webbcity

For whatever it's worth, I have this cheap LP reissue from 2002 and always thought it sounded pretty good... which surprised me considering the cost, and assuming it just came from a digital master... https://www.discogs.com/release/2026710-Doug-Hammond-David-Durrah-Reflections-In-The-Sea-Of-Nurnen But having said that I'm going to go back & listen again. Seeing that the Now Again reissues were cut by Bernie Grundman, I can only imagine that his cut will be an improvement on what I have. Decisions, decisions... I think that might explain it. While I haven't heard this particular album on P-Vine, I've had others from the same series and they sounded horrible. I had the P-Vine "mini-LP" CD version of A Message From the Tribe and it was compressed to hell, no-noised to death, and the high end jacked way up. It was seriously painful to listen to.

Same! Where do we sign up?? That is a lot. It's too bad Asian Improv doesn't have a Bandcamp page... huge missed opportunity IMO. The quality of music on that label is very high but accessibility seems to be quite low...

The odd thing about the Bowden is that it only seems to be available through Amazon. I was looking at other options myself, after I bought my copy... but the label (Asian Improv, Tatsu Aoki's label out of Chicago) seems to use Amazon as pretty much their sole distributor from what I can see. I did a quick look and it does appear to be available at Amazon UK-- https://www.amazon.co.uk/FOOT-n1FOOT-OUT-Mwata-Bowden/dp/B081WPWM5F/ Nice!! I am *definitely* gonna dig into this. So, no "official" release on this one then, I guess?

Thanks for sharing those! I do have the "complete edition" of A Message From The Tribe but didn't realize they had expanded all of these... will have to give a closer look to the bonus tracks. And yes, I definitely have my eye on that Harrison release!

Big fan of both of these labels. In fact, I must have posted in this thread years ago but I'm too lazy to look... hopefully I'm not about to repeat myself... Very happy with the latest Black Jazz reissues from Real Gone... a lot of those have been unavailable & hard to find for a few years. I was able to fill some holes in my collection. Favorites for me are all of the Doug Carn records, both LPs from The Awakening, both from Rudolph Johnson (talk about someone who deserves wider recognition! ), and the two Henry Franklins. There are still a bunch I'm not familiar with yet though. As far as Tribe goes, A Message From the Tribe is one of my all-time favorite records. Reflections in the Sea of Nurnen is right up there also. And there's a lot of Wendell Harrison's work post-Tribe Records period that is outstanding.

Going back through the posts, I see nobody has ID'd the Waldron album and I forgot to do so above, so I'll do it here: BOOM

