Multi-keyboard albums (sans horns, and no acoustic piano) — like Mal Waldron’s “The Call” (JAPO, 1971) and Roland Haynes “2nd Wave” (Black Jazz, 1975)

[Rooster_Ties]

Very specific, I realize. But these two albums have really been scratching an itch the last couple days — and I’m lookin’ for more.

In particular, parts of Mal’s The Call — specifically Jimmy Jackson’s organ playing — really reminds me of what Rick Wright added to the textures of some pre-Dark Side era Pink Floyd. That, plus all the static harmony, pedal-point bass playing, and semi-simplistic drumming (by jazz standards).

And the Roland Haynes record is really a delight too.

Other suggestions don’t absolutely have to be lacking horns — but I’m looking for REALLY “keyboard-forward” sounding stuff, where the two ‘non-piano’ keyboard players can really play off each other.

Probably not 50 other albums like these, but are there at least a few others??

 

ALSO, I’m thinking there could possibly even be some PROG albums (instrumental, or otherwise) that also scratch this same itch for me.

In fact, Mal’s The Call almost seems as much like a prog(!) album, as it is jazz.

Gosh, I sure wish Mal had done more on electric piano — did he ever touch the instrument again? The wikipedia entry for this album says it’s his only leader-date with a non-acoustic-piano keyboard.  Didn’t he do some stuff with Embryo, and maybe some of that was on e-piano or maybe Rhodes?

Edited August 17, 2023 by Rooster_Ties

[Niko]

"Giants of the Organ come together in concert" may not be what you are looking for... Some early Masabumi Kikuchi albums fit the bill w organ and electric piano but some saxophone, no guitar (going by memory: Poo Sun, Reconfirmation, In concert, maybe Collaboration)

Edited August 17, 2023 by Niko

[Rooster_Ties]

16 minutes ago, Niko said:

"Giants of the Organ come together in concert" may not be what you are looking for...

Correct — two B3-players wouldn’t scratch that itch for me — especially very traditional B3-type soul jazz.

I’m looking for one organ (at most) plus one or more other non-organ instruments, playing off each other — ‘in constant conversation’ so to speak.  But “no organ” is perfectly fine too.

The Roland Haynes doesn’t have any ‘organ’, at least none that I’m remembering aurally (the liners just say both players are on ‘keyboards’ is only how specific it gets).

Both the Haynes and Mal dates happen to be exactly two (2) keyboard players, plus bass and drums — so in both cases, the entire record is sort of the texture and timbre I’m looking for.

JOS and Joey DeFrancesco goin’ at it together probably wouldn’t be what I’m looking for. This isn’t about grease — it’s maybe even more a ‘proggy’ thing, almost (or partly so).

Active bass-playing, but with static harmonies also seems to be part of the sound I’m looking for. Not quite ‘busy’ — but sometimes, in combo with the drummer, the net effect might be described by some as ‘busy’ (or something that’s the opposite of ‘languid’).

Edited August 17, 2023 by Rooster_Ties

[Niko]

Those Kikuchi albums are something completely different though, you should give them a try, they're amazing.. In the Netherlands, there's the Rob Franken keyboard cycle / Third Eye which might fit the bill but I have never heard the music / never looked into where to find it...

[JSngry]

Les McCann, believe it or not?

 

[jlhoots]

I don't quite get the criteria - BUT what do I know??

[T.D.]

Since the "shred" version of this (which might actually be preferable) was recently posted on the forum, I have to be a smartass and throw in: 🤮

 

[T.D.]

I thought about Wolfgang Dauner...there's an album by Dauner and Masahiko Satoh that features piano, electric piano and electric harpsichord.

https://www.discogs.com/master/738733-Masahiko-Sato-And-Wolfgang-Dauner-Pianology

There's a Youtube video link on the discogs page. What I listened to was pretty cool, but I have got the impression it's mostly if not all (piano + electric instrument) rather than (electric piano + electric harpsichord).

 

Satoh's another possibility, but I can't think of anything offhand...

Side B of this might work, but good luck finding it.

Edited August 18, 2023 by T.D.

[Pim]

22 hours ago, Rooster_Ties said:

Very specific, I realize. But these two albums have really been scratching an itch the last couple days — and I’m lookin’ for more.

In particular, parts of Mal’s The Call — specifically Jimmy Jackson’s organ playing — really reminds me of what Rick Wright added to the textures of some pre-Dark Side era Pink Floyd. That, plus all the static harmony, pedal-point bass playing, and semi-simplistic drumming (by jazz standards).

Gosh, I sure wish Mal had done more on electric piano — did he ever touch the instrument again? The wikipedia entry for this album says it’s his only leader-date with a non-acoustic-piano keyboard.  Didn’t he do some stuff with Embryo, and maybe some of that was on e-piano or maybe Rhodes?

Mal played some more electric piano on this one:

https://www.discogs.com/release/752450-Embryo-Rocksession

pretty much in the style of The Call. Very nice record also with Jimmy Jackson. I’ve reviewed it here:

https://snake-out.blogspot.com/2021/05/1971-embryo-rocksession.html?m=1

equally as good is:

https://www.discogs.com/release/2689459-Embryo-3-Featuring-Jimmy-Jackson-Steig-Aus

I reviewed it here:

https://snake-out.blogspot.com/2021/05/1970-embryo-steig-aus.html?m=1
 

then finally there’s this one:

https://www.discogs.com/master/963637-Mal-Waldron-Candy-Girl
 

Mal is credited as composer only but I am 99.9 percent sure that Mals playing here. Or Frank Abel overdubs himself with the best Mal Waldron imitation I’ve ever heard. It’s a more funky album. Not essential but interesting to hear Mal in this setting:

https://snake-out.blogspot.com/2021/01/1974-candy-girl-12.html?m=1

 

Edited August 18, 2023 by Pim