Bobby Enriquez - Wild Piano (1988)

Criminally underrated Philipino jazz piano great Bobby Enriquez (1943-96) in a set guaranteed to make your heart race. With bass ace Eddie Gomez and super drummer Al Foster successfully holding on, the exuberant pianist turns eight jazz standards inside out and takes "Classical Gas" as an unaccompanied solo. Highlights of this typically high-powered Enriquez date include "All Blues," "Bye Bye Blackbird," Thelonious Monk's "Four in One," and "Cherokee.

track listing:

1. All Blues
2. September Song
3. Classical Gas
4. Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You
5. Bye Bye Blackbird
6. 'Round Midnight
7. Four in One
8. Pannonica
9. Cherokee

personnel:

Bobby Enriquez
Eddie Gomez
Al Foster


rec. 1988

Pharoah Sanders - Tauhid (1967)

Here's Pharoah Sandres' legendary "Tauhid" featuring the great late Sonny Sharrock (see previous post). Although introduced as a protege of John Coltrane and touted by many as his heir apparent, reedman Pharoah Sanders quickly proved his own man. His shared interest in the "cosmic" music of Coltrane's final period belies the fact that Sanders frequently plays with an unhurried sense of peace and satisfaction rarely found in his mentor's music. His use of space, African and Asian motifs and instruments, and simple, repetitive melodies also pointed the way for jazz, rock, and new age musicians in the '70s and '80s, while his sometimes raucous use of harsh, shrieking runs influenced many of jazz's most adventurous saxophonists.

Tauhid showcases both of those abilities. By turns meditative and impulsive, Tauhid's lynchpin is the 17-minute "Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt," on which Sanders plays piccolo in the first half and tenor sax in the second; the duality of the composition suggests both the ancient and modern aspects of Africa and, in turn, its melding with European and American culture. "Japan," a short composition on which Sanders performs a warm, spry vocalese, is both folksy and engaging, while the album's closing triumvirate of "Aum," "Venus," and "Capricorn Rising" proves wild and woolly.

track listing:

1. Upper Egypt & Lower Egypt 16:16
2. Japan 3:24
3. a. Aum b. Venus c. Capricorn Rising 14:46

personnel:

Pharoah Sanders (Tenor and Alto Saxophone, Piccolo and Vocals)
Sonny Sharrock (Guitar)
Dave Burrell (Piano)
Henry Grimes (Bass)
Roger Blank (Drums)
Nat Bettis (Percussion)

rec. 1967

Sonny Sharrock - Highlife (1990)

Warren Harding "Sonny" Sharrock (1940 – 1994) was one of few guitarists in the first wave of free jazz in the 1960s. He was known for his incisive, heavily chorded attack, his bursts of wild feedback, and for his use of saxophone-like lines played loudly on guitar.

Sharrock began his musical career singing doo wop in his teen years. He collaborated with Pharoah Sanders and Alexander Solla in the late 1960s, appearing first on Sanders's 1966 legendary effort, Tauhid. He made several appearances with flautist Herbie Mann and also made an uncredited guest appearance on Miles Davis's A Tribute to Jack Johnson, perhaps his most famous cameo.

He had in fact wanted to play tenor saxophone from his youth after hearing John Coltrane play on Davis's album Kind of Blue on the radio at age 19, but his asthma prevented this from happening. Sharrock said repeatedly, however, that he still considered himself "a horn player with a really fucked up axe."

Highlife was Sonny Sharrock's first studio album in three years, and it bore witness to several slight modifications in the guitarist's approach. Sharrock seems to be searching for ways to push his music forward, as he begins going farther afield for material and revisiting his past in the process. In addition to three full-fledged originals, he covers two traditional folk songs, the West African standard "Highlife" (learned in one of his earliest gigs with drummer Babatunde Olatunji) and the Harry Belafonte-associated "All My Trials"; he adapts several themes from Kate Bush's prog pop hit "Wuthering Heights" into "Kate"; and he returns to his legendary appearance on Pharoah Sanders' Tauhid album with a medley of two Sanders themes, "Venus/Upper Egypt."

track listing:

1. No More Tears
2. All My Trials
3. Chumpy
4. Highlife
5. Kate (Variations on a Theme by Kate Bush)
6. Venus / Upper Egypt
7. Your Eyes
8. Giant Steps

personnel:

* Abe Speller
* Drums

* Charles Baldwin
* Bass

* Dave Snider
* Korg Synthesizer, Korg M1

* Lance Carter
* Drums

* Sonny Sharrock
* Guitar

rec. 1990

Gunther Schuller · Joe Lovano - Rush Hour (1994)

Let's now move into more musically challenging territory: Gunther Schuller (b.1925) is a towering figure in American music. He participated under his capacity as a horn player in Miles Davis' "Birth of the Cool" seminal 1949 sessions. He is a leading classical composer, critic and writer (his two-volume jazz history Early Jazz and The Swing Era are recommended reading to everyone interested in jazz music) and, most importantly, he is the first to come up with the idea of the Third Stream (a term he coined) whence all the experimentation of fusing classical and jazz elements came to life and groups like the Jazz Quartet emerged.

