Late

Coltrane can bend time like that.

Here is the one review on Amazon of this 2-disc set: Right off, for anyone considering whether or not to purchase this disc, consider how much sound means to you. As far as the music goes, I've posted an extensive review of this here: Live in Seattle , which is tied to the 1994 and 2012 American editions. What I wanted to post here, though, is why, if you want to get this album, you should get this version. The reason is two-fold, but equally important. The first has to do with the music: the 2012 American edition, which has good sound, has returned the album to its "original running order". In some of the studio albums, especially those from Coltrane's lifetime, this has a certain appeal (though all of Coltrane's songs are worth owning). But in the case of this album, the extreme length of "Body and Soul" and "Afro Blue" forced Impulse to leave the songs off in the 71 double album edition. Why would anyone not want these tracks, ESPECIALLY "Body and Soul", which may be Coltrane's finest version of the jazz warhorse? It simply doesn't make sense that people have been waiting around to get the original edition again - and thankfully Universal Japan seems to get this. Here the Coltrane listener gets it all. Of course, the 1994 edition is easy enough to get, and that would get a person all the tracks at half the price. Why get this one? The answer is simple: the SOUND. Whether the SHM format really makes that much more difference than MLPS, gold MFSL discs, blue specs, SACDs, or any other physically different format is beyond me. I've heard them all and own a few of each and really, they all sound good. What I can say about the sound engineers in Japan is that they haven't lost their hearing - this record is mixed WONDERFULLY. The bass, finally, is fully forward and the distinction between the horns at the beginning of "Evolution" is jaw-dropping. Really, the SHM series from late 2011 is the first opportunity to hear many of these great, late period Coltrane's in premier sound for the first time since the initial releases, and these, really, sound BETTER than the original vinyl. The expense, of course, means that the Coltrane listener will likely have to choose a few favorites, but I'd urge this to be one of them - great sound, the full program, everything a Coltrane collector could ask for. Except for one obvious thing: why can't Verve make an issue this good at a more affordable price for Americans? As long as Pharaoh keeps the piccolo away from his mouth, I'm in. I don't even mind Donald Garrett's bass clarinet.

My sentiments exactly. In 2011, the Japanese market released a new transfer of the Live In Seattle material that is supposed to have superior sound. I missed out on that 2-disc set, and nowadays it's extremely hard to find.

Agreed. I had the same thought. I wish the 2-disc Japanese SHM-CD contents were added to the upcoming Seattle broadcast set. That would make it 3 discs, but then it would also feel more "complete." Plus, the 2011 Japanese remastering of Live In Seattle is supposed to be noticeably better than what the U.S. market is currently offering. • • • I can't imagine members here are all that excited about the above reissue program, but I suppose we're not exactly the target audience. Nice to see Live At The Village Vanguard Again! see another reissue though. That's an under-valued live document (I think).

The Japanese market is reissuing 20 titles from Coltrane's Impulse! catalog to celebrate his 95th birthday. 1300¥. Google Translate has this to say about Jupiter Variation: Jupiter Variation [Special Price Limited Edition] / John Coltrane • The 95th anniversary of the birth of the best charisma in jazz history (born September 23, 1926), the release of an unreleased live label, and the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Impulse! label to which he belongs. In commemoration, the representative masterpieces to rare editions will be re-released as special price limited editions. A selection that approaches the mystery of the late Coltrane sound. Every moment is brilliant, from the quintet formation to the duo with drummer Rashid Ali. Also includes a studio version of "Peace on Earth."

No need for discussion ... but plenty of need for listening!

I'll echo this recommendation. Solarius is an excellent record. A Kühn Brothers effort that I like even more is East Berlin, 1966: Probably hard to find, but the music can stand alongside anything Jimmy Giuffre recorded in the 60's, as well as other groups like some of the earlier JCOA records.

Both the Monterose and Dulfer arrived this week (via CD Japan). For live recordings, both sound good on compact disc. Solid (the reissue label) is getting better at not overly compressing their releases. Both albums can be turned up. On the Monterose, Han Bennink's drums sound improved: cleaner and with a more noticeable soundstage; in contrast, Monterose's tenor is still somewhat recessed, but that's probably in the original recording. The music of course is excellent. If you like Archie Shepp's mid-60's work on Impulse! (with Roswell Rudd), you'll like the Dulfer. It's high energy organized "free" playing. This album should be better known; and I have a feeling (just a hunch) that this disc will go out-of-print quickly. If you like this period and style of music, and don't mind live recorded sound, I'd recommend it.

I wonder where the date was — still the Penthouse? I also wonder if it's this broadcast: Even if it is, I'd still go for an authorized version.

This was definitely recorded "hot," but it doesn't take away from Shaw's brilliance. Some in-the-zone trumpet playing on this set. For Woody Shaw fans it's a must-have. I actually bought it for Carlos Garnett, but it's Shaw I can't stop listening to. His chops are in peak form.

I hope some day the Tübingen concert, from the 1961 European tour, will be cleaned up and released. I believe it's the only recording, of presumably four total, from this tour — the others being Bremen, Stuttgart, and Graz — that has not seen a digital release. The Jazz Discography Project lists eight titles from this performance, if "western Europe" is indeed the Tübingen set. Unique Jazz released a boot on vinyl. Here it is. The music is great; a fair amount different than the performances from the other cities.

Hat Hut already corrected it ... by coincidence?

Two excellent albums from the mid-50's on Swing/Vogue: Both were reissued in the short-lived "Jazz Connoisseur" series from Sony France. (The Hodeir isn't listed in that link, but it was indeed part of the series.) Think "Birth of the Cool," but with a more progressive bent. Hodeir was not afraid to diverge from tonal centers. The Jaspar title includes both "New Jazz, Vol. 1" and "New Jazz Vol. 2" — with arrangements by Hodeir. Some of the music on these albums reminds me of Bob Zieff's writing (from approximately the same time period) coming out of Boston. And if you explore that series (Jazz Connoisseur), make sure to pick up this early Solal effort: Also, if you don't have them already, you'll want the two Joe Harriott albums from the early 60's: Free Form and Abstract. Both albums are being reissued (at some point) by Hat Hut:

Turns out I had a ton of Amazon Rewards points, so I just pre-ordered. Can't wait to dig in after the release date!

Thanks for the heads-up. I watched the documentary a handful of years ago, and it'll be great to watch it again. I wonder if it'll ever be on DVD.

Georgia Anne Muldrow is playing The Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles this Fall, sharing the ticket with Brittany Howard. Should be an interesting show.

Some absolutely killer Michael Brecker solos on this set ...

Damn. Tight band ...

After the recent batch of Lee Morgan SHM-CDs, I wonder if this series (loosely construed as a "series") will now proceed artist-by-artist.

Woody Shaw sounds great on the sample from Understanding. Just when I was on a spending hiatus ...

Japanese reissue: August 11th.

Seeing reissue in Japan, August 11th.

Reissued in Japan on August 11, 2021.