sidewinder

It's probably 'Super Bone Meets The Bad Man' from Maynard's 'Chameleon' which has triggered off this thought - thinking of 'Astrorama' in particularly. I think/hope Jim will like the 'Off Limits' recording. Just listening to the Rearward LP and it's stunning.

Thanks, but could you clarify some more, please? The DG review makes it sound as if it's an album that flirts w/"free", and you're saying that it reminds you of Maynard's early 70s work. Is it a little bit of both? I remember when "free" and "jazz/rock" were actually somewhat compatible, so I'd welcome it if such was the case! Yep, it flirts with both styles. Not a 'free' recording by any stretch of the imagination - the main influence in this area is in the free-ish collective improvisations incorporated into some of the tracks (e.g. 'Astrorama). In terms of sound it has all of the usual CBBB hall-marks of dynamics and impecabble section work but also adventurous charts by Boland from tunes by Surman, Mangelsdorff and Jean Luc Ponty. Boland also plays electric piano on this LP. Check out the sound samples on the Schema site !

Not sure if I can add much more to the review other than agree with it and comment that some of the sounds on this LP remind me of contemporary big bands of this era who were stretching out into the jazz-rock domain such as Maynard Ferguson. Emphasis is very much on a big brass sound - good example being 'Astrorama'. Loud, brash and very enjoyable. Reissue of this one is available on CD and LP from Rearward. Rearward Reissues

Anyone know if Rearward/Schema have any more CBBB new releases/reissues up their sleeves?

Thanks evan - I'll do my spring housekeeping and send you the address !

I've always been disappointed with the sound on that live Laserlight/RTE (not sure which) double CD. Doesn't really do the band justice, although any CBBB is worth having. 'At Her Majesty's Pleasure' is a really good one. All of the tracks named after famous UK prisons/penitentiaries. I think one of the band (Griffin?) was having UK tax problems at the time and detect the wit of Ronnie Scott behind this one. Magnificent feature for Tony Coe on one of the tracks ('Holloway', I think - very fitting title), I don't think he's ever done anything better. Wish I'd had the chance to see these guys during one of their seasons at Ronnie's.

This was a fantastic big band - one of the very first I heard on recordings (the 'More Smiles' album) and a match in my view for Thad and Mel, which is saying something. Fantastic pool of the best players from mainland Europe and Uk with some US 'ringers' thrown in. I think I've got all of the LPs apart from the Gitte and half of the 'Folk Bag'. All are rewarding - worth adding also the 'Golden Eight' recorded for Blue Note and the later Boland albums ('White Heat', 'Red Hot' and 'Blue Flame') for MPs. I'm also a huge fan of those Rearward compilations - beautifully put together and available from Schema. Yes, I think the story was that Humble's sad passing, combined with that of Ake Persson, took away much of the 'heart' of the band and led to its demise. Fortunately they recorded a fair bit and much of it was very well captured by the SABA engineers.

Another fine unsung Land album (and one not too difficult to get hold of) is 'Mapenzi', recorded with Blue Mitchell for Concord Jazz. A good example of his later work.

Count me in also as a very big Harold Land fan, there are quite a few threads on his work on this site which delve into the various recordings. Of the obscurities of note it's worth mentioning Bobby Hutcherson's 'Inner Glow' (King Blue Note, hopefully to be reissued by Mosaic as part of a Mosaic Select) and that lovely laid-back session with strings 'A Lazy Afternoon'. What amazed me was that as recent as 1999 when I caught his band at a gig he was still playing in that exploratory style he used on the Land/Hutcherson albums. Obviously influenced by Coltrane but with his own somewhat angular/sour tone adding an intriguing edge and element of unpredictability. A wonderfully individual tenor stylist - always instantly recognisable.

Strange timing for this AOW in light of the recent very sad news.. Have been giving the Conn of this one a spin today, in between the Jackie McLean Blue Note vinyl. Very fine. What touches me is not only the passion and fire but the superbly balanced programme which mixes the forward looking ('Love and Hate'/'Esoteric') with the final track 'Riff Raff' where Jackie seems to be reaching back to some of the sounds and groove from 'Bluesnik'. Great album. Roy Haynes on drums is also a major factor for me behind the success of this one. Fits in like a glove !

And all I can say, part way into this stack, is that 'Jackie Lives !'

Thanks Tjobbe ! I think those 'Story' boxes are in the small-box format. That will be awesome if the Coltrane arrives in the big box format.

Are these new boxes (the Coltrane, Tatum etc) still in the big-box format or the previous mini-box?

Splendid choice ! Have been groovin' along to this fine set all week, some electrifying (sorry about that) stuff in this set.

In recognition of the late, great Jackie Mac, today's playlist is starting with: 'Swing Swang Swingin' (BN 47W63rd DG mono) 'Jackie's Bag' (BN 47W63rd/NY USA mono) 'New and Old Gospel' (BN Liberty stereo) 'Bluesnik' (BN 47W63rd DG side 2 mono) 'A Fickle Sonance' (BN NU USA stereo) 'Capuchin Swing' (BN 47W63rd DG mono) 'New Soil' (BN 47W6rd DG mono) 'Action' (NY USA mono) 'Its Time' (NY USA mono)

I shouldn't have been suprised really - was listening to all the 'negatives' about this set on the board. Seemed to be everyone had negatives about it. I like the set. I can handle the vocals and the backing charts with the trombone groups etc. are pretty nice. Its a real nice Mosaic to sample in not too big doses on Sunday mornings whilst you are doing the ironing and grooving along. Still procrastinating on the Mildred Bailey. What I've heard of the set sounds really nice but can I justify 10CDs of this stuff.? I need to enter the Lottery with Chuck..

Oh shit. This is awful news. Yet another of the great masters has passed away. What a great artist though and thankfully we can still enjoy his wonderful recordings. I'm just really glad I got to see him play several times, when at the time I thought there's no chance of ever getting to see him. Met him briefly for an autograph after one of those gigs and he was very courteous and by all accounts a nice guy. Hope he rests in peace. Back to back Jackie Mac on the hi fi today.

Room for a late addition to the pack? PM sent !

Nice one ! That gem doesn't get enough plaudits. Great Teddy Edwards..

I'll be sad to see this one leave the catalogue. JJ was a great craftsman on the 'bone with impeccable taste - which shines through right throughout this wonderful set. Particular fave is the 'Satin Doll' session.

Horace Silver 'Finger Poppin' (BN 47W63rd DG mono) Lou Donaldson 'Good Gracious !' (BN NY USA mono)

Don't do it. You end up spraining your fingers..

Eric Dolphy 'Out There' (Esquire)

Art Blakey 'Free For All' (BN NY USA mono)

Herbie Hancock 'Empyrean Isles' (BN NY USA mono) Jackie McLean 'Destination Out' (BN NY USA mono)