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100 Overlooked Recordings Worth Listening To


paul secor

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It seems to be the season for lists.

There are lots of overlooked jazz records. These are just 100 that I picked out of my collection - some more overlooked than others - to bring to folks' attention. I tried to choose only in print recordings. Obviously, no one will have a taste for every one of these albums. If you did, you would be me - a frightening thought. But I don't think that any of these records will be an insult to anyone's intelligence or sensibilities.

I was introduced to several of these through the generous sharing of information by other members. I thank them for that.

So:

Muhal Richard Abrams featuring Malachi Favors: Sightsong (Black Saint)

Air: Air Time (Nessa)

Oscar Aleman: Swing Guitar Masterpieces 1938-1957 (Acoustic Disc)

Gene Ammons: Live! In Chicago (OJC)

Fred Anderson: The Missing Link (Nessa)

Fred Anderson/Steve McCall: Vintage Duets Chicago 1-11-80 (Okka Disk)

Ray Anderson: Right Down Your Alley (Soul Note)

Albert Ayler: The Hilversum Session (ESP)

Billy Bang featuring Denis Charles: Bangception (Hatology)

Robert Barry and Fred Anderson: Duets 2001 (Thrill Jockey)

Carla Bley: Dinner Music (ECM)

Paul Bley/John Gilmore/Gary Peacock/Paul Motian: Turning Point (IAI)

Lester Bowie/Phillip Wilson: Duet (IAI)

Bobby Bradford & John Stevens Volume One (Nessa) – vinyl only

Bobby Bradford with the Frank Sullivan Trio: One Night Stand (Soul Note)

Ruby Braff/Ellis Larkins: Duets Vol. 1&2 (Vanguard)

Anthony Braxton: Six Monk’s Compositions (1987) (Black Saint)

Ted BrownTrio: Free Spirit (Criss Cross)

Jaki Byard Trio: July in Paris (Jazz Friends)

Roy Campbell Pyramid: Communion (Silkheart)

Oscar “Papa” Celestin/Sam Morgan: Recorded in New Orleans 1925-1928 (Jazz Oracle)

Don Cherry: Human Music (Water)

The Essential Buck Clayton (Vanguard)

Ornette Coleman/Howard Shore/London Phil. Orch.: Naked Lunch Soundtrack (Milan)

Louis Cottrell Trio: Bourbon Street (OJC)

Ray Crawford: Smooth Groove (Candid)

Andrew Cyrille/Jeanne Lee/Jimmy Lyons: Nuba (Black Saint)

Andrew Cyrille Trio: Good To Go, with a Tribute to Bu (Soul Note)

Albert Dailey: That Old Feeling (Steeplechase)

Meredith D’Ambrosio: It’s Your Dance (Sunnyside)

Walt Dickerson: Peace (Steeplechase)

Bill Dixon: In Italy Vol. 1 (Soul Note)

Roy Eldridge: The Nifty Cat (New World)

Boulou and Elios Ferre: Gypsy Dreams (Steeplechase)

Percy France: I Should Care (Endgame)

The Bud Freeman All-Star Swing Sessions featuring Shorty Baker (OJC)

Jimmy Gourley: The West Bank of New York (Uptown)

Teddy Grace: 1937-1940 (Timeless)

Milford Graves: Stories (Tzadik)

Al Haig: Trio and Sextets (OJC)

Sadik Hakim Trio: Witches, Goblins, etc. (Steeplechase)

Lin Halliday: Airegin (Delmark)

Barry Harris: Newer Than New (OJC)

Bill Harris and Friends (OJC)

Coleman Hawkins: At the Golden Circle 1963 (Dragon)

Julius Hemphill: Blue Boye (Screwgun)

Julius Hemphill: Raw Materials and Residuals (Black Saint)

Elmo Hope Trio: Meditations (OJC)

Claude Hopkins: The Transcription Performances 1935 (Hep)

Alberta Hunter: Amtrak Blues (Sony)

Peter Ind/Rufus Reid: Alone Together (Wave)

Joseph Jarman: Song For (Delmark)

Khan Jamal: Percussion & Strings (CIMP)

Leroy Jenkins: The Legend of Ai Glatson (Black Saint)

Jo Jones: The Main Man (Pablo)

Clifford Jordan/Ran Blake: Masters from Different Worlds (Mapleshade)

Sheila Jordan & Arild Andersen: Sheila (Steeplechase)

Freddie Keppard: The Complete Set – 1923-1926 (Retrieval)

