So, What Are You Listening To NOW?

[soulpope]

3 hours ago, jazzbo said:

Woody Shaw "Blackstone Legacy" Contemporary 2 LP set

My LP playback is so much better since I last played this! Young, brash Woody. and Ron Casrter and Benny Maupin really shine. And Lenny White is showing his Tony Williams influence strongly.

“This album is dedicated to the youth who will benefit mankind. To the youth who are constantly aware of the turmoil in which the world is and who are trying to right all these wrongs – whether in music or in speech or in any other way of positive work.

This album is dedicated to the freedom of Black people all over the world. And it’s dedicated to the people in the ghettos here. The ‘stone’ in the title is the image of strength. I grew up in a ghetto – funky houses, rats and roaches, stinking hallways. I’ve seen all of that, and I’ve seen people overcome all of that. This music is meant to be a light of hope, a sound of strength and of coming through. It’s one for the ghetto.

We’re trying to express what’s happening in the world today as we – a new breed of young musicians – feel it. I mean the different tensions in the world, the ridiculous war in Vietnam, the oppression of poor people in this, a country of such wealth. The cats on this date usually discuss these things, but we’re all also trying to reach a state of spiritual enlightenment in which we’re continually aware of what’s happening but react in a positive way. The music in this album, you see, expresses strength – confidence that we’ll overcome these things.”

Woody Shaw - trumpet
Gary Bartz - alto saxophone, soprano saxophone
Bennie Maupin - tenor saxophone, bass clarinet
George Cables - piano, electric piano
Ron Carter - bass
Clint Houston - electric bass
Lenny White - drums

Underappreciated music ....

[HutchFan]

NP:

Expanded CD version with more cuts featuring Diz & Moody.   

 

[HutchFan]

3 hours ago, jazzbo said:

We’re trying to express what’s happening in the world today as we – a new breed of young musicians – feel it. I mean the different tensions in the world, the ridiculous war in Vietnam, the oppression of poor people in this, a country of such wealth. The cats on this date usually discuss these things, but we’re all also trying to reach a state of spiritual enlightenment in which we’re continually aware of what’s happening but react in a positive way. The music in this album, you see, expresses strength – confidence that we’ll overcome these things.”

Still relevant, timely thoughts. 

Perhaps they always have been and always will be relevant, timely thoughts.  But, even if that's the case, I don't think it makes that sort of idealism any less critical or any less important.

 

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

1 hour ago, HutchFan said:

Well, it was (and still is) confusing enough that the US Argo label decided to change their name to Cadet!  

This name problem sorta reminds me of US Decca and UK Decca, which were two completely different companies -- just like the two Argos.  US Decca was country-pop-jazz-etc. and UK Decca was classical. ... As a result, UK Decca releases issued in the US had to be re-branded as the London label for a long time.  I'm not sure how it worked when US Decca recordings went to the UK. 

Label-ology!  

 

US Decca was started as a partnership between Sir Edward Lewis (owner of Decca records in the UK which started in 1929) and Jack Kapp (a producer for US Brunswick) - though someone called Milt Rackmill was in there, too. They were, in effect, different branches of Decca. Two reasons have been given for Lewis selling his part of US Decca: the New Deal, forbidding foreign ownership of US companies; and (according to Wiki) in anticipation of German aggression leading to WWII. Both are plausible; Lewis put a hell of a lot of money into developing Decca Radar and the sale could have funded that. The New Deal is a known fact.

US Decca was also a pioneer of original cast albums, too. UK Decca was also a general pop label whose successful releases by top artists such as Ambrose were released in the US AND UK on Decca. Later, after the sale, records by Gracie Fields, Vera Lynn, Edmundo Ros, Mantovani and Ted Heath, were very successful in America.

After the split, US Decca records were issued in the UK on the Brunswick label. US Brunswick (part of ARC) sold UK Decca its bankrupt UK subsidiary, which is how UK Decca were able to use the trademark.

