tkeith

Always the case (comes off more that way in written form). I don't edit the comments, just write them as I listen. That which I dug, I truly dug; that which I didn't, I also didn't mind spending the time listening.

Some goodies in this one. Listening was spaced out over the course of the month -- stupid job! Track 1 - I’m liking the percussion, but there is a drop off in the nice feel that’s been established once the soprano comes in. The pseudo-folk melody doesn’t really mesh. John Surman does some stuff like this (it’s not him) and that’s the one thing about him that kind of rubs me. I would enjoy this more if it would try to be less. Track 2 - Drums have that Bitches Brew feel. Loving the bass. Ideas are very Stan Clarke of the period, but the sound is McBee. I’ll split the difference and guess Miroslav Vitous. Track 3 - Hate the sound, right off the bat; very shrill. Drums and piano are anxious, too busy. Alto had me thinking Jackie on the head, but I can’t imagine him doing something like this. They can’t all be “winning”. Track 4 - That’s got to be Tomasz Stanko. Loving that tone and the un-time feel behind him. Free without being too messy. I love his style. He’s not anybody else. I mean, he’s not Lee Morgan, but he’s so unique that I dig him. Also very much sound like an ECM recording, but I have no idea what it is. Track 5 - Hehe… students in a science class are doing “the cilia dance” in front of me as I listen to this (making good use of a prep block!). A little honky-tonk for my taste, but a some serious chops on the alto. Not familiar with the player. Heartfelt, and soulful, though I find the rhythm section not fully in sync (particularly piano). This would be a lot of fun to see live (where pianist would be less obtrusive than s/he is banging away in my left ear). I’m wondering if the pianist is the leader because what s/he is doing is WAY up in the mix on my headphones (earbuds) and really inspiring some pretty serious hatred. The piano solo is okay, it’s the comping that’s grating. Wait, now s/he’s ruining the solo, too. Hope this is not someone I typically like, because this is really getting to me; too bad because otherwise I like the hell out of the track. Could be Cecil, hellbent on annoying me. Some judicious editing and this track could be a keeper. Track 6 - A cover of Peace Piece. Not caring for the sound of the keys (doesn’t sound acoustic to me). I like the bass taking the lead. Feels like the tempo is a bit rushed… or maybe like it’s overdubbed leading to a rushed feel. And now an “original” head. I like it, though I feel for Mr. Evans’ estate. Touches of Kenny Wheeler, but not him. Sounds like one of the Steeplechase guys to me (McNeil, Smoker), but not with any degree of confidence. I like the tenor player’s sound, but it’s not intensely personal, so I have no guess as to who it is. Seems to be playing honestly rather than from memory (yes, that’s a shot at the conservatory set; like to hear more of this type of playing!). Wish this went on a bit; sort of feel like they only scratched the surface of what they were building. Pianist definitely owes Bill Evans some royalties. Track 7 - I’m inclined to say this has to be Steve Lacy as I can’t think of anyone who has that type of control over the horn. The tone doesn’t seem quite warm enough, though. I couldn’t listen to much of this, but man, I sure admire the musicianship. Disc 2 Track 1 - Dueling bass claris!??! I hope so. Be so much cooler than an overdub. This is fun