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.

Count Basie - Basie Rides Again

 I really must insist you read the album notes for a great overview of this album. These sides really display everything that made the Basie band so legendary.  We are also treated to some not-so-typical scenarios... 1) Basie directing w/ Oscar Peterson on piano and 2) Oscar Peterson on piano & Basie on organ.  Al Hibbler handles vocals which is another treat.  Overall a really fun time.

I spent top dollar on this US original, it's absolutely minty. This glorious mono recording is what hi-fi is all about and I challenge those of you with remasters to compare.  The dynamics of the full band are enough to bring tears of joy to my eyes.  The brass has such incredible impact - that true musical reach that punches you in the chest.This was ripped at 24/44.1 wav and dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC.  I hope it helps to shape your weekend... enjoy!!!

Hank Crawford - Help Me Make It Through The Night (1972) [vinyl>flac]

Help Me Make It Through the Night is one of those Hank Crawford albums: large band, many horns, funky chunky Hammond B-3, strings, and polyrhythms dropping all over the arrangements by Don Sebesky and company. This 1972 set by Crawford is an exemplary portrait of his movin' and groovin' style. With the help of Sebesky and Pee Wee Ellis, Crawford provides the deep groove side of his work without reservation. Jazz takes a back seat as the R&B pours forth all sweaty, greasy, and dripping with a raw, honeylike sweetness. With cats like Airto, Eric Gale, Cornell Dupree, Grover Washington, Jr., Pepper Adams, Snooky Young, and Richard Tee in the house, a masterful groove session was to be expected. Listeners get their money's worth after the opener, which is the title track. With the Junior Walker stinging alto countered by the Hammond, the mess is loose and the vibe is pure downtown. Other cuts such as "Imagine," "Go Away Little Girl," "Brian's Song" -- perfect string arrangement by Sebesky -- and "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning" make this a date of some of the most stellar covers Crawford ever cut. There are no extra notes, but there are plenty of extra beats; the improvisation is red hot, but the strings and supporting rhythm section are out of this world. Help Me Make It Through the Night is indeed one of those Crawford records. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi

Kudu Records, KU-06, 1972

Recorded January 1972, except #B3 August 1971 at Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliff, New Jersey

Personnel:

Hank Crawford - Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone (#B3)

Grover Washington, Jr. - Tenor Saxophone (#B3)

Pepper Adams - Baritone Saxophone (#B3)

Al DeRisi, Eugene "Snooky" Young - Trumpet (#B3)

Wayne Andre - Trombone (#B3)

Richard Tee - Organ (#A1,A4,B3,B4), Piano (#A2,A3), El-Piano (#B1,B2)

Phil Kraus - Vibraphone (#A1,A4,B1)

Cornell Dupree - Electric Guitar

Eric Gale - Electric Guitar (#B3)

Ron Carter - Bass (#A2-A4,B1,B2,B4), Electric Bass (#A1,B3)

Bernard Purdie - Drums

Idris Muhammad - Drums (#B3)

Airto Moreira - Percussion (#B3)

Strings Section [All Tracks, except #B3]:

Bernard Eichen, Felix Giglio, Emanuel Green,
Harold Kohon, Harry Lookofsky, Joe Malin,

Gene Orloff, Max Polikoff, Elliot Rosoff - Violin

Alfred Brown, Theodore Israel, Emanuel Vardi - Viola

Charles McCracken, George Ricci - Cello

Margaret Ross - Harp

Track Listing:

A1. Help Me Make It Through The Night {Kris Kristofferson} (5:53)

A2. Brian's Song {Michel Legrand} (3:24)

A3. Uncle Funky {Hank Crawford} (5:36)

A4. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning {Bob Hilliard, Redd Evans} (2:51)

B1. Go Away Little Girl {Gerry Goffin, Carole King} (4:21)

B2. Imagine {John Lennon} (4:07)

B3: Ham {Alfred Ellis} (3:09)

B4. The Sun Died {Ann Grégory, Hubert Giraud, Pierre Delanoë, Ray Charles} (4:09)

Credits:

Producer - Creed Taylor

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Arranger - Don Sebesky, Pee Wee Ellis (#B3)

Album Design - Bob Ciano

Photography - William Cadge

The Bill Perkins Quartet - Journey To The East (1984) [vinyl]

For some strange reason, this doesn't appear to have had a CD reissue.

Review by Scott Yanow
Bill Perkins, a West Coast jazz legend, evolved from a cool-toned tenor into a John Coltrane-inspired player who did not lose his original musical personality. For this fine effort (not yet reissued on CD), Perkins is joined by pianist Frank Strazzeri, bassist Joel Di Bartolo and drummer Peter Donald for seven standards, two Strazzeri songs and one by Alan Broadbent. Perkins uses a saxophone-synthesizer interface that he invented on a few numbers to make the ensembles fuller, but he mostly plays his solos on a regular tenor and flute. Highlights include an emotional version of Billy Strayhorn's "Blood Count," "I'm an Old Cowhand," "'Tis Autumn" and "Invitation." One of Bill Perkins' better sessions.

