In this edition of The Vault, we highlight the best reissues, special releases and collection from October through December. Be on the lookout for our year-end awards for best reissues in December. We hope both of these articles help you in your collection building efforts. Please go to our Upcoming Release page at All About Jazz to see all the releases that are out and those that are on their way. (See the Upcoming Release Center ).
Attention record labels! Please email me your reissue schedules so I can include them in future lists.
OCTOBER 2004
Highlights:
Various Artists Professors, Doctors, King and Queens: The Big Ol' Box of New Orleans (Shout! Factory). This boxset represents a perfect storm when it comes to reissues: it is musically exciting, a complete representation of its subject matter, and just plain fun to listen. Not only that, it fulfills a vacuum in the market, because until this collection, one would think that there hasn't been any new recording of music in New Orleans since the Meters in the early 1970's. In fact, New Orleans has been just as vibrant, diverse and productive during each and every era of recording from 1923-2004 and this collection proves it! [ review ].
Dexter GordonComplete Prestige Recordings (Prestige / Fantasy). This boxset is a superb all-inclusive examination of one of jazzes great saxophone players and composers, Dexter Gordon. The eleven-disc collection "The Complete Prestige Recordings" contains eighty-eight tracks. Of those eighty-eight tracks most are from Gordon's repertoire as a bandleader with a few tracks included as a sideman or co-leader with Gene Ammons, Wardell Gray and Booker Ervin. [ review ].
Dianne ReevesChristmas Time is Here (Blue Note). While not a reissue, this special event (Christmas music) recording has proved to be one of the best holiday recordings thus far. A great vocalist with a small combo tackles both standards ('Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' and 'Little Drummer Boy') and more spiritual holiday classics (like 'Christ Child's Lullaby' and 'A Child is Born'. [ review ].
Honorable Mentions:
James BookerUnited Our Thing Will Stand (Allegro). A multi-CD collection.
Jimmy SmithRetrospective (Blue Note). A multi-CD collection.
Ray CharlesCelebrates a Gospel Christmas (Madacy).
Tony BennettThe Complete Improv Recordings (Concord). Boxset.
Santana (featuring Tower of PowerSantana (1st LP) (Columbia / Legacy).
Chick CoreaTones for Joan's Bones (Super D).
Hasidic New WaveJews and the Abstract Truth (Evolver).
Albert AylerHoly Ghost (Revenant). Boxset. [ review ].
Andrew HillDance of Death (Blue Note).
Blind James Campbell & His Nashville Street BandBlind James Campbell & His Nashville Street Band (Arhoolie).
Various ArtistsAmerican Masters: The Musicians (Wellspring). This DVD boxset features artists like Quincy Jones and Ella Fitzgerald.
Anita O'DaySwings Rogers and Hammerstein (Verve).
Various ArtistsAll Songs Considered (National Public Radio). Boxset.
NOVEMBER 2004
Wayne ShorterFootprints: The Life and Music of Wayne Shorter (Legacy). The Vault loves nothing more than when several labels collaborate to examine the many aspects of one artist's long and illustrious career. Wayne Shorter's two CD collection begins with his time in the 1960's as a sideman with Art Blakey and Miles Davis through his appearances with Weather Report, Joni Mitchell and Steely Dan and, of course, as a leader. This release possesses one hundred and fifty powerful minutes of great music from a great musician, leaders, composer, arranger and artist. Of course, excellent liner notes and thorough credits are included. [ review ].
Branford Marsalis QuartetA Love Supreme Live in Amsterdam (Marsalis / Rounder). A valiant effort to replicate and interpretate one of music's great recordings. Marsalis and his crew do a commendable job on this DVD / CD combo and if you can separate the two A Love Supreme 's from each other, it proves an enjoyable piece.
Mark SandmanSandbox (Hi-N-Dry). While this record delves into the late Sandman's lo-fi rock recordings, he is best known as the leader of the late 90's outfit, Morphine, which dabbled into the world of jazz. An excellent representation of quality songwriting, but truly only for fans of Morphine and Sandman.
Roy AyersLive at Ronnie Scott's (Silverline).
Rashaan Roland KirkInflated Tear / Natural Black Invention (Gotham). This two-fer combines two of modern jazzes finest moments, soloing and production. Inflate Tear is one the Vault's all-time favorites.
Honorable Mentions:
Art BlakeyCaravan (Riverside / Fantasy).
Bing Crosby & Frank SinatraHappy Holidays from Sinatra and Crosby (Koch). DVD.
Various ArtistsThe Complete Norman Granz Sessions (Verve). Boxset.
David S. WareThree Concerts (Thirsty Ear). Boxset.
Various ArtistsLake Biwa (Tzadik).
John ColtraneComplete Mainstream 1958 Sessions (Lonehill).
Bud PowellGenius of Bebop Piano: 1944-1951 (Jazz Legends).
Medeski, Martin & WoodNotes from the Underground (Amulet).
Miles DavisKind of Blue (Columbia / Legacy). A CD / DVD package.
Herbie HancockGershwin's World (Verve).
Charles MingusLive at Montreux 1975 (Eagle Rock). DVD.
Les PaulHow High the Moon (Essential Gold).
Gil EvansLive at the Montreux Jazz Festival 1983 (Angel). DVD.
December Highlights:
Art BlakeyNight in Tunisia (BMG). This is a limited edition release of one of Blakey's finest moments.
Miles DavisThe Cool Jazz Sound (MVD). DVD.
Art FarmerTo Sweden with Love: Live at the Half Note (Collectables).
From ESP:
Ornette ColemanTown Hall 1962
Pharaoh SandersPharaoh's First
Save your money from Christmas, as some great upcoming reissues and special packages will be appearing in the new year from: Benny Carter, Jimi Hendrix, Art Blakey, Duke Ellington, A Doo Wop Collection boxset, Kenny Burrell, Rosemary Clooney, The Funky Meters, Dizzy Gillespie, Herb Alpert, Jack Teagarden, Kermit Ruffins, Lionel Hampton, Bobby Darin, Charlie Byrd, Anita O'Day and many others.
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All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.
