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That's a compelling case when stated like that Leeway but I still feel it's not wholly convincing. (you can add a Blue Note 75th birthday bash at London Jazz Festival too!) I just wonder when does 'learning from the elders' become 'riding on their coat-tails'? OK, so programming himself to play with Braxton and Taylor may have proved a musical mismatch but might not his motivation have been to play with a couple of heroes? He had the chance and many others might have tested their mettle in such collaborations give the opportunity. Couldn't we see this as a brave attempt to engage with undeniable Masters and learn with and from them in the most testing of contexts - I can't quite see how doing this can imply he therefore think's he's of their stature, as you suggest. If you count the Trio 3 collaboration it seems that we've only got four collaborations that are causing disquiet - Rivers, Threadgill, Cecil and Trio 3 - in how many years? 'Black Stars was 2000. Hell, if I were a musician of Moran's generation I'd be jumping at opportunities to engage with that generation before it was too late. I think the Waller album is a different fish altogether (sits with his Monk project). I wasn't overly surprised as I've always heard elements of earlier piano styles in Moran's playing from the start. Here, as with Monk, I see he's making a tribute to an important influence. OK, not necessarily a ground breaking step but not a crime . That it's got Ndegeocello and vocals and leads with a groove isn't also very surprisng. This is the pianist who covered Afrika Bambaata after all (to thrilling effect) on the same album as James P. Johnson, twelve years ago - so the variety of influence (and acknowledgement thereof/tribute) was there then. He hasn't released a leader date for four years since hooking up with Lloyd for sure but didn't Jarrett go three years or so without a leader release when he was in the same piano chair? I'd need to check to be certain Now I'm a Moran fan (you may have guessed) and think Bandwagon are a fantastic live band and have bought every album and only really been disappointed in 'Same Mother' but I don't want to come across as offended fanboy. Case for the Defence rests, your Honour

Just wondering if anyone has a copy of Cecil Taylor Jazz Unit ‎– The Early Unit 1962. Recorded Golden Circle snd released on Ingo. Seems to me any CT from then has got to be worth hearing but I'm wondering whether the sound quality is an overriding issue. Any opinions gratefully received

Only suppliers currently on Amazon.UK are both US so I guess they supply to you domestically as well?

Does George sing on many tracks? I've always struggled with his vocals and have avoided this album just in case. That line-up's sure to deliver though He sings one one blues - "Got Somethin' Good For You." I like his singing, but everyone's taste is different, of course. Thanks Jeff. now playing Mal Waldron - The Quest [New Jazz]

Marion Brown - Three for Shepp [impulse] Marion Brown - Why Not [ESP/Japan]

Does George sing on many tracks? I've always struggled with his vocals and have avoided this album just in case. That line-up's sure to deliver though

Kenny Wheeler Quintet - Flutter by, Butterfly [soul Note] w. Stan Sulzman, John Taylor, Dave Holland, Billy Elgart Lead off track 'Everybody's Song But My Own' quintessential Wheeler in many ways

Kenny Wheeler - "Music for Large and Small Ensembles" [ECM]

Gerald Wilson Big Band - Moment of Truth [Fontana] The 17 Piece Orchestra of Gerald Wilson - You better believe it! [Fontana]

That unique sound, those tunes and arrangements will live on in the recordings. We'll miss the warm, almost self-effacing stage demeanour of a man who always seemed so at ease when playing or listening to his bandmates play. An ever present in the 30 years that I've listened to Jazz in London - the 60th Birthday Concert at QEH will always stay with me RIP Kenny Wheeler

At last! Some long overdue recognition for a marvellous artist that has ploughed an individual furrow of great influence for many years now. You know you're always get incisive and challenging music from him.

Yeah, the Dutch CBS comes in twice as much £££ so a bit of GDR chic suited me fine. It's a fine date, one of those where evrything played just seems in the right place at the right time

Albert Mangelsdorff Quintett - One Tension [Amiga] w. Gunter Kronberg, Heinz Sauer, Gunter Lenz, Ralf Hubner my first by this band. Won't be the last

They were definitely 'in' around them. 'Street Life' would have been current - in fact I remember being in a record shop (now long gone) circa 1976 and a load of teens of both sexes digging 'Those Southern Knights' as it was given a spin on the deck. I could've been one of them. Crusaders rescued me from Heavy Rock and pointed me to some initial steps down a jazzy soul path. RIP Joe Sample

healthy then?

Giulio Paolini 'To Be or Not to Be' at Whitechapel made it on the last day - phew. Often playful investigation of the relationship of the artist to the work. Pieces not overburdened by the concepts. Thoroughly enjoyable. Further reading allies him to Arte Povera but I'm not sure this was apparent to me today. Just the sort of show the Whitechapel excels at. It seemed a shame it was so quiet but at the same time it was nice to have the space practically to myself

I've just realised where I've seen one. Orphy Robinson when playing with I can't remember who. It did look like he'd just found a box to sit on in a very crowded Cafe Oto

As good as Exit? I don't have Exit I'm afraid but will have soon after hearing this. They're playing London in a couple of weeks. I think I'll try and make it

Fire! Orchestra - Enter [Rune Grammofon]

Quite under-recognized music on this one. IMO one of the essential LPs from that time & place. (all this stuff is also on the expanded CD edition of the orignal New Wave of Jazz LP) I didn't realise there was a CD release. I was so pleased to be holding an LP with some Grachan I didn't know I had to purchase. I agree with you about the rest of the material. All strong. I like that one a lot. Wish my copy wasn't so trashed. I really should rebuy

Another informative review, Leeway, thank you. Love the chewing gum story. I can just hear EP's voice making that request. My Wooley/Parker/Cymerman's just arrived so very much looking forward to digging into it. Also awaiting a parcel from Nate from his recent great value sale off his website. Hopefully more intriguing and often fearless explorations Have to disagree with you about Wooley's Clean Feeds - far from MOR to these ears. Great writing and playing to be had on them. Nice to see a Van Morrison reference in the review too, goes down well in this parish

The Dedication Series VIII - The New Breeed [impulse] tremendous to discover some new to me Grachan Moncur on this compilation

Just that description alone has got me very tempted

Where'd you take my photo, Bev? That's 'Spirits Rejoice!' I'm listening to....

Thanks for the reviews, Leeway and Steve, glad you both enjoyed it. Sounds great. I'd love to hear EP with Sorey. In fact I'd just love to here Sorey live again (just the once with Lehman's Octet). McPhee's here for an EP 70th birthday gig later in the year - you've whetted my appetite for that