1. From The Hip
2. Blood Count
3. I'm An Old Cowhand
4. Mendocino Nights
5. Moose The Mooche
6. Journey To The East
7. 'Tis Autumn
8. Invitation
9. You Must Believe In Spring
10. All Through The Night

Bill Perkins (tenor saxophone, flute) Frank Strazzeri (piano) Joel Di Bartolo (bass) Peter Donald (drums)
Granada Hills, CA, November 19, 20 & 21, 1984
[Contemporary 14011]

Gary Giddins' Post-War Jazz: An Arbitrary Road Map, 1986 - 1993

Gary Giddins' Post-War Jazz: An Arbitrary Road Map, 1986 - 1993 by Kingcake on Mixcloud

Randy Weston Sextet - Monterey '66

Recorded in Monterey, California. The Monterey Jazz Festival of 1966. "I think this is the best band I've ever had. We were together almost 3 years. It was Booker Ervin on tenor saxophone, Ray Copeland on trumpet; Bill Wood was on bass; Lenny McBrowne on drums, and Big Black on congas. It was very difficult for us to be recorded because it was a very strong African message. I'm talking about around maybe 1963, '64, '65 during that period. So it was hard for us to get gigs, you know. And so finally, our last appearance together was at the Monterey Jazz Festival, the same night as Duke Ellington, the same night as Carmen McRae. So you know we had to play strong. And it was an incredible band because number one, we had Booker Ervin. Booker Ervin, for me, was on the same level as John Coltrane. He was a completely original saxophonist. I don't know anybody who played like Booker. But Booker, he was very sensitive, very quiet-not the sort of guy to push himself or talk about himself. You know what happens with Black artists-they (the industry) can never let too many come out at the same time. There was a big emphasis on Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane. And everybody was into Coltrane but meanwhile Booker Ervin was kind of left out. He was a master saxophonist, and the song I wrote for my mother, Portrait of Vivian, only he could play it; nobody else could play that song.

In fact, the African Cookbook, which I composed back in the early 60's, was partly named after Booker because we (musicians) used to call him "Book," and we would say, "Cook, Book." Sometimes when he was playing we'd shout, "Cook, Book, cook." And the melody of African Cookbook was based upon Booker Ervin's sound, a sound like the north of Africa. He would kind of take those notes and make them weave hypnotically. So, actually the African Cookbook was influenced by Booker Ervin. By the way. Ervin was from Texas and he had the typical big sound from Texas. I don't know why, but for some reason many great tenor saxophonists come from Texas and they have all got this big sound. For instance, Billy Harper is from Texas, Dexter Gordon, Frank Haynes. I could go on and on and on....Randy Weston

Stanley Black and His Orchestra - Place Pigalle (1957)

As ‘Monty Python’ would say “And Now For Something Completely Different”.

As a young boy my parents would often play this album around the home. Upon hearing again today it brings back fond memories of the joy and happiness that it brought to the atmosphere and wellbeing of our family. My mother as an Australian in particular was fascinated by French culture and longed to experience for herself the richness of Parisian life. Fortunately this dream became a reality with an overseas trip in later years. Up until that time she would immerse herself in this wonderful LP and attend to her daily chores.

For the majority of Britons, Stanley Black (1913-2002) needs no introduction. He goes down in their annals as one of their most talented and prestigious pianists, composers, conductors and arrangers of classical music and orchestral jazz. He wrote and arranged many film scores and recorded prolifically for the Decca and London labels. Beginning with jazz collaborations with American musicians such as Coleman Hawkins and Benny Carter during the 1930s, he moved into arranging and recording in the Latin American style and also won awards for his classical conducting. He received for his dedication and contribution s to music an OBE. He was made a life fellow of the Institute of Arts and Letters, and life president of the Celebrities Guild of Great Britain. So it is fitting that something of his legacy can be shared here. Enjoy!

Decca Records, LK 4212, 1957

Track Listing:

A1. Dominó {Ferari} (2:00)

A2. Why Do You Pass Me By {Trenet, Hess} (2:45)

A3. At Last! At Last! {Miles, Trenet} (2:45)

A4. Autumn Leaves {Kosma} (2:48)

A5. C'est Si Bon {Betti, Hornez, Seelen} (2:37)

A6. La Mer [The Sea] {Trenet} (4:08)

B1. Waltz Of Paree {Gerard, Dreajac} (2:15)

B2. Chez-Moi {Misraki} (2:45)

B3. Boom! {Trenet} (2:22)

B4. Mademoiselle {Durand} (2:49)

B5. When The World Was Young {Vannier, Philippe, Gerard} (2:53)

B6. Au Revoir {Olivieri, Poterat, Sosenko} (2:26)

Makin' Whoopee - Sex & the Tenor Saxophone

Lord knows this isn't by any means an original idea, but in my defense I put this one together 15 or 20 years ago. I checked around for covers and discovered that many commercial and private collections used the same theme, but none of them had an even remotely similar playlist. Frankly I think mine's a lot better than any of them. I focused first on the sound of the horn, then on actual songs. Oddly enough, a sort by artist first name yielded a listening experience that was so good, I wasn't tempted to screw with it.

Makin' Whoopee - Sex & the Tenor Saxophone by Kingcake on Mixcloud

 

 

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

Bill Barron Quartet - Live At Cobi's, Vol. 2 (1985)

As indicated in the previous post, Bill Barron in two distinct quartet formations was recorded ‘Live at Cobi’s’ during the mid to late eighties and made available through SteepleChase Records as two volumes. This is the 2^nd of the two. However, it must be noted that the music found here was recorded earlier and released a year later than the first. In some ways the best was kept till last. Bill is joined by his very talented brother Kenny on piano; Santi Debriano is replaced by the master bassist Cecil McBee whilst Ben Riley maintains his position on drums. Straight away the listener is swept along by the exuberant synergy developed by the brothers’ years of interaction. Kenny’s playing flows beautifully alongside his brother’ soloing. Equally Cecil and Ben offer a solid backing for this wonderful quartet. For this date the majority of the tunes were penned by Bill with one by Kenny and like before two additional well-known standards are showcased. On ‘Tragic Magic’ Bill swaps to soprano, but for the rest of the tracks he is featured on tenor. Any way as before Enjoy!