Haven't been 'round these parts for a while, but decided I wanted to jump back into the BFTs this month, even before I knew my buddy Thom was doing it. Bonus! I wrote these comments as I was listening, and was careful not to read any previous posts first (but will go back and do that now)... Track 1 - Gotta love the simplicity of the intro. April in Paris, of course. Beautiful tone on the trumpet player! Oh man... and let's say the same for the tenor player as well, that is gorgeous. Any chance this is Chet Baker? Not very confident in that guess, but it's something. That's a beautiful trumpet solo. Lyrical, dynamic, emotional. The rhythm section is flawless and supportive throughout. Hard to guess on a lot of the players but I really enjoyed this. Track 2 - Ah! Harold Land. Jim, I can name that sax player in 3 notes. That sound!! And it's Alone Together. Hmmm...what group is this though? Maybe Curtis Counce? Oh interesting... a medley. Whoa! That trumpet player sounds from another era. Roy Eldridge? Is this one of those "Jam Session" recordings? Oh wait, would that be Clifford Brown then? Doesn't sound like him though. Holy high notes, Batman! I love how into it the crowd is. Oh yeah... so this must be Dinah Washington singing, on Come Rain or Come Shine? This is good overall... the Land portion at the beginning is definitely my favorite part though. Washington sounds pretty fantastic on that too. Track 3 - Well this is off to an interesting start. What A Difference A Day Makes? I think I have that right. That *is* a soprano, right? The tone is amazing! Soooo smooth, I was questioning whether it was an alto at first. No hard edge at all. Wow. I don't think I've ever heard a soprano sound quite so beautiful. Also hard to tell if that's a bass or a cello underneath. Oh no, it does sound like a bass... he hit a low note right as I typed that. Well, I don't think I have any guesses but I love this a lot. I am floating... Track 4 - Damn, what an intro... that left hand... the bass... wait a minute. Mal Waldron. I think I just listened to this recently. Reggie Workman on bass and Smilin' Billy on the drums. What can I say? A 10 out of 10. Who else can build a tune like this, out of so few raw elements? This performance was forged in fire. Such a simple tune, and they take it to so many different places over the course of the 13 minutes. Track 5 - Hahaha, this is the Jeff Lebowski Quintet - Live at the Bowling Alley. I can't really say too much on this one because I have inside info. But I will say that these are some BAAAAAAAD mofos!! 11 stars out of 10. In all seriousness, I loooove this tune and every one of the musicians here. Track 6 - Right from the get-go, we're dancing... ooooh, this is good. What a beautiful feeling the rhythm section has. I find the "B" section a little jarring and out of character with the rest of the tune. I'm sure that's the point but it doesn't totally work for me. Very nice flute playing. Piano solo--excellent. I feel like this is a bass player I know. Great sound and feeling. And a fantastic solo. Too short! Getting a bit of Buster Williams in there, but I don't think it's him. No guesses, but I liked this a lot. Track 7 - Boom! Boy, now we're in different territory. I love the nebulous, broken-up, and spacey feel of this groove. Oh yes!! William Parker, Mayan Space Station! With Ava Mendoza SHREDDING on guitar, and Gerald Cleaver on drums. The groove on this is SOOO deep, oh my god I love it. I couldn't wait to get this one when I saw it announced. I caught Ava Mendoza at a local show years ago, with her trio at that time. Unfortunately there were only about 4 or 5 of us in the audience but Sweet Jesus, they had to peel us off the back wall. It was a night I won't ever forget. Hearing her in this trio is even more mind-bending. Another 10 out of 10, easy. Track 8 - The tune is Motherless Child and I am loving this alto player out on a limb here... putting it all out there. Oh wow... is this the World Saxophone Quartet or something? This is magical. Talk about ears! Whoever this is, they're playing like they're of one mind & body. ...okay... wow. I had to stop typing for a minute while absorbing the singer & the tuba player. Hell yes, here we go. Um... this is so good I am going to just stop again now. And listen. ... So... KILLER, KILLER sax solo...two drummers... the band is ON FIRE. The bass solo is next level. WTF!? I am at a loss for words to exptess how much I love this. This has Tapscott written all over it to me, but I don't know it. I need it!!! Track 9 - Aha, again! This is Mwata Bowden, 1 Foot in 1 Foot Out, with Harrison Bankhead, Avreeayl Ra, Ari Brown, and Khari B with some powerful words about "Mama Ann" Ward. Oh shoot, I've forgotten the name of the trumpet player... not a well-known name I don't think, but I presume one of the AACM guys. This album is one of my favorite recent discoveries. Bowden isn't well known outside of Chicago and that's a shame. He's one of the most formidable and generous musicians I've ever had the privilege to see perform. Another 10 out of 10, 5 star, A+ record, however you want to put it. This has everything I want from music. I feel a little like I cheated on this, because a couple of these you got from me, and the others... well, our tastes are obviously very similar. But I can't remember another BFT where I pretty much loved every tune. Great stuff man. Thanks for your efforts, will be anxiously looking forward to the reveal on the stuff that I don't know here!!

Great stuff as always Thom, this was a blast! I loved just about every track. Already picked up the Jazz Crusaders record thanks to this, and a bunch more of these are on my want list now. Thanks for putting this together!

I had wondered about Bluiett on track 2 myself, but then I wasn't convinced. In the right neighborhood though?

