sidewinder

Thad Jones & Mel Lewis CD set, disk 4.

Like all of the Rearwards it's very good indeed, with superb sound quality. Is this the CD or LP version (I've got the 2LP set version). Very relaxed music and some enjoyable Jimmy Woode vocals.

Ronnie Ross 'Stompin' With The Ronnie Ross Quintet' (Ember mono)

This one from Jackie McLean.. Swing Swang

Saw Jackie Mac live on just 2 occasions. The first was on a tour through Western Canada back in 1995/96 - by that time I'd given up hope of ever seeing him play (having mist a few high profile UK gigs in the 70s and 80s). Jackie brought his working band with Steve Davis, Rene, Alan Jay Palmer - in fact pretty well the band on the 'Fire and Hope' CD. The second occasion was at the Jazz Bakery in LA about 6 months later when he had a quartet with Cedar Walton, David Williams and Billy Higgins. Jackie kindly signed my flyer, as did the rest of the band. The thing that stands out (in addition to his very dignified presence on stage - wearing suit and bow tie as I recall) is the slightly sharp tone on alto and very incisive attack. True to form, he didn't coast either and was still throwing in curve balls in his solos.

My 'big box' Coltrane also arrived today. Thanks to the German Friends for the heads-up. The big suprise was with the Contemporary 4CD set. Put CD4 on the player and the quality of the sound and remastering leaves me speachless. Fantastic set, great track selection (everything from the Lighthouse All Stars to Woody Shaw) and a fascinating booklet with reminiscences from John Koenig (the set is book format like some of the Miles CBS sets). At 15 Euros highly recommended and a gem of a set! The bargain MJQ box looks real nice too - haven't sampled that yet. Just noticed also on their site that the Debut 4CD set is now on 'special' at an insane 8.99 and the Riverside set is still on for 4.99. Another order methinks Now all we need if for Tjobbe to email us that they have in stock the latest Universal Mosaics, the Art Pepper Complete Village Vanguard, the Bill Evans 'Last Waltz' and Fantasy Box, all in big box format. Can you arrange it?

Absolutely - it's a lovely tribute and with great photos of Herbie too. A set to hang onto IMO (although I would say that of all of them. )

Downstairs in the club is pretty nice. I've seen a few live groups there - Pat Martino, Kenny Garrett, Bill Bruford. Nice atmosphere - and you can order down a pizza if so inclined.

Pizza Express is coming up with some interesting gigs of late. They hosted Sonny Simmons just last year, although I missed that one. Should be a good venue to see Andrew Hill.

'A New Sound...A New Star - Jimmy Smith at the Organ' (BN 47W63rd/Lexington DG mono)

Wow - thanks for this. Time to book some London leave methinks.. Now if Sam Rivers were also playing that venue in May, that would be awesome. If it's Hill, Rivers, Workman and Moran on the 5th and 6th even better.

Jimmy Smith 'The Sounds of Jimmy Smith (BN 47W63rd DG mono) Jimmy Smith 'Groovin' At Small's Paradise Vol 1 and 2' (Both BN 47W63rd DG mono)

Saw Enrico with his Quintet at Cheltenham last year (lovely performance - he'd just broken his leg skiing but did the gig like a trooper) and the phenomenal Bollani in solo performance at the Guildhall, Bath. He does an incredible routine where he asks for about 12 tunes from the audience then improvises a suite around them, mixing them up almost at random. Should be great !

Big John Patton 'Soul Connection' (Nilva)

Brand new copy of the Big John Patton 'Soul Connection' LP on Nilva for 15 Euros.

Jackie McLean 'Capuchin Swing' (BN 47W63rd mono DG)

That place is amazing. Reminds me of the Elf's bank in the Harry Potter movie. Some incredible classical music vinyl titles, if you are into that stuff - at prices to match !

Still procrastinating. I think I'll probably pass on this one.

Happy Birthday !

The DVD of 'The Connection' movie will be viewed tonight.

Damn !

Some great stuff this morning. Having to go to work now in the middle of this one is a real pain ( ) but I'll be tuning in tonight, by which time they should have got to 'Its Time !!!'

Not sure exactly when but it must have been in the early 1960s. My understanding is that the 'One Step Beyond' group with Hutcherson and Moncur did much of their collective woodshedding during a residency at the 'Blue Coronet' in Brooklyn (1963 ish), which must have been an outcome of the NYC ban. Strange to think that a big personal negative such as this ban could have spurred on new creative avanues in Jackie's music.

This WKCR broadcast is amazing ! Hitting a particular high at the moment. All the tracks from 'Swing Swang Swingin' and 'Let Freedom Ring' back-to-back, minimum of chat.

Awesome !