tkeith

I'll take a download and the one on the right. Thanks!

First listen, no peaking. This is a nice test. A lot of the soprano didn't appeal to me, but there's an awful lot to like about this BFT. Thanks! Track 1 - I like this a lot. I tend to prefer my sax quartets a little dirtier (like the WSQ), but this is quite beautiful and the vocals really give it a unique flavor. No idea who it is, but liking it a lot. Track 2 - Sounds like Charles Lloyd to me. A bit more bite than his recent stuff, but definitely has that modern ECM sound (of course, I'm listening on phones). Definitely Charles. Not sure who the others are. I like this, though; so far you're two for two. Something about the bass is reminding me a great deal of Ron Carter, but that doesn't seem right at all. Okay, not during the solo. I'll take a shot in the dark: Miroslav Vitous? First track was a bit short, this one runs long around 13 minutes (just not a fan of slap guitar harmonics, though clearly, I'm in the minority based on the crowd reaction). Is it possible that that's Metheny? Track 3 - No idea, but this one missed me completely. Track 4 - I'm in. I swear I was listening to this recently. I recognize that crying melody. Love that tone. A bit like Billy Mitchell, but more forceful. I'm leaning Illinois Jacquet (a guy I'm only recently getting more familiar with). Some touches of Lockjaw, but not enough triplets. Track 5 - This is so completely unfair -- I was listening to Lacy and Gil Evans yesterday, and no other soprano is going to please me at this point. This is pleasant, but the sax isn't really reaching me. Yeah, piano solo lost me, too. Track 6 - Oh now, why would you go there? Actually, I'm digging the sinister bells. Ah! Yes! This is Gil Evans covering Billy Harper's Priestess. I think it's from this: http://homepage2.nifty.com/Average/mirror/disk/d041.html. And there's bad Billy -- LOVE that guy! Great tune and a bitch of a brass section (Hannibal!). I've heard and seen guesses of other players being Harper, but for the life of me I don't see how anyone can make that particular error. So unique, if only in sound. Track 7 - This is much more my speed. Fat Pharoah-like tone, but it's not him. Yeah, they're ripping of My Favorite Things, but I dig it. I don't think the piano is an A-List guy; the rhythm seems a little off at times (but I still dig it, kind of the way Carl Grubbs playing is sometimes). Not sure of the trumpet, again, not sure he's a big name; beautiful solo, though. I love the simplicity employed (much like McCoy's piano solo on MFT). The saxophonist reminds me a lot of Bjorn Almgren. Track 8 - This sounds very similar to one of the albums I included on my BFT -- Tomasz Stanko, another guy I'm only recently getting familiar with. At times this guy flirts with Kenny Wheeler, but I don't think it's him. I'll throw Stanko out as a guess. This is a little tamer than what I lean towards, but still, I like this a lot. Track 9 - This has the flavor of either a jam or a pick-up band. Maybe even a bandstand (by a group member) recording. The drummers are bringing nothing to the party. The trap kit start to kick in a bit towards the middle of the trumpet solo, but it just doesn't seem to be clicking. No guesses. Track 10 - Doesn't hit me. Jan Garbarek? Track 11 - The sound reminds me of the Tapscott sessions, but the playing seems too frenetic, not rooted enough in the blues. Yet, the sound is dead on. I'll kick myself if it's HT and I don't get it. I'll chance it and guess Tapscott, but I'm not sure which volume.

To each his own. I do tend towards the Impulse!-Coltrane and beyond (including post) but only when it's done right. Also, that was the general trend of this test, not all that I listen to. I tried to stay inside as past BFTs (mine) have been either ignored or maligned for being too "out" (though really, they weren't that out). You seem to have missed the last three cuts, though. I'm thinking #13 might fit your current listening.

On a similar note to Jeff's last comment, how the hell did I miss Hawk? (relistening now) Keee-RIST! I should have to turn my headphones over, sit in a corner and THINK about what I've done.

DL would be luscious.

Good to have you back, Al! Here's the link to #89: https://rapidshare.com/files/161461388/BFT__89.zip

Wow... just, wow. I stand in awe.

