Stanley Cowell - New World (1981) [vinyl]

This album was released in 1981 by Ohio jazz pianist Stanley Cowell, one of the founders of the prestigious label "Strata East". It has a similar style as heard on his previous albums, but with a slightly sharper feeling, but still quite easy listening. In its favour are the fine arrangements and solos. Firstly, he presents the only standard, the well-known Duke Ellington piece "Come Sunday" which comes off well. "Ask Him" has a sacred gospel type chorus; "Island Of Haitoo" where the sound of the mbira produces a calypso sound; and a replay of a tune from "Regeneration", "I'm Trying To Find A Way", the rhythm is fusion that will get you dancing. Followed by "El Space-O" with its killer bassline and a strange 'spacey' electric piano, and then finally rounded off with "Sienna: Welcome To This New World". Essentially an album with a lyrical, sophisticated, and lively touch of the piano makes this LP a feel-good outing, Enjoy! 

Galaxy Records, GXY 5131, 1981
Recorded November, 1978 At Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California 

Musicians:
Stanley Cowell - Piano, Electric Piano, Prepared Pianos, Kalimba,
Hammond Organ, Orchestra Chimes, Backing Vocals
Pat Patrick - Piccolo, Flute, Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone
Julian Priester - Alto, Tenor & Bass Trombones
Eddie Henderson - Trumpet, Electric Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Nate Rubin - Violin
Terry Adams - Cello
Cecil McBee - Bass
Roy Haynes - Drums
Kenneth Nash - Percussion
Judy Lacey - Vocals
Robert & Linda Mandolph - Vocals 

Tracks:
A1. Come Sunday {Duke Ellington} (8:39)
A2. Ask Him {Stanley Cowell, Cecil McBee} (4:45)
A3. Island Of Haitoo {Stanley Cowell, Scott} (4:13)
B1. I'm Trying To Find A Way {Stanley Cowell, Viki McLaughlin} (7:27)
B2. El Space-O {Stanley Cowell, Cecil McBee, Roy Haynes} (8:18)
B3. Sienna: Welcome To This New World {Stanley Cowell} (2:42) 

Total Time: 36:04

Credits:
Producer - Ed Michel
Engineer - Baker Bigsby
Assistant - Wally Buck
Mastering - George Horn
Art Direction & Design - Phil Carroll
Photography - Phil Bray 

Notes:
Arranger & Conductor - Stanley Cowell
Mixing & Mastering At Fantasy Studios, Berkeley 

A surprisingly righteous little album from Stanley Cowell - a set cut after his more famous music for the Strata East label, but one that still hangs onto a similar vibe! The style's a bit tighter than before, but still filled with soul and spirit - thanks to a lineup that includes Julian Priester on trombone, Eddie Henderson on trumpet, and Pat Patrick on reeds - making a key appearance here away from the Sun Ra Arkestra! Cowell plays both piano and keyboards, and the record has a bit of strings, and a bit of vocals - but all used tastefully, in ways that further enforce the depth of the tunes. Tracks include "El Space-O", "Ask Him", "Island Of Haitoo", and "I'm Tryin To Find A Way".  © Dusty Groove, Inc.

Marion Brown Quartet - Why Not? (1966) [vinyl]

Issued in 1968, Why Not? is Marion Brown's second outing for the ESP label as a leader. The saxophonist also guested on a Burton Greene date earlier that same year. Featuring pianist Stanley Cowell, Coltrane alumnus Rashied Ali (Coltrane had been dead less than a year at this time), and bassist Norris Sirone Jones, Brown reveals his great strengths as a composer and bandleader, which are matched by his abilities as a soloist. The opener, "La Sorella," features a gorgeous opening solo by Cowell. Using large and intricate chorded modal phrases, Cowell creates a virtual chromatic field for the rest of the rhythm section -- Jones, in particular, responds in kind with scintillating three-string figures that add a deeper series of conical figures for ballast. Brown enters just behind Ali in full cry on the alto. Using a Coltrane-esque song figure to respond to Cowell's stunningly beautiful foundation, Brown blows lean but long lines before a long solo by Jones cuts them all quiet. When the band enters, they are in prelude form, with spun-out piano lines ever in anticipation and Brown calling something out of the ether that never quite materializes, which is fine because on "Fortunata" it does: a ballad that develops into something wholly other without changing tempo. This is jazz as expressionism; it doesn't need to be "free" because it has been untethered from the opening bars. Brown's solo here lilts on the branches of Cowell's arresting, nearly Debussian chromatic figures that extend harmonic ranges almost without end. By the time the band gets to the title track, a free workout in a dizzying tempo, the listener is grounded enough in Brown's composed lyricism so as not to be surprised at all when the fury of the tempo is elongated by the temperance in tension the band creates. Finally, on "Homecoming," where the ballad begins to show its face once more, each member steps in to underline and deconstruct it by using contrapuntal lyricism as a contrast. Even Ali, one of the great powerhouse drummers, dances rather than sprints around the band, even in his lengthy solo. This is a phenomenal album, a place where Marion Brown got to reveal early on why he was such a formidable force: He understood the inherent importance of musical traditions and he also understood how imperative it was to them and to jazz to extend them in a manner that left their roots clearly visible. ~ Thom Jurek, AMG.