SteepleChase Records, SCCD 31596, 2006

Recorded 5^th October, 1985 at Cobi's, New York City

Personnel:

Bill Barron - Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax (#5)

Kenny Barron - Piano

Cecil McBee - Bass

Ben Riley - Drums

Track Listing:

1. September 1979 {Bill Barron} (11:22)

2. Spring Thing {Bill Barron} (15:37)

3. What's New? {Bob Haggart, Johnny Burke} (8:50)

4. Interpretation {Bill Barron} (14:57)

5. Tragic Magic {Kenny Barron} (8:23)

6. Cherokee {Ray Noble} (11:18)

Credits:

Producer, Mastering, Restoration, Photography - Nils Winther

Mal Waldron - Manfred Schoof

This is a gorgeous album delivered by an exemplary quintet of jazz pros.  In some ways, on paper anyhow, they almost seem incompatible.  I liken this album and grouping to Benny Bailey's SABA release: Soul Eyes.  What we end up getting is a highly capable group who can take the music to both likely and unlikely destinations.

As we listen, we find out that what really makes this quintet tick - their incredible sensitivity.  It's what allows the music it's interesting flavour, at least as much as their collective talents on their respective axes.

Sonically, this recording is beautiful and the album itself is super minty.  Some of you may have this already as an Enja release.  For those who don't, don't miss it.  This is really adventurous music which never gets boring OR pretentious.  Ripped at 24/96 and dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC... enjoy!!!

Horace Silver - Live 1964 & The Natives Are Restless

Well Grumpy's post of a Silveto album got me looking back through the archives and it has been quite some time since I dragged these gold nuggets out of my stash bag. For me, the discovery of these albums was some kind of jazz wet dream. One of my personal fave periods with monsters everywhere and all captured really well and live....GASP!

All the old guard here at the Crypt will already have these of course, but maybe some new friend will have the same kind of knee buckling experience that WE had back we first heard this stuff. The view into what it was like to hear these wonderful bands in the club is like a magical Way-Back Machine opportunity not to missed!

Gary Giddins' Post-War Jazz: An Arbitrary Road Map, 1977 - 1985

Gary Giddins' Post-War Jazz: An Arbitrary Road Map, 1977 - 1985 by Kingcake on Mixcloud

Cecil Payne - Brookfield Andante (1966) [vinyl>flac]

New link now available. Never reissued on CD.

Review by Michael Shera, Jazz Journal, September, 1972:

With the exception of Harry Carney, Cecil Payne probably has a longer pedigree on his instrument than anyone else currently playing. He's paid his dues, and its about time he got some of the recognition. Although he was one of the stars of Dizzy Gillespie's pioneering big band of the forties, he was largely overshadowed as a soloist on his instrument by the brilliance of Serg Chaloff (and I certainly wouldn't care to argue that Cecil was better than Serge). By the early fifties, however, Gerry Mulligan became such a big name (and with such a small talent) that Cecil became almost forgotten. His fans had to be content with occasional, highly treasured records. The early sixties were little better, though a couple of fine Cecil items were issued on the cheap Egmont label ('Plays Bird' and 'Music from The Connection"). In recent years, Cecil has visited these shores [UK] four times, as a single act and with the Herman, Gillespie and Basie bands. The first occasion was in 1966, when during a brief, ill-publicised tour this music was recorded by a local enthusiast, and is now issued only through the persistence of Mark Gardner and Tony Williams. Recording quality is very fair, though the bass is under-recorded and the piano could have done with the attention of a tuner. These minor blemishes aside, there is little doubt in my mind that the album contains the best of Cecil's work by far to be issued to date. Despite the shortest track being over nine minutes, Cecil has no problems producing a series of exciting and melodically interesting ideas which hold the listener's rapt attention. The rhythm section swings hard, with pianist Joe Palin also soloing well. The Opener starts a little slowly, but soon Payne is cooking on this up-tempo riff tune. Brookfield Andante is a beautiful waltz with an engaging melodic line and some of the most lyrical work Cecil has ever put down. Azoff Blues is a superb fast bebop blues, with long and inventive solos by all four members of the group. Sterling Place, another delightful composition by Payne, was originally written for the score of The Connection, and has more virile and melodically strong playing by the leader.
I can end only by urging everyone to rush out and buy this album immediately, and by fervently concurring with annotator Mark Gardner that since this album has been issued ten years after his last one, let's hope we don't have to wait another ten years for the next!

[NB I do not concur with the opinion of Mulligan, expressed by Shera!]

1. The Opener
2. Brookfield Andante
3. Azoff Blues
4. Sterling Place

Cecil Payne (bs) Joe Palin (p) Alan Cooper (b) Ron Parry (d)
Club 43, Manchester, England, November 5, 1966.
(Spollite CP2)

Bill Barron Quartet - Live At Cobi's, Vol. 1 (1987-88)

After studying Bill Barron’s discography, I realised I still hadn’t heard the sets he performed ‘Live at Cobi’s’ recorded between 1985 and 1988 and  released on CD nearly two decades later as two volumes by SteepleChase records. Any way the good news is here we have the first one with the second to follow. Bill’s playing on this date is outstanding; his quartet here is a very tight unit; with Fred Simmons on piano, Santi Debriano on bass and Ben Riley on drums. All players step up to the mark in supporting Bill’s excellent musicianship and lyricism. There is plenty of room for all to display their individual talents with the solos beautifully integrated into the tunes. Most of the compositions are written by Bill and few by his brother Kenny, the remainder being a couple of well-known standards. I ripped the disc to wav reassembling all tracks carefully removing where possible any excessive applause. Overall, if you are a Bill Barron fan like me you will want to have this in your collection. Enjoy!