Jimmy Knepper: Cunningbird (Steeplechase)

The Charlie Kohlhase Quintet (+ Roswell Rudd) Plays the Music of Roswell Rudd: Eventuality (Nada)

Peter Ind Presents Lee Konitz in Jazz from the Nineteen Fifties (Wave)

Tenors of Yusef Lateef and Archie Shepp (YAL)

George Lewis: Homage to Charles Parker (Black Saint)

Claude Lawrence with Wilber Morris and Denis Charles: Lost Art/Hidden Treasures (New Fountain)

John Lindberg Ensemble: Bounce (Black Saint)

John Lindberg Ensemble: A Tree Frog Tonality (between the lines)

Fraser MacPherson: Someday You’ll Be Sorry (DSM)

Warne Marsh: Jazz from the East Village (Wave)

Warne Marsh: All Music (Nessa)

Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre: Peace and Blessings (Black Saint)

Jay McShann/Buddy Tate: Crazy Legs and Friday Strut (Sackville)

Marcello Melis: The New Village on the Left (Black Saint)

Don Menza/John Bacon/Bobby Jones: Jackrabbit (Cadence Jazz)

Dom Minasi: Quick Response (CDM)

Charles Mingus: Jazz Portraits (Blue Note)

Roscoe Mitchell: Snurdy McGurdy and Her Dancing Shoes (Nessa)

Roscoe Mitchell: No Side Effects (Rougueart)

Paul Murphy: Red Snapper (Cadence Jazz)

Buell Neidlinger Quintet: Blue Chopsticks – A Portrait of Herbie Nichols (K2B2)

Bill Perkins/Frank Strazzeri: Two As One (Interplay)

Paul Plummer/Ron Enyard: Trio & Quartet (Quixotic)

Mel Powell: The Best Things in Life & It’s Been So Long (Vanguard)

Sammy Price: Sweet Substitute (Sackville)

Jimmy Raney/Doug Raney Quartet: Stolen Moments (Steeplechase)

Pee Wee Russell with Buck Clayton: Swingin’ with Pee Wee (OJC)

Dave Schildkraut: Last Date (Endgame)

Archie Shepp/Dollar Brand: Duet (Denon)

Sonny Simmons: Live in Paris (Arhoolie)

The Six and 7/8’s String Band of new Orleans: Echoes of Tom Anderson’s (American Music)

Leo Smith: The Spirit Catcher (Nessa) – vinyl only

Nat Su/Michael Kanan: Dreams and Reflections (Fresh Sound)

Steve Swell’s Fire Into Music: Swimming in a Galaxy of Goodwill and Sorrow (Rogueart)

Henry Threadgill: Song Out of my Trees (Black Saint)

Masahiko Togashi: Session in Paris Vol.1 – Song of the Soil (Take One)

Joe Venuti & Earl Hines: Hot Sonatas (Chiaroscuro)

The Greg Waits Group: … and into the light (Jagre)

What We Live: Trumpets (Black Saint)

Mark Whitecage: Caged No More (CIMP)

Joe Wilder: Alone with Just My Dreams (Evening Star)

Claude Williams: Live at J’s Vol. 1 (Arhoolie)

Edited by paul secor
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excellent idea for a thread!!!

:excited:

:tup

Hope others will post lists - large or small. I look forward to learning and finding new things to listen to.

Paul,

Interesting list - do you think it would be a good idea to modify your thread title to make it clear that other lists - big or small - are welcome?

It actually makes me wonder whether this is an appropriate sub-forum addition - essentials, inessentials, and overlooked recordings worth listening to. ;)

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Paul,

Interesting list - do you think it would be a good idea to modify your thread title to make it clear that other lists - big or small - are welcome?

It actually makes me wonder whether this is an appropriate sub-forum addition - essentials, inessentials, and overlooked recordings worth listening to. ;)

Good idea, and done - thread title modified.

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Anthony Braxton: Six Monk’s Compositions (1987) (Black Saint)

Ornette Coleman/Howard Shore/London Phil. Orch.: Naked Lunch Soundtrack (Milan)

Milford Graves: Stories (Tzadik)

Jimmy Raney/Doug Raney Quartet: Stolen Moments (Steeplechase)

Four I own, there's a lot of interesting music there I wouldn't mind getting my ears on.

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Interesting list and great idea for a thread! However, I think you and I would absolutely bore each other to death if we ever got together to listen to jazz: your list is far more adventurous than anything I have in my collection.

