Azar Lawrence

Azar Lawrence : Mystic Journey

Furthermore 2010

Many thanks for Simon (Never Enough Rhodes fame) for highlighting this heavenly album. It's for sale all over the www. but there's one track i've played over and over and over, Journey's End. Every track is all killer as Bacoso might say.

Invest ...

Elvin Jones Live : 1971

Elvin Jones Live : 1971.

John Coltrane Memorial Concert.

Pm Records, PMR-004.

Elvin Jones ; Drums

Frank Foster ; Tenor and Soprano

Chick Corea ; Piano

Gene Perla ; Bass

Joe Farrell ; Tenor and Flute

The line-up says it all really. Another killer album from the PM vaults, released in 1975. Here's the track Shinjitu, written by Keiko Jones. 22 minutes of pure power jazz.

Chuck Flores

Chuck Flores : Drum Flower.

Concord CJ-49, Recorded in Hollywood, 1977.

Chuck Flores : Drums

Bobby Shew : Trumpet

Bob Hardaway : Tenor and Soprano

Dick Johnston : Keyboards

Bob Magnusson : Bass

Here's a couple of choice tracks from this rather tasty lp. End of a love affair begins with a hard as nails drum break followed by the title track, drum flower.

Enjoy

Doug Riley

Doug Riley : Dreams.

PMR-007, 1976.

Doug Riley; Accoustic and electric pianos.

Michael Stuart; Tenor and soprano saxophones.

Don Thompson; Accoustic bass.

Claude Ranger; Drums.

Yet another beautiful album from the PM vaults :-

"Riley was born in Toronto April 12, 1945 and started studying classical piano at age 3. By 1958, he came under the influence of Hungarian classical pianist Paul de Marky, who had been Oscar Paterson's teacher. Studies saw Riley at the University of Toronto where he graduated with a Bachelor of Music. He has written 3 ballets for the National Ballet of Canada, arranged an album for Ray Charles, scored 6 feature fi Ims, and played piano and arranged for Dianne Brooks, Gordon Lightfoot, Moe Koffman, Sonny Greenwich and Dr. Music. Musically, Riley is moody, poetic, humourous, multi-colored, religious, defiant and most of all rich. He is a thorough investigator of the musical language whether in a romantic or Post-Coltrane bag."

Of the young Canadians presented by Perla, none is more impressive than keyboardist Doug Riley.

His improvisations are emotionally moving, structurally complex and technically sophisticated. Riley’s format for the group balances taut ensembles and open-ended improvisations.

In sum, the success of their voyage through the perilous waters of extended spontaneous composition is one more indication of the depth of their musicianship.
Chuck Berg, Down Beat

Kenny Rankin

Kenny Rankin : Like a Seed.

1972

In the words of Dustygroove;

Indescribably beautiful work from Kenny Rankin – a jazzy blend of vocals and folk – delivered with a warm and soulful tone that's unlike anyone else! The whole thing's great – really very much its own spirit, and kind of a bright light after a host of doom and gloom late 60s folk-based singers in popular music. Of course, Kenny's still got something of a righteous feel, and lets his politics sneak out from time to time – but his overall sound is wonderfully redemptive, without being cloying in kind of a James Taylor sort of way. The instrumentation is great too – with just the right use of acoustic guitar in warm chromatic tones, plus nice touches on flute and saxes from Jim Horn, and gently groovy backings that never dampen Kenny's light. Titles include "Sometimes", "Peaceful", "Stringman", "You Are My Woman", "I Was Born", and "Yesterday's Lies".

Joe Morello

Eero Koivistoinen

Eero Koivistoinen : For Children.

Otava 1970.

Just a brief recommendation for this tasty re-release. Right up there with Odysseus, Wahoo and the soon to arrive 3rd Version. Essential gears.

a; Boots and Roots!

Charles Davis : Ingia!

Charles Davis featuring;

Louis Davis with Louis Hayes and Company.

Ingia!

Strata East. SES7425. Recorded 15th July 1974, Minot Studios.

Re-upped and re-posted by request.

Jackson State University : In Concert *1989

Jackson State University

Jazz Ensemble No.1.

MCC-659.

Recorded 19th April 1989 at the F.D Hall Music Center, Recital Hall, Jackson Uni, Mississippi.

Musical Director ; Dr. Russell Thomas Jr.

2 storming big band covers of Milestones and Naima. Lumark Gulley (drums) must surely have graduated with honours following his contribution to Milestones. Watch for goosebumps ... Fierce.

Lee Morgan

Lee Morgan : The Procrastinator.

Blue Note 33579.

Here's a beautiful version of Wayne Shorter's "Rio" lifted from this tricky to track-down lp. Originally issued on St 83023. Recorded at Englewood Cliffs in '67 with all the big names present and correct.

Heaven!

Turkish Women at the Bath

Pete la Roca.

Turkish Women at the Bath.