Haven't been around these parts in quite a while, but came out of retirement to check out Thom's latest BFT, and no surprise, it was well worth it. It's no secret that we have very similar tastes and I loved almost everything on this BFT. Below are my comments as they came to me while listening... Track 1 - I can name that tune in one note! It is, of course, Stanley Cowell's "Maimoun"... but... who is doing this? My immediate thought is Dwight Trible just because I know he's covered some of this area but I don't really know him well enough to know for sure. I am a massive fan of this flute solo. Wow. Now wait a minute... I have this! In fact, I think I may have put a track from this on my last BFT? It's that Jane Bunnett album "Spirituals & Dedications." Yeah, that's Dewey Redman. And of course, I should have immediately recognized that it was Cowell playing his own tune at the beginning. I can't remember the singer's name on this though. This is killer! Track 2 - Already hooked within the first 30 seconds. The feel on this...damn! Multiple clarinets, and flutes? And some SERIOUS tone on that upright. Drummer right in the pocket. This is deep shit. And that nasty low bari sax... or bass sax even? I should have guesses, I'm sure I know some of these folks, but I'm just enjoying the hell out of this. I need this desperately. Track 3 - Love that shuffle feel, great sounding ensemble and I like the tune a lot. Reminds me a bit of what I've heard from Malachi Thompson, but I don't know his trumpet playing well enough to know if it's him. Feel like I might be in the right neighborhood though. Definitely has that Chicago feel to it. Really like this one, great playing all around and it's right in my wheelhouse. Track 4 - Another deep one... you're batting a thousand for feeling, soul, spirit... just beautiful. Strong solos, again. This is another winner for me, if more of a sleeper. But I can tell that in a different mood/time/space I would love this even more. Track 5 - Harmonically this is wild... and really beautiful. I love the piano intro and how the movement from that to the full group is so natural. Fantastic colors, bordering on Ellingtonia! Brilliant flute solo. Is it possible this is James Newton, or am I way off here? The applause actually took me by surprise... at the beginning of the track I did wonder if it was live due to the piano sound, but then forgot as I was drawn into the tune. I love a good clarinet solo too. This is really something, very anxious to know who & what this is. Track 6 - Yet another winner, right off the bat. Love the feel, the whole structure of it-- that moving piano line under the longer held notes in the horns. This is ultra cool. Gotta be the piano player's date. He/she is groovin hard and all bizness. Super soulful solo. Now that tenor player sounds real familiar and I'm guessing this is one of your guys Thom. Interesting though... I'm listening on headphones and it sounds like there was an 8 bar section that was maybe edited in? Excellent bass solo but it doesn't sound immediately like anyone I know. Overall this is fantastic. Track 7 - This is the first one that hasn't completely knocked me out, but I'm still intrigued. The slow movement of the melody in the horns and piano together was interesting at first, but it ended up feeling a little too clinical to me... not enough real emotional content. The alto solo is a bit that way too. This is for me anyway. Just leaves me a bit cold. This felt more like a classical piece than jazz to me. Track 8 - Great feel in the drums and bass... beautiful bass sound. Really interesting head, the phrasing is unexpected. Basic blues form but I can hear they are going to be pretty free with this. Really digging the tenor solo, beautiful sound and he/she tells a story. The trombone solo feels a little more disjointed/aimless to me, but I like the sound. I LOVE the amount of space the drummer uses, both up to this point and in the solo. Very musical. Clarinet and bass duet? Hello! Very nice. I like the gentle approach and slow build of the clarinet solo. Track 9 - Ahhhhhh...now hold everything. Rollins! With Bob Cranshaw on electric bass, Stanley Cowell on piano...this is "A House is Not a Home" from "The Cutting Edge." Great, great stuff... hard to know what to say about this because I love it so much. So I'll just listen... Track 10 - Right from the get-go I love the sound of this group. Beautiful waltz feel in the rhythm section, and the flute and vibes play off each other so well. It's obvious the group members know each other well, or at least have a natural rapport... there is some serious music happening here. Great dynamics and big ears all around. They're probably helped by the tune as well, which sounds like pure joy. Really enjoyed the piano solo as well as the soprano solo. Oh boy... this bass player has gotta be Cecil McBee. Hang on a minute... did you play this one for me not too long ago? My memory is so bad I forgot. Thus I can't remember what it is, but I do believe I've heard this. Anxious to learn what it is again! Track 11 - This really hit me just before the 3 minute mark where the singer hits that BIG note. This is intriguing to me but wasn't fully hooked in until that point. I think the recording quality is probably part of the issue there. This is a great tune and I'm loving it more the deeper I get in... the band and backup singers are with us now and I am down for this ride. Boy I feel like I know this. Or I *should*. I expect the reveal will make me kick myself but I have no guesses so far. Damn, the soprano solo is killin. Trombone solo, beautiful! I swear I know this tune. I am sensing Horace Tapscott in here... it has that feeling to it. Is it one of his groups? Maybe THIS is Trible? I am fully sold on this now. Thanks for your efforts putting this together my man, this just made my day! Also, what are you doing to me? I just spent a ton on records and now I'm sure I'm gonna have to add a bunch more to the list... Time to go back and see what has been ID'd so far...

