HutchFan

I saw Jackson's band as an opening act for the McCoy Tyner Quartet at the Hollywood (FL) Jazz Festival. This was maybe 20 years ago. From that one show, I got the sense that Jackson is one of those drummers who never stops smiling. R.I.P.

Peter, I'm now giving this a listen via YT. Enjoying it very much. Thanks for the heads-up.

Chico Freeman Quintet featuring Arthur Blythe - Focus (Contemporary, 1995) with George Cables, Santi Debriano, and Yoron Israel Has this ever happened to you? You hear a record, and it isn't what you wanted it to be. (Doesn't matter why. It could be just about anything.) So you're disappointed. Then, time passes and you listen again. And maybe even a few more times after that. And then, suddenly, for some reason, you're actually able to hear the music for what it is, rather than what you expected or hoped it would be. It's as if someone turned on a light. ... That's a nice feeling, finally letting go of those notions and getting to where the music actually is. ... It doesn't always happen, of course. Sometimes, you don't make it, and sometimes the music doesn't make it. But it sure does feel good when that pleasurable understanding/alignment thing happens. The feeling of "Oh, that's it. There it is." I really dig that.

Wow!!! Wish I could have been there for that!

Arthur Blythe - Spirits in the Field (Savant) with Bob Stewart (tu) and Cecil Brooks III (d); live recording made at the Bimhuis in 1999 A badass trio. That Bobby Hutcherson guy... he's pretty good.

Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers - Straight Ahead (Concord, 1981)

Bobby Watson & Horizon - The Inventor (Blue Note, 1990) and Abdullah Ibrahim - Water from an Ancient Well (Blackhawk, 1986)

Lovely.

Oh yeah! But I like their second LP even more. This band was like an updated, sextet version of the MJQ (minus the classical influences). No flash. All music. Very poised. Very balanced. Seemingly effortless.

On the list ALREADY, for sure.

Ralph Peterson Trio featuring Geri Allen - Triangular (Blue Note) R.I.P. Ralph Peterson Jr.

Very interesting. Quincy is an astute man. I wonder if he foresaw the devastating effect these changes would have on the music industry?

No one does "bleeding chunks" better than Stokowski, IMO.

And don't forget this key archival release: IMO, it's right on par with the studio albums from the time -- and, in some regards, even more impressive. Listening to it prompted me to re-consider my opinion of the late-70s and early-80s version of the band. I used to be an "early Weather Report is best" sort of listener. Not so much anymore.

Woody Shaw - Basel 1980 (Elemental, 2019) with Carter Jefferson, Larry Willis, Stafford James & Victor Lewis Another outstanding WS archival release. There's been lots of them -- but I think this is one of the best.

Sonny Rollins - Reel Life (Milestone/OJC, 1982)

and

Joachim Kühn, Daniel Humair, J.F. Jenny-Clark - From Time to Time Free (CMP)

More from Muhal Richard Abrams: Rejoicing with the Light (Black Saint, 1983)

The Muhal Richard Abrams Orchestra - The Hearinga Suite (Black Saint, 1989) Ellingtonian is its expressive scope.

Bennie Wallace - The Free Will (Enja, 1980)