Woody Herman And His Thundering Herd - Keep On Keepin' On (1968-1970)

After the period of the Young Thundering Herd (documented by Philips and Columbia) and prior to his projects for Fantasy, Woody Herman recorded three generally commercial albums for Cadet. Herman always believed in having his band stay updated and modern, and he supported his younger musicians in their quest to perform new and current music. His output for Cadet, however, was quite streaky, ranging from worthwhile new originals to covers of pop and rock tunes that sometimes sounded a bit awkward. This single CD from 1998 has six of the ten selections originally on Light My Fire, four of the ten tunes from Heavy Exposure, and three of the six numbers (plus a previously unreleased "The Indigenous Artifact") from 1970's Woody. Completists will want to search for the three earlier LPs but should be warned that they are quite erratic and often dated. Even in this best-of collection, there are some throwaways (such as "My Cherie Amour" and "Aquarius"), but the better selections ("Keep On Keepin' On" which has some heated Sal Nistico tenor; "Impressions of Strayhorn," and Alan Broadbent's massive everything-but-the-kitchen-sink reworking of "Blues In The Night") make the set overall better than expected. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Chess\GRP Records, GRD-818, 1998
Recorded October, 1968 - 30th October, 1970 in Chicago, Illinois 

Musicians:
Woody Herman - Clarinet, Alto, Soprano & Tenor Saxes
Gary Grant, Harry Hall, Sal Marquez, Rich Murphy, Nat Pavone - Trumpet
Tom Harrell, Tony Klatka - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Tom "Bones" Malone, Ira Nedus, Vincent Prudente, Henry Southall - Trombone
Steve Lederer, Frank Vicari, Frank Tiberi, Sal Nistico - Tenor Saxophone
Alan Gauvin, Jim Thomas - Baritone Saxophone
Donny Hathaway - Organ
John Hicks - Piano
Mick Goodrick, Phil Upchurch - Guitar
A'nt Idy Harper, Arthur Harper, Gene Perla - Bass
Ed Soph - Drums
Morris Jennings - Drums, Percussion
Marshall Thompson - Percussion 

Tracks:
01. Light My Fire {Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek, Bob Krieger, John Densmore} (3:37)
02. Keep On Keepin' On {Richard Evans} (4:19)
03. Impressions Of Strayhorn {Richard Evans} (3:27)
04. Pontieo {Edú Lobo, Capinan} (3:46)
05. I Say A Little Prayer {Burt Bacharach, Hal David} (3:35)
06. Hush { William "Mickey" Stevenson} (4:18)
07. My Cherie Amour {Stevie Wonder, Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy} (2:48)
08. Catch That Bird {Loonis McGlohon} (2:54)
09. I Can't Get Next To You {Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield} (2:57)
10. Aquarius {James Rado, Gerome Ragni, Gait MacDermot} (4:31)
11. Blues In The Night {Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen} (13:43)
12. A Time For Love {Paul Francis Webster, Johnny Mandel} (6:49)
13. Smiling Phases {Steve Winwood, James Capaldi, Chris Wood} (5:27)
14. The Indigenous Artifact {Alan Broadbent} (6:23) 

Total Time: 68:40 

Credits:
Producer [Original Albums] - Richard Evans
Reissue Producer - Orrin Keepnews
Digital Transfer, Audio Enhancement, Remastering - Erick Labson
A&R [Direction] - Steve Backer
Art Direction, Design - Hollis King, Kerosene Halo
Photography - Chuck Stewart
Liner Notes [Annotation] - Jack Tracy 

Notes:
#1-6 originally on Woody Herman - Light My Fire.
#7-10 originally on Woody Herman - Heavy Exposure.
#11-13 originally on Woody Herman - Woody.
#14 previously unissued. 

Light My Fire

Arthur Blythe - Blythe Byte (2001)

Alto saxophonist Arthur Blythe remains a reassuring exemplar of the rooted revolutionary. To be sure, he is less intent on pushing the musical envelope these days, but his aggressive tone and harmonic approach won't let the listener take him for granted. Working here in (and out of) a quartet setting, Blythe dances deftly between what we know and what he wants to show us. His primary collaborator on Blythe Byte is John Hicks, whose support on three duet outings is sympathetic and assured. Bassist Dwayne Dolphin and drummer Cecil Brooks III complete the ensemble. From the opening track, his own "Hardly," Blythe serves up his distinctive sound, redolent of R&B and the lingering spice of sophisticated harmony. Three Monk tunes add their own character to the mix. Hicks puts an elegant spin on "Blue Monk" (a quartet take) and "Light Blue," and gives "Ruby, My Dear" a similarly understated frame; this gives Blythe all the support he needs, as he focuses on melody throughout, working around the obvious rhythmic temptations. The title track is truly a gem, a 39-second unaccompanied rhapsody that is worth the price of admission. ~ Bill Bennett, JazzTimes.com. 

