BFT #60 Disk 1

[sidewinder]

Well, activity on the BFT discussion threads seems to have completely dried up so in order to alleviate the hassle of having to create a big thread in one go at this busy time here are the answers. I'll complete this progressively for the 2 disks over the next week so please bear with me.

Track 1 - 'Trilothons' from 'Stonehenge' by Bill Russo and the London Jazz Orchestra (UK Columbia 33SX1758 LP)

This track is the first part of a suite recorded by Russo with the London Jazz Orchestra whilst he was resident in the UK in the early 1960s. Someone queried whether or not there is a Stan Kenton connection with this track and indeed there is, as (Russo was of course one of the principal arrangers for Kenton in the 1950s). 'Trilothons' is the first part of the suite and captures something of the austerity, wonder and mystery of the prehistoric monument (which recent excavations have established is even older than previously estimated at 3500 BC or so). The London Jazz Orchestra of the time was an amalgamation of jazzers and sessions musicians and included Kenny Wheeler, Johnny Scott and Tony Kinsey in the lineup. 'Trilothons', along with the rest of the Suite, was actually composed by 'Assistant Conductor' Richard Peaslee (not sure if he or Russo arranged it).

The LP has never been reissued to my knowledge nor has it come out on CD. There's also another UK Columbia by this lineup that is also worth seeking out titled 'Russo In London'.

Edited December 19, 2008 by sidewinder

[sidewinder]

Track 2 – 'Le Dejeuner sur L'Herbe' from ‘Neil Ardley's New Jazz Orchestra - Camden '70' (Dusk Fire)

This one is taken from a recent CD issue that had never previously seen the light of day. Recorded at the Cochrane Theatre, Bloomsbury, London back in 1970 and a fascinating live glimpse of a UK orchestra that had been gigging with Colloseum but would phase back it’s live appearances in coming years. It's particularly interesting to hear Ardley’s arrangement of 'Le Dejeuner sur L'Herbe' which had been the title track of their 1968 Verve album. It's the same arrangement but with a radically different (bossa) rhythm on the intro. The saxophonist on this track by the way is the late Dick Heckstall-Smith, who does his patented variation of RRK to good effect. Too bad the sonics weren’t better for the recording but they are acceptable and I guess it’s a miracle that this was recorded at all. Mention was made of Buddy Rich being the drummer (!) – it’s Jon Hiseman, taking a break from rock festivals and Colloseum.

I mentioned that there would be a bonus for anyone who worked out the links between tracks 1 and 2 on this CD. The connection is that Neil Ardley actually studied composition with Bill Russo during Russo’s early 60s London sojourn. Obviously way too obscure for anyone on the board to pick up on it !

Edited December 19, 2008 by sidewinder

[sidewinder]

Track 3 – 'The Funk Dispenser' from 'The Steve White Quartet – Nocturne Records Jazz In Hollywood Series'(OJC)

This one obviously caused quite a lot of head scratching – quite a few people pinpointed it to the West Coast and to Pres stylists but no-one pinpointed White. A real enigma figure – I once caught him at a gig where he literally came out of the crowd with his sax in a bag, played a couple of numbers with the Lighthouse All Stars then went back into the crowd into anonymity. This track 'The Funk Dispenser' captures him to very good effect with Jimmy Rowles (piano), Harry Babasin (bass) and Roy Harte (drums). I believe Babasin and Harte ran Nocturne, so I guess this was the ‘house’ rhythm section.

Part of the Concord 'mega sale' – RIP.

[sidewinder]

Track 4 – 'Sho Nuff Mellow'From Reuben Wilson 'Set Us Free'(Blue Note Rare Groove Series)

This one is sure to get lots of people kicking themselves in the pants for not recognising it . I thought this would be nailed within 10 minutes of kicking off the BFT as it has just been reissued on CD in the latest 'Rare Grooves' batch - surprisingly no-one identified it though. Excellent early 70s soul jazz with a psych vibe by Wilson on a surprisingly good CD (well – a previous post on Org has differing opinions on this but I like it anyway). Jerome Richardson on saxes, David Spinozza on guitar/electric sitar and Richard Davis on bass. Schmokin' and samplers’ heaven !