I don't usually jump in so quickly, but I did a quick scan of these just to see if I knew any of them. Coincidentally, the first two tracks are from albums I listened to recently. One of them I considered for the last BFT. [*** SPOILER ALERT!!!! ***] ... Track 1 - This is the opening cut from Griot Galaxy's "Kins," a beautiful record! I love the circular feeling of this tune... the groove that Jaribu Shahid & Tani Tabbal get into is hypnotic, and I just love the way the horns bounce around it. Track 2 - This is Robin Kenyatta, from "The Girl From Martinique." This might be my favorite cut from the album... I think it's called "Blues For Your Mama." Kenyatta sounds so good on the head, over that rhythm section, just laying it out there. The SOUND of this cut is just so great. Organic... raw... beefy bass and crispy drums. And they're just open to whatever happens here. It's a beautiful thing. Gotta love Dauner's clav sounds too, just too cool. I'll have a lot more comments on the other tracks when I have more time to listen, but this BFT is sure off to a hell of a start.

It's a really nice album. You can hear a couple of the tracks here: https://shamieroyston.bandcamp.com/album/beautiful-liar ... and I'm sure the rest of the album is online somewhere.

...continued from above... 7. Vista - Marion Brown, from "Vista" https://www.discogs.com/Marion-Brown-Vista/release/518523 Have been on a bit of a Marion Brown kick lately. This particular one I remember getting especially because of Cowell's involvement, and because "Maimoun," one of my favorite SC tunes is on here. But the title track here is just absolutely beautiful, IMO. 8. All the Things You Are - Carmen McRae, from "Velvet Soul" https://www.discogs.com/Carmen-McRae-Velvet-Soul/release/7532935 As I think I mentioned in a previous comment, Carmen McRae has come on to my radar big time over the last few years. Her sound, phrasing, everything about her just speaks to me in a way that not many vocalists do. This is certainly a lesser-known album of hers but I enjoy the hell out of it. 9. Jitterbug Waltz - Stanley Cowell https://www.discogs.com/Stanley-Cowell-Live-At-Maybeck-Recital-Hall/release/3949927 JSngry got this one! And yes, it's a bit over the top in terms of "trying to impress" I suppose, but to me this isn't just empty virtuosity. Cowell can back it up. One of my favorite piano players. I realized when putting this BFT together that I don't listen to this particular disc nearly as much as I should--it's fantastic. Other standouts on it for me are "I Am Waiting" and "Nefertiti." 10. Son of Alfalfa - Henry Grimes Trio, from "The Call" https://www.discogs.com/Henry-Grimes-Trio-The-Call/release/1157366 I bought my first copy of this one in college, I was getting deeper into free jazz, had heard of the ESP label but had no idea yet who Grimes was. That photo of him on the cover seemed to look right through me and say "listen to this!" I spent many years after that listening to any recording of him that I could find, and eventually got to meet him, and help his wife Margaret with their web presence. Rest in peace, Henry. 11. Syltebo - Human Feel, from "Human Feel" https://www.discogs.com/Human-Feel-Human-Feel/release/3696726 This is another very personal one. One of the few on this test that nobody was able to get. This was a young Boston-area group from 1989 called Human Feel, with a few people you may have heard of, like Chris Speed, Jim Black, and Andrew D'Angelo (not to forget Rick Peckham or John Silverman). I played this thing to death for a while. This track still makes my spine tingle. However-- good luck finding this CD. I don't even have it any more... the version I used here came from digitizing a cassette copy of the CD my brother used to own. If I came off a reasonably-priced used copy of this now, I'd snap it up without hesitation. 12. Judy's Bounce - Jemeel Moondoc, from "Judy's Bounce" https://www.discogs.com/Jemeel-Moondoc-Trio-Judys-Bounce/release/1438920 Yes, the Ornette vibes are strong here. I have a couple of Moondoc records I really love and this is one of them. Have heard one or two that haven't hit the spot as well, but when he reaches me, he really reaches me. I've been meaning to investigate some more of his recordings and will likely do that soon! 13. Come Sunday - Cedar Walton https://www.discogs.com/The-Cedar-Walton-Trio-Quartet-Quintet-Cedar/release/7320333 Just a great, great group on this record. I couldn't believe it when I saw a thread pop up here about this album just days before putting the BFT out. Oh well. I figured this one would have been one of the easier guesses anyway. I have a real soft spot for this album. "Twlight Waltz" on this (later known as "Midnight Waltz") is one of my favorite tracks ever. But I went with "Come Sunday" because I really like this arrangement. 14. Evod - Ari Brown https://www.discogs.com/Ari-Brown-Live-At-The-Green-Mill/release/7126465 Ari Brown! The man! This one just hits all the right notes for me. I love the relentless groove and slow build of this tune. Actually just thinking about it now makes me want to listen again, I may give this disc a spin right now. Thanks all! Glad to present this and was glad so many of you enjoyed it. Nice! And do you like it? I didn't see you comment on the BFT so I'm curious what you think of it...

