Late

Well, that was a smart move. I don't know about others here, but I'm personally offended by the use of "Smithville." I wish Alfred Lion & Co. would have had the decency/foresight to think of these things ... (Also glad to have the TOCJ.)

Hank Mobley's impossible-to-find Curtain Call is available in the list. Was it listed when this sale originally started? (I don't remember it being there.) At any rate, some superb Kenny Dorham on that one. I have this session on the Mosaic. Can anyone with the TOCJ comment on sonic differences (if any)? This session on the Mosaic sounds pretty darn good.

Dexter Gordon's Homecoming is worth picking up for both Shaw's and Gordon's contributions. I wish Columbia would have gotten around to re-reissuing it with original cover art and better remastering, but at least it's still out there.

I wonder what will become of Mighty Quinn now that EMI's been purhcased. The last I heard (about a year ago), Mighty Quinn was working on a Sal Salvador project, in conjunction with Salvador's daughter — live and at-home tapes. Was that project shelved, or did it actually come out?

I wonder if the reason there are only five Connoisseurs this time is because the sixth title was supposed to be Louis Smith's Smithville, with the previously unissued extra tracks, but some kind of issue arose. Just speculatin'.

Just wanted to give a heads-up for those interested: Free Form is available again. This time not through Redial, but through some UK label called Gott Discs. I assume they're legit, but don't know. At any rate, this is a terrific album, along with his other session from around this time: Abstract. The Bards have it here.

Didn't know that about the High Notes. Good news. Bemsha Swing can be had (I think) as a Japanese import these days. It might even be cheaper than used U.S. copies. However, once I actually check, the Japanese import will probably be out-of-print too. The Eric Dolphy dates that Shaw is on are pretty good too. I used to imagine a session after Out to Lunch which would be something like: Dolphy, Woody Shaw, Jaki Byard, Richard Davis, Alan Dawson.

Damn — it's actually my favorite Hill session! Something brooding about it that's attractive to me.

Here's how I'd prioritize a Shaw-binge: 1. Blackstone Legacy — a killer debut 2. Stepping Stones — a "must have" in my opinion 3. Swiss Radio Days (Lausanne, 1977) 4. Song of Songs — looks like you ordered it already 5. The three High Note Volumes — you'll eventually want them all The hard one to find, but worth searching for, is: • The Moontrane (Muse) In fact, I'd scoop up just about anything on Muse when you see it — Love Dance, Imagination, etc. You're in for a huge treat!

Listened to the Turrentine today. A little sleepy at times, but I like it overall. One thing, though — if someone had put it on without me reading the notes, and then said: "This was remastered by a Toshiba engineer," I would have believed them (if I didn't already know it was a Connoisseur). On my system, I don't hear the "signature" trebliness that's usually associated with McMaster. Nicely done here.

Also of note: Do not order "Special Order" items from the new Tower. You'll be billed, whether you're going to receive them or not. The old Tower site never billed you for a Special Order item unless it actually shipped. With the new Tower, you'll get billed, and then have to call for a refund if the item never ships. Just a FYI ...

Tom (Rooster) — if you're still reading this thread, you'll want to check out Dave Ballou. He's a "progressive" trumpet player with a contract with Steeplechase. He's made quite a few sides for them. Good chops, nice sound, and interesting ideas. Tenor fans will definitely want to check out Ari Ambrose. Our own Ken Dryden reviewed some of Ambrose's work for AMG. The kid can play. Think Archie Shepp from the New Thing at Newport record, and then add considerably more technique. At least that's how I hear (some of) Ambrose. His solos are also not dry or academic; he's got something to say.

That sucks that you got used CDs, but I'm glad they seem to be in good shape. It's weird. I ordered six titles on 5/31 (some of these had "duplicates" at higher prices on the site; I ordered the cheaper ones), and I just received the package today. All discs were shrink-wrapped. Maybe it has something to do with the fulfillment center? Still, if a disc is used, it should be advertised as such. I'll be interested to hear what kind of response you get when you tell Tower about this.

One thing I've noticed: jazz compilations always have the worst covers. Though I guess 32Jazz's Jazz for After You've Finished Brushing Your Teeth had an OK cover. That Playmate had nice teeth.

I've been a fan of Giuffre's for what seems a long time (ten years), but it's really not that long at all! It does seem strange that Seven Pieces isn't even on iTunes, but maybe there's still hope. Of course, I'd prefer an individual CD reissue too, but am unfortunately skeptical what with jazz reissue programs these days. I think our best bet is a Mosaic: The Complete Verve Jimmy Giuffre Sessions. How big a set would this be, and what would it contain? I'd prefer a "leader only" set, but Giuffre co-led and played on some other Verve sessions ... Didn't the Andorans just release a "new" Giuffre 3 package? A live set with Jim Hall?

I would imagine that the new Japanese Konitz/Half Note reissue is identical in content to the original U.S. version. There might be a new remastering with this set, but that's just a guess. The music is terrific, and the sound (on the U.S. edition) is really quite good for a live recording. If you haven't yet heard this set, and like the Tristano school in general, you'll want to get the package at some point, though 3900¥ is fairly pricey. Maybe getting the U.S. edition used is the way to go?

Yeah, the Atavistic stuff is the dang. I also like when that group hooked up (electrically) in 1968 for Debut. Karsten Vogel is, in my opinion, a shamefully overlooked saxophonist in this genre. If there could be a hybrid between Hal McKusick and Charles Tyler ... that might be Vogel.

If you don't have it on your list (or have it already), add: Booker Ervin: Booker and Brass This was a standard Pacific Jazz/EMI issue, and it's a very good session in great sound. There are a lot of Booker fans here, but this session seems to get overlooked. At any rate, I'm a fan. OOP, I think. Yep. Forgot to add that to my post. I find it swingin', but I can see how it might not be to others' taste. The larger ensemble adds a little more excitement in my opinion.

If you don't have it on your list (or have it already), add: Booker Ervin: Booker and Brass This was a standard Pacific Jazz/EMI issue, and it's a very good session in great sound. There are a lot of Booker fans here, but this session seems to get overlooked. At any rate, I'm a fan.

Thanks guys. Tower-Caiman has this for just under $25. Very tempting ...

Hugh Steinmetz: trumpet Karsten Vogel: alto saxophone Niels Harrit: tenor saxophone, flute Per Aage Brandt: piano Steffen Andersen: bass Bo Thrige Andersen: drums recorded April 19 & 20, 1966 If you're a fan of Albert Ayler or Don Cherry (or the two of them together), you'll probably like this recording. While the music is generally inspired by the two musicians just listed, it somehow avoids being derivative. A very fine listening experience. Sunny Murray dug Steinmetz enough to record with him a few years later.

here are los of missing 's in he world, bu hey're no all your faul.

So that's what you've been saying all this time. I says something different.

Free shipping on orders over $20.

Reminds me of the old AllDirect.com site. Damn, I miss that site--although my wallet doesn't! Yeah, I loved AllDirect. I'd wait a couple of months between orders, and then put in a $99+ order (that was the only way to get free shipping, and I think it was FedEx if I recall correctly). I think I bought all my Yazoo discs from them. I even bought my own book from them, as it was cheaper than the wholesale price the press offered. Those were the days!