Home » Jazz Articles » Jazz Primer » More Obscure Favorites

1,609

More Obscure Favorites

By

Sign in to view read count
Ask for the best 10 or 100 albums of all time and you'll get the usual suspects: Kind of Blue, Saxophone Colossus, Armstrong's Hot Fives and Sevens, Jazz at Massey Hall, etc. Without a doubt, these albums have earned their acclaim and no collection would be satisfying without them. But what about the great, less well-known, even obscure albums? Don't we all have favorite albums that don't ever seem to make the top 100—yet always find their way to our turntables? Let's share our discoveries...

Date: 11-Oct-1998 09:34:35
From: Jonathan Kranz ( [email protected] )


A few favorites of my own: Lucky Thompson, "Lucky Strikes" Bud Freeman and Bucky Pizzarelli, "Buck and Bud" Tommy Flanagan, "Tommy Flanagan Trio Overseas" Gene Ammons and Dodo Marmaroso, "Jugs and Dodo."


Date: 11-Oct-1998 12:15:27
From: Daniel Thouin ( [email protected] )


Ahmad Jamal:"Happy Moods,"Roy Haynes"We Three"(with Phineas Newborn&Paul Chambers),Lee Konitz"Motion,"Miles Davis"Filles de Killimanjaro,"Shirley Horn "Loads of love"&"With Horns," Yannick Rieu"In the myth."Those albums are all great on their own terms and each of thems have an uncommon freshness feeling.


Date: 11-Oct-1998 12:33:04
From: Michael Ricci ( [email protected] )


Love this topic Jonathan! This *is* a super way for everyone to get insight into great music we might otherwise have missed.

I find myself coming back to these when I want to kick back and relax:

* Lee Morgan --- "Candy" * Vince Guaraldi --- "Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus" * Cal Tjader --- "Jazz at the Blackhawk" * Paul Desmond --- "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" * Kenny Dorham --- "Quiet Kenny" * Gerry Mulligan --- "Night Lights"


Date: 11-Oct-1998 19:59:20


From: Chris Genzel ( [email protected] )
Hadley Caliman: "Projecting" (1976) and "Celebration" (1977). Two really beautiful hard bop albums, and I'm not that much into hard bop. Why has Caliman never been released on CD? Julian Priester, "Keep Swingin'" (1960). Again, very beautiful.

Herbie Hancock discography at: http://home.t-online.de/home/stamil/hhdisco.htm


Date: 12-Oct-1998 02:56:50


From: Paul Abella ( [email protected] )
How about these?

Eddie Harris: The Electrifying... Lee Morgan: Cornbread Art Blakey: Meet Me At the Jazz Corner of the World anything by Mose Allison Keith Jarrett: Changes Phineas Newborn: A World of Piano Ornette Coleman: Something Else! Cannonball Adderley: Country Preacher Larry Young: Unity Chick Corea: Now He Sings, Now He Sobs

Those are my picks.

Keep Your Ears Open, Paul


Date: 12-Oct-1998 08:59:57
From: Jonathan Kranz ( [email protected] )
Wow! People are coming up with great stuff! I'd like to add another: Stephane Grapelli, "It's Only a Paper Moon."

Grappelli's "Paper Moon" is one of those budget CDs (I got it for $3.99) that I usually avoid—most of the time, you get what you pay for. But a friend bought a copy, played it, and I was amazed; the playing is fresh, vital and inventive throughout. The two duos with Earl Hines, recorded in 1974, justify rushing to the music store (or CD Now or Tower or whatever); Hines was already an old man when he recorded the tracks, but you'd never know it from the music.

FYI: It's on "Four Star" records, distributed by KEM Enterprises, Inc.


Date: 13-Oct-1998 04:10:28
From: Edwin De Leeuw ( [email protected] )
Lee Morgan—"The Leeway" Miles Davis—"Volume one" (Blue Note) Miles Davis—"Porgy and Bess" (Best jazz ever) Philip Cath?rine—"Live" (fantastic live album from one of Belgium's most respected jazz guitar players) Weather Report—"Heavy Weather" (of course)

Mind you, it's been only a year or two since I really discovered jazz as a musical style. It's getting better every day !!

CU all ! Ed




Date: 13-Oct-1998 10:47:46
From: Eliot ( [email protected] )
Hi folks,

Just a message to tell you that you should at least give us some description of the artist/music you are listing... This would help people like me who don`t know much of those names to know if that wold interest us.




Date: 13-Oct-1998 17:43:07
From: Paul ( [email protected] )
Elliot— here they are, descriptions of my favorite obscure jazz albums: The Electrifying Eddie Harris: simply one of the most groove heavy but still swingin' jazz albums of the late 60's. If you don't get Eddie you are a no soul fool.