Savant Records, SCD 2036, 2001
Recorded 17th March, 2001 at Tedesco Recording Studios, Paramus, New Jersey 

Musicians:
Arthur Blythe - Alto Saxophone
John Hicks - Piano (#1-8,10)
Dwayne Dolphin - Bass (#1-3,5-7)
Cecil Brooks III - Drums (#1-3,5-7) 

Tracks:
01. Hardly {Arthur Blythe} (7:29)
02. Besamé Mucho {Sunny Skylar, Consuelo Velázquez} (5:47)
03. Blue Monk {Thelonious Monk} (6:09)
04. Light Blue {Arthur Blythe} (5:02)
05. And One {Dwayne Dolphin} (6:23)
06. My Little Brown Book {Billy Strayhorn} (6:15)
07. Naima {John Coltrane} (6:11)
08. Ruby My Dear {Thelonious Monk} (6:00)
09. Blythe Byte {Arthur Blythe} (0:43)
10. What A Friend We Have In Jesus {Charles C. Converse, Joseph Scriven} (4:29) 

Total Time: 54:33 

Credits:
Producer - Cecil Brooks III
Associate Producer - Arthur Blythe
Executive-Producer - Joe Fields
Engineer - David Baker
Engineer [Assistant] - Tom Tedesco
Mastering - John Arthur Lee
Design - Keiji Obata
Photography - Alan Nahigian 

Naima

Woody Herman - Light My Fire (1968) [vinyl]

Light my fire, indeed! Woody's been lighting fires for years. But his new torch lights up an infernal blaze of new colors and sounds. Swinging new fires are being lit by Woody's fresh "now" music every night as he searingly blasts through a heretofore perplexing membrane to reach the young generation. His forces have already emerged as the most fiery and communicative big band to light up thousands of students of the likes of Miami University, University of Oklahoma, and University of Toledo among other college and high school bastions of rock fever. They have not allowed Woody's band to get off the bandstand during dance-concerts - right through intermissions non-stop, even though established rock groups have been co-featured on the billings. Bear in mind, this album is not merely the result of enthusiastically-held desire of Woody, of Dick La Palm - Cadet executive who is Woody's close friend and fan, and of Richard Evans the talented, resourceful arranger of the album's tunes, but it is more vital that it is a true reflection of the incredible, volatile chemistry existing between Woody's "now thing" and the young people's "now thing". They all dig it! The amazing Woody Herman has another raging runaway gas of a band! So, get this fuming hot album and get lit up!! ~ Herg Wong, Liner Notes. 

Cadet Records, LPS-819, 1969
Chess Records, CRLS 4544, 1969
Recorded October, 1968 at Ter Mar Studios, Chicago, Illinois 

Musicians:
Woody Herman - Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone
Gary Grant, Henry Hall, James Bossert, Nat Pavone, Sal Marquez - Trumpet
Robert Burgess, Henry Southall, Vincent Prudente - Trombone
Frank Vicari, Sal Nistico, Steve Lederer, Thomas Boras - Reeds
John Hicks - Piano
Phil Upchurch - Guitar
Arthur Harper - Bass
Ed Soph - Drums
Morris Jennings - Percussion 

Tracks: [Details] 

A1. Ponteio {Edu Lobo, Capinam} (3:34)
Soloist: Frank Vicari - Tenor Saxophone
Soloist: Nat Pavone - Trumpet 

A2. Here I Am, Baby {Smokey Robinson} (3:48)
Soloist: Frank Vicari - Tenor Saxophone 

A3. Hard To Keep My Mind On You {Jake Holmes} (3:31)
Soloist: Woody Herman - Soprano Saxophone 

