sidewinder

I'll second that ! (or at least the sort of jazz I am into)

Just listening to my batch from 'The Bards' which arrived across the oggin today right on cue. These Water reissues are astonishing - the re-mastering and presentation of 'The Phantom' is very fine, up to Japanese standards IMO. The packaging, liner notes and art work are just great, obvious labour of love. Huge for Water - I hope they keep this up.

Chief Pontiac Big Chief De Soto Christopher Columbus ← Columbo Kojak Ironside

It's certainly true about the sound quality. I have some of the original LPs and they are full of re-verb courtesy of Sonny Lester. Mosaic did wonders in clearing up the fidelity and clarity of the music.

Roberto Duran Marguerite Duras Margaret Dumont ← Marguerite Eskridge Erin Davis Kenny Garrett

I must admit that this is a set that I bring out again and again. The track sequencing works well for me, the sound is pleasing and the booklet is a gem.

Josef Hoffman Marcel Breuer Eileen Gray ← Lady Jane Grey Henry the VIIIth John Coltrane

You'll probably get hold of 'Heart is a Lotus' before me !

I actually have a vinyl of this one and like it a lot. The poetry pieces were I believe originally performed at the 'Jazz and Poetry in Concert' performances which Garrick and co. supported in England back in the 1960s and they feature Harriott, Carr and co. providing instrumental backing to the spoken word. I actually quite like these, although I can appreciate the objections to this combination. Wonderful tortured solo by Harriott behind one of the poetry sections. The 'meat' of the album though are the instrumental tracks - the wonderful 'Ursula' and the evocative 'Webster's Mood'. Wonderful stuff, I recommend it, don't be too put off by the poetry and the harpsichord. Strong recommendation also for the Henry Lowther 'Childs Song'. A classic - I see the Bards are now stocking it.

Pat Metheny 'Secret Story' comes into this category for me. BTW I'm a big fan of the Mobley 'Reach Out' too. Very under-rated that one !

I voted for London too. It needs the extra congestion and the huge expense to the citizenry.

Ah yes, presumably those are the tracks with the Wade Marcus arrangements. Forgot about those.

Up again for this thread in recognition of Abdullah Ibrahim's magnificent performance last night with his trio at Bath. Somehow his work has always passed me by - I think the only one of his LPs I've got is the very early Fontana with the Marte Roling sleeve art. Anyway, with his current trio he is playing superbly well in the manner of a great 'old master'. Beautiful and sensitive playing - catch them while you can !

Little John Big John Patton Long John Baldry

I don't have the CD cases to hand but off the top of my head, tracks from the following are definitely included: 'Visions' 'Live at the Lighthouse' 'Alive' 'Green Is Beautiful' 'Carryin' On' and possibly also 'The Final Comedown'

Very sad - I'm sorry to hear this, RIP. I was just recently watching one of those 'Jazz Scene' DVDs of the show hosted by Oscar. I much enjoyed his infectious enthusiasm for the music.

Children of Agharta Miles Dewey Davis III Scritti Politti

Gordon Brown John Knox Martin Luther

No problem ! I have 'Visions' on a Liberty LP and this is a good excuse to dust it off and give it a re-spin. As I recall, this one was very much tailored for FM airplay but there's some nice playing by Grant on it. Must be due for domestic reissue sometime soon I would think. He may have got more commercial in the final years but the music was always full of soul.

Jacqui Dankworth Jackie McLean Jaki Byard

There are one or two tracks from 'Visions', which I'm not sure has been out on 'domestic' CD.

Here's a scan:

The 'Chitinous Ensemble' CD is most definitely out. My local dealer had 6 copies of this earlier last week but they flew out of the door literally on day 1. A lot of pent-up demand for this title and the Garricks, in particular, out there. Of the initial batch the only ones he had in stock were the Gonsalves and the Henry Lowther. Once things settle down you should start seeing copies of this one Stateside (hopefully the Bards will stock up). The only one I have heard negative comments about is the Terry Durham 'Crystal Telephone' - on AAJ. Apparently there's not a lot of jazz content even though Evan Parker is on it. I have a copy of the latest Dutton Vocalion catalogue and there's a mouth-watering 2 pages featuring all of the new releases.