Clunky

Record fair yesterday , some nice stuff but first three LPs of jazzfunk bought very cheaply ,so no risk. Mark Soskin- Rhythm Vision" (Prestige)- I'd heard of this guy and seen him live once, plus Bennie Maupin . How bad could this be. Answer of course is really quite bad. Smooth jazz funk with very little edge to arouse interest "Walk Tall" by Zawinul is quite good but the rest is all saccharine and no fibre. Next Reuben Wilson -"Cisco Kid"- (Groove Merchant) - cheesy cover and lame cover tune choices look ominous. On the other hand my eye was attracted to the sidemen listed Melvin Sparks, Mickey Roker. Turns out to be pretty good despite the rather damning review at AMG. So I'd say this was recommended and worth playing again and a good investment at £2. Finally Blue Mitchell - "Blue's Blues" (Mainstream ) UK edition from 1980s. This delivers the goods on four longish tracks. Very nice indeed. Highly recommended.

Been spinning quite a lot of 78s recently. Some nice recent acquisitions have been London sessions from 1930/1 by Spike Hughes prior to his American adventure in 1933. I've been lucky enough to find quite a number of these Decca sides in really excellent condition. Mostly by Spike Hughes and his Orchestra , others with his Three Blind Mice. Some excellent solo work by Norman Payne (trumpet) , Phil Buchel (as) and Buddy Featherstonehaugh (ts). Some hot jazz on the earlier sides but later sides show a clearer Ellington influence. All good stuff and I'm enjoying reading his second autobiography "Second Movement" too.

It's only just released AFAIK.

Decoy with Joe McPhee - "Spontaneous Combustion" (Otoroku)- Great title which would also serve for Ireland's abject performance at Murrayfield yesterday. This is getting its first spin and it's impressing. Well done to AH.

I can recommend " Dr Jazz" from 1959 ( HMV) UK ex. Verve. UK edition in fine sound with a rather interesting pianist Joe Robichaux. He has a very modern touch which at time sounds as if he's floundering over the keys but I like a lot. The great studio sound in decent stereo helps a great deal. Excellent session and the best I've heard from George Lewis ( I've only heard half a dozen!) . Repertoire isn't all that common place either Royal Telephone Into each life sound rain must fall Chant of the tuxedos The old spinning wheel Bugle boy boy march 2:19 blues Doctor Jazz Oh, Mary don't you weep GL ( cl), Andrew Anderson (t), Robert Mielke(tmb) , JR (p) , Alcide Pavageau (bs) & Joe Watkins (dms)

This is a very fine album. Surprising it's not better known

My UK edition from Top Rank has the same spelling, I'd assumed it was a mistake made here given that Kelly is not exactly a common name in these parts. I'd forgotten that Top Rank used to distribute VJ over here. But I remember Dee Clark and Wade Flemons 45s coming out on TR, now you mention this. Is your copy one from before or after EMI took Top Rank over? MG After, EMI on the back cover where it's spelt Kelly in contrast to the front cover. The LP labels also have his surname as Kelly.

My UK edition from Top Rank has the same spelling, I'd assumed it was a mistake made here given that Kelly is not exactly a common name in these parts.

In a mad moment I ordered this box. I've very little Brotzmann other than the Okka 3CD set of the tentet from quite a few years ago and the very wonderful trio LP from Cafe Oto. The latter really changed my opinion of his playing allowing me to hear great beauty in the storm. Hoping I won't regret this one.

CD-R not welcome. I'd like this date on LP or CD but no way I'd pay for a CD-R

Happy Birthday !

Bizarre ! Mines the 'Jazz Life' version too. Er.... mine too. Although it's Dutch IIRC. Excellent session.

And another , I'll certainly go for the Steig but have a nice LP of the Carter/ Bradford session.

Great recommendation. Got this and played it many times. Thanks

For me Cecil Taylor until one day it clicked and heard what was goin on. For me it was a great moment when I realised what people here were banging on about. It's good to persist. Really listening. Is that possible with an iPod and ear buds? Oh and Louis Armstrong , it took me years to really wake to what a genius and visionary he was. For many a moon I was totally indifferent, he was ok but I didn't see why he was so important.

Fred Elizalde and his Orchestra " An evening at the Savoy" - (Decca) British dance band with a strong jazz feel and some damn fine solos by Americans Adrian Rollini and Chelsea Quealey and British trumpeter Norman Payne. The latter also made value contributions to Spike Hughes' sessions released on Decca. Decent transfers on this 2LP set by John RTD.

That sounds great , I really like the new Ted Brown/ Brad Linde CD. The line up here looks pretty similar IIRC. As real fan of Ted Brown his Steeplechase disc with Kirk Knuffke is also highly recommended. Whilst I got these discs for Brown the youngsters put on a great show too.

Sid Bright and Orchestra - Little Sunshine/ Tomorrow is another day ( Decca) F1975. Bought on the strength of being a relatively early UK Decca (circa 1930) and being mint . Two modest dance band numbers but with a jazzy feel. Nice for 99 pence

still waiting

Agreed, I haven't heard any other edition but the sound on this is very good. Nothing to complain about. Enjoy the music

This set really is excellent. I hope Sony sell lots so we can see Vol 3 in due course. There's a lot to digest here. I suspect I have much of this on bit torrent things but frankly I hardly ever look at those , I vastly prefer official reissues like this. In think this set might just have the edge on Vol 1 ( IMO) .

Coleman Hawkins - "I can't get started/ If I could be with you" ( Decca) personality series - recorded 30th July 1952' NYC. Highly melodic Hawk but both sides are typical of his majesty over fairly indifferent accompaniament. Excellent -

The Piron's sound interesting . I'll keep an eye out -

Agree

Very sad , a great player whose output was both varied and of the highest quality . RIP