Douglas.

John Gilmore, Chick Corea, Walter Booker and Pete la Roca. Just in case there's maybe one person that's never heard this. Sublime.

Vision Pulse

The first breath on Love Planet

Dieties establish the tempo of fire through air as he prances to New Depths

Lingering here and there for wisdom.

Things begin to come together and we see flashing clarity

A matter of conviction bringing out a purer dance now.

New strength, new necessites, always changing as compositions refect a state of mind and heart and only heart heat can be heard

Where we are now

Here

Jewels strung by hands animated by joy

Found

At a calm center of multiplicity

Listen

to Pete la Roca.

John Patton

John Patton : Soul Connection.

Nilva NQ3406.

Recorded 7th June 1983.

Solid cover of this title track by Dusko Goykovich. Another top line-up on this one, including Grachan Moncur and Melvin Sparks. Something to lift the spirits on this rainy day.

First Cosins Jazz Ensemble

For the Cos of Jazz

Featuring Rudy Johnson and Stu Gardner. Capitol 1977.

Smoothly does it, but still a classy production from Larkin Arnold and Bill Cosby. The first track called Please the Pleaser is probably the best one here. Synths, Moogs, you name it. The soul train has arrived at platform PP.

Masabumi Kikuchi

Masabumi Kikuchi.

Wishes / Kochi.

Eastwind: Inner City. Recorded August 1976.

The line-up;

Masabumi Kikuchi

Terumasa Hino

Steve Grossman

Anthony Jackson

Dave Liebman

Reggie Lucas

Al Foster

Mtume

Nuff said.

Moacir Santos : Maestro

Moacir Santos

Maestro. Blue Note BN LA-007F.

Recorded in Los Angeles, 1972.

A real peach of an album from Moacir Santos. Don Menza, Ray Pizzi, Frank Rosolino, Joe Pass, Clair Fischer, John Heard and Oscar Brashear all throw their hats in the ring here. The title track is a bass heavy stormer, but the whole lp is special.

Eddie Russ

Eddie Russ

TAKE A LOOK AT YOURSELF.

Monument 1978. MG7620

Recorded at Sounds Suite Studios, Detroit.

Picked up this "fonky" little gem in top nick a few weeks back. Here's the title track as a taster (cds rips and lp's a plenty on the www) Marcus Belgraves in there, along with sweet vocals from Jackie Holiday.

Nice.

Bob Moses :1975

Bob Moses : Bittersuite in the Ozone

Mozown. (private press)

A blog-land exclusive, and an utterly breathtaking piece of music from Bob Moses. Been hunting for this gem for ages, but it has been worth the wait. A truly amazing suite from a stellar spiritual line-up, including the likes of David Liebman and Billy Hart. Think Alkebu-lan recorded in the studio and you won't go far wrong.

Mozown records was an artist owned label, based on the principals of musical and economic self determination.

Recorded at Blue Rock studios, NYC.

There's about a mintue of Glitteragblas solo leading into BitterSuite in the Ozone. Aldonna, Green Yellow and mostly Blue, Little Brother, Brofilia, Aldonna.

Addictive

Blue Mitchell

Blue Mitchell.

Mainstream MRL 315

Here's an ace from Blue, ably assisted by some class support. Watch out for the 2 tracks penned by Walter Bishop from Black Jazz fame. Soul Village is a honey, but it's Mi Hermano (My brother) that kills it everytime.

Paul Nash. A Jazz Composer's Ensemble

Paul Nash A Jazz Composer's Ensemble.

Revelation 32. recorded at Audios Amigos Studio, San Francisco.

Following this lp being posted at Fat Toro's place some time ago, i lucked out and managed to pick up a cheap copy at the notoriously expensive Intoxica in Portabello Road. This track is, in a word, perfect and could just be my all time favourite.

From the Liner Notes:

The present album lends support to this hypothesis, and presents an intricate personal synthesis of currents in American music. Listeners will detect in Paul Nash's music many stylistic features, such, for example, as the immaculately played rock beat heard at the start of Our time is numbered: and if he occasionally delves into the popular end of the jazz spectrum, he doubtless capitalizes upon converse elements, though it must be left to ears more attuned than mine to the riches of the European tradition to isolate them.

Bert Myrick

Bert Myrick : Live'n Well.

Strata SRI 102-74. Recorded 4th April 1965.

Originally posted over at El Reza's top blogspot, re-upped for Hoochie Coochie man following his recent Strata post, Sphere. Heavy gears all the way, with Scorpio's Child killing it for me.

Will Austin : Bass

George Bohanon : Trombone

Bert Myrick : Drums

Kenny Cox : Piano

Ronnie Fields : Tenor Sax

Takehiro Honda and Gerd Dudek. 1971

Takehiro Honda and Gerd Dudek.

Trio Jazz Series; 1971.

