felser

She was great. Fairport was never the same without her. Check out Fatheringay if you aren't already familiar with them.

1979 recording, well beyond the freshness date for CTI. By the mid-late 70's it was turning wrong.

+1. Never liked his sound on it. Give me Chick Corea or Cedar Walton on the Rhodes.

I'm very happy with it and loved that group. The whole was so much more than the sum of the parts, and it really brought out the best in the Brecker's and Galper.

Never got to see Mingus. Saw a spectacular Mingus Dynasty performance at the Painted Bride Art Center in the 90's. Walrath led it. John Hicks, Michael Formanek, Josh Redman, Alex Foster. Don't remember drummer or trombone.

RIP. Solid player, selflessly anchored a legendary group.

Last Sunday's Philadelphia Inquirer published a good interview with Questlove about this. So strange that it has been so neglected, given all the attention WattStax garnered a couple of years later. But of course Stax got the soundtrack to that released which I guess makes all the difference.

Sorry to hear that, it's not right. Do they play good music over the PA system at the warehouse?

Towner has always caught my ear. AS a potential purchase for me, This one will likely depend on sound quality and price.

1 – Nice vocal version of Stanley Cowell’s wonderful “Maimoun”, though it likely has a different title for this version. I like the reference to “sweet illusion”, a nod the Cowell’s great ‘Illusion Suite” album which “Maimoun” was on (also on Clifford Jordan’s masterpiece, ‘Glass Bead Games’). No idea who the singer is. Wouldn’t mind owning this. The flute solo works. The tenor not so much for me, sounds like an older player influenced by Jordan but more off-center. I like the piano and bass solos. Great start. 2 – Well, they certainly take their time getting there, but I enjoy the journey. Nice, loose feel with the horns very conversational and the bass walk soulful. Two flutes, and two bass clarinets if I am hearing right? Overdubs? Very enjoyable on its own terms. 3 – Right in my wheelhouse, bring it on! The bass player is pre-Stanley Clarke, holding a solid groove. Trumpet player has a nice Blue Mitchell vibe, and is quite good. Tenor player gets it done, has heard Coltrane but not swallowed him whole. Pianist wastes no notes, Cedar Walton type of groove. Wonderful composition. Gotta get it if I don’t have it (though I would hope I do have it already). I’ll be shocked if this turns out to be latter day musicians, the feeling is there. 4 – Interesting instrumentation, both organ and electric piano. I would think this is 70’s origin with that combination and that groove. Nice feel, but to me the cut overstays its welcome by half. Pleasant listening as background music, but there’s not really all that much happening. 5 – Well played, but faded into the background for me, took so long to get started. I’m sure there are others who will love this cut. Flute player sure sounds like Eric Dolphy, and is the highlight of the cut for me, but the style is too late to be Dolphy. That would then be James Newton, I guess. Clarinet player is good, lot of clarinet on this BFT! Two just on this cut. Should probably be a clue for me. 6 – I’ll take what you’re gimme-ing, and make mine a double, love love love it, the title track from this. 7 – Felt like an extended introduction to the cut, and I kept waiting for it to start, and suddenly the tenor is soloing on the introduction. Again, well-played, pretty background music which does not grab my undivided attention. Post-70’s ECM? If not, certainly influenced by that. 8 – More to my liking for sure. Sounds like it is sourced from vinyl? Worth the effort. Great groove, love the walking bass. Trombone playing is fabulous, and shows the influences of several generations of players. This cut is a keeper if available on CD. 9 – Again, if you’re giving it away, I’m taking it. What’s not to like? Side 2, cut 1 from this. 10 – Works for me. Also a lot of flute on this BFT, and this flute player is really good. Flute and vibes is such a good combination. And the soprano player controls that instrument well. Bass player is post-Stanley Clarke, with all those flutters. Whatever this is, would love to have it on my shelves. 11 – That’s one nasty scratch across that vinyl. We really need to hang out together and listen to some music. Cut five from this I would think, though there must have been a previous vinyl release with it. Love the BFT, of course, always love yours! Can’t wait for some of the reveals, thanks!

Agreed, and those are his three best albums (though Tori is also essential, and you'll want Elegia).

After all, it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that soulful Gene Harris swing!

She was a talent, and seemed like she would break through in the early 70's (it didn't happen). RIP.

That's the one I've been waiting for, thanks! Pre-ordering right now, price is no object!

I hope that future rounds will concentrate more on titles that have not already seen CD reissue in the past. Especially long for the two below.

The emperor has no clothes.

Agreed, for all those years and albums, only "Beggar's Banquet" through "Exile on Main Street" hold up for me. But lots of great singles before (and during) that time.

Side 2 over 33 minutes:

Outstanding

I saw that version of the Messengers at Penn's Landing ca. 1989-1990 (Davis on trombone, both Barlow and Jackson on tenors), and it was nice enough, nothing transcendent. Same thing with the album. Brian Lynch was the star of the live show by a mile.

I also think of (and like and own) that album, plus his work with Flora Purim on Milestone.

Any thoughts on this one? I bought a cheap remainder copy of it years ago, but it sits on my selves unread:

Speaks highly of Knepper as a man.