Jeremy Steig Quartet - Flute On The Edge (2005)

Mellow and Melodious Steig
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In 1967 I had a conversation with another great flautist, Harold McNair, who recommended that I should listen to Jeremy Steig. A short time later, I saw Jeremy at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester, England, and that night he was the star of the show. In the 1960s, Jeremy Steig was the John Coltrane of flautists, in that he was introducing new sounds and techniques to jazz flute playing; not just vocalizing the notes that he played, but also overblowing to the third and fourth partials. This "Flute on the Edge" CD from 2005 is a more mellow, melodious Jeremy than the Jeremy Steig of the 60s and 70s. On this CD he actually plays through chord progressions, which I don't think he has done since "Flute Fever" and "What's New" with Bill Evans; he even plays a Latin tune. It is not as easy to overblow to the third and fourth partials when playing through chord progressions, it is much easier when playing "free", and therefore I do not detect much of this type of overblowing on this CD. Apart from the vocalize, Jeremy's playing here is much more conventional. The outstanding tracks on this CD are "Felonious Funk" a 24-bar blues in the key of F, and "You Don't Know What Love Is", in which Steig creates a tour de force from the complex chord progression. "Samba de Orfeo" is a refreshing rendition in that Steig is playing, for the first time, a universally recognized Latin-American piece. The opening track on the CD is "Mr. Go", which has a funky rhythm and an unusual construction. Other interesting tracks are "Moonscape", written by the guitarist Vic Juris; and "You`re My Thrill", the Billy Holliday song. Cameron Brown, who played with the brilliant George Adams/Don Pullen Quartet, and Anthony Pinciotti form a very solid, together, rhythm. This is a very enjoyable CD with, of course, some technically magnificent flute playing. ~ Amazon Customer, 5 Stars. [Translated from Japanese] 

Steig Music, 2005
Recorded August-September, 2005 

Musicians:
Jeremy Steig - Flute
Vic Juris - Guitar
Cameron Brown - Bass
Anthony Pinciotti - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Mr. Go {Jeremy Steig} (7:23)
2. Rancho Swampo {Jeremy Steig} (8:35)
3. You're My Thrill {Sidney Clare, Jay Gorney} (8:02)
4. Felonious Funk {Jeremy Steig} (7:03)
5. Moonscape {Vic Juris} (6:45)
6. Samba De Orfeo {Antônio Maria, Luiz Bonfá} (7:13)
7. People Dust {Jeremy Steig} (5:56)
8. You Don't Nnow What Love Is? {Don Raye, Gene de Paul} (8:05)
9. Elliott's Dilemma {Jeremy Steig} (5:28) 

Total Time: 64:30

Credits:
Engineer & Mastering - Manfred Knoop, Chris Sulit
Design - Abby Getman
Photography - Asako Steig

Felonious Funk

Link

Yoshiko Kishino - Nuage (2018)

This is approximately the 16th album by this fine female Japanese pianist. For this album she assembles a quintet, comprising of guitarist Shunji Takenaka, bassist Tetsuya Hayakawa, drummer Juasa Kanoh and percussionist Yoichi Okabe. Eight of the eleven songs are her original compositions with a European flavor and a classically trained sound. Unique to Yoshiko Kishino's world of jazz are pieces that reflect an absorbing lyricism and a flow of romanticism beautifully crafted alongside her fellow players. The remaining three tunes are cleverly arranged standards that Yoshio's quintet excel at in their presentation. Overall, a wonderfully entertaining addition to Kishino's extensive discography. 

Universal Music, POCS-1752, 2018 

Musicians:
Yoshiko Kishino - Piano
Shunji Takenaka - Guitar
Tetsuya Hayakawa - Double Bass
Juasa Kanoh - Drums
Yoichi Okabe - Percussion 

Tracks:
01. Nuage {Yoshiko Kishino} (6:13)
02. Kissing Piano {Yoshiko Kishino} (4:14)
03. Azur {Yoshiko Kishino} (6:41)
04. La Costa {Yoshiko Kishino} (7:18)
05. New Cinema Paradise [Love Theme] {Ennio Morricone} (7:28)
06. Somewhere Before {Yoshiko Kishino} (5:50)
07. Ocean {Yoshiko Kishino} (6:29)
08. My Favorite Things {Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II} (4:30)
09. Dance With Dinosaur {Yoshiko Kishino} (4:55)
10. Only Trust Your Heart {Benny Carter} (7:10)
11. Akari {Yoshiko Kishino} (3:24) 

