BFT 194 Reveal

[webbcity]

Okay, for the answers to this month's BFT, please see Thom Keith's post on page one.

But seriously, folks...here's the complete info and links. Thanks to all who participated!

1. Push - Shamie Royston, from "Beautiful Liar"

https://www.discogs.com/Shamie-Royston-Beautiful-Liar/release/12217003

I discovered this album last year by hearing the version here of Bill Withers' "Lovely Day" on jazz radio and thought it was, well...lovely. Most of you thought the track here sounded derivative, which may be fair, but that doesn't bother me-- overall I find this album very enjoyable. Royston writes some top-notch tunes and everyone here plays like they mean it.

2. Sweet'n - Richard Davis Quartet, from "Total Package"

https://www.discogs.com/Richard-Davis-Quartet-Total-Package/release/4442932

Now this is a record I discovered literally just before I thought I was ready to send this month's tunes to Thom! And as soon as I saw the lineup I knew I was in. So this one is still new to me but I plan to listen a whole lot more.

3. Submission - Tyrone Washington, from "Roots"

https://www.discogs.com/Tyrone-Washington-Roots/release/2004362

Tyrone blows his ass off on the record. I came very close to including "You Are The Sunshine of My Life" instead of this one...which you should absolutely listen to if you haven't heard it...but damn, it doesn't seem to be up on YouTube. This album is due for a proper reissue I think.

4. The Walking Blues - James Carter Organ Trio, from "At the Crossroads"

https://www.discogs.com/James-Carter-Organ-Trio-At-The-Crossroads/release/6378736

I'm not nearly as familiar with James Carter as many of you here, but the bari solo on this tune grabbed me by the neck the very first time I listened to it, and never let go. Hoo boy!! I could listen to that ALL DAY.

5. Wabash Blues - Tomeka Reid Quartet, from "Old New"

https://www.discogs.com/Tomeka-Reid-Quartet-Old-New/release/14163018

I believe it was Hot Ptah who correctly ID'd the brilliant guitar work from Mary Halvorson on this track. She's one of the highlights of this disc for me, but the whole group is just killer. Definitely one of my favorite releases of the last several years.

6. Interplanetary Travelers - Sonny Simmons, from "Staying On the Watch"

https://www.discogs.com/Sonny-Simmons-Staying-On-The-Watch/release/6481696

A classic ESP session. Simmons, more and more, is a favorite musician of mine. And I have only heard a relatively small part of his discography at this point. And I was happy that JSngry specifically pointed out Barbara Donald's trumpet playing on this track as I think she is outstanding.

More to come shortly...I have to do this in stages as my schedule is a bit crazy at the moment...

[Dan Gould]

Well this is a pretty ironic  example of the "everybody will discover they own at least one track" BFT rule.

Who would guess I own that Tyrone Washington album?  And the only reason I bought it was that I recognized the name and thought some Big O friends would want to hear it.  The copy I picked up was still sealed and about $3 IIRC.  I know I sent a copy to Lon and I want to say I sent it to Sangrey too? Though I wouldn't be surprised if he got his own at some point. I think maybe I sent to Rooster too?  I just recall making multiple xeroxes when I had it in hand.

Edited June 1, 2020 by Dan Gould

[webbcity]

...continued from above...

7. Vista - Marion Brown, from "Vista"

https://www.discogs.com/Marion-Brown-Vista/release/518523

Have been on a bit of a Marion Brown kick lately. This particular one I remember getting especially because of Cowell's involvement, and because "Maimoun," one of my favorite SC tunes is on here. But the title track here is just absolutely beautiful, IMO.

8. All the Things You Are - Carmen McRae, from "Velvet Soul"

https://www.discogs.com/Carmen-McRae-Velvet-Soul/release/7532935

As I think I mentioned in a previous comment, Carmen McRae has come on to my radar big time over the last few years. Her sound, phrasing, everything about her just speaks to me in a way that not many vocalists do. This is certainly a lesser-known album of hers but I enjoy the hell out of it. 

9. Jitterbug Waltz - Stanley Cowell

https://www.discogs.com/Stanley-Cowell-Live-At-Maybeck-Recital-Hall/release/3949927

JSngry got this one! And yes, it's a bit over the top in terms of "trying to impress" I suppose, but to me this isn't just empty virtuosity. Cowell can back it up. One of my favorite piano players. I realized when putting this BFT together that I don't listen to this particular disc nearly as much as I should--it's fantastic. Other standouts on it for me are "I Am Waiting" and "Nefertiti."

