Ron McClure Quintet - Descendants (1980)

Recorded in New York in July 1980. I participated in the work of Ron McClure, who was also with the Dave Liebman Quintet. Originally recorded for New Zealand's Ode Records, it was released by Ken Music when it was made into a CD. I read the liner notes, I couldn't find the word "Ode Records". Moreover, the album title has been changed from the original "Home Base" to "Descendants", and the jacket has been redesigned. What makes this CD great is that it has 2 more songs than the analog version, and the sound source was remixed in March 1990! I don't need analog records except for collectors. John Scofield has played a very notch performance over the whole volume, and it is by far the best guest participation work recorded in 1980. And Tom Harrell's flugelhorn is good! Maybe it's a synergistic effect, John Scofield and the trumpeter originally had a great compatibility, and Tom's play inspired him to play lively. ~ JohnScoMania, johnscomania.blog.com. 

Ken Music, 660-56-007, 1992
Recorded July, 1980 at Garden Studio, New York City 

Musicians:
Ron McClure - Acoustic Bass, Solo (#6)
Tom Harrell - Flugelhorn
John Scofield - Guitar
Mark Gray - Piano [Electric]
Jimmy Madison - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Boat People (8:37)
2. Dance Of The Scorpion (6:40)
3. Descendants (7:15)
4. Scorpitarius (8:46)
5. Line (5:32)
6. Life Isn't Everything (2:49)
7. Sunny Day (4:59)
8. The Calling (7:03)
9. M Street Shuffle (5:05) 

All compositions and arrangements by Ron McClure 

Total Time: 56:48 

Credits:
Producer, Liner Notes - Ron McClure
Executive Producer - Ken Fujiwara
Recording, Mixing, Editing & Remix - James H. Madison
Design & Edit - Peacock Pii 

Sunny Day

Joanne Brackeen - Where Legends Dwell (1992)

Jazz pianist Joanne Brackeen is not well known, so her unabashed confidence may seem brash or cocky to those unfamiliar with her music. But, at 53, Brackeen is in peak form, being compared favorably by critics to the great jazz pianists who came before her. In truth, she's merely a realist in touch with her own substantial abilities. Brackeen's newest recording, "Where Legends Dwell," released in February, has impressed critics. This reunion with bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Jack DeJohnette, which features 12 of her original tunes, earned a respectable 4 1/2 of a possible five stars in Downbeat. The jazz magazine also heaped praise on the re-issued "Special Identity," Brackeen's initial 1981 recording with Gomez and DeJohnette. Produced by Helen Keane, who also produced the late jazz pianist Bill Evans, "Where Legends Dwell" finds Brackeen running the gamut from McCoy Tyner-like percussive attacks to Cecil Taylor-ish free-form storms and more introspective, lyrical moments reminiscent of Evans. Brackeen wrote five of the songs in a whirlwind four-day artistic maelstrom, working on a tight deadline with her much-in-demand sidemen. She is pleased with the results. "Our energy level is in an amazing place, but it’s always been like that. If we never see each other for 10 years, when we get together it’s the same thing, very, very close, some kind of spiritual level," said Brackeen, who looks younger than her age and attributes her vitality to a daily two-hour regimen of martial arts. ~ Extract by Dirk Sutro, latimes.com. 

Ken Music, KEN-021, 1992
Recorded 3rd & 4th September, 1991 at Giant Sound, New York City 

Musicians:
Joanne Brackeen - Piano, Arranger
Eddie Gomez - Bass
Jack De Johnette - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Where Legends Dwell (6:31)
02. Oahu Lizard (6:48)
03. Picasso (8:43)
04. Helen Song (6:10)
05. Cosmic Ties And Mud Pies (2:47)
06. Doris And Anders (6:11)
07. Edgar Irving Poe (6:12)
08. For Stan (6:11)
09. Can This McBee? (5:09)
10. Asian Spell (7:10)
11. Jump In Jack (4:43)
12. How To Think Like A Millionaire (3:56) 

All Compositions by Joanne Brackeen 

Total Time: 70:24 

Credits:
Producer - Helen Keane
Executive-Producer - Ken Fujiwara
Recording - Malcolm Addey
Recording [Assistant] - Ron Allaire
Digital Mastering - Joe Brescio, Kevin Flynn
Photography [Cover] - Frank Lindner
Photography [Inside] - Lesley Peacock
Liner Notes - Gene Lees