Late

Rather than start yet another new topic, I wanted to mention this title (which includes Hidehiko Matsumoto) — led by drummer Hideo Shiraki: Dusty Groove is currently offering this title — where they exclaim (who knew?) that the cd has 14 (!) tracks, combining 2 (!) albums (!) by Shiraki. Um, wrong again. The disc has the same album twice — once in stereo (Stereo Drum), and once in mono (Black Mode). Not what I expected at first, but I actually like this approach. Evidently, the session was recorded in both mono and stereo, as the stereo version sounds authentic — no "electronically rechannelled" stuff. I actually prefer the mono, though! The whole session is beautifully recorded, and opens with a well-miked drum solo track, where Shiraki shows his love for Art Blakey. He's no Bu, but Shiraki can play. The music on the album as a whole reminds me very much of Moanin'. In fact, Matsumoto (if I'm to believe Dusty Groove as listing him in the personnel for this session) temporarily drops his Newk bag for a pretty convincing Benny Golson bag. Worth hearing. Overall, this album does sound derivative to my ears — whereas Hidehiko Matsumoto's own Modern Jazz does not. It's still a solid hardbop date, but — the one drum solo track aside — emits few sparks.

Would anyone recommend Abrams' Mama and Daddy? The Penguin Guide gives it two stars, but I have a feeling to distrust that evaluation.

One of the more interesting threads on this board! While I can't say that I'm fond of albums like Special Quartet, I very much like Ming, and am waiting for an order that includes Home. I've heard only a few other things, but I guess, so far, I like Murray best in that octet formation. (Nothing wrong with that, as far as I can tell!)

Listening to David Murray's Ming right now. Other fans of this one? It seems to have really held up over time — whereas a lot of other albums recorded in 1980 now sound dated. Stanley Crouch wrote some pretty enthusiastic liner notes for this one. It makes me wonder: What if a then nineteen year-old Wynton Marsalis had been shepherded into David Murray's circle at the time? Murray's only six years older than Marsalis, and the music on Ming really isn't that "out" — how might "jazz" as we know it now be different (if at all)?

Yes, in full (with moniker) it's: Hidehiko "Sleepy" Matsumoto. He has that chocolate-y tone similar to what Newk has on With the Contemporary Leaders. The album won't make anyone do a back-flip, but if you're a hardcore Newk fan from his "golden period," it's definitely worth checking out. It's not a disc that I'll simply file away after a spin or two. It'll get into the rotation for a while.

IIRC = If I Recall Correctly ... or, sometimes, If I'm Really Calm (just kidding on the last phrase)

Did anyone else pick this one up from Dusty Groove recently? The Bards describe this album as reminiscent of Hank Mobley's Soul Station, and I thought I'd give it a chance. Were The Bards correct? Um, no! Even better (for my ears at least), Matsumoto is straight out of the Sonny Rollins bag, circa 1957. Few tenor players are able to convincingly get Newk's phrasing, let alone his actual sound. Matsumoto does both — not so much slavishly, but rather in loving homage (as I hear it). Despite the strong influence, he is a fine and capable player on his own. Recorded in 1960, Modern Jazz is a quartet/quintet setting and is beautifully recorded. A guitarist (I can't read the liners, which are in Japanese) appears on a few tracks, and sounds amazingly similar to Barney Kessel. There are even some trio features where the pianist drops out, as well as one track that is entirely acapella tenor saxophone. Warmly recommended, especially if you sometimes have a jones for that "lost" Newk album from the mid-50's.

Mark, did you ever find a copy? I'm looking for a listening copy these days ... Fuller's work on the James Moody New Sounds disc that's shared with Art Blakey is something else.

Dig. I hope (trust) that at least all interested parties here have it, or purchase it very soon. The set does not disappoint. Even if you're not a big J.J. fan, but are a big Max Roach fan ... you'll want this one. I remember wavering on the Andrew Hill set way back when (because I already had about half the set in different forms) ... and didn't buy it. Needless to say, that was one of the dumberer moves I've made. As a result, I pre-ordered the Mosaic Select about .02 seconds after it was made available for pre-order. Easily my favorite Select.

As I type this, The Kerry Dancers and Jazz Studio Party are en route to my doorstep. Johnny Griffin continues to add joy to my days.

Guy — nice score! Tell us what you think of Nuff when you get it. (I dig it.)

Absolutely. I guess I was just naively thinking: "The music's so good, and if it's out-of-print, people will pay anything for it!" (Insert optional dork laugh.)

I'd think that the Johnson Mosaic, when it finally does time out, will eventually be one of those sets that fetches absurd* prices on eBay. * or ridiculous, insane, inflated ... you name it

Ordered four Black Saint titles — they came to $11.55 a pop (shipping included)! Didn't have David Murray's Home, and always wanted to pick it up. For some reason, Cadence doesn't carry that title.

Up from the depths. The recent Brubeck/Columbia thread got me thinking about Columbia reissues in general. We get Connoisseurs from Blue Note at least once a year ... but how long does it take Columbia to reissue individual titles from their vaults? Since this thread was originally started, we have seen, among many others, Woody Shaw's Stepping Stones and Mulligan's Jeru. Yeah! But what is still lurking in the vaults? I see that Fresh Sounds has gotten around to Something New, Something Blue as well as to some of Teo Macero's 50's work. I would much rather purchase these titles as a Columbia product ... but am getting tempted by Mr. Pujol's offerings.

This thread had me get out my Brubecks on Columbia last night. The box set For All Time, I'd say, is an essential purchase. I also like Impressions of Japan. I don't have any of those Japan-only discs listed above, but my appetite is whetted!

Thanks for the heads-up, Al. I was going to "resist" using either of those codes ... until I learned of the additional 20% off. Some box sets start to become awfully attractive ...

Tower has some Black Saint (and Soul Note) titles in stock for $13.59 right now — including Billy Harper's Black Saint! Add a coupon code from the current Tower thread, and the price goes down even further. Carpe diem!

BFrank — if you like The Leaders (great band ... why was all the press given over to Courtney Pine in those years?), definitely check out Unforseen Blessings. (Tower online actually has it in stock!)

Good on purchases made April 24-30: • Enter F4T32NY for 15% off orders $40 or more. • Enter 2FV3T4E for $5 off orders $30 or more. Orders over $20 ship for free. Not the greatest savings, but allright if you poke around long enough online.

... and dig Chico's appearances on the Black Saint label. Some very fine playing there.

Yes, Daddy Von is justifiably revered, but what about Chico the Son? (Now I'm going to use a colloquialism I can't stand ... ) — where are "the props" for Chico?

I'm in full agreement with you there — and I wouldn't say that your description is an overstatement! I've always had a soft spot for Brownie's Paris recordings. In fact, I happen to like them quite a bit more than his polished work for EmArcy. Brownie's playing on "I Can Dream, Can't I?" — it's one of the few times where I actually want to listen to the master take immediately followed by the alternate takes ... on repeat! To my ears, it's rawer Clifford Brown, while still beautiful and (yes) innocent. This is such important music (I'm thinking of 1953 Paris recordings) — it should really be honored by at least a Mosaic Select. Strange that these recordings were originally released by Vogue, then licensed by Blue Note, then licensed by Prestige, and now are under the BMG umbrella ... and still don't have a permanent home in the U.S. market!

I haven't, but the title will go down on the list — thanks! Right now, I'm trying to track down some out-of-print William Bronk (before I fold and just go for the "Collected" ... which really won't be a bad alternative).

Up Popped the Two Lips is a fine record. I'd say, even though it's a later recording, it would make a good entry point into Threadgill's work. Nuff is great, too.