28-Feb-1998 -- Peter Kenyon writes:

Hi, I have just come across a reference to Herbie Hancock's The Prisoner on Blue Note. I have never seen this CD anywhere, nor any reviews, etc. As I have (I think!) all of the other HH Blue Notes, I would be keen to know anything about this disc - e.g. who plays on it, the style of the music, when it was recorded etc. Anyone able to help? Regards.

Peter, "The Prisoner" was the final pearl in Hancock's string of legendary Blue Note releases in the 1960s -- from 1969, right around the time he left that (second) great Miles Davis quintet and also when he recorded his first LP, "Fat Albert Rotunda," for Warner Brothers. In retrospect, "The Prisoner" was one of Hancock's final forays into bop before he dove headlong into the electro-funk of the 1970s: It was constructed as a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with Hancock joined by such bop luminaries as Johnny Coles, Joe Henderson, and Albert "Tootie" Heath on titles including "I Have A Dream." "The Prisoner" does not currently appear in Blue Note's reissue catalog; why not drop them a line to let them know you're interested?

26-Feb-1998 -- Adrian Turcotte writes:

I am searching for a jazz album from the late 1970's called Masterless Samurai. Can you help with information on this record? Thank you.

That sure is a great title for an album, isn't it? Adrian, we searched to the ends of the earth (OK, we used our browser), and though what we were initially surprised by what we found, considering that title, maybe we shouldn't be: Osamu Kitajima released "Masterless Samurai" in 1978, on Alfa Records in Japan and on MCA in the U.S. It doesn't seem to be reliably in print at the moment - in either the U.S. or Japan. If you'd like some tips on how to try to find it on vinyl, we'd be glad to help. Thanks for reading "AAJ," Adrian.

09-Feb-1998 -- Rich Cohen writes:

I am interested in obtaining more information on Cy Walter: essential bio info, discography, or other information sources would be greatly appreciated.

Rich, there does not seem to be much published information available about Cy Walter, even such basic information as his date of birth (or even, if it's unfortunately applicable, a date of his passing). We have found that Walter was one of the pianists on one of Mabel Mercer's finest albums, "Mabel Mercer Sings Cole Porter," which was originally released on Atlantic Records in 1955, then re-issued in 1994. We can also tell you that selections from this album were included on a compilation of New York City cabaret called "Ertegun's New York Cabaret," released on Atlantic in 1987. But the Cy Walter trail is cold except for that.