Rabshakeh

Simon H. Fell – Composition No. 12.5 (Compilation II For Improvisers, Jazz Ensemble And Electronics)

Louis Armstrong And His Band, Dave Brubeck, Lambert, Hendricks And Ross, Carmen McRae – The Real Ambassadors "When our neighbours call us vermin, we send them Woody Herman".

If it was me, I'd have gone for: Now.... Jazz! Ramwong!!!!!! Feeding the Ostalgie brigade with their austere soviet typology.

Is this good? Looks great. I have the earlier two in my intimidatingly long 'To Listen' list

That comma gives it that extra sense of style.

Woody Herman (And The Herd) – At Carnegie Hall, 1946 This one is fantastic. A very different Woody Herman. Pekka Pohjola – Harakka Bialoipokku(B The Magpie) I like the Finnish musicians on here but this is just instrumental prog of a very proggy type that is not my flavour. Not for me. Now moved on to: The Bureau Of Atomic Tourism – Second Law Of Thermodynamics My first listen to this more Avant one from 2013. I miss Nate Wooley's previous release schedule. A lot of the break out players from around 5 years ago seem to be putting out far fewer records these days.

What are these like? I’m having difficulty imagining.

Eddie Louiss is really great on that.

The Buddy Rich Band – Very Alive At Ronnie Scott's

Joltin' Joe Roland

Okkyung Lee – I Saw The Ghost Of An Unknown Soul And It Said... I definitely think that Lee has grown since this early record. I've got a soft spot for Satanic.

Glad you're enjoying! I'm going to dig it out tomorrow.

The Legendary Buster Smith

There is also some backstory to it, but I do not recall it.

Pillars too in places. It seems like a natural mix.

I know it is an amazing record.

What's happened to Sorry recently? It feels like his pace has slowed quite a bit and he has moved more towards jazz releases (that don't really move me) and away from his compositional stuff.

What were the examples? I'd assumed that her stage presence would have matched her voice.

Woody Herman's Big New Herd – At The Monterey Jazz Festival I really enjoyed this one. Possibly more than the classic early comps. I think that is down to better fidelity (important for big band recordings) and the monster talent level of this band. Now enjoying this crunchy jazz rock record from 2017: Reflections In Cosmo – Reflections In Cosmo

Stan Kenton - Contemporary Concepts This is one I'd listened to a few times before. Some really good solos and not too much gimmickry. Definitely a Kenton I've enjoyed. Great cover. How's that. I know Brice (thanks to you) but not the other two. June Christy and Stan Kenton – Duet This one is good too. I'm not a huge Christy fan, and definitely not a Kenton "guy" (despite the recent splurge), but this record is what it should be.

I hope that the year has matched the music.

Rogue Parade – Dion's Quest

Good stuff! I think the biggest risk with all this stuff is that it comes out, we listen once, and never revisit. Good to know what stays exciting.

It's weird stuff, isn't it? Very esoteric.

Woody Herman And His Orchestra – The 3 Herds