jazzbo

Horace Silver “Blowin’ the Blues Away” Blue Note Japan 85th Anniversary UHQCD

Antonio Carlos Jobim and Banda Nova “Familia” Som Livre cd (also issued as “Amazonas”) Almost 20 years after the masterwork “Matita Pere” Tom and his band of friends and family revisit much of the material in condensed new arrangements. The production and mix by Jacques Morelenbaum are part of the unique, dense sound this one has, and the four lovely singers in the chorus bring an extra alluring texture. A good one indeed for a rainy Sunday morning.

Dannie Richmond “The Last Mingus Band A.D.”

John Pizzarelli “Bossa Nova” Telarc cd A nice Saturday morning cd. Paul Braga’s drums really help to anchor this one.

Really enjoying the music of Orrin Evans this year. This one is about five years into his 26 year or so career, nice compositions. Orrin Evans “Meant to Shine” Palmetto cd

I have all those Sun Ra releases except the one from the current band. They are excellent, as far as I know completely legit releases.

Lou Donaldson “Blues Walk” Blue Note Japan 85th Anniversary UHQCD 592×600 228 KB Followed by Bud Powell “Time Waits” Blue Note Japan 85th Anniversary UHQCD

1 12m Mr. Five by Five with his first sides as a leader. Jimmy Rushing “1946-1953” Classics cd

I’m beginning to pay attention to Carmen Lundy. She “clicks” with me now in ways she never did before. Carmen Lundy “Changes” Afrasia Productions cd

Horace Parlan “Speakin’ My Piece” Blue Note Japan UHQCD 2024

This is a great trio (and on several tracks quartet) recording. Evans has his own identity as a composer and player, a strong identity. I really like how these pieces are arranged as well. And then there’s Christian McBride. . . And it’s not an audiophile recordings per se but it will make your system shine and show off a bit. Orrin Evans “The Evolution of Oneself” Smoke Sessions cd

A more contemporary recording and a fine one. Neil Swainson Quintet “Fire in the West” Followed by Pharoah Sanders "Pharoah" cd box set, disc 1 Beautiful! So glad I finally get to hear this material. https://www.soundohm.com/product/pharoah-2cd-box

Big John Patton “Let 'Em Roll” Blue Note Japan 85th Anniversary UHQCD Sounding so good!

Right now, to start the day, some Jobim music. Drummerless reed and brass orchestra. . . very nice. Stephane Spira “Round About Jobim” Jazzmax cd Stéphane Spira : saxophones soprano et ténor Lionel Belmondo : saxophone ténor et flûte Philippe Gauthier : flûte Bernard Burgun : cor anglais Cécile Hardouin : basson Thomas Savy : clarinettes François Christin : cor Fabien Wallerand : tuba Sylvain Romano : contrebasse Glenn Ferris : trombone

I wouldn't say the only reason . . . there's a sonic upgrade here. I know this place is generally anti-audiophile, but these offer a very good digital playback that most other releases . . . don't. . . in the audiophile scheme of things. So some upgrade for sonic reasons, many don't. Vive la difference.

Absolutely. I'm so glad Larry is back.

Disc 2

I have received the first twenty, and have listened to five so far, they all sound excellent. No alternates though, a shame as the previous Japanese reissue of Unity for example had four.

Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers “Mosaic” Blue Note Japan 85th Anniversary UHQCD

Joe Martin “Passage”

I understand what Kevin is saying completely. I was a caregiver for my parents over two years and was retired and living a five minute walk away (after moving from my own life of 32 years 1400 miles away to do so). It was a full time job with overtime (no pay) and took a toll on me. Eventually my remaining parent needed to be in assisted living due to more medically focused care than I was trained to provide--and luckily he thrived there, even returned to his ministry part-time with vigor, and spent seven great years there (til Covid came along, another story, to dampen his final two). As the eldest and retired I was able to do a lot for them at a critical time. But if I were still in the working world. . . I'm certain my parents would have been in an assisted living facility sooner, and my poor mother, crippled mentally by dementia, would have been far less comfortable than in her own home to the end as with my help she was able to be.

The Incredible Jimmy Smith "Home Cookin'" Blue Note Japan 85th Anniversary UHQCD 2024 Great session with Kenny Burrell, Percy France and Donald Bailey Followed by 600×600 96.1 KB Donald Byrd “Slow Drag” Blue Note Japan 85th Anniversary UHQCD 2024 This may be the most improved sounding of the four that I have listened to so far in this series.

Herbie Hancock “Empyrean Isles” Blue Note Japan 85th Anniversary UHQCD 2024

Miles Davis “Miles +19” (aka “Miles Ahead”) This is the mono mix on Japanese Sony cd

Wayne Shorter “Adam’s Apple” Blue Note Universal Japan UHQCD 2024 The first batch of these new 85th Anniversary Blue Note cds arrived this afternoon. Decided to spin this one first, after listening to three tracks the most recent previous cd release from Japan. This one sounds a bit improved in ways that I like the sound to be: a bit mellower, a bit less of a front projected image.