Friday 21 November 2014

John Minnis' Big Bone Band. Classic I-live

Just a quick youtube link to a rather tasty tune, and it sure is special. This one's for DG
Dustygroove's take;

A lost bit of funky 70s jazz – featuring the John Minnis Big Band from the Philly scene! Minnis leads the group on trombone and keyboards, and the album's got a feel that's right up there with the best electric big band styles of the time – grooving hard on some tracks, and kicking back and going for a sweet and soulful sound on others. Instrumentation includes keyboards, guitar, and lots of horns – and vocals on the set are by Minnis, and a backing group that includes David Simmons. The massive track on here is a long free flowing jammer called "What Can You Do?", and it's a jazz dance classic with rolling bass, choppy guitar, and sharp sax solos.


Monday 27 October 2014

The New Jazz Orchestra 1965

The New Jazz Orchestra
Western Reunion
London
1965

NJQ goes Miles.

2 killer tracks lifted from this rather scarce CD re-release. Miles Davis's "So What" and "Milestones" are covered to great effect by this all star british jazz line-up. Recorded at Decca Studios, West Hampstead in March 1965. Neil Ardley, Ian Carr and many more bring the big band sound to the fore on this holy grail masterpiece. Sounding just as sweet as the Le Dejeuner sur L'Herbe lp that was to follow in 1968. 

Special indeed

Tuesday 14 October 2014

Amado Maita 1972

Amado Maita
Copacabana CLP-11709 1972

Samba de Amigo

Amazing brazilian masterpiece.
Too short, but super snappy track from this rare and expensive album.

Essential tune

Sunday 21 September 2014

Kenny Wheeler 1930-2014

Kenny Wheeler sadly passed away on Friday 18th September. 

Here is one of my all time favourtite tracks, Hi-Yo taken from the Transcription lp RCI-444 The Kenny Wheeler Quintet. 

Kenny Wheeler; trumpet/flugelhorn
Art Ellefson; tenor
Gary Williamson; electric piano
Dave Young; bass
Marty Morell; drums

Monday 8 September 2014

John Surman

John Surman; Recorded 14th August 1968

3 part Suite

Incantation
Episode
Dance

This is a monster track introduced to me by Reza well over a year ago now. Then Bacoso found the cd and graciously stepped aside while i went off a bought it.

It's all about the track DANCE that kicks in about the 11 minute mark. A thunderous number that calls heavily upon the conga skills of Errol Phillip, together with Stirling Betancourt on timbales. There's more heavyweight players such as, Kenny Wheeler, Dave Holland, Harry Beckett and Alan Jackson.  

Very heavy track, which was inspired by Coltrane's Africa Brass album.

Thursday 21 August 2014

The Heritage Orchestra

The Heritage Orchestra - Telescopic

Big, big, big band sounds from the Heritage Orchestra from March 2005. Powerhouse tune written by Chris Bowden and arranged by Julian Buckley. Lifted from the Gilles Peterson BBC Sessions Volume 1 compilation. Opinions are devided on Gilles Peterson, but he certainly pionted me in the right directions over the years and this one may just have been overlooked by your goodselves. Here you'll find granite percussion and solid bass ably supporting the brass section. Recorded live and highly recommended.       

Friday 8 August 2014

James Mason : Japanese Bonus Grooves

James Mason : Rhythm of Life

All time classic ...

Polished up by those crazy Japanese boffins and enhanced with rare bonus bombshells. The original commands many $$$, not to mention the 7" cut included here. It's the single cut of "Sweet power your embrace" that swings. Flatter production, less snazziness, less chintz, more soul. Track 1 is the classic album cut, followed by "I want your Love" and NightGruv" finally the extra Sweet power your Embrace joints, the 7" and and unreleased version.    

Not recommended / Essential!

Monday 28 July 2014

John Hicks : Strata East SES-8002


John Hicks ; Hells Bells

Not the most sort after strata east title, but a great listen overall. Takes a few listen's and then the whole thing makes much more sense. 

Underrated, overlooked, recommended. 

Thursday 3 July 2014

Leeward : Mabumi Yamaguchi Quartet

One of the most beautiful japanese jazz albums ever. 
Very rare in WAV lossless clarity ... Dawn.


Saturday 14 June 2014

The Stark Reality

The Stark Reality
Acting, Thinking, Feeling

Another top tip from that man Quimsy. Very special music from the Stark Reality.

Been hitting the Now-Again 3 cd compilation recently, and although the Hoagy Carmichael Music Shop is taking some time to grow on me, the live recording of ATF has blown my socks clean off. 

Recorded live at the WGBH-TV show in |Boston August 1968, ATF is drawn of 3 movements. Beautiful arrangements including Monty Stark on the vibes blended with modal brass accompaniment. 

Quite lovely.  

Monday 19 May 2014

Alice Clark :- Mainstream 362


Toe-tappin' one off album from Alice Clark, it's a grower. High end vinyl value these days, ripped from Japanese cd. I started off with the classic "Don't you care", but the whole thing is a tip-top vocal journey.

Recommended.

Wednesday 30 April 2014

Mike Taylor : TRIO

A simply beautiful piece of British Jazz.

Monday 17 February 2014

3rd Ward Vibration Society : 1976

3rd Ward Vibration Society
Texas State University Jazz Ensemble featuring Arnett Cobb : 1976.
SUM Records.

More titanic jazz from Texas.

The title track from this obscure big band slammer on the little known SUM label, which includes a healthy dose of players from The Lightmen (no Buubha Thomas) plus one. The Texas State always brought the powerhouse sound, but this one goes far beyond anything else. Think Locke Saints, no don't think Locke Saints .. This blows them away. Killer groove music library dropped a couple of tracks way back, but not this bomb.

Check it, and tell me i'm wrong.
Immense

Sunday 26 January 2014

Sadao LIVE European Collaboration : 1970 pt3

The 3rd and final installment. Both versions converted to audio files, with b2v at the controls. Big thanks again, loving this from start to finish. A surprise comment leading to an amazing contribution. 

Sunday 19 January 2014

Sadao LIVE European Collaboration : 1970 pt2

The final installment of this amazing contribution from that man, b2v. More joyous, and impossibly rare footage of Sadao Watanabe and his team of J-jazz giants. Ably accompanied by some far-out sounds from Sonny Sharrock.  
Essential gears.

Monday 13 January 2014

Sadao LIVE European Collaboration : 1970 pt1

Sadao Watanabe video.
Live 1970

This is special, very very special.

An amazing contribution from b2v. The chances are this has never been seen since the time it was recorded, and captures some real Japanese jazz heavy weights cutting loose.

Many thanks to France's finest, you struck jazz gold this time. The second part is all lined up and ready to go, and includes some pretty far out sounds from Sonny Sharrock. 

Enjoy, and don't forget to share the love with a comment or two.

Sunday 12 January 2014

M'Boom view

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy8Yu4VWOJE&list=PLJLuntoFDTodBpQQ-QpGXbO4W80VZREAk