Forums

Looking everywhere online and outside of random YT videos this music doesn't seem to be on any streaming platforms or bandcamp. The LPs can be found for decent prices here and there, but Mosaic does such a good job on sound quality. 

Well, as usual, delayed, but here we go.   track 01 - I mean, what's not to like about this?   It's been said here that "J-Griff fools no one."  That is, once again, proven to be true.  Probably a rote guess, but sure sounds like Paul Chambers on bass.  Funky post-bop piano.  Several options, but none staking a claim.  Feel like I should have a better shot at the 'bone, but I've got nothin'.  Nothing to not love about this. track 02 - Change in gears, but I'm still in the happy zone.  The blend of those horns!  Yes, please.  Loping three feel, Rhodes.  I can even get beyond that drum sound.  So, mid-70s.  There's a rawness to the alto that has me looking in Byard Lancaster's neighborhood, but not him.  Don't think it's Marion Brown, either, but sure in the right side of town.  Okay, that's got to be Ranelin, right?  So was that Wendell Harrison on alto?  I'm always repelled by arrangement for arrangement's sake -- this is most certainly NOT that.  What a great arrangement! track 03 - First impressions are envisioning a glossy CD case.  Feels quite clean, but I'm going to reserve judgment.  Woody Shaw feel, but I think much more recent.  Very clean recording, and very clean execution... maybe too clean.  Yeah, that tenor is not growing on me.  I'm hearing the practice room and feeling nothing.  Nice piano work.  Not Kenny Barron, but maybe a disciple?  Trumpet invokes shades of Woody and Kenny Wheeler, but unfortunately, it's neither.  This is pretty, polite, interesting music -- it just isn't giving me the feels.  Nice bass work.   track 04 - What are you doing to me, man?  I know it's Joplin, but not sure which.  I'm not enamored of the execution.  Leaves me asking why?  I mean, if you're going to do this, execute.  Can't help but wonder if you're sneaking Braxton in to see if you can send me to the Piscataqua bridge.  I'll pass on this one. track 05 - AH!  THERE WE GO!  THAT'S HOW YOU DO IT!  And, Henry T fools NO one!  From what may well be my favorite Air album.  I often wonder if our friends who specialize in this era have heard this, and what they would think. track 06 - I'm liking it, but asking myself why.  It's not the horn, for sure.  Though, whatever the hell is happening, it's with intent.  But that drummer!  He's sounding like Franklin Kiermayer WISHES he sounded.  Got an edge with a bit of Elvin.  Gotta be a Chicago guy.  Can't tell the era from the recording.  I think it's a retro-style modern recording.  Bassist is on point, too.  Got a nice Garrison groove.  Maybe Isaiah Spencer on drums?  Whomever it is, an absolute MF!  Still waiting for the sax to GO someplace.  I mean, I get it, just  not sure we needed 4-1/2 minutes of that motif.  Doesn't sound like Ivo Perelman, but DOES sound like the sort of thing he would do.  See, now it sounds older (loft Jazz), but I'm more and more certain that's Isaiah.   track 07 - You're certainly not a one-trick pony.  Certainly feels like Herbie Nichols.  But knowing you, and knowing Herbie, it's probably Elmo Hope.  I wish I had a better grasp on whether or not I'm right about that.  If I DON'T have this, I certainly need it.  There's nothing I don't love about this. track 08 - Clifford Jordan (fools no one).  At first I was thinking that weird later record split with Ran Blake, but then I recognized it.  One of my favorite album covers of all time.  Can't recall the name of the tune, but this is a sneaky good record, particularly He's A Hero.    track 09 - At first I was thinking Sonny Sharrock, then Ava Mendoza.  It's neither.  Has a Very, Very Circus vibe to it, but leans more... not fusion... I'm getting almost a Jamaladeen Tacuma vibe, but shuffled with VVC.  What the hell is this?  Gotta be Chicago, no? track 10 - No idea, but I love it.  Been really getting into some of the older stuff of this genre and completely loving it.  What happened there?  I thought I was on to track 11 with two Latin tunes in a row, then it just went buh-bye.   track 11 -  But this makes me okay with that.  Pensive and almost new-agey, except that it holds my interest.  Getting a Ben Monder vibe from the guitarist.  Composition reminds me of Donny McCaslin's writing, except that I'm really enjoying this and Donny tends to put me to sleep. No clue. Quite a varied array!  I think I like your work on short notice!      

Skipping the Desmond bc I have all the other CD issues of that music and am not sure I need more, esp something of that set's size. Would love to have the portion with the valve trombone but...

Now on to disc 2