Thanks for the positive feedback -- it was fun to put together. Niko, I really wish you'd left out that news link... sort of put a damper on my Friday evening. It's bad enough to watch talentless rock bands in my area make more money than any of my projects (or my day job), but that one really hurts for some reason. I wish I knew the answer, but we really ought to treat our creative folks better.

Well, let's get this party started! Another test filled with stuff I'm unfamiliar with, but I really enjoyed a great deal of this. Track 1 - Is that a tune I know or is it just that it's reminiscent of The Kicker in 3? Can't put my finger on what or why, but something about the drummer's snare is just rubbing me the wrong way. I was thinking maybe it was Cecil Brooks, III, but the time doesn't seem quite steady enough. Not sure on the trumpet. Tenor player knows his Joe Henderson, but I'm not quite buying it. He gets some fire and some nice lines going in the last chorus. On the whole, this sounds to me like guys after that era trying to play the style (post-Blue Note guys hugging the past). I'm going to guess Herman Foster on piano. Track 2 - I don't care for the harmony in the brass, but I like the bari work in the arrangement. I don't recognize the piano player at all. Nor the guitarist, but his solo strikes me a bit more. The drummer is steady and not in the way; lays down a nice groove. I like the arrangement on the "shout" chorus much more than that on the head. No guesses. Track 3 - Mono recording (or converted after the fact, but on the headphones, it's a VERY obvious change). This is the best track, yet. He's got a more honest swing to it. Tune sounds a tad familiar. A bit reminiscent of Golson, but not as fiery. Second guy almost had me thinking of Zoot for second; maybe Kamuca? I don't have a lot of this sort of thing in my collection, but I like this. All the solos are honest (meaning no BS), particularly the trombone. Track 4 - On the head I was thinking there was nothing I didn't like about this. But neither solo resonated with me. It seems like a more modern group; the players seem way too focused on the "right" notes. Track 5 - A bit like Wardell, but not quite as ballsy a sound. My fingers hurt listening to the pianist -- FLYIN'! Is that the same tenor coming back later? Sounds like a young Gene Ammons here. Track 6 - Somebody owes Freddie Green royalties. Not really sure enough to place guesses, but this is fun, in a very good way. Not sure how much it would hold my attention on repeated listening, though. Track 7 - Very west-coastie. Too much to please me. Could be Pepper on tenor. Track 8 - Even though the arrangement reminds me a lot of some of Maynard's early 60s bands, I like this a lot. The more I'm hearing the arrangement, the saxes sound EXACTLY like that band, but the brass seems way too controlled. Track 9 - Makin' Whoopie (a song that should have been retired permanently after Ray Charles and Betty Carter *killed* it! -- though that version desperately cried for a Fathead solo!). Some shades of both Kenny Barron and Hank Jones, but the chord voicings aren't right for either of them. Track 10 - I recognize this. My Dad had this when I was young, but I'm not sure what it is. I *KNOW* I've heard this. Given that and the decidedly KC sound, I'm going to say Buddy Tate, but not with any degree of confidence. Track 11 - Frig. Some damned bop tune whose title I can't think of. Red Cross is cropping into my mind, but that's way wrong. Damn it! This is one of my *favorite* bop tunes, too! Shades of Criss in the alto, but I don't think it's him; it's somebody younger. Could be Ralph Peterson on drums. The ideas are McPherson-esque, but it's not him. Bass player seems out of context. Oh! I just had it! DAMN! The alto player can play his ass off, but I'm guessing a younger guy (meaning "contemporary"). Damnit. That song is one of those one-word titles, but I can't come up with it. AH!!!! Have the sox-yankees game on in the background and took the phones off during #12 to listen to my wife, and Jerry Remy said, "In the next segment of --" and I screamed, "THAT'S IT! SEGMENT!" My wife is calling the Twinkie truck as I type... women just don't understand. Track 12 - Intro had a nice Louis Jordan feel, but alas, the band took that away. First impressions of the alto is a young Phil Woods. Again, somebody owes Basie some royalties. Sounds like one of those Kenton saxophonists, but I can't recall the name. Not Trujillo... Track 13 - Another of those tunes whose name is going to piss me off! [laughter] Relaxin' At Camarillo! There, Damnit! Not a guitarist I know, but thoughtful player. Shades of Yusef, but not so brutish. I dig this guy, though. Thanks for a fun listen. Very curious to know the tenor on #13, in fact, I may revisit this one and do some sleuthing before the month is over.

