sidewinder

'Bantu Village' and 'Collision in Black'. Sounds like a good supplement to the Mosaic

Commodore Vol 1 LP 21 side 2

Both of my sets arrived yesterday - both in the high 1700s. The Morgan/Shorter was a winner from the first minute of listening, the usual amazing compositional quality from Wayne and front line playing unique to these two artists. Superb Have also listened to the first two disks of the Kelly/Chambers and again its a big . No issues at all for me with the alternative takes, its nice to hear the fresh insights the musicians add to the alternates. The usual great booklets and packaging, all in all a winning couple of boxes. Can't understand why I didn't grab the Morgan/Shorter much earlier...

Basra is wonderful - one of Joe Henderson's finest BN 'feature performances' and some very atmospheric tunes. Gotta like that great cover too !

I've had this problem in the distant past and after polite and ignored requests I found that the only solution was to turn hi-fi speakers to the wall, put one of the more far-out disks on 'Escalator Over The Hill' on autoplay (the one with that ultrasonic hum track is particularly good) and then go out for the evening. That got some action.. Sadly though, you can't beat detatched homes in order to avoid this problem. Even then, there's always spotty baseball-capped adolescent dolts who persist in revving down lanes in their souped-up crapmobiles at 4am, even when you live in the countryside..

'Doin The Thang' is first rate. I've got the recent Fantasy LP reissue and the performances are excellent. Ronnie Mathews is always good value..

Can't believe I passed on an original Liberty 'On Broadway' that time in Mole Jazz for about £10-£15 Good suggestion though. Maybe also Lonnie Smith's 'Think' is due for a re-mastering. That beaut has some nice Lee Morgan and Fathead Newman on it.

Somewhat strange incident which I'd like to share concerning Woody. Several years ago I was over in NYC and checking out a music store on Broadway just above Times Square. They had a book of Woody trumpet transcriptions in stock (with things like 'Moontrane') at a good price so I took it to the checkout. The guy behind the counter took one hard look at the cover, snarled unpleasantly, took my cash with disgusted look on his face, no thanks offered. I've always wondered just what Woody must have done to piss this store guy off so much. Very odd.

Yes, RDK, it was the track 15 I had in mind but I wasn't sure of the exact title. The last time I listened to this one was years ago so the old grey matter must have registered something. I'm just too damn lazy to pick out the Impulse twofer from the LP rack..

The last time I was in the store the guy at the counter confirmed that they 'would be moving to alternative space in the Kings Cross area', with target date of end of May. The rent increases on Grays Inn Road seem to have been the straw that broke the camel's back. Certainly the CDs and vinyl stock looked to be heavily depleted on that visit (and that was at least 2 months ago). I hope they are able to relocate OK but the omens didn't seem to be good.

I have the Nistico and the Curtis Fuller 'Fire and Filligree'. Really must give these an airing this week. Don't remember seeing the flyer insert though - would have been nice to get one of these Ts..

"Zoltan" off Larry Young 'Unity'. "Great Expectations" (45 rpm version) by Miles..

Mike Westbrook 'Marching Song Vol 2' on Deram. Topical subject-matter back in 1969 and equally topical now.

Johnny Coles 'Little Johnny C' is another overlooked classic from the early 60s - really a Duke Pearson session in disguise.. With regard to the Kenny Cox's, I was listening to 'Introducing Kenny Cox' just the other day and wondering why this one was so obscure - it's actually a very good late 60s date from the Liberty period. Some good originals from pianist Cox on this one.

How about Bobby Hutcherson 'Oblique'? That one has been AWOL for too long...

Saw him live on one occasion with Louis Hayes and he was really excellent - Charles Tolliver was also in that band. Some good albums on Enja - 'Bushman's Song' is particularly recommended. Very sorry to hear that he is unwell, with best wishes to get well soon.

In terms of overlooked Blue Note 'classics', I would definitely put forward Kenny Drew's 'Undercurrent'. This is a very fine hard bop session with 'dream team' front line of Freddie Hubbard and Hank Mobley. In fact, a real sleeper in the Hank discography. He plays superbly throughout. Can never understand why this one is always so overlooked..

Any offers for a bundle of emails from Scott?

Here's a link to the Zildjian site with an anouncement of this sad news.. Elvin RIP

Sorted ! B)

The disk 4 also has 'Three Card Molly'. That's one of the tunes that I really associate with Elvin, he played it at most of the gigs I saw him.

I have '5/4 Thing' on Disk 4 playing at this very moment - nice and loud. This is as good a way as any to remember Elvin.

A great drummer and creative artist, yes, but also an extremely kind and down-to-earth guy. So rare in this world. My thoughts go out to Elvin's family and I hope that he is now in peace.

Woops I nearly forgot numbers 14 and 15: (14) Hmm. Sort of Bobby Timmons-ish in parts but it definitely isn't him. Mingus? (15) Recognised the alto player immediately. It's track 11 from This one... Great collection of music and, again, many thanks ! Disk 2 goes on now - sounds like a pretty good attempt at Jazz/Rock 'n Roll Fusion... Caught a snippet of Eddie Jefferson so this should be just grrrrreat !

Thanks for the disks, RDK, they have just arrived. I have track 5 playing just as I'm typing here and have had a quick listen to all of the tracks. Here's the first thoughts:- (1) Got this one straight away. It's This One... David Izenzon on bass and dear Elvin on the drums. Fine stuff ! (2) Sounds like Lester Bowie. Haven't a clue about the session or group though. (3) Its track 3 from This one... I have this on a 'Blaxploitation' various artists CD set. (4) Wild guess, Mark Feldman on violin? Need to have another listen to this one. (5) 'Money Jungle' ? (at least that's what it sounds like they are saying). A total blank on this one. (6) Sounds like John Lewis - a 50s recording. George Duvivier, Connie Kay? (7) Again, a loss on this one. (8) 'Baltimore Oriole' - don't recognise the vocalist. Sort of doo-wop backings so late-50s I guess. (9) 'Un Poco Loco' - guitar and drums. Sort of Tal Farlow-ish guitar style. (10) This one sounds as though it might be These guys..version of Jim Pepper's Wichi-Tai-To. (11) 'I Got Plenty Of Nothin' from 'Porgy and Bess'. Don't recognise the big band, sort of Stan Tracyish piano player. Scandinavian vocalist? Hmmmm - Willem Breuker? (12) Sounds familiar - from This one..? (13) Nice female vocal plus trio. Don't recognise it..