Edited December 19, 2008 by sidewinder

[sidewinder]

Track 5 – 'Schmaltz Waltz'from John Dankworth Orchestra 'Full Circle' (Philips 6308 122 LP)

Another obscurity from the early 70s Dankworth Orchestra that to my knowledge has never been reissued on CD. A typically brilliant lineup of musicians on this one, including Kenny Wheeler, Henry Lowther (trumpets), Duncan Lamont on saxes, Alan Branscombe on vibes and Daryl Runswick on bass guitar. Around this time Dankworth was doing a lot of TV theme work and movie soundtracks and some of that style permeates this fine LP, which also includes a couple of Mike Gibbs arrangements (he’s on the album but not on this particular track).

[sidewinder]

Track 6 – 'Shadow Dance' from Billy Hart 'Enchance'(A&M Horizon)

Fierce mid-70s post-bop by a group led by Billy Hart with a great lineup of Oliver Lake (alto), Dewey Redman (tenor), Marvin Peterson (trumpet), Don Pullen (piano) and Dave Holland (bass). I remember hearing this one at the time it was originally released on vinyl (recorded 1977) and being suitably impressed. Particularly solid work from Holland on this track, who really holds the whole thing together whilst Oliver Lake's solo threatens to blow the whole thing apart.

Lake and Pullen were correctly identified - kudos !

Edited December 19, 2008 by sidewinder

[sidewinder]

Track 7 - 'Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5' by Lalo Schifrin. From ‘New Fantasy’(Verve LP)

No - not an Emmanuelle soft porn sountrack (ha !) but a mid-60s offering from Lalo Schifrin on Verve. This came out around the time that he did that 'Dissections and Reconstructions etc etc' session and the final track of that particular one is very much in the style of that offering - strongly infuenced by the baroque but with latin touches. Not everyone's taste I guess - but I quite like it. I'm not sure if 'New Fantasy' has ever been reissued on CD (possibly in Japan?) - this is taken from an original LP copy. The lineup is fantastic and includes JJ Johnson, Kai Winding, Jimmy Cleveland and Urbie Green and that's just the trombones.

[sidewinder]

Track 8 - 'White Magic' by John Taylor. From 'Pause And Think Again' (Turtle Records LP)

This one seems to have caused a bit of debate - not Herbie Hancock or one of his compositions (although the style is obviously influenced by late 60s Miles). It's an early session by John Taylor recorded around 70/71 for Peter Eden's tiny Turtle Records - not even sure if this one got a full release, I've got a feeling it may have been limited to semi-private issue. With distinctive crazy bike plus vegetables cover art (very early 70s) and a truly fine British lineup - Stan Sulzman on alto (a very early session for him), John Surman on soprano, Kenny Wheeler on trumpet, Chris Pyne on trombone, Chris Laurence on bass and Tony Levin on drums. Norma Winstone is also on this album but not on this particular track.

I think this one has been reissued on CD in Europe by Disconforme but not sure if it's still available. Strongly recommended !

Edited December 19, 2008 by sidewinder

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Track 4 – 'Sho Nuff Mellow'From Reuben Wilson 'Set Us Free'(Blue Note Rare Groove Series)

This one is sure to get lots of people kicking themselves in the pants for not recognising it . I thought this would be nailed within 10 minutes of kicking off the BFT as it has just been reissued on CD in the latest 'Rare Grooves' batch - surprisingly no-one identified it though. Excellent early 70s soul jazz with a psych vibe by Wilson on a surprisingly good CD (well – a previous post on Org has differing opinions on this but I like it anyway). Jerome Richardson on saxes, David Spinozza on guitar/electric sitar and Richard Davis on bass. Schmokin' and samplers’ heaven !

Oh shit!

