Steve Lacy on RCA/Novus

[king ubu]

Now that RCA is part of SonyBMG and Mosaic has access to their vaults (see Henry Threadgill), the thought came up: how about a box of Lacy's RCA/Novus albums?

Looking around here:

http://senators.free.fr/web_stuff/NavbarFr...et_Welcome.html

What we'd get is:

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Steve Lacy: Momentum

Steve Lacy soprano saxophone, tambourine, Steve Potts alto & soprano saxophones, tambourine, Bobby Few piano, Jean-Jacques Avenel double bass, Oliver Johnson drums, Irene Aebi vocals, violin, cello

Ind. Title Composer / Author Dur.

1/ The Bath Steve Lacy 13:03

2/ The Gaze * 11:10

3/ Utah * Steve Lacy / Giulia Niccolai 6:58

4/ Momentum Steve Lacy 7:58

5/ Art Steve Lacy / Herman Melville 8:56

6/ The Song Steve Lacy / Brion Gysin 15:02

* not on LP release.

Recorded on May 20-22, 1987 at Family Sound, Paris (F). Engineer: Daniel Vallancien. Assistant engineer: Nicolas Thevenin.

Digital transfers by Ray Hall.

Producer: Ed Michel. Series Director: Steve Backer.

Cover painting: Olivier Agid. Cover art: J.J. Stelmach.

1987 - Novus, 3021-2-N (CD)

1987 - Novus, 3021-1-N (LP)

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Steve Lacy: The Door

Steve Lacy soprano saxophone, Steve Potts alto (1,2,5), soprano saxophone (8), Irene Aebi violin (8), Bobby Few piano (1,2,4,5,8), Jean-Jacques Avenel bass (1,2,3,5,6,8), sanza (3), Oliver Johnson drums (1,2,5,6,7,8), Sam Woodyard drums (8)

Ind. Title Composer Dur.

1/ The Door Steve Lacy 7:26

2/ Ugly Beauty Thelonious Monk 7:48

3/ Clichés Steve Lacy 8:27

4/ Forgetful George Handy, Jack Segal 7:21

5/ Blinks Steve Lacy 9:13

6/ Coming Up * Bud Powell 4:43

7/ The Breath * Steve Lacy 4:25

8/ Virgin Jungle Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn 9:21

* not on LP releases.

Recorded on July 4-5, 1988 at Family Sound, Paris (F). Engineer: Daniel Vallancien. Assistant engineer: Nicolas Thevenin.

Producer: Ed Michel. Series Director: Steve Backer.

Cover painting: Kenneth Noland ("Parisian Bar"). Cover art: Pietro Alfieri.

1989 - Novus, 3049-2-N (CD)

1989 - Novus, 3049-1-N (LP)

1989 - Novus, PL83049 (LP)

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Steve Lacy: Anthem

Steve Lacy soprano saxophone, Bobby Few piano, Steve Potts alto & soprano saxophones, Jean-Jacques Avenel bass, John Betsch drums, Irene Aebi vocals, La Velle vocals, Sam Kelly percussion, Glenn Ferris trombone

Ind. Title Composer / Author Dur.

1/ Number One Steve Lacy 9:01

2/ Prayer Steve Lacy 9:21

3/ J. J.'s Jam Jean-Jacques Avenel 6:53

4/ Prelude And Anthem Steve Lacy / Osip Mandelstam 15:48

5/ The Mantle Steve Lacy / Mary Frazee 9:22

6/ The Rent Steve Lacy 7:17

Recorded on June 27-28, 1989 at Family Sound Studios, Paris (France).

Producer: Steve Lacy. Series Director: Steve Backer.

Cover painting: Arthur Secunda ("Another Vortex"). Cover art: Pietro Alfieri.

1990 - Novus/BMG/RCA, 3079-2-N (CD)

1990 - Novus/RCA, 3079-1-N (LP)

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Steve Lacy / Mal Waldron: Hot House

Steve Lacy soprano saxophone, Mal Waldron piano

Ind. Title Composer Dur.

1/ House Party Starting Herbie Nichols 6:14

2/ Hot House Tadd Dameron 4:13

3/ I'll Keep Loving You Bud Powell 9:17

4/ Friday The 13th Thelonious Monk 6:07

5/ Mistral Breeze Mal Waldron 3:33

6/ The Mooche Duke Ellington 5:55

7/ Petite Fleur Sidney Bechet 7:04

8/ Snake Out Mal Waldron 6:39

9/ Retreat Steve Lacy 5:26

Recorded July 12-13, 1990 at Studios Ferber, Paris (F). Engineer: Laurent Peyron. Assistant engineer: Véronique Ferraro.

Mixed July 14, 1990 at Ramses Studio, Paris (F). Engineer: Laurent Peyron. Assistant engineer: Bruce Dunnet.

