Late

I adore this record. The compositions, at least to me, sound heavily influenced by Ornette, but they're still their own bag. Simmons' playing is fantastic (what the heck mouthpiece is he using on the cover, a Buscher? note too he's playing a plastic alto on the cover). And Lasha isn't playing a bass clarinet; it's almost certainly the Eb alto clarinet.

Listening to this (2024 packaging) again this evening. The sound is so much more present—Rollins' horn in particular. I first encountered this music on the two McMaster CDs from the late 80's, and got used to the sound there. This new package is a gift (I think) to listeners who are encountering the music for the very first time (though young/new listeners are probably listening to it through Spotify. 😉) At any rate, it's fun to go through the music all over again, as if for the first time. Yes, Uncle Don's not here, but other than that—as close as one can get to a definitive package, I'd say. And preserved for future generations!👍

Graettinger's "Thermopylae" makes me think of Sun Ra.

D'oh! Yes, I wasn't Remembering.

The original cover! This was my first Lock purchase. I need to spin more Lock...soon.

I listened to this album today, and it was like I was hearing it anew. Did Green make any other recordings without a keyboard or other chordal instrument? For contrast, I like playing this one back-to-back with Grant's First Stand. The old TOCJ's sound soooo good.

Souvenirs

"Of all the musicians, Bechet was to me the very epitome of jazz. He represented and executed everything that had to do with the beauty of it all, and everything he played in his whole was original. I honestly think he was the most unique man ever to be in this music—but don't ever try and compare because when you talk about Bechet you just don't talk about anyone else." —Duke Ellington

"He has the finest orchestra of its size I have ever heard. I have long been an admirer of his work." —Sergei Rachmaninoff, on Paul Whiteman 😮

These two were my introduction to Portal. 👍👍 Still catching up with later work!

I lucked into a Japanese copy (of the physical CD) about four years ago. (Previously, I had the download as well.) Beautiful presentation, excellent remastering—a lovely product overall. More importantly, for those interested, just find a way to listen to the music! 🥰

I've spun this disc THREE times today! I don't know if it's still available (haven't checked), but I'd say it's an excellent entry point into microtonal music. Beautiful, precise playing, amazing sound, and most importantly...very musical. If a person only had "one" album/CD of microtonal music, they'd be well-served with this title. I'm sure there are other more "important" microtonal recordings, but this one is really really good.

I have two of the Ben Johnston discs. Some of the most, if not the most, musical microtonal music I've ever heard. Truly beautiful. The Kepler Quartet dedicated so much time and energy to Johnston's writing. It paid off. Reference recordings.

Quarter-Tone Pieces

👍 & 👍. I streamed the Naughton on Bandcamp recently. It's quite nice. Parts of it made me think of Out To Lunch, but without Dolphy and Hubbard. Naughton's sound reminds me of Hutcherson's. Live At Charlie's Tap 👍! I haven't listened to the Burrell/Woodyard title (yet). Oh—on the Naughton disc, Randy Kaye on drums...he'd just been with Jimmy Giuffre's band of the late 70's. (I think I have that right.)

Any appreciators* of Whiteman on this board? In smallish doses, I like the music quite a bit. * as opposed to admirers 😛

The affair with Nelson Riddle? Invitation "During the course of its 48-bar form, "Invitation" uses all 12 tones as a chord root at least once, and the harmonies are thick with ... higher extensions." And I forgot about that Al Haig version, which I have! 👍

This version? I like it!!!

I've been enjoying this one all over again. Roy Brooks' touch is so light.

Yes, Horwich told me the same thing. I still like the original cover better, but I guess it's good to now have both.

At least we should be able to audition the Tiberi tapes (at some point) on YouTube before pulling the trigger on a box set. Sometimes, when I'm just about to make a CD purchase, I hop over to YouTube for another discretionary listen. I've ended up saving $ (e.g. no purchase) this way.🤨

And, for classical music, Opus Kura. I also really like the Harlequin label, where you can find -->

This one is a lot of fun. McFarland is always a stamp of musicality.

That Rosemary Clooney version is really nice—it sounds like it should be played while credits for a James Bond movie crawl up the screen. Goodness—I have that Lucky Thompson disc...and spaced it contained "Invitation." I need to spin it soon! I dig Joe on that Roy Haynes record!👌 I haven't heard the Konitz or Friedman versions. Need to change that.