Lee Morgan—Cornbread: Cornbread is one of the hippest Lee Morgan funk tunes, and Our Man Higgins demonstrates once and for all that Billy Higgins is THE most underrated drummer ever.

Art Blakey—Meet me at the Jazz Corner of the World: I just picked this one up and DAMN!!! is it good. Lots of good Blakey-esque soul.

Anything by Mose Allison is worth owning, and my comments for Eddie Harris are relevant here too.

Phineas Newborn—A World of Piano: one of the only "I play jazz therefore I'm smarter than you" styled albums which I like, and Phineas Newborn's playing is why. It's smart and artsy, but funky, too.

Keith Jarrett—Changes: Worth the price of admission for an amazing ballad called Prizm.

Ornette Coleman—Something Else!: Ornette's only album with deliberate chord changes, and it is a great one.

Cannonball Adderley—Country Preacher: One of the funkiest legitimate jazz albums ever. Nuff Said.

Larry Young—Unity: What not to say? Elvin, Joe Henderson, Woody Shaw and Larry. put those in a blender and enjoy. repeat.

Chick Corea—Now He Sings...: Chick's last great album pre RTF. with Roy Haynes and Dave Holland.

I hope that helps.

Keep Your Ears Open, Paul


Date: 13-Oct-1998 21:10:41
From: Jonathan Kranz ( [email protected] )
Elliot's right: it would be appropriate to include annotation with our choices (as Paul has done). Here goes:

"Lucky Strikes": Lucky Thompson is a tenor and soprano saxophonist who crossed over from heavy-duty, Hawkins-like swing to bebop. (In fact, he was in Charlie Parker's quintet for the 1946 Dial recordings). "Lucky Strikes" comes later in his career, (I'm not sure when. Late '50's? Early '60's?) and features a beautifully balanced mix of originals and standards, all of it understated and sensitive without getting "precious."

"Buck and Bud": A mid-seventies meeting of two greats: the famous Bud Freeman, a renowned tenor often associated with the traditionalist movement; and Bucky Pizzarelli, an underrated guitarist with flying fingers and powerful bebop leanings. This one could have been an odd couple pairing, but they listen to each other well and obviously find inspritation in the match—which they generously share with the audience.

"Tommy Flanagan Trio Overseas": The first recording (mothballed for years) under his own name by a pianist associated with some of jazz's all time greatest recordings, such as Coltrane's "Giant Steps" and Rollins' "Saxophone Colossus." With bassist Wilbur Ware and drummer Elvin Jones (yes!) they record powerful and poetic covers of Parker's "Relaxin' at Camarillo," Strayhorn's "Chelsea Bridge" and other great stuff that eludes me at the moment. This is one of those rare albums that will please both an afficionado who loves great jazz piano and a newby.

"Jugs and Dodo": Jugs is Gene Ammons, son of the great stride pianist and a master of the big-bellied, masculine tenor sax sound. Dodo is Dodo Marmorosa, one of the many white bebop pianists (like Joe Albany and Al Haig) who showed great promise in the '40's before sinking into obscurity. Dodo, like Lucky Thompson, played with Parker in the 1946 Dial sessions. They're an even odder couple than Buck and Bud, but their album, like the former's, works really well, gritty and pretty at the same time.

Here's another one: "It's Uptown with the George Benson Quintet." Yup, that George Benson. Before he greased the airwaves with smoooooth (albeit well-played) lite jazz makeout music, Benson burst on the scene as an up-and-coming traditional jazz guitarist ready to take his place with Montgomery et al. Great mix of material, including a flamenco-inspired piece and even some early (and charming) Benson vocals.

Also, I agree with Paul about Billy Higgins. I don't know if Higgins is THE most underrated drummer, but he sure has to be one of them. Damn he's good.

And for you Lee Morgan fans out there, check out Art Blakey's "The Big Beat": Morgan's solo on "Paper Moon" is a masterpiece of architecture and fire. I'll definitely look into "Candy" and "Cornbread."


Date: 14-Oct-1998 01:48:22
From: Paul ( face it, you already have it )
John, you have made my list of top 10 brilliant jazz types in reference to the thumbs up on Morgan's solo on Paper Moon. I knew I wasn't the only one...


Date: 14-Oct-1998 02:07:00
From: Steve Wilson ( [email protected] )
O.K., this looks like a fun and informative area so here goes with the albums I find myself coming back to after the newness has worn off most of the current jazz: Miles (who else): Jack Johnson Bitches Brew In A Silent Way Seven Steps To Heaven Chronicles (The Complete Prestige...) Buddy Rich: Mercy, Mercy The New One Rich In London Woody Herman: Giant Steps Chick Corea: Return To Forever (The very first one with Flora, Airto, Joe Farrell, and Stanley Clarke.) Now He Sings, Now He Sobs Hymn To The Seventh Galaxy John McLaughlin: My Goals Beyond Billy Cobham: Crosswinds Maynard Ferguson: The complete Roulette Recordings Brubeck: and Mulligan, Live at the Berlin Phil. Mulligan: Quiet Nights The Age Of Steam Joe Farrell: Quartet Bill Evans: All Vols. of Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival Stan Getz: Focus Captain Marvel Herbie Hancock: Maiden Voyage Thrust Stanley Turrentine: Sugar

All for now, mini-reviews later. Steve.