SteepleChase Records, SCCD 31570, 2005

Recorded 24^th October, 1987 - 4^th March, 1988 at Cobi's, New York

Personnel:

Bill Barron - Tenor Saxophone

Fred Simmons - Piano

Santi Debriano - Bass

Ben Riley - Drums

Track Listing:

1. This One's For Monk {Bill Barron} (13:00)

2. Easy Does It {Bill Barron} (12:15)

3. Confirmation {Charlie Parker} (10:54)

4. Row House {Kenny Barron} (9:44)

5. Angel Eyes {Matt Dennis} (5:52)

6. Voyage {Kenny Barron} (8:40)

7. Until Further Notice {Bill Barron} (9:18)

Credits:

Producer, Mastering, Restoration, Photography - Nils Winther

Gary Giddins' Post-War Jazz: An Arbitrary Road Map, 1968-1976

In part 3 I find myself disagreeing with Giddens' choices far more often than I'd agree. There is a lot of material in this one that is farther 'out' than my tastes, I find it a difficult listen, primarily due to the Cecil Taylor, and The Revolutionary Ensemble.

I would personally take issue with Giddens near disregard of the rich spiritual jazz and soul jazz traditions of this era in favor of an overemphasis on the avant garde. Only the excellent Art Ensemble of Chicago track even nods in that direction. 

Gary Giddins' Post-War Jazz: An Arbitrary Road Map, 1968-1976 by Kingcake on Mixcloud

Harold Land - Choma (Burn) (1972) [vinyl]

The oddest of the Hutcherson-Land albums, at times driving mainstream post-bop, as expected, at times 70s jazz-funk fusion, perhaps the influence of Land's son? Personally I'd have preferred more subtlety and indeed suppleness from the drumming but overall there's much to enjoy here if, like me, your a devotee of these two.

1. Choma (Burn)
2. Our Home
3. Black Caucus
4. Up And Down

Harold Land (ts,fl) Bobby Hutcherson (vb, marimba) Bill Henderson, Harold Land, Jr. (p,el-p) Reggie Johnson (b) N'Dugu, Woody Theus(d)
1971

Gary Giddins' Post-War Jazz: An Arbitrary Road Map, 1960-1967

Hmmmm, Well, maybe THIS part will spark some debate...I guess everyone is okay with Giddin's choices 1944-59? If you take a look at his accompanying essay in the Village Voice, you will see that he expected these picks to be challenged and that he has written a defense, if you will, of each track.

Gary Giddins' Post-War Jazz: An Arbitrary Road Map, 1960-1967 by Kingcake on Mixcloud

Gary Giddins' Post-War Jazz: An Arbitrary Road Map, 1944-1959

The beginning of an entirely subjective list of year by year significant jazz tunes - an invitation to debate! 

Here's Gidden's article about the list and it's suggestions

Robert Christgau's review:
" Postwar Jazz: An Arbitrary Roadmap [no label/Weatherbird, 2003] Gary Giddins Jazz, I call it. Not officially for sale and never will be, permissions being the slough of greed, vanity, and indifference they are. But available on the Net to those as know how, I am assured by one of the two nuts of my acquaintance who copied, borrowed, ripped, and otherwise purloined a six-CDR set comprising the 1945-2001 choice cuts our greatest jazz critic annotated for the June 11, 2002, Voice. Beyond the cross-generational ecumenicism Giddins champions--the assumption that jazz musicians are artists for life, so that a supernally lucid summation by 78-year-old Benny Carter takes the 1985 prize--is a music in which intellection harnesses energy and feeling and rides them hard toward the horizon. The selections are sometimes too avant for my tastes, and insufficiently electric (Craig Harris over Blood Ulmer in 1983?!); I wouldn't agree they're all "great records." But the vast majority come close enough. Among the artists I'd never have believed could dazzle me like this are Art Pepper, Gil Evans, Tommy Flanagan, Stan Getz, George Russell, and, I admit it, Sarah Vaughan. Why had I barely heard of Sonny Criss? How the fuck did I miss "Little Rootie Tootie"? A+"

Gary Giddins' Post-War Jazz: An Arbitrary Road Map, 1944-1959, by Kingcake on Mixcloud

Jaki Byard - Out Front

"Out Front is one of my favorite Jaki Byard albums, though it doesn't really get to his wilder side. I love hearing him play with Bob Cranshaw and Walter Perkins on this track they lay down some serious music. Jaki has a certain way of playing his bebop knowledge, he's able to turn the phrases to make them feel just a bit off. That's to say, he switches the phrase to the other side of the beat with such ease, and then switches it back. Also, I remember him telling me that he wrote this piece with Herbie Nichols' touch in mind. I thought that was such a great way to start a composition, with "touch" in mind."

Reviewer: Jason Moran

Clifford Jordan - Dr. Chicago (1984) [vinyl>flac]

Re-upped from the old Crypt. I couldn't resist a sealed copy of this, so ripped from mint vinyl. On the BeeHive label, a catalogue that has never been issued on CD.

This excellent Bee Hive LP features tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan on three quartet numbers with pianist Jaki Byard, bassist Ed Howard and drummer Vernel Fournier, welcoming trumpeter Red Rodney to two other selections and taking "If I Had You" as a duet with the very versatile Byard. The repertoire is colorful and diverse (three jazz standards, an obscurity, Jordan's bluesy title cut and Fournier's intriguing "Zombie"), and the very consistent Jordan is up to his usual high level. ~ Scott Yanow

01 Dr. Chicago
02 Something To Live For
03 Zombie
04 Touch Love
05 If I Had You
06 Be Bop

Clifford Jordan (ts) Red Rodney (t, flh) Jaki Byard (p) Ed Howard (b)
Vernel Fournier (d)
Vanguard Studios, NYC, August 3, 1984

Bud Freeman Esq. (1966) [vinyl>flac]

Another rarity, ripped from mono vinyl, which was not in great condition but I've done my best with it. You'll already have an extra track, from the same session, if you downloaded 'Americans in Europe' posted last April.

