Great, but obscure albums to purchase

Date: 15-Jan-1999 21:42:31
From: zan ( [email protected] )
Who among you has listened to the great jazz guitarist George Barnes? Among the 30-plus recordings he made under his own name, MOVIN' EASY with the Jazz Renaissance Quintet (Jack Lesberg on bass, Cliff Leeman on drums, Billy Bauer on rhythm, the amazing Hank D'Amico on clarinet) is one of the best—he was a fascinating compsoer/arranger. If you find it in a rare records website, don't hesitate to get it. His guitar duo work with the inimitable Carl Kress in the 60's was unparalleled—even when he teamed up with Bucky Pizzarelli later that decade on GUITARS, PURE AND HONEST in '69 and a guitar summit recorded at New York's Town Hall by Columbia in 1971 (theirs was a very different, and fine, partnership). But George & Carl were kindred musical spirits and you can hear it in the handful of albums they produced together (GUITARS, ANYONE?, SMOKY & INTIMATE with Al Cohn's vocalist wife Flo Handy), TWO GUITARS AND A HORN (with Bud Freeman, still in print), THE TOWN HALL CONCERT and a still-available Music Minus One album. The most currently-available stuff with George is on Concord Jazz (the Gershwin album with Ruby Braff, GEMS with Joe Venuti, two releases with the acclaimed quartet George had right before his death with three wonderful Bay Area players). There's also LIVE AT THE NEW SCHOOL by the Braff-Barnes Quartet on Hank O'Neal's Chiaroscuro label. They were especially great live; blew Benny Goodman's band reunion out of the water at the Newport Jazz Festival/New York at Carnegie Hall in 1973; also recorded on Chiaroscuro.

Also, look for anything by vocal group THE DOUBLE SIX OF PARIS, especially the first album, produced in 1961 (I think) by Quincy Jones. Michael LeGrand's sister, Christianne, is one of the astounding voices.


Date: 21-Jan-1999 03:55:18
From: Peter Kenyon ( [email protected] )
Oh and one or two more (To be added to my list above)!

Tina Brooks—Back From the Tracks Freddie Hubbard—Open Sesame

I would love to get hold of Tina Brooks' 'True Blue' but it is out of print. However, I did see Chick Corea's 'Now He Sings, Now He Sobs' and given the comments above, I think I will pick it up.




Date: 28-Jan-1999 23:00:17
From: Benj ( [email protected] )
from a (mostly) swing lover's perspective—all but one reissued on CD

The series on Vanguard put together by John Hammond, led by Buck Clayton, Jimmy Rushing and Vic Dickenson, featuring also Ruby Braff and Buddy Tate, among others—these are superb examples of swing in the Basie style, but with more room than the old 78's allowed, and it is well used. Braff is very young on these dates, but playing masterfully. Someone else put the Clayton release of music from the vaults (on Columbia) on their list—this is much the same, maybe better. The Blues Hot and Cold, Bob Brookmeyer—the elegant and witty Brookmeyer, rooted deeply in jazz tradition, playing standards and originals. The level of swing is very high. Not available on CD that I have found. Personal Choice, Jack Teagarden All Stars—this is a CD reissue of a wonderful session in the 50s that features Ruby Braff and Lucky Thompson as well. Teagarden is fabulous on this disk, but Braff and Thompson match him. The drums are woefully overrecorded. J. S. Bach, Preludes and Fugues, John Lewis—my wife loves Bach and piano music, so she is crazy about this record. I like horns, so I am less wild about it, but it is lovely quiet music, good for the right setting or right person. Dicky Wells in Paris, Dicky Wells—there is a quality to these recordings in Paris with Django Reinhardt and Bill Coleman, among others, that is absolutely charming—more of this is issued under Django's name, with some great cuts. JATP, Vol 1.—not the big names that are featured in later concerts, but this is wonderful music. Jacquet and Nat King Cole stand out, but so does Les Paul. On Body and Soul there is a classic double-time with a fine Cole solo (a variation of what he did on the same song recording with Lester Young), and a very fine, subtle solo by Jacquet. Boss of the Blues, Joe Turner—one of my first jazz records, bought when it came out in the mid-50s. Turner playing with excellent musicians, including Pete Johnson, and both of them sounding better than they did in the 30s and 40s, for my money. Gerry Mulligan in Paris, Vols. 1-2—the concert with Brookmeyer, a very fine collection of Mulligan at his best—relatively short versions of fine songs, some his compositions and other standards, note the two versions of Laura. Roy Eldridge and the Swing Trumpets, a two-CD set featuring a number of great players, including Joe Thomas and Emmett Berry. Uneven, but with 50 or so songs out of the Commodore archives, there is a lot of fine stuff. One of the GREAT versions of Don't Be That Way, by Eldridge, Thomas and Berry, with a superb rhythm section of Guarnieri, Hinton and Cozy Cole. Johnny Frigo with Bucky and John Pizzarelli—fiddle and guitars, much in the style of Grapelli, but maybe even with more. Some great tunes chosen.