Date: 14-Oct-1998 11:58:06
From: Steve Wilson ( [email protected] )
Tom Scott: "Born Again." What a beautiful tone Tom gets on his tenor. From my list above you know I have no problem with electric Jazz or jazz-rock fusion (oh no, the "f" word,) but this album has no, nada, none fusion Just great straight-ahead mainstream jazz. I remember Tom pre-70's when all he would play is jazz. Still in college, he played with the pre-electric Don Ellis big band in the L.A. area, and his influences were (mostly) Cannonball, and Oliver Nelson. This album is a monster, I kid you not. Try it once and it won't be far from your stereo for a long time. Also dig Randy Brecker and Kenny Kirkland on this disc.


Date: 14-Oct-1998 18:47:18
From: ChriS ( [email protected] )
I got into Jazz through the 70s Soul-Funk bag. My personal underrated classics would be:

Yusef Lateef's Funk album produced for CTI by Creed Taylor, Autophysiopsychic.

Sun Ra's The Singles , a two-CD set from Evidence which captures everything from his backing vocal doo-wop groups and BUDDY GUY to an outta space version of "The Batman Theme" and Ra's usual off the wall shit.

Art Farmer's The Summer Knows , a collection of ballads (including Burt Bacharach's classic "Alfie") done in his warm and wonderful tender tone.

John Klemmer's Hush , see Farmer above.

And finally, the two albums that turned me into the sprawling mess you see before you: Les McCann Live At Montreux , a two-record four-side party suite, and Yusef Lateef's Hush N' Thunder , which includes my all time favorite psuedo-classical Funk jam, "Opus, Part I" and "II." Great, great topic.


Date: 14-Oct-1998 18:52:14
From: ChriS ( [email protected] )
Damn! I forgot Mingus Plays Piano , a collection of Mingus piano solos so stunningly beautiful I don't know how anyone who ever heard it could possibly forget it, Oliver Nelson's orchestral masterpiece Blues and the Abstract Truth , and my personal favorite Freddie Hubbard album, that slow rolling yet steamy and rockin' Red Clay. Done!


Date: 15-Oct-1998 11:45:27
From: Bill ( [email protected] )
Phineas Newborn; A WORLD OF PIANO. Have to second the previous comment on this disc. The Horace Silver tune "Juicy Lucy" is worth the cover price all by itself.

Harold Land; THE FOX Nifty, tricky L.A-style hard bop (not necessarily an oxymoron. The accelerated title cut is amazing. Includes the underrated Elmo Hope on piano and the only available recordings of the amazing Dupree Bolton, a trumpet player with a truly weird life history...

Thelonious Monk Orchestra LIVE AT TOWN HALL: This is never included in lists of Monk must-haves...I don't know why; the orchestrations are delightful, the band members (including Charlie Rouse, Phil Woods, and Pepper Adams) all have great Monk chops, and it's got the best "Friday the 13th" (a tune that really NEEDS fuller orchestration) ever.

Hanry "Red" Allen; WORLD ON A STRING. Late period (1957) material from a great N'Awlins trumpeter. Mainly for that loooong trumpet solo on "I Cover the Waterfront..."also for great supporting work from Coleman Hawkins and J.C. Higgenbotham.

Herbie Nichols; LOVE, GLOOM, CASH, LOVE. Gotta have some Herbie Nichols. Gotta.


Date: 15-Oct-1998 19:56:34
From: Jonathan Kranz ( [email protected] )
I bought my first CD based on a recommendation from this thread, "Cornbread." It is, of course, wonderful. (Tip of the hat to Paul.)

I want all the other contributors to know that I'm eagerly searching for their selections, especially, "Candy," "World of Piano," "We Three," the Vince Guaraldi Black Orpheus CD, and many others I'm too tired and wine-sodden to recall at this moment.

And I agree that Monk's "Live at Town Hall" album deserves greater praise. In fact, it's the first Monk album I ever heard; I friend loaned it to me when I was 15 or 16. I've been searching for it since. (And Charlie Rouse is one of those musicians who deserves greater acclaim.)

I have a mystery I wonder if you can solve: two albums by "TCB" records, one by Freddie Hubbard called "Getting Together," number 1001, and featuring Curtis Fuller; and TCB number 1002 by Donald Byrd, with Herbie Hancock. I got these for free before a used-record shop owner threw them away. I've never seen them mentioned in any review of these artists' works. Has anyone ever seen or heard them before? Does anyone know who the sidemen are on the Hubbard album? Does anyone know anything about the mysterious "TCB"?

