Clunky

I must re listen to Rava's Horo, I recall being very impressed with it.

It does not help me when others dare to suggest what I was foolishly considering???. It's one way of mitigating customs fees.

Classic yet modern. Very nice cover

Happy Birthday to our gracious host , Jim???

I'm so tempted by this set. I noted last night when skimming through the discography that a number of excellent vocalists appear like Teddy Grace. Bud's sessions are a delight . I think he's a really undervalued player. Modern sounding early on in his career which just kept going. This set is probably for me edging out the Dial for my next purchase?

I recall that Ambrose Akinmusire told me that Belgrave was his most significant influence. I've simply not heard enough of either musician to hear that in his playing.

Great talent whose work I've enjoyed but still need to get to know better. RIP

I've come across this a number of times where their clearly is a problem with the CD (without it clearly appearing damaged). It's not common. Occasionally I've been able to rip these discs and burn a fault free copy.

I've rarely noted any clear audio upgrades in a hifi shop. Mostly if I've been upgrading, I trial a piece of kit at home. Only then is it clear to me whether the 'upgrade' adds anything. Usually improvements are subtle but over time reveal their benefits as I listen more widely.

Forrest Westbrook, Jim West, Paul Ruhland, Dick Wilson-----------This is their time, oh yes---------(Revelation) Same overall instrumentation as the MJQ but with marimba more often than vibes. It has a similarly European feel to much of the proceedings which sound in large part composed. Westbrook's piano is discordant with much pummelling of the ivories giving way to tender introspection. Both he and percussionist Wilson bring something a bit different. In all fairness I can't really think of decent comparison to something more well known. Stylistically you might file it along with Paul Bley. It's more interesting than I remembered. Excellent looking vinyl is well recorded, with a nice stereo spread and plenty of crackle for added authenticity.

I've not played the Forrest Westbrook LP in a decade, so I don't recall too much, other than that at the time it didn't make much of an impression.

From my POV I'm reluctant to invest in their vinyl as pressings have been highly variable. Additionally the sound isn't all what you might expect ( a bit flat and lacking sparkle) which had led me to wonder if they are simply using digital masters for their LPs. I'm likely though to make an exception for Alex's new Convergence Quartet , which is LP only to the best of my knowledge.

Apart from the VPI and SME players I think these look pretty hideous. What's the betting that all that over engineering doesn't repay dividends to the listener. Mind you I'm sure there are plenty of people who would consider my Well Tempered Amadeus TT to be excessive ( and ugly). I would of course disagree.............apart from the it being ugly.

Steve Lacy---------Prospectus---------( hat ART) pizza box edition

What inspired you to post about this album. ? Is it something special ?

Thanks for the tip. This LP edition is significantly better sounding than the 1992 CD version I managed to track down several years after considerable looking. The CD has at least a bonus track , although I'm a little unclear as yet which one as the track orders don't correspond to stated personnel (on the CD).

The advantage of the Rockland Palace dates is that the balance favours Parker at the expense of the strings. Still I'm intrigued to hear more Parker , especially as I don't have Parker with Strings in any issue.

Indeed and it sounds all the better since I started using my Moon LP3 phono stage. It really brings the music to life.

Very sad news. Two stalwarts.

On CD as Thelonious Monk Piano Solo (Vogue, BMG France, 1996). discogs How does the Japanese remaster compare to the Jazz on Disques Vogue box? SICP 3980 is indeed quite a bit better than the black Vogue BMG France digipak. A no-brainer at ¥1000. And the French Vogue disc was miles better than that found in the Black Lion /Vogue Mosaic set.

Chu Berry set --------discs 3 and 4 Unfailing good set. I'd have like a little more surface noise to give some added crispness to the high end. Don't get me wrong , it sounds fine but having heard 78s of some of this material there is more life to be heard if you're prepared to hear some surface noise. None the less high enjoyable set.

Happy birthday Larry .

Various ------ Pebbles Vol 11-------(AIP) Garage rock from the mid sixities. Some interesting tracks on this complication.

I'd still recommend my Lenco GL75. Idle drive, continuously variable 16-82rpm, 50 yr old Swiss design. I bought mine and added a Linn arm for total of £200 in 2009. Interchangeable stylii possible with a number of MM carts from Ortofon. Nagaoka etc

Today's acquisitions Jimmy Jones----------Departure from Dixie/ A woman's got a right to change her mind---------(HRS) Fabulous, features Harry Carney. Ellington like arrangements Varsity seven--------Pom Pom / How long blues--------(Varsity) Carelton Harkins (sic) on tenor sax and Billy Carton ( trumpet) are "new" names to me. 1940 recording in excellent condition but still sounds like............not good. I'll need to find my other Varsity Sevens to see how Hawk is billed on the label. Barney Bigard Trio-------Steps Step Up/ Steps Steps Down------(Signature) Relaxed date with Shelly Manne from 1944 bluesy and modern. Brilliant