and would be incredibly awesome live! Track 2 - Three-four; I’m in. That piano sounds like it has 112 keys — nice, wide open sound. Very much an early 80s (late 70s?) sound, but I like it. They’ve got that nice, loping 3/4 feel down. Not sure how we made our way from this to the current, frenetic, mathematical approach, but I sure wish we’d paused a bit longer here. This is an absolute keeper, but I have no guess. Track 3 - I believe I detected a needle drop here, but it could be the rain (we’re getting swamped here in central New England). Fun gallop to this, though not enamored of the soprano sound. That’s my stuff — just not a big fan of the instrument. Digging the solo, idea-wise; (intonation is sketchy as hell, though). Sounds like someone from that period where every tenor player had to had a soprano track on his/her record (see how careful I’m being?). Not sure about that breakdown… seems to kind of… break down. Piano solo is working, though. It’s got some of that abstract nature that disc 1, track 5 had, except that seems to make sense, musically, to me where the other did not. Digging that ‘bone, too. Never really warmed up to that instrument until I had the opportunity to play with Derek Kwong. Now it’s my preferred second voice in a two-horn setting. Not one of my usual guys (Harris, Anderson, Rudd) but not far from it, either. Bitchin’ bass solo. I think I recognize that bassist, but I’m not getting a name. Man, this guy’s a bitch! Track overall is a keeper. Very dig! Track 4 - Straight ahead as can be. Liking this a lot. Has the sound of one of the old Muse sides. Soprano sound suggests a doubler to me, but a bad man. I’m trying to think of this player as a tenor, but I can’t quite place the phrasing. Almost somebody like Curtis Amy. Thoughtful, patient trumpet solo, with the occasional short, ripping burst. I like this a lot. I don’t believe I have this, but I will have to rectify that. Something about that last line in the trumpet solo is remarkably familiar… This is killin’. Track 5 - More needle drop. This suffers from being a bit too modern for its own good. Sort of like that Chico Freeman record with Bobby McFerrin. The solos speak to me more than the song itself. Quite liked the soprano solo. The “duet” segment is less up my alley, but still interesting. Saxophonist has a decidedly Gary Bartz influence, but perhaps a tier below that in terms of technique; works well, though. Detest the sound of the drums (ease up on that compressor, Mr. Engineer!). That bass sound is very familiar. The harmonics are throwing me, though. It’s not Cecil. Track 6 - Tremendous technique on the head, but seems to not have quite the same chops on the improv sections. Doesn’t really swing to my ear. Has a lot of a highly technical lines and patterns down, but I’m not hearing the grit. I like the overall feel of the tune (rhodes is typically a win for me). Bass/drums are locked in nicely. Drum solo is kind of standard fare, seems less locked in than when playing with the whole group. Soloing seems to have the same issue I noted with the saxophonist. Drum sound reminds me of Kenny Clarke, but it’s not him. I don’t care for the separation in this recording; very apparent on the phones. Drums are seemingly all on the left, bass in the center, keys on the right… not a natural separation, at all. Track 7 - Cool droniness. Doesn’t really work where I’m listening, but a Friday night at home, lights off — perfect. I'm thinking I like your ears! Thanks for the test!