A4. MacArthur Park {Jim Webb} (8:33)
Soloist [Pt. 1]: Woody Herman - Alto Saxophone
Soloist [Pt. 1]: Robert Burgess - Trombone
Soloist [Pt. 2]: Henry Hall - Trumpet (1)
Soloist [Pt. 2]: Sal Marquez - Trumpet (2)
Soloist [Pt. 2]: Gary Grant - Trumpet (3)
Soloist [Pt. 2]: Nat Pavone - Trumpet (4)
Soloist [Pt. 2]: James Bossert - Trumpet (5)
Soloist [Pt. 2]: John Hicks - Piano
Soloist [Pt. 2]: Steve Lederer - Tenor Saxophone 

B1. Light My Fire {Jim Morrison, John Densmore, Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger} (3:34)
Soloist [1]: Sal Marquez - Trumpet
Soloist [2]: Henry Hall - Trumpet
Soloist: Robert Burgess - Trombone 

B2. I Say A Little Prayer {Burt Bacharach, Hal David} (3:31)
Soloist: Frank Vicari - Tenor Saxophone
Soloist: Henry Hall - Trumpet 

B3. Hush {William Stevenson} (4:14)
Soloist: Sal Nistico - Tenor Saxophone
Soloist: Henry Hall - Trumpet 

B4. For Love Of Ivy {Bob Russell, Quincy Jones} (3:33)
Soloist: Frank Vicari - Tenor Saxophone
Soloist: Gary Grant - Trumpet 

B5. Impression Of Strayhorn {Richard Evans} (3:23)
Soloist: Woody Herman - Clarinet, Alto Saxophone 

B6. Keep On Keepin' On {Richard Evans} (4:14)
Soloist: Sal Nistico - Tenor Saxophone
Soloist: Henry Hall - Trumpet 

Total Time: 41:55

Credits:
Producer, Arranger - Richard Evans
Recording Engineer - Stu Black
Supervisor [Album] - Dick LaPalm
Design [Album] - Hurvis, Binzer & Churchill
Photography [Cover] - Peter Coutroulis
Liner Notes - Herb Wong

Ricky Ford - Ricky's Choice (1999)

This is a compilation of tracks picked out by Ricky Ford from his releases on the Muse jazz label released between 1980 - 1984.

Ricky has certainly chosen some wonderful tracks for the compilation. Half the tunes are his own compositions, two from Wayne Shorter and the rest well-known Jazz standards. He is joined by a solid cast of players, that include some great horn players; Wallace Roney, Jimmy Knepper, Bobby Watson, James Spaulding, pianists; John Hicks, Albert Dailey, Kirk Lightsey, guitarist; Larry Coryell and bassists; Walter Booker, Ray Drummond, Rufus Reid with the perpetual drummer Jimmy Cobb as a mainstay. This CD is just pure entertainment, Enjoy!

#1,2 - Flying Colors - Muse Records [MR 5227] (1980)
#4,9,10 - Future's Gold - Muse [MR 5296] (1983)
#3,8 - Interpretations - Muse Records [MR 5275] (1982)
#6,7 - Shorter Ideas - Muse Records [MR 5314] (1984)
#5 - Tenor For The Times - Muse Records [MR 5250] (1981) 

32 Jazz, 32172, 1999 

Musicians:
Ricky Ford - Tenor Saxophone
Wallace Roney - Trumpet (#3)
Jimmy Knepper - Trombone (#6,7)
Bobby Watson - Alto Saxophone (#3)
James Spaulding - Alto Saxophone (#6,7)
John Hicks - Piano (#1,2,3,8)
Albert Dailey - Piano (#4,5,9,10)
Kirk Lightsey - Piano (#6,7)
Larry Coryell - Guitar (#4,9,10)
Walter Booker - Bass (#1,2,3,8)
Ray Drummond - Bass (#4,9,10)
Rufus Reid - Bass (#5,6,7)
Jimmy Cobb - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Jordanian Walk {Ricky Ford} (8:37)
02. Take The Coltrane {Duke Ellington} (4:42)
03. Interpretations Opus 5 {Ricky Ford} (7:08)
04. You Don't Know What Love Is {Gene DePaul, Don Raye} (6:07)
05. This Our Love [Esse Nosso Amor] {Ricky Ford} (7:31)
06. Yes Or No {Wayne Shorter} (5:41)
07. Miyako {Wayne Shorter} (4:51)
08. Moon Mist {Mercer Ellington} (5:43)
09. A-Flat Now {Ricky Ford} (4:40)
10. Samba De Caribe {Ricky Ford} (4:34) 

Total Time: 59:34

Notes:
See Tracks [Personnel].txt for further details.
Ripped to WAV > Trimmed > Optimised > FLAC

