BFT #89 Discussion

[tkeith]

Okay, I spent a couple of more days thinking about track 6, and realized that it was from this:

At least that's what my cover looks like - it was apparently also issued with another cover. It's "Calypso in Roma," from Don Pullen's Jazz a Confronto #21 on Horo - George Adams, Don Pullen, David Williams on bass and percussion, and Dannie Richmond. I still don't think it's George Adams' best work, but I'm a little embarrassed at how hard I was on him. I like the rest of the album more that I do this track - except maybe for Dannie Richmond's vocalizing - maybe that's why I didn't recognize this right away.

Or maybe I just have too many damn records.

Ding! Ding!

And there is no such thing as too many damn records!

That's the cover I have, too, and David is one of my favorite bassists. I really like him with this group.

[Hot Ptah]

No wonder I couldn't guess that Don Pullen cut--a Horo album which I have never been able to find.

[Spontooneous]

Picking up where I left off...

8. Wow. Really beautiful. The austerity and directness of the ensemble writing make me think of Oliver Nelson, even if the playing doesn't. This gets better every time I hear it.

9 There's one on every BFT that drives me crazy, and this is the latest one. I swear I've heard this before. The alto sounds very much like Bobby Watson and his motor habits for most of the solo, except for the ending. Is it '70s Bobby? I really like the drumming.

10 This one's gonna cost me some money, 'cause I need this record. The intro is so good it's scary, and the rest is very good. The tune is Calvary and the bowed bass is especially beautiful.

11 Probably the most recent track here. Is that an EVI or some kind of laptop-processed trumpet? I confess that this New School kind of jazz often bores me with its weepiness and its convolutions, but this tune is pretty good and they don't overplay it. I'm intrigued.

12 Back to the bari. It's "burning" pretty well, but I'm not feeling it right now, especially the piano solo.

13 Whatever it is, it's a beautiful journey into ECM land.

14 At first it seems to be a big band, but then I realize there are only maybe five horns. Love the permutations of just a few figures in the head. The trombonist copes with it especially well. The trumpet reminds me of Brad Goode.

This is a really good one, Thom. Thank you!

[tkeith]

9 There's one on every BFT that drives me crazy, and this is the latest one. I swear I've heard this before. The alto sounds very much like Bobby Watson and his motor habits for most of the solo, except for the ending. Is it '70s Bobby? I really like the drumming.

Not Bobby, but you nailed the description of the player (IMO). Not surprised at all that you like the drumming.

10 This one's gonna cost me some money, 'cause I need this record. The intro is so good it's scary, and the rest is very good. The tune is Calvary and the bowed bass is especially beautiful.

You won't be disappointed.

11 Probably the most recent track here. Is that an EVI or some kind of laptop-processed trumpet? I confess that this New School kind of jazz often bores me with its weepiness and its convolutions, but this tune is pretty good and they don't overplay it. I'm intrigued.

I had the same reaction to that instrument, but no, not EVI.

13 Whatever it is, it's a beautiful journey into ECM land.

Ding! Ding!

[jeffcrom]

No wonder I couldn't guess that Don Pullen cut--a Horo album which I have never been able to find.

I bought it during that period when Horo had ceased operations, but Aldo Sinesio was selling his old stock through via a website. The records were pricey, but much cheaper than they go for these days. I bought as many as I could afford at the time, and wish I had been able to get more.

[NIS]

After listening to the BFT once more, I'm going to take another run at #13.

At first listen, I thought the trumpeter was Enrico Rava. But I'm sure this isn't the album he did with Dino Saluzzi, so I'm going to guess it could be Tomasz Stanko. Maybe it's the ECM thing but I think they have a similar sound. Also, could the drummer be Jon Christensen? My second favorite track on your effort.

[tkeith]

After listening to the BFT once more, I'm going to take another run at #13.

At first listen, I thought the trumpeter was Enrico Rava. But I'm sure this isn't the album he did with Dino Saluzzi, so I'm going to guess it could be Tomasz Stanko. Maybe it's the ECM thing but I think they have a similar sound. Also, could the drummer be Jon Christensen? My second favorite track on your effort.

Ding! Ding! Right on both Stanko and Christensen.

[JSngry]

TRACK NINE - Plenty o'coke there! Or so it might sound. Sonny Fortune w/Charles Sullivan? Pretty sure that's Sonny. But that was when playing was part of a full mind and body regimen to keep you strong and clarified so you could do your part when the revolution came. Things in general were better when you did them in the spirit of having your mental and spiritually and musical shit together for when the revolution came. You were preparing to ELEVATE! Now it's all just about guns. Serious stepdown in the quality of possible input and expected output when that's all the revolution is gonna need to succeed, is just plenty of guns.