Track 2 - Jeff Coffin is most noted for working with Bela Fleck and more recently replacing the late saxophonist for Dave Matthews Band. Track 4 - I believe Ashcan Rantings is the song. 4 corners is the album name, but may also be the band name, now. Track 7 - Dale Fielder was a discovery. I forget exactly how, but I found him when I was doing the radio show. I think I was searching for Pepper Adams recordings and happened upon this. I'm connected with him on the Facebook, and he seems to be a super nice guy. Thanks for the kinds words on the test. Glad you liked it.

Track 7 - Now In Our Lives - Dale Fielder - (2007) Dale Fielder Quintet Plays the Music of Pepper Adams Dale Fielder - baritone saxophone; Jane Getz - piano; Edwin Livingston - bass; Thomas White - drums I discovered Dale Fielder back when I was doing my radio show. I don’t recall exactly how, only that it was mostly by accident. Always on the lookout for another bari voice, this recording really struck me. Dale had an injury that led him to play a lot of tenor over the past year, but I love the sound he gets on bari. Track 8 - Joyful Noises - Louis Moholo's Viva-La-Black - (1988) Louis Moholo's Viva-La-Black Louis Moholo leader/drums/vocals; Sean Bergin tenor/alto saxes; Claude Deppa trumpet/flugel horn; Thebe Lipere congas/percussion/drums; Roberta Bellatalla double bass This is sloppy, poorly recorded, and kind of dated, and I can’t get enough of it. Every time it comes into the rotation on the iPod, I fall in love with it all over again. Sean Bergin is another very intriguing player to me. Track 9 - Riff-raff - Peter Warren - (1981) Solidarity Peter Warren, bass, cello; John Purcell, alto, tenor & soprano saxophone; Ray Anderson, trombone; John Scofield, guitar; Jack DeJohnette, drums Initially, I only knew Peter Warren from Jack DeJohnette’s Special Edition album with Blythe/Murray. This was about the same time and when I saw the personnel, I had to have it. There really isn’t a wasted track on the album. Track 10 - Song For Gwen - Carter Jefferson - (1978) The Rise of Atlantis Carter Jefferson - tenor saxophone; Shunzo Ono - trumpet; John Hicks - piano; Clint Houston - bass; Victor Lewis - drums; Steve Thornton - percussion Ah, what could have been. Back when Arts & Entertainment Network really *was* that, they used to play Jazz concerts on Friday night. They only had a few, but one was Woody Shaw with Carter Jefferson. I was instantly hooked on his playing. He came out of the post-Coltrane school, but somehow managed to sound particularly unique. Tragically, he died very young (age 41) before really reaching his apex. To the best of my knowledge, this is his lone outing as a leader. Track 11 - Eureka - Fred Hopkins/Diedre Murray Quartet - (1991) Prophecy Fred Hopkins - b; Diedre Murray - cello; Newman Baker - dr; Brandon Ross - g Tim Webb turned me onto this. Such a bitch of a record! I had the great fortune to see the Henry Threadgill Sextet a couple of times as a teenager, and both Fred and Diedre were in the band. Both were so amazingly capable of creating breath-taking music with every note. Good times. Kind of surprise by the hot-and-cold reception to this one.

Track 1 - Joe - The Bush Crew - (1995) The Bush Crew Les Arbuckle - tenor sax; Mike Stern, John Abercrombie - guitar; Essiet Okon Essiet - bass; Victor Lewis - drums Les was my sax tech for about a decade until he moved back to San Diego for the last time. A great guy, amazing tech, stellar player and bad-ass surfer to boot! I don’t love this record, but there are only two Les albums that I’m aware of. The other is a more straight-ahead outing with Kenny Barron. Track 2 - Beautiful Flower - Jeff Coffin & The Mu’tet - (2012) Into The Air Jeff Coffin – soprano sax; Kofi Burbridge – acoustic piano; Felix Pastorius – electric bass; Jeff Sipe – drums & percussion Jeff was “the kid I took lessons from in high school”. Now he’s famous and a very bad man with a horn. A lot of his later stuff leans toward being more commercial, and that’s true of this record, as well, but to my ear, this is one of his better outings. Track 3 - Druid’s Circle - John Surman - (1994) A Biography of the Rev. Absalom Dawe John Surman - all instruments John Surman was a late discovery for me. Someone included a recording of him with Mike Westbrook in a BFT and I was hooked. Now I just can’t get enough of him. Track 4 - Ashcan Rantings - Adam Lane/Ken Vandermark/Magnus Broo/Paal Nilssen-Love - (2007) 4 Corners Ken Vandermark - baritone saxophone; Magnus Broo - trumpet; Adam Lane - bass; Paal Nilssen-Love - drums I’ve always been split on how I feel about KVM, but this album knocked my socks off the second I heard it. It may be a bit ‘out’ for some, but this whole album just hits the spot for me, especially this tune. Track 5 - Hiromi - Chico Freeman & Mal Waldron - (1992) Up And Down Chico Freeman - tenor saxophone; Mal Waldron - piano; Tiziana Ghiglioni - vocals Not sure where this one popped onto my radar, but it was very recently. I love Mal, and Chico is a guy who always intrigues me. He seems to play ideas that make sense to me, and because of that I gravitate towards his playing. I was surprised how many thought this was an alto. Track 6 - Rome At Night - Sun Ra - (1978) New Steps John Gilmore - tenor sax, perc; Michael Ray - trumpet, perc; Sun Ra - keyboards; Luqman Ali - drums John Gilmore is a god to me. I’ve never heard him when I wasn’t totally captivated. This is a strange album in that there is no bassist. It’s one of the Horo dates Sun Ra did, and in spite of the bad sound, is some really intriguing music.