Date: 17-Feb-1999 16:57:00
From: Joop Aarts ( [email protected] )
Tony Fruscella,who outbakers Chet on Atlantic. Stan Getz,very lyrical on Forest Eyes (CBS). Lucky Thompson,the most sensual blower in the business on Dancing Sunbeams(ABC Impulse). Jimmy Heath,with Hubbard on Triple Threat (Riverside). Hank Mobley,bless him ,on Soul Station (Blue Note). Tina Brooks on a Japanese collector item called Minor Move. Billy Mitchell:The Colossus of Detroit.(Xanadu) Lenny McBrowne:Eastern Lights (Riverside) with Donald Sleet and the mysterious saxplayer Daniel Jackson.Does anyone know what became of him ?


Date: 18-Feb-1999 01:56:49
From: Kathy ( [email protected] )
Incredible... that's what I'm thinking after scanning all these great postings... Anyhow, I'll be 21 in May and have been checking out jazz for about 2 years. I had a class called Intro to American Music and became intrigued by this guy called Duke Ellington. I'd heard of him, but never heard his stuff (that I knew, anyway). The rest is history... Since I'm just now hopping on the CD bandwagon (don't have a CD player yet; resisted for a long time because of cost and viability), my jazz collection is in its infancy. I don't regret acquiring a single one. Here's what I own so far:

(Vinyl) Basie and Duke's First Time! Battle Royal. For some reason, my country-lovin' family had this in the basement. I have no idea who owned it before me, but I quickly claimed it. A happy, swingin,' playful album. (Cassette)Ellington, 16 Most Requested Songs. This is what started me on the jazz/swing/blues road. It has most of his classics. I play this on those occasions when I find myself in a funk. Ivie Anderson torchin' out 'Sophisticated Lady' is incredible. I sing myself, and she leaves me green with envy in this rendition. (Cassette)Louis Armstrong's All Time Greatest Hits. Yes, I went the easy way and started with 'greatest hits' compilations. I find him charming and entertaining. 'Skokiaan'—what fun! (Cassette) Harry Connick Jr. 20 and Star Turtle. Some of you will want to shoot me for this one, I know. But the way I see it, all this music is related. Plus, I love it all... and Harry's a babe. So there. (Cassette) Miles & Coltrane. Bought this one because it had two guys I knew I wanted to investigate. It paid off. It's fast, furious virtuosos playing and working side by side. (Cassette) Ellington: The Duke's Men: Small Groups, Vol. 1. Will I ever find vol. 2? Probably not. But this wide variety of stuff is pleasing and jumping. (Cassette) Jason & the G-men: "G" as in Men and Walkin' the Beat. A Christian jazz group. You've never heard church music like this. (CD)Jazz Cafe. A grab bag of artists available at Borders. It was a buck... and I'm the bargain princess... and it has 'Pennsylvania 6-5000.' (Cassette)Mingus Big Band, Que Viva Mingus! Shh... dubbed this from a library copy. It's what I found while I was searching for... (CD) Charles Mingus, Live at the Bohemia. In my creative writing class last semester, we brought in music and played it all period long. Some guy played 'Jump Monk.' I found it arousing... that's not weird, right? ;P (CD)Vince Guaraldi Trio, A Charlie Brown Christmas. Of course I bought it after seeing the TV special every Christmas. Didn't you? It's good music. (CD) Kurt Elling, Close Your Eyes. He's from Rockford, IL, which is where I work. Saw him last spring in concert—had never heard of him, really, before I won tickets for the show from the local NPR station. What a voice! Only once before have I heard a singer (well, a quartet) use their voice in such *odd* ways. (Cassette) The "Swingers" soundtrack. I have the movie, too, and a poster. Great movie, great soundtrack. Put together well. (CD) Miles Davis, Birth of the Cool. Just bought this last week. I'm really diggin' it.

As you can probably see, I'm very new to jazz. I'm trying to utilize my local library's collection, because I'm too darn poor to buy all the music I'd like to have! (And isn't that why we work in the *first* place?) My next purchases will probably be Elling's other two albums, The Messenger and This Time It's Love; and Davis' Bitches Brew. All I can say is, I love my local NPR station, WNIJ. They help plant seeds in my musical garden.

Kathy

p.s. What did I listen to before jazz? I had a brief affair with top 40 and country a long time ago; I'm glad to say we've parted non-amicably. I still listen to classic rock, classical, barbershop, Johnny Cash, and Patsy Cline. I'm also investigating funk, reggae, blues, and ska. That about covers it, right?


Date: 25-Feb-1999 23:41:55
From: Mark John Larkins Sr ( [email protected] )
I forgot (but I still remember those 12-oz curls) Joe Pass Great guitarist Papa John Creach (it may not be jazz in the strictist sense) Dave Brubeck is good, but I don't know if he's obscure

I'll have more later!


