Rabshakeh

That cover is haunting my dreams.

Thanks. I’m just a bit surprised that there’s Coltrane out there of this quality that hasn’t got a widespread release, or even much publicity.

In an old thread here, there was a reference to an album by John Coltrane called "Creation" of which I have never heard, but which is described in the thread as being something that was passed around between those in the know in the early 80s, and which influenced Marsalis and co. I've listened to a bit of the album online and it is quite something. The sound quality is iffy but it has a burning intensity to the soloing. Plus, it is Coltrane with his classic quartet. Despite all that, it seems to have almost no presence online, other than a rather uninformative wikipedia page. What it this album, and why is it referenced so little? Is it a bootleg?

And a great album

I really like it. From the late 70s but with a definite early AACM feel (lots bells / percussions etc, and good attention to dynamics). It's a double LP. I hadn't heard of Calypso's Smile but I'll check it out. The cover is... interesting.

Egwu-Anwu (Sun Song) by Joseph Jarman and Famoudou Don Moye.

I have to say, none of them were on my radar either. I've been listening to the Michael Portal which is great. Looking forward to chomping through the rest, but any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated. One strange effect of lists of "most obscure artists" like these is that they change who is actually obscure. A fair number of Thurston Moore's are now reissued (BAG, Nipples, Duo Exchange) and more easily available than some more prominent artists.

It looks like in the years since this thread was first active a few people have taken up your suggestion. Here are two: one from a blog called “The Hum” and one from an online magazine called FACT. https://blogthehum.com/2018/07/24/the-hums-top-ten-from-the-free-jazz-underground-sixteen-masterpieces-missed-by-thurston-moore/ https://www.factmag.com/2015/03/11/20-private-press-free-jazz/ The Hum one is a direct response to Thurston Moore’s list and for some reason seems at times to be attempting the same sort of Hunter S. Pseudoscenester style, although it isn't so full on. The FACT one looks like a more interesting selection, and is generally more sober and informative. There are some great records on both. Many that I didn’t know about before reading. I’d really like to hear any thoughts people on the forum have about them. Also, there was talk about people’s own lists. If anyone has one or wants to have a go at doing one I’d love to see it. Even with the luxury of a whole three lists out there on the internet, this isn’t an easy type of music to find out about. Given the depth of knowledge (and, in some cases, personal involvement at the time) of people on this forum, i think it would be really worth it.

Thanks. I'd definitely be interested in that or any other reissues of its ilk (still waiting for the Black Unity Trio reissue which is meant to be materialising).

Afro Temple by Sabu Martinez

Actually, I don't think he needed any help with puns, given album titles like Et Tu, Flute? and Great Ideas of Western Mann.

Was the title “The Descent of Mann” already taken?!

The bossa thread elsewhere on this forum mentions a Herbie Mann album that I hadn't previously picked up called "Brazil, Bossanova and the Blues". I've really enjoyed it - a mix of Brazilian styles (not really all bossa) with flute and percussion. Other than that, I have never been a huge fan, but his music has followed me around. My father and aunt both talked about him a lot for some reason and, as I used to play the flute myself, Village Gate was one of the first jazz records I bought. It seems like he might have had a much larger presence in the jazz world at the time and to have faded from prominence a bit since then.

Still listening to these. They’re absolutely fantastic, save that the Live at Dreher set is a bit too short. Thanks for the recommendations. On to the rest....

I like it a lot. Billy playing tightly as part of an ensemble along with Luther Thomas and Frank Lowe. The horns are fairly dominant so it is a little different to some of the other Billy Bang records I have heard like Vietnam or Outline, where the violin is more prominent as a lead.

Billy Bang's Sweet Space, with Frank Lowe.

I'll dig into those. I think that Earthy is another of the Kenny Burrell ones.

That's really interesting. I didn't know she was influenced by Konitz. Where did you hear about it? If there is an article kicking around then I would love to read it.

In the 50s, Prestige put out a series of leaderless albums with groups credited as "The Prestige All-Stars" or similar names. A lot of them have since been repackaged under different artists' names as one or other of the participants has increased in public prominence (particularly Coltrane). A discography of these recordings is here: https://www.jazzdisco.org/the-prestige-all-stars/discography/ I don't know much about the genesis of the series. Some of these albums are absolutely great, and stand with the best of what Prestige was putting out at the time. Earthy and Tenor Conclave are particular favourites of mine. The leaderless format feels like it helps to open up the players and allow for more equal interplay. However, given the format, I have noticed that they often slip through the tracks when people present histories of the period. I've searched and I don't think that there is a dedicated thread on the topic (although the Coltrane ones are touched on, and there is a thread on the related Swingville All-Stars run). I'd love to hear from you with any views you have on the series and any of the records that are your own favourites.

Thanks!

I don’t know Waldron’s work that well, but I’m enjoying the recommendations above, including the numbered Prestiges and The Call, which is fantastic. I would be interested in knowing with which Lacy duet album people would recommend starting?

A really great one.

Time and Condition by Malik's Emerging Force, for me. There's one track out there on the internet but otherwise nothing.

I recently found a split LP of him and James Newton called Flutes! on Circle for a reasonable price in a local record store and picked it up on a whim. The first half, with Rivers, is absolutely great, really creative improvising, and possibly from the same session as the Tuba Trio recordings (which I think are also on Circle). The James Newton side is less to my taste. The record seems to have absolutely no presence online and I haven't had much success finding out anything about it. I recently found a split LP of him and James Newton called Flutes! on Circle for a reasonable price in a local record store and picked it up on a whim. The first half, with Rivers, is absolutely great, really creative improvising, and possibly from the same session as the Tuba Trio recordings (which I think are also on Circle). The James Newton side is less to my taste. The record seems to have absolutely no presence online and I haven't had much success finding out anything about it. This was it. It has a great cover.

I love this one. One of my favourite Verve records.