HutchFan

I associate curved soprano saxophones with Bob Wilber. He's the only musician I know who regularly played that type of soprano. Wilber claimed that it was easier to keep the curved soprano in tune. No idea if that's true or not.

Yeah, that makes sense. They're almost certainly the most important McCoy records -- from a historical point of view. Plus, you heard these as they were being released, right?

Inspired by a post on another thread: Art Hodes - Keepin' Out of Mischief Now (Candid)

Gents -- Did y'all read the write-up about Horizon on my blog? Gives some insight into my choice. So, yes, Horizon is my favorite McCoy record of the decade. And, if I hadn't chosen Horizon, I probably would have gone with Sama Layuca. I realize that neither of these are particularly popular or well-known, relative to other McCoy records from the 70s. But they're the discs that I like best and play most frequently. Which McCoy album would you have picked?

You and me both, funkytonk! See my blog entry on Jack McDuff's The Heatin' System for more of my thoughts on the way soul jazz is regularly overlooked by many "tastemakers."

I agree 100%. I listen to the original album FAR more frequently than the 3-CD set. Those four side-long cuts are the crème de la crème.

Anthony Cox, as leader and sideman: Excellent! When I look at that photo, I always snicker a little b/c Andrew's giving us the middle finger.

All three of those are choice! I can't imagine you NOT enjoying them, Dan. Regarding Hank Jones: As I wrote on the blog, Jones is probably most associated with the Great Jazz Trio (particularly during the latter half of the 70s), but I think his albums with George Duvivier and Alan Dawson -- the two Black & Blue releases, Bluesette and Compassion -- are MUCH better records in terms of fit. (RC and Tony with Hank Jones just doesn't work for me. With McCoy or Herbie? Yes. With Hank Jones? No. YMMV, of course.)

I didn't post a recap last week, so here are the entries from the last two weeks. Weekly Recap - PLAYING FAVORITES: Reflections on Jazz in the 1970s Jerry Gonzalez – Ya Yo Me Curé (American Clavé/Pangea/Sunnyside, 1980) Hank Jones – Bluesette (Black & Blue, 1979) Joe Newman – I Love My Woman (Black & Blue, 1979) Buck Hill – Scope (SteepleChase, 1979) Gordon Beck – Sunbird (JMS, 1979) Jessica Williams – Orgonomic Music (Clean Cuts/CD Baby, 1981) Andrew Cyrille, Jeanne Lee, Jimmy Lyons – Nuba (Black Saint, 1979) Stephane Grappelli – Young Django (MPS, 1979) Miroslav Vitous – First Meeting (ECM, 1980) Richie Beirach – Elm (ECM, 1979) [Wadada] Leo Smith – Spirit Catcher (Nessa, 1979) Joanne Brackeen – Keyed In (Tappan Zee, 1979) McCoy Tyner - Horizon (Milestone, 1980) Jack DeJohnette – Special Edition (ECM, 1980) So much AMAZING music, all from 1979. Style-wise, the entries are all over the place -- from Hank Jones & Joe Newman to Wadada & Cyrille/Lee/Lyons. The glorious caravan of jazz! "Player of the Week" goes to Jack DeJohnette. The title of his Special Edition album is no lie! Also, he appears on Richie Beirach's Elm and Joanne Brackeen's Keyed In, two stinkin' fantastic piano trio LPs. ... Not to mention his work with Miles, Konitz, Abercrombie, Dave Holland, George Benson, Gary Peacock, Arthur Blythe, Kenny Wheeler, and on and on. If I'm playing my favorite music from the 1970s (and beyond), then there's a damn good chance I'm listening to Jack DeJohnette!

In my experience, it's a fairly common thing for critics/reviewers to disparage soul jazz and funky jazz as less worthy, "selling out," etc. It's not an attitude that I share. So I just ignore those sorts of reviews.

Lenny's NYPO Eroica is outstanding.

I'm not familiar with Mr. Shing-A-Ling -- but I love the record that preceded it, Alligator Bogaloo. So I bet I'd dig it. Thanks for the recommendation.

Yes! And the rhythm section is fantastic too! Not sure I've ever heard Alvin Queen play more powerfully than he does here. Plus, John Hicks and Reggie Workman are their normal wonderful selves.

The All Music Guide is a helpful resource, but its writers are not trustworthy when it comes to soul jazz and/or funky jazz. In this listener's opinion.

and

Ruby Braff - Buddy Tate - With the Newport All Stars (Black Lion, rec. 1967)

Buddy Tate - When I'm Blue (Black & Blue) Brilliant!

Stanley Turrentine - A Chip Off the Old Block (Blue Note, 1964)

More Lieb: Dave Liebman Group - Conversation (Sunnyside, 2003)

Dave Liebman Group - Voyage (Evidence, 1996)

Elvin Jones and Masabumi Kikuchi -- with Gene Perla on bass.

Yep. Since it's sold out on bandcamp, I was looking at resellers on discogs. Factoring in shipping, it would cost me north of 50 bucks. I'm too cheap to spend that much on one LP. So I guess it's streaming for me.

Streaming via bandcamp: Pharoah Sanders - Live In Paris (1975) (Transversales Disques)