward-thinking company that attracted major artists such as McCoy Tyner, Sonny Rollins, Lee Konitz, and Gary Bartz. It was acquired by Fantasy, Inc. in 1972 (Keepnews joined Fantasy that same year) and continued to record a wide array of jazz, Latin, and world artists--Flora Purim, Ron Carter, Jerry Gonzalez and the Fort Apache Band, and Hank Crawford, to name just a few.

Single-disc retrospectives of five artists' work for the label will be released next month (6/6) in the MILESTONE PROFILES series, in celebration of the venerable imprint's 40th anniversary. The CDs were compiled by Nick Phillips, Vice President, Artist & Catalog Development for the Concord Music Group, which acquired Milestone in November 2004.

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JOE HENDERSON, an early Milestone signing, was a mainstay of its roster for nearly a decade. His new Profiles CD draws from classic albums such as Power to the People (1969), In Japan (1971), and In Pursuit of Blackness (1972), which feature the saxophonist with Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Woody Shaw, Jack DeJohnette, and many others.

McCOY TYNER's long and prolific relationship with Milestone and producer Orrin Keepnews began in 1972 with his Grammy-nominated Sahara. Over the next ten years, Tyner recorded in a multitude of settings--from solo to big band, live and in the studio, with working groups and all-star aggregations. His new Profiles CD offers a rich sampling.

The SONNY ROLLINS disc includes material from his very first Milestone release (Next Album's "Skylark," 1972) and his latest (the 2006 Grammy winner "Why Was I Born?," from Without a Song). In between are seven other exceptional tracks, among them the live "Autumn Nocturne" (1978), "Duke of Iron" (1987), and "Biji" (1995).

JIMMY SMITH's Milestone discography is comprised of two studio dates (1989's Prime Time; '93's Sum Serious Blues, arranged by Johnny Pate), and three live albums (two cut in 1990 with Stanley Turrentine and Kenny Burrell; a 1981 Keystone Korner recording with Eddie Harris). Selections from each appear on the Smith Profile.

Balladeer JIMMY SCOTT joined Milestone in 2000 in the midst of a busy comeback. His new set offers 11 highlights from his four Todd Barkan-produced CDs for the label--Mood Indigo, Over the Rainbow, But Beautiful, Moon Glow--with empathic support from a cast including Hank Crawford, George Mraz, and Cyrus Chestnut.

A 45-minute bonus disc--with tracks by Hank Crawford/Jimmy McGriff, Flora Purim, and Jim Hall/Ron Carter as well as the five Profiled artists--is packaged with each set.

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Orrin Keepnews, when reminded that his second label had hit the 40-year mark, recalled early Milestone as "a fragile, drastically underfinanced independent jazz label." While Riverside "had flourished during the 1950s Golden Age of jazz," he noted, "Milestone began life at a time when many people were firmly convinced that jazz was dead--or at least badly wounded by the defection of much of its audience in the direction of the Beatles, the Kingston Trio, and/or assorted other upstarts."

After Riverside’s shuttering, and almost two years of "freelance scuffling," Keepnews "joined forces with a young pianist/producer named Dick Katz (who was able to supply enough capital to finance a couple of projects) and jumped back into the whirlpool with a new label. Actually, the times were still 'golden' enough for us to assemble a rather formidable roster of future stars and underappreciated veterans. Early New York-based Milestone meant a lot of impressive work by Joe Henderson, Gary Bartz, and Lee Konitz, reunions with such ex-Riverside associates as Wynton Kelly, Bobby Timmons, and Nat Adderley, and--as we picked up the pace entering the '70s--the addition of young McCoy Tyner (then still best-known for his historic association with John Coltrane) and the wonderful, ageless Sonny Rollins (who has remained Milestone's brightest star for more than three decades)."

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Edited July 3, 2006 by GA Russell

[Guest akanalog]

couldn't the pricks at least throw us a few bones as far as previously unreleased on CD re-issue material rather than rehashing and repackaging the same material?

[Spontooneous]

I dream of someday having a collection that is compilation-free.

[Guest akanalog]

yeah, exactly.

[Brad]

Since I have none of Henderson's Milestone material, I'll probably get it. Other than that, I echo the other sentiments.

[ep1str0phy]

Not that I'm going to but any of this, but I'm surprised that they're holding out on a Bartz disc.

[Guest akanalog]

well there is a lot of good bartz still unreleased on CD in the US so perhaps they don't want to use material not currently available on CD....

even the good henderson not available singly is available via the box set....

[ep1str0phy]

well there is a lot of good bartz still unreleased on CD in the US so perhaps they don't want to use material not currently available on CD....

even the good henderson not available singly is available via the box set....

Now, the burning question: when are we going to get the damn non-US stuff?

