webbcity

Holy smokes this was good. I seriously regret that it took me so long to get to it. Definitely need to seek out a few of these. Regarding Dick Griffin, since Thom is too modest to shamelessly self-promote, I'll do it. We did a couple of gigs with Eddie Gale and Dick Griffin almost 20 years ago now (!) and here is some of the evidence. (note: don't bother trying the links in the bottom left of the video, they no longer exist)

Something is clearly very wrong with my life when I keep putting these off until the last minute. I need a mid-year resolution. Anyway... getting in BARELY under the wire... in fact I'm not certain that the reveal hasn't already been posted yet but if so I will be checking that ASAP... Track 1 - Forget your troubles, come on, get happy! This does make me happy. And dammit, I know this pianist...I'm sure I do. Sounds very Elmo Hope actually. Wait, it's Mal! There were a few giveaways in there once he got rolling. I get a similar thing from Mal as I do from Elmo-- like I can hear him feeling and thinking. Man I love this. I do not have this record but I need it. Great kickoff! Track 2 - Well right off the bat I love the tenor sound. Not sure that I know the tune. The tenor player manages to somehow sound both comfortable and unpredictable at the same time. Love it! What a great solo. I really like the piano solo too. Tenorist almost sounds like Sonny (Rollins) to me but I'm not certain. Track 3 - Wow, great head and I really dig the flute and piano working together. Flute player is KILLER! I don't know why I'm tempted to say Ken McIntyre, but I'm saying it. The whole group is just right in the pocket on this one. Again, some tasty piano as well. The bass & drums trading is a good time too... love the sinewy sound the bassist gets. Is the drummer Roy Haynes? Whoever this is, we are 3 for 3 at this point. Track 4 - Interesting head, again, and whoever is playing the unemployment stick (as you call it) has a great sound. There are bits that remind me of Lateef or Jimmy Heath, but no. Not sure who this would be. Definitely some cool lines in the solo. Anxious to find out who this is! Track 5 - Oh, I love this tune but have completely forgotten the name of it. That sound! Damn. Beautiful. Soooo smooth. And the rhythm section is wonderfully supportive. Love this. No guesses but it's fantastic. Track 6 - Nice driving trio. Nothing that's jumping out in terms of a clear ID, but I like the overall sound, soulful and solid. Feels like there could be a Chicago element in here? Or maybe I'm just projecting what I want onto it. 🙂 Track 7 - OK, now I swear I know this one. Very different conception from the previous track. Bit of an Ahmad Jamal feel/inspiration to this. The longer this goes the more I get into it! Boy do I like this group. The pianist especially, but they just work together so well as a unit. Beautiful feel on this. Also, Keith Jarrett take note: this is an example of how to sing along with what you're playing. Track 8 - Heading in a totally different direction! And straight into the 70s. I dig the feel. First impressions are leading me to think Gerald Wilson. Nice and laid back... great muted trumpet work and the piano solo is perfect for this. Nice track. Track 9 - Bobby. Harold. McD. One zillion stars. I have no other words. Track 10 - Don't know the singer nor the tune but boy this is nice. Oh wait! "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered," of course. That must have been the verse at the top? Don't think I've ever heard that part before. The vocalist is outstanding. And holy piano solo Batman! The change in feel for the bass solo is kind of interesting but I don't actually love it. Getting further into the solos, some of it sounds a touch mechanical and starts to leave me a little cold. But again... the singer returns and all is good. That doesn't happen all that often! 😉 Oooh, I really do like the outro actually... this feels similar to what they did for the bass earlier but it works better here somehow? Anyway, interesting track over all, some cool stuff happening here & I'm particularly curious about the vocalist. Track 11 - You had me at bari. The melody is dark & mysterious. Oh, and hello, this trumpet player is fantastic. Love the mood captured by the group overall, terrific feel. Rhythm section laying it down. Piano solo is good. Ahhh but the tenor solo is even better still! To be topped only by... the bari. Holy smokes. Oh yeah I need more of this. Great stuff. Track 12 - Is this a show you were at, I'm guessing? One of your own recordings? That could narrow it down, I suppose. A tad hard to hear, but what I'm hearing, I'm digging. Really cool figure in the rhythm section and needless to say I LOVE what the tenor player is doing on top. Wow... ok this is amazing. I actually have to cut it short due to time restraints but I am coming back to this for sure! Track 13 - DG! One million stars. 'Nuff said. Thanks for this, sorry it took me so damn long!! Great stuff, no surprise there!