Review by Gerald Lascelles, Jazz Journal, December 1966:
When Bud Freeman was over here last June he had the opportunity to record with an all-British rhythm section, not the Alex Welsh band with whom he has toured, televised, and worked on several occasions. Dick Katz, former pianist with the Ray Ellington quartet, now better known as an agent, was co-opted as pianist for the session, and those stalwarts of rhythm, Spike Heatley and Tony Crombie, completed the group. The accent was clearly on spontaneity, and no less than five of the tracks on this album were taken down first time through, which is a tribute both to Bud and his men.
With Bud, surely one of the most self-composed and reassuring of all jazzmen, there is no question of a cutting contest, or of trying to catch out the accompanists. What was blown at this session is uncompromising jazz, melodic and tasteful throughout, but he deliberately avoided a shouting session where he might have overwhelmed the group. Instead, he blends carefully, leaving solo spots for the rhythm men, and in return gets exceptionally good support from them all. Dick Katz is a splendid two-fisted pianist, who makes the most of his opportunity to work with Bud. It is certainly good to hear Bud blowing his old perennial Eel again, and Sunday and Indian Summer. I leave no doubts in my mind that he still has plenty to say in terms of jazz.
This turns out to be one of those splendidly swinging sessions which sometimes emerge from our studios, with nothing elaborate to complicate the serious business of playing good jazz. It rides high in my assessment of all the records I have heard this year, and I shall welcome the lime when Bud contributes another session of jazz 'made in England'.

Review by John Postgate, Jazz Monthly, January 1967:
lt is impossible to write unkindly about this record, though the reviewer is bound to admit that not much happens on it. Freeman's talent is indisputable; he has distilled his earlier, probing, hit-or-miss style into a repertoire of highly personal phrases that he passes out with meticulous care and deliberation. His innovations were incorporated into the body of jazz thirty years ago, when accidental sixths and ninths became commonplace, and today he is content to play within the framework he developed then. On this issue he dispenses a sedate programme of standards, including a brisk but gentle re-working of The Eel, and the support provided by his British accompanists is outstanding, particularly the contribution of Spike Heatley. As I said, a likeable record, depicting a perfectionist in a small backwater of our music.

1. Sweet Sue
2. Way Down Yonder In New Orleans
3. Indian Summer
4. Higgins Said No!
5. Mean To Me
6. Tea For Two
7. You Took Advantage Of Me
8. Dinah
9. The Eel
10. Sunday
11. I Could Write A Book
12. I Got Rhythm

Bud Freeman (ts); Dick Katz (p): Spike Heatley (b): Tony Crombie (d).
Fontana Studio, Marble Arch, London, June 1966.
(Fontana TL 5370)

Booker Ervin - That's It!

 That smoldering intensity that was kept largely under the covers in the previous two albums burns through the bed clothes on this date! For me, this is Booker's coming out party, that wonderful slightly unhinged wail is in full throat. It is that tone that first captured MY ear.

I think you would have to call this music pretty advanced for 1961. The four Ervin originals in particular are just glorious. These guys were a regular working unit at the time, they were communicating on a nearly magical level and pushing on into the post-bop frontier.

 "Booker Ervin, who always had a very unique sound on the tenor, is heard in prime form on his quartet set with pianist Horace Parlan, bassist George Tucker and drummer Al Harewood. In virtually all cases, the jazz and blues musicians who recorded for Candid in 1960-61 (during its original brief existence) were inspired and played more creatively than they did for other labels. That fact is true for Ervin, even if he never made an indifferent record. In addition to "Poinciana" and "Speak Low," Ervin's quartet (which was a regular if short-lived group) performs four of the leader's originals; best known is "Booker's Blues."

Frank Butler - Wheelin' And Dealin' (1978) [vinyl]

I first heard this when wil posted an mp3 rip at kublascrib. I liked it so much that I couldn't resist a near mint vinyl copy that came my way! Never issued on CD.

Frank Butler's second and last recording as a leader followed his first by just under one year. He retains the same rhythm section as on The Stepper (Dolo Coker and Monty Budwig), while featuring two tenor saxophonists, Joe Farrell and Teddy Edwards, this time around. Missing are the longer drum solos of the earlier album; instead the focus is primarily on the two saxes. Edwards wrote the opening up-tempo blues "Wheelin' and Dealin'," which turns into an old-fashioned tenor battle, with both men coming out victorious. The ballad medley is split, with Farrell taking "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good") and Edwards playing "Tenderly," though the latter's solo gets the nod. Butler is showcased briefly in a snappy treatment of ‘Four" and more extensively in Coker's "Mr. October." Since this long out of print Xanadu LP is a bit more accessible than its predecessor, it will especially appeal to lovers of hard bop.

1. Wheelin' And Dealin' (Teddy Edwards)
2. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) (Duke Ellington, Paul Francis Webster)
3. Tenderly (Walter Gross, Jack Lawrence)
4. Four (Eddie Vinson, Miles Davis)
5. Secret Love (Sammy Fain, Paul Francis Webster)
6. My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder, Henry Cosby, Sylvia Rose Moy)
7. Mr. October (Charles 'Dolo' Coker)

Teddy Edwards, Joe Farrell (ts), Dolo Coker (p), Monty Budwig (b), Frank Butler (d)
Los Angeles, CA. October 22, 1978

Booker Ervin 1960

 A pair of one-off sessions made during Ervin's Mingus time. These catch him in a more straight ahead hard bop mode than the later recordings.

"Booker Ervin's debut as a leader teamed the intense tenor saxophonist with fellow tenor Zoot Sims (one will have little difficulty telling the cool-toned Zoot apart from Booker), trumpeter Tommy Turrentine, pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist George Tucker and drummer Dannie Richmond. Ervin (who has his ballad "Largo" as a feature) performs five originals and "Poor Butterfly"; best are the slow blues "The Blue Book" and the rapid blues "The Book Cooks." AMG

The same year Ervin did a Savoy session with a trio of Mingus band mates including his roommate Horace Parlan and the brilliant Richard Williams, a memorable trumpet voice that was lost too soon. The album has a more coherent feel than many Savoy sessions of the time because this was a frequent working unit in clubs.