By the way, they're not bad—hard driving bop in the Blue Note mode without the great recording quality.


Date: 15-Oct-1998 21:31:58
From: earl d ( [email protected] )
Frankie Laine and Buck Clayton, "Jazz Spectacular." Orig. issued in 1956 on Col., with Clayton, Winding, J.J. Johnson, Charles Thompson, et. al. Re-issued in part on Frankie Laine on Cedar CD433.


Date: 16-Oct-1998 14:27:21
From: dave wayne
great but obscure recordings are too often made by great but obscure artists: here are just a few... Joe Daley Trio: Live at Newport '63 John Carter & Bobby Bradford: "Self-Determination Music" and "Seeking" Horace Tapscott: "The Dark Tree, volumes 1 & 2" Noah Howard: "Schizophrenic Blues," "The Black Ark" Manfred Schoof Sextet: "Glockenbar" Frank Wright: "Kevin, My Dear Son" Wolfgang Dauner: "Free Action" etc., etc., etc.

great but obscure recordings are made by established artists trying to extend the possibilities of music in some way, but perhaps not in the way that people expect (...or even want to hear!). Here are a few of those: Tony Williams' Lifetime: "Turn it Over" and "Ego" Miles Davis: "Agartha," "On the Corner" Henry Threadgill: "Spirit of Nuff Nuff" Blood Ulmer & the Music Revelation Ensemble: pretty much everything! Shannon Jackson: "Eye on You" Tim Berne: "Fulton Street Maul" Max Roach—just about everything!! Red Allen—"World on a String" (glad to see someone else mentioned this as well!) etc., etc., etc.

great but obscure recordings may result from contractural difficulties, poor distribution (Europe-only), bad business practices, or changing record labels: Keith Jarrett "Expectations" Alan Silva & the Celestrial (sic) Communications Orch. "Seasons" Abdullah Ibrahim: "Ekaya," "Water from an Ancient Well" Randy Weston—"African Cookbook" etc., etc., etc. (...as well as some of the ones mentioned above)

....I just can't explain 'em all, though! Marion Brown—"Three for Shepp," "Porto Novo" Roswell Rudd—"Flexible Flyer," "Inside Job," "Everywhere" Anthony Braxton—"Creative Orchestra Music, 1976" Gil Evans: "Svengali" Ralph Towner—"Solstice" Sam Rivers—pretty much everything!

that's the view from here, anyway. dw


Date: 16-Oct-1998 15:06:40
From: jeff putterman ( [email protected] )
Dave Holland's Conference of the Birds; Chico Freeman's Pied Piper and Sensitive; Cecil McBee's Unspoken; Betty Carter and Carmen McRae Live; John Hicks and Ray Drummond's Two of a Kind; Steve Slagle and Ryan Kisor on Steeplechase (can't remember the name). These are some of the cds I return to over and over and over. Along with all of the Mingus big Band cds.


Date: 16-Oct-1998 15:32:56
From: Reynolds Potter ( [email protected] )
I highly recommend THE PENGUIN GUIDE TO JAZZ ON CD as a source book of jazz information. I have seen nothing else in the marketplace that come close to the depth or breadth on coverage which it provides. It is a terrific way to prescreen potential purchases.


Date: 16-Oct-1998 21:31:01
From: John Barrett Jr. ( [email protected] )
My list of favorite obscurities is a bit short here; I know I'll return here later when I think of more.

VINCE GUARALDI TRIO (Fantasy). This might be of interest to the person looking for BLACK ORPHEUS. Marvelous soft introspective playing from Guaraldi before he developed the heavier "Charlie Brown" style he is best known for. Includes a swell version of "Django," the Guaraldi original "Fenwyck's Farfel," and the very underrated guitarist Eddie Duran, with whom Guaraldi made several other albums. NOEL JEWKES AND THE DR. LEGATO EXPRESS: JUST PASSIN' THRU (Revelation). Got this sealed in a used store several years ago, with no prior knowledge of the players. It's a nine- or ten-piece group with big band voicings, nifty charts, and most of the tunes are originals by Jewkes, who worked in Florida, if memory serves. I've seen Jewkes' name on one other record, but don't know if he or the Express made any records after this. TONE JANSA JAZZ KVARTET (RTB). Another used store find, from the same place I got the Jewkes. RTB was the state record label of Yugoslavia, and the late date cited on the liner notes is 1975; I guess this came out in the mid- to late-'Seventies. Jansa plays a trilling soprano sax (tenor too) and gets into four basic compositions, with Jansa and pianist Andre Jeanquartier standing out. The notes are mostly in a language I can't read (Serbo-Croatian?), so I don't know how or when this was recorded; at least half of the album is live. Would be very interested to know more about Jansa and what other records (if any) he made.

