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I am really enjoying the "Live at the Lighthouse" reissue that came out not too long ago. This was quite a band.

John Coltrane - "Meditations" Miles Davis - "And the Modern Jazz Giants" (K2)

I picked this one up not long after its reissue last year. I love it. Kenny Kirkland is on piano for this one as well. Liebman's playing is on fire in reaction to Emperor Jones, who seems to be playing a bit harder than usual.

If you are coming from a very cold place, I would suggest Miami. Otherwise, Chicago, my hometown, is a great place anytime of year. Of the thousands of people I've met both here in the US and in my worldly travels, I've found very, very few who don't love Chicago.

Where is that quote from?

CD Universe has had them availiable for pre-order for quite some time, but they just lowered the price to $13.99, so I picked up the Getz/Tjader, Art Pepper, Bags & Wes, and Benny Carter. I don't have an SACD player, but several of the Fantasy SACDs I've purchased sound just as good as the K2's on my stereo. Any comments on these or any of the other releases? The only one I've heard is the Benny Carter, which is defintiely upgrade-worthy in my book.

Agree 100% Noj. I haven't really listened to my hip hop collection in years, and pretty much stopped buying new hip hop CDs around 98 or so, but Return to the 36 Chambers is absolutely a certified hip hop classic, and one of the best Wu Tang solo efforts.

Anyone heard his new "Live at Yoshi's" disc on MaxJazz?? I've heard 3 cuts on the radio and it smokes!

It was my understanding that Miles did fire Red Garland, but Bill Evans left on his own. Miles did always have an eye for seeing something special in a musician, usually even before they began changing the shape of the music. Garland and Kelly were fantastic players (especially Kelly, IMO one of the swingingist players ever), but neither of them rocked the foundations of jazz to its core like Bill Evans did. Even in the 1980's, he brought Dave Liebman, John Scofield, Wallace Rooney and Kenny Garrett into his bands. Although these players may not be John Coltranes or Bill Evans's, they are still extremely talented players who have enjoyed long, fruitful careers in this music, with much thanks to Miles' tutelage.

Agree with his personal life or not, he was a talented, unique artist, and the hip hop community is worse off without him.

Best wishes to you and yours, b3-er.

As good as Red is, he ain't no Bill Evans! Just like he always did, Miles was looking to evolve, and Bill Evans had that special something that Miles was looking for. Red was a fantastic player, well versed in tradition with a wonderful touch. But I think Miles was looking for a player who was revolutionary, and that's what Bill Evans was.

Agree with all the suggestions above. The Prestige's are all good. "Outward Bound", "Out There", the Five Spots....all of them. You can't go wrong with Dolphy.

Great weekend in Chicago coming up. Dave Liebman Big Band at the Green Mill and the Gary Burton Quintet at the Showcase. Not sure if I'll make them both, but I'll sure try!

As mentioned, his 1980s recordings on ECM are really good. "Jumpin' In" with Kenny Wheeler and Steve Coleman is really hot, as is "The Razor's Edge". I've also heard great things about "Triplicate", which is a trio with Holland, Coleman, and Jack DeJohnette. I can understand why people would think poorly of Dave's new band based on the ECM studio albums. While I really like them, I can see how they are not to everyone's taste. But to anyone who thinks these guys are no good, I challenge you to go see the Dave Holland Quintet live in a club setting, and come out with the same opinion. The energy of the band is incredible.

I thought "II" was much better than "I". Not quite as corny as "I" (but still corny in parts), and a bit more exciting. Although I agree that these new movies don't even compare to the old ones, which I consider to be timeless classics.

I don't watch hardly any at all. Some CNN once in a while, and if something is good on Discovery, I'll watch that, but less than 3 hours a week all together. However, I am a video game/DVD junkie, so I don't know if that makes me any better.

I have Celebration and I think its one of the best releases of the year.

Can't wait!!!!

That's great!!!

DrJ, I do remember that conversation very well now that you mention it! Did you ever get to check out some other examples of Harland's drumming, like Osby's "Inner Circle" or Terrance Blanchard's "Bounce"? I'm convinced that anyone who appreciates quality musicianship can be turned on to Eric Harland!

Not exactly new, but I couldn't find a thread so I decided to start one. I liked this CD from the start. If I recall, general thoughts were mixed on this one, but for me it was enjoyable right away. Well anyways, last night I put CNN on mute and gave this one a spin. You ever have one of those experiences where you've heard a record god knows how many times, and all of a sudden you hear it with a new pair of ears? That's how this one was last night. A ray of light during an election day nightmare. The playing on this album is really fine. McCoy displays his monster chops and advanced harmonic sense on the bop-flavored numbers...and really shines on the slower ones. His playing here is really energized..alot like on his Milestone releases from the 70's....and FAR more so than on his other recent recordings. Bobby Hutcherson, who always makes a simpatico partner to McCoy, seems to add that "shine" of the vibraphone to all the right spots. He blesses this album not so much by his solos (which he doesn't do alot of), but by displaying his deep understanding of McCoy's music and decorating it beautifully. Charnett Moffet and Eric Harland are two of the best in the game right now. Moffet's solos on this recording are absolutely incredible! Are there any other bass players out there who can solo as good as this guy? And Eric Harland is one of those new breed of drummers in the company of Brian Blade and Nasheet Waits who is really moving the concept of jazz drumming forward. He's all over the place....dropping bombs, soloing, accenting, and swinging the hell out of everything....all at the same time sounding like nobody else but Eric Harland. The band chemistry is about as tight as it gets. The album was recorded after an extensive tour, and you can hear it. This one to me is among McCoy's finest recordings. If you have this one and it didn't quite reach you, I encourage you to give it another try and really hear how on point these guys are, and hear the beauty in the music they play. If you have it and enjoy it , let's hear your thoughts!

Looks like The Barn, Trey's private studio. Its gotta be the coolest studio ever.

And La Strada!

Ira Sullivan hosts jam sessions at the Jazz Showcase every year during jazz fest. Always a good time.