sidewinder

Yes, I think this reissue was on RCA Novus. Occasionally I come across the Hodges LP that you mention. Don't think I've seen the Oliver Nelson original.

Michael Naura Quintet 'European Jazz Sounds' (Japanese Brunswick heavy vinyl edition)

Talking about Hank, how about the price on this 10" LP? Hank 10"

What about those couple of tracks featuring Thomas on the Oliver Nelson 'Black, Brown and Beautiful' collection put out on RCA and reissued in the late 1980s? That one is fantastic and also has some very fine Johnny Hodges (one of his very last sessions I think).

Still can't believe that this one has sold only 4500ish copies considering this is a desert-island Hankophile's dream (hello Aric ). - incredible !

Johnnie Spence Big Band 'Why Not?' (UK Verve). I thought it sounded suspiciously like the CBBB in parts but then I noticed one Mr K. Clare listed on the drums.

Very happy birthday !

Bach (but no jazz musicians that I am aware of)

It's all relative I guess

Road testing a couple of new vinyl items: Duane Tatro 'Jazz For Moderns' (Contemporary, mono original) Hank Mobley Mosaic set, LP 1

A couple of good goals on the England game. They have half-way redeemed themselves.

Bought a near mint copy of that 'Tune Up' twofer the other week. The pressing quality of those green label reissues is usually very good and - as has been noted - there are some great sleeve notes.

George Braith has a certain ring to it..

That's how it's been most of the time over here too Claude; truly dreadful 'summer' weather. ← Strange - I thought it had been quite a good Summer in the UK? Maybe the South has had it better than the North (it usually does). I was up in York last week and, predictably, it rained. Always does when I visit.

Warne Marsh 'All Music' (Nessa)

I like it - in fact more so than I was expecting to. Good music throughout the box, which I've hardly scratched the surface of yet. The quality of the West Coast backing bands is outstanding throughout and Mosaic's sound, very good.

Another example: 'If Ayler's tenor sounds at times like a cello being scraped with a wet rubber galosh, Norman Howard's trumpet achieves a kind of benediction at the close of the eleven-minute 'Witches and Devils' that is charged with emotional feeling.'

Thanks, guys. . Sounds like one to get hold of.

I've had a copy of his 'All What Jazz' book for many years. It's a compendium of reviews for UK jazz releases from 1961 to 1971 that were originally published in the Daily Telegraph and a pretty good reference for UK LP releases of that era (he gets to review some real obscurities). Anything beyond the swing era tends to floor him (particularly Coltrane) but he writes with real insight. It's also very funny in parts. A typical sample: 'Albert Ayler's 'New Grass' (Impulse) is an extraordinary piece of-work, being (not to put too fine a point on it) a rock record by the master of the gothic galosh. The first track 'Message From Albert' has the usual screeching, plus some half-baked nonsense about having lived before, but after that it is all soul, Gospel, R&B and even Lat-Am, giving the reader the worst of both free form and funky worlds.'

What is the 'At Ease With Coleman Hawkins' like? Just saw a Moodsville vinyl of that one the other day and was intrigued.

Ace of Clubs was definitely a budget label and I think you are right - it was a subsidiary of Decca which included classical stuff as well. Not sure if this Keane album was on the main Decca imprint though. The only pictures of it I have seen are on the Ace of Clubs label.

He's got to be on monkey glands..

Yes, I remember him posting quite regularly on the BNBB and indeed I bought a Dizzy Gillespie 'Perceptions' Verve Elite CD from him, which worked out really well. Plays tenor I think - I see his CDs on sale over here occasionally.

Great to hear that Gerald is on a roll again. He's coming to London next month as part of the London Jazz Festival, to perform with the BBC Big Band at QEH. Of all of the concerts at this festival - this one is a must-see for me.