Date: 27-Feb-1999 20:59:10
From: Harry Onickel ( [email protected] )
Rahsaan Roland Kirk-Bright Moments Charles Mingus-the Candid recordings with Eric Dolphy John Coltrane-Afro Blue Impressions Sun Ra-Atlantis (not for the beginner!) Charlie Haden/Hampton Hawes-As Long As There's Music Joe Henderson-The State of the Tenor Dexter Gordon-Homecoming Ellington/Mingus/Roach-Money Jungle Frank Morgan-You Must Believe in Spring Why these? Listen and find out, especially to Frank Morgan who seems to be one of the great unknowns, really unknown.


Date: 05-Mar-1999 15:36:13
From: ADR ( [email protected] )
I was beaten to some of my selections. Most of these titles are Blue Notes from the 60's, which is mostly what I own. I think these titles are all excellent, distinctive, and yet somewhat obscure (some of the Blue Notes are obscure merely because they are out of print).

1. Freddie Redd—"Shades of Redd"—Great arrangements by Redd. I particularly like his voicings for tenor and alto sax in the ensemble passages of the songs; of course it helps that Tina Brooks and Jackie McLean were playing the two horns on the album. 2. Booker Ervin—"The Freedom Book"—Somebody else mentioned Booker earlier, but didn't mention this great album. 3. Kenny Dorham—"Una Mas"—underrated album with Joe Henderson, the title track has become a jazz standard. 4. Dave Holland—"Jumpin to It"—tremendous, progressive post bop/free jazz album on ECM with Steve Coleman on sax. 5. Pete LaRoca—"Basra"—great album with Joe Henderson which is obscure mainly because it is impossible to find.

The rest of my choices were already mentioned but bear repeating. 6. Harold Land—"The Fox" 7.Wayne Shorter—"ETC."—to me this album is better than other more heralded Blue Notes such as "Ju Ju" and "Adams Apple." I agree with the earlier poster that it is probably underrated because it wasn't released until 1980. 8. Andrew Hill—"Black Fire" 9. Lee Morgan—"Search for the New Land" 10. Tina Brooks—"True Blue"—another impossible to locate BN.


Date: 22-Mar-1999 01:59:42
From: Murph ( [email protected] )
I'll try my best to stay away from the perennial top ten candidates, but no guarantees (I'm only a 2-3 month old jazz fan(atic)):

John Coltrane: Live At Birdland (his absolute best, IMO)

Lee Morgan: The Sidewinder (I'm gonna have to check out Search For The New Land and Cornbread one of these days)

Grant Green: Matador

Grant Green: Solid (I got into Green originally simply because I love Elvin Jones' drumming (which Green wisely recruited)—but Green is now by far my favorite jazz guitarist; a direct link to the blues-influenced styling of Christian and a notably unique sound next to Burrell, Montgomery, and the host of other guitarists that sound like those two)

Larry Young: Into Somethin' (Unity is the slightly better album, but it's too famous... Into Somethin' has Elvin Jones, Grant Green, Sam Rivers, and Young—and that lineup ain't half as impressive on your computer screen as it will be to your ears)

Miles: Highlights From The Plugged Nickel (I'm admittedly not HUGE on Miles, but I do love the second quintet and, Miles Smiles not withstanding, I think this is their best—straight-ahead but definitely risky with undeniable virtuosity from every member of the group—Williams, Hancock, and Shorter steal the show, for me)

That's it for now — Murph


Date: 23-Mar-1999 16:11:57
From: Ken Dryden ( [email protected] )
Some LPs long out of print and not out on CD that I love: Dil Jones: Davenport Blues Chiaroscuro Jazz Piano Masters, which features live sets by Teddy Wilson, Claude Hopkins, Dil Jones and Eubie Blake- Chiaroscuro Jazz Piano Quartet w/ Hank Jones, Dick Hyman, Marian McPartland and Roland Hanna: Let It Happen RCA McCoy Tyner: Passion Dance Milestone Jim Hall Live! Horizon/A&M These are just a few of the many LPs I treasure that need to join the ranks of CD reissues.


Date: 25-Mar-1999 09:07:43
From: Antonino D'Angelo
I love the usual suspects and: John Scofield—Meant to be Keith Jarrett—At the Blue Note Kenny Garrett—Triology Brad Mehldau—At the Village Vanguard Peter Erskine—You never know Oliver Nelson—The blues and the abstract truth


Date: 25-Mar-1999 17:07:04
From: jerry
Here are a few of my unheralded favs: Randy Weston's African Cookbook Mulgrew Miller-With Our Own Eyes Benny Golson-Groovin' with Golson


Date: 05-Apr-1999 00:05:13
From: R. Weismann
I am compelled to add to this LONG list of fave's:

Stan Getz—"Focus"

John Coltrane—Stellar Regions

The Ray Draper Quintet featruing John Coltrane (Jazz goes TUBA!?!?!)

