Horace Tapscott Quintet - Unreleased 1969 Flying Dutchman Session

[colinmce]

Absolutely incredible archival release on the horizon

https://us.mrbongo.com/products/the-quintet-vinyl-lp-cd

This previously unreleased album by the Horace Tapscott Quintet was unearthed from master tapes in the Flying Dutchman archives. Recorded in 1969 and was intended to be a follow-up album to the classic 'The Giant Is Awakened' which was released that year.

The iconic pianist and composer Horace Tapscott was one of the most unique and important figures in LA’s jazz world. This lost recording was produced by one of the pivotal figures in jazz, Bob Thiele, a leading behind-the-scenes star who worked with many of the greats in jazz, such as Quincy Jones, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Della Reese, Shirley Scott, Gil Scott-Heron, the list goes on. His name can be seen gracing, arguably the best, Impulse! releases and those released on his own Flying Dutchman imprint set up in 1969.

Joining Horace for this three-track, deep, heavy, avant-garde session are the same stellar cast featured on 'The Giant Is Awakened'; Arthur Blythe on Alto Sax, Everett Brown Jr on Drums, with David Bryant and Walter Savage Jr. on Bass. Kicking things off we have 'World Peace’, which starts with an almost baroque-esque melody, leading to an eruption in sound, it then ends in the same manner it began. The beautiful 'Your Child' is the jewel in the crown, skirting modal, deep jazz and introducing elements of free jazz. 'For Fats' with its bow bass and piano intro takes you on a journey, dropping into, at times dark, stormy melodies and developing a driving energy as the composition progresses.

After recording this album, Horace was said to be wary of the music industry, so he retreated and distanced himself from this world, recording only for the independent labels UGMAA, Interplay Records, and Nimbus West Records. He set up The Pan-Afrikan People’s Arkestra and reintroduced the pan-African-roots sound back into the heart of jazz. He also developed and promoted the art form through performances and recordings.

Thankfully, this session from these wonderful musical pioneers was preserved and finally has its time to shine.

Featuring brand-new artwork by the illustrious artist/designer/musician Raimund Wong (Total Refreshment / Floating World Pictures).

[clifford_thornton]

yeah, the 12 minute track they shared is wonderful. I've been suffering a bit of new-product-burnout (especially vinyl) for a while but this will definitely be a must-grab. Some things just need to be heard.

[Rooster_Ties]

3 minutes ago, colinmce said:

The beautiful 'Your Child' is the jewel in the crown, skirting modal, deep jazz and introducing elements of free jazz.

…and here is “Your Child”:

 

[JSngry]

Whoa.. 

 

[danasgoodstuff]

1 hour ago, JSngry said:

Whoa.. 

 

Indeed

[jazzbo]

CD preordered here.

[dougcrates]

This is exciting.

[felser]

4 hours ago, clifford_thornton said:

 I've been suffering a bit of new-product-burnout (especially vinyl) for a while 

First world problem .  I do share the great enthusiasm for this release!  Wonder what else is sitting in the Flying Dutchman vaults...

[mhatta]

Nice! The Giant Is Awakened is one of my all-time bests, and Arthur Blythe really shines.  I hope this unissued session is the same caliber.

[Guy Berger]

HOT DAMN I can’t wait to hear this 

[romualdo]

oh yeah!!!

[soulpope]

Yessss ....

[jlhoots]

13 hours ago, jazzbo said:

CD preordered here.

Where did you preorder?

[ghost of miles]

Definitely in on this!

[jazzbo]

From bandcamp.

https://mrbongo.bandcamp.com/album/the-quintet

 

[felser]

Doe releases on that label nornally get picked up by the usual suspects (DustyGroove, Amazon, etc.)?

[jlhoots]

15 minutes ago, felser said:

Doe releases on that label nornally get picked up by the usual suspects (DustyGroove, Amazon, etc.)?

Good question. I've seen Mr. Bongo product on DG, but never any jazz. FWIW, this Tapscott is not currently listed there.

[Kevin Bresnahan]

I was all set to pre-order this... and I'm not talking about the music here... but what's with the audio on that video preview? Piano sounds rinky-dink and very recessed. The drum kit, particularly the cymbals, are way up in the mix. It does not sound much like a professional recording from 1969. Bob Thiele did this? Really?

[Rooster_Ties]

30 minutes ago, jlhoots said:

Good question. I've seen Mr. Bongo product on DG, but never any jazz. FWIW, this Tapscott is not currently listed there.

This seems to be a jazz release on Mr. Bongo, on the DG site…

https://www.dustygroove.com/search.php?sf=Mankunku

[clifford_thornton]

Mankunku is definitely jazz. 

DG does carry Mr. Bongo releases and will surely carry this one.

[sidewinder]

18 minutes ago, bresna said:

I was all set to pre-order this... and I'm not talking about the music here... but what's with the audio on that video preview? Piano sounds rinky-dink and very recessed. The drum kit, particularly the cymbals, are way up in the mix. It does not sound much like a professional recording from 1969. Bob Thiele did this? Really?

Listening to the sample track on Bandcamp, the piano sounds out of tune.

1 hour ago, felser said:

Doe releases on that label nornally get picked up by the usual suspects (DustyGroove, Amazon, etc.)?

They have also done the vinyl reissue of Ian Carr ‘Belladona’.

Edited June 16, 2022 by sidewinder

[clifford_thornton]

they also did a nice job reissuing Minoru Muraoka's "Bamboo" LP.

[John L]

Great news!  

[JSngry]

a lot/"lot" of Flying Dutchman records don't have the best sound.

[Dub Modal]

34 minutes ago, JSngry said:

a lot/"lot" of Flying Dutchman records don't have the best sound.

+1

Pretty consistent in the bad sound/good music category.