That's it for now; I'll think of more great obscurities later.


Date: 16-Oct-1998 21:32:45
From: Judson O. Maynard ( [email protected] )
Thought that I would add a couple of albums for consideration. Tal Farlow—This is Tal Farlow on the Verve label and Johnny Smith—Johnny Smith also on the Verve label. Both of these albums seem to have had an influence on guitar playaers that I have spoken to but seem to have been largely ignored by the jazz buyers. I had both of these on vinyl and recently picked up both of them on cd and realized again how beautifully played both of these albums are. Check them out if you get a chance.


Date: 17-Oct-1998 08:05:35
From: george massouris ( [email protected] )
my current faves that i just keep playing:

1.mingus in wondeland 2.coltrane—ascension..........the mostconfronting music ever made 3.mccoy tyner—impressions from Infinity.......this is a must for any fan of jazz piano or jazz in general 4. art pepper—road game 5.joe henderson—the elements 6.archie shepp—attica blues 7. albert ayler—new grass.........an interesting departure 8.pharoah sanders—black unity 9.ben webster—soulville 10.brnford marsalis—the beautiful ones........not many can beat this in the modern era.

far more interesting than kind of blue.......dont you think


Date: 18-Oct-1998 13:01:43
From: Lars Auby ( [email protected] )
Gary Bartz: Harlem Bush Music Art Ensemble Of Chicago: Fanfare For The Warriors Don Cherry: Complete Communion Alice Coltrane: Universal Consciouness Miles Davis: Dark Magus Herbie Hancock: Sextant Eddie Henderson: Realization Chick Corea: Song Of Singing Anthony Braxton: Five Pieces 1975 Andrew Hill: Andrew Paul Bley: Ramblin Yusef Lateef: The Blue... Courtney Pine: Modern Day Jazz Stories Pharoah Sanders: Karma Archie Shepp: The Way Ahead Sun Ra: Supersonic Jazz Miroslav Vitous: Infinite Search Jimmy Giuffre: Thesis


Date: 19-Oct-1998 17:35:24
From: Paul Abella ( [email protected] )
Not that this one is obscure, but I just picked up Still Life talking by Pat Metheny, and although it may be a little smooth for some tastes, I really like it. For some more swingin' stuff by Metheny, Rejoicing (on ECM with Charlie Haden and Billy Higgins)and Question and Answer (on Geffen with Roy Haynes and Dave Holland). Both of these are brilliant sessions. Enjoy!

Keep Your Ears Open, Paul


Date: 19-Oct-1998 19:33:42
From: Jp ( [email protected] )
Good picks so far, so a few from me...in no particular order

1) Billie Holiday Live at Monterey (Blackhawk) Late Lady Day amidst the planes of the festival. Great side work from Mulligan!

2) Weather Report Weather Report 1st (Columbia) When fusion was exciting and groundbreaking!

3) Eberhard Weber Yellow Fields (ECM) Modal jazzzz with a great feel. Charlie Mariano is exquisite!

4) Sonny Rollins Alfie Soundtrack (Impulse!) Sonny swings sooo very hard!

5) Dexter Gordon Our Man in Paris (Blue Note) Smooth and exciting, Dexter leaps!

6) Eric Dolphy Out There (New Jazz) The master on a tour of the outside...

7) Duke Ellington Live at the Plaza (Columbia) Duke rolls 'em, with cameo from Billie!

8) Wynton Marsalis Blood on the Fields (Columbia) A very strong, heartfelt work, though best heard live.

9) Keith Jarrett Live at the Blue Note (ECM) Jarrett at the top of his form?! Great interaction with DeJonette & Peacock!

Wild Card

10) Joni Mitchell Hissing of Summer Lawns (Elektra) Ok, give me this one. Joni has more jazzzz in her heart than any of these copycat wannbes today. Simply stunning, different album. Stereo Review called it simply "Joni Jazz," an apt description. Hear it and tell me what you think...

All best heard on Lp, of course!

Thanks!