Charles Mingus—Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus


Date: 08-Apr-1999 09:51:54
From: DB
Maybe not so obscure, but what I love to play.

1. Blue 'n' Groovy—A great compilation, worth it for the Don Wilkerson track. 2. Chet in Paris, Vol 2. 3. The Witch Doctor—My first Art Blakey album, and still my favourite. 4. Inside & Out—Braff and Kellaway—two originals. 5. Feelin' the Spirit—Grant Green—go with the flow music. 6. Double Rainbow—or anything by Joe Henderson. 7. Wahoo or The Right Touch—D. Pearson. 8. Straight Life—or anything by Art Pepper. 9. Flip Wails: The Best of ..—Flip Phillips. 10.Rhythm and Blues Years—Big Joe Turner.


Date: 09-Apr-1999 12:16:32
From: Nick ( [email protected] )
And what about:

Coleman Hawkins/Ben Webster "Blue Saxophones" Ralph Sutton "Eye Opener" Dick Hyman and Dick Wellstood "Stride Monster"

I've got more when I have the time.


Date: 13-Apr-1999 11:58:36
From: Neil Loughran ( [email protected] )
Great topic!

I am a 30 year old English Pianist who has been in love with Jazz ever since hearing Herbie Hancocks 1973 Headhunters album way back in about 1985. Since then My tastes have grown to include the following which at present take up much of my listening time.

McCoy Tyner—Fly with the Wind (Milestone 1976)

Tyner's playing has always compelled me and his solo's always completely blow me away on everything.

Patrice Rushen—Prelusion (Prestige 1974)

I've always quite liked Patrice Rushen especially when she goes into Herbie Hancock mode as evidenced on this album. Perhaps contains the greatest Fender Rhodes solo of all time on H'Awright Now? Any doubters!?!

Woody Shaw—Rosewood (Sony 1977)

I really like this album as it contains a great variety of music settings and sounds like as though the band are really enjoying themselves.

Hush and Thunder—Yusef Lateef (Atlantic 1973)

Kenny Barron is for me one of the funkiest and most influential pianists out there, and this album showcases a few of his tracks with Yusef Lateef. The track Sunset is an all time classic.

That will do for now!!

Cheers Neil


Date: 15-Apr-1999 02:24:14
From: Patrick Tiglao ( [email protected] )
Chick Corea Akoustic Band Live at The Blue Note , Trio Music live in Europe Elektric Band Inside Out Branford Marsalis Trio- Bloomington, The Beautiful ones.. John Coltrane—Transitons,Meditations,Coltrane's Sound Crescent Cal Tjader- Grace Cathedral concert,Latin Concert Jackie Terrasson- Any CD Brad Mehldau- Live at the Village Vanguard Kenny Garrett-Triology Any Elvin Jones Jazz Machine Any Non-Lifetime Tony Williams Count Basie -Live in Europe Philly joe Jones-big band sounds Miles Davis Sorceror Highlights of the Plugged Nickel Dave Holland—Razor's Edge Gateway feat. John Abercrombie, Dave holland and Jack Dejohnette Any small group Benny Goodman,Count Basie ,Duke Ellington, Any Jelly Roll Morton Early Early Dizzy Gillespie Big band John Mcglaughlin -Free Spirits Live at the Blue note Tokyo .....Best i could do without taking up too much space or time..


Date: 21-Apr-1999 03:41:49
From: Tommy ( [email protected] )
1.gerry mulligan meets ben webster. 2.salt & paper- sonny sttit& paul gonsalves. 3. gene hammons- boss tenor


Date: 03-May-1999 13:42:46
From: Nathanial Hendler
Here's some albums that I wouldn't leave off of a top 100 list, but other people do (damn them!)...

Jimmy Giuffre 3 Chet Baker & Gerry Mulligan Ellington at Newport (ok, nobody leaves this off their list) Money Jungle Undercurrent—Evans/Hall Bassie '88 Soundtrack for Kansas City


Date: 03-May-1999 15:34:17
From: Marc
Check out the Armstrong/Bruebek "the Real Ambassadors."


Date: 08-May-1999 01:21:01
From: Nick Meyer
A very obscure, extraordinary album is:

"String Fever" by Chuck Wayne which is a big band recording by Columbia Record in the very late 50's. Al Cohn and Don Joseph are in the band—a small big band that plays together beautifully. Incredible chemistry. This is also Wayne at his most directly emotional best. I wish someone at Columbia would go thru the vaults and reissue this—it was an excellent sound recording at the time. It also has historical importance—not only that Wayne was involved, but also it was the first big band session led by a guitarist. The arrangements were by Wayne also.


Date: 10-May-1999 22:07:51
From: David ( [email protected] )
Actually one gem I haven't seen on the list (or may have just bleeped over) is: Freddie Hubbard's "Night of the Cookers: Live at Club La Marchal" 2cd on Blue Note.

