Playing Favorites: Reflections on Jazz in the 1970s

[Peter Friedman]

HutchFan, here is a list of items recorded in the 70's I would include on a list I put together. I did not select any that were on your list.

 

Milt Jackson - Soul Fusion - Pablo 

Duke Ellington - New Orleans Suite - Atlantic

Jimmy Rushing - The You And Me That Used To be - RCA

Duke Jordan Trio - Two Loves - Steeplechase

Teddy Edwards - Feelin's - Muse

Johnny Griffin - Bush Dance - Galaxy

Kenny Drew Trio - If You Could See me Now - Steeplechase

Stan Getz - My Foolish Heart: Live At The Left Bank

Ed Bickert - Out Of The Past - Sackville

Jay McShann - Going To Kansas City - MJR

Al Cohn / Jimmy Rowles - Heavy Love - Xanadu

Benny Carter - The King - Pablo

Howard McGhee - The Jazz Brothers -  Jazzcraft/Storyville

Dexter Gordon - Biting The Apple - Steeplechase

Red Rodney - Bird Lives - Muse

Ruby Braff - Them There Eyes - Sonet

Barry Harris Plays Tadd Dameron - Xanadu

Ray Brown - Something For Lester - Contemporary

Zoot Sims - Warm tenor - Pablo

Bill Evans Quintessence - Fantasy

Ben Webster - Gentle Ben - Ensayo

Ronnie Cuber - Cubre Libre - Xanadu

Nat Adderley - A Little Nighttime Music - Galaxy

Dizzy Gillespie at Montreux Jazz Festival 1975 - Pablo

Horace Silver Quintet 1977 - Promising Music

Dave McKenna - Left Handed Complement - Concord

Sal Nistico - Neo-Nistico - Beehive

Ray Bryant Trio - All Blues - Pablo

Chet Baker - Once Upon A Summertime - A & M

Scott Hamilton - Tenor  Shoes- Concord

Roy Eldridge - The Nifty Cat - MJR

Sonny Stitt - Constellation - Cobblestone

Sam Noto - Act One - Xanadu

James Moody/Al Cohn - Too Heavy For Words - MPS

Jimmy Knepper - Cunningbird - Criss Cross

Mel Lewis and Friends - A & M

Charles McPherson - Live In Tokyo - Xanadu

Sam Jones - Changes And Things - Xanadu

Clifford Jordan - The Adventurer - Muse / 32 Jazz

Art Farmer - Yesterday's Thoughts - East Wind

Sonny Criss - Saturday Morning - Xanadu

Cedar Walton Trio - Pit Inn - East Wind

Buddy Tate - The Texas Twister - MJR

Horace Parlan Trio - Blue Parlan - Steeplechase

Jimmy Heath - Picture Of Heath - Xanadu

Doug Raney - Cuttin' Loose - Steeplechase

Oscar Peterson Trio - Tristeza On Piano - MPS

Stanley Turrentine - Cherry - CTI

Count Basie Jam - Montreux '77 - Pablo

Jimmy Rowles Trio - Shade And Light - Black & Blue

Buck Hill - This Is Buck Hill - Steeplechase

Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis - Straight Ahead - Pablo

Red Garland Trio - Crossings - Galaxy

Philly Joe Jones - Philly Mignon - Galaxy

 

 

 

 

 

[Gheorghe]

Great stuff on that list, a lot of things I also have and enjoy.

[Dan Gould]

I like Peter's list so much more than Hutch's.   

 

But that wasn't the point of his undertaking and I still appreciate his accomplishment.

[HutchFan]

On 1/5/2021 at 4:39 PM, Peter Friedman said:

HutchFan, here is a list of items recorded in the 70's I would include on a list I put together. I did not select any that were on your list.

 

[snip]

Al Cohn / Jimmy Rowles - Heavy Love - Xanadu

Sonny Stitt - Constellation - Cobblestone

Jimmy Knepper - Cunningbird - Criss Cross

Sonny Criss - Saturday Morning - Xanadu

 

Fantastic list, Peter!  I'm familiar with nearly all of those records, and I considered many of them for inclusion.   

Plus, the four titles I've bolded above are actually in my survey too.   On my blog, the Sonny Stitt record is titled Endgame Brilliance.  It's two LPs -- Constellation and Tune Up -- on one CD.  

 

 

On 1/6/2021 at 11:07 AM, Dan Gould said:

I like Peter's list so much more than Hutch's.   

 

LOL !

