hopkins

Here's another that I particularly enjoy: Tina, from his Latin American Suite: However many times I listen to it, it still sounds fresh to my ears, as if Ellington was composing the piece for the first time. There is nothing flashy about his playing, nothing pretentious. It is simple, yet so subtle - creative, spontaneous, yet so obvious, and so captivating! His long improvisation on "Azure" at the Rainbow Grill (1967) gives me a similar impression, for example. I am sure there are many others. Ellington is often referred to as one of the great composers in jazz; he is certainly one of the greatest improvisers as well. I forget which jazz critic wrote that an Ellington chord was like a universe in itself, or something to that extent, and this piece also illustrates that aspect of his playing, which can be found in so many other tracks (I'm thinking for example of that chord that marks a transition half way through his "Mood Indigo" on "Masterpieces by Ellington"). Deep stuff! All this played over a nice latin beat. My only complaint would be that the track is too short, but I play it on repeat...

Here's one I really enjoyed listening to recently. It is "modest" in its ambition - just a solid "blues" with some groovy Hodges, and good accompaniment by Ellington and the band. It is "to the point", and I appreciate the simplicity. "Big Fat Alice's Blues": In a sense it is "quintessential" Ellington, or at least some aspects of Ellington... There are so many facets, this is just one. Now that I listen to it again, I think I'll be going on another Ellington binge in the coming days!

The digital version of this album has Sarah's voice on the left channel only - the mono LP is more relaxing to listen to. My cat chose to demonstrate her vocal range while I was recording this.

I have not checked all of the tracks, but I believe most of them have in fact probably been issued on CD before. The "Jo Jones Special" session, for example, was issued on CD by Fresh Sound Records (you can find other versions on streaming services issued by dodgy labels). I already have it on CD, and have the LP as well. I happen to like the sound quality of the latest Mosaic box sets - which were all handled by the same studio (Swan) - and this time they explain that everything was produced using the original master tapes. So between that, the booklet, and some of the sessions missing in my collection, I did not hesitate to pre-order it...

Same here!

Latest box set is now available for pre-order https://www.mosaicrecords.com/product/classic-vanguard-small-group-swing-sessions-limited-edition-box-set/

Some words by Ethan Iverson: https://open.substack.com/pub/iverson/p/tt-449-quincy-jones

Thanks for pointing it out.

Double LP that never made it to CD.

Gene Ammons - Just Jug (released on CD as "Live! In Chicago").

My "ripping" software did not find any data associated with the discs. I did not find an entry in Discogs (at the time - and did not have the courage to create one), so I copied the information from Mosaic's website into Excel, and cleaned it up. Here is the file (text, with columns separated by semi-colons) with the disc number, track number, and titles: https://storage.googleapis.com/cloudplayer/samples/mp3tag.txt I then imported the track titles into my "tags" using a tagging software (MP3Tag). Could be useful to others... Since then, someone created a Discogs entry: https://www.discogs.com/release/32107818-Various-Classic-V-Disc-Small-Group-Jazz-Sessions My tagging software can import Discogs entries to fill in the titles, but the "Medleys" screw everything up, as they are identified as separate sub-tracks on Discogs. I have designed my own "app" to add information, such as credits and comments, to my music collection, and it looks like this: It takes a few hours to enter all this, but I like to have the credits "on line" (and use them to search my collection).

Here's another new release, scheduled for December: https://resonancerecords.org/product/sun-ra-lights-on-a-satellite-live-at-the-left-bank-2-cd/ Preview:

I used paypal. Never had any issues ordering from Mosaic. Looking forward to the Vanguard set as well.

I could not resist ordering it (second hand of course).

The tracks are also available here: https://www.discogs.com/release/13013842-Corky-Corcoran-The-Lamplighter-All-Star-Broadcasts-1945

From the first club session, a nice track in which Ross solos twice: https://storage.googleapis.com/cloudplayer/samples/03 These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You).flac The second solo (between Corcoran and Berry) is wonderful. Check it out!

I followed up with this album, which has two excellent 1945 club broadcast, with some fine Ross solos (among others): https://www.discogs.com/release/15778163-Willie-Smith-The-Harry-James-All-Stars-Live-In-45 What a treat to have this available!

His "Barbed Wire..." LP was re-issued on CD by Fresh Sound Records: https://www.freshsoundrecords.com/arnold-ross-albums/1121-just-you-he-me.html It is available on some streaming platforms. I had it playing on repeat on my stereo this afternoon... As a result, I just ordered his first album, which was reissued in Japan on CD.

Thanks for the link. Going down the YouTube rabbit hole as a result of this thread, I really enjoyed watching his version of "Spain" where his band takes turns soloing - his is worth watching, though it's very short: https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxBNGA53DrW0qvjFHrLkaGaaoE_IssK4Ct?si=MvxFn_A3NqMETkFN

Great song, and lyrics as well: "For you there might be another star But through my eyes the light of you is all I see For you there might be another song But in my heart your melody will stay with me" Listening to it right now: the music in this song is really captivating. There's so much going on, so many different sounds, but all perfectly intertwined. From Wikipedia: Taken from album liner notes[7] George Benson – guitar, background vocals[8] Nathan Watts – bass Nathan Alford Jr. – percussion Carmello Hungria Garcia – timbales Trevor Lawrence – tenor saxophone Hank Redd – alto saxophone Raymond Maldonado – trumpet Steve Madaio – trumpet Bobbi Humphrey – flute[9] Josie James – background vocals

Good song indeed. I'm a sucker for his "schmaltz" - I'll even admit to liking "I just called to say I love you"! Can't get schmaltzier than that... I only play it (and Luther Vandross as well) when my wife is not around - she can't stand it!

From that same album, I have a soft spot for this one as well: Great album overall.

So many good songs in that list. "Black Man" has always been a favorite with its intricate percussions. Superwoman as well, especially the slower part starting at around 3 min into the song. This one is a favorite as well, but perhaps due to memories of listening to it with my girlfriend in college

Thanks!