Friday, 4 March 2011

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

Prince Lasha Ensemble



Prince Lasha : Insight.

Here's Nuttin' out Jones with Stan Tracey on Piano, Rick Laird on Bass and David Snell on Harp. Early Lasha, but quality all the same.

G.Raf

Danny Zeitlin



Danny Zeitlin live at the Trident.
Recorded March 1965.

Beautiful version of Ornette Coleman's Lonely Woman. Charlie haden on Bass, Jerry Granelli on Drums. G.Raf business.

The Girl from Ipanema



The Girl from Ipanema.
Jimmy Davis and Norma Lee.

Wyncote records.

Killer club track, Jasmine again from G.Raf. Beautiful tune.


Johnny Almond Music Machine



Johnny Almond Music Machine.
Hollywood Blues.

More goodness from the vaults of G.Raf. Plenty of heavy hitters included here, Charles Kynard and Hadley Caliman. Top top tune, Agadir Sunset.

Tuesday, 1 March 2011

Jack McDuff



Jack McDuff.
Lift every voice and Sing.
JAM Records, Washington DC.

Produced by Esmond Edwards, here's the choice cut from this mid eighties album, Naima. Easy does it, Smooooothness all the way via the vinyl of G.Raf.

Bob Miles : Windstorm


Bob Miles ; Windstorm.
Recorded in Atlanta 1986. Golden Boy Jazz

Here's another excellent track lifted from the vinyl @ 320 (G.Raf again)
I tried uploading the appalling cover artwork, but my computer spat it back out at me.

Shit cover, top tune.

Enjoy

Monday, 28 February 2011

Milt Jackson



Milt Jackson and The Hip String Quartet.

All star line up includes Cedar Walton, Ron Carter, Mickey Roker, James Moody, Hubert Laws, the list goes on. The Morning After is cherry picked from this vinyl provided by G.Raf.

Tasty

Friday, 25 February 2011

Hal Singer.



Hal Singer.
Blues and News. Recorded 1971.

Another cd that's out there to buy, so here's the choice cut, Malcolm X, again brought to us by G.Raf.

Dustygrooves views;

The other great Hal Singer album from his years on the French scene – and a record that we'd say is even better than his legendary Paris Soul Food set! Although Singer is often most associated with an older style of swing-based jazz, he's working here in a loose, free mode that's got plenty of 70s soulful touches – often funky at the best moments, but even more importantly openly rhythmic – with a progressively soulful style that's really outta site! The group features Art Taylor on drums, plus an assortment of European players led by Siegried Kessler – who plays some great piano and flute on the album, and also handled the arrangements. The album features Singer's wonderful tune "Malcolm X" – the kind of a track that we'd rank right up there with some of the most righteous soul jazz groovers of the time. Other highlights include the modal "Pour Stephanie", the jagged "Blues For Hal", and the groovy "It's My Thing". CD also includes the bonus track "Lina".