sidewinder

I like it. Colpix vinyl can be very iffy and in the past I have passed on copies which were suspect, with surface noise an issue. This one is fine. Tubby Hayes is only on half of the LP.

CD2 - The singles disk.

Today’s find - UK Colpix mono of a larger sized group put together by pianist Dave Lee in 1965. Notable for appearances by Ronnie Ross and Tubby Hayes as well as Kenny Wheeler. Finally glad to have this one ! Amazing that my local had not one but 3 copies of this 3LP set. Must have been a late delivery for RSD.

Strut reissue. There have been quite a few bootlegs of this one out there but this Strut issue is apparently authorised. Sounds as good as can be expected too, no doubt better than what was originally put out on Saturn. The Saturn original was apparently in quadraphonic ! Another fine issue by Strut.

2LPs - This one grooves along very nicely, live atmosphere well captured and a very compatible group. I hope to be seeing Norma ‘live’ In about a month’s time, with her group.

I think it was. As this film was made in 1981, that would make the date for the Jazz Film Season around 1981/82. As I recall it, they had some weird mixing on the bill so the Dixon was likely paired with something like ‘Jivin’ In Bebop’. In those pre-YouTube times, seeing any sort of jazz film was a rarity. There was very little on BBC. Being a student at the time, I was totally up for these sort of film shows. Made a change from the e.g. Fellini and Fassbender seasons that I remember at places like the Scala (a bit of a fleapit, I recall). More’s the pity that we can’t have more of these now. There were also some great all-night film shows which I remember from university. No jazz though. People used to bring sleeping bags in for those !

That’s interesting. I remember attending a season of jazz films put on by one of the London independent cinemas around 1980. Might have been at the Scala. I have the feeling he was involved in putting it together. Films included were ‘Jivin in Bebop’ and that one Bill Dixon was involved with, from my distant memory. Those were the days.

CD1 - Nice !

I have a copy of the British version hardback of that Chilton Hawkins book ( on Quartet I think) and really need to dig it out again for another read. One for the ever-increasing pending pile..

RIP. I always remember him for his work on half of ‘Glass Bead Games’.

By my reckoning I have about 30 of them so they must be doing something right ! The quality of the sleeves is superb and the pressings are up there with the old Music Matters series. In the main I have gone for titles which I don’t have on originals or which I only have on inferior pressings e.g. French Pathe Marconi series. I have a few overlaps with originals from the NY and Liberty era and in the main, I would say that the sonics on the originals has more punch, particularly with earlier Van Gelder mono issues. On the whole though, you can’t go wrong with these Tone Poets. I particularly like their coverage of Pacific Jazz titles, where the quality of originals can sometime have issues. I just wish that they would make available again some of their earlier titles, which seemed to disappear fast, at least over here. A bargain, for sure. A few of them can be had for sub-£30 over here. Poor old Harold Vick never seems to get above £25.

My first exposure to George Coleman was at the next Ronnie Scott’s season after this one - either late 79 or early 1980. Ruiz and Higgins we’re back with him but not Drummond. Coleman’s playing was phenomenal. I wonder if there is a rights issue with those ‘Ronnie Scott’s Record Productions’ releases? It was quite active in the early 80s doing releases by Sarah Vaughan, Louis Bellson etc. who were active at the club at that time.

That is sad news, RIP. I certainly remember his ‘Jazz In The Movies’ book coming out, although I never had a copy. I think he contributed to the ‘Jazz On Screen’ articles in Jazz Journal, back in the day.

Art Blakey and Shorty Rogers - both of whom have had strong followings over here. Plus Miles and Coltrane, of course.

Always amazed to think that he tolerated his Mrs bringing her horse into the front lounge of the house ! I recall that he lived for many years in the Avebury area - which seems fittingly appropriate, although he died in Cornwall I think.

Most definitely interesting. I wonder if he will do any material from ‘The Spy From Istanbul’?

UK Columbia, mono first press. Excellent though the stereo reissue is, I think this has the edge - a bit more full bodied, especially in the bass. Nice rich sound, at the expense of a bit more surface noise.

The ‘Sun Ra Sundays’ book has arrived. Excellent - full of interesting commentary, covering both better known stuff and total obscurities. It has got me delving back into my Ra collection so has done its job. Recommended !

Probably supply and demand. Tone Poets are very significantly cheaper in the US compared with Europe. If it had been over here I would have been all over this sale ! I believe they were also offering the Ornette Coleman box for $99, I.e.half price.

Bonkers - but great. 2CD. It originally came out as a 2LP set on German Vogue and is essentially a compilation of several sessions, including tracks from ‘Swing Im Bahnhof’ by the Clarke-Boland Group. London Jazz Collector has more information on it. https://londonjazzcollector.wordpress.com/2012/05/14/sahib-shihab-companionship-it-re-2008/

Resteamed, limited edition 1000. The sleeve is fairly basic but it is indeed in stereo and the sound is A1. Certainly at least as good as the original Columbia mono and might even be better. For clarity of detail, the best I’ve heard. Maybe the old mono might have an edge in terms of ‘atmosphere’, will have to check. I thought I hadn’t - but recently came across an old t shirt with the gig lineup on it which confirmed that I had ! It was a Dizzy Gillespie all star tribute at Drew Medical School grounds, South Central LA in the 1990s. I don’t think Max was on stage for too long but not sure. Melba Liston was also there, directing the trombones. The band was full of great names - Billy Mitchell, Billy Root, Lalo Schifrin, Big Black, Al McGibbon, Garnett Brown, Bobby Bryant. Thinking about it a bit more, pretty sure I saw Max in London at a Charlie Parker tribute in 1980 too.

Back in 1982-ish I shared a table at Ronnie Scott’s with Herlin. He was just 17 and appearing in a West End, London show. His first engagement outside the US.

Mr Tanno’s store and Mr Tanno’s personal service was phenomenal ! I don’t think I ever got an LP from him which was less than near-flawless. Even his ‘- -‘ grades were pretty immaculate. Maybe a couple of minor marks on the sleeve at most.

Finally put in my order - have had this one on the back burner for a couple of years now. Looks like JazzMessengers still have about half a dozen copies of this set in stock. Bodes well !

CD7