Well, I've gotta get this now, haven't I? Bought it back in the day, but didn't like it. Ditched decades ago.

Shows the value of a blindfold test. When you buy something by so and so, you're expecting them to do such and such and, if they don't, you're disappointed.

Thanks Bob.

MG

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Track 7 - 'Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5' by Lalo Schifrin. From ‘New Fantasy’(Verve LP)

No - not an Emmanuelle soft porn sountrack (ha !) but a mid-60s offering from Lalo Schifrin on Verve. This came out around the time that he did that 'Dissections and Reconstructions etc etc' session and the final track of that particular one is very much in the style of that offering - strongly infuenced by the baroque but with latin touches. Not everyone's taste I guess - but I quite like it. I'm not sure if 'New Fantasy' has ever been reissued on CD (possibly in Japan?) - this is taken from an original LP copy. The lineup is fantastic and includes JJ Johnson, Kai Winding, Jimmy Cleveland and Urbie Green and that's just the trombones.

I thought there was something familiar about this. Joan Baez used to sing part of that piece.

MG

[sidewinder]

They did a great job on the sound with the Reuben Wilson MG - definitely worth picking up. Glad to have been of assistance.

Continuing on:

Track 9 - 'Ill Wind'– Honi Gordon. From 'Honi Gordon Sings'(OJC)

Another CD picked up from the fabled Concord blow-out. This obscure session features vocalist Honi Gordon with an interesting small-group lineup of Jaki Byard (piano), Wally Richardson (guitar), Ken McIntyre (flute/alto), George Duvivier (bass) and Ed Shaughnessy (drums). Recorded back in 1962 – I'm not sure if Honi Gordon did any more albums under her own name (although she did record with/for Mingus both before and after this session). A nice voice – and a fine, if obscure session. One of my favourites from the Concord sale.

[sidewinder]

Track 10 - 'J. C. Sangreet'– John Mayer Indo-Jazz Fusions. From 'John Mayer’s Indo Jazz Fusions'(FMR)

The connection with the late John Mayer's Indo-Jazz Fusions was correctly mentioned by at least one poster, although this isn’t the original Fusions project done in the 1960s with Joe Harriott but a 2001 version of the group led by Mayer and with a young group of musicians from the Birmingham Conservatoire (where Mayer taught for many years).

As well as John Mayer on violin/tampura there’s his son Jonathan on sitar/tampura, James McDowall on flute, Carlos Lopez-Real on alto/soprano, David Smith on trumpet and Simon Colam on piano. I think they very successfully update the classic IJF sound of the 1960s for the present day (including the Indian Rap !) on this track. Indeed 'J.C. Sangreet' was a tune originally recorded by Mayer and Harriott on one of the classic ‘Fusions’ albums.

A good CD to play whilst serving up the Lamb Rogan Josh with chutney and popadoms !

[sidewinder]

Track 11 - 'What Maria Sees'– Amancio D’Silva. From 'Reflections' (UK Columbia LP SCX 6465)

Here’s a real obscurity recorded by the talented Goan guitarist Amancio D'Silva back in 1972 (or was it 71 - will have to check). It’s an MOR session recorded by Amancio for Dennis Preston's 'Lansdowne' series, not an all-out jazz session but immaculately done. The tune 'What Maria Sees' was originally recorded on one of his other Columbia albums ('Integration', I think) and is here featured in an orchestra setting arranged by Leon Young. I'm pretty sure this one has never been issued on CD - one for Dutton Vocalion perhaps? This version is taken from an LP copy.

After this session, D’Silva recorded some interesting psych-rock influences material with Clem Alford, including 'Cosmic Eye Dream Sequence' - again for Dennis Preston.

[sidewinder]

Track 12 - 'Body and Soul'– Pete (Laroca) Sims. From 'Swingtime'(Blue Note)

No problems with this one. Tenorist Ricky Ford was correctly identified and to my mind he sounds a heck of a lot like Dexter Gordon on this track. Also on the session (recorded back in 1997) are Dave Liebman and Lance Bryant on saxes, Jimmy Owen and Eddie Henderson on trumpets, George Cables on piano and Santi Debriano on bass. An under-rated date from the more recent Blue Note and well worth searching out.