    

 

Edited January 10, 2021 by HutchFan

[felser]

On 1/6/2021 at 11:07 AM, Dan Gould said:

I like Peter's list so much more than Hutch's.   

I like Hutch's list a lot, just like mine (which actually only sort of exists in my head) better!

[Dan Gould]

5 minutes ago, felser said:

I like Hutch's list a lot, just like mine (which actually only sort of exists in my head) better!

Well I think that was established a long, long time ago. Like, about a month into 2020. 

[soulpope]

On 5.1.2021 at 10:39 PM, Peter Friedman said:

Al Cohn / Jimmy Rowles - Heavy Love - Xanadu

Barry Harris Plays Tadd Dameron - Xanadu

Sal Nistico - Neo-Nistico - Beehive

Ray Bryant Trio - All Blues - Pablo

Sam Noto - Act One - Xanadu

Art Farmer - Yesterday's Thoughts - East Wind

Sonny Criss - Saturday Morning - Xanadu

Cedar Walton Trio - Pit Inn - East Wind

Jimmy Heath - Picture Of Heath - Xanadu

Jimmy Rowles Trio - Shade And Light - Black & Blue

Buck Hill - This Is Buck Hill - Steeplechase

All winners in my books ....

[HutchFan]

My project's over, but I'm still thinking about it.   Here's a couple more lists, crème de la crème from the larger survey.

 

Ten Underappreciated Albums that I Knew I'd Include from the Start

When I began this project, none of these LPs were available.  Since they're some of my favorite records, I knew that I'd include these from the beginning of the project, no question about it:

• Richie Beirach – Elm (ECM, 1979)
• Joanne Brackeen – Keyed In (Tappan Zee, 1979)
• Roy Brooks – The Free Slave (Muse, 1972)
• Anthony Davis-James Newton Quartet – Hidden Voices (India Navigation, 1979)
• Jim Hall & Red Mitchell – Jim Hall / Red Mitchell (Artists House, 1978)
• Sonny Fortune – Waves of Dreams (A&M Horizon, 1976)
• Bobby Hutcherson – Cirrus (Blue Note, 1974)
• Dave Liebman, Richie Beirach – Forgotten Fantasies (A&M Horizon, 1976)
• James Moody – Never Again! (Muse, 1972)
• Martial Solal – Suite for Trio (MPS, 1978)

 

Ten "Essential" Albums that I Discovered as a Result of This Project

These records are now in my Personal Pantheon -- and I'd never heard them until I started this project:

• Rusty Bryant – Soul Liberation (Prestige, 1970) [reissued as part of Bryant's Legends of Acid Jazz compilation]
• Michael Garrick Sextet with Norma Winstone – The Heart is a Lotus (Argo/Vocalion, 1970)
• Al Grey – Struttin' and Shoutin' (Columbia, 1983)
• Eddie Harris – I Need Some Money (Atlantic/Collectables, 1975)
• Hugh Masakela – Home Is Where the Music Is (Chisa/Blue Thumb, 1972)
• Jack McDuff – The Heatin' System (Cadet, 1972)
• Dudu Pukwana & Spear – In the Townships (Caroline/Earthworks, 1974)
• Lucky Thompson – Illuminations (Groove Merchant, 1974)
• Harold Vick – Don't Look Back (Strata-East/Pure Pleasure, 1974)
• Larry Young – Lawrence of Newark (Perception, 1973)

 

 

[Brad]

On 1/15/2021 at 6:18 PM, HutchFan said:

My project's over, but I'm still thinking about it.   Here's a couple more lists, crème de la crème from the larger survey.

 

Ten Underappreciated Albums that I Knew I'd Include from the Start

When I began this project, none of these LPs were available.  Since they're some of my favorite records, I knew that I'd include these from the beginning of the project, no question about it:

• Richie Beirach – Elm (ECM, 1979)
• Joanne Brackeen – Keyed In (Tappan Zee, 1979)
• Roy Brooks – The Free Slave (Muse, 1972)
• Anthony Davis-James Newton Quartet – Hidden Voices (India Navigation, 1979)
• Jim Hall & Red Mitchell – Jim Hall / Red Mitchell (Artists House, 1978)
• Sonny Fortune – Waves of Dreams (A&M Horizon, 1976)
• Bobby Hutcherson – Cirrus (Blue Note, 1974)
• Dave Liebman, Richie Beirach – Forgotten Fantasies (A&M Horizon, 1976)
• James Moody – Never Again! (Muse, 1972)
• Martial Solal – Suite for Trio (MPS, 1978)