Clifford Jordan/Von Freeman - Hyde Park After Dark (1981) [Bee Hive 7014]

I couldn't let a comment to my previous Jordan post go unchallenged so I've re-upped this from the old Crypt. Never issued on CD, I was fortunate to acquire a sealed copy of this LP - so ripped from mint vinyl.

Review by Brian Davis, Jazz Journal, July 1994

"This is not a blowing session ambling through a couple of standards, I Got Rhythm and a blues. As the titles show this is a challenging choice of two rarely played ballads, three compositions by other jazzmen, one by Simmons (Sad Sam which, as it happens, is the only weak track, a slowish minor-keyed thing in samba rhythm progressively losing impetus) and one, the title track, by Jordan.
This latter with a nice 'head' by Simmons (as on all others) refers to the long gone Chicago nightlife area which also housed the famed BeeHive Lounge where many NYC bebop pioneers played alongside their Chicago brethren. Simmons immediately shows his mettle jumping in as first man up with a grooving, meaty percussive solo, followed by Touff's bass trumpet. Touff has proportionately less exposure throughout than the others. His sound is pleasantly burry, resembling an abrasive toned Bob Brookmeyer; his ideas are similar but he has less to say. You're Blasé is Simmons and rhythm only and here the pianist commands attention with a beautiful loping solo.
The central interest is the two tenors. Jordan is a strong player and never less than interesting. Easily his best is his ballad feature, an expressive and sensitive reading of the one-time Gillespie big band theme, I Waited For You. Freeman's ballad choice, I'm Glad There Is You, is typical of his unconventional approach. Speech-like in delivery, his phrasing stark and effecting a wide vibrato, he achieves a maximum of drama. Sproles is a rock-solid no frills bassist and anchor man throughout, while Campbell swings lightly but a bit too politely at times.
Good to see BeeHive buzzing again and up to that label's expected high standard."

01 - Hyde Park After Dark
02 - You're Blasé
03 - Lotus Blossom
04 - Sad Sam
05 - I Waited For You
06 - I'm Glad There Is You
07 - 2° East, 3° West

Clifford Jordan, Von Freeman (ts); Cy Touff (b-t); Norman Simmons (p); Victor Sproles (b); Wilbur Campbell (d). Chicago, September 5, 1981

Clifford Jordan - Hello Hank Jones

New link now available. From the original direct to disc LP.

Review by Ken Dryden
"Direct-to-disc recordings were highly sought by audiophiles during their heyday in the late '70s and early '80s, prior to the widespread availability of digital recordings. The technology had its advantages, especially during jazz sessions, where musicians the caliber of Clifford Jordan weren't handicapped by the engineer's inability to splice takes or overdub afterwards. Jordan, who is the leader of the session, shines on tenor sax, driven by an outstanding rhythm section with seasoned pianist Hank Jones, bassist Reggie Workman, and drummer Freddie Waits. Following an extensive exploration of Jordan's very catchy post-bop Vienna (which he previously recorded nine years earlier for the LP In the World), the quartet shifts into a bop mode with a superb take of Oscar Pettiford's Bohemia After Dark and a hard-blowing interpretation of Cole Porter's Love for Sale. Like all direct-to-disc recordings, this long unavailable LP is a limited edition that was in short supply and difficult to find even when it was issued. Any jazz fan fortunate enough to locate a copy decades later will enjoy the performances and marvel at the warm, very intimate sound achieved by the musicians and the engineers on that summer day in 1978."

1. Vienna
2. Bohemia After Dark
3. Love For Sale

Clifford Jordan (ts) Hank Jones (p) Reggie Workman (b) Freddie Waits (d)
NYC July 5, 1978
(East World EWLF-98003 - Japan)

Hampton Hawes - Live At Montmartre (1971) [vinyl]

New links now available for both albums.
Something from my favourite pianist, several albums emerged from Hawes' European tour with this trio in 1971.

This Guys In Love With You

Review by Scott Yanow:
Hampton Hawes, a bop-oriented pianist in the '50s, continued to develop and evolve throughout his career without losing his musical identity. For this trio set with bassist Henry Franklin and drummer Michael Carvin, Hawes shows the influence of McCoy Tyner a bit and, by performing Burt Bacharach's "This Guy's in Love with You" (along with four other group originals), he shows his openness to including some pop material in his repertoire (although his explorative version owes little to the original hit tune). This excellent live session has plenty of close interplay by the tight trio.

01 - This Guy's In Love With You
02 - South Hampton*
03 - The Camel
04 - Little Miss Laurie
05 - Hamp's Broad Blue Acres

*'South Hampton' is actually Wayne Shorter's 'Footprints' and is correctly titled and credited on the later 'Live at Montmartre' reissues.

Dexter Gordon (ts -5) Hampton Hawes (ps) Henry Franklin (bs) Michael Carvin (d)
"Jazzhus Montmartre", Copenhagen, Denmark, September 2, 1971