On the Henderson--honestly, I think the 'best of' Milestone disc for Henderson is kind of counterintuitive. Half of those albums sound like 'best of' comps already (I'd just reissue 'Power to the People').

Edited May 9, 2006 by ep1str0phy

[GA Russell]

I don't understand this negativity at all. I think you guys are nuts!!!

First of all, I'm sure we all will agree that we would like to see more good music reissued. But I think that every label that recorded jazz between 1945 and 1980 is guilty of sitting on good material. Why pick on Milestone?

This would be a boring website if every thread on jazz included a rant about a record label that hadn't reissued something.

Second of all, the compilations. If you don't like compilations, don't buy 'em. I too usually prefer the original albums intact over a compilation. But I for one don't have the money to buy every album ever made. Take the Jimmy Smith for example. I'm not interested enough in the guy to purchase five Milestone albums of his, even if they were all available. And I don't have the money to buy them and everything else that appeals to me. But I'd like to hear a sampler of what he did for the label because I am unfamiliar with it.

When I was in college, I knew rich kids from New York City for whom apparently money was no object. They would often sneer at anything that was not the best, without ever considering the price and the value. I found them tiresome.

Finally, I am assuming (I have no inside knowledge, but I think that it is a fair assumption) that Concord/Fantasy is issuing this Milestone series because the Prestige series was financially successful. Think about what that means. The company is successfully persuading the people of America to fork over their hard cash FOR GOOD MUSIC.

More power to them for that!

Rant over.

[Spontooneous]

Wouldn't bother me so if the Concord/Fantasy reissue program wasn't so focused on compilations and RVG'd re-reissues (or re-re-reissues) of the earlier reissues that sold best. I fear that we've already seen everything from their vault that we're ever going to see.

Then again, I'm havin' a bad day.

Edited May 10, 2006 by Spontooneous

[Guest akanalog]

yeah i think we are picking on them because the previous owners of the fantasy and related material did make an effort to put out unreleased on CD previously stuff and we have seen no evidence that the new owners share this desire. all we have seen are rehashed compilations and RVGs. all stuff many people already own and i would say MOST any jazz fan would prefer to have one really good/great album by an artist than a best of. so it isn't about saying we will buy ALL the jimmy smith albums because we are rich new yorkers, but i know i woudl rather have the jimmy smith album people tell me is the best than a best of which, actually, will only lead me to spend more money because invariably i will seek out the original discs which the tracks i like on the best of come from, therefore rendering said best of redundant.

but anyways, the main point here is that concord isn't giving jazz fans any reason to hope they will see/hear anything new from the vaults any time soon. they are just trying to find new ways to make money with stuff previously out there and acknowledged to be popular.

[ep1str0phy]

Also--we're (however unconsciously) speaking from the perspective of the (putative) consumer. Whether or not these compilations are meritorious in the general sense (e.g., bringing new people to the music, etc.) is somewhat different than their meaning to us (on this very specialized board). Apologies for pulling into this very narrow sphere of thought, but there's reason for inquiry (maybe not vitriol and gripe, but inquiry most definitely) among us--the faithful, all-weather audience (I'd actually like to see the numbers on the different Prestige profiles, just to prove to myself that random consumers do want to listen to Eric Dolphy)--when so much fine material goes unissued.

This, again, has nothing to do with certain 'macrosocial' benefits immanent to the compilations--just in the same way that the Ken Burns documentary had its upsides. Although we voice the negatives, the positive perspective is latent. If we can't vent in the community, then where?

[JSngry]

Compilations are cool as an entry door, but if you walk throught the door and there ain't a house waiting for you, wellsir, I'm aginnit!

[GA Russell]

These are out today.

CD Universe says: List Price $11.98; Their Price $9.15; Pre-Order Price $8.39.

[allblues]

These are out today.

CD Universe says: List Price $11.98; Their Price $9.15; Pre-Order Price $8.39.

They're also on eMusic for those who are interested.

[mikeweil]

Since I have none of Henderson's Milestone material, I'll probably get it.

If you love Joe so much, why not get the box?

[BruceH]

I may get the Joe Henderson and Jimmy Smith.

(Or maybe not.)

[GA Russell]

I received from Concord today the five Milestone Profiles.

Each comes with the same bonus disc. Unlike the Prestige Profiles, the bonus disc is not packaged separately, but rather is included in the jewel box.

All songs on the bonus disc are from the Milestone catalogue. The bonus disc artists are:

Joe Henderson

McCoy Tyner

Flora Purim

Jim Hall with Ron Carter

Sonny Rollins

Hank Crawford with Jimmy McGriff

Jimmy Smith

Jimmy Scott

I'll get back in a few days after I have had a chance to listen.

