CraigP

Curious mjzee at to what the better solo Tatum records are in your opinion.

I'm surprised to hear this from you! Although, you probably like freer, energy music more than I do, now that I think about it.

To Leeway's point, you can hear Lehman veering between McLean and Braxton on his two early CIMP releases. Dialect Fluorescent seemed to be overlooked when it came out two years ago.

Yes!

Happy Birthday!

Leeway, thanks for the report. I am so jealous!

Let me know what you think, I liked it a lot.

The group Kartet recently released their sixth album, Grand Laps. Pianist Benoit Delbecq is probably the most recognizable name to most outside of France. Here's a portion of my review: "Even though the line-up is that of a classic jazz quartet, this is not a horn-with-rhythm section album; it’s more egalitarian in design. The music on Grand Laps generally unfolds at an unhurried pace, and the structures the group use emphasize dialog, not blazing displays of virtuosity. At some points I was reminded of Miles’ second quintet in their more introspective moments. There’s an MBase influence lurking as well in the angular nature of some of the compositions." You can read the full review of Grand Laps on my blog.

The June 14 lineup is the one I would most like to see.

His operas are the toughest part of his oeuvre for me to penetrate, but a lot of that is probably because I don't like opera in general.

Lark, I had a similar experience to yours in regards to his music. I was buying his stuff pretty regularly up to the Jazz Standard 2 CD set, but I feel that his records became less interesting over time. (I laughed when I read your comment about not needing 12 CDs of anyone, but if they came out with a 50 CD Anthony Braxton set tomorrow - which they might! - I'd be all over it). And Douglas does release a lot of stuff on his own label, more than I care to keep up with.

Yes, my heart started pumping when I saw the post title, but I went through a painstaking process of getting all the Cecil I could some years back.

Clifford, I'm so jealous! I wanted to get up there for this but couldn't swing it.

Yes, I'm really curious about that one too. Of the other suggestions, Paper Man would be my choice.

I had a chance to talk with Bobby before the Dallas gig. Really nice man, loved hearing about the history of Texas players like Red Connor, John Carter, Charles Moffett and Ronald Shannon Jackson.

The Bobby Bradford/Frode Gjerstad Quartet and Yells At Eels concert last night in Dallas was great, with a good turnout as a bonus. Thanks to Dennis Gonzalez for getting the group up here.

As will I!

"...including departed members" You mean...from beyond the grave? (gulp)

That is for sure.

To Clifford's point, the fascinating (and sometimes frustrating) thing about Braxton's music is that takes that immersion over time to really grasp what he's doing, and for the listening experience to pay off fully. For me, Ghost Trace was the toughest nut to crack, but with the sheer number of releases over several years' time, I can now appreciate that body of work. And now he has at least 4 new concepts being developed simultaneously...

I second colinmce's recommendations. If I was forced to pick one out of that list, I'd probably go for Quartet (Moscow).

Love Andrew Hill! Wish I had seen him live.

Novella is great, with some nice arrangements from Kris Davis.

Glad to see that some folks know of her, as she was a new name to me.

Seattle-based trumpeter and composer Sam Boshnack has a new CD out with her quintet called Exploding Syndrome. Here's an excerpt from my review: "There are some subtle arranging touches...the front line of trumpet and clarinet/bass clarinet creates a rich texture, and there are times where distorted electric piano is laid on top of what sounds like prepared piano. Things take an interesting left turn at the end of the CD, on the tracks Dormant, Exploding Syndrome and Ashcloud. Basically a suite within an album that could be heard as a suite, there’s an extra dose of energy and edge, topped off on the title track with vocalizations that sound like a ninja on crack." You can read the full review of Exploding Syndrome on my blog.