Arthur Blythe - Retroflection (1994)

Arthur Blythe, whose alto tone has been quite original ever since the start of his career, is joined by pianist John Hicks, bassist Cecil McBee, and drummer Bobby Battle on this superior quartet date from Enja. Blythe really stretches out on this "Live at the Village Vanguard" set, with six of the seven songs being over nine minutes long. "Jana's Delight" (which is based on a five-note pattern), "JB Blues," a remake of Blythe's "Lenox Avenue Breakdown," and one of the best versions ever of Thelonious Monk's "Light Blue" are the high points of the explorative program. Arthur Blythe fans are strongly advised to pick up this particularly strong effort. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.

Enja Records, ENJ-8046 2, 1994

Digitally Recorded 25^th & 26^th June, 1993 Live > Two-Track at The Village Vanguard, NY

Musicians:

Arthur Blythe - Alto Saxophone

John Hicks - Piano

Cecil McBee - Bass

Bobby Battle - Drums

Tracks:

1. Jana's Delight {Don Pullen} (9:17)

2. JB Blues {Arthur Blythe} (9:31)

3. Peacemaker {Cecil McBee} (5:55)

4. Light Blue {Thelonious Monk} (11:51)

5. Lenox Avenue Breakdown {Arthur Blythe} (11:12)

6. Faceless Woman {Arthur Blythe} (11:33)

7. Break Tune {Arthur Blythe} (9:21)

Credits:

Producer - Matthias Winckelmann

Recording Engineer - David Baker

Recording Engineer Assistant - K. Naito

Design [Cover] - Elisabeth Winckelmann

Photography - Gene Martin

Typography - Jürgen Hübner

Liner Notes - T. Brooks Shepard

Roy Hargrove - Approaching Standards (1994)

This compilation serves as a fine entrance point into Hargrove's work. The playing is measured and a fine representation of he the jazz played by the Young Lions of the early 90's. Hargrove would evolve and his sound would change. These 10 songs are the sound of promise, later albums would arguably deliver on that promise. This is a must have if you're interested in the early sound of Hargrove's ballads. ~ by Dave Rullo, AMG.

Here Is Beauty Pure And Simple

Every track is a delight, just put it on and let it go. It very beautifully showcases the trumpet as a jazz instrument and reaffirms Roy Hargrove as a main interpreter of the standards. This CD is a good introduction into jazz for anyone not yet acquainted. It is also one of my favorites to put on at night for go-to-sleep music. ~ Paul Phelps, Amazon.com

RCA/Novus Records, 01241 63178 2, 1994

Jazz Heritage, 513900W, 1995

Recorded December, 1989 to February, 1993
At BMG Studios & Clinton Recording, New York

Personnel:

Roy Hargrove - Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Frank Lacy - Trombone

Ran Blake - Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone

John Hicks - Piano

Stephen Scott - Piano

Christian McBride - Bass

Rodney Whitaker - Bass

Scott Colley - Bass

Al Foster - Drums

Billy Higgins - Drums

Gregory Hutchinson - Drums

Tracks:

01. Easy To Remember {Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers} (6:17)

02. Ruby My Dear {Thelonious Monk} (6:17)

03. Whisper Not {Benny Golson} (7:31)

04. What's New? {Johnny Burke, Bob Haggart} (5:10)

05. September In The Rain {Al Dubin, Harry Warren} (7:23)

06. You Don't Know What Love Is {Gene DePaul, Don Raye} (6:20)

07. End Of A Love Affair {Thelonious Monk} (8:05)

08. Things We Did Last Summer {Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne} (5:38)

09. Everything I Have Is Yours {Burton Lane, Harold Adamson}
/Dedicated To You {Sammy Cahn, Hy Zaret} (4:48)

10. My Shining Hour {Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer} (6:09)

Credits:

Producer - Larry Clothier

Mastering - Jimmy Nichols At BMG Studios, NYC

Photography - Ruedi Hofmann

Art Direction - Jacqueline Murphy

Design - Amy Wenzler

Roy Hargrove - Family (1995)

This well-rounded set not only features trumpeter Roy Hargrove with his mid-'90s quintet (tenor saxophonist Ron Blake, pianist Stephen Scott, bassist Rodney Whitaker, and drummer Gregory Hutchinson) but with two other rhythm sections and a few special guests. The first three selections (which includes the up-tempo blues "Brian's Bounce") are called "Trilogy" and dedicated to various family members. Hargrove shows off his warm tone on "The Nearness of You" (a ballads with strings album was in the near future), and other highlights include the lyrical "Pas de Trois," a duet by Hargrove and bassist Walter Booker on Larry Willis' "Ethiopia," and a driving version of "Firm Roots." A meeting between Hargrove and Wynton Marsalis on the bop standard "Nostalgia" is disappointingly tame, but otherwise this is a high-quality modern hard bop release. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.

