All of Curson's recordings with Bill Barron are worth hearing. "Urge" is indeed very good as are some of the things he did on I believe India Navigation - especially a very interesting trio date with Ray Drummond and Roy Haynes called "Trio".
I recently received an email from Ron Horton. The new FSNT disc is available from the Fresh Sound website. Ron also told me that he should have copies of the disc when he returns to NY from a tour.
I am a dedicated Murray fan and own many recordings featuring him.
As someone new to Murray, you might find the discussion in this thread (both pro and con) interesting:
David Murray, general discussion
I have it. Nothing groundbreaking, but very solid release. It is the kind of recording that builds anticipation for future releases more than excitement over this one.
Are you sure that was Goldings? I know Smoker appeared on a live Soul Note recording under drummer Phil Haynes' leadership (I think the title is Live Insurgency) with Jeff Palmer on organ. I don't know if Smoker and Goldings ever appeared on a recording together.
There was a BBC broadcast of this group's performance at the 2004 London Jazz Festival. Possibly the ECM recording comes from the same tour. Good music.
By coincidence I just heard one track from this disc. Really terrific. I have one Allan Chase recording as a leader. I was not aware that he plays baritone as I always thought he was primarily an alto sax player. The track I heard was great and I will be seeking this recording out.
I have not heard enough 2005 releases to credibly state what I believe the best of the year was, but I did not find this recording anywhere nearly as offensive as you seem to have. I have not had the opportunity for real "critical" listening, but in the few times I played it while driving I found it to have some substance and I am looking forward to a closer examination.
I can't answer your question about the amount of interest in Jensen, but I can state that I have enjoyed her playing in all the settings I have heard, including one of her own discs, Project O and with Virginia Mayhew and Johaness Enders.
Encouraged by reading this thread for the first time yesterday, I listened to the recording once last night on Rhapsody. Very nice. In some respects Griffin is not nearly as appreciated as he should be. I have heard a good amount of Griffin recordings, but not many of his earlier recordings under his own name. Listening to this last night made me want to really dig into Griffin more than I have. Thanks for the recommendation.
I have Lester Leaps In and Never Let Me go. I think all of the material on the three Steeplechase discs was taken from the same recording sessions. Consistently rewarding music on the two discs I own.
I was reminded yesterday while listening to a Gonzalo Rubacalba performance that at times I find David Sanchez to be a very exciting tenor saxophonist to listen to.