ESP-Disk, ESP 1040, 1968
Recorded 23^rd October, 1966 in New York City 

Musicians:
Marion Brown - Alto Saxophone
Stanley Cowell - Piano
Norris "Sirone" Jones - Bass
Rashied Ali - Drums 

Tracks:
A1. La Sorrella {Marion Brown} (11:28)
A2. Fortunato {Marion Brown} (8:33)
B1. Why Not? {Marion Brown} (6:56)
B2. Homecoming {Marion Brown} (10:15) 

Total Time: 37:12

Credits:
Recording Engineer - George Klabin
Cover Photo - Guy Kopelowicz
Cover Graphics - Boby Jerry

Stanley Cowell - Equipoise (1978) [vinyl]

Prior to recording this album as a leader, Stanley Cowell had mainly worked as an accompanist for other well-known artists such as Max Roach, Marion Brown, Sonny Rollins, JJ Johnson, Art Pepper and many others. In 1978 he assembled a trio with Cecil McBee on double bass and Roy Haynes on drums to release "Equipoise". On the program were four of his own compositions including the title track, as well as "Lady Blue" a composition by Cecil and "Dr Jackie" by Jackie McLean. On this album Cecil McBee makes his presence heard with a very rounded and resonant bass, especially showcased by his moving and poignant solo on "Lady Blue". In addition, heard in action is the masterful drumming of Roy Haynes particularly expressed on the faster tracks, such as "Dave's Chant" where he expounds his full potential. Cowell is one of those wonderful jazz pianists who isn’t a huge innovator, but has forged a distinctive style all of his own for many decades embodied in his expansive discography. “Equipoise” is a valuable example of his earlier work, an indication of a profound career to come, well recommended! 

Galaxy Records, GXY 4121, 1979
Recorded 28^th-30^th November, 1978 At Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California 

Musicians:
Stanley Cowell - Piano
Cecil McBee - Bass
Roy Haynes - Drums 

Tracks:
A1. Equipoise {Stanley Cowell} (4:46)
A2. Lady Blue {Cecil McBee} (4:19)
A3. Musa And Maimoun {Stanley Cowell} (9:09)
B1. Dr. Jackle {Jackie McLean} (3:14)
B2. November Mood {Stanley Cowell} (8:32)
B3. Dave's Chant {Stanley Cowell} (7:00) 

Total Time: 37:00

Credits:
Producer - Ed Michel
Engineer - Baker Bigsby
Engineer [Assistant] - Danny Kopelson, Wally Buck
Mastering - David Turner
Photography - Phil Bray
Art Direction - Phil Carroll
Design - Lucinda Cowell

Marion Brown - Vista (1975)

A strangely wonderful album from Marion Brown – quite different from his other work on Impulse, with a mellow electric edge that gives it a warm and laidback feel! The approach here is much more soulful than before – with finely crafted tunes that weave Brown's work on alto with electric piano by Anthony Davis and Stanley Cowell, percussion by Ed Blackwell and Jimmy Hopps, and bass by Reggie Workman. If you're expecting the angrier Brown from earlier years, you'll be disappointed - but if you're ready to hear a Brown that's gently crafting mellow lines in a soulful setting, then you're in for a treat. Tracks include Cowell's "Maimoun", Stevie Wonder's "Visions", Brown's "Vista", "Moment of Truth", "Bismillah 'Rrahimani' Rrahim", and "Djinji". ~ Dusty Groove, Inc.

Impulse! Records, AS-9304, 1975

Verve/Universal Music, UCCI-9288, 2015

Recorded 18^th (#2,3,6) & 19^th (#1,4,5) February, 1875 at Generation Sound, NYC

Musicians:

Marion Brown - Alto Saxophone (#1-6), Wind Chimes (#2)

Stanley Cowell - Piano (#1,5,6), Fender Rhodes (#2,3), Mbira (#1)

Anthony Davis - Piano (#2,3), Fender Rhodes (#1,4-6)

Bill Braynon - Celeste (#2,5) Electric Piano [RMI] (#3)

Reggie Workman - Bass (#1,3-6)

Jimmy Hopps - Drums (#1,3,4), Cymbals (#5)

Ed Blackwell - Drums (#6), Slit Drum, (#3)

