sidewinder

Big thanks from me as well - downloading the lot, a great resource to have. A cursory random scan of 1940s issues has stories with Django Reinhardt reported reputedly killed during WW2, Buddy Rich joining the USMC and a small classified ad from a start-up company called Blue Note Records on Lexington Ave advertising records for sale ! The Petrillo Organisation also gets lots of print space (no surprise I guess). This gem from Dec 1959: "During Louis Hayes’ drum solo, Shostakovich and Dankevich leaned forrward and watched the rim shots and rolls with concentration, like a couple of visiting American businessmen. Cannonball’s own quotes from numerous classical composers (in the course of his solos) didn't draw a smile."

Good that you mention Jimmy Hastings - his work on this album is a real ear-opener. I recall seeing him play in a much more mainstream style with Humphrey Lyttelton and that was mainly on clarinet but here he is largely featured on saxes and flute on these sessions and in a much more contemporary style. The style sort of reminds me of a British Frank Foster, if you can picture that. His playing here is a real highlight, along with that of the fine trombonist Chris Pyne (ubiquitous on BBC Radio jazz of this vintage). Yes, as you say, he also crops up on those Caravan albums.

This fine new release is warmly recommended. Both tribute to and debut leader release for the late Trevor Tomkins. ‘Sextant’ was an early 80s co-operative group with the likes of Jimmy Hastings on woodwinds, Chris Pyne on trombone and Phil Lee on guitar. A very cohesive band playing some lovely music over four sets recorded for BBC Radio and in good sound. All topped off by a lovely tribute essay from Simon Spillett, covering both the band and Tomkins’ stellar working career (and musically active until quite recently). I’ve got the feeling that I saw him in Spillett’s quartet and also in a fairly recent Henry Lowther group paired again with Dave Green.

On the back-burner for me. Have it on King vinyl, Mosaic vinyl and Blue Note CD. If the price is right, may pick it up.

Update - currently about 148 copies left, by my reckoning, as of 14.00 UK time Sat 11th.

To be followed by ‘Live at the Highwayman (Camberley)’ 2CD, 1965. For a while I worked not too far from there.

Another terrific archival find from Jazz In Britain - 2CDs

JiB’s package just dropped overnight through my letterbox, making Mosaic’s current shipping even more lamentable.

Those Benson CBS recordings are under-rated !

Rearward 2LP Never noticed it before but this one came with a poster. Damn thing is adhered to the inside sleeve !

My JATP set is still missing in action. 🙁 They need to ditch Asendia ! On the plus side, Jazz In Britain just dispatched an order within minutes of the order going through.

Yeah, they made an excursion South to Swanage some years before the lockdown, where I caught them.

I like it - comes across very much as a ‘Tom Wilson production’ in terms of vibe/sound but it is a nice session and Sun Ra fits in extremely well. Recommended - in fact I will dig that one out for an overdue spin. Not the longest of playing times though, as I recall. Playing it right now - total playing time around 35 mins. I prefer the sound of this CD to the LP I found of ‘Impressions’, for which I thought the sonics were noisy. No such concerns with the CD. Plus you get Sun Ra on spooky harpsichord too ! One other plus for the CD are the good booklet notes, with Dickerson’s recollections of the session. Apparently, the group did a short tour to publicise the album and even appeared on TV in the Philadelphia area.

No probs - I like to keep it simple.

I’ve just ordered - and was charged $16 flat rate shipping on the checkout. US shipping is a real ‘sting’ these days but I like the music sample on the Nimbus West site from this concert and this 2CD set is sure to be good. The whole process was very straight-forward. Just hope that the shipping is more successful than the recent Mosaic experience. Amazed that this hasn’t already sold out.

I must dig your old CD out later Bill !

Very nice recording

‘Sounds of Synanon’ (King)

Caught that ‘Wingspan’ group live, not sure if Garrett was in the lineup but Nelson and Wallace Roney definitely were. They were touring Mulgrew’s excellent ‘Hand In Hand’ album. Fond memories of seeing Mulgrew - with Art Blakey, Tony Williams plus ‘Wingspan’.

On the occasion I saw this band my ears were ringing - Tony’s drums were loud and I was stood at stage height right in front of his dual bass drums !!

Shocking - glad I managed to stay clear of anything from Outernational, mp3 sources as well.

One is enough for me !

I have a copy of the Aurex ‘82 Jam LP somewhere.