Mastered July 18, 1990 at BMG Recording Studios, New York City. Engineer: Joe Lopes. Assistant engineer: Vince Caro.

Producer: John Snyder. Series Director: Steve Backer.

Cover art: Jacqueline Murphy.

1991 - Novus, 3098-2-N (CD)

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Various Artists: A Merry Jazzmas

Steve Lacy soprano saxophone, Mal Waldron piano Irene Aebi voice

Ind. Title Composer Dur.

11/ A Merrier Christmas Thelonious Monk 5:00

Note: This record features Marcus Roberts, Roy Hargrove, Hilton Ruiz, Vanessa Rubin, Antonio Hart, Christopher Hollyday, John Hicks, Carmen McRae, Steve Coleman, Steve Lacy and Mal Waldron.

Recorded on July 13, 1990 at Studios Ferber, Paris (France).

1991 - BMG, Novus 63126 (CD)

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The Steve Lacy Sextet: Live At Sweet Basil

Steve Lacy soprano saxophone, Steve Potts soprano & alto saxophones, Irene Aebi voice, violin, Bobby Few piano, Jean-Jacques Avenel double bass, John Betsch drums

Ind. Title Composer / Author Dur.

1/ Prospectus Steve Lacy / Blaise Cendrars 10:48

2/ The Bath Steve Lacy 12:38

3/ Morning Joy Steve Lacy / Bob Kaufman 16:11

4/ The Wane Steve Lacy 14:55

5/ Blinks 14:29

Recorded live July 6 and 7, 1991 at Sweet Basil, New York (USA). Engineers: Joe Lopes, Warren Schatz. Assistant engineer: Suzy Fink.

Producer: John Snyder. Series Director: Steve Backer.

Cover painting: Zao Wou Ki. Cover art: Jacqueline Murphy.

1992 - Novus, 01241 63128-2 (CD)

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plus, some earlier stuff from the same family of labels could be added:

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Steve Lacy Sextet: Flakes

Steve Lacy soprano saxophone, Steve Potts alto & soprano saxophones, Irene Aebi cello, Michael Smith piano, Kent Carter bass, Kenneth Tyler percussion & drums

Ind. Title Composer Dur.

1/ Weal Steve Lacy 5:45

2/ The New Duck 7:45

3/ Snorts 6:00

4/ Flakes 7:35

5/ The Shoals 9:50

6/ The Rush 2:50

Recorded in Rome on May 12, 1974. Engineer: Franco Finetti. Musical assistant: Gianni Dell'Orso.

Producer: . Executive producer: .

Cover photography: . Cover art: Graphic design:

1975 - RCA-Vista (Italy), TPL1 1097 (LP)

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Steve Lacy: Disposability

Steve Lacy soprano saxophone, Kent Carter bass, Aldo Romano drums

Ind. Title Composer Dur.

1/ Shuffle Boil Thelonious Monk 5:17

2/ Barble * Steve Lacy 3:25

3/ Chary * 2:51

4/ Tune 2 Cecil Taylor 8:26

5/ Pannonica Thelonious Monk 3:30

6/ M's Transport * Steve Lacy 4:05

7/ Comin'on The Hudson Thelonious Monk 3:30

8/ There We Were * Steve Lacy 3:02

9/ Generous 1 Carla Bley 3:40

* improvisations

Recorded on 21 & 22 December, 1965 in Roma (Italy). Engineer: ???

Producer: Alberto Alberti.

???? - KCD (Italy), KCD-002 (CD: BOOTLEG)

1966 - Vik (RCA Italia), KLVP 200 (LP)

1983 - Vik (RCA Italia), KLVP 200 (LP)

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Just a thought... but I'd buy it without much thought, that's for sure!

[J.A.W.]

Why don't you make a suggestion to Mosaic? It'd be a nice boxed set.

[king ubu]

I'll do so, but I thought I'd bring it up here first, to see what people think!

[king ubu]

Just sent it in, including a link to this discussion here!

[Mark Stryker]

Unlikely that the Mosaic would do a set that would include the late '80s-early '90s stuff, plus the 1974 and 1965 one-offs just because they all appeared on domestic or foreign RCA. Mosaic genearlly likes each package to be more focused, unified, around a smaller period, band or aesthetic. Having said that, you might argue that the 74 record belongs as a precursor to the later sextets. Still, a better bet and an excellent set would be just 1987-91, which would include the five original LPs/CDs. But even that leaves the Waldron-Lacy duet record as a kind of an odd-man-in among the other sextet/quintet records. I wonder if the four ensemble recordings could be squeezed into a 3-CD Select. On a related note, it would be great to have all the duets with Mal Waldron in one place, including the RCA, several great Hat Hut records and, apparently, an early '70s record on Japanese Victor that I've never heard. That would be a killer Select too, but probably tough to lasso the rights from so many sources.

