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Sam Rivers Quartet Live In Padua, 1978
by Centro d'Arte Padova
For this new installment of our “From the Archive" series, we present an excerpt from the concert by the Sam Rivers Quartet hosted by Centro d'Arte in 1978 in Padua, Italy. The quartet featured some of the finest musicians operating in the creative scene of the '70s, with Sam Rivers on saxophone, Dave Holland on double bass, Joe Daley on tuba and Thurman Barker on drums. The track is a prime example of this band's ability to shift from groove ...
Continue ReadingSam Rivers: Contrasts
by Hrayr Attarian
Multi reedist Sam Rivers' 1980 Contrasts in addition to being his only date as a leader for ECM, is a perfect example of his mid-career oeuvre. A sublime balance of intense, almost mystical lyricism and a singular sense of adventure permeates the album that appears for the first time in the CD format and is simultaneously rereleased on LP after 34 years of its initial appearance. The classically influenced “Solace" opens with Rivers' soprano saxophone meandering around percussionist ...
Continue ReadingSam Rivers: Contrasts
by John Kelman
In a significant discography now approaching forty titles as a leader across five decades, Contrasts stands out as the only recording that left-of-center saxophonist/flautist Sam Rivers led for ECM. Originally released in 1980 on vinyl and previously unavailable on CD, it is finally seeing the light of day again as part of the label's Re:solutions series--and in three formats, no less: CD, four for the first time and one only available previously for a limited time in Japan; high resolution ...
Continue ReadingLarry Young: Into Somethin'
by Greg Simmons
Organist Larry Young's Into Somethin' is full of relaxed grooves, great melodies and strong performances from tenor saxophonist Sam Rivers and 1960s stalwarts Elvin Jones (drums) and Grant Green (guitar). Originally released in 1964, this record has been remastered and released on 45 RPM vinyl by Ron Rambach at Music Matters. Soul Jazz? Groove Jazz? Whatever. It's good jazz and that's what matters. On the opening “Tyrone," Young plays deep blues at a straightforward, un-showy pace that gets ...
Continue ReadingSam Rivers / Dave Holland / Barry Altschul: Reunion: Live In New York
by Mark Corroto
There will be no more opportunities to experience saxophonist Sam Rivers, who passed away in 2011, at 89. Then again, you probably hadn't caught him live in decades, since he chose to live in Florida from the early 1990s, although he did release several large ensemble sessions. His 1960s Blue Note Records and 70s Impulse! dates continue to be treasured classics. What ardent fans and collectors look for these days are his trio LPs with bassist Dave Holland and drummer ...
Continue ReadingSam Rivers: Fuchsia Swing Song
by Greg Simmons
The Music Matters reissue of saxophonist Sam Rivers' Fuchsia Swing Song is likely the finest pressing of this record ever produced. Remastered from the original two- track tapes, and pressed on two 180 gram 45 rpm LPs, this vinyl is dead quiet, and sonically stunning. The instruments are huge in the soundstage and the clarity blows any CD version--and likely most prior vinyl versions--out of the water. Add to that a gorgeous gatefold cover with additional session photos and thick ...
Continue ReadingSam Rivers - Ben Street - Kresten Osgood: Violet Violets
by AAJ Italy Staff
All'età di 82 anni (alla data d'incisione di questo disco) Sam Rivers torna in sala d'incisione - su invito dell'emergente batterista danese Kresten Osgood - dimostrando di vivere una splendida seconda giovinezza. Dopo aver trascorso gli anni ottanta in mediocre oscurità (nonostante un periodo come sideman di Dizzy Gillespie) da un decennio il grande sassofonista che animò la stagione del Loft Jazz, è tornato a registrare album di notevole spessore: ricordiamo un intenso duo con Alexander von Schlippenbach nel 1997 ...
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