HutchFan

I don't think I've ever heard that one. I need to fix that post-haste! Good one!

Lou Donaldson - Cosmos (Blue Note, 1971) with Leon Spencer Jr., Melvin Sparks, Jerry Jemmott, Idris Muhammad, and others I like how this music ignores boundaries. Almost anything can be grist for this band's funky mill. And the backing vocals on Side 1 by three female singers ("Essence") add some pleasing & unexpected colors. I dig how it all comes together, even if Donaldson isn't quite as prominent as he could've been.

and

More by "The Wild Man from Texas": Arnett Cobb Is Back (Progressive, rec. 1978) with Derek Smith, George Mraz, and Billy Hart

Arnett Cobb and the Muse All Stars - Live at Sandy's! (Muse, 1980) I just finished playing it, and now I'm starting it over again.

The Ramsey Lewis Trio - Another Voyage (Cadet, 1969) with Cleveland Eaton (b) & Maurice White (perc, kalimba); also Phil Upchurch (g) sits in on three cuts

I hear you. There's always so many options to weigh & consider. A delightful conundrum. 😉

Gotcha. Glad to hear that it's finally out.

Yessir. That. Good catch. Oh yeah. One of AF's finest hours.

Yes sir! You can hardly miss with the "Men from Memphis": Mabern, Coleman, and Strozier. That Hermeto is on my to-get list. Has it finally been released? Or did you get an advanced copy? It seems like it's been delayed for forever. Wasn't it originally supposed to come out last summer?!?

That's funny. I've done the same thing, Rooster. Also, somewhat related: On occasion, I'll "break through" with an artist that I've never particularly noted before. After this discovery, I then find that the musician plays on a some other records that I know. So I go back and re-listen to them with a new ear for that artist. It sort of re-swizzles my listening and makes the music different --even though I've heard it before. That leapfrogging from artist-to-artist thing is big fun -- even when you're circling back around after missing them the first time.

Oh yeah. Great stuff. I think all three East Wind quartet albums with the Walton-Jones-Higgins rhythm section -- the "Magic Triangle" -- are top-shelf Farmer: To Duke with Love (1975), Yesterday's Thoughts (1976), and The Summer Knows (1977). In my mind, they all sorta go together.

Roy Ayers Ubiquity - He's Coming (Polydor, 1972) Elemental reissue and Carter Jefferson - The Rise of Atlantis (Timeless, 1979) Music on Vinyl reissue Two recent additions to my collection.

Thanks! That's great news.

What are your initial impressions, T.D.?

First listen. Phew! . . . Powerful stuff, for sure.

Sad news. R.I.P.

Now on my turntable: Gene Ammons & Sonny Stitt - Together Again for the Last Time (Prestige, 1976; rec. 1973) with Junior Mance (p, el p), Sam Jones (b), Ajaramu (d, side 1), Mickey Roker (d, side 2), and Warren Smith (perc, 2 cuts on side 1)

Benny Bailey - Grand Slam (Storyville, 1979) These guys lay down such a mellow, feel-good vibe. It's like a walk in the park on a sunny day.

NP: Shirley Scott - Lean On Me (Cadet, 1972) with George Coleman (ts); Danny Turner (as, fl); Roland Prince (g); Idris Muhammad (d)

More Al Cohn:

with Al Cohn & Bob Brookmeyer

It's every bit as good as you'd expect. The album features a larger ensemble than the LP from the Berlin Jazzfest. The highlight is Hampel's "Waltz for 11 Universes in a Corridor" -- a terrific, mesmerizing cut.