Edited November 10, 2009 by Mark Stryker

[king ubu]

Unlikely that the Mosaic would do a set that would include the late '80s-early '90s stuff, plus the 1974 and 1965 one-offs just because they all appeared on domestic or foreign RCA. Mosaic genearlly likes each package to be more focused, unified, around a smaller period, band or aesthetic. Having said that, you might argue that the 74 record belongs as a precursor to the later sextets. Still, a better bet and an excellent set would be just 1987-91, which would include the five original LPs/CDs. But even that leaves the Waldron-Lacy duet record as a kind of an odd-man-in among the other sextet/quintet records. I wonder if the four ensemble recordings could be squeezed into a 3-CD Select. On a related note, it would be great to have all the duets with Mal Waldron in one place, including the RCA, several great Hat Hut records and, apparently, an early '70s record on Japanese Victor that I've never heard. That would be a killer Select too, but probably tough to lasso the rights from so many sources.

Yes, makes sense, and I thought about this, too... adding the two earlier ones just as an option. Having them and the Waldron duo in would broaden the picture, but having just the late 80s group albums would be more focused.

Momentum is 63 minutes

The Door is 59 minutes

Anthem is 59 minutes

Live at Sweet Basil is 69 minutes

Too much for a Select.

But maybe there's more live material to add and expand it, like the Tolliver select? (This is pure speculation)

And yes, having all the duos with Waldron in one place would be terrific, but the hats will unlikely ever appear anywhere else, same, I guess, for the Soul Notes... I think the Lacy/Waldron discography is spread too far to bring it all together.

Edited November 10, 2009 by king ubu

[jeffcrom]

Just wanted to add that Disposability is one of my favorite Lacy albums - don't overlook this one. It catches him at an interesting moment - he's still playing "tunes," and really interesting ones - Monk, Cecil, Carla Bley, but exploring free improvisation. And it includes his first recorded composistion, although it doesn't sound much like we expect a Lacy tune to sound like. The trio is excellent, and the quality of Lacy's improvising is really high.

[J.A.W.]

As much as I like Lacy's work, I don't think I'd buy a set with all those unavoidable Irene Aebi vocals...

Edited November 10, 2009 by J.A.W.

[MartyJazz]

As much as I like Lacy's work, I don't think I'd buy a set with all those unavoidable Irene Aebi vocals...

You've got a good point.

Also, perhaps I'll be corrected on this, but if this project were done solely with the 1987-1991 material, would it then constitute the most "recent" Mosaic box in terms of recording dates? If so, it might not be deemed commercial enough even for a discerning jazz customer base. Mosaic does a fantastic job simply concentrating on what I believe is jazz's "formative" period, i.e., the '20s through the '60s.

[J.A.W.]

Also, perhaps I'll be corrected on this, but if this project were done solely with the 1987-1991 material, would it then constitute the most "recent" Mosaic box in terms of recording dates?

No, that would be their upcoming Henry Threadgill box, which includes recordings from 1994-1996.

[colinmce]

What other RCA material might make for a good set? I admit I'm not too up on their holdings save Louis, Paul Desmond, & Sonny Rollins.

[mjzee]

What other RCA material might make for a good set? I admit I'm not too up on their holdings save Louis, Paul Desmond, & Sonny Rollins.

Gary Burton (been discussed many times before here).

Does RCA hold the rights to Flying Dutchman? Might be some potential there.

[Chuck Nessa]

Back to Lacy - at the time the cds were issued I was completely broke, didn't like the group with Irene and only bought the disc with Mal. That recording was so digital/harsh I rarely listen to it. If the material can be tamed I might be interested in the package.

[Kalo]

Haven't listened to the recordings in a long while, but really dug the group at the time (including Aebi--though it took a while, I admit.)

I'm game for a Mosaic.

[king ubu]

What other RCA material might make for a good set? I admit I'm not too up on their holdings save Louis, Paul Desmond, & Sonny Rollins.

Gary Burton (been discussed many times before here).

Does RCA hold the rights to Flying Dutchman? Might be some potential there.

Desmond and Rollins were boxed at least twice (US and Euro versions, I think).

Gato Barbieri's Flying Dutchmans were boxed, too (yes, by RCA), not sure if there were two editions as well.

Gary Burton's RCAs would be most welcome! I thought this was actually planned at some point in time? But there's been no news about it for a long time, right?

Chuck, I haven't heard many of these Lacy RCAs, so I can't comment about the sound... but I guess a good engineer could fix that? At least in case Mosaic would indeed release such a box, I surely hope they would try their best as they usually do!

[danasgoodstuff]

I like Lacey just fine (although none of his records do justice to his sound, i was at the gig that produced The Rent), and might like Potts by himself if I ever heard him, BUT I can't stand them together...it's kinda like the two guys who played with earl Hines at the Apex Club (?), fine on their own but they just don't blend well for me, YMMV, etc.