Okay, for the answers to this month's BFT, please see Thom Keith's post on page one. But seriously, folks...here's the complete info and links. Thanks to all who participated! 1. Push - Shamie Royston, from "Beautiful Liar" https://www.discogs.com/Shamie-Royston-Beautiful-Liar/release/12217003 I discovered this album last year by hearing the version here of Bill Withers' "Lovely Day" on jazz radio and thought it was, well...lovely. Most of you thought the track here sounded derivative, which may be fair, but that doesn't bother me-- overall I find this album very enjoyable. Royston writes some top-notch tunes and everyone here plays like they mean it. 2. Sweet'n - Richard Davis Quartet, from "Total Package" https://www.discogs.com/Richard-Davis-Quartet-Total-Package/release/4442932 Now this is a record I discovered literally just before I thought I was ready to send this month's tunes to Thom! And as soon as I saw the lineup I knew I was in. So this one is still new to me but I plan to listen a whole lot more. 3. Submission - Tyrone Washington, from "Roots" https://www.discogs.com/Tyrone-Washington-Roots/release/2004362 Tyrone blows his ass off on the record. I came very close to including "You Are The Sunshine of My Life" instead of this one...which you should absolutely listen to if you haven't heard it...but damn, it doesn't seem to be up on YouTube. This album is due for a proper reissue I think. 4. The Walking Blues - James Carter Organ Trio, from "At the Crossroads" https://www.discogs.com/James-Carter-Organ-Trio-At-The-Crossroads/release/6378736 I'm not nearly as familiar with James Carter as many of you here, but the bari solo on this tune grabbed me by the neck the very first time I listened to it, and never let go. Hoo boy!! I could listen to that ALL DAY. 5. Wabash Blues - Tomeka Reid Quartet, from "Old New" https://www.discogs.com/Tomeka-Reid-Quartet-Old-New/release/14163018 I believe it was Hot Ptah who correctly ID'd the brilliant guitar work from Mary Halvorson on this track. She's one of the highlights of this disc for me, but the whole group is just killer. Definitely one of my favorite releases of the last several years. 6. Interplanetary Travelers - Sonny Simmons, from "Staying On the Watch" https://www.discogs.com/Sonny-Simmons-Staying-On-The-Watch/release/6481696 A classic ESP session. Simmons, more and more, is a favorite musician of mine. And I have only heard a relatively small part of his discography at this point. And I was happy that JSngry specifically pointed out Barbara Donald's trumpet playing on this track as I think she is outstanding. More to come shortly...I have to do this in stages as my schedule is a bit crazy at the moment...

