HutchFan

More from Enrico Pieranunzi: Perugia Suite (Egea)

Long Tall Dexter:

Abdullah Ibrahim - Memories (West Wind, originally recorded for Philips Japan) Gorgeous solo piano; from the same '73 session that produced Ode to Duke Ellington. Enrico Rava and Enrico Pieranunzi - Nausicaa (Egea) Two Italian masters.

Dollar Brand / Abdullah Ibrahim - Round Midnight at the Montmartre (Black Lion) with Johnny Gertze (b) and Makaya Ntshoko (d)

First listen, just arrived in the mail: Baikida Carroll - Marionettes on a High Wire (OmniTone, 2001) with Erica Lindsay (ts); Adegoke Steve Colson (p); Michael Formanek (b); Pheeroan akLaff (d) After only a couple songs: I've got a feeling that I'm really going to like this one.

I've sung Clare Fischer's praises here before -- but his music seems to fit the description "Obscure but Deserving of Wider Recognition" to a T. soulpope is the one who hipped me to Fischer and his solo-piano LP Alone Together, originally issued on MPS. It isn't a particularly well-known record (though it should be!), but it is easy to find. It was issued on Discovery vinyl here in the U.S., and it's currently available on a CD issued by Fischer's estate. You can even download it from emusic.com. After hearing Alone Together, I was so impressed by Fischer that I tracked down a bunch of his albums. I was especially knocked out by his solo-piano recordings on Revelation, the tiny California label that's probably best-known for releasing Warne Marsh's Ne Plus Ultra. Unfortunately, Fischer's Revelation LPs are WELL off-the-beaten path, some pretty obscure stuff. I don't think they've ever been reissued in any format. Fischer's solo-piano Revelation LPs are: - Reclamation Act Of 1972! (rec. 1970, 71) - The State of His Art (rec. 1973) - Jazz Song (rec. 1973) - Head, Heart and Hands (rec. 1970, 73) In this piano-phile's opinion, all of these are superb and well worth seeking out -- especially if you dig players who do quiet but interesting things with harmony. That's Fischer's bread and butter.

Signature Featuring Bill O'Connell (Bluemoon)

The only one that I can speak to is the Sphere record. My advice: GET IT! You really can't go wrong with Charlie Rouse and that rhythm section.

ALL of Walter Norris' music is worth investigating, imho. I'm especially partial to his duo records with George Mraz and Aladár Pege.

O.K. I will.

Just re-reading this thread. I've been digging into Lovano's music lately -- particularly recordings he made with his Us Five band. I would strongly recommend these two: I like Lovano's sound. It's varied; there are lots of colors and tones. And you can hear many different influences mixed in there -- from old heavies like Hawkins and Webster to free/free-ish players like Archie Shepp and Dewey Redman. So there's tradition in his horn -- but it's been integrated into his own unique voice. Us Five is interesting because they use two drummers (both playing a regular drum kit), so the music sounds sorta "clattery" -- in appealing way. Since the drummers have to listen carefully to not play over top of each other, there's a sense of continuous improvisation. The overall effect is cool and unique. I haven't heard the other record by Lovano's Us Five band, Cross Culture. Any thoughts from folks who've heard it? I suppose I need to check it out.

On a Monty Alexander kick today: Perception! (MPS) with Eugene Wright (b) and Bobby Durham (d) and The Way It Is (MPS) with John Clayton (b) and Jeff Hamilton (d)

Monty Alexander - Here Comes the Sun (MPS) with Eugene Wright (b), Duffy Jackson (d) and Montego Joe (conga) Another of the MPS LPs that were produced by Don Schlitten.

Thanks for sharing that, Mark!

Daniel Humair - Triple Hip Trip (Owl) with David Friedman & Harvie Swartz

Milt Jackson and the Monty Alexander Trio - Soul Fusion (Pablo / OJC)

Shifting gears a bit: Dave McKenna Quartet - Featuring Zoot Sims (Chiaroscuro)

Henri Texier Quartet with Joe Lovano ‎– "Paris-Batignolles" (Label Bleu)

Earlier today, prompted by another forum member who posted it recently: Sonny Criss - Saturday Morning (Xanadu / Elemental) Beautiful. Also: Count Basie / Zoot Sims - Basie & Zoot (Pablo / OJC)

Bob Mintzer - Hymn (Owl) with John Abercrombie, Marc Johnson and Peter Erskine

Henri Texier - Colonel Skopje (Evidence, licensed from Label Bleu) with Joe Lovano, John Abercrombie, Steve Swallow and Aldo Romano

Now: Gary Peacock - Tales of Another (ECM) with Keith Jarrett & Jack DeJohnette

John Hicks! Love that CD. On the way home from work: Joe Lovano Us Five - Bird Songs (Blue Note)