Electronic Sonata for Souls loved by Nature.

George Russell.

Electronic Sonata for Souls loved by Nature.

Strata East SES-19761.

Recorded live at a concert held at the Sonja Henie Niels Onstad Center for the Arts, 28th April 1969 at Hovikodden, near Olso, Norway. The concert was sponsored by Ny Musikk, the Norwegian branch of the International Society for Contemporary Music.

A truly amazing album from start to finish. The line-up:

Jan Garbarek

Manfred Schoof

Terje Rypdal

Jon Christensen

George Russell

Red Mitchell

There was a second edition of this set, recorded in Milano 1980 with different players. That one's tasty, but this is earlier version is so SPECIAL!

The Elephant Trot Dance

The Elephant Trot Dance.

Nilva Records.

NQ3404.

Recorded at Minot Studios, White Plains, NY 18th June 1975.

(Tracks 1 and 5)

Recorded at Platinum Factory, Brooklyn, NY 8th March 1979.

(Tracks 2, 3 and 4)

1 : The Elephant Trot Dance

2 : Sweet Eve

3 : Sunset in Venus

4 : Malcolm, the Call

5 : Libra

Re-upped by Request

Smiley Winters

Smiley Winters : Smiley Etc.

Arhoolie 8004/5.

Recorded at Sierra Sound Studios, Berkeley, California. March 1969.

The final, and possibly finest instalment from G.Raf. For now anyway, apparently there's more where this came from. Maybe some generous comments could make all the difference.

This is power jazz @ 200mph. Born in St Louis, and father of ten, William Richard takes charge of this heavy session. Connected to many of the Bay area jazz giants including Phaorah Sanders, John Handy and Roy Porter to name a few. He is joined by Bert Wilson on Sax, Barbara Donald Trumpet and Chris Amberger on Bass. It's a double lp, so there'll be 2 files. Check out "Two Trains" Dynamite !

Howard Hanger Trio

Howard Hanger Trio : A Child is Born.

Stereo. Trav Label.

More obscure bible friendly business via the vaults of G.Raf again. Originals, carols, contemporary folk songs and cover versions combine to produce an album with a distinctly dark undertone.

The album is produced by TRAV, (Television, Radio and Audio-Visual Division) of the Presbyterian Church of the United States.

Rare, and recommended.

Enjoy, then give thanks and praises to G.Raf.

Oliver Nelson Orchestra

Oliver Nelson Orchestra.

Impressions of Phaedra.

1962 United Artists. Monaural UAJ 14019

Another super-rare special provided by G.Raf. Carried out some google research, but to little avail. For me, the first track, Phaedra Love theme is just superb and far to short. Ripped from the mono vinyl @ 320.

Some info about the film:

Phaedra was a 1962 motion picture directed by Jules Dassin as a vehicle for his wife Melina Mercouri, after her world-wide hit Never on Sunday.

The film was the fourth collaboration between Dassin and Mercouri, who took the title role. Greek writer Margarita Lymberaki adapted Euripides'Hippolytus into a melodrama concerning the rich society of ship owners and their families, but still containing some of the tragic elements of the ancient drama. The film is set in Paris, London, and especially on the Greek island of Hydra.

Phaedra, second wife of shipping tycoon Thanos (Raf Vallone), falls in love with her husband's son from his first marriage, Alexis (Anthony Perkins). The love is doomed from the very beginning but they are unable to control their feelings.

The movie hit the cinemas in 1962, was a hit in Europe, but a box-office failure in the USA. Although Mercouri and Perkins became friends during the filming, the magazines, and especially Esquire magazine, attacked the film, because of Perkins's vulnerability. Phaedra was the first of several films that teamed Perkins with notable older female stars.

The music was created by Mikis Theodorakis. In the soundtrack, Melina Mercouri sang two songs. The first one was written by Nikos Gatsos, a major Greek poet, and was sung by Mercouri and Perkins after their love scene in Paris. The other one was heard in the film as the main love theme. Both of the songs are popular in Greece and they have been performed by hundreds of singers and actors.

Belair

Belair

Relax, You're soaking in it. pp 1980.

More super rare, private press business out of California via the vaults of G.Raf. Eddie Guthman on basses, Tucker Crosby on Guitars, David Balakrishnan -violin, Frederic Wetterau -Flute and saxes and Michael Belair in Guitar. This one leans towards the folk/jazz side of things and as always is highly recommended.

Much more to follow, so show G.raf some love

Charlie Mariano and Toshiko Akiyoshi

Charlie Mariano and Toshiko Akiyoshi.

East and West.

RCA RVL-5518.

Very very special album recorded in March 1963, once again provided by that man G.Raf. Ms Toshiko Akiyoshi performance is totally sublime, and supports Mariano beautifully. Haru-No-Umi is simply breathtaking.

Comments welcomed

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.