But I do have ALL MUSIC, and that's worth it right there! :tup

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Interesting list and great idea for a thread! However, I think you and I would absolutely bore each other to death if we ever got together to listen to jazz.

Perhaps - but perhaps not. We each might learn something. Differences can be good things. :)

I've got six on Paul's list. But I know I'd dig his list of overlooked blues recordings - and probably have a much higher proportion. ;)

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Interesting list and great idea for a thread! However, I think you and I would absolutely bore each other to death if we ever got together to listen to jazz.

Perhaps - but perhaps not. We each might learn something. Differences can be good things. :)

I've got six on Paul's list. But I know I'd dig his list of overlooked blues recordings - and probably have a much higher proportion. ;)

I thought about doing that one, Dan. Don't know how much interest there would be.

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You never know, Paul. I'd say go for it - there have been other blues threads that have gotten a good reaction - Hans' list of essential blues recordings stands out. I'm sure people would be interested in a list of overlooked blues recordings.

Have you got Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets with Sam Myers - Live at The Grand Emporium? They recorded a bunch of times together but now that I've heard it, I think its the Anson + Sam recording to have.

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Don't know that one Dan. There's good Sam Myers on an Official CD where his recordings are paired with Papa Lightfoot's.

It's a boot, but it contains all his early recordings, including a couple of sides with Elmore James.

After hearing his first two singles, I wanted to find what he recorded for Fury afterwards. I found a "VG+" copy that turned out to have major flaws (no harm, he gave me a refund including shipping) and only afterwards did I discover the CD with Papa Lightfoot, and I was very glad I did (although Papa is something of an acquired taste).

His final recording as a leader, Coming From The Old School on Electro-Fi, is excellent, too.

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Yes, a really interesting list.

Am pleased to see I already have quite a few of those that (stylistically speaking) fall within my main areas of jazz interest, and I agree that the Vanguards are worth exploring more.

Funny to see that "Witches, Goblins etc." by Sadik Hakim making the list. For quite a long time this record (in fact, MULTIPLE copies of it) occupied the "H" bin of my favorite local jazz record shop whenever I checked this bin for Al Haig and Hampton Hawes LP's I was searching for. Seems like somebody overstocked on this item and NEVER managed to shift it. Maybe I ought to have grabbed a copy ... ?

Noted this one in the list which sounds really interesting:

Jimmy Gourley: The West Bank of New York (Uptown)

I've quite a few sideman recordings (mostly French) by Jimmy Gourley but have never heard of this one.

The Uptown label sounds like quality. Any details, comments on that?

And yes, Paul, PLEASE DO A BLUES LIST! ;)

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Paul,

I am taking you up on your offer to add my own list of 100 recordings worth listening to. These are all from CD's in my collection. They are in random order.

Buster Williams - Live At Montreux Jazz Festival - TCB

Conte Candoli - Sweet Simon - BR

James Clay - I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart - Antilles

