sidewinder

The Verve Elite of this one has been known to fetch big bucks on ebay but it's variable. I've got the feeling that there's a new CD issue either just coming out or in the pipeline (Japanese?) According to the sleeve note of the Elite there's at least one place where there's no shortage of the LP gatefolds. Some club in Brazil apparently (visited by Schifrin and much to his shock) had all its walls 'papered' with original sleeves ! Nice little concept album IMO - a pleasant listen that I tend to group along with Ed Thigpen's 'Out of the Storm'.

Just located the Kuhn 'Trance' on vinyl with Jack D - sort of 'of its time' (1975) in term of electric piano sound but a good one none-theless. All of these Kuhns really should be re-released on CD.

Ah, those were the days. Too bad that I was oblivious to Sun Ra and his DIY vinyl back then.

Total insanity if you ask me !

Seems to have sold for just under $400, which is incredible for a cover in just VG condition with half of the back missing. Goldmine has this listed at $50 in NM condition.

What's going on in the Rex Hotel these days? There used to be a great B-3 organ group who played regularly there on Saturdays, can't quite recall the name of the player ('John T' something, I think).

Mmm - this is one of my absolute favourite Hutcherson front sleeves. Just love it - if I had a spare, I would frame it for display in the front room. I've always thought it complemented the sophisticated sounds of the album too. All a case of personal preferences, I guess. I have absolutely no qualms though with the Rod Stewart 'selection'. Just gotta have that one..

Up for listening action today in the 'pending' pile are LP sets for Jackie McLean, Teddy Wilson, Benny Goodman and Bud Powell. The 'Kenton Presents' CD set (CDs 3 and 4) will follow, if I have time !

Have a great one !

Mono originals of Silver's 'Cape Verdean Blues' and Dex's 'Gettin' Around'. Sublime !

McCoy Tyner 'Inception' (Impulse)

This series is not bad but gets the award for being way over-rated, IMHO. 'Father Ted' and 'Blackadder' are much funnier and have stood the test of time. By far the funniest thing about 'The Office' is that it is set in that soul-less jazz-free outer London concrete jungle land called Slough and that the sister branch of the firm is in the equally awful Swindon !

I'm still in terminal shock over the Johnny 'Guitar' Watson revelation. I'd have sworn that was either McCann or the Mastersounds. Ah well ! The Lookofsky is also a big suprise. I was aware of his work with Quincy Jones on 70s albums such as 'Smackwater Jack' but not this earlier stuff. Of course once you mention the name, the penny starts to drop in recognition of the style..

'Sonic Boom' on deck this morning. This one is hugely under-rated and the partnership with David 'Fathead' Newman comes off superbly. The repeat performance on Lonnie Smith's 'Think !' is no slouch, either..

I've been salivating over this one for a year or two now but have also been sidetracked catching up with the 'Last Chance' stuff. It's definitely on the medium-term horizon, along with the Donaldson and Turrentine sets (not forgetting the Jazztet and Tal 'Concert Bands'.. )

Love the sound on that Buck Clayton set. Recorded by CBS in that converted Greek Orthodox church I believe (30th St), as per many of the classic Columbia sessions.

There was a UK 2LP Mingus re-issue which included 'Scenes', put out in the late 1970s (an immediate hit with me when I picked it up, I have the feeling it was on Polydor, will have to check). A routinely under-rated performance by this fine group. Have just recently got hold of an original Bethlehem deep groove pressing of this one - worth having for that weird but extremely cool futuristic cover with Mingus's profile reflected in the shiny ball.

A belated very happy birthday !

Best birthday greetings and may the force of the deep groove be with you.. Hope the new vinyl was good by the way... !

I'll second the recommendation on the Hodges. That one is a lovely set, just full of great music. Other recommendations in the vinyl format are the Thad Jones Blue Note and the Sam Rivers, if you can find them. Then luxuriate !...

'Kenton Presents' disk 2.

Very happy birthday to you and I hope it's a good one !

This is just tragic news. As I type this, I have a radiant photo of Max in much happier days looking down at me from the wall. Taken by Cecil Spiller at the Lighthouse, in tandem with Shelly Manne when they were both appearing there. Thoughts go out to Max at this time..

King Pleasure 'The Source' (Prestige)

Teddy Wilson LP1 - lovely stuff..