Cheers all! Glad the Lightmen Plus One were such a hit. I myself need to get their other albums now! And yep, Allison Miller is outstanding. First learned of her from seeing her own group performing at a local club, she was incredible.

Track 9!! Track 9!!!!!! 😎🔥🎉 (more to come... 😁)

Here you go, the juicy details! I think most of these were ID'd, but I believe there were at least a couple remaining to be found out. Thanks to all who participated! 1. Bennie Green Quintet - Glidin' Along (Babs Gonzales) https://www.discogs.com/release/6663275-Benny-Green-Quintet-Glidin-Along This one was a very recent discovery, I wasn't really familiar with Bennie Green at all, but he sounds great here to my ears. And Johnny Griffin? Yes please! 2. Lightmen Plus One - Cold Bair (Joe Singleton) https://www.discogs.com/release/13071110-The-Lightmen-Plus-One-Energy-Control-Center In this case, have been aware of this album for quite some time but it took me a while to get to it. Really love the groove on this one. 3. Artemis - Komorebi (Noriko Ueda) https://www.discogs.com/release/33295539-Artemis-Arboresque Have been aware of this group as well but hadn't really investigated, despite being a fan of both Nicole Glover and Allison Miller. I really like this whole album... this is one of the quieter cuts on it. 4. Anthony Braxton with Muhal Richard Abrams - Maple Leaf Rag (Scott Joplin) https://www.discogs.com/release/1035181-Anthony-Braxton-With-Muhal-Richard-Abrams-Duets-1976 The first half of a two-part AACM "tribute to the masters"... from The Masters themselves. 5. Air - King Porter Stomp (Jelly Roll Morton) https://www.discogs.com/release/1092921-Air-Air-Lore One of my all-time favorites, and I knew a lot of people would get it, but what the hell. 6. Mai Sugimoto - Departure (Sugimoto/Abrams/Spencer) https://www.discogs.com/release/31196998-Mai-Sugimoto-Joshua-Abrams-Isaiah-Spencer-Sunlight-Filtering-Through-Leaves Continuing with the Chicago vibe, this is a recent discovery for me and I really love the exploration in Sugimoto's playing. And for bonus points: Isaiah friggin Spencer!! 😮 7. Elmo Hope Trio - Boa (Hope) https://www.discogs.com/release/33056394-Elmo-Hope-Trio-Elmo-Hope-Trio And speaking of exploration! That's what I hear in Hope's playing, and it's in full evidence here. 8. Clifford Jordan - No More (Toots Camarata/Bob Russell) https://www.discogs.com/release/3548879-Clifford-Jordan-The-Adventurer I sort of forgot about this track but came across it again recently and it just knocked me out. Can't go wrong with Clifford. 9. Harriet Tubman - Unseen Advance of the Aquifarian (Gibbs/Ross/Lewis/Harding) https://www.discogs.com/release/13353639-Harriet-Tubman-The-Terror-End-Of-Beauty Glad so many enjoyed this one. I came for Melvin Gibbs, and I stayed for Brandon Ross and J.T. Lewis. Unbelievable playing and sounds on this record. 10. Willie Colon - Sigue Feliz (Carlos Roman) https://www.discogs.com/release/2678601-Willie-Colon-Wanted-By-FBI-The-Big-Break-La-Gran-Fuga Ever since visiting Puerto Rico for the first time a few years ago, this music is one of my new happy places. 11. Gateway - Blue (Jack DeJohnette) https://www.discogs.com/release/532703-John-Abercrombie-Dave-Holland-Jack-DeJohnette-Gateway-2 Wanted to end with a special one, this tune has a kind of magic for me that I can't easily express in words. It's DeJohnette's tune and I LOVE the way he plays piano on it.

