sidewinder

Again, this isn’t one that I’ve regularly come across in the racks here. The US Jazzland is probably more commonly encountered. Similar situation I think with the Don Rendell. Racking my brains as to where I picked this one up. I have the feeling it was from Euclid in the US but if so, odd that they had the UK press !

If I could find it I would play it more. Need a Librarian.. ’Free Form’ should be easier to get hold of. I think it was only a US issue at the time, in fact I think I bought my copy in the US and was not expensive. Correction - it came out in Europe on Interdisk. Amazingly, just found my ‘Free Form’. It is in fact the UK Interdisk version in Mono, not the US. Sounds fine !

Yes, I have the Jazzland. Haven’t played it for a while but it sounds fine. To be honest, I probably play them more on CD. Don’t think I’ve ever seen a UK ‘Abstract’ in the shops - that copy was picked up many years ago from the late lamented JazzInVinyl. Clifford will remember that one !

Aha. I have a UK Columbia version somewhere (if I can find it). As renowned for Shake Keane’s brandy glass. Looks like this.l Amazing to think that that studio is now someone’s front room. I nearly got in there once.. 3LP version Followed by Muse

Is that the US issue?

Thanks for that - interesting.

‘Afro Jazz’ was given a (good) vinyl reissue by a Canadian company not too long ago.

Shame the garage isn’t more domesticated, otherwise I’d move the tools out and another turntable in !

My ‘man cave’ occupies just about every room (toilets excluded) Including the attic..

Undecided on that one. Have far too many versions (including an orig) already. One of my favourite versions is the UK domestic issue from 1976 which came with a US sleeve. Bust a gut with my School Summer hol job carting sacks of cement to afford that one !

The new Strut 2CD version. Sounds pretty good to me. Earlier on I had this playing with the TV on silent with one of the German Olympic dressage horses doing its thing. Amazingly well synchronised on ‘Where Pathways Meet’.

Another excellent group of that era. Also superb live.

Yes, I think the first time I saw Blakey Irwin was on bass. The next time was with Fambrough, which was the Wynton lineup I think. One thing stands out of that music - it was loud ! Williams on piano with the first group I think. Yeah, Bobby came across as a real warm no BS character.

His band were wonderful - the one with Melton Mustapha, Victor Lewis and Essiett Essiett. Plus Ed Simon on keyboards. At the time it was about -30 outside but the heat generated by the band felt the opposite. Bobby such a warm and gracious host/leader too. I went along two nights running and had a front row seat ! It wasn’t the first time I saw Watson. That was with Blakey’s 1979/80 Jazz Messengers, where he was musical director.

I feel a ‘retirement’ coming on thanks to you guys..

Also to say that this great tune on side B, ‘Understanding’, I’ve definitely heard before played live. I wonder where/when. Maybe Shaw was playing it years later at Ronnie’s.

A good attitude to take !

First impressions from LP1 is that sound quality is pretty good considering the provenance - recorded quite hot. Shaw cackles with great gusto into the mike - very much on form. Must have been great to see this one live. At times the feel sort of reminds me of Morgan’s ‘Live at the Lighthouse’, then I am reminded of the common factor - Harold Mabern.

Enjoyed seeing that band around the time this one and ‘Post Motown Bop’ came out.

Fair point.

Shame to have to think of selling off this good stuff just when you are able to enjoy. To me, half the appeal of retiring is to actually have the time to listen to these sets. In fact, it is starting to sound damn appealing.. Those Debut boxes are particularly good !

Lord Percy Mrs Miggins Flash

My LP version of ‘Understanding’ has just arrived. Looks like a nice package. Also ordered the Hargrove/Miller on vinyl so some good listening coming up later on.

They had some in just after RSD but can’t have been many. I find myself buying less vinyl these days - I guess the pandemic put a premium on costs. More than happy with CDs for most things these days.

JazzMessengers had a better price than that, all gone now though. That title quite elusive on vinyl here in the UK on RSD for some odd reason. Same with the Hargrove/Miller and Charles Lloyd. Bill Evans still MIA. JazzMessengers did have the Harold Land on vinyl, not sure if they still have it in stock. It is getting to the stage where one needs to take out a mortgage on the house when these release batches come round. I’m sure that in the last year or so what used to be £15 an LP is now an average around the £30 mark.