sidewinder

Xanadu Master Edition

Yes, last order I put in with JM around this value I was charged VAT and that damn Royal Mail ‘handling charge’ so a bit of a lottery all round. As you say, Mosaic are very worthy of support for endeavours like this.

The JM option is likely to be dinged on VAT on import but even so, with their free shipping it is likely a good option. The sound samples sound good and this is intriguing material that I never knew about. So - inclined to agree !

Shush.... I’m trying to resist..

Just finished this really excellent book. Attended a gripping talk by the two authors a few weeks ago - very important that these events are recorded and passed on. Shocking how these crimes were ‘glossed over’ after WW2 but at least this character eventually got his comeuppance. Almost certainly, he will have checked my train ticket back in the 70s/early 80s at London Bridge. A chilling thought.

The mastering of the Henderson and Mobley sets were so good that these are my ‘go to’ on CD for this material - and I’m spinning CD a fair bit these days. On that basis I’ll very likely go for this set. The new Black and White set might get the priority though.

A very good Xanadu Master Edition CD

A singer who will be missed over here - RIP.

My internet hub locked up this morning due to overheating ! Reminds me of Malaysia and Fiji - without the very high humidity. Southern California on hot days felt cooler than this !

Excellent stuff - agree, it sounds great. Will be ordering - already got the Graham Collier and the Keith Tippett CDs (both recommended).

Already issued over here as an RSD vinyl 2LP.

They have Impulse stuff before - the Oliver Nelson set included ‘The Quintessence’ being one example. I too have all of those albums, with most on vinyl but as with the Mobley 60s and the Joe Henderson I will be very interested in this set. Hope they get Malcolm Addey to master it.

CD2 of this excellent sounding box.

I saw someone wearing that ‘Cornbread’ tee at a jazz festival during the weekend, presumably the same source. Remember seeing Pharoah a couple of times around 1990 and there seemed to be pretty minimal currency with the youngsters (which included me at the time - although not me of course !)

There’s a review of the Simon Spillett Tubby Hayes Big Band Tribute at Wigan posted on London Jazz News. Details here - https://londonjazznews.com/2022/07/14/the-simon-spillett-big-band-celebrates-tubby-hayes-2022-wigan-jazz-festival/ Quite a number of lineup differences so I guess they have a ‘Southern’ and ‘Northern’ crew to save on petrol costs ! Mayne, Long and Barnes were in the saxes in both lineups. As at Wigan, they did play Harry South’s ‘The Scandinavian’.

‘Sweet Honey Bee?’

The one time I saw Pierre Dorge and his Denmark-based New Jungle Orchestra was when they were on tour through Western Canada. Very impressive - although I don’t think John Tchicai was in the lineup at that stage (mid-90s).

Bill - Simon and the Tubby Hayes Tribute Big Band were actually playing a festival in Wigan a week ago ! They are not to be missed, when you get the chance. Appearing in Scarborough in August I think. They kicked off the first half with a really storming ‘Dear Johnny B’. It was good to be attending live music without the recent restrictions again (although I missed Greg Abate due to the clash with Yazz Ahmed’s set and only caught 20 mins of an excellent sounding Alan Barnes Octet).

I caught Simon Spillett leading his Tubby Hayes Tribute Big Band last night. Original Tubby arrangements played with precision and power, sounding at least as good as the real thing ! Earlier in the day Trevor Watts ‘Eternal Triangle’ and Henry Lowther’s Group, amongst other things. The Watts group performance was superb ! Similar goodies on Saturday including Yazz Ahmed’s Quintet and Mike & Kate Westbrook with Chris Biscoe.

I’ve still to order the Tristano set so this one will go on the back burner. Will be interested to hear of opinions once people have sampled it.

Trunk reissue of the Stan Butcher LP from 1979 originally issued on Monty Babson’s ‘Hobo’ label and sunk without trace back then. Barbara Thompson prominently featured in the lineup.

Yazz Ahmed ‘Polyhymnia’ on Ropeadope (2LPs). Bought from Yazz at the weekend and she has kindly signed it. A tribute track to Barbara Thompson (RIP) included, as one of the heroes featured.

Not forgetting either that early German TV appearances by herself, Jon Hiseman, Wolfgang Dauner et al (on a youth show no less) led to the formation of the United Jazz and Rock Ensemble. I think her following in Germany might have been even bigger than the UK. Strangely no mention of this sad passing at the UK jazz festival I attended over the weekend. Don’t remember that but it might be possible. She certainly had a high profile in UK jazz in the 70s/80s in particular. We must also not forget her fantastic work on saxophones and flute with Neil Ardley’s New Jazz Orchestra. Classically trained flautist, superb technique.

Very sad news to start the day - saxophonist/composer Barbara Thompson passed away yesterday. https://www.temple-music.com/ She will be missed, such a fine legacy. RIP.