The Magnificent Goldberg

Actually, I'm keen to see. I was evidently a long way off in identifying even the period. MG

Red Price Red Holloway Rufus Gore

Really surprised to see the opinions that this is all quite old or middle-aged stuff. MG

Well, late for the kickoff, but not the final score. 1 Oh, this is kinda groovy! Not a soprano sax, I think, one of those Arabic or Turkish instruments. And the improvisation’s nice – not trying to go way out but keeping to a limited frame, which is the way they do things out there and in many parts of West Africa. No idea who or what this is, but it’s probably not FROM out there. Interesting start to the BFT, thanks. 2 Well, I’ve gotta say it; this sounds like the accompaniment to a TV advert for automated toy soldiers, goosestepping around to the rhythm, sometimes climbing over obstacles like piles of books, and falling over as they do. Nothing really WRONG with the music, but not that interesting, I’m afraid. (Of course, I could be mad.) 3 Oh, I don’t like this – it’s making my head ache. Probably nowt to do with the music, but more my medical condition, but I’m skipping to the next. 4 Unremittingly modern theme and arrangement but the trumpet player’s not going too far out for his ability. In fact he’s a pretty good trumpeter, I’d guess. But, despite the slow pace, the piece is relentless. Maybe that’s the idea. 5 There’s a strange swing to this one which at a guess I’d say comes from the musicians wanting to swing, but not to SEEM as if they’re swinging. Or perhaps the soloists are swinging in spite of the drummer. I dunno, it seems rhythmically lopsided to me. But not in a groovy way; in a kind of spiteful way, as if someone’s arm’s being twisted up their back. 6 Awful head – a head with a headache – but a kind of interesting middle. But nothing unusual; nothing that grabs; either in a good or bad way. 7 Hm – I shouldn’t be surprised if all these tracks so far were by the same band. There’s a unity of approach – even with this one, which starts with self-consciously-made semi-artificial noises – that doesn’t seem to allow for any emotion, either in the players or the audience. It’s more like academic exercises than living music. 2.01 Well, I thought that now coming on to track 2.01 might mean something different. Life’s full of these little disappointments, isn’t it? 2.02 Ah, nice lounge music! No, it isn’t but it’s so relaxing at this juncture – and I see there’s seven minutes of it. This is modern, too, quite recent I’ll guess (ie less than 30 years old ) and yet I can hear a Grant Green influence in the guitar player which I really wouldn’t expect. And some Cedar Walton in the pianner player. It’s certainly NOT Grant Green and probably not Cedar, either. Pretty pleasant though, if not terribly meaningful. 2.03 Well, I can definitely tell that we’re back in the land of not quite but almost exactly unlike human beings. Sorry to seem as if I’m writing sleeve notes for the album ‘Music to make sarcastic remarks about’, but, honestly, that’s how much of the music here seems to me. 2.04 The head seems as if it was lifted from a nondescript morning at a Blue Note rehearsal. But once they leave it behind, there’s some good playing, with a trumpet player who sounds a lot like Freddie Hubbard. Since it’s almost certainly not Hubbard, he sounds too much like Hubbard. 2.05 I can’t help wondering what kind of audience whose needs these guys think they’re addressing. That’s a serious question. They’re obviously more than competent but, as far as I can hear, they’re not reaching out to anyone. I suppose I’ll be told that I’m supposed to reach out to them; well, that isn’t the way it works. Still, my dog’s not complaining about it. 2.06 Hm, nuff sed. 2.07 No, not enough said. I REALLY don’t see the purpose of a piece like this. Not sorry I listened to this - thanks. But I am sorry to be so out of step with your intentions. Onward to Mongo Santamaria’s ‘In the midnight hour’ MG

William R Tolbert Jr Madame Tolbert Bembeya Jazz National

This turned up today Edgar Hayes - 1937-38 - Classics This cut knocked me RIGHT out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzyOcSbeUhw Recorded less than a fortnight after Duke Ellington's version and owing nothing to Ellington, but still extraordinary. MG

Just found some Ray Charles I didn't know about - the septet playing 'Lil' darlin'' live in 1960. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHZnt8S6Xzc Short intro by Willis Connover I could have done without. MG

Ho YUSS! Just had a quick look on YouTube for Cuber playing 'Slide's blues' from Slide Hampton's 'Explosion' (1962) but no one's been kind enough to put it there. And goodness! I forgot Hog, too! MG

Glad you're feeling more yourself. Very happy birthday! MG

Woody Woodpecker Woody Herman Sun Ra

I know you've mentioned Ronnie but I particularly like this one of his The scene is clean - Milestone Mainly Latin and Ronnie is all over the horn, but not letting you notice, if you see what I mean. Got this one recently and it's very nice Alex Harding & Blutopia - The calling - Jazzaway Moacir Santos is another guy I like a lot - but he sings, too, and that might put you off. I love his voice as well as his playing. Finally, the only track he did on baritone, but blooming wonderful! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ3_2VBQlFM MG

All the Gene Ammons records in my collection (most of them) are desert island discs, even the one or two that are rather unsatisfactory ('In Chicago' - too much too fast; 'Brasswind' - horrid arrangements). MG

Whodini Jalil Hutchins Ecstasy

Shouldn't that be Out of Focus? The sleeve's not really like that, though the word focus is I couldn't make up my mind if the off-focus look of this whole sleeve was an intentional joke or a mistake. MG

The Long Distance Runner Rush Boy Racer

Still haven't got round to 127, but I would like yours please, Jon. MG

Gotta say, I don't agree with Smith/Burrell. I think together they were pretty much the same as apart. And Smith couldn't have made an album like 'Up the street, round the corner, down the block', which is about my favourite Burrell. But they DID go together very well. Also Jaws and Griff... I have a marked preference for the two of them together over Griff alone, in general, but I think it's because Jaws is there There's a lot of Griff I like a lot, like 'Grab this', 'Big soul band', 'Soul groove' and 'Bush dance', but I think it may be who's with him, too. Often, he sounds a bit too much like a jazz musician for me. (A distinctly one-sided view, of course ) MG Who gives a fuck? Gawd blusher, Guv! MG

Just pulled this out for listening later and thought, 'isn't it in autumn you want to remember summer?' Especially a summer like we've had this year, best for about a century, I've heard. Hampton Hawes - The green leaves of summer - Contemporary Course, we have different autumns to America. It was bloomin' 'ot in October 1996 when I visited Newark. MG

Now Dr Charles G Hayes & Cosmopolitan Church in Prayer Choir - Everytime I feel the spirit - Savoy next Bill Hardman - Focus - Muse (promo) MG

I KNEW there was a team I missed - Patton, Green, Dixon. MG

Prince Buster Duke Reid King Tubby

Gotta say, I don't agree with Smith/Burrell. I think together they were pretty much the same as apart. And Smith couldn't have made an album like 'Up the street, round the corner, down the block', which is about my favourite Burrell. But they DID go together very well. Also Jaws and Griff... I have a marked preference for the two of them together over Griff alone, in general, but I think it's because Jaws is there There's a lot of Griff I like a lot, like 'Grab this', 'Big soul band', 'Soul groove' and 'Bush dance', but I think it may be who's with him, too. Often, he sounds a bit too much like a jazz musician for me. (A distinctly one-sided view, of course ) MG

Oh, I think I have most of the Kent/Modern material. Didn't know the story about 'Tramp'. MG

When were Lowell and Maxwell working together? Late 40s/early 50s? That's a hole in my collection that I've been meaning to close since the sixties - big mistake, eh? MG

Now Florida Mass Choir - Be encouraged - Savoy next Sonny Stitt - In style - Muse (WEA France) MG