This superb 1994 date teams the talents of Schuller as arranger with the robust sound of Joe Lovano on tenor sax in an all-encompassing offering including meterial by Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus, Ornette Coleman, Billy Strayhorn as well as originals by these two great musicians and was 1995 Down Beat Critics & Readers Poll Album of the Year, Grammy Nominee Best Large Ensemble (and deservedly so). This is music that speaks to the soul and the intellect, enjoy.

personnel:

Joe Lovano - Tenor and Soprano Sax
Bass Clarinet, Drums, Arranger

Gunther Schuller - Arranger
Jack Walrath - Trumpet
David Taylor - Bass Trombone, Tuba
John Clark - French Horn
Richard Oatts - Flute, Tenor Sax
Ed Schuller - Bass
Mark Helias - Bass
George Schuller - Drums
James Chirillo - Guitars
Judi Silvano - Vocal

track listing:

1. Prelude to a Kiss (Ellington/Gordon/Mills)
2. Peggy's Blue Skylight (Mingus)
3. Wildcat (Lovano)
4. Angel Eyes (Brent/Dennis)
5. Rush Hour On 23rd Street (Schuller)
6. Crespuscle With Nellie (Monk)
7. Lament For M (Schuller)
8. Topsy Turvy (Lovano)
9. The Love I Long For (Duke)
10. Juniper's Garden (Lovano)
11. Kathline Gray (Coleman)
12. Headin' Out Movin' In (Schuller)
13. Chelsea Bridge (Strayhorn

Jimmy Ponder - Ain't Misbehavin' (1998)

Time to get acquainted with one of the best-kept secrets in guitar jazz, Mr. Jimmy Ponder from Pittsburg, PA (b. 1946). He began playing with Charles Earland at 17, and in the following years played with Lou Donaldson, Houston Person, Donald Byrd, Stanley Turrentine, and Jimmy McGriff. He moved to Philadelphia and later New York City in the 1970s, and recorded extensively as a leader for a number of jazz labels.

This superb date finds him in the company of the great late John Hicks on piano, Don Braden on tenor sax, Dwayne Dolphin on bass and Cecil Brooks III (who produced this album) on drums. Very tasteful and soulful jazz expertly delivered, enjoy.

track listing:

1. On Broadway
2. Sunny
3. I'll Remember April
4. Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)
5. Three Little Words
6. My One and Only Love
7. Summertime
8. Man Ain't Got No Thing on Me
9. Wave
10. All Blues
11. Ain't Misbehavin'


rec. in Pittsburg, PA, on June 16, 1998

Jozn Zorn

The Big Gundown - John Zorn plays the music of Ennio Morricone (2000)


One genius paying tribute to another in this 15th anniversary deluxe edition of John Zorn's 1985 reworking of Ennio Morricone's cinematic masterpieces we all learned to love bearing the seal of approval from the maestro himself, with 6 new tracks thrown in for good measure. This is contemporary kick-ass jazz of the highest order - not to be missed.

personnel:

Marc Ribot - guitar
Mike Patton - spoken vocals
Joey Baron - drums
John Zorn - spoken vocals, alto saxophone, piano, harpsichord, saw
Mark Feldman - violin
Erik Friedlander - cello
Mark Miller - drums, tympani
John Patton - organ
Wayne Horvitz - piano, organ, celeste
Bobby Previte - vocals, tympani, percussion
Tim Berne - alto saxophone
Anthony Coleman - vocals, piano, harpsichord, organ
Melvin Gibbs - bass
Jim Staley - trombone, bass trombone
Luli Shioi
Orvin Aquart - harmonica
Richard Quine
Vicki Bodner - oboe, English horn

Also: Toots Thielemans, Bill Frisell, Vernon Reid, Fred Frith, Arto Lindsay, Anton Fier, Diamanda Galas, Jody Harris


track listing:

1. Big Gundown, The
2. Peur Sur la Ville
3. Poverty - (Once Apon A Time In America)
4. Milano ODea
5. Erotico - (The Burglars)
6. Battle of Algiers
7. Giu la Testa - (Duck, You Sucker!)
8. Metamorfosi - (La Classe Operaia Va In Paradiso)
9. Tre Nel 5000
10. Once Upon a Time in the West
11. Sicilian Clan, The - (bonus track)
12. Macchie Solari - (bonus track)
13. Ballad of Hank McCain, The - (bonus track)
14. Svegliatti E Uccidi - (bonus track)
15. Chi Mai - (bonus track)
16. Ballad of Hank McCain, The - (bonus track)

The Kenny Clarke · Francy Boland Sextet - Calypso Blues (1965)

Had it not been for the post-war migration of many top American jazz musicians to Europe, it is quite likely that the legendary Clarke-Boland Big Band, one of the most noteworthy jazz big bands formed outside the United States, might never have come into existence.

It was formed in 1961, when, with the help of producer Gigi Campi, the US drummer Kenny Clarke and Belgian pianist and composer Francy Boland and ex-Duke Ellington bassist Jimmy Woode brought together several jazz musicians of note. Although based in Europe, the band was truly multinational, also having several US musicians in the line-up.