Verve Records, 314 527 630-2, 1995

Recorded 26^th-29^th January, 1995 At Studio B, Clinton Recording Studios, NY

Musicians:

Roy Hargrove - Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Ron Blake - Soprano & Tenor Saxophones

Jesse Davis - Alto Saxophone

David "Fathead" Newman - Tenor Saxophone, Flute

Wynton Marsalis - Trumpet

Stephen Scott, John Hicks, Larry Willis, Ronnie Mathews - Piano

Troy Halderson - Synthesizer

Rodney Whitaker, Christian McBride, Walter Booker - Bass

Gregory Hutchinson, Lewis Nash, Jimmy Cobb, Karriem Riggins - Drums

Tracks:

01. Velera {Roy Hargrove} (2:22)

02. Roy Allen {Roy Hargrove} (3:48)

03. Brian's Bounce {Roy Hargrove} (4:56)

04. The Nearness Of You {Hoagy Carmichael, Ned Washington} (7:03)

05. Lament For Love {Ronnie Mathews} (4:01)

06. Another Level {Roy Hargrove} (6:23)

07. A Dream Of You {Christian McBride} (6:11)

08. Pas De Trois {Paul Arslanian} (8:39)

09. Polka Dots And Moonbeams {Johnny Burke, James Van Heusen} (5:36)

10. The Challenge {Roy Hargrove} (3:46)

11. Ethiopia {Larry Willis} (3:36)

12. Nostalgia {Fats Navarro} (6:00)

13. Thirteenth Floor {David "Fathead" Newman} (5:57)

14. Firm Roots {Cedar Walton} (6:51)

15. The Trial {Roy Hargrove} (3:38)

Credits:

Producer - Roy Hargrove, Larry Clothier

Executive Producer - Richard Seidel

Engineer - Troy Halderson

Editing, Engineer, Mastering, Sequencing - Ed Rak

Assistant - Mark Agostino, Jonathon Mooney

Photography - Jimmy Katz, Michael Lavine

Art Direction - David Lau

Art Direction, Design - Patricia Lie

May He Rest In Peace

Hicks/Williams/Hayes - On The Wings Of An Eagle

Power trio time! I've been doing a lot of Russian torrents lately and upgrading a whole mess of albums by my favorite artists. I used to favor mp3s for reasons I can no longer explain and so many, many things I had and sold or lost have needed replacement. In the course of looking for some Buster Williams titles, I came across this beauty. A really beautiful album and recording, thanks to the original sharer.

"The passing of pianist John Hicks in 2006 marks the loss of one of the quintessential New York pianists. And this, perhaps his last recording, is a stunning example of a fully developed bebop piano trio in flight.

Hicks gained the spotlight working with Art Blakey, Betty Carter and Woody Herman in the 1960s and '70s. He then migrated to avant-garde saxophonists Pharoah Sanders and David Murray before returning to the hard bop sounds of his Keystone Trio (with George Mraz and Idris Muhammad) and Power Trio (with Elvin Jones and Cecil McBee). In the 1990s he could also be found at the keyboard for the weekly gig of the Mingus Big Band. He recorded a string of CDs, dedicated to the likes of Mary Lou Williams, Sonny Clark, Errol Garner, Billy Strayhorn, and Earl Hines. None of these tribute discs would be mistaken for the honored player, as Hicks (to his credit) could never play with anything but his beautiful sound.

The recording On The Wings Of An Eagle is part of Chesky Records' ongoing New York Sessions series of single-point recordings that employ no overdubs, no signal path compression, no multi-tracking and no mixing desk. These audiophile discs playable on a regular CD player and, as an SACD, are the type of discs you take to a stereo component shop to test new speakers for reproduction of the seemingly live experience.