Jp [email protected]


Date: 20-Oct-1998 00:56:48
From: brett sroka ( [email protected] )
Here's my two cents. These are some really great ELLINGTON albums that most of the jazz musicians I know haven't even heard: -ANATOMY OF A MURDER -MASTERPEICES BY ELLINGTON -SUCH SWEET THUNDER and how about MILES DAVIS -"L'ASCENSEUR POUR L'ECHAFAUD CHARLES MINGUS -THE COMPLETE TOWN HALL CONCERT or if you want some really obscure and truly great albums SAM RIVERS -CONTOURS a great bluenote album with FREDDIE HUBBARD and HERBIE HANCOCK ANDREW HILL -ONE FOR ONE another great bluenote alblum featuring FREDDIE HUBBARD and JOE HENDERSON ANDREW HILL -COMPULSION a very "out" but extraordinary record also with FREDDIE HUBBARD and JOHN GILMORE ANDREW HILL -QUARTET WITH SAM RIVERS this is extremely rare and extremely brilliant check out JASON MORAN's upcoming album on bluenote


Date: 20-Oct-1998 13:08:10
From: Phil Brown
How about: Shelia—Shelia Jordan African Piano—Dollar Brand

Some classics from 1970's UK Michael Gibbs by Michael Gibbs Celebration, Release by Mike Westbrook Edge of Time by Norma Winstone (though anything by her is good) Back Door by Back Door Perspectives—Stan Tracey Diversions—Bob Downes open Music

Phil


Date: 20-Oct-1998 16:35:03
From: mike kemper ( [email protected] )
Those are some great picks and a lot of them bring back pleasant memories. I would just like to add the name Gerald Wilson for some of the best and most inventive "Big Band" writing and arranging ever recorded. The following titles are all on Pacific Jazz(if you can find them). "Orchestra Portraits" "The Golden Sword" "Viva Tirado" "Greatest Hits" The personnel include Harold Land, Bobby Hutcherson, Teddy Wilson, Carmel Jones, Bud Shank and a plethora of west coast players.


Date: 20-Oct-1998 17:51:57
From: Karl Tiderman ( [email protected] )
Some great but (fairly) obscure albums you all should listen to:

John Coltrane & Rashied Ali: Interstellar Space Don Cherry: Brown Rice Tina Brooks: True Blue Duke Ellington: Ellington Jazz Party in Stereo Roland Kirk: I Talk to the Spirits Pharoah Sanders: Village of the Pharoahs Sun Ra: Solo Piano, vol 1 (+ most of his stuff...)

And not forgetting home—a great CD by a Swedish band:

Christer Both?n Band: The Spirit of Milvus Milvus


Date: 21-Oct-1998 01:12:52
From: Ken Brown ( [email protected] )
The great new Gene Krupa Quartet featuring Charlie Ventura

Totally great arrangements of some standard tunes. Gene's dynamics and tasty solos wonderful. Charlie a master. Very exciting.

Alone— Bill Evans


Date: 21-Oct-1998 08:28:16
From: Jon ( [email protected] )
A record I keep returning to over and over again is "Crosscurrents," Lennie Tristano's seminal Capitol recordings. Truly virtuosic, if somewhat cerebral, playing abounds on this one.


Date: 21-Oct-1998 10:15:39
From: jim smith
Hey Elliot, Just go out there and enjoy the highs and lows of discovering "The Music."I envy the journey you are about to embark on,as I guess many of the guys are to.My list,with no pointers to help you will follow. Bon Voyage.


Date: 21-Oct-1998 11:35:43
From: E. S. ( [email protected] )
Although its hardly obscure, Grant Green's "Solid" is my favorite record by my favorite guitarist and is one of my favorite 60's Blue Note records (it was unreleased until the 80's though) It's got Joe Henderson and James Spaulding on saxophones and they smoke through "Ezzthetic," "The Kicker," "Solid," and other great tunes.


Date: 21-Oct-1998 15:42:39
From: Pat Marcotte ( [email protected] )
Duke Ellington and Alice Babs, "Serenade to Sweden" Absolutely gorgeous!


Date: 21-Oct-1998 15:48:29
From: W Keil
Phil Woods with Michel Legrande & his orchestra: Images. This one cooks!


Date: 21-Oct-1998 19:50:53
From: Evan A. Voytas ( [email protected] )
I like "Cape Verdean Blues" by Horace silver. Its got some cool grooves


Date: 22-Oct-1998 00:30:06
From: mike kaplan ( [email protected] )
here's a few to add: Warne Marsh: "Release record-Send Tape" also "Jazz From The East Village" These are 2 sessions by an underrated giant of improvised music at the top of his game back in the early '60s. They are quite hard to find....i dont even have the originals...someone taped them for me. If you're looking for other Warne that might be more readily available, you might get "Ballad Album"(Criss Cross) or "Jazz Exchange"(any of the volumes now available).

Gil Evans---"New Bottle, Old Wine" also "Great Jazz Standards" brilliant reorchestrations, reinterpretations and reimaginings of classic standards...one album a showcase for the soulful trumpet of Johnny Coles, the other featuring the joyful alto sax of Cannonball Adderley

Johnny Hodges---"Everybody Knows Johnny Hodges"(Impulse) great small group Ellingtonia from a bunch of esteemed Ellington band members and others....check out "Stompy Jones" and what Richard Davis is laying down on bass behind some of the soloists!!!