[king ubu]

My mileage definitely varies... the New Morning album on hat records is one of Lacy's finest, in my opinion, and it features the quartet w/Potts!

[ATR]

I like Lacey just fine (although none of his records do justice to his sound, i was at the gig that produced The Rent), and might like Potts by himself if I ever heard him, BUT I can't stand them together...it's kinda like the two guys who played with earl Hines at the Apex Club (?), fine on their own but they just don't blend well for me, YMMV, etc.

The first gig Lacy had when he returned from France in the 70's I think was at Ali's Alley in NYC. The band was Potts, Oliver Johnson, and probably JJA or maybe Kent Carter. The contrasting musical personalities of Lacy and Potts was a highlight of hearing that band for me. I went back several times that week.

I don't think I've ever heard Potts without Lacy, but of course I've heard Lacy without Potts.

Since you don't actually say why you don't like the combination, I guess we can just chalk this one up to personal taste.

But while I'm here, I might as well admit that I don't think the idea of a Lacy RCA box is nearly as good as getting the original recordings with their individual cover art back in print. There isn't any particular theme to that series of records, and unless there's a lot of unreleased material it just doesn't make sense to me.

Edited November 14, 2009 by ATR

[king ubu]

That would be fine with me, too... but I guess the chance that we'll be seing such reissues is zero. These big corporations (SonyBMG, EMI...) seem to no longer be interested to cater to minority markets like the jazz crowd, alas.

[JSngry]

Steve Potts was on a Chico Hamilton Solid State album.

[clifford_thornton]

Potts had a couple of LPs of his own without Lacy, also had sideman turns with Robert Wood, Francois Tusques, and others. Excellent player. I agree with Chuck about the sound on these Novus sessions and it was troubling enough that I didn't keep the ones I bought.

Also, FWIW, the Lacy-Waldron on Japanese Victor, mentioned earlier, is a quartet. It's very good.

[jeffcrom]

Put me down on the "thumbs up" side of the ledger for the Lacy/Potts combination. I like the contrast, like Miles and Trane.

As far as Potts without Lacy, I also have a French album by blues harmonica player Sugar Blue that Potts plays on.

[danasgoodstuff]

Thanks for all the responses, I'll have to chec at work at the library tomorrow and see if we have any of your suggestions for further listening....

[JSngry]

Yeah, Steve Potts is on TWO Chico sides:

Drummer Chico Hamilton released this LP in 1968 on the Solid State label, players are Stephen Potts and Russell Andrews on sax, Jimmy Cleveland, Britt Woodman, William Cambell and Jimmy Cheatham on trombone, Jackie Arnold on voice, Jan Arnett on bass, Chico Hamilton on drums and Danny Banks on flute.

1. Daht-Doo-Dah

2. The Second Time Around

3. Jonathan's Theme

4. People Will Say We're In Love

5. Blow, Jim, Blow

6. Third Wing On The Left Side Of An Eagle

7. Broadway

8. MSP

9. Theme For A Woman

http://www.discogs.com/image/R-1351098-1257573018.jpeg

Tracklist

A1 Guitar Willie 5:04

A2 Reach And Grab It 5:30

A3 I Found Out 1:05

A4 Head Hunters 4:23

B1 Conglomerates 6:00

B2 Ol' Man 3:12

B3 Cee Ee Jaaa 3:25

B4 Them's Good Ole' Days 5:30

AMG Review by Scott Yanow

Chico Hamilton, having led one of the most significant bands of the West Coast cool jazz era in the '50s and having headed a mid-'60s group that featured Charles Lloyd and Gabor Szabo, was in a state of transition at the time of this 1969 album. This intriguing if erratic set features up-and-comers in altoist Steve Potts (who would later be a longtime member of Steve Lacy's group) and guitarist Eric Gale, along with the obscure tenor-saxophonist Russ Andrews, but this particular band would not last long. Most unusual is that Ray Nance, formerly with Duke Ellington for 20 years, is heard exclusively on violin and he sounds quite at home on the more adventurous pieces. Highlights include Eric Gale featured on the blues "Guitar Willie" (which has a fast bossa nova rhythm), Nance and Potts battling it out on "Reach and Grab It" and the group's spirit on "Them's Good Ole Days." However, a few throwaway numbers (particularly "I Found It" and "Ol' Man") lower this set's value. Head Hunters (named a few years before Herbie Hancock formed his group of the same name) is not essential, but it is a missing link in the long career of Chico Hamilton.

Edited November 15, 2009 by JSngry

[brownie]

Steve Potts also had his own album 'Pearl' on the CC label (with Richard Galliano, Jean-Jacques Avenel and Bertrand Renaudin) in 1990.