It was disbanded in 1972, after having recorded more than 15 albums. They released many of their albums on the German jazz record label MPS Records and members of this stellar outfit included Johnny Griffin, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Ronnie Scott, Carl Drewo, Tony Coe, Derek Humble, Nat Peck, Ake Persson, Dusko Goykovich, Stan Sulzmann, Ack van Rooyen, John Surman, Jimmy Deuchar, Manfred Schoof, Albert Mangelsdorff, Eric van Lier, Ron Mathewson, Fats Sadi, Kenny Clare, Benny Bailey, Jimmy Woode, Art Farmer, Sahib Shihab, Shake Keane, Idrees Sulieman, Herb Geller, Jimmy Deuchar, and were joined on occasions by Phil Woods, Zoot Sims, Stan Getz and many others.

In between the much-acclaimed, epic recordings made by the Clarke-Boland big band, there were a number of memorable small group sessions, featuring key sidemen from the big band, which over the years have tended to be forgotten. This excellent 20-track compilation is largely a composite of two sessions: one recorded in the Alten Bahnhof von Rolandseck in Germany on September 25,1965 and the other recorded in Berlin on June 16, 1965. This is great and very hard-to-find latin-tinged music (used copies sell for big bucks on the used market), enjoy.

personnel:
Bass - Jimmy Woode
Drums - Kenny Clarke
Flute - Sahib Shihab
Percussion - Joe Harris
Piano, Arranger - Francy Boland
Vibraphone, Percussion - Fats Sadi


track listing:
1 Ebony Samba (3:55)
2 Tin Tin Deo (2:53)
3 Please Don't Leave (4:09)
4 Lush Life (4:27)
5 The Man From Potter's Crossing (3:17)
6 Wives And Lovers (3:20)
7 Ensadinado (2:32)
8 Lorraine (3:52)
9 Love Hungry (3:42)
10 Balafon (3:05)
11 Day By Day (2:41)
12 Calypso Blues (4:06)
13 Invitation (4:38)
14 Insensatez (2:41)
15 Serenata (3:23)
16 Con Alma (5:03)
17 Just Give Me Time (3:11)
18 Born To Be Blue (3:49)
19 Lilemor (4:25)
20 Sconsolato (2:32)

Queen Bey & Arthur Blythe - Live! (1997)

Fantastic bootleg live set from 1997 with excellent audio quality to boot (pun intended) as it was recorded directly from console to DAT capturing all the nuances and ambiance of a live performance, featuring the great vocalist Queen Bey from Kansas City in a loving tribute to another great, late blues queen, Dinah Washington. The supporting band is led by the great Arthur Blythe on alto sax and piano player Mike Hennessey from the UK who spices things up with a touch of British wit every time he makes an announcement through the microphone.
The repertoire is full of timeless standards expertly delivered. Great stuff indeed, enjoy.



track listing:

Vol.1

1. Just Friends
2. Stormy Monday Blues
3. The Lady Is a Tramp
4. Lover Man
5. All of Me
6. If I had You
7. Lover
8. Easy Living
9. What a Difference a Day Made



Vol. 2

1. Straight, No Chaser
2. Drink My Water
3. On Green Dolphin Str.
4. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
5. I Thought About You
6. In a Sentimental Mood
7. This is the End of a Beautiful Friendship
8. Misty
9. Teach Me Tonight
10.Kansas City Here I come
11.Summertime
12.C.C. Rider

Arthur Blythe · Retroflection · Live at the Village Vanguard (1993)

Superb set from altoist Arthur Blythe recorded live at New York's famed Village Vanguard for the German Enja label considered by many to be his finest recording. Blythe, with his trademark wailing tone, is superbly accompanied by the great late John Hicks on piano, Cecil McBee on bass and Bobby Battle on drums. This is contemporary jazz of the highest order.


personnel:

Arthur Blythe - as
John Hicks - p
Cecil McBee - b
Bobby Battle - dr

track list:

1. Jana's Delight [9:17]
2. JB Blues [9:31]
3. Peacemaker [5:55]
4. Light Blue [11:51]
5. Lenox Avenue Breakdown [11:12]
6. Faceless Woman [11:33]
7. Break Tune [9:21]

rec. June 26, 1993 at the Vanguard
enja 8046 2

Jeff Palmer · John Abercrombie · Arthur Blythe · Victor Lewis - Ease On (1993)

Another great Abercrombie offering from 1993 for the Audioquest label in the company of Jeff Palmer, another great innovator, on Hammond B-3 organ, the great Arthur Blythe on alto sax and victor Lewis on drums, this time under the Palmer's name as all tunes but one were penned by him. But, as we all know these dates have no 'leader' per se, the music is democratic and free-flowing, all in all a great and very modern sounding contemporary jazz set pushing the jazz organ combo genre beyond the Jimmy Smith realm.

personnel:

Jeff Palmer - organ
John Abercrombie - g
Arthur Blythe - alto sax
Vixtor Lewis - d


track listing:

1. Good News
2. Ease On
3. Side View
4. Blues on the Corner (McCoy Tyner)
5. Modal Scallopini
6. Mid Move
7. Gas Mask