Eric

JOE HENDERSON QUINTET AT THE LIGHTHOUSE Milestone MCD-47104-2 ~ $16.98 AVAILABLE 9/14 One of the most significant improvisers to emerge from the 1960s and a major innovator on tenor saxophone until his death, at 64, in 2001, Joe Henderson possessed a uniquely slithering, squiggling attack, a parched tone that synthesized the epochal sounds of Rollins and Coltrane, and a conception that was equally comfortable in the realms of hard bop, modality, and free jazz. The nine live performances herein, recorded live at the fabled Lighthouse Cafe, Hermosa Beach, CA in September 1970, presents Henderson’s kinetic young working band at the time, featuring the buzzsaw trumpet of Woody Shaw, a frequent front-line partner of the leader. Stoked by a rhythm section of George Cables, Ron McClure, and Lenny White (with Tony Waters’s congas adding flavor on four selections), the dominant mood is effervescent, with the soloists at the tops of their respective games. And the repertoire, which includes such important Henderson originals as "Recorda-Me," "A Shade of Jade," "Isotope," and "Mode for Joe"--with the exception of the latter, all were previously available only in the 8-CD boxed set Joe Henderson: The Milestone Years--is akin to a mini-Greatest Hits. Caribbean Fire Dance, Recorda-Me, A Shade of Jade, Isotope, ’Round Midnight, Mode for Joe, Invitation, If You’re Not Part of the Solution, You’re Part of the Problem, Blue Bossa, Closing Theme with George Cables, Ron McClure, Woody Shaw, Tony Waters, and Lenny White JOHNNY GRIFFIN Bush Dance Galaxy GCD-95004-2 ~ $14.98 AVAILABLE 9/14 The year 1978 was highly significant in the musical chronology of Johnny Griffin (b. 1928). On October 17, the native Chicagoan, who'd been living in Europe since 1963, made his first album in America in 15 years, Return of the Griffin. During the subsequent two days he cut Bush Dance; five years later Griffin was again ensconced in Fantasy’s Berkeley studios, the result being another gem, Call It Whachawana, which completes this disc. Known far and wide as the fastest tenor man in the West, Griffin, like Hall-of-Fame pitchers Bob Feller and Nolan Ryan, had more on the ball than mere velocity. This set presents a soloist with a scintillating array of deliveries, from the extended Afro-Cubop tour de force that is "A Night in Tunisia" to the R&B-redux of "Since I Fell for You"; from the variegated blues shades of "The Jamfs Are Coming" and "Call It Whachawana" to the poignant balladry of "Lover Man" and the hard-bop hoedown of "I Mean You" (by Griffin's genius of an ex-employer, Thelonious Monk). Bush Dance, with the leader backed by two resourceful rhythm sections, is a high-water mark in Johnny Griffin’s lengthy and distinguished discography. A Night in Tunisia, Bush Dance, The Jamfs Are Coming, Since I Fell for You, Knucklebean, I Mean You; Lover Man, Call It Whachawana, A Waltz with Sweetie with George Freeman, Albert “Tootie” Heath, Sam Jones, Curtis Lundy, Mulgrew Miller, Kenneth Nash, Cedar Walton, Kenny Washington ROY HAYNES Quiet Fire Galaxy GCD-95005-2 ~ $14.98 AVAILABLE 9/14 It’s a safe bet that in the year 2004 there is one, and only one, person in the entire world who can claim that his crackling drums inspired the groundbreaking likes of Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, Sarah Vaughan, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Stan Getz, and Pat Metheny. That man is Roy Haynes, who for the past half-century has played with virtually every major figure in jazz. Still a marvel as he approaches 80, Haynes (b. 1925) has also led numerous top-flight record dates, including the two paired herein, his only albums for Galaxy. Recorded almost exactly a year apart in July 1977 and 1978, these stellar sessions range from duo to septet. The collective result is at once very much of its time (electric keyboards, fuzz-tone guitar by the gifted, if little-known, Marcus Fiorello, multiple percussion; the Zappa-esque theme that is "Venus Eyes") and timeless (deep-song ballads like "Sweet Song," featuring Bobby Hutcherson's radiant vibes, "Wonderin'," and "More Pain Than Purpose," plus a jauntily swinging "Invitation," with tenor saxist Joe Henderson in peak form). Whether the cadence is tango, samba, funk, rock, or jazz, Roy Haynes is a master of all he rhythmically surveys. Thank You Thank You, Bullfight, Quiet Fire, Processional, Sweet Song, Vistalite, More Pain Than Purpose, Wonderin’, Venus Eyes, Rok Out, Water Children, Invitation with George Cables, Ron Carter, Stanley Cowell, Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, John Klemmer, Milcho Leviev, Cecil McBee, Kenneth Nash, and others

It is interesting to read through this thread. Watching it all come out contemporaneously, I have to admit I was somehwat underwhelmed ... wishing for the classic BN years to re-appear. But ... with 20/20 hindsight, there is a lot of great stuff from this era. Makes me wonder ... how did BN fans feel during the 60s when they started to stray from the hard bop standard ... were they similarly underwhelmed? Me thinks I may have learned something ...