Paired with veterans Buster Williams and Louis Hayes, Hicks kicks off with the jaunty Gigi Gryce track "Minority, taken at near breakneck speed. The ease with which Hicks could maneuver his way around a keyboard is evident throughout and Buster Williams plays with his ever-present stoicism. Bebop flies its flag high on Dexter Gordon's "Cheese Cake and "As Birds Fly. The only track written by Hicks, "As Birds Fly is his dedication to Cedar Walton, his contemporary in swing and piano demeanor.

Two ballads penned by Williams, "Christina and "Stiver's Jewels are both meditative narratives with the bassist alternatively bending notes and walking us through some deeply felt moments. Sammy Cahn's "Dedicated To You showcases Hicks' ability to play just a handful of notes yet express a loving tribute to this classic song.

The choice of the seldom heard Thelonious Monk tune "Balues-Bolivar-Balues-Are is a chance for all three musicians to shine. After they state the theme, Williams propels a walking line over Hick's mimicking Monk-like jabbed strokes and Louis Hayes drops some smart bombs.

The pianist will be sorely missed, but he does leave us with a lengthy catalog of fine sessions to remember him by." Michael Corroto, AAJ

Carter Jefferson - The Rise of Atlantis (24/48 vinyl rip)

An new 24/48 rip with considerably improved results, at least I think so.

Carter Jefferson - The Rise of Atlantis
Timeless Muse 309, 1979

a-01 Why - 7:40 (Victor Lewis)
a-02 The Rise Of Atlantis - 6:55 (Carter Jefferson)
a-03 Wind Chimes - 7:25 (Clint Houston)

Carter Jefferson (ldr), Carter Jefferson (ss, ts), Terumasa Hino (t, fh), Harry Whitaker (p), Clint Houston (b), Victor Lewis (d), Steve Thornton (cga, per), Lani Groves (v) December 23, 1978

b-01 Changing Trains - 5:05 (Carter Jefferson)
b-02 Song For Gwen - 7:22 (Carter Jefferson)
b-03 Blues For Wood - 6:18 (Ronnie Mathews, Woody Shaw)

Carter Jefferson (ldr), Carter Jefferson (ss, ts), Shunzo Ono (t), John Hicks (p), Clint Houston (b), Victor Lewis (d) December 27, 1978

"Tenor saxophonist Carter Jefferson made somewhat of a name for himself when trumpeter Woody Shaw chose him as a member of his first working quintet. Shaw is the producer of this album, Jefferson's fine debut (and evidently only) recording as a leader. Taking a cue from Shaw, the saxophonist sticks essentially to a quintet of trumpet and sax backed by all-star rhythm sections. Three of the tracks include hard bop trumpeter Terumasa Hino while the other three feature little-known Japanese trumpeter Shunzo Ono. Most of the tunes are firmly in the school of hard bop, the sort of music that Woody Shaw played so well. While there is not any new ground broken, it is all performed competently enough. While not as emotionally charged as his work with Shaw, Jefferson impresses with a fluid, mobile attack that shows a solid grasp of his material. If the groups seem to be sometimes merely going through the motions, there are nonetheless enough fine moments to make this a worthwhile purchase. " AMG

WOW - How hard was this guy trying to be critical? How about this...when I first heard Bacoso's mp3 rip of this a few years ago I was immediately taken with the album so I was pretty tickled the day I found it in the stacks at Louisiana Music Factory. This is some fine post-bop listening and having Terumasa Hino on one side and Shunzo Ono on the other is interesting - they are more different than I realized. Clint Houston reminds me of all the reasons why I consider him to be so under-rated; he and Victor Lewis cook on this date. Far from lacking passion, Jefferson plays beautifully and the compositions are inventive and entertaining. If you enjoyed the Woody Shaw, Sonny Fortune or Bobby Hutcherson work of this era, then you will certainly enjoy this.

Archie Shepp - Black Ballads & Blue Ballads

Hmmmm....we don't seem to have spent any time here exploring the giant talent of Archie Shepp and I am more than a little stunned to have just now noticed this. REALLY?

I think a little journey into the Impulse recordings of Shepp AND Pharoah Sanders may be in the near future......

These two albums are such a logical pairing that I couldn't resist posting them together.

My first experience of Shepp was in the Impulse era and at that time I dismissed him quickly due to foolish prejudices and uneducated ears. Today I hear Ike Quebec and Ben Webster all over even his wildest work.

These two albums feature 2 entirely different, yet equally awesome awesome quartets, each is a deeply sensitive conversation over familiar and beloved ground. If you do not have these PLEASE don't pass them by.