Following on from the Japanese posts over at Orgy in Rhythm, here's a real grower from Honda San. More of the same powerful, modal gears from a explosive Quartet. Sorry, no fusion fluff here !!!

Ckeck it out

Matthew Larkin Cassell

Matthew Larkin Cassell.

Pieces.

Private Press 1977. Recorded San Jose.

2 jaw dropping tracks from the recent stones throw re-issue (a must!) 2 complete lp's plus extras on one cd. Littered with breaks, and sampled by Madlib (having picked up a bootleg cd-r in Tokyo marked simply MLC, while still an unknown) "Heaven" (quite!) and as for "In my Life", kept me sane in Spain.

Enjoy these gems.

George Smallwood

George Smallwood and the Marshmellow Band.

Super rare album brought to the masses by Jazzman's Holy grail series. Funky by the Pound is lifted from the impossible to find lp "Just 4 You" released in 1981.

Sun Ra : Live in Cleveland

Sun Ra : Live in Cleveland.

Recorded 30th January 1975.

Amazing performance by the Sun Ra Arkestra almost 35 years ago in Cleveland, USA. Fifteen musicians, seven compositions, tremendous drive, everybody singing and dancing and the crown of the one hour long gig is Sun Ra's crazy solo on synthesizer. A must for every Sun Ra follower.

ARTISTS Sun Ra (piano, moog, organ); Akh Tal Ebah, Kwame Hadi (trumpet); John Gilmore, Marshall Allen, Danny Davis, Eloe Omoe, Danny Thompson, James jacson (reeds); Damoin Choice (vibes); Dale Williams (bass); Atakatune (conga); Odun (conga); June Tyson (vocals, dance); Eddie Thomson (vocal, dance)

TRACKS Astro Nation Enlightenment Love in Outer Space Theme of the Stargazers/The Satelites Are Spinning Friendly Galaxy 2/ I am the Brother of the Wind Synthesizer Solo Sophisticated Lady

Graham Collier Septet

Graham Collier Septet.

Deep Dark Blue Centre. Recorded in London, 24th January 1967.

Been watching a copy of All Night Long on dvd, and got thinking about all the great british jazz, and remembered this little gem, Crumblin' Cookie. Mike Gibbs, Karl Jenkins, Philip Lee, and John Marshall support.

Quintessence

Quintessence. Self titled.

Pyramid Productions Inc. Guitorn.

Recorded between February/May 1980 @ the Nineteen Recording Studio, South Glastonbury, Ct.

Another super rare private press album, this lead by Ron Ancrum. Supported by George Sovak, David Gaedeke, Winston Johnson and Steve Muse.

Kenny Dorham; Trompeta Toccata

Kenny Dorham; Trompeta Toccata.

Blue Note.

Another version of Joe Henderson's Mamacita. Extended and more mellow than the Blue Mitchell offering, but still a stunning track.

Blue Mitchell : Step Lightly 1963

Blue Mitchell; Step Lightly.

Blue Note

GXK 8182. King Records.

A Line-up full of heavy hitters here. Hancock, Henderson, Brooks. An all killer no filler if ever there was one. Mamacita is addictive.

Enjoy

Dick Durham : OP's Waltz

Dick Durham. OP's Waltz.

Private Pressing.

Recorded at Sound ideas Studios, New York, 10th September 1973

Dick Durham, Richard Davis, Hank Huncharoff.

OP's Waltz

Here's that Rainy Day

Rock Scherzo

The World's Weirdest Ragtime Player

Happiness Bossa-Nova

Oh, That old Riff

Summertime

We'll be together Again

Re upped for The Scenery Within. Watch out for some heavy support from Richard Davis

Trane

So you thought you knew all there was to know about John Coltrane. Go to Blackclassical to be re-introduced and re-baptisted to the sound, the voice and the mind of the master.

http://blackclassical.wordpress.com/

Pat Martino; Conciousness

Pat Martino; Conciousness.

Muse MR 5039

1974

Tasty little album from Pat Martino which also includes a cover of Coltrane's "Impressions". Supported by Eddie Green on keys, Tyrone Brown on bass and Sherman Ferguson on percussion. Title track ripped from vinyl @ 320.

Special

David Schnitter; Thundering

David Schnitter; Thundering.

Muse MR 5197

1979.

Check that killer line-up! Title track ripped from vinyl @ 320. Nice

Bob Cunningham : Walking Bass

Bob Cunningham; Walking Bass.

Nilva NQ3411

1985

Rare lp from 1985 from Bob Cunningham featuring Melvin Sparks. Lover's Theme was sampled by Gilles Peterson on one of the Digs America compilations. Heavy bass line on this one, Vinyl rip @ 320

Sabu Martinez : Afro Temple

Sabu Martinez; Afro Temple.

Grammefor Verket 1973.

EFG-7341

Just a sample from this killer lp. Take a moment to check out Hotel Alyssa Sousse, Tunisia.

Fierce