10. Son of Alfalfa - Henry Grimes Trio, from "The Call"

https://www.discogs.com/Henry-Grimes-Trio-The-Call/release/1157366

I bought my first copy of this one in college, I was getting deeper into free jazz, had heard of the ESP label but had no idea yet who Grimes was. That photo of him on the cover seemed to look right through me and say "listen to this!" I spent many years after that listening to any recording of him that I could find, and eventually got to meet him, and help his wife Margaret with their web presence. Rest in peace, Henry.

11. Syltebo - Human Feel, from "Human Feel"

https://www.discogs.com/Human-Feel-Human-Feel/release/3696726

This is another very personal one. One of the few on this test that nobody was able to get. This was a young Boston-area group from 1989 called Human Feel, with a few people you may have heard of, like Chris Speed, Jim Black, and Andrew D'Angelo (not to forget Rick Peckham or John Silverman). I played this thing to death for a while. This track still makes my spine tingle. However-- good luck finding this CD. I don't even have it any more... the version I used here came from digitizing a cassette copy of the CD my brother used to own. If I came off a reasonably-priced used copy of this now, I'd snap it up without hesitation.

12. Judy's Bounce - Jemeel Moondoc, from "Judy's Bounce"

https://www.discogs.com/Jemeel-Moondoc-Trio-Judys-Bounce/release/1438920

Yes, the Ornette vibes are strong here. I have a couple of Moondoc records I really love and this is one of them. Have heard one or two that haven't hit the spot as well, but when he reaches me, he really reaches me. I've been meaning to investigate some more of his recordings and will likely do that soon!

13. Come Sunday - Cedar Walton

https://www.discogs.com/The-Cedar-Walton-Trio-Quartet-Quintet-Cedar/release/7320333

Just a great, great group on this record. I couldn't believe it when I saw a thread pop up here about this album just days before putting the BFT out. Oh well. I figured this one would have been one of the easier guesses anyway. I have a real soft spot for this album. "Twlight Waltz" on this (later known as "Midnight Waltz") is one of my favorite tracks ever. But I went with "Come Sunday" because I really like this arrangement.

14. Evod - Ari Brown

https://www.discogs.com/Ari-Brown-Live-At-The-Green-Mill/release/7126465

Ari Brown! The man! This one just hits all the right notes for me. I love the relentless groove and slow build of this tune. Actually just thinking about it now makes me want to listen again, I may give this disc a spin right now.

Thanks all! Glad to present this and was glad so many of you enjoyed it.

 

  On 6/1/2020 at 8:18 PM, Dan Gould said:

Well this is a pretty ironic  example of the "everybody will discover they own at least one track" BFT rule.

Who would guess I own that Tyrone Washington album?  And the only reason I bought it was that I recognized the name and thought some Big O friends would want to hear it.  The copy I picked up was still sealed and about $3 IIRC.  I know I sent a copy to Lon and I want to say I sent it to Sangrey too? Though I wouldn't be surprised if he got his own at some point. I think maybe I sent to Rooster too?  I just recall making multiple xeroxes when I had it in hand.

Expand  

Nice! And do you like it? I didn't see you comment on the BFT so I'm curious what you think of it...

[felser]

Love that cut by Shamie Royston, have never heard of her before.  Want to hear the rest of the album before plunking down my hard earned $15.

[webbcity]

  On 6/1/2020 at 10:14 PM, felser said:

Love that cut by Shamie Royston, have never heard of her before.  Want to hear the rest of the album before plunking down my hard earned $15.

Expand  

It's a really nice album. You can hear a couple of the tracks here: https://shamieroyston.bandcamp.com/album/beautiful-liar  ... and I'm sure the rest of the album is online somewhere.

[Hot Ptah]

Hey, I have the Stanley Cowell album and did not recognize him!

I have never heard of the artists on Tracks 1 and 11--thanks for introducing me to them.

I have often seen the albums by Sonny Simmons and Henry Grimes but never bought them. i will have to remedy that now.

But the real "must get" album for me from this BFT is the Tomeka Reid! I have already ordered it.

Thanks for a most enjoyable Blindfold Test.

[Dan Gould]

  On 6/1/2020 at 10:12 PM, webbcity said:

 

 

Nice! And do you like it? I didn't see you comment on the BFT so I'm curious what you think of it...

Expand  

Yeah, no, not a Tyrone fan. I just grabbed it because I figured it was obscure and possibly even quite rare and I figured there were friends on the board who'd be interested to hear it.

[Milestones]

Not very familiar with the artists represented.  Cedar Walton, certainly.  Richard Davis and Ricky Ford, both underrated players, definitely.  James Carter, a little bit.