[sidewinder]

Track 13 - 'Top Secret'– Barbara Dennerlein. From 'Hot Stuff'(Enja)

This one seems to have caused some collective head-scratching. An early 90s release by German organist Barbara Dennerlein recorded for the Enja label and with Andy Sheppard on tenor, Mitch Watkins on Guitar and Mark Mondesir on drums. Dennerlein's organ style is quite distinctive - almost gothic baroque with hot funk undertones ! I believe that her early training was in classical music and that comes out quite distinctly in her style. I remember catching this band (sans Sheppard I think but with Ray Anderson added) in Canada back in the early 1990s and they were well worth checking out.

Hot Stuff indeed !

[sidewinder]

Track 14 - 'Fidel'– Shake Keane. From 'That’s The Noise' (Ace of Clubs LP)

I had a good chuckle looking at the responses to this one. No, not Monk but it was Stan Tracey who is most definitely Monk influenced and can often sound like Monk in hyper-drive. This is a session recorded in the late 60s by West Indian trumpeter/flugel player Shake Keane for the budget 'Ace of Clubs' imprint. It’s again an MOR session and not very inspired. However, on this last track ‘Fidel’ the band sound to be letting of steam and saying 'what the hell' to any further restrictions on the session. It’s Shake on flugel and counting in the intro - Also Bob Efford on tenor (subsequently to emigrate to the West Coast US), Olaf Vas on flute, Stan Tracey on piano, Coleridge Goode on bass and Bobby Orr on drums. Recorded back in 1967 and recently reissued on CD by Dutton Vocalion.

Here endeth the first CD…

[tkeith]

They did a great job on the sound with the Reuben Wilson MG - definitely worth picking up. Glad to have been of assistance.

Continuing on:

Track 9 - 'Ill Wind'– Honi Gordon. From 'Honi Gordon Sings'(OJC)

Another CD picked up from the fabled Concord blow-out. This obscure session features vocalist Honi Gordon with an interesting small-group lineup of Jaki Byard (piano), Wally Richardson (guitar), Ken McIntyre (flute/alto), George Duvivier (bass) and Ed Shaughnessy (drums). Recorded back in 1962 – I'm not sure if Honi Gordon did any more albums under her own name (although she did record with/for Mingus both before and after this session). A nice voice – and a fine, if obscure session. One of my favourites from the Concord sale.

Jee-heee-ZUSS! I actually picked this up a couple of months ago, but haven't gotten around to spinning it, yet. I need to win the lottery so that I can free up some listening time.

[tkeith]

Track 13 - 'Top Secret'– Barbara Dennerlein. From 'Hot Stuff'(Enja)

This one seems to have caused some collective head-scratching. An early 90s release by German organist Barbara Dennerlein recorded for the Enja label and with Andy Sheppard on tenor, Mitch Watkins on Guitar and Mark Mondesir on drums. Dennerlein's organ style is quite distinctive - almost gothic baroque with hot funk undertones ! I believe that her early training was in classical music and that comes out quite distinctly in her style. I remember catching this band (sans Sheppard I think but with Ray Anderson added) in Canada back in the early 1990s and they were well worth checking out.

Hot Stuff indeed !

Actually own this one, too, but never really dug it. There is one tune that really cooks, but the rest of it just didn't resonate for me. Still, I should have done better on this one.

[WorldB3]

I can't believe I missed the Ruben Wilson.

I loved tracks 6 and 8, Billy Harper and John Taylor are a couple of my favorites. Will try and track those down.

Great mix, thank you.

