Rabshakeh

Did these players actually mix jazz with Indian rhythmic and improvisatory concepts, or were they just adding a sitar to mix? What are the records I’m missing? Mr Mahanthappa I know, and there’s a nice example of full integration of ideas. Where should I start with Rez Abbasi?

Nice. I wish it wasn't just the one period. That mix of freeish jazz and Indian rhythmic and melodic ideas works so well that I think it has as much potential in it as the jazz/cuban combination that has been so fruitful since forever. It's sad that it was essentially a false dawn, plus a few lame Aquarian fusion attempts.

Abdullah Sami - Peace of Time Could have been recorded last week. Mines the reissue, of course.

Lee Konitz - Wild As Springtime (Candid, 1997) A lovely late period Lee Konitz record, with Harold Danko. Nil points for the rotten cover art, though. What even is it?

It's certainly better than "the swing era" which is not really accurate. That said, I think that it has the same problem that "the middle ages" has as a term in history, in that it arguably dismisses the contents through the label. I like the idea of the four eras too.

Martial Solal's work with Lee Konitz is some of my favourite of all recorded jazz. Funny that he uses the phrase "middle jazz" as a euphemism, I suppose, for the unspeakable swing/mainstream eras. I've not heard that term used elsewhere.

A good bold one, albeit in its own genre.

Joseph Jarman and Don Moye - Egwu-Anwu (Sun Song) (India Navigation, 1978)

Chris Potter Quartet - Vertigo (Concord, 1998) Holds up very well, I think.

The NIS record or Floating Points? Both in my opinion are smooth solid records, that are interesting within the saxophonist's wider catalogues, don't just repeat ideas, but which are not necessarily their strongest on repeat listens. For some reason they both generated a lot of press at the time. It's interesting to see that continue with an article like this.

In Person at the Blackhawk or Live at the Plugged Nickel?

Miles Davis in Person at the Blackhawk, San Francisco Friday Night (Columbia, 1961)

Yousef Lateef - Jazz for the Thinker (Savoy, 1957)

Big thumbs up to the Black Saint love above. Great label and very much of this era. One day that label is going to be "discovered" by the Grockles, like what happened with Strata-East and Black Jazz. I am hoping I will have the whole set long before then!!

Lester Bowie - The 5th Power (Black Saint, 1978) Great record that feels underrated in comparison to very much equivalent contemporaneous records under the AEC's name.

Sam Yahel Trio - Truth and Beauty (2007) Would this be the VJ record you most recommend? There was some talk on here recently about his influence on the British saxophonist John Butcher.

Thanks!

Great list. Bumper crop.

Is this a remix of the original record of that title or something wholly new? We’ve called Jan and Terje. They’re on their way over.

MILES DAVIS AND THE LIGHTHOUSE ALL-STARS: AT LAST ! First time I've heard this one. No one's best. The high point is those shirts, I think. Given its all recorded on one live date, and there are two tracks with two trumpets - Davis with Rolf Ericson, it seems odd that there is no track with both Baker and Davis.

Earl Anderza - Outa Sight (Pacific, 1963) If anyone knows a more hard swinging harpsichord player than Jack Wilson, then let me know. It's just a shame that he doesn't play it more.

Michael Richard Abrams - Things To Come From Those Now Gone (Delmark, 1975)

Anthony Braxton - Four Compositions (1973) (Denon, 1976) The rare Avant Garde jazz record that really does sound a bit like Messaien. Having just finished this one: JD Allen Trio - I Am I Am (Sunnyside, 2008)

Given how many and how lengthy Mr. Braxton's standards releases are, is the growing view that this is one of the very best?

Pat Thomas, John Butcher and Ståle Liavik Solberg on Fictional Souvenirs (Astral Spirits, 2017)