Decca UK was a worldwide company (second only to HMV) before WWII with branches in (at least) France, India, South Africa, Australia and probably New Zealand. After the war it opened a branch in West Africa - covering the British Commonwealth countries in the region (The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria & Cameroun). It's the most important Highlife label. When the UK company was acquired by Universal, the West African subsidiary was sold to Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey, who'd already bought his own masters a decade or so beforehand. (You'll realise that THIS is the bit of Decca that means a lot to me.) Decca released several hundred records in West Africa. It was a VERY big player. I don't think anyone knows how big it was. There's a site that tried to put a discography together but only covers a few hundred with loads and loads of empty gaps.

MG

[HutchFan]

2 minutes ago, The Magnificent Goldberg said:

US Decca was started as a partnership between Sir Edward Lewis (owner of Decca records in the UK which started in 1929) and Jack Kapp (a producer for US Brunswick) - though someone called Milt Rackmill was in there, too. They were, in effect, different branches of Decca. Two reasons have been given for Lewis selling his part of US Decca: the New Deal, forbidding foreign ownership of US companies; and (according to Wiki) in anticipation of German aggression leading to WWII. Both are plausible; Lewis put a hell of a lot of money into developing Decca Radar and the sale could have funded that. The New Deal is a known fact.

US Decca was also a pioneer of original cast albums, too. UK Decca was also a general pop label whose successful releases by top artists such as Ambrose were released in the US AND UK on Decca. Later, after the sale, records by Gracie Fields, Vera Lynn, Edmundo Ros, Mantovani and Ted Heath, were very successful in America.

Decca UK was a worldwide company (second only to HMV) before WWI with branches in (at least) France, India, South Africa, Australia and probably New Zealand. After the war it opened a branch in West Africa - covering the British Commonwealth countries in the region (The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria & Cameroun). It's the most important Highlife label. When the UK company was acquired by Universal, the West African subsidiary was sold to Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey, who'd already bought his own masters a decade or so beforehand. (You'll realise that THIS is the bit of Decca that means a lot to me.) Decca released several hundred records in West Africa. It was a VERY big player.

MG

Very interesting, MG.  Thanks!   I had no idea that the "two Deccas" were originally very much connected.  

 

 

[Rabshakeh]

Mtume - Rebirth Cycle (1974)

1 hour ago, HutchFan said:

Well, it was (and still is) confusing enough that the US Argo label decided to change their name to Cadet!  

This name problem sorta reminds me of US Decca and UK Decca, which were two completely different companies -- just like the two Argos.  US Decca was country-pop-jazz-etc. and UK Decca was classical. ... As a result, UK Decca releases issued in the US had to be re-branded as the London label for a long time.  I'm not sure how it worked when US Decca recordings went to the UK. 

Label-ology!  

 

Again. I didn't know this. I assumed they were the same company. 

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

4 minutes ago, HutchFan said:

Very interesting, MG.  Thanks!   I had no idea that the "two Deccas" were originally very much connected.  

 

 

9 minutes ago, The Magnificent Goldberg said:

US Decca was started as a partnership between Sir Edward Lewis (owner of Decca records in the UK which started in 1929) and Jack Kapp (a producer for US Brunswick) - though someone called Milt Rackmill was in there, too. They were, in effect, different branches of Decca. Two reasons have been given for Lewis selling his part of US Decca: the New Deal, forbidding foreign ownership of US companies; and (according to Wiki) in anticipation of German aggression leading to WWII. Both are plausible; Lewis put a hell of a lot of money into developing Decca Radar and the sale could have funded that. The New Deal is a known fact.

US Decca was also a pioneer of original cast albums, too. UK Decca was also a general pop label whose successful releases by top artists such as Ambrose were released in the US AND UK on Decca. Later, after the sale, records by Gracie Fields, Vera Lynn, Edmundo Ros, Mantovani and Ted Heath, were very successful in America.

Decca UK was a worldwide company (second only to HMV) before WWI with branches in (at least) France, India, South Africa, Australia and probably New Zealand. After the war it opened a branch in West Africa - covering the British Commonwealth countries in the region (The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria & Cameroun). It's the most important Highlife label. When the UK company was acquired by Universal, the West African subsidiary was sold to Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey, who'd already bought his own masters a decade or so beforehand. (You'll realise that THIS is the bit of Decca that means a lot to me.) Decca released several hundred records in West Africa. It was a VERY big player.