Track 08 - Love and Hate - Grachan Moncur III - Exploration (2004) Grachan Moncur III - trombone; John Clark - French horn; Gary Bartz - alto; Billy Harper - tenor; Gary Smulyan - bari; Tim Hagans - trumpet; Ray Drummond - bass; Andrew Cyrille - drums I was destined to buy this record the first time I saw it: Harper, Bartz AND Cyrille? I buy anything with Andrew Cyrille -- that's a rule. And I'm a Harper sycophant and collector (I became quite upset when someone claimed in a past BFT that the tenor player, Bob Berg I think, sounded like Harper. AU CONTRAIRE! Don't you blaspheme in this thread!), so I had to include a tune with him. Moncur is a great writer and somehow has managed to remain vastly under recorded and/or recognized. This is a very solid album throughout and I highly recommend it. Track 09 - The Camel - Michael Carvin - The Camel (1975) Cecil Bridgewater - trumpet; Sonny Fortune - alto; Ron Burton - piano; Calvin Hill - bass; Michael Carvin - drums Our first blatant repeat of personnel. Bridgewater was on some great stuff in the 70s, but nobody seems to remember. Likewise Michael Carvin. I've been amassing Hannibal recordings whenever possible, and Michael Carvin seems to drive most of those. Ron Burton is on my short list of necessary pianists, and his work here further justifies that. I'm not a fan of Sonny Fortune, but he works in this setting. Track 10 - Calvary - Dadisi Komolafe - Hassan's Walk (1983) Dadesi Komolafe - alto; Rickey Kelley - vibes; Eric Tillman - piano; Roberto Miguel Miranda - bass; Sonship Theus - drums And blatant repeat number two. I'd actually forgotten Dadisi was on the Nate Morgan cut when I picked it, but I felt both tunes were worthy of the BFT. Plus I thought it'd be neat to see if people would hear him consistently. My first exposure to this tune was a live performance by James Williams with Bill Pierce, Richard Hollyday, John Lockwood and Billy Higgins at The Willow. My father recognized it as being a Billy Harper tune (not really, but he did receive credit on a couple of albums), and that was what furthered my interest in Harper; it had started with Woody Shaw's Love Dance. I like this version because it's completely different. Another winner from Nimbus West. Track 11 - Two Songs - Sam Sherry & Ursa Major - Echoes of the Prophet: Songs Inspired by Kahlil Gibran (2005) Bill Pierce - tenor; Scott Reeves - alto flugelhorn; Mark Kleinhaut - guitar; Sam Sherry - bass; Billy Arnold - drums This was the stumper. I figured some might get Pierce, but was curious what the overall reaction would be. Sam is a friend and has been a very supportive influence for me as a musician. He's a super nice guy and a solid bass player. Ironically, there is another version of this featuring David Wells on tenor that I think is even stronger, but it has not been released. Regarding composing, Sam told me, "The first 200 are the hardest, so get started." Track 12 - Not So Softly - Lauren Sevian - Blueprint (2007) Lauren Sevian - bari; George Colligan - piano; Boris Kozlov - bass; Jonathan Blake - drums How many of you asked, "Who IS this *guy*?" Women in Jazz fight enough bias, but there's a new flock playing the shit out of this music. Sevian is a perfect example. She's an incredible musician, has a great sound, and oh by the way is really hot. I hesitate to include that because I'm sure she (and others) have to deal with that shit all the time instead of being assessed for their musicianship, but it sort of underscores the marketing of the music. On the downside, as if there wasn't enough competition to sell your music, now you have to deal with the "sex sells" mentality of national production. That said, if it produces music like this, give me a whole lot more of it. This whole disc is killin'. Lauren also works with the Mingus Big Band, though she's been getting more recognition as one of the horn players in Denis Leary's road show, which is sad. Track 13 - A Lark In The Dark - Tomasz Stanko - From The Green Hill (1998) Tomasz Stanko - trumpet; John Surman - bari; Michelle Makarski - violin; Dino Saluzzi - bandoneon; Anders Jormin - bass; Jon Christensen - drums This one caught me by surprise. A friend had this album on a shuffled iPod set as we were hanging out. Each time a tune from this album came up, it got my attention and I had to ask, "What is this?" It got to be really funny after the third time, so I just assumed (correctly except for one tune) when I had that reaction that it was this. I only knew Stanko by name, and this impressed me. Different without being obnoxious about it. Track 14 - Jammin' Uptown - Alvin Queen - Jammin' Uptown (2008) Manny Boyd - woodwinds; Terence Blanchard - trumpet; Robin Eubanks - trombone; John Hicks - piano; Ray Drummond - bass; Alvin Queen - drums I thought sure this had been in a blindfold test, but I couldn't find it. I was visiting my Dad and he had this one. I had to borrow it immediately -- such a bitchin' tune! Most of these guys are guys that typically play too far in the boundaries (the horn players) for my taste as a rule, but when you throw in my guy (John Hicks), this one just WORKS!