Total Time: 64:12 

Somewhere Before

Jeremy Steig - This Is Jeremy Steig (1969) [vinyl]

Excellent heavy flute jazz, real proper rare-groove stuff. Next to Bobbi Humphrey I personally feel there is no finer rare-groove flautist than this guy. He can be a little psychedelic at times, but he always stays on the right side of avant-garde. Like Harold Alexander he also sings/shouts through the flute whilst playing it. I personally love this technique as it makes the flute sound really extreme, almost pushed too far, and you end up with these great distorted flute/vocals noises. A must own album if you like your funky jazzy stuff. ~ MH1000, RYM. 

Solid State Records, SS 18059, 1969

Musicians:
Jeremy Steig - Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo Flute, Bansuri
Warren Bernhardt - Electric Piano
Glen Moore - Bass, Electric Upright Bass
Donald MacDonald - Drums 

Tracks:
A1. Flute Diddley {Jeremy Steig} (6:43)
A2. Hang On To A Dream {Tim Hardin} (3:02)
A3. Teresa's Blues {Chris Hills} (11:00
B1. Don't Make Promises {Tim Hardin} (5:40)
B2. Rational Nonsense {Jeremy Steig} (7:44)
B3. Lenny's Tomb {Tim Hardin} (5:11)
B4. Insanity {Jeremy Steig} (0:58)
B5. Mac D {Jeremy Steig} (2:06) 

Total Time: 42:24 

Credits:
Producer - Sonny Lester
Engineer - Malcolm Addey
Art Direction - Frank Gauna 

Ripped from a well-loved piece of wax, but regardless of some obvious surface noise, this rare bit of vinyl is a choice insight into Jeremy Steig’s marvellous early musical career. He is joined by pianist Warren Bernhardt, bassist Glen Moore and drummer Donald MacDonald. The album features three compositions by folksinger Tim Hardin whom Steig had accompanied in 1966, including: 

Hang On To A Dream

Larry Willis - Steal Away (1992)

An unusual 1991 trio piece recorded by Larry Willis with Gary Bartz's alto saxophone and Cecil McBee's bass. Bart's earthy saxophone, Willis' beautiful grainy piano, and McBee's all-encompassing bass create a bluesy atmosphere. ~ ventoazul.shop-pro.jp. 

Larry plays solo on three tracks (#1,3,6), and is joined in a trio grouping by both Gary and Cecil on two (#2,4) and additionally Cecil joins him in a duo on another (#5). Larry contributes three of his own compositions (#1,3,5), Cecil also offers up another (#4) and the remaining two are well-known bluesy numbers. The title track "Steal Away" was popularised by singer Jimmy Hughes and "The Meaning Of The Blues" by revered jazz composer Bobby Troup. This is a pure analog recording. The tracks were recorded "live" direct to two-track! 

AudioQuest Music, AQ-CD1009, 1992
Sledgehammer Blues, 2-AQM-1009, 1992
Recorded 23rd & 24th December, 1991 at Mapleshade Studios, Upper Marlboro, Maryland 

Musicians:
Larry Willis - Piano [Steinway], Solo (#1,3,6)
Gary Bartz - Alto Saxophone (#2,4)
Cecil McBee - Bass (#2,4,5)

Tracks:
1. Valdosta Blues {Larry Willis} (6:25)
2. Steal Away {Traditional} (13:33)
3. Fallen Hero {Larry Willis} (3:15)
4. "D" Bass-ic Blues {Cecil McBee} (8:35)
5. Ethiopia {Larry Willis} (9:03)
6. The Meaning Of The Blues {Bobby Troup, Leah Worth} (6:41) 

Total Time: 47:34 

Credits:
Producer - Joe Harley
Recording Engineer - Pierre M. Sprey
Mastering Engineer - Bernie Grundman
Art Direction, Design - Hilary Weiss, Merlin Clarke
Cover - Joanna Ashe
Photography - Mark Kornbluth, Michael Wilderman
Liner Notes - Bill Kohlhaase 