A few comments in-line... Bingo! 👍

Nice hunting! I hope they come through. I only have this one album and might need to pickup the others soon myself.

Yep, very true. I think the first time I heard the Dave Holland Trio version I didn't recognize it as the same tune for quite a while. The melody is there, but the way the piano part holds together the Gateway version, it's like a whole different universe.

Yes indeed! I've heard a couple other versions of this with Jack on drums, but to me his piano playing here is what makes this magical.

Again, some of your questions have now been answered, but wanted to add a few additional comments. Yep, the saxophonist is a big part of the draw for me on #1! On #3, no Corea, but I share your enthusiasm for the drummer. If you know the saxophonist on #6 I'll be impressed! I'm really glad you liked the track. And if course you're correct on #7 re: pianist as leader. I'm surprised to hear that the pianist on #8 gets some flak here! 😮 The bass player on #9 is a big favorite of mine. I'm pleasantly surprised that nobody has gotten #11 yet, but yes, definitely ECM. The entire album is not like this, but it sure is an amazing record and has long been a personal favorite. @randyhersom also mentioned Beirach, and that's a good guess but no. However!... You are correct on Gateway, so I must amend my above comment about nobody getting this one yet! 💯

As @T.D. mentioned earlier in the thread, Dusty Groove has this for cheap and in fact that's where I got mine, a few months ago! At the moment they're out of stock... I wonder if they'll get any back at the $6.99 price. Man, you ain't kidding! Playing it now. Thanks for adding another one to my want list. Wait... Isn't that supposed to happen the other way around on BFTs?? 🤯 Some good guesses! You now know the answers on some of these. Phil Ranelin was a good guess on #2 though. You were correct re: Braxton on #4! And if you had saved your Tommy Flanagan guess for the following track, you would have been correct on that count. 😉 And on track 9? Your "backup guess" is correct-- it *is* Brandon Ross on guitar!

Hi all, I'm so sorry to vanish, have had a hell of a week here between day job, rehearsals, gigs, and other general nuttiness. But I promise I'm gonna get back to it here and catch up. Thanks for your patience!

Continuing to catch up...

Some more responses! Inline below... (catching up slowly here...)

Correct! This particular album was my introduction to Hope, and still probably my favorite from him. And I love Frank Butler! 🙂 Correct on both counts! Thought it would be nice to have a couple tracks of AACM legends paying homage to past masters. Further comments below, inline...

Hey gang! Happy to be back in the loop here. Thom offered me this slot and I got it together as quickly as I could, so apologies in advance, standard disclaimers, etc... But hopefully there's at least a little something for everyone here. Tried to do a decent mix of new/old/challenging/obvious. https://thomkeith.net/blindfold-tests/2025-blindfold-tests/ Let the games begin! Cheers- Tim

Indeed! Gimme more Miller Brisker! Wow, a lot of surprises here. Track 9! 🤯 And now I more clearly understand the motivation for your question about the major chords on the Bley tune! Some good stuff here, thanks for putting it together!

Many major chords, but I hear at least a couple of minor chords in there... not that I am fantastic at identifying chords, but in the main section where there are 8 chords repeated, 4 and 4, I hear the first 4 as more major-sounding and the second 4 turn to the minor side of things.