Ruby Braff - You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me - Arbors

Frank Portenza & Shelly Berg - First Takes - Azica

Dan Faulk Quartet - Focusing In - Criss Cross

Lee Konitz In Harvard Square - Black Lion

Shirley Scott Trio - Blues Everywhere - Candid

Jim Hall & Bob Brookmeyer - Live At Northsea Jazz Festival - Challenge

Stan Getz - Yous And Mine - Concord Jazz

Enrico Pieranunzi Trio - Live In paris - Challenge

Danny Moss Quartet - Weaver Of Dreams - Nagel-Heyer

Meet Oliver Nelson - New Jazz

Jay McShann Quintet - Going To Kansas City - New World

Nisse Sandstrom - Home Cooking - Phontastic

Kenny Davern And His Rhythm Men - Arbors

Ray Bryant - Trio Today - EmArcy

Shorty Rogers & Andre Previn - Collaboration - RCA

Dan Barrett Octet - Strictly Confidential - Concord Jazz

Paul Gonsalves - Ellington Moods & Blues - RCA

George Wallington Quintet - Live At cafe Bohemia - Prestige

Bob Wilber's Tribute To Coleman Hawkins - Bean - Arbors

John Hicks Trio - Expectations - Reservoir

Buck Hill - The Buck Stops Here - Muse

Red Norvo's Small Bands - Just A Mood - RCA

John Marshall Quintet - Keep On Keepin' On - Mons

Nat Pierce/Dick Collins/Ralph Burns & the Herdsmen - Play Paris - Fantasy

Charles McPherson - Live At The Cellar - Cellar Live

Warren Vache - Dream Dancing - Arbors

Ralph Lalama - Feelin' & Dealin' - Criss Cross

Murley, Bickert & Wallace - Live At The Senator - Cornerstone

John Lewis - The Garden Of Delight / Delauney's Dilemma - EmArcy

Marty Paich Big Band - Moanin' - Discovery

Jeff Hamilton Trio Featuring Frits Landesbergen - Dynavibes - Mons

Sal Nistico - Heavyweights - Milestone

David Friesen Trio - Midnight Mood - Intuition

Roy Eldridge 4 - Montreux '77 - Pablo

Peter Bernstein - Signs Of Life - Criss Cross

Bob Cooper - For All We Know - Fresh Sound

Clifford Jordan's Big Band - Play What You Feel - Mapleshade

Jan Lundgren Trio - Cookin" At The Bakery - Fresh Sound

Sonny Red - Red, Blue & green - Milestone

Count Basie and Kansas City 8 - Get Together - Pablo

Andy Simpkins Quintet - Comin' At Ya - Mama

Herb Geller - That Geller Feller - Fresh Sound

Marchel Ivery - Marchel's Mode - Leaning House

Dado Moroni - Out Of The Night - Jazz Focus

Herb Ellis & Stuff Smith - Together - Koch Jazz

Bob Mover Quintet - Television - DSM

Cedar Walton Trio - Cedar - Timeless

Stu Williamson Plays - Fresh Sound

Paul Quinichette - Like Basie - Mighty Quinn

Duke Jordan Trio - Two Loves - Steeplechase

Jay Thomas - Live At Tula's - McVouty

Hal McKusick - Now's The Time - Decca

Frank Strazzeri Trio - I Remember You - Fresh Sound

Benny Bailey - For Heaven's Sake - Hot House

Arranged/Played/Composed By Jack Montrose - Koch Jazz

J.R. Monterose - T.T.T. - Storyville

Don Sickler - Night Watch - Uptown

Jimmy Raney - Complete In Tokyo - Xanadu

Dave Glasser - Dreams Askew, Dreams Anew - Aremis

Horace Parlan Trio - No Blues - Steeplechase

Flip Phillips - Swing Is The Thing - Verve

Dolo Coker - California Hard - Xanadu

Dizzy Gillespie - A Portrait Of Duke Ellington - Verve

Bob Rockwell - Born To Be Blue - Steeplechase

Eddie Higgins - Haunted Heart - Sunnyside

James Moody - And His Hip Organ Trio - Xanadu

Hugh Lawson Trio - Prime Time - Storyville

Ernie Wilkins Almost Big Band - On The Roll - Steeplechase

Doug Raney - Cuttin' Loose - Steeplechase

Sir Charles Thompson - His Personal Vanguard Recordings - Vanguard

Howard McGhee - Jazz brothers - Storyville

Kenny Barron Trio - The Only One - Reservoir

Peter Leitch - Red Zone - Reservoir

Tadd Dameron And His Orchestra - The Magic Touch - Riverside

Cees Slinger - Sling Shot - Timeless

Dave Pike - It's time For Pike - Riverside

Steve Kuhn Trio - Dedication - Reservoir

Ed Bickert - Out Of the Past - Sackville

Lin Halliday - Delayed Exposure - Delmark

Charles Thomas Trio - The Finishing Touch - Space Time

Harold Danko - Oatts & Perry - Steeplechase

Donald Byrd - Au Chat qui Peche - Fresh Sound

The Ballad Artistry Of Buddy Tate - Sackville

Tardo Hammer Trio - Look, Stop Listen - Sharp 9

Tad Shull Quartet - In The Land Of The Tenor - Criss Cross

Bertha Hope Quintet - Bertha's Fire - Steeplechase

Barney Kessel - Let's Cook - Contemporary

Barry Harris - Luminescence - Prestige

Danny D'Imperio - The Outlaw - Sackville

Doug Lawrence - Soul Carnival - Fable

Walter Davis, Jr. - Scorpio Rising - Steeplechase

Alvin Queen & Dusko Goykovich - A Day In Holland - Sound Hills

Nils Lindberg - Sax Appeal & Trisection - Dragon

Rob Schneiderman - Keepin' In The Groove - Reservoir

Richie Vitale Quintet - Dreamsville - TCB

Dave McKenna - Handful Of Stars - Concord Jazz

Coleman Hawkins - Rainbow Mist - Delmark

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