Ding! Ding! Sonny Fortune is correct! Not Sullivan, though.

http://www.allmusic.com/album/camel-r136478

[tkeith]

TRACK NINE - Plenty o'coke there! Or so it might sound. Sonny Fortune w/Charles Sullivan? Pretty sure that's Sonny. But that was when playing was part of a full mind and body regimen to keep you strong and clarified so you could do your part when the revolution came. Things in general were better when you did them in the spirit of having your mental and spiritually and musical shit together for when the revolution came. You were preparing to ELEVATE! Now it's all just about guns. Serious stepdown in the quality of possible input and expected output when that's all the revolution is gonna need to succeed, is just plenty of guns.

Ding! Ding! Sonny Fortune is correct! Not Sullivan, though.

http://www.allmusic.com/album/camel-r136478

Yip.

[mikeweil]

Better late than never ... before I hit the road for one week of vacation, my guesses for BFT 89.

# 1 - Sounds like a European recording to me - but the bass sounds more recent in sound conception than the rest of the band. A wild guess would be Sahib Shihab with the Boland rhythm section - bongos and vibes make think of Sadi Lallemand. Nice jazz waltz.

# 2 - The type of jazz I do not listen to very much these days - trumpeter has a nice mellow sound, makes me think of Tom Harrell, but I can't recognize anybody here.

# 3 - Judging by the bass sound this must be a recent recording - with an old style bass sound I would like this much better. I'd guess the horns are rather younger players trying older stylistics. Not really convincing.

# 4 - I have heard this before! 1970's recording? Or is just the tune? Pat Martino? (the tune, I mean ...) Not many organ groups used a flute.

# 5 - Another typical 1970's product - modal jazz with a hard blowing alto saxist. He starts his solo promisingly, but screams too much for my taste - I'd have preferred if he developped his melodic ideas. Tyneresque piano with a left hand rhythmically not quite in sync with the right. Oh, I've heard this type of music too many times ...

# 6 - Quite a mix - Calypso feel with the bassist playing a mix of generalized Latin and more old-fashioned Cuban style, drummer mixing Calyspo and Brazilian Xaxado etc. ... another pianist with rhythmic coordination problems. This bassist likes early Stanley Clarke, reminds me a bit of Cecil McBee. I wonder who it is playing conga later in the track. Not too bad for non-percussionist. That flutist is nice, sounds to me like he knows what he's doing.

# 7 - Another 1970's recording? Would like to hear more and know who the singers are ... A bit energetic, but that's how these times were.

# 8 - Some more peaceful music, at last (okay, that's my personal preference these days ...). Trombonist reminds me of Julian Priester, but I wouldn't bet my hat it is him. Saxist plays a bit like Bennie Maupin, but with a different, sharper sound. Nice horn voicings - my favourite track so far. Who is this? Very nice how they build that piece of music. No that isn't Priester - he wouldn't bend his notes like the trombonist at the end of the track does.

# 9 - Back to 1970's wild modal sytistics ... too wild for me today.

# 10 - You really seem to like that type of post-Coltrane modal jazz - this one comes directly from later Trane. Oh well ...

# 11 - Very nice closing number, at least for my taste - beautiful low-toned brass - sounds almost like a bass trumpet, or is this a valve trombone? Okay, I'm more in the mood for these reflective mood pieces at this moment. This and # 8 are my favorites.

Thanks a lot for compiling - it's not your fault that many of these numbers do not fit my current state of mind. The two I mentioned, I will check out for more, and the vocalists.

[tkeith]

# 10 - You really seem to like that type of post-Coltrane modal jazz - this one comes directly from later Trane. Oh well ...

# 11 - Very nice closing number, at least for my taste - beautiful low-toned brass - sounds almost like a bass trumpet, or is this a valve trombone? Okay, I'm more in the mood for these reflective mood pieces at this moment. This and # 8 are my favorites.

Thanks a lot for compiling - it's not your fault that many of these numbers do not fit my current state of mind. The two I mentioned, I will check out for more, and the vocalists.

To each his own. I do tend towards the Impulse!-Coltrane and beyond (including post) but only when it's done right. Also, that was the general trend of this test, not all that I listen to. I tried to stay inside as past BFTs (mine) have been either ignored or maligned for being too "out" (though really, they weren't that out). You seem to have missed the last three cuts, though. I'm thinking #13 might fit your current listening.

[mikeweil]

p.s. Almost overlooked the last three tracks, which I had burned on a second disc ...

# 12 - Swift baritone - I don't think this is Adams, Smulyan, or Cuber, or any of the other guys I am familiar with. Interesting player, but I'm not a fan of these fast tempos - the rhythm guys are playing it safe to cope with it.

# 13 - 'nother nice track I'm very curious about. The bass solo is a bit long for my taste, kind of anti-climatic, but otherwise, very good. Trumpeter has a nice sound.

# 14 - my concentration is gone - sorry ... nice big band track, but I have no idea who they are.

p.p.s. thanks for your understanding - and I indeed missed the last three and like # 13 - Just me, of course .... Read your comment only after I had added the last three.