Trying to jump back into the fray here after several months away. Just gave this a listen, and here are my notes as I did so. Haven't yet looked at the thread but I assume many of these have already been ID'd at this point in the month... Track 1 - Cherokee of course, clearly quite an old recording, and right off the bat I love what the alto player is doing. Not to mention the guitarist who is IN the pocket. This just feels great. Definitely in the spirit of Bird. Love it! Track 2 - Oh man... it's killing me that I can't remember the name of this one but I dig the hell out of this tune. Tasty playing all around, some crisp drumming and the guitarist is on point. I'm picturing a smoky basement club. Some impressive runs from the guitarist but then I appreciate when he/she slows down to take a beat and get into the groove too. Excellent. For some reason the organ solo isn't speaking to me as much though clearly it's some great playing. Similar with the drum solo. Overall a tight track though. Track 3 - Ah yes, a Bird tune, but can I remember which one? No. I like the way they split up the head here, very cool. This feels down & dirty and I love it. Oh hell yes. Tenor player opens it right up almost immediately. And the bassist & drummer are FILTHY. Damn this is good. This brings to mind the Rollins Quartet with Don Cherry. Wait... IS this Don Cherry? But that's not Rollins. Massive bass sound! And that sure sounds like Ed Blackwell. Boy I love this. Can't wait to find out what the heck it is, I am thoroughly confused. Track 4 - Tune is Monk's Well You Needn't, but I need! This is already a winner. Great feel, love the quick move into the stride thing. Short and sweet, really enjoyable. Track 5 - I like the harmonic movement here, interesting. I find the tune more compelling than the playing so far though. Nice overall feel though. Very curious. They're definitely in sync, feeling out space. Oddly though I'm not convinced the pianist is that comfortable soloing in 7. Again, very curious about the tune and I'd love to hear a different version of it just to compare. Didn't dislike this though, just left me wanting a bit. Track 6 - Bags Groove! And a nice groove it is. Tenor is full of good syrupy sounds. I really hope everyone gets more than one chorus here-- the solos are way too rushed. Ahhh... so it must be the organist's date? "You guys take a chorus each, and then I'll take eight!" 😄 The organist is good, but honestly the solo doesn't do a ton for me. After that one chorus of tenor though, I wanted to hear a whole lot more. Track 7 - Off to a wild start! I like the tune. Not sure this is grabbing me though, after that interesting intro riff with the organ & guitar. Was kind of expecting this to let loose a bit more but it feels safe. Too polite. Track 8 - Blanking on the name of this tune but it's a good 'un. Performance feels a bit stiff, though I like the vibraphonist, who sounds like Milt? Don't love the bass player's sound on this. Track 9 - Hmm. Interesting arrangement I guess but not loving this one. Seems a bit heavy-handed all the way around. Just okay for me, not something I would need to hear again. Track 10 - Yes, more vibes! This sounds a bit more modern (relatively speaking, that is). Don't know the tune. I'm no Gary Burton expert, but it sounds kinda like him to me? This is nice but it's not totally reaching me. Could partly be the fault of the recording? It's just all sort of blurring together. Perfectly pleasant though. Track 11 - Well that guitarist sounds a whole lot like Scofield. Oh weird. I know this...this is a pop tune? That sure does sound like Scofield but I'm not really a fan of this. Much too saccharine. He's playing well but it just sounds way too "smooth" for my ears. Track 12 - Right off the bat the trumpeter sounds like Louis Armstrong? But the recording quality has me confused... it's either someone trying to sound like him or a really late recording? Yeah, this can't be him. Hmmm. Puzzling... overall it's perfectly good and well-played but not necessarily something I'd return to. Boy the audience is into it though! Oh wait, this IS Louis? Now I'm really confused. Ah well. Overall the first half did more for me than the second, but there were definitely some gems here. Looking forward to finding out more. Thanks for your efforts! EDIT: Track one *IS* Bird?? 😮 And boy do I need that Wilbur Ware record!!

Dan, super late to the reveal (as well as the test itself) but I did finish up listening and really enjoyed a lot of this one. Two big takeaways for me were: 1. I must check out more Percy France! 2. I still love Buddy Tate and don't listen to him nearly enough. And did people really not like the Junior Mance cut? I thought that was a great one. Thanks for your efforts!

Will do my best! Possibly over the weekend... will try not to look at the reveal before then. 🙂