MG

Go back to my original response. I edited it and answered your question.

MG

[Rabshakeh]

Although having now scrolled down, I see that there was indeed a connection. A Woolworths-type scenario.

[soulpope]

[Peter Friedman]

[Joe]

[BillF]

16 minutes ago, Joe said:

[Peter Friedman]

[Rabshakeh]

Binker Golding - Moon Day (2021)

I always think of Golding as a young up and coming talent, but he's not much younger than me. 

[BillF]

33 minutes ago, Peter Friedman said:

 

[mjazzg]

50 minutes ago, Rabshakeh said:

Binker Golding - Moon Day (2021)

I always think of Golding as a young up and coming talent, but he's not much younger than me. 

I thought that was really good.  There's a new Binker&Moses from Gearbox due soon.  I've liked all their previous releases.  oddly, I just couldn't get on with Binker's leader date on Gearbox.

 

[Rabshakeh]

18 minutes ago, mjazzg said:

I thought that was really good.  There's a new Binker&Moses from Gearbox due soon.  I've liked all their previous releases.  oddly, I just couldn't get on with Binker's leader date on Gearbox.

I agree. I think they are a strong partnership. Boyd is a Very Good Thing for the London scene in my opinion. Golding's style is a little pastichey, I think, but I enjoy what he does. It's particularly good here because the bass and percussionist get to push him around with a bit of freedom, which draws him out.

I agree on that leader date, although for me it is partly down to the cover photo, which does agree with me.

[mikeweil]

Earlier this evening:

[Peter Friedman]

[soulpope]

11 hours ago, Joe said:

👍👍!!

[Gheorghe]

12 hours ago, Peter Friedman said:

For me, it´s the very best from all BN albums Dexter made in the 60´s. 

I like them all, but let´s say: "Dexter Calling" would be great, but somehow the great rhythm section, one of the best of all, somehow does not fit to Dexter or vice versa.

"Gettin Around" is a bit too comfortable

"A Swinging Affair" would be from the same date als "Go" but doesn´t have the same fire.....

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

After my Ray Charles bash yesterday, I carried on with Ray - yes, a real overdose

Ray Charles In Person - Atlantic 1959

 

Ray Charles at Newport - Atlantic 1958

 

At Newport 1960 - Wax Time

 

 

Berlin 1962 - Pablo

 

Live in Concert 1964

 

Coo! But I don't think of that as an overdose.

 

MG

 

 

 

 

Breakfast this morning, with

Dr Nico & Les Redoutables - Dr Nico aux USA - Africa New Sound 1985

 

Bumba Massa & Les Redoutables - Bumba Massa & Les Redoutables - Africa New Sound 1985

 

 

Same band, same guy doing the cover art. Label & studio in Lome, Togo.

 

Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey - Austerity - Decca West Africa 1982

 

Now

Horace Sliver - The hard bop grandpop - Impulse 1996

 

MG

 

 

[soulpope]

1 hour ago, Gheorghe said:

For me, it´s the very best from all BN albums Dexter made in the 60´s. 

I like them all, but let´s say: "Dexter Calling" would be great, but somehow the great rhythm section, one of the best of all, somehow does not fit to Dexter or vice versa.

"Gettin Around" is a bit too comfortable

"A Swinging Affair" would be from the same date als "Go" but doesn´t have the same fire.....

For me top notch being "Our Man In Paris" hands down  ....

[BillF]

10 hours ago, mikeweil said:

Earlier this evening:

[Gheorghe]

41 minutes ago, soulpope said:

For me top notch being "Our Man In Paris" hands down  ....

For me too as a reunion, but I didn´t mention it in this context, because it´s a rare thing at BN to record such reunions, they usually used current rhythm sections. 

As I know, the 1963 date for Dexter in Paris was meant to be with Kenny Drew on piano, who got sick. Dexter wanted to do originals and Bud would not cooperate on that new material. So what came out was a topnotch bop session with some of the most famous bop standards played by three creators of that style with the fantastic Pierre Michelot. 

That´s my impression on that album. But as I said, it´s quite untypical for BN.