 

Ten "Essential" Albums that I Discovered as a Result of This Project

These records are now in my Personal Pantheon -- and I'd never heard them until I started this project:

• Rusty Bryant – Soul Liberation (Prestige, 1970) [reissued as part of Bryant's Legends of Acid Jazz compilation]
• Michael Garrick Sextet with Norma Winstone – The Heart is a Lotus (Argo/Vocalion, 1970)
• Al Grey – Struttin' and Shoutin' (Columbia, 1983)
• Eddie Harris – I Need Some Money (Atlantic/Collectables, 1975)
• Hugh Masakela – Home Is Where the Music Is (Chisa/Blue Thumb, 1972)
• Jack McDuff – The Heatin' System (Cadet, 1972)
• Dudu Pukwana & Spear – In the Townships (Caroline/Earthworks, 1974)
• Lucky Thompson – Illuminations (Groove Merchant, 1974)
• Harold Vick – Don't Look Back (Strata-East/Pure Pleasure, 1974)
• Larry Young – Lawrence of Newark (Perception, 1973)

 

 

The Harold Vick album showed up on Dusty Groove today and for a few dollars less than elsewhere so I grabbed it. 

[HutchFan]

2 hours ago, Brad said:

The Harold Vick album showed up on Dusty Groove today and for a few dollars less than elsewhere so I grabbed it. 

I think you'll enjoy it! 

I'm glad Pure Pleasure is reissuing so many Strata-East titles.  They aren't cheap -- but they're A LOT less expensive than the price the original vinyl is fetching.  So I've plopped for a few of them.  

....

Sorta related:  Did you get the Arc Records reissue of Shirley's Scott's One for Me?      It features more ESSENTIAL Harold Vick on Strata-East.  

....

Now, we just need to get Arc Records or Pure Pleasure or SOMEBODY to reissue Jack McDuff's The Heatin' System.  IMO, it's one of the best Soul Jazz records of the 70s.  More people need to hear it!

 

Edited January 26, 2021 by HutchFan

[Brad]

I didn’t buy it yet but may now. Did you get it digitally, on cd or vinyl?

Is there a good place to buy Pure Pleasure in the US?

Edited January 26, 2021 by Brad

[HutchFan]

32 minutes ago, Brad said:

I didn’t buy it yet but may now. Did you get it digitally, on cd or vinyl?

I got One for Me on CD, directly from Arc Records' Bandcamp site.  ImportCDs might be less expensive though.

 

32 minutes ago, Brad said:

Is there a good place to buy Pure Pleasure in the US?

You found it.   Dusty Groove seems to have the best prices.   If they're out of stock, I just set the notification to let me know when/if they get it.

 

Edited January 26, 2021 by HutchFan

[felser]

3 hours ago, HutchFan said:

Now, we just need to get Arc Records or Pure Pleasure or SOMEBODY to reissue Jack McDuff's The Heatin' System.  IMO, it's one of the best Soul Jazz records of the 70s.  More people need to hear it!

 

Beware, I got bit on this.  Concord issued a blah (par for them) album by McDuff withe the same title as the earlier Cadet gem.  $10 down the toilet:

[HutchFan]

Yep.  Not the same record.

Sorry 'bout that, felser.   

 

[JSngry]

"The Heatin' System" was McDuff's band's name for a while, wasn't it?

[HutchFan]

10 minutes ago, JSngry said:

"The Heatin' System" was McDuff's band's name for a while, wasn't it?

I don't know, Jim.

Wouldn't surprise me if it was.  Seems like that LP was very much a "Let's make a double-album/statement" record for McDuff.

 

Edited January 26, 2021 by HutchFan

[JSngry]

Right, but I think he then used it as the band name. Seems I've seen that somewhere/a few times over the years. It's a good, descriptive, and very marketable name.

And a damn good record!

[Rabshakeh]

5 hours ago, HutchFan said:

Now, we just need to get Arc Records or Pure Pleasure or SOMEBODY to reissue Jack McDuff's The Heatin' System.  IMO, it's one of the best Soul Jazz records of the 70s.  More people need to hear it!

I haven't seen any news of a formal release, and there's nothing on Discogs, but I bought it first hand from a shop at the end of last year somehow.

It is marked as being Cadet. It is definitely not used and sounds decent (not superb). 

Edited January 26, 2021 by Rabshakeh

[HutchFan]

2 minutes ago, Rabshakeh said:

I haven't seen any news of a formal release, and there's nothing on discogs, but I bought it first hand from a shop at the end of last year somehow. It is definitely not used. Something's up.