With Hubbard and Lee Morgan on (occas. dueling) trumpets and Big Black on Conga, this package smokes. Every track breaks the 19 minute barrier, but it's worth the time.

Other CDs worth checking out:

Art Blakely—The Freedom Rider, etc.

Ornette Coleman—Chappaqua Suite 2cd (sadly only currently available as an import), Tomorrow is the Question, etc.

and the usual suspects, inc. the works of Albert Ayler, Anthony Braxton, Derek Bailey, and Mr. Sun Ra.

Most Underrated Jazz Book: New Dutch Swing by Kevin Whitehead. Anyone more familar with Amsterdam Jazz (Han Bennink, Misha Mengelberg, Clusone 3, etc.) want to make any recommendations?




Date: 10-May-1999 22:13:01
From: david ( [email protected] )
Almost Forgot: Cal Tjader—Soul Sauce (Verve)


Date: 24-May-1999 09:06:58
From: J Russo
Bill Evans—Conversations with Myself Billie, Ella, Lena, Sarah Cassandra Wilson—New Moon Daughter Terrence Blanchard—Jazz in Film Miles Davis and John Coltrane Anything by Mlies, Trane, Duke, McCoy Tyner (almost anything), Thelonius Monk, etc.

I also think that Anita Baker totally missed her calling—she should have sung with some of these greats!

Have fun


Date: 31-May-1999 15:16:25
From: tomasaba ( [email protected] )
some choice material that most would label as "non jazz" yet still incorporates all of the best improvisational elements.

tony williams lifetime—spectrum miles davis' former child prodigy, williams here explores and pioneers the apex of jazz-fusion. experimental, beautiful and awesome. with larry young, john mclaughlin, jack bruce, ron carter etc.

velvet underground—white light/white heat anyone who doesn't believe that "sister ray" is fusion hasn't really listened.

nick drake—fruit tree drake beautifully blends folk and jazz influences creating delicate shimmering gems.

van morrison—astral weeks a sublime suite with richard davis' and co. framing the truly remarkable vocals of van.

bob dylan—blonde on blonde imagine for a moment that the harmonica was considered a serious improvisational instrument. dylan's use of the mouth harp as a naked form of expression is magical here. add to that; soulful organ flourishes, perfect time drumming, dazzling guitar flashes and the greatest performing poet of our age.

miles davis—filles de kilamanjaro no explanation needed


Date: 02-Jun-1999 00:26:45
From: J. A. Williams ( [email protected] )
Hal Galper (WILD BIRD)


Date: 05-Jun-1999 18:23:41
From: WTKoltek
RICHARD DAVIS: Epistrophy and Now's The Time (Muse 1972). Live in a NYC club, the two title pieces are springboards for some of the most sympathetic collective improvisation recorded in that era. Group includes Clifford Jordan, Joe Bonner and Hannibal Peterson. CD ahs a third bonus track and a young Gary Giddins wrote the liner notes.

JAN GARBAREK: Triptykon (ECM 1973). When critics invoke Albert Ayler in their discussion of early Garbarek, they probably have this album in mind. It's a trio recording with Arild Andersen on bass and Edward Vesala on drums. This is as free as Garbarek ever got on record. Ultimately what Garbarek took from Ayler was the notion that folk idioms could be used as raw material for improvised music. The album has one of his first uses of an old Norwegian folk tune.

DON CHERRY: Symphony for Improvisers (Blue Note 1966). With Pharoah Sanders, Gato Barbieri, J.F. Jenny-Clark, Ed Blackwell, this is a beautifully realized suite of simple, beguiling melodies and intense solo work that anticipates Cherry's later world music explorations.


Date: 06-Jun-1999 20:58:18
From: Paulo Sá Pereira ( [email protected] )
Thanks a lot people, I really love this place.

- Yusef Lateef—Psychicemotus—Impulse A92 - McCoy Tyner—Cosmos—BlueNote LA460 - —Horizon—Milestone 9094 - Dexter Gordon—A day in Copenhagen—MPS 1574 - Zoot Sims—Brother in Swing—Inner City 7005 - Woody Shaw—Setting Standards—Muse 5318 - Pete Fountain—Pete's Place—Coral 9228 - Billy Strayhorn—The Orchestra—Verve 1430 - Elvin Jones Trio—Puttin'it together—BlueNote 84282 - The Charles Mingus Jazz Workshop— Stormy Weather- Barnaby 6015 Thats it. Thanks again.


Date: 07-Jun-1999 07:06:19
From: Kip Vai
hello everyone!

in my opinion THE album that all of us who can appreciate good music is pat metheny's WE LIVE HERE. the reason being that it just makes you forget the earthly worries and is guaranteed to lift you to a higher ground where everything is in sweet harmony and you feel good...