Jose Goico - Congas (#1,3,4,6) Tambourine (#1), Finger Cymbals (#5)

Allen Murphy - Vocals (#2), Bells (#5)

Harold Budd - Celeste (#5), Gong (#5)

Tracks:

1. Maimoun {Stanley Cowell} (7:33)

2. Visions {Stevie Wonder} (5:40)

3. Vista {Marion Brown} (7:45)

4. Moment Of Truth {Bill Braynon} (4:37)

5. Bismillahi 'Rrahmani' Rrahim {Harold Budd} (6:02)

6. Djinji {Bill Braynon} (9:45)

Credits:

Producer - Ed Michel

Recording Engineer - Tony May (Generation Sound, NYC)

Mixing Engineer - Baker Bigsby

Photography - George Whiteman

Album Design - Tim Bryant

Disc Mastering - Kendun Recorders

Total Time: 41:22

Alto saxophonist Marion Brown is an under-sung hero of the jazz avant-garde. Committed to discovering the far-flung reaches of improvisational expression, Brown nonetheless is possessed of a truly lyrical voice but is largely ignored when discussions of free jazz of the '60s and '70s are concerned. ~ Thom Jurek, AMG.

Marion Brown - Three For Shepp (1966)

An unbelievable recording! As Archie Shepp made his first album for Impulse a tribute to Coltrane, Marion Brown made his a tribute to Shepp - a wonderful lineage of avant talent in the 60s, stated boldly here, given Brown's amazing talent on the record! The album's filled with hard, soulful playing that goes out, but never too far - like Shepp in his best sixties moments - and Brown's working with a great lineup of players that includes Grachan Moncur on trombone, Beaver Harris on drums, and Stanley Cowell on piano! The tunes include three Marion Brown originals on side one, plus three tracks by Shepp on side two. "Spooks" alone will leave you loving this album for years to come – and other tracks include "West India", "Delicado", "New Blue", and "Fortunato". A brilliant blend of 60s "new thing" playing and 70s underground jazz!  © Dusty Groove, Inc.

Impulse! Records, AS-9139, 1967

Universal Music, IMPD-269, 1998

Recorded 1^st December, 1966 At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ

Musicians:

Marion Brown - Alto Saxophone

Grachan Moncur III - Trombone

Dave Burrell - Piano (#1-3)

Stanley Cowell - Piano (#4-6)

Sirone - Bass

Beaver Harris - Drums (#1-3)

Bobby Capp - Drums (#4-6)

Tracks:

1. New Blue {Marion Brown} (5:12)

2. Fortunato {Marion Brown} (8:55)

3. The Shadow Knows {Marion Brown} (3:05)

4. Spooks {Archie Shepp} (4:33)

5. West India {Archie Shepp} (6:25)

6. Delicado {Archie Shepp} (6:39)

Credits:

Producer [Original] - Bob Thiele

Reissue Producer - Michael Cuscuna

Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Remastering - Erick Labson (MCA Studios)

Photography - Chuck Stewart

Art Direction - Hollis A. King

Graphic Design - Isabelle Wong

Liner Notes - Frank Kofsky

Total Time: 34:49

Marion Brown - Passion Flower (1978)

Marion Brown whilst alive was a desperately underappreciated jazz artist. He spent the bulk of his active musical life delving into a highly emotive and improvisational form of free and avant-garde jazz. He expounded a truly lyrical voice and on this rare album he showcases his great ability to also play rich expressions of straight-ahead compositions in a tribute to Johnny Hodges. Working alongside superb players such as pianist Stanley Cowell, bassist Reggie Workman and drummer Roy Haynes, Brown adds magical touches to beautiful tunes penned by Strayhorn, Hodges, Ellington and others. This is an album that can't not please any jazz enthusiast, Enjoy!

Baystate Records, BVCJ 1030, 1994

Recorded 3^rd July, 1978 At Sound Ideas Studio "C", New York

Musicians:

Marion Brown - Alto Saxophone

Stanley Cowell - Piano

Reggie Workman - Bass

Roy Haynes - Drums

Tracks:

1. Passion Flower {Billy Strayhorn} (4:53)

2. Smada {Billy Strayhorn} (8:52)

3. Prelude To A Kiss {Irving Gordon, Irving Mills, Duke Ellington} (2:22)

4. Spotted Dog {Johnny Hodges} (5:57)

5. Solitude {Duke Ellington, Eddie DeLange, Irving Mills} (13:00)

6. Day Dream {John Latouche, Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington} (7:41)

Credits:

Producer - Yoshio Ozawa

Co-Producer - Fumimaru Kawashima

Recording & Mixing Engineer - Jim McCurdy

Mastering Engineer - T. Kotetsu

Photos - Y. Yoneda

Design [Front Cover] - K. Iida

Design [Back Cover] - T. Aoyagi