#2, no didge. #5, you likely know the piano player. #8, noet AEC #9, very possible.

For DL, here is your link: http://www.thomkeith.com/bft127.htm NOTE: Please check the track order. The zip file is broken into disc 1 and disc 2 (only disc 2 is labeled as such in the mp3 tags). The files are clearly named for disc 2. If you want to listen online, you can go here: http://www.thomkeith.com/tkbft/tkbft.html, the test should be the first option. Once the discussion thread is created, I will also post them there. Just for clarification, this is the easiest way to host/send these links given Mark's comfort level with webshare sites. Just don't want anybody to think I'm trying to do something fancy.

Ding! Ding! Nobody seemed to notice the missing instrument.

You are correct, sir. Yes, it would be. But that's a clue.

I wouldn't say it's before that era.

It *is* Sun Ra, and the vintage is correct. Not Surman... but in a way, you're sort of close. It *is* overdubbed. Correct! Not Ricky, but a contemporary who leans a bit further out. Thank you, sir. #10 is not DM, DP, nor CB. However, I like the idea of that lineup a lot!

Nailed it! Terrifying anecdote, but a real dose of reality.

Damned good ear - it is indeed Scofield. I wonder if that was the inspiration. Not Jan, but a very good reason for the similarity. You may have it, but it's not DD. Mal Waldron is correct! I'm very surprised this one hasn't been pegged, yet. Song is correct, player is not. Very much that neighborhood -- good luck finding it. Spot on with JD and Purcell. Not Abercrombie, and you haven't guessed the leader, yet. 10) Not a show tune, though could be a contrafact. Definitely NOT Michael Brecker. I'll be shocked if he ever finds his way into my BFTs as he is barely in my collection. 11) I concur -- you will want this. Glad to please your ears, sir!

Excellent!

Save the time on 8. I like the guess, but not them.

Not JP. I agree about the guitar sound. I might mention, there are actually two of them. Stopping, I believe, is on your end. I had the same initial reaction to this, then I heard it somewhere other than from my own collection and reacted extremely positively towards it. It's grown on me and I think this album is the best of the artist's recent output. Nothing quite so Braxtonian. The title, however, *is* rather thin, IMHO. I need clarification on "Goldfish bowl being stirred with a silver spoon" That would be a lady friend reaction. My father would call this "man music," a term he similarly applied to the Larry Young sessions with Herbert Morgan and Tyrone Washington. I'm not sure I can define what that mans, but I understand it and seem to agree with it. I believe they're a bit after that, but the comparison also makes sense. Not JL-P. Not sure I have any in my collection, to be honest. I'd dare say these folks are well further away from the bank than he is.

Link is posted here:

I know what you mean. Not Bluiett, but not a bad guess. Ray Anderson is correct. I'll say yes and no on our takes on guitarists. A lot of this test is outside of my typical boundaries for that sort of stuff. Notwithstanding Sonny Sharrock, I'm very much a Grant Green sort of guy.

Welcome to September! (damnit!) The link has been posted (), and the test is also available online. Please let me know if you have any issues. Now for the discussion! Let 'er rip!

Doesn't help that I'm typically listening on the laptop. Still... to miss Blakey AND Mal in the same BFT is pretty awful.

Wow... just went back and listened to track 10 again after reading the most recent posts. Man... I own that and did not recognize it. Surprisingly, my opinion of it remains unchanged.

