HutchFan

Very nice!

Sir Roland Hanna - Piano Soliloquy (L+R)

You're right, clifford. It is a trio. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Encounter EDIT: I just noticed an error on that wikipedia entry: The label is listed as RCA Victor. That's incorrect. The label is Victor Japan. Never trust what you read on the internet.

McClure still plays with Quest (with Dave Liebman, Richie Beirach & Billy Hart). Helluva band! I agree, felser. I dig some of their music -- and some of it is just OK. I've never quite understood why critical reaction to that band has been (and is?) so extreme. I think it has a lot to do with non-musical factors.

I'm more familiar with the reissue cover. Either one is fine by me. Shakespeare in the title if not the music.

This one comes to mind...

I have most of Wilson's post-Pacific Jazz records. I don't think any of them are better than In My Time. And I agree 100% re: the arrangements. Plus Jon Faddis and Ron Blake take some AMAZING solos.

Absolutely! Ronnie Mathews is WAY under-appreciated. Legacy is very good. And I think Roots, Branches and Dances is even better. The latter is my favorite Beehive LP -- among those that I own or have heard; I don't have the box (yet).

I have Wheelin' & Dealin', Butler's second Xanadu LP. It's pretty good, but I've never been bowled over by it. (I had high hopes for it too. The band features Teddy Edwards and Joe Farrell.) I haven't heard the LP that Elemental is reissuing, The Stepper.

I with you, Gheorghe. I think Canyon Lady is a terrific record. I love the Latin feeling. Luis Gasca did the arrangements. Listen to what Joe does on "All Things Considered." So damn good. BTW: I agree with others who have said that Joe's Milestone years are every bit as interesting as his BN records. I definitely play the Milestones more -- though I wouldn't want to be without any of them, of course!

I've given that Sonny Red Mainstream LP a few spins. I'd describe it as "solid." And how could it not be with that rhythm section? But it hasn't blown me away -- so far, at least.

Snagged this off eBay today: Sir Roland Hanna - Piano Soliloquy (L+R, 1979) I've wanted this LP for a long while, but I'd never seen it anywhere. I'm happy that I get to hear it soon.

Would love to see one of those shows, Michael. Unfortunately, New England is a LONG way from Georgia. By the way, a few years ago when I was in NYC, I saw you perform at the Vanguard with the VJO. Your playing knocked me out! I've been a fan ever since. If you ever make it down South...

I like it too.

Just read some of the poems in your preview here. Wonderfully evocative stuff. One line that caught my eye: I dug how you used the image of a hi-hat cymbal closing to convey disappointment, disapproval, pain. Nice. Never would have thought of that.

Yeah, those two albums are fantastic also -- and quite different from the records with Byard. I particularly dig Consciousness. I guess it's sorta inevitable that Kloss sounds a little Wayne-ish while playing with that rhythm section.

Congrats, Joe! Looks & sounds fascinating.

Yep, I know that these and several other Xanadu records have been reissued on CD earlier. In this case, I was just talking about the timelines for Elemental's "Xanadu Master Edition" series.

Life Force features some nice Jimmy Owens trumpet work. ... and I need to listen to Essence again. Been a long while.

Hmm. I looked and didn't have any luck finding them. Will give it another go.

Would love to hear what you think, Jim -- when you have a chance to give 'em a listen.

This CD may be old news for many of you -- but I was just giving it a listen and was struck by its power. Thought I'd share here. A few years ago, I went on a Jaki Byard bender. That's what prompted me to track down this CD. It compiles two Eric Kloss Prestige LPs, both featuring Byard, recorded in 1969: Sky Shadows and Land of Giants. Kloss was only 19 (!) when he made this music, but his playing is remarkably assured. While he didn't necessarily break new ground, Kloss was an excellent musician and made some fine music. I've now heard most of Kloss' recordings; I think these two LPs are his strongest. Also, they are required listening if you're a Jaki Byard fan. As usual, he is BRILLIANT. Along with Byard, both LPs feature sensational bands. Here are the line-ups: Sky Shadows: Eric Kloss - alto saxophone, tenor saxophone Jaki Byard - piano Pat Martino - guitar Bob Cranshaw - bass Jack DeJohnette - drums In the Land of the Giants: Eric Kloss - alto saxophone Booker Ervin - tenor saxophone Jaki Byard - piano Richard Davis - bass Alan Dawson - drums If you like Booker's Space Book and Freedom Book sessions, In the Land of Giants uses the same Byard/Davis/Dawson rhythm section with a Ervin/Kloss two-horn front line. Have you heard this music? If so, what say you?

I think it's one of Lacy's finest -- regardless of era.

I made a quick run up to McKay's Bookstore in Chattanooga this afternoon. I traded in a few books, so I only needed to spend a few bucks to come away with these CDs: - Gene Ammons - The Gene Ammons Story: The Organ Combos (Prestige) - Ray Baretto - My Summertime (Owl / Blue Note) - Donald Brown - French Kiss (Space Time Records) - Woody Herman - Giant Steps (Fantasy); already had the vinyl; wanted a version for "on the go" listening - Illinois Jacquet - The Blues: That's Me (Prestige)

Bump. No one has heard these, eh?