Bennie Wallace---"Twilight Time"(Blue Note) New Orleans-style funk from a totally original tenor saxophonist who has forged his own style from influences as disparate as Eric Dolphy and Ben Webster

Kenny Dorham---"Whistle Stop"(Blue Note) Kenny, Hank Mobley, Kenny Drew, Mr P.C. and Philly Joe performing some great KD compositions...what more needs to be said?




Date: 22-Oct-1998 16:17:15
From: Gary ( [email protected] )
With all the great jazz that was put out in the 50's and 60's it is difficult to suggest a few of the "best" picks. here goes. 1. Kenny Dorham- Whistle Stop. If you ever find a copy on CD, GRAB it! You won't regret it. Bop at its best with Philly Joe Jones playing at his best. All star ensemble. 2. Chick Corea- Now He Sings, Now He Sobs. Beautiful trio jazz with loads of twists and turns to keep even the most casual listener captivated. All three players play an equal role in this recording. It may not leave your player for days. 3.Andrew Hill- Smokestack and Blackfire. Andrew has a very distinct style. The music has a definate jazz tradition but sometimes borders on new territories. 4. Roy Haynes- Out of the Afternoon. Roy will forever be one of the greats. The music is very strong and his solos mirror of the melody. This was my first exposure to Roland Kirk. This album is a favorate of many friends. 5. Joe Henderson- Mode for Joe. Bobby Hutcherson and Joe Chambers play on this album and give the rhythm section a lift. Not quite a straight ahead album. NOT avante Garde. Try it. 6. Jackie McLean- Destination Out! Very Textural approach. Bobby Hutcherson, Grachan Moncur III, Roy Haynes, Larry Ridley. A new direction then, it still sounds very fresh. The list is endless I would check out a few of these. Lee Morgan- Indeed! Herbie Hancock-Any BlueNote 60's Rec. Art Blakey and Jazz Msgrs.- All great look for players you know. Eric Dolphy John Coltrane- Blue Train Anything up to Cresent is safe. Miles Davis 50's Quintet is a great place to start move up an album at a time and look for albums done by his sidemen. Hank Mobley One of the most underrated sax players. Workout. Sonny Clark- Trio, Cool Struttin and Complete Quartets (actually released under Grant Green) Have fun listening


Date: 22-Oct-1998 16:19:05
From: Gary ( [email protected] )
With all the great jazz that was put out in the 50's and 60's it is difficult to suggest a few of the "best" picks. here goes. 1. Kenny Dorham- Whistle Stop. If you ever find a copy on CD, GRAB it! You won't regret it. Bop at its best with Philly Joe Jones playing at his best. All star ensemble. 2. Chick Corea- Now He Sings, Now He Sobs. Beautiful trio jazz with loads of twists and turns to keep even the most casual listener captivated. All three players play an equal role in this recording. It may not leave your player for days. 3.Andrew Hill- Smokestack and Blackfire. Andrew has a very distinct style. The music has a definate jazz tradition but sometimes borders on new territories. 4. Roy Haynes- Out of the Afternoon. Roy will forever be one of the greats. The music is very strong and his solos mirror of the melody. This was my first exposure to Roland Kirk. This album is a favorate of many friends. 5. Joe Henderson- Mode for Joe. Bobby Hutcherson and Joe Chambers play on this album and give the rhythm section a lift. Not quite a straight ahead album. NOT avante Garde. Try it. 6. Jackie McLean- Destination Out! Very Textural approach. Bobby Hutcherson, Grachan Moncur III, Roy Haynes, Larry Ridley. A new direction then, it still sounds very fresh. The list is endless I would check out a few of these. Lee Morgan- Indeed! Herbie Hancock-Any BlueNote 60's Rec. Art Blakey and Jazz Msgrs.- All great look for players you know. Eric Dolphy John Coltrane- Blue Train Anything up to Cresent is safe. Miles Davis 50's Quintet is a great place to start move up an album at a time and look for albums done by his sidemen. Hank Mobley One of the most underrated sax players. Workout. Sonny Clark- Trio, Cool Struttin and Complete Quartets (actually released under Grant Green) Have fun listening


Date: 22-Oct-1998 18:53:13
From: Scott Mortensen
Here's a few of my favorites that are a bit obscure:

John McLaughlin, Extrapolation. McLaughlin's first record plays nothing like his later music with the Mahavishnu Orchestra and later solo work. John Surman's baritone sax is stunning and Tony Oxley's drumming is great also. I can't figure out why EVERYONE doesn't know about this record.

Jimmy Giuffre, 1961. ECM's reissue of two albums by Giuffre, Fusion and Thesis. Influential early chamber-style jazz that borders on free while never completely going there.

Booker Ervin, That's It. Booker's my pick for THE most underrated saxophonist. I discovered his music through Mingus' Live at Antibes, which, if you don't have, you should go buy immediately! Booker also played with Randy Weston, another underrated musician who seems to be finally getting his due. That's It is a solid example of Booker's distinctive hard-bop style.