A Little Copenhagen Night Music

Liner Notes by Michael Cuscuna:
This is a companion album to Hampton Hawes' first Freedom disc, first released as "This Guy's In Love With You" and later released as "Live At The Monmartre!' While both albums were recorded live at the Jazzhus Monmartre on the same night, the circumstances and music differ greatly.
That first album featuring contemporary compositions by the trio members and others in carefully planned arrangements was recorded early in the night before a full crowd. Most of the material from "A Little Copenhagen Night Music" was taped very late into the night with an intimate crowd in an after hours environment. While Hamp's "Spanish Way" might fit more into the mold of the contemporary material, the rest of this performance finds the pianist comfortably digging into four be-bop classics.
This 1971 European tour with Henry Franklin and Michael Carvin marked a fruitful and happy period in Hamp's too often tragic and frustrated career. That joy is communicated in this rare glimpse at Hamp in a totally informal setting. It was very soon after this tour that Hamp returned to the States and began playing in a new fusion style with electric keyboards. In fact, at the end of this long night
of September 2, 1971, Hamp began playing for the first time an electric piano that pianist Tommy Clausen had brought into the club.
Dexter Gordon, a long time comrade of Hamp's from their early Los Angeles days, joined the group that night for a very special reunion. In the actual sequence of that night, Dexter's classic "Dexter's Deck" followed "Now's The Time!' If one listens carefully, one can hear Dex walk up to the bandstand during "Now's The Time" and call, "Can the tenor player get some?"
Dexter and Hamp were again reunited and recorded by Prestige at the 1973 Montreux Jazz Festival. Their mutual respect and enthusiasm for one another are clearly audible on the rousing version of "Dexter's Deck!' Ironically, Dexter on tour during his triumphant re-entry in the American scene arrived in Los Angeles in May of 1977 only to be greeted with the news of Hamp's death and stayed to attend the funeral.
Hampton Hawes' life and struggles and talent have been well documented in various articles, in his autobiography and on his many fine recordings for Contemporary, Black Lion-Freedom, Prestige and a few others. His abrupt and premature end was just another example of the tragedy and injustice that plagued his entire life.

1. Now's The Time
2. Round Midnight
3. Cheryl
4. Spanish Way
5. Long Tall Dexter (Dexter Deck)

Dexter Gordon (ts -5) Hampton Hawes (ps) Henry Franklin (bs) Michael Carvin (d)
"Jazzhus Montmartre", Copenhagen, Denmark, September 2, 1971
(Freedom (E) FLP 41043)

Art Blakey - Oh-By The Way (1982) [vinyl]

Review by Scott Yanow:

When the Marsalis Brothers left The Jazz Messengers in early 1982, Wynton suggested that Art Blakey take a close listen to trumpeter Terence Blanchard (then 19) and 21-year old altoist Donald Harrison. The drummer took his advice, and after also adding young pianist Johnny O'Neal, Blakey soon had an exciting new version of The Jazz Messengers. Tenor saxophonist Bill Pierce and bassist Charles Fambrough were still present from the older band for this excellent LP. In the Blakey tradition, this set has five new compositions from bandmembers in addition to Wayne Shorter's "One by One" and the standard "My Funny Valentine"; the music is a fine example of high-quality hard bop.

Oh, By The Way
Duke Soup
Tropical Breeze
One By One
Sudan Blue
My Funny Valentine
Alicia

Terence Blanchard (trumpet) Donald Harrison (alto saxophone) Billy Pierce (tenor saxophone) Johnny O'Neal (piano) Charles Fambrough (bass) Art Blakey (drums)
Fendal Sound Studio, Loenan Aan De Vecht, Holland, May 20, 1982

Lou Donaldson - Sweet Poppa Lou (Muse) [vinyl]

Chris Sheridan Jazz Journal, July, 1982
“This is so close in spirit to the last Donaldson recording I reviewed ("Midnight Sun', Blue Note LT-1028) that the 20 years between the sessions melt into oblivion. Indeed, after two decades in the commercial boogaloo jungle, Lou has signified a return to straight-ahead blowing and, on this evidence, has picked up the traces as though nothing ever happened.
Though Parker remains in the background of his work, Lou has matured beyond the mantle, developing an essentially lightweight post-bop style with an individual, pleasantly reedy tone. It occasionally borders on the sentimental (You'll Never' Know), but, on vehicles with a strong melodic, harmonic or rhythmic base he can play extremely satisfyingly. If I Should Lose You is a case in point, generating tensile work from the altoist that approaches the standard of still the finest interpretation of the tune, by Hank Mobley.
The rhythmic shadings of the blues. Mo' Gravy and Shuckin', are a trifle obvious, but born of so long leading organ trios, and Foster's chordal style prolongs the organ trio atmosphere. It also perpetuates the illusion that the session could have been recorded any time in the fifties.
This is by no means an essential purchase, but it is certainly more rewarding than a generous proportion of today's output.”

01 - Mambo Inn
02 - You'll Never Know
03 - Mo' Gravy
04 - If I Should Lose You
05 - Shuckin' Blues
06 - Don't Take Your Love From Me

Lou Donaldson (as) Herman Foster (p) Calvin Hill (b) Idris Muhammad (d)
Ralph Dorsey (per -1/3)
Englewood Cliffs, NJ, January 7, 1981

Pepper Adams - Master Of Bari Disaster

Lest We Forget Vol. 6 / Pepper Adams: The Master Of Bari Disaster by Poppachubby on Mixcloud

Bud Shank - Girl In Love (1966) [vinyl]

Something a little different for the Crypt.
This is from a series of albums Shank made for World Pacific in the mid 60s. Most have had Japanese CD reissues, however this one seems only to be available in its original vinyl form?

This is Shank in a very commercial setting with appropriate arrangements by Oliver Nelson. Nothing profound happens here but, of its type, this is excellent and vastly superior to the Johnny Hodges Sandy's Gone, that I posted at the old Crypt while ago, and that would appear to have been aimed at a similar market.
Alan Zeffert writing in "Jazz On Record, A Critical Guide to the First 50 Years" remarked '...he has offered virtually straight offerings of current pop hits. Ephemeral though most of this material may be, mention must be made of the altoist's now exquisite, full, golden tone and perfect articulation...'