Wow.  That's interesting.  Are you sure that it isn't "new old stock" -- an album that just never sold or got opened?

I HOPE it becomes more widely available.  

 

[Rabshakeh]

8 hours ago, HutchFan said:

Wow.  That's interesting.  Are you sure that it isn't "new old stock" -- an album that just never sold or got opened?

I HOPE it becomes more widely available.  

 

Not sure at all, but a 1972 release still shrink wrapped seems reasonably unlikely. 
 

The other possibility is that it is some sort of bootleg.

[Gheorghe]

On 15.1.2021 at 0:18 AM, HutchFan said:

My project's over, but I'm still thinking about it.   Here's a couple more lists, crème de la crème from the larger survey.

 

Ten Underappreciated Albums that I Knew I'd Include from the Start

When I began this project, none of these LPs were available.  Since they're some of my favorite records, I knew that I'd include these from the beginning of the project, no question about it:

• Richie Beirach – Elm (ECM, 1979)
• Joanne Brackeen – Keyed In (Tappan Zee, 1979)
• Roy Brooks – The Free Slave (Muse, 1972)
• Anthony Davis-James Newton Quartet – Hidden Voices (India Navigation, 1979)
• Jim Hall & Red Mitchell – Jim Hall / Red Mitchell (Artists House, 1978)
• Sonny Fortune – Waves of Dreams (A&M Horizon, 1976)
• Bobby Hutcherson – Cirrus (Blue Note, 1974)
• Dave Liebman, Richie Beirach – Forgotten Fantasies (A&M Horizon, 1976)
• James Moody – Never Again! (Muse, 1972)
• Martial Solal – Suite for Trio (MPS, 1978)

 

Ten "Essential" Albums that I Discovered as a Result of This Project

These records are now in my Personal Pantheon -- and I'd never heard them until I started this project:

• Rusty Bryant – Soul Liberation (Prestige, 1970) [reissued as part of Bryant's Legends of Acid Jazz compilation]
• Michael Garrick Sextet with Norma Winstone – The Heart is a Lotus (Argo/Vocalion, 1970)
• Al Grey – Struttin' and Shoutin' (Columbia, 1983)
• Eddie Harris – I Need Some Money (Atlantic/Collectables, 1975)
• Hugh Masakela – Home Is Where the Music Is (Chisa/Blue Thumb, 1972)
• Jack McDuff – The Heatin' System (Cadet, 1972)
• Dudu Pukwana & Spear – In the Townships (Caroline/Earthworks, 1974)
• Lucky Thompson – Illuminations (Groove Merchant, 1974)
• Harold Vick – Don't Look Back (Strata-East/Pure Pleasure, 1974)
• Larry Young – Lawrence of Newark (Perception, 1973)

 

 

Joanne Brackeen still was not so well known then.

It thing, a major step for her was playing with Joe Henderson. I saw her with Joe Henderson in late 1978 and she got a lot of attention and I think shortly after the concert there was an interview with her in "Jazz Podium". 

Later I saw here with Joe Farell, also very fine. This should have been a Chet Baker-Joe Farell encounter, but Chet was missing.....

[Brad]

Did you ever discuss Lonnie Smith’s Club Mozambique on your blog. Looked for it but couldn’t find it. Btw, he has a new album out called Breathe, which sounds absolutely killer.  Here’s an article JazzWax did on him this week.

Dr. Lonnie Smith: Breathe

[HutchFan]

42 minutes ago, Brad said:

Did you ever discuss Lonnie Smith’s Club Mozambique on your blog. Looked for it but couldn’t find it. Btw, he has a new album out called Breathe, which sounds absolutely killer.  Here’s an article JazzWax did on him this week.

Dr. Lonnie Smith: Breathe

Nope, I didn't include Club Mozambique -- or Drives -- in my survey.  I really dig both of them, but my favorite Lonnie Smith is Turning Point.  But it's from '69.

That said, I definitely plan to check out Smith's new one.  I've heard lots of good things about it. 

 

[Brad]

10 hours ago, HutchFan said:

Nope, I didn't include Club Mozambique -- or Drives -- in my survey.  I really dig both of them, but my favorite Lonnie Smith is Turning Point.  But it's from '69.

That said, I definitely plan to check out Smith's new one.  I've heard lots of good things about it. 

 

Thanks. I have to admit that I haven’t listened to Turning Point, which I will need to rectify.  Breathe is great. You can find cuts on YouTube.