Date: 07-Jun-1999 07:24:45
From: Kip Vai
scusi, i left out the important words 'should own' from my comment above.


Date: 22-Jun-1999 11:42:41
From: Kerry
CASTLES OF GHANA by John Carter

John Carter, Terry Jenoure, Marty Ehrlich, Bobby Bradford, Baikida Carroll, Benny Powell, Richard Davis, and Andrew Cyrille.

Beautiful, subtle, profound compositions with, as you can see, an absolutely first rate cast. And I do not use "profound" lightly—this is great jazz.


Date: 08-Jul-1999 16:02:26
From: Tobias Brathwaite ( [email protected] )
One of my favorite albums that doesn't get mentioned often is BAGS MEETS WES, MILT JACKSON AND WES MONTGOMERY. In particular the first cut of the Album, SKJ, dedicated to Milts Wife. The syncronicity of these two great artists is uncanny, this album is swingin.'


Date: 23-Jul-1999 00:38:11
From: Kenan Hebert ( [email protected] )
Jimmy Guiffre 3 Lee Konitz with Warne Marsh Yusef Lateef: Best of (It's a piece of vinyl that I don't know if you can get anymore, but I know I can't get it off my turntable lately.) Lee Morgan: Candy Charles Mingus Plays Piano (The song "Myself When I Am Real" is a true all-time favorite track.) Ruben Gonzales: Introducing (It's from 1997, and it's far from unknown, but I can't help but mention it. Just Listen to this guy and tell me he hasn't got the grace of God on his side.)

And to all of you who've already mentioned these albums, I second that emotion.


Date: 03-Aug-1999 19:54:05
From: Jim H.
I recently bought a great piano trio recording by Teddy Wilson. He covers The Duke (Brubeck), Rosetta (Earl Hines), Round Midnight (Monk),Misty (Erroll Garner) & Sophisticated Lady (Ellington). 12 composers, 12 tunes, great stuff done by Teddy Wilson in his own unique way with style and class. It was a Columbia import cut-out called "And Then They Wrote..." taped in December of 1959. If you ever see this disc, BUY IT!


Date: 18-Aug-1999 05:17:50
From: Ron Santen ( [email protected] )
Its hard to ignore the 'great' albums in favour of those I like best and play most often. So in other circumstances I would definitely list Louis Armstrongs Hot Fives and Sevens, Kind of Blue, a stack of Mingus albums, Tatums Solo Masterpieces, Bill Evans at the Village Vanguard (both CDs) and piles of Ellington and Basie. Anyway here goes with my 'favourites': 'Focus' -Stan Getz; 'Nothing But The Blues'—Herb Ellis; The Ben Webster-Art Tatum set from the 'Art Tatum Group Masterpieces'; 'Dick Hyman & Ralph Sutton at Maybeck Hall'; 'Thelonius Himself'—Thelonius Monk; 'Fats at His Finest'—Fats Waller 'Somethin' Else'—Cannonball Adderley All the Buck Clayton Sessions on Mosaic referred to by another person—now there is a real treasure trove; 'Soulville" and 'Ben Webster Meets Oscar Peterson' by Ben Webster; 'Art Pepper Meets The Rhythm Section'—Art Pepper; 'Winter Moon'—Art Pepper; 'Music From The Danish Jungle'—Pierre Dorge and the New Jungle Orchestra;

While Jazz is my first musical love -I find it hard when talking about my favourite CDs to only mention Jazz—more and more I mix Ali Farka Toure and Oumou Sangare CDs with my Jazz CDs on my multi-disc player and all those great blues players always sneak in as well—there is just so much great stuff out there!




Date: 18-Aug-1999 05:50:09
From: julian saul ( [email protected] )
I've been drumming for a year now and jazz drumming is my big thing so my favourite recordings tend to reflect this:

1. Philly Jo and Elvin Jones—Together!

2. Art Blakey—The Jazz Messenger (1957 Columbia: This album features some of Arts most infectious latin rhythms)

3. Sun Ra with his Allstars—Stars that shine darkly v1,v2—An extremely rare Saturn release featuring a superb lineup that includes Philly Jo Jones and Don Cherry among others

4. John Coltrane—Coltrane (no further comments necessary)

5. Lalo Schifrin—Bossa Nova (How come Lalo Schifrin has yet to be mentioned in previous lists ? -This is the best Latin infused jazz album I've come across so far and features the sweet tones of Eddie Harris) I'd love to hear of any similar Latin flavoured releases out there

6. Roy Haynes—Out of the Afternoon—featuring some really beautiful flute and 'strich' solos by a blind artist whose name I can't remember

7. Miles Davis—Kind of Blue (Yes I know, a Usual Suspect)

8. Dave Brubeck—Take Five (As above, but give me a chance I'm new to jazz)

9. Wayne Shorter—Adams Apple (Especially 'Footprints')

10. Art Blakey—Indestructable (Yet again Art's hard driving Latin beats do it for me like nobody else)


Date: 20-Aug-1999 11:19:22
From: DYRDRE WILLIAMS ( [email protected] )
CAN YOU GUYS TELL ME? WHEN DOES J.SPENCER ( SAXOPHONE) PLAYER WILL MAKE SOMETHING NEW!!!?