[Royal Oak]

Track 14 - 'Fidel'– Shake Keane. From 'That’s The Noise' (Ace of Clubs LP)

I had a good chuckle looking at the responses to this one. No, not Monk but it was Stan Tracey who is most definitely Monk influenced and can often sound like Monk in hyper-drive. This is a session recorded in the late 60s by West Indian trumpeter/flugel player Shake Keane for the budget 'Ace of Clubs' imprint. It’s again an MOR session and not very inspired. However, on this last track ‘Fidel’ the band sound to be letting of steam and saying 'what the hell' to any further restrictions on the session. It’s Shake on flugel and counting in the intro - Also Bob Efford on tenor (subsequently to emigrate to the West Coast US), Olaf Vas on flute, Stan Tracey on piano, Coleridge Goode on bass and Bobby Orr on drums. Recorded back in 1967 and recently reissued on CD by Dutton Vocalion.

Here endeth the first CD…

I did wonder what on earth this could be! Makes me want to check out those Joe Harriott albums (I read your post about Keane's albums not matching up to his sideman albums)

[sidewinder]

I did wonder what on earth this could be! Makes me want to check out those Joe Harriott albums (I read your post about Keane's albums not matching up to his sideman albums)

Maybe I was a bit harsh on 'That's The Noise'. The jazz content is fairly low but if you like Shake's flugel and don't mind MOR then I'd say it's more than fine. Definitely check out the Harriott's - Shake was a damn fine player.

[sidewinder]

I loved tracks 6 and 8, Billy Harper and John Taylor are a couple of my favorites. Will try and track those down.

Great mix, thank you.

Glad you enjoyed it !

[sidewinder]

Jee-heee-ZUSS! I actually picked this up a couple of months ago, but haven't gotten around to spinning it, yet. I need to win the lottery so that I can free up some listening time.

There's actually a bundle of the CDs from that sale (thanks Weizen jr !) that I still need to give a spin myself. I should have just ordered the damn lot.

[king ubu]

Track 3 – 'The Funk Dispenser' from 'The Steve White Quartet – Nocturne Records Jazz In Hollywood Series'(OJC)

Hm, just finally laid hands on the Nocturne 3CD set, have only received it this week though and not popped in one of the discs so far...

Track 4 – 'Sho Nuff Mellow'From Reuben Wilson 'Set Us Free'(Blue Note Rare Groove Series)

This one I recently bought, didn't fully warm to it, only played it once or twice...

Track 6 – 'Shadow Dance' from Billy Hart 'Enchance'(A&M Horizon)

Got this as well... I think Chuck commented rather harshly about it, most likely somewhere in the "funny rat" thread... haven't played it often. I remember liking it (and finding Chuck's comments too harsh), but it's one I should play again soon!

Track 10 - 'J. C. Sangreet'– John Mayer Indo-Jazz Fusions. From 'John Mayer’s Indo Jazz Fusions'(FMR)

I only know his collaborations with Harriott, and frankly I dig those for the horns mostly (Kenny Wheeler is on there somewhere, too). Not really a well-working fusion, in opinion, at least not in this case - John Handy/Ali Akbar Khan's "Karuna Supreme" (MPS) is gorgeous!

Track 12 - 'Body and Soul'– Pete (Laroca) Sims. From 'Swingtime'(Blue Note)

Another one I have, ouch! Not played in a long time, but this is a nice track!

Track 13 - 'Top Secret'– Barbara Dennerlein. From 'Hot Stuff'(Enja)

Never liked her - no real organ sound there, all too clean (and I don't dig her electronic extensions of the organ) - sorry.

Ok, now on to disc 2... and hopefully soon on to BFT #61 as well!

Edited January 9, 2009 by king ubu

[sidewinder]

Track 13 - 'Top Secret'– Barbara Dennerlein. From 'Hot Stuff'(Enja)

Never liked her - no real organ sound there, all too clean (and I don't dig her electronic extensions of the organ) - sorry.

Ok, now on to disc 2... and hopefully soon on to BFT #61 as well!

Wow - I thought she was pretty big in Germany/Austria/Switzerland !

Edited January 9, 2009 by sidewinder