Dan, apologies, I keep wanting to do better with these and somehow keep running short of time. Been a crazy month. I always thought my time management skills would improve with age, but sadly I seem to be going in the opposite direction...😜 Anyway, here is what I was able to get to so far... as always, I've not yet read the thread, just pasted my comments below, noted as I listened... Track 1 - OK, I know this tune but am bugged that I can't think of the name. Big band stuff is tricky for me... I mean, there's Ellington, and then there's everything else. Unfortunately I'm not getting much from this one, I must admit. The rhythm section sounds uptight and the trumpet soloist isn't saying much to me... just seems like a stream of notes without much of an arc. Now the bari player is a bit of a different story-- reaching for something different there. The tenor solo is going somewhere too, and I enjoyed the little horn duel after that. Track 2 - Now this... THIS! I already love it. I can hear the story, you know? This tenor player has been places. Love the off-kilter feel and the odd sound/miking of the piano only adds to that effect. Ah yes, another tenor player! Hell yeah, this is groovin'. It just cooks and doesn't let up. Really digging the piano solo also, great feel and intensity. I suppose this should be an easy call with two tenor players of this vintage, piano, and drums but I honestly don't know who this is. Loving it though! And a classic tenor battle at the end. Scorching! And most excellent. Oh, and this is Billie's Bounce of course, forgot to mention that. Track 3 - Really enjoying the nice easy feel of this one. Not sure of the tune. Capturing a fantastic mood here. Tasty guitar work, and the guitarist has me thinking this is a more recent recording than I originally thought. I just love how they're taking their time with this-- not out to impress, but as a result-- very impressive. I like the thoughtfulness of the pianist's lines. Very nice all the way around. Track 4 - Ah, Broadway! This tune is a favorite, used to play this one a lot with a guitarist I gigged with for years. The tenor solo gets high marks right out of the gate-- great sounds! Less excited by the trumpet player, and the following tenor & piano solos. Done in an older style which sometimes I love, but here comes off as a little square, at least to me. Still I enjoy the overall energy of the track. Track 5 - Lester Leaps In, and I do enjoy a good drummerless trio. And this is one! Great sax work here, the kind of sound that just makes you go "ahhhh, everything's gonna be alright!" Very smooth. Really digging the piano solo too. Very solid playing all the way around, effortless and grooving. Fabulous bass solo! Giving me shades of Niels Pedersen, though it's not him. Excellent all the way around, really liked this one. Track 6 - Oooh I love this tune too but once again my memory is failing on the name. Again, fantastic feeling here, solid groove! They make it sound easy. Brilliant piano solo, really like the chordal stuff especially. Wow, this is a tight group. Phenomenal playing from all-- bassist and drummer are killing it! Love the bass solo. Really curious to know who this is. Track 7 - Another favorite, Django! My favorite version of this tune is the very first one recorded by the MJQ. As for this one...I like it! Also an excellent rendition.

I will definitely be participating, fear not! Hope to get to it this week. 😎

Wow. Fantastic! Some really cool and fascinating reveals here. First of all, can't believe I didn't get Roberta Flack. I used to own this record and now I'm going to buy it again!! Very intrigued by the Corea as I haven't heard much "recent" stuff of his that's sounded like this. Wishbone Ash I also should have gotten! That makes total sense now. Spirit is a band I've checked out a little bit but clearly need to investigate more. The Sam Jones record is now on my want list, and I also really dug the Mulligan/Baker and the Lakecia Benjamin. What a great BFT. Thanks for putting this one together, John!