[Guy Berger]

but anyways, the main point here is that concord isn't giving jazz fans any reason to hope they will see/hear anything new from the vaults any time soon. they are just trying to find new ways to make money with stuff previously out there and acknowledged to be popular.

[GA Russell]

Compilations are cool as an entry door, but if you walk throught the door and there ain't a house waiting for you, wellsir, I'm aginnit!

Joe Henderson - Milestone Profiles

Looks like there is house beyond the door waiting for Jim!

I have Joe Henderson on Blue Note and Verve, but this is my first Henderson on Milestone.

This Henderson disc has 9 songs, totalling 64:35. The liner notes list 8 Milestone CDs currently available, plus the 8-CD box set. The 9 songs are taken from 8 albums, 7 of which are available on CD.

Two of the tracks sound like Blue Note 1963-65. The others have a 70s sound, due to the electric piano and conga drums.

I'm not too crazy about 2 of the songs; a little too free for me. The other 7 suit me just fine.

Because each song is identified by the album which it was taken from, I have an idea which albums I will buy first.

This is an enjoyable compilation, and I believe that it successfully gives the listener a good idea of what Joe Henderson was doing in the 70s.

By the way, the two albums which provided the Blue Note sound are The Kicker and Tetragon.

edit for spelling

Edited June 27, 2006 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

The 9 songs are taken from 8 albums, 7 of which are available on CD.

This is not quite accurate. Two LPs are available on one CD.

I should have said: The 9 songs are taken from 9 LPs, 8 of which are available on CD.

The more I've listened to this disc today, the more I like it.

[GA Russell]

Sonny Rollins - Milestone Profiles

Sonny's disc features 9 songs totaling 72 minutes.

The liner notes list 22 Sonny Milestone CDs currently available, plus the 2-CD compilation Silver City, which came out in '96. The 9 songs are taken from 9 different albums, all of which are a currently available.

I have good news, and I have bad news.

The good news is that this is an excellent compilation. There's not a bad song on it. Great music for 72 minutes.

The bad news is that six of the nine recordings are included in Silver City. The remaining three songs were released after '96.

At the price, this would make an excellent gift for someone unfamiliar with Sonny's Milestone work. But if you're spending money on yourself, I recommend that you buy Silver City instead. CD Universe has it for $20.95. (After you have Silver City, you can get the three albums the other songs came off of.)

Of course, I'm not taking into consideration the bonus disc that comes with this. That makes the Milestone Profiles more attractive. But I'm keen on Silver City, and if you don't already have it I think you should get it.

[GA Russell]

Jimmy Smith - Milestone Profiles

This is my sixth JOS CD, but my first on Milestone.

There are 9 songs here, totalling 64:56. The liner notes list 5 Milestone CDs currently available. The 9 songs are taken from the 5 CDs.

The time frame is 1981 and 1989-93. Sidemen include Stanley Turrentine, Eddie Harris, Kenny Burrell, Phil Upchurch and Grady Tate.

This is a good collection. All the songs cook except Mood Indigo (which I heard last night on Sirius).

I know that many here are bigger fans of the organ combo than I am. I find myself tiring of the sound halfway through the album, even though there are no bad cuts here. I think what I will do is burn a copy of the first half and another of the second half to listen to in the car.

Smith sounds like he is enjoying himself on every track. The sound is excellent on every track except the 1981 date with Eddie Harris, which was recorded live at Keystone Korner.

If you don't have any JOS on Milestone, this would probably be a good place to start.

[CJ Shearn]

I can attest most of the JOS is good, I have all of the live discs on Milestone. The Tyner, not sure, I have "Together", "Enlightenment" and "Counterpoints: Live in Tokyo" as far as that stuff goes.

[GA Russell]

McCoy Tyner - Milestone Profiles

This is a Sampler with a capital "S".

The liner notes say that Tyner recorded "nearly 20" albums for Milestone over the course of ten years. He recorded in quite a variety of settings.

The CD has 9 tracks, totalling 68:54. The 9 songs are taken from 9 different CDs.

Tyner is heard here in solo, trio, quartet, septet, octet, big band (13 pieces) and sextet with strings settings. Because of that, although I enjoy all of the songs, I don't find this CD to be particularly satisfying as a stand-alone album. It instead offers a variety of sounds to give the listener a good idea of what albums he would like to purchase.

The liner notes list 19 Milestone CDs currently available. I note that the song that I find most interesting (due to the big band's arrangement) is Search For Peace from the OJC 13th House. Yet the liner notes do not list 13th House as being available. Since I do not believe that any OJC has been deleted from the catalogue, I suspect that this is an error of omission.

I can recommend this compilation for the curious who are looking for an idea of what Tyner albums to pick up.