jazzbo

Dave Brubeck Carmen McRae “Take Five Live” Sony Blu-Spec CD2 400×401 17.3 KB Carmen McRae - vocals Dave Brubeck - piano Gene Wright - double bass Joe Morello - drums Such a great album!

Joe Henderson “Page One” 85th Anniversary Blue Note Japan SHM-SACD

I remember I tried my hand at it and allaboutjazz took a few of my reviews and then told me "try not to include an opinion." Well, I tried. That didn't turn out to be something I was really comfortable with.

I’m certainly not sure I would qualify these two releases “jazz” in the strictest sense–over time I’ve come to think of jazz as material more closely aligned to the tradition. But I used to own these Ayers Uqibquity albums when released and at the time they were in fact a sort of personal joy as no one around me was into these, or the George Duke Epic lps they resemble to me, or electric Miles, or the growing interest of mine in acoustic jazz of the 'forties, 'fifties and 'sixties. All my “peers” were more into Pink Floyd, Yes, Genesis, Bowie, and the pop on the radio. . . I was fine sharing an interest in Yes and Bowie, but the rest. . . a little dab did me and they were constantly around me to the point of annoyance. The engineering on these Ayer albums stands out to me now–my system is so much better and the clarity and texture so prevalent that these sound reborn to me. So 'seventies and yet carefully and skillfully recorded. And fun to listen to! This new three cd set is really a reminiscent and ear-opening one for me. 500×500 42.1 KB I followed listening to the first disc in this set with the first disc of Miles Davis “Agharta,” the 2023 Blu-Spec CD2 edition. Wow. I have been holding off listening to this as it’s a mood and opportunity item, and the system is different from the last time I immersed myself in it, and again I’m taken back to the time of this album’s first years when it was a solo pleasure of mine and blew my mind. This time the sound of the hall and the textures are so well-presented. . . I love my system and the ability it has to transport me into a musical world. Amazing music! In 1975 Reggie Lucas, Michael Henderson, Al Foster and Mtume were a lift-off stage propulsive unit. 200×200 13.2 KB

Kenny Barron "Innocence" Wolf Records/Solid Records Japan cd This one is new to me, a re-reissue from last week. Nice! First released in 1978. Kenny Barron – keyboards Jimmy Owens – trumpet Sonny Fortune – alto saxophone Buster Williams – bass --or-- Gary King – electric bass Brian Brake --or-- Ben Riley - drums Rafael Cruz --or-- Billy Hart - percussion

First session of the day. . . a cold clear morning. Yesterday’s meager snowfall glistening in the moonlight. Andrew Hill “Point of Departure” Blue Note Japan 85th Anniversary SHM-SACD Another great sounding SHM-SACD

Wayne Shorter “Speak No Evil” Blue Note Japan 85th Anniversary SHM-SACD Wow, this sounds darned good.

Roy Ayers Ubiquity “Five Classic Albums” 3 cd set, disc 1

Yet another Blue Note Japan 85th Anniversary SHM-SACD, Grant Green “I Want to Hold Your Hand”

Another Blue Note Japan 85th Anniversary SHM-SACD, this time Lou Donaldson “Blues Walk”

A great Mosaic!

My box is on the way.

Bill Evans Trio "Consecration I" Timeless/Solid Records Japan cd

Duke Ellington “Money Jungle” Blule Note Japan 85th Anniversary UHQCD I can say with authority that this is the best sounding digital version I have ever heard of this monumental session. If only it had all the additional material! This is music that I always react to. . . with respect and joy.

I like all the Hancock and Shorter Blue Notes. Each is different, and that's a great thing.

Dexter Gordon “Go” Blue Note Japan 85th Anniversary SHM-SACD Another SHM-SACD in the new series. Sounds great!

Another cool morning. First in the player is Wayne Shorter “Night Dreamer” Blue Note 85th Anniversary SHM-SACD 584×584 49.2 KB After losing power to half of the house for some inexplicable reason things are back to normal now–Lucy and I tried everything we could for an hour or more and then the power company came, the tech touched the meter, and power came back. Going to have an electrician take a loot soon. . . but glad to have heat and water for the night. Before that three boxes from cdjapan arrived and this is the first disc I’m playing. Sound is very similar to the UHQCD released of this title in the series, a bit mellower sounding . . . in my system SACD has a slight edge, always it seems. . . both discs sound very very good in comparison to other cd reissues of this title from the past. Continuing my first session of the day. . . . Another SHM-SACD in the Blue Note Japan 85th Anniversary series Herbie Hancock “Empyrean Isles” Sounds very good. 275×275 63.6 KB There seems to be a bit more bass. I find the high frequencies a bit more mellow–which is how SACD separates itself from redbook cd playback most in my system, the mellower highs and a bit less forward presentation. In general these SHM-SACD sound very similar to the UHQCD releases of the same material, which makes sense. If your system “likes” SACD a bit more and it’s a favorite title you might well enjoy the SHM-SACD version a bit more.

“Mario Adnet e zu Nogueira apresentam Moacir Santos Choros & Alegria” 300×300 8.06 KB An elegant Santos recording. Wow.

Rigmor Gustafsson “Ballad Collection - The Prophone Years” What a lovely voice. What a great recording.

Charles Tolliver Music Inc “Live at the Captain’s Cabin” Cellar Live 2 cd set, disc 1 My second time listening to this one. I wish the sound were better, it’s okay. . . Quite a performance. My interest in this sort of jazz has waned over the years. . . I used to much more excited by Tolliver’s conception and execution before. But I’m glad this has been released. My esteem for John Hicks has grown over the years so I am quite happy he is in the piano chair.

Since it was still in the transport, and I love it so, I’m re-listening to this one as my first disc of the day. Such magnificent playing full of confidence and the joy of music-making. Such a personal touch and flow. . .I especially love how the introductions morph into the “tune.” Great recording as well. Erroll Garner “Nightconcert” Mack Avenue cd

Erroll Garner “Nightconcert” Octave Records cd I think of the two dozen or more Garner cds I have I would keep this one if I could only have one. It’s just so HIM. Sometimes I hear five or more pianists in Garner while he is still wholly himself. I hear Hines. Waller. Monk. Even aspects of Jarrett before there was Jarrett. Amazing concert, so fortunate it was captured.

Well, they started an 85th Anniversary UHQCD series this year and so far I believe all are still in print, with the final batch of the year released this week.

Keeping it funky. The Essence All Stars “Essence of Funk” Hip-Bop cd

Brother Jack McDuff "Who Knows What Tomorrow's Gonna Bring?" Blue Note/Water cd A large ensemble brassy and funky opus. Drums – Donald McDonald* Electric Bass – Tony Levin Electric Guitar – Joe Beck Engineer – Jon Child Organ – Brother Jack McDuff Percussion – Mike Mainieri, Ray Draper Piano – Paul Griffin Producer – Lew Futterman Trombone – Dick Griffin, John Pierson (2) Trumpet – Olu Dara, Randy Brecker Tuba – Ray Draper Vocals – Ray Draper