I would definitely check it out ! This quartet lineup is Westbrook's more usual format these days.
Interestingly, I was sat right behind Mike and Kate Westbrook at the 'Jazz Britannia' event in London recently at which Westbrook did a solo piano recital. They seemed to be enjoying the music !
Mine arrived yesterday. Looks identical to the 'regular' Mosaic product, with the exception of the 'B' number on the side. The music, of course, is magnificent !
I'll be interested to hear the comments on this one John - don't have a copy and will look out for one. I really like the later Contemporary follow-up 'Firebirds' and am curious as to how they compare.
Basra is an all-time BN classic. If it had been released as a Joe Henderson session it would have been much better known. This situation with release OK in Europe but not the US is just beyond belief !
I can't recall seeing it on 'domestic' CD so Japan would be the only bet. I've a NY USA vinyl and can vouch that this one smokes ! Well worth tracking down.
The Fontana is called 'The Sharp Edge'. Part of the 'Jazz Life' series - I think this might be a Dutch Fontana as there are footnotes in English and German. Sleeve notes are by Alun Morgan (his notes are always most informative). Reference in there also to 'A JAZZART recording 8059, produced by Chris Albertson'.
No mention of Mr (Master?) Bates whatsoever on this one ! Cover photo of McGhee by Val Wilmer.
That must have been 'Trailways Express'. I read somewhere that Hank Mobley was originally scheduled to participate in this session but in the end the sax lineup was all Brit (Peter King and Harold McNair I think). Mobley with Kenny Wheeler would have made for a fascinating combination !
Wow ! Looks like England is two countries at the moment. Here in the South it is cold (damned Scandinavian winds blowing in from the East ) but no snow as yet. There may be a scattering here overnight though. Yesterday I headed down through Dorset to Bournmouth and en-route there were great displays of snowdrops in the woods of Cranborne Chase.
The daffodills are also poking their way through the soil in my front garden !
OBLIQUE. Either the CD or the King LP, both get lots of airplay with me. After that its 'Happenings', another great one. The 'Dialogue' and 'Components.'
Very nice designs, guys - respect ! Very inspiring - I shall have to set myself up with one of these setups and transfer a load of obscure vinyl onto CD with 'custom' covers. Could be fun !