Hey now!!

It's interesting Allen, because I think of you as a true jazz academic in the BEST sense of the word, if that makes sense-- your knowledge is deep and untouchable from what I've seen. I would think people would absolutely want to have you on board, to learn from you and exchange ideas. I know that's pretty naive, but I guess it's the way I wish things were in academia. When I look at it again I can see the truth in your last sentence: "they do not believe in free speech or in academic freedom if it contradicts their own beliefs." I do recall finding this to be true in my own limited experience, at certain moments, even though my college experience was largely positive. Unreal. Yeah... what a terrible attitude for a jazz band director to bring to a music that is meant to be expressive, spontaneous, you know... CREATIVE. I will never understand that mentality.

I'm the product of a university jazz program, and I even have the BA in music performance degree to prove it! I joke, but I actually had a really great college experience overall. Yes, there was some of the usual "limited thinking" that was pretty messed up. But ultimately, I now have a great fondness for those years, because there were many great teachers in the department, and SO many playing opportunities. And we were lucky to have some incredible visiting musicians too... James Williams, Clark Terry, Milt Hinton, Hal Galper, Dave Holland, to name a few. Having said all that, I totally get the whole "university jazz education" thing. At that point I was starting to get into free jazz big time, which was a tough sell at first due to the very straight ahead nature of the program. But I started a group of folks who wanted to play free, and it did eventually win some people over, which felt like at least a small victory. Anyway... enough reminiscing... to the point of this thread, I do have a story that comes to mind. Not exactly a nightmare, but it has bothered me for years. I was in a combo that was playing for a visiting trumpet player, who was giving us feedback. After the tune was over, he pointed to me and said "the bass player's solo was the best, does anyone know why?" While feeling pleased that my clearly brilliant solo was being praised (), I was further curious as to what the answer to his question was. Nobody answered, so he said: "Because he played all the right notes! He followed the changes!" Ugh. Even then, as a young know-nothing, I knew there was something deeply flawed in that answer, and it upsets me to this day because it represents what I don't like in jazz: playing "by the rules."

Comments below in red...

Yep, all good, our ears are all different, as it should be. Sorry you didn't find more to enjoy. Not James Carter on track 11. I'll be very pleasantly surprised if someone guesses this one. Not because these are unknown players, but it's very early in all of their careers. Track 13 *is* Come Sunday! This one has been ID'd which I'm sure you've seen by now. Love the album this is from, it's a favorite. What a band! Believe it or not, I didn't realize that announcement was at the end of track 14! Oops! Hahaha You are the first to ID Tyrone Washington on track 3! Hadn't listened to this one in a while but when I pulled it out again recently I knew it had to go on this BFT. You are also correct that the guitarist on track 4 is Mary Halvorson. She is an absolute wizard on this track, IMO. And on this entire album. It's not under her name though. Thanks for listening, for your interest, and great comments!

Feel free to participate in this month's BFT, more listeners needed!

You got it! This is an album I just learned about recently... in fact, I had already put the BFT together, but went back to ask Thom if I could revise, because I wanted to add this in. This is a really great record! Ha! I get it. I don't even have that large of a collection, but I'm willing to bet you could pull something out that I own, play it, and I may not recognize it. I will say though that one of the benefits of this COVID situation (since me & my family are still all healthy, knock on wood...), is that I've had a little more time for listening, and pulling out albums I haven't listened to in a while. As for Ricky Ford, I am not an expert on him, but know the 3 others on that track pretty well. And regarding Elvin with Ari, I did not know that was a thing until this thread! All I found was a Jazz Machine album called "Soul Train"... is that the one Thom? Are there others?

Finally catching up a bit here... That's a cool cover. This is, as I'm sure you know, the original version. But I have it on an LRC compact disc with a different cover and title, as seen here: https://www.discogs.com/Carmen-McRae-Velvet-Soul/release/2593669

Damn, I think Thom broke the BFT! I figured you'd get a lot of them this month but wasn't quite expecting THAT. Oh well... Some great guesses and comments all around, and I have more of my own comments to add, but work is mighty crazy at the moment. Will come back next chance I get and write more... Hmmmm... I thought that was bass players?