BFT #89 Reveal Track 01 - Peter's Waltz - Sahib Shihab Quintet - Seeds (1968) Sahib Shihab - bari; Fats Sadi - vibes, perc; Francy Boland - piano; Jean Warland - bass; Kenny Clarke - drums Shihab is the classic underrated guy. Seems nobody outside of the insiders really knows about him, but he swings like hell and has one of the most original voices ever to come through the instrument. I had him on some things when I was younger, most notably an Art Farmer album on Soul Note, but recently discovered the European sessions he did. That's an area that I'm really building my familiarity of; my Dad introduced me to the music and he had a bias against most of the Europeans, so it took me till middle age to have the resources to discover some of this stuff on my own. Track 02 - Shew-In - Bobby Shew - Breakfast Wine (1985) Bobby Shew - trumpet; Makoto Ozone - piano; John Pattitucci - bass; Sherman Ferguson - drums When I was a kid I used to tape Eric in the Evening on WGBH out of Boston and Carl Watanabe on WEVO out of Concord, NH. Carl played a live set from Makoto Ozone one night with a bitchin' version of What Is This Thing Called Love, followed by this tune. I knew nothing of Bobby Shew at the time except that he was Ozone's favorite trumpet player (it's in the introduction to the tune) and one day I just happened across this recording. I actually like Ozone's version better, but it's really a great tune. I recently contacted Bobby about this tune (transcribing the changes was giving me fits) and he informed me it's actually Ozone's tune (which would explain the complexity of the changes). Mr. Shew was very helpful and said he would send me a copy of the lead sheet when he comes across it. Track 03 - Six Bits Blues - Max Roach Quartet - Chattahoochie Red (1981) Cecil Bridgewater - trumpet; Odean Pope - tenor; Calvin Hill - bass; Max Roach - drums From the Max Quartet record they have not bothered to re-issue on CD, and to my ear, it's the best one. A lot of great playing by all involved on this album and some very unique interpretation of some standards (Round Midnight, Giant Steps), though what else would you expect from Max? I got my copy from the Cadence record sale for, I think, $2. Track 04 - El Hombre - Pat Martino - El Hombre (1967) Pat Martino - guitar; Danny Turner - flute; Trudy Pitts - organ; Vance Anderson - bongos; Abdu Johnson - congas; Mitch Fine - drums; Martino is another guy I'm not incredibly familiar with. I have some of his stuff, but don't listen to it that often. Mostly I knew him from his work with Stan Clarke and Chick Corea, but I happened upon this one by accident. I heard this cut at a friends house and immediately went out and got this. It's a very solid album, but this tune just fires on all cylinders. Track 05 - Mrufa - Nate Morgan - Journey Into Nigritia (1983) Dadisi Komolafe - alto; Nate Morgan - piano; Jeff Littleton - bass; Fritz Wise - drums Ken Eisen, my predecessor hosting Prime Cuts, is a huge fan of all things Tapscott and used to play a lot of the Nimbus stuff on the show. I'd heard a ton about this and happened upon a copy one day while least expecting it. Why more people don't know Nate Morgan is beyond me. Dadisi, too. I've yet to find a Nimbus recording that disappointed me (though there are moments on Billie Harris' album that come close). Track 06 - Calypso in Roma - Don Pullen - Jazz A Confronto 21 (1975) George Adams - woodwinds; Don Pullen - piano; David Williams - bass; Dannie Richmond - drums Awhile back I found a website from the original owner/producer of this series. He still had a bunch of these albums that he was selling (for QUITE a sum), and I contacted him to ask if he planned to release them on CD. He replied saying he had no intention of doing so. I've heard otherwise from the rumor mill, but a used book store stop turned up a bunch of these, so now it's less urgent. This is some of the best work of the Adams-Pullen unit before they got more commercial. While I love Cameron Brown, I do prefer David Williams. Track 07 - Powerful Paul Robeson - Clifford Jordan - Remembering Meme (1976) Clifford Jordan - tenor; Roy Burrowes - trumpet; Chris Anderson - piano; Wilbur Ware - bass; George Avaloz - drums; Hank Diamond Smith, Boo Boo Monk - vocals I assumed this would be a gimme. I bought this as a kid at Looney Tunes in Boston. Clifford was always a favorite and I was blown away by the vocalese interpretation of his solos (this and Prayer to the People) on this record. The drummer always drove me nuts, but Clifford is outstanding on this session. The harmonies of Hank Diamond Smith and Boo Boo Monk on this are right up my alley, too. I will post the rest when the site lets me post without combining the two posts (that's not frustrating).