A tip o the trousers to bentsy and the babe thread. (deletion at the moderator's discretion) I'll give you a dollar if you make it your avatar. I will donate $25 to Organissimo ... btw, CONGRATS on the project - my house was built in '39 - fortunately it was mostly updated, cause I have ZERO ability in the remodeling dept ...

wow ... I voted early on and felt a slight pang of over-indulgent guilt when I checked "20+" ... the hell with that

I would therefore second my vote for Stanley Turrentine Wildly innovative? No (so?). But I can pick him out every time, just takes a note or two (or three).

Stanley Turrentine

uhm, I think I will wait for the Conn (or go without): http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...me=STRK:MEWA:IT

Chris, Not avant garde at all ... but not really soul jazz either. It is a nice date. The three horns create a pretty big sound. Tunes are pretty mainstream (mostly written by Gordon) and are pretty decent. Reminds me of a Woody Shaw Muse date as much as anything else. Eric Edit - After 3-4 listens today, I will upgrade my assessment to "pretty darn nifty".

I snagged me a John Gordon CD, originally on Strata-East. Never heard of the guy - he is a trombonist. Standard disclaimers apply ... One of the most obscure sessions on Strata East -- and an excellent groover that really keeps up the label's soul jazz spirit! Jon Gordon's a lesser-known trombonist from the 70s, but he's working here with an all-star group that includes Charles Tolliver on trumpet, Stanley Cowell on piano, Roland Alexander on reeds, and Andrew Cyrille on drums -- all coming together with a spirit that's quite similar to that of Tolliver's classic Music Inc recordings of the time! The titles are mostly all originals by Gordon, played in a loping, lyrical mode that often bursts out with a free-thinking approach to the solos. Titles include "P&G Incorporated", "No Tricks No Gimmicks", "Activity", "Step By Step", and "Dance Of the Ymas".

Just have your kids explain it too you - iTunes that is B-) Seriously, I've had it on my "family" computer for about six months - it is a snap to get going once you download the "client" software, i.e. the stuff that sits on your PC so you can interact with their online site and download/play/burn tunes.

While I would love to have these in hand (literally), this news really, really KICKS ASS - good for Verve!!!

Free shipping by registered mail ... nice change of pace!

Discovered this funky little re-issue label, Wounded Bird. They seem to specialize in really crappy 70s rock, but have done some stuff by the MJQ and other jazz artists. AND, I saw they just re-issued Kevin Eubanks "Guitarist", which came out on Musician. So ... I emailed them to ask for the two live Woody CDs that came out in the early 80s on Musician. Here is their web site if you are inclined to do the same. http://www.woundedbird.com/about.htm

I know there were a couple of Japan only live VSOP records - I wonder if these bonus tracks come from there?

Fresh Sounds just re-issued this earlier this year (i.e. the Roy Brooks date). http://www.freshsoundrecords.com/newreleases.php

I am sure Alfred is rolling over in his grave ...

looks like he also has a brand spankin' new one coming out next Tues as well: http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?...&cart=198669937

ah yes - duh

up for a little air ... I have been listening to the "Love Dance" lp inlcuded on the "Last of the Line" CD issued by 32 Jazz. How in the hell have I been asleep on this one??? IMHO, it is just as good as "Little Red's Fantasy". Frankly I think I was scared off by the album title (and "flowery" lettering on the cover) all these years - figured it was some watered-down junk. Not so. Sidemen include Billy Harper, Rene McLean and Steve Turre. "Love Dance" is a very strong original by the pianist on the date - Joe Bonner. The lp also includes "Obsequious" by Larry Young (which Woody also recorded on "Cassandranite" AND " "Live at the Berliner Jazztage"). It also includes "Zoltan", a great great Shaw original (where else does this appear???) as well as a nice Harper ballad. This thing really cooks - check it out folks!!!

Phil Ranelin -- Vibes From The Tribe . . . CD . . . $14.99 List Price: $15.98 (Item: 41840) Tribe/Hefty Records, 1976 Condition: New Copy An excellent lost classic from Detroit soul jazz powerhouse Phil Ranelin! Trombonist Ranelin was one of the key figures in the city's Tribe Records scene -- and this album is one of the greatest that the label ever issued. The set features Ranelin on trombone, Marcus Belgrave on trumpet, Kenny Cox on electric piano, and Harold McKinney on piano -- plus other luminaries from the incredibly strong Detroit scene of the time. The set includes the funky classic "Sounds From The Village", the slow spacey breakbeat number "Vibes From The Tribe", and the jazzy groover "For The Children". Also includes "He The One We All Knew", an extended piece that features members of The Griot Galaxy -- and the reissue features 3 bonus tracks "Vibes From The Tribe (extended)", "Vibes From The Tribe (8 track)", and "Sounds From The Village (extended)".

one might think the value would be stable for a while - six of the original albums (including the Grant Green) are out on CD with a 7th on the way this fall ...

I would chime in for Grant Green's "Born to Be Blue" with Ike Quebec and Sonny Clark. Seems to be sometimes overlooked ... I find it to be very soulful - not the same instrumentation, but much of the same feel. I would also vote for the Jimmy Smith albums with Turrentine and Burrell (Back at the Chicken Shack and Midnight Special). Obviously the organ changes the dynamic a bit, but again, I get the same bluesy, soulful feel. Yeah and damn it, we need Freedom!!

Wes Montgomery Trio is also coming out in Aug from Fantasy as a SACD hybrid. What gives?

Wow - that is a complete shocker. So young ...

Freddie Hubbard - Rollin'