Finally got to this! December has been a nutty month. These were my thoughts as I listened, have not yet read the thread. Have also not proofed so hopefully the below is not riddled with errors, apart from the usual... 😁 Track 1 - Hell yes to that bass sound, and the feel-- nice and rubbery. Boy, I know this singer for sure but don't know that I can ID her. Damn good! Love her delivery and the emotional impact is there. I already know I need this. The support of the trio is just perfection. Totally sympatico. Fantastic start to this BFT, really really love this track. Track 2 - I like the feeling of mystery building out of the intro. Great piano playing. So far this sounds like a more modern track but one with deep roots in the 60s. As we settle into the groove, still digging it but also feeling like the direction isn't totally clear to me. Piano coming back to the forefront though...this solo is starting cook now. I do like this pianist quite a bit. Guessing it is the pianist's date? This sounds both intense and effortless at the same time, like a slow burn. Enjoying the fluidity of the bass & drums. Ah yes, give the bass player some! There's a hint of Alex Blake here at times (clearly not him though). I love the chordal stuff and the high harmonic bits too. Very nice! Would have enjoyed being in the audience for this show for sure. The tenor player doesn't really speak to me, might be a touch too technical/mechanical for my taste, also isn't helped by the recording unfortunately. I feel overall conflicted about this track I guess...it sounds very much like something I should love, and yet I'm not sure it ultimately gets anywhere for me. Track 3 - I do like the bass intro-- giving some love to the electric too! Well this is a very different turn of events. I like this a lot, has a very Allman Brothers feel to it once the guitars and drums come in. Very cool. Nice feel and I like the twin lead. Love the droney/chordal nature of the bass feature about halfway through before going into the faster tempo. This is fun! I go back and forth between thinking it's southern rock or a Krautrock band (they do sound a bit like Agitation Free in spots), but I think more likely the former. In any case, me likey! Oh hang on, now I'm thinking British now that we've gotten to the swing/blues bit. John Mayall? Steamhammer? Am remembering some of our conversations now and wondering if it's one of those groups. Keef Hartley Band? Track 4 - OK...I know this! But what the heck is it? Ah, the aging brain. I definitely have this in my collection and I'm blanking on the name of the tune AND the artist! Arg. Anyway... really cool head, I love the angles in the melody. Definitely McCoy on piano! And I love this tenor soloist but can't grab who it is at the moment. This has gotta be from Today and Tomorrow! Haven't actually played this one in a while I don't think. But this is a damn good reminder to play it again! What a cool tune and a killer band. Elvin of course. Five stars! Track 5 - Boy I swear this one sounds familiar to me too. LOVE the groove. At first I thought it was a straight up Latin band but this is more like a UK prog thing. Boy I am gonna headslap myself over this one. I know I've heard this but can't place it. I like all the different bits, it goes through a lot of changes in a short time. Definitely sounds in the neighborhood of Colosseum and If, that kind of thing. Good stuff! The more I listen to this the more I think I've heard it before. Damn my brain! Track 6 - Big fan of the droney intro, and something familiar about this one as well. I dig the bass sound and playing a whole lot...and what is that reed instrument? A shehnai? Hmm, that should be a clue. I really like the part shortly before the groove where the bassist is strumming chords while cascades of notes shimmer down from the piano. And the groove/riff is very cool too. Okay, that sure sounds like Billy Higgins on drums, no? And this pianist, damn! That's gotta be Cedar? Sounding a bit more out than usual though, hmm. But this can't be Sam Jones, is it? Have never really heard him sound quite like this. This is friggin amazing. Definitely gotta add this one to the collection! Mind = blown. Track 7 - Wham! Love the bari. This is on fire from the start. Great drumming. Tight sounding group-- everyone is feeling this together. Have I mentioned how much I love the bari? Ah! Thought this might be a live recording. You can feel the excitement. Hearing the Hubbard influence on this trumpeter. Not getting the same dynamics though, would love to feel a bit more heat. Still some great playing though. Love how the pianist gets down inside the sound of the group at the start of their solo. Tasty! The guitar and vibes solos don't do as much for me. But let's not forget to give the bass player some. Fantastic supportive playing throughout this track-- a nimble player with great sound. Track 8 - Fun tune! No idea who it is, but it certainly sounds British-invasion-y or trying to simulate that sound. I have no doubt there's a hidden reason that this is here...likely something to do with the bass player? Hmmm. Track 9 - Nebulous, open, spiritual intro: check. Oh man, the name of this one is escaping me too! Damn. Is this a Cedar Walton tune? Is there a 2nd "Cedar" thread underneath the bass thread? Anyway, I like this, and the two saxophonists playing off each other are great. Damn...the alto player is particularly good! I should definitely know who this is. But I will look forward to the reveal... Track 10 - Back in the pop zone, and I like this one too. Great tune! Not sure what else to say about it but I do enjoy it. The actual singing is probably one of my least favorite parts but I enjoy the tune and the arrangement is really good. Track 11 - Now that's speakin my language! Gimme PG era Genesis any day of the week. Genius!! 100 stars. Some really great stuff here John, thanks so much for your efforts in bringing all of this to our collective ears. A few on here I'm definitely excited to learn much more about!