Ding! Ding! Sonny Fortune is correct! Not Sullivan, though. http://www.allmusic.com/album/camel-r136478 Yip.

Ding! Ding! Right on both Stanko and Christensen.

Not Bobby, but you nailed the description of the player (IMO). Not surprised at all that you like the drumming. You won't be disappointed. I had the same reaction to that instrument, but no, not EVI. Ding! Ding!

Ding! Ding! And there is no such thing as too many damn records! That's the cover I have, too, and David is one of my favorite bassists. I really like him with this group.

Good stuff. I hadn't known that about George. I too am a big fan, though. However, when the quartet formed, they seemed to have an almost pop-ish approach to albums so much so that most albums had one great track, one good track, and three I never played. That was always disappointing. I saw them once, and that was epic.

Ding! Ding! Sorry, guy. Ding! Ding! George Adams in the flutist. Ding! Ding! This one hasn't fooled many, which makes me happy. It's a great record that didn't seem to get much attention when it came out.

Will do and there are more surprised to come with that.

Ding! Ding! Calvary is the tune, nobody has the musicians, yet. Is this it? Why, yes... yes it is.

Ding! Ding! Another correct ID of Shihab. Not Harrell, but a great guess. Ding! Ding! Album and song ID'd. The Loadstar version was longer than I was shooting for for this BFT. Ding! Ding! Martino is correct. Anybody have the album? Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! (I don't recall anybody doing this well on a BFT since Stereo Jack was participating!) Ding! Ding! Sonny Fortune is correct! Not Sullivan, though. Ding! Ding! Calvary is the tune, nobody has the musicians, yet. This one is going to be fun when the ID comes out. Be prepared folks, there be shocks on the horizon. Quite a good job on this one. Also nice to run into folks who share my ears' point of view.

DL, please.

Eventually.

How have I missed an opportunity to pimp my wears this long? The easiest method is via CD Baby: http://www.cdbaby.com/all/avantcoast But you can get more stuff at http://www.equaltimemusic.com And there are more listening examples at http://www.thomkeith.com Thanks for the thread!

DING! DING! No, but I like the guesses. These guys were likely more popular at the time, but should not have been (IMHO). #3, no, but I like the guess. #4, nope, but again, I like what you're hearing. #5, not McCoy #6, yes, Pullen has been ID'd, but the others/album have not. Not Jane. #7, this one was ID'd, and again, I like what you're hearing. I think the thought of JB will be very justified when you see who it is.

Just a note: I'm currently working on a transcription of Track 2. It seems to me to be a contrafact, but I can't place of what tune. If you have thoughts, please share.