Steal Away

Ed Kröger Quintett feat. Ignaz Dinné - Interplay (2008)

Ed Kröger is one of the more attention-grabbing trombonists on the German jazz scene; exercising his great prowess and energetic personality for a good 40 years. The register of musicians he has played with reads like a "Who’s Who" of European jazz. The compositions by Ed Kröger and tenorist Ignaz Dinné shape the individual sound of this working band, which is superbly documented on this CD. Vincent Bourgeyx, the band's pianist for five years, impresses with his great virtuosity and sensitive accompaniment, drummer Rick Hollander fires up the band's dynamics with his open and intense playing, while bassist Marcel Krömker holds the quintett together with his swinging bass lines and his sense of interaction. The album spans the genres of jazz, contemporary jazz and post-bop and with the added jazz standard here and there, alongside the groups own tunes, the overall package will truly entertain the most particular jazz aficionado, enjoy! 

Laika Records, 3510243.2, 2008
Recorded 7th & 8th April, 2008 at Fattoria Musica, Osnabrück, Germany 

Musicians:
Ed Kröger - Trombone
Ignaz Dinné - Alto Saxophone
Vincent Bourgeyx - Piano
Marcel Krömker - Bass
Rick Hollander - Drums

Tracks:
1. En Route {Ed Kröger} (5:57)
2. El Gaucho {Wayne Shorter} (8:06)
3. I Fall In Love Too Easily {Jule Styne} (5:10)
4. Interplay {Ed Kröger Quintett} (6:53)
5. The Next Level {Ignaz Dinné} (8:45)
6. Loose Fit {Ignaz Dinné} (6:52)
7. A Ghost Of A Chance {Victor Young} (7:39)
8. So Fresh {Ed Kröger} (6:47) 

Total Time: 56:12 

Credits:
Producer - Peter Cronemeyer
Recording Engineer - Stephan Van Wylick
Photo - Waltraut Steimke
Illustration - Lolo Dinné 

I Fall In Love Too Easily

Terje Rypdal - Waves (1978)

Terje Rypdal’s Waves (recorded 1977) announced the beginning of the Norwegian guitarist’s association with Danish trumpeter Palle Mikkelborg, which continues to this day. The album also introduced one of Terje’s most enduringly popular pieces, "Per Ulv." “Rypdal’s album is a series of sonic excursions ranging from the expressionist to the impressionist…" wrote Record World. "Rypdal’s guitar and Mikkelborg’s trumpet are well-matched, with Manfred Eicher’s typically superb production putting it all in focus." ~ ecmrecords.com. 

Waves is one of the stronger mid to late 70s Terje Rypdal albums. It starts off with the song Per Ulv which features the trumpet playing of Palle Mikkelborg. ECM stalwart Jon Christensen plays drums on this album. For that matter JC played drums for both Terje Rypdal and Jan Garbarek even before both joined ECM and he contributed to their ECM albums during the 70s and beyond. If you are a fan of Terje Rypdal and also other ECM artists such as Eberhard Weber, Jan Garbarek and Ralph Towner, then you will appreciate this album. ~ Scott Jones, AMG. 

ECM Records, 827 419-2, 1978
Recorded September, 1977 at Talent Studio, Oslo, Norway 

Musicians:
Terje Rypdal - Electric Guitar, RMI Keyboard Computer, ARP Synthesizer
Palle Mikkelborg - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, RMI, Tac Piano, Ringmodulator
Sveinung Hovensjø - 6 & 4 String Electric Basses
Jon Christensen - Drums, Percussion 

Tracks:
1. Per Ulv {Terje Rypdal} (8:37)
2. Karusell {Terje Rypdal} (8:12)
3. Stenskoven {Palle Mikkelborg} (3:49)
4. Waves {Terje Rypdal} (5:42)
5. The Dain Curse {Terje Rypdal} (8:45)
6. Charisma {Terje Rypdal} (6:15) 

Total Time: 41:22 

Credits:
Producer - Manfred Eicher
Engineer - Jan Erik Kongshaug
Cover Photo - Klaus Knaup
Layout Design - Barbara Wojirsch 

Stenskoven [Palle Mikkelborg]