BFT 252 discussion: a couple hours of musical enjoyment

[clifford_thornton]

Up now: https://thomkeith.net/blindfold-tests/2025-blindfold-tests/

I had fun compiling this. A couple tracks are from CDs and the rest are from vinyl -- hope the levels match up okay.

A few might be fairly easy guesses, but certainly some others bound to stump. And not all of it is free jazz!

and a hearty kudos to Thom Keith for hosting and generally operating this long Organissimo tradition.

Edited Saturday at 08:37 PM by clifford_thornton

[Dub Modal]

1 - Interesting build up. What's that quote at 2:30ish? Is a different arrangement of that tune developing? A little steam loss coming into the 4th minute but it picks back up going into the finish. Weird overall vibe but I'd guess the pianist as leader? No guesses beyond that. 

2 - Foreboding mood but then a sudden shift. That horn sounds like the leader. Is this JBL? Was not expecting this song to last so long when it started. 

3 - The horn made that intro. Glad they joined in there..but then kind of overstays the welcome. The bass ends up carrying this song. 

4 - These intros so far are some of the saddest music I've heard in a long time.., and I just got done watching that new Nosferatu movie. This bass could have elevated that soundtrack actually. Damn this is out there. 

5 - I like the sound contrast between the sax and the guitar. Their harmonizing is excellent. Great song. No idea who this is but will dart throw - Muriel Grossman? 

6 - Trumpet is aces. Band ends up showing out in a definitive groove. Would love someone to guess this one before the reveal. 

7 - Sounds like an older recording but has a timeless style. Another winner of a track.

8 -  Another older production as well it sounds like. No guesses 

9- this one wore me out 

10 - Burner of a song. Sax player is on fire. Live recording too. Awesome selection. 

11 - Has that mystic type of element that keeps things interesting. Lovely and surreal at the same time. Strong track. 

12 - Another interesting harmony between the horns here. Really good. Relentless and intense for sure. They are going at it. 

Hit publish before wrapping up with 13. Love this horn player. Band is excellent, strong song. Gets funky with that guitar. I dig. 

Thanks for the tunes 

Edited yesterday at 05:22 AM by Dub Modal

[T.D.]

Just time for brief scans right now, but liking this BFT a lot!

The brass passages and rhythmic pulse of #7 suggest Lester Bowie involvement, but that's my only vague thought so far. Hope to be back later.

[clifford_thornton]

Thanks for listening! No Bowie, JBL, or Muriel anywhere on this BFT but interesting guesses in any event!

And the pianist on #1 and reedist on #2 are indeed the leaders of those sessions.

[felser]

1 – this is a stunning version of “Caravan”.  Love the atmosphere and the percussion.  Must look into this further!  No guesses.

2 – Quite good once I got past the first two minutes.  Tenor solo is strong.  Bass playing is spectacular, and I assume it’s the bass player’s album.  William Parker?

3 -  Tenor player totally in my wheelhouse!  The bass player does go on but sounds good.  Third straight cut I am high on!  David Murray?  This could end up being a very expensive BFT for me if this stuff is available on CD!

4 – Alas, the streak ends here.  I couldn’t make it through this one (though I did spot check the duration), which does not feel like “jazz” to me, but rather some sort of modern European classical chamber music.  YMMV for other listeners, of course.

5 – Back on track.  Rhythm!  Melody!  Harmony!  Improvisation!  You know, jazz 😊!  Especially enjoying the drummer on this one, but the solos are strong, the guitar player has an attractive tone, it’s all good.  Don’t feel the need to own this like I do the first three cuts but look forward to the reveal.

6 – James Newton on flute?  It’s good, but not emotionally compelling.  I like the rhythm section behind the piano solo.  Feels like something Black Saint could have released in the 80’s or 90’s.

7 – Twin trumpets!  Though not really twin, they play very differently.   Everything seems to bog down partway through the piano solo.  To me, the cut overstays its welcome by several minutes, though the return to the theme at the end is quite welcome.  Overall, good cut.

8 -    A lot of strong bass playing on this BFT.   This is a strong cut, but did sort of fade into the background on me.

9 – Well, this one won’t fade into the background.    These sorts of cuts can go either way for me, but this one sort of grabs me.  I’m going to guess 60’s/70’s vintage, US Players on a French label (Such as BYG or America)? 

10 – All The Things You Are.  Sounds to be definitely vinyl-sourced.  Another strong cut.   Excellent tenor playing by what I’m sure will be a recognizable tenor for the hotshots on the board here who are beyond me.  Shades of Clifford Jordan to me.

11 -  Another vinyl-sourced track?  It’s interesting, but does seem to meander.  Again, guessing 60’s/70’s vintage.

12 – All the same thoughts as #11.  Man, these are some looonnnggg cuts!

13 – I’m all in for this one, almost back to the level of interest I had in the first three cuts.  Love the tenor player.  The cut does go on. But the players are all good.

Quite a fine BFT, really enjoyed it overall, and the only cut fully lost on me was #4.  Especially looking forward to the reveal on those first two tracks!  With tracks 3 and 13 in the next tier.

[clifford_thornton]

Fair point on the longer cuts. I tend to go for those in general -- a predilection, if you will -- but during the course of a BFT I suppose they can become a slog if you're not immediately grabbed.

#6 is a few decades older than the 1990s, though it does have a very advanced feel.

#2 is the reedist's album and WP is not on it. Surprised you did not dig #4 but YMMV indeed.

#9 was released on an American label and is very New York-centric, certainly of the era you surmise.

Glad you are enjoying some of it, anyway!