01 - Lady Jane
02 - Summer Wind
03 - The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore)
04 - Strangers In The Night
05 - When A Man Loves A Woman
06 - Girl In Love
07 - Don't Go Breaking My Heart
08 - Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime
09 - Time
10 - The Shining Sea
11 - Lara's Theme From Dr. Zhivago
12 - Solitary Man

Bud Shank (as) Frank Rosolino (tb) Bob Florence (p) Herb Ellis, Dennis Budimir, John Pisano (g)
Bob West (b) Frank Capp (d) Victor Feldman (pc)
Arranged & Conducted By Oliver Nelson
Recorded Los Angeles in 1966

Eric Kloss - Doors/Now (1972/1978) [vinyl>flac]

New Links now available

Doors
Originally on Cobblestone this has been issued on a now out of print Japanese CD. However this is from the Muse LP.

Dusty Groove review:
"One of the grooviest Eric Kloss albums from the Muse years – thanks to some great keyboards from Neal Creque! Creque's presence always makes any date sparkle – and here, he brings a bit of a funky sound to the record – sliding in nicely behind Kloss on the solos, but also pushing the overall groove of the set with his rhythms."

01 - Doors
02 - Waves
03 - Quasar
04 - Sweatin' It
05 - Love
06 - Libra

Eric Kloss (as,ts) Neal Creque (kybds) Gene Taylor (b,el-b) Ron Krasinski (d,tamb)
NYC. January 1, 1972

Now
After a fine series of albums for Prestige and Muse, another who then disappeared from view. I think this is much better than Scottie's lukewarm review, as KingCake has remarked 'this grows on you'.

"Tenor/altoist Eric Kloss recorded often from 1965-1981 before disappearing from jazz. His sound was fairly original, he was technically skilled, and, even though his impact was fairly minor, he did record many worthwhile sessions, most of which are currently hard to find. On this LP, Kloss (joined by keyboardist Mike Nock, bassist Mike Richmond, and drummer Jimmy Madison) performs six of his originals, none of which caught on. The music is generally lyrical and the leader plays well, even if the rhythm section is fairly anonymous, but little all that memorable occurs."~AMG

01 - We Are Together
02 - Now
03 - Morning Song
04 - Hey, Hey, Whatta You Say
05 - Autumn Blue
06 - Booga Wooga Woman

Eric Kloss (as,ts) Mike Nock (kybds) Mike Richmond (b) Jimmy Madison (d) Efrain Toro (cowbell)
Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, NJ. January 4&5, 1978

Philly Cats

Philly Cats by Kingcake on Mixcloud

Ivan “Boogaloo Joe” Jones - Snake Rhythm Rock (1973) [vinyl>flac]

'Snake Rhythm Rock' is the seventh album by jazz-groove guitarist Ivan “Boogaloo Joe” Jones. It was recorded in 1972 and released in 1973 on the Prestige label; produced by Ozzie Cadena and engineered by the great Rudy van Gelder. “Boogaloo Joe” joins forces with Rusty Bryant on killer tenor and alto, Butch Cornell on pulsating organ, Jimmy Lewis on driving electric bass and Grady Tate banging away on drums. The album’s five funky jazz cuts are absolutely dominated by the tight guitar stylings of Jones, Cornell’s lively organ licks and Bryant’s gravelly voiced sax. Enjoy this short but wonderful LP.

Ivan Boogaloo Joe Jones recorded a number of sides for Prestige Records during the early 70s. This is another great Boogaloo Joe Jones album. A monster set of work by one of the funkiest guitar players. ~ by dj fanis

Prestige Records, PR 10056, 1973

Recorded 24th November, 1972 at Rudy van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

Ivan “Boogaloo Joe” Jones - Guitar

Butch Cornell - Organ

Rusty Bryant - Alto & Tenor Saxophones

Jimmy Lewis - Electric Bass

Grady Tate - Drums

Track Listing:

A1. Hoochie Coo Chickie {Boogaloo Jones} (5:23)

A2. Snake Rhythm Rock {Boogaloo Jones} (5:27)

A3. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face {Ewan Maccoll} (5:46)

B1. He's So Fine {Ronald Mack} (6:28)

B2. Big Bad Midnight Roller {Boogaloo Jones} (9:49)

Credits:

Producer - Ozzie Cadena

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Clifford Jordan – Repetition (1984) [vinyl>flac]

Barry McRae, Jazz Journal, December, 1984:
This is a predictably good quartet record with the Chicago tenor man in the driving seat. He does not take the session by force, however, and the way in which he makes use of rests allows the Harris-led rhythm team to breath freely and is just right for the balance of the music. Jordan is a saxophonist who uses his fluency to serve his improvisational ends and he has especially inventive solos on Third Avenue, House Call and Quit 'N Time. He is very much a man concerned with his sound and in every solo he matches this with genuine content and a natural sense of formal organisation.
Harris is as immaculate as ever, his lines are firmly wrought and his ideas are concise and personal. Booker and Fournier are professional in the best sense of the word and the group is a well integrated unit. The final accolade must go to art director Sandy Jordan for a fine sleeve design. It completes a very pleasing package.

Review by Ken Dryden:
Clifford Jordan was in top form for this marathon, noon-to-midnight quartet studio session with Barry Harris, Walter Booker, and Vernel Fournier. The veteran hard bopper brought three potent originals to the date, and the group collaborated on the driving up-tempo "Fun." Neal Hefti's "Repetition" could be subtitled "Relaxation" for its easygoing tempo. The short but effective rendition of Monk's "Evidence" packs plenty of punch, while the medley of Fats Navarro's "Nostalgia" and Tadd Dameron's "Casbah" is also a masterful performance. The only downside to this release is the self-serving liner notes by the enormously egocentric Stanley Crouch.

01 - Third Avenue
02 - Fun
03 - Repetition
04 - Evidence
05 - Nostalgia~Casbah
06 - House Call
07 - Quit 'N Time

Clifford Jordan (ts); Barry Harris (p); Walter Booker (b); Vernel Fournier (d).
NYC. February 9, 1984