sidewinder

Listening to 'Ezz-thetic', Russell's piano 'commentary' to what the soloists are playing, particularly stands out. It's 'arranger's piano' in the same way Gil Evans also used to contribute to his groups. Throwing in the occasional wide ball to stir up new ideas and to steer the music. In Russell's playing you can also sense a very tangible bridge between bebop directly to the avant-garde.

Yeah, he was extremely kind when I met him - an absolute gent (as was his brother Elvin). We're lucky to have him with us and long may he continue touring.

George Russell 'Outer Thoughts' (UK Riverside twofer) - A fantastic compilation with super-cool pic of Mr Russell + pipe on the front.

Which reminds me of my Tower Sunset Boulevard acquisition of Tyrone Washington's 'Natural Essence' Toshiba for $18 + tax.

Pablo O'Higgins Rembrandt Peale Raphael Soyer Vincent Price Pablo Casals Salvador Allende

I've enjoyed Dave Baker's beautifully fluent playing on the 'Ezz-thetic' session for nigh on 35 years now and as a dabbler (in the worst sense) on the 'bone it still leaves me gobsmacked. Any particular recollections of that session would be interesting. Not least the 'mix' of Dolphy and Don Ellis.

Mr Kite Eleanor Rigby Rigsby

Have got all of Mike Westbrook's Derams on vinyl. Like them all - although 'Marching Songs Vol 1 and 2' is perhaps not one to spin when you've got visitors. 'Release' is fairly rare I think. The 'Tyger' on RCA is probably his rarest title. Hope to be checking out his and Kate's 'Village Band' in the next month or so - they're fairly local !

Ed Meese Ed Mirvish Mr Ed

Crippin Christie The Wests

Unmissable. Their London concert of several years ago was gripping. And when Braxton came out all hell broke loose.. Have been a Cecil convert since seeing two solo concerts 10+ years ago at the Jazz Bakery in LA. A master, for sure. Even with the Vogon poetry.

Yes, good luck from me too. I just wish that London and the Vortex were closer sometimes. If you head out West, I'm there.

Mike Westbrook Concert Band 'Celebration' (Deram, mono) preceded by one of my all-time faves: Kenny Wheeler 'Music For Large and Small Ensembles' (German ECM, 2LP)

Pluto?

Neil Ardley 'Harmony Of The Spheres' (Decca)

Bonzai? Just about to tackle my 'overgrowth' today. The excess rain of the last few years have caused everything to grow at quite a rate of knots so I'm constantly doing battles with hedges, ash sapplings and the proverbial grass and weeds. Part of my plot has remnent of old native forest - and it is forever trying to revert to type. Good job I have a skip out front.

Yep, a couple of half-decent tracks but the vocals are dire.

Kenny Wheeler 'Gnu High' (ECM) Charles McPherson 'Bebop Revisited' (Stateside, mono factory sample)

I'm usually a complete sucker for anything Milesian but having got pretty well everything he did for CBS on vinyl plus the Sony boxes on CD there would have to be something pretty well unique and revolutionary in this box for me to pounce. Shame - I like the idea of another Miles box.. I'd rather have a 'Complete Rubber Band' box, come to think of it.

Ike Quebec Duke Pearson Sonny Lester

Brown-bag Cuscuna/Lourie twofer? 'One For One' I think it was called.

I don't ever recall seeing a longbox version of this one - just the version that Chuck mentions.

I think the Trunk EP has sold out of its 666 copies already - didn't even make it into the shops. The movie was on the TV recently. Good fun - and bizarre seeing the late Roy Castle (better known as a TV entertainer) in Tubby's front line !

Booker Little Booker Ervin Booker T. Washington White Walter Booker Walter Bishop Jr valerieb