Date: 23-Aug-1999 19:03:50
From: Zimbo
My very favorite obscure album/CD is Hal McKusick's NOW'S THE TIME which is a Decca CD. This is music from 1957-58 with McKusick as the arranger and alto sax, clarinet, and bass clarinetist. McKusick worked closely with George Russell so his music has a very elegant, composed swing to it somewhat like Gerry Mulligan's. It has the sound of big band arrangements for small groups—wonderful players, a wonderful bounce to the sound, swings like no tommorrow. Here's the main line-up:

Hal McKusick—alto, clarinet, bass clarinet Art Farmer—trumpet Eddie Costa or Bill Evans—piano Milt Hinton or Paul Chambers bass Gus Johnson, Connie Kay, or Charlie Persip drums

Others include Barry Gailbraith on guitar. Frank Socolow, Dick Hafer, and Jay Cameron on saxophones on some cuts.

This is a group of young stars on the rise who play with passion and verve, working first rate material. This CD is a continual joy—one great cut after another. I love it.


Date: 25-Aug-1999 01:03:25
From: jon wang ( [email protected] )
TUBBY HAYES "TUBBY'S GROOVE." This is perhaps the best kept secret of all of the preceeding entries!. was a tenor player of almost unparalled stature who played with the intensity of Coltrane,had the melodic splendor of a Getz, and the ability to absolutely burn at the freakiest tempos. His ballad playing was immensely ROMANTIC and lyrical. Tubby's tone was thick and lush and full of color. Hayes was the kind of player who could just knock you out in a "ROLLINESQUE" way by the utter weight and rhythmic stability of his line and the ideas that came forth were almost always first rate or way beyond.


Date: 25-Aug-1999 01:20:17
From: jon wang ( [email protected] )
TUBBY HAYES "TUBBY'S GROOVE." This is perhaps the best kept secret of all of the preceeding entries!.TUBBY HAYES was a tenor player of almost unparalled stature who played with the intensity of Coltrane,had the melodic splendor of a Getz, and the ability to absolutely burn at the freakiest tempos. His ballad playing was immensely ROMANTIC and lyrical. Tubby's tone was thick and lush and full of color. Hayes was the kind of player who could just knock you out in a "ROLLINESQUE" way by the utter weight and rhythmic stability of his line and the ideas that came forth were almost always first rate or way beyond. "TUBBY'S GROOVE" recorded in 1959 has the tenor player at the absolute height of his prowess. "LIKE SOMEONE IN LOVE" is a complex and stunningly beautiful lyric, romantic masterwork and should be acknowledged as the finest recorded reading of that standard. "TIN TIN DEO" IS ANOTHER piece of power from this giant and is shocking in its seeming unyeilding mommentum and level of ideas generated. "SUNDAY MONDAY" is simply one of the hippest/jazziest tenor recordings ever made and it grooves so hard that it would make more than a few "soulmEn" seriously contemplate an entirely different career!. HIS up-tempo reading of "SURREY WITH A FRINGE ON TOP" IS ANOTHER JAW DROPPER and is simply over the top in terms of what HAYES is able to sustain for chorus after chorus of super hipness. IT IS AN UNFORGIVABLE SHAME THAT PEOPLE LIKE PHIL SHAPP ARE STILL SINGING THE PRAISES OF MOLDY OLD KAZOO PLAYERS LIKE coleman hawkins WHILE FORGETTING THE GENIUS OF HAYES. I'M NOT AGAINST PRAISING THE MASTERS, BUT LET'S START ACKNOWLEDGING SOME OTHER TRUE MASTERS. ONE MUST ALSO CHECK OUT "ALL OF YOU" FROM HAYES LIVE AT RONNIE SCOTT'S FROM 1962(?). THIS IS ANOTHER OF HAYES' EXTENDED MASTERPIECES.


Date: 26-Aug-1999 08:24:35
From: Zeek
Moldy old kazoo player????????????????? Coleman Hawkins??? wow . . .


Date: 26-Aug-1999 09:20:48
From: Bunky
TUBBY HAYES is dross baby, admit it man, Tubby wouldn't have stood a ghost of a chance if he was on the same bandstand as some of those mouldy old kazoo players which your doltish and obviously impaired brain has conjoured up for us. Anybody who thinks the Hawk sounded like he was playing the kazoo ain't heard him solo on Monk's 'Off Minor'where he traded with the 'Trane. Mouldy? Kazoo? Moron...