I'm going to post a couple of days early here as I'm not going to be around the rest of the weekend. To DL: http://www.thomkeith.com/bft126.htm If you wish to listen online: http://www.thomkeith.com/tkbft and look for the folder 0rganissimo_BFT126. Click on each track to play. Good luck!

I'll be sending it out early part of the weekend just because I will *not* have time until late in the week if I wait (first week of school following a raging family weekend). That said, if you haven't laid your ears on #125, you owe it to yourself -- some GREAT stuff in there!

Weekend is a little overbooked, so I'm starting this thread a little early. Please specify if you would like a hard copy. I will provide download links to all who want them and also the option to listen online if you like. Thanks in advance!

This one nearly got away from me... just like summer did. Had some success for a change! By and large, just what the doctor ordered for a late summer listen. Track 1 - I’m in immediately. Sensing Ibrahim. That voice in the opening sure sounds like Johnny Dyani. Ah, yes… there it is. This is Ibrahim and JD. Track 1 from this. Two absolute masters. Beautiful. Track 2 - Not a clarinet fan, but this works. Seems to me that this is not a clarinetist by trade, but a doubler. Something Brubeckian about that comping, but the bass is reminiscent of some of the Ron Carter CTI stuff. Not sure who it is, but I enjoyed that piano solo a helluva lot more than I would if it were Brubeck (or so it would seem). Track 3 - This has that reliable swinging feel. Reminds me of something Ray Bryant or Hampton Hawes would play, though I don’t think it’s either. Mad chops. Track 4 - Sure sounds like a boot of Booker Ervin to me. It’s Stardust. Oh, wait. I have it as part of this. Track 5 - Odd, folkish song. It’s interesting, but I’m not sure if I actually like it. The guitar does not endear it to me. Could be Giuffre. Track 6 - I should know this tenor (and believe I do, but can’t produce a name). Lovely ballad. Oh, wait… Actually, the interlude is a nice spice to have in there. I like this a lot. Track 7 - That’s gotta be John Surman. Though I don’t believe I have this, I must acquire it. Did you mean to cut it off, or did I have an issue with the download? Perhaps an alternate take of something from Where Fortune Smiles? Track 8 - Very straight ahead, but not sure who it might be. I liked it, but not sure how well it maintained my focus. Track 9 - This is quirky and interesting. Reminds me of Tapscott’s Sleeping Giant Awakened in the beginning. No idea what this is. That bari is pretty sweet, though. Track 10 - Drummer isn’t really in tune with the pianist, but the pianist is killin’ it. Wow… drummer is really off-putting… reminds me of a Keno Duke record I have — same thing, just keeping time as though he’s the only one in the room. Some sick bop lines in that solo. Track 11 - Oh yeah! That’s my man Pharoah with Sonny Sharrock! Track 2 from this. Track 12 - Love for Sale (but at this tempo, neither the seller nor the buyer are going to be pleased. That’s Sonny Criss, track 8 from this. Sounds like Roy Haynes on drums, but I know that it’s Alan Dawson doing his best impression of Roy. Sonny was a gunfighter — blazing technique. Track 13 - Despite the sacrilegious nature, I like this. It seems like something that would happen at the end of a jam when everybody was just tired of playing standards. Not enamored of the soloists. I’m starting to believe that they may have actually be serious, but not all that capable. Track 14 - I want to say nice ballad, but something is bugging me about the trumpet. Huh… it has summoned a chipmunk to my doorstep, however. Even when I told him to beat it, he stayed. I want to imagine he is tapping his foot. Very open trumpet sound. I wonder if it might be somebody like John McNeil. Track 15 - Confession: The first time I listened to this song by choice was the Coltrane version. While most people don’t care for that version (or at least that tempo) it’s the way I always hear the tune. This is the way I never hear it. No idea… but here comes Autumn with her serenade…. Thanks for the voyage. Looking forward to the reveal. GAH! After reading the thread - Keeeeee-RIST! How did I miss Track 2!?!??!?!?!?! *SHAME* on me!