Simon8

I'll propose the opening, side-long title track of:

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Would have loved to hear Monk again in a quartet with vibes in the 60's (as he did with Milt J. in his first recordings).

I Suddenly struck by how the opener, "Don't Get Too Hip", prefigures Clark's own "Cool Struttin'", recorded a few months after, both the horn's theme and Sonny's solo.

Happened upon this Greek (!) documentary where Bley tells his story (notably his adoption story and encounters with Charlie Parker, Ornette, Mingus, etc.) while walking around Montréal: Πώλ Μπλαίη - Paul Bley "Οι μουσικοί του Κόσμου" Αφιέρωμα (1932-2016) - YouTube

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I took a "jazz combo" class for beginners this year and tried to revive my trumpet, so listened more attentively to trumpet players. I knew him, but Blue Mitchell was my "discovery". Love his tone and feel. Made a little playlist with my favorites from these two quartet records and it makes for a really good "album".

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Noticed that one in the OBC album discography, listening now. Great soulful voice, that Al Smith, and quite a band behind (Lockjaw, Shirley Scott, Wendell Marshall and Arthur Edgehill).

The thread made me pull out "Midnight Walk" this morning, it had been a while: fun, funky, excellent originals, really like Dollar Brand/Abdullah Ibrahim percussive playing here. Speaking of Thad in the mid-sixties, he has some fantastic solos on Monk's "Big Band and Quartet" ("Bye-Ya", "I Mean You", "Light Blue") and on "The Individualism of Gil Evans" ("Concorde" and "Spoonful", with Elvin again on drums).

Great find at a nearby used cd store ($5!). "Late" Shaw and a young Geri Allen in cracking form. (Just noticed that the cover painting was by Gil Melle.)