Date: 26-Aug-1999 19:50:45
From: tubbs
Bunky, if you want to call that dude a moron- (and I thought this was a forum for opinion and not personal insults) then you (whatever sickening incarnation of human being -sans ears you are) are A frickin' absolute total moron and a gutless wonder. Coleman hawkins has his place and that place has been reaffirmed more TIMES than most of us would care to admit.

TUBBY HAYES WOULD MAKE COLEMAN HAWKINS SHIT HIS PANTS! TUBBY HAYES WOULD CUT COLEMAN HAWKINS A NEW ASS!

AND THE GHOST OF TUBBY WILL SURELY COME FOR YOU- YOU FOOLASS LIGHTWEIGHT PSEUDO JAZZ WANNA BE EARLESS WONDER!




Date: 28-Aug-1999 09:06:33
From: Zeek
Well, that was certainly an enlightening contribution—wasn't it.


Date: 29-Aug-1999 12:01:26
From: B_Badenov_jr ( [email protected] )
Everybody knows about the Basie band but not many know his trio sides which are fantastic. Zoot and the Basie trio did an album which is out on CD.

Everybody knows the great Chet Baker-Jerry Mulligan sides from the 50s but have you heard the Jack Sheldon and Jimmy Giuffre sides from 1954? I'm afraid they're only available now on a Mosaic 6 CD Jimmy Giuffre set ($$$) but what a set. Giuffre's guitarist throughout was Jim Hall. A whole CD features Brookmeyer with the group (this is the group that opens Jazz for a Summer's Day). Then there are some tracks with the MJQ.

Duke Ellington did an album in the 60s featuring violins: Ray Nance (of course), Stephane Grapelli and Swen Asmussen.


Date: 29-Aug-1999 12:02:20
From: Ludwig Wittgenstein
Hey, maybe we could up the level of commentary here—a bit?


Date: 29-Aug-1999 12:56:29
From: Paul Hawkins ( [email protected] )
Here are some of my personal faves that don't get a lot of noize:

Special EFX / Mystique Pharoah Sanders / Save Our Children Mo Better Blues / soundtrack Miles Davis / Tribute to Jack Johnson McBride, Payton, Whitfield / Fingerpainting Kamau Daáood / Leimert Park James Carter / In A Carterian Fashion Greg Osby / Zero Don Byron / Bug Music Nicholas Payton / Payton's Place: This is where I got my email name.


Date: 30-Aug-1999 10:00:12
From: dan patten ( [email protected] )
obscure albums: 1/sonny stitt/jack mcduff/gene ammons-soul summit-prestige 2/art pepper/zoot sims-art'n'zoot-pablo 3/philly joe jones-mo'jo'-blacklion 4/jimmy smith-sum serious blues-milestone 5/eddie lockjaw davis-swingin till the girls come home or all of me-both steeplechase 6/ben webster-stormy weather-blacklion 7/coleman hawkins/milt jackson-bean bags-koch 8/oscar peterson/buddy defranco-hark-ojc 9/zoot sims/joe newman-locking horns-freshsound


Date: 05-Sep-1999 02:23:54
From: LUKE ( [email protected] )
"Sunscreams"- Mick Goodrick Quartet "None Too Soon"- Allan Holdsworth "So Near So Far"- Joe Henderson "Alive"- Chick Corea Akoustic Band "Extensions"- Dave Holland Quartet "Lunar Crush"- Fiuczynski/Medeski "Solstice"- Ralph Towner "Live"- Frank Gambale "After The Rain"- John Mclaughlin


Date: 14-Oct-1999 17:33:49
From: MikeJ
I hesitate to call any of my recommendations "obscure," but I'm not sure that any of the following have appeared above:

JACKIE MCLEAN: "Let Freedom Ring" If it were possible to wear out the laser on a cd player, this cd would do it. I rank it in the top 5 hardbob recordings ever made. It is THAT good.

SONNY CLARk: "Leapin' and Lopin'"

HANK MOBLEY: "Third Season" Sonny Geenwich's guitar is a hidden gem

JOE HENDERSON: "Mode for Joe" and "In n' Out"

There are lots more, but I thought I'd start with these. Not to be redundant, repetitive, tautological, and say the same thing twice, but you will never regret buying "Let Freedom Ring"!




Date: 20-Oct-1999 16:21:26
From: Kristopher Bell ( [email protected] )
Sonny Stitt— Endgame Brilliance Art Farmer— Blame it on My Youth Mingus— Cumbia and Jazz Fusion


Date: 24-Oct-1999 09:53:17
From: Simone
LUCKY THOMPSON & MARTIAL SOLAL: "Lucky in Paris"

STEVE LACY AND MAL WALDRON: "Communique"

CHUCK WAYNE & ZOOT SIMS: "Tasty Pudding"

RANDY KLEIN & HARVIE SWARTZ: "Love Notes from the Bass"

JIMMY RANEY & HAL OVERTON: "A"


Date: 24-Oct-1999 11:41:57
From: Cecil
Two of the great big band albums since the swing era are:

Comments