Date: 23-Oct-1998 11:43:43
From: andr?s pascual
Pat Metheny Group: "quartet."


Date: 23-Oct-1998 21:54:55
From: Jim Lees ( [email protected] )
I am fairly neophyte at all this, but I love hard bop, late 50's, early 60's and one I keep playing...

A study in Brown—Clifford Brown/Max Roach, clear, crisp, muscular, a pleasure




Date: 27-Oct-1998 08:33:35
From: jim smith ( [email protected] )
Just a few I love to play. Kenny Burrell—ELLINGTON IS FOEVER.Ray Bryant—ALONE WITH THE BLUES. Bill Evans—SYMBIOSIS.Clare Fischer—FIRST TIME OUT.Eddie Condon—COAST TO COAST JAM SESSION.Buck Clayton—HOW HI THE FI.Basie/Ellington—BATTLE ROYAL.Lee Morgan—MONDAY NIGHT AT BIRDLAND.Art Pepper—PLUS ELEVEN. George Russell—NEW YORK NY.John Lewis—EUROPEAN WINDOWS.Oscar Peterson—VERY TALL.Archie Shepp—GOIN'HOME.Oliver Nelson—NOCTURNE.And a few Broadway moments,SOUTH PACIFIC—Chico Hamilton.WEST SIDE STORY—Cal Tjader.KING AND I—Mastersounds and last but not least MY FAIR LADY—Andre Previn/Shelly Manne


Date: 28-Oct-1998 02:45:41
From: Dan Sermeno ( [email protected] )
Obscurities;

Mongo Santamaria- Explodes Live at the Village Gate (If you can find it let me know where!)

Charles Lloyd- Forest Flower, Sunrise/Sunset Monterey Jazz Festival

Hugh Masekela's Next Album

Nancy Wilson- You Better Go (single)

Anything by Sandra Booker




Date: 28-Oct-1998 08:11:51
From: nguyen van tam ( [email protected] )
hi all,

an exciting topic!!

so some of my own "obscurities"

max roach "deeds, not words"—riverside paul bley "improvisation: introducing paul bley"—debut charles mingus "pre bird"—emarcy charles mingus "plays piano"—impulse sonny rollins "work's time"—prestige sonny rollins "on impulse"—impulse chick corea "piano improvisation vol. 1"—EMC chick corea "circle / paeris concert"—EMC kenny wheeler "gnu high"—EMC kenny wheeler "double double you"- EMC keith jarrett "stair cases"—EMC

bye folks


Date: 28-Oct-1998 09:19:23
From: Jonas Gruvaeus ( [email protected] )
Here are my suggestions. I've omitted most things I've seen on lists above, I just might have missed one or two. Happy listening! If anybodys got a spare copy of Gary Bartz I've Known Rivers Please get in touch!

Art Ensemble of Chicago- Les Stances au Sophie.(Path?/Nessa) Marion Brown- Sweet Earth Flying. (Impulse) Ornette Coleman- Tone Dialling. (Harmolodic) Miles- Dark Magus.(Sony, Jpn) Miles- Get up with it. (Columbia) Miles- On the corner. (Columbia) Herbie Hancock- Crossings. (WB) Andrew Hill- Point of Departure. (Blue Note) Rahsaan Roland Kirk—The Inflated Tear. (Atlantic) Yusuf Lateef- Detroit Latitude 43"30' Longitude 85."(Atlantic) Greg Osby- 3D lifestyles. (Blue Note) Sam Rivers- Paragon. (Fluid) Sonny Sharrock- Black Woman. (Vortex) Archie Shepp- Blas?. (Actuel) Wayne Shorter- Super Nova (Blue Note) Alan Silva- Luna Surface. (Actuel) Sun Ra- Nuits de la fundation Maeght vol 1 & 2.(Shandar) Cassandra Wilson- Blue Until Dawn. (Blue Note)


Date: 28-Oct-1998 18:14:04
From: Serge Batusanski ( [email protected] )
For the pleasure of the melody : - Dexter Gordon : Tania (on Blue Note) - Grant Green : Idle Moments (on Blue Note)

and for a great surprise, a groovy and funky music : - Haywood Henry (bs) : The gentle monster Joe Newman (t) Uptown Record UP 27.13 Hank Jones (p) George Duvivier (b) Ben Riley (dr)

From Paris




Date: 29-Oct-1998 15:11:35
From: earl grey ( I have @e-mail )
Larry Young— Lawrence Of Newark Paul Bley—Closer Keith Jarret—Expectations Dave Holland—Conference Of The Birds Gateway Joe Zawinul—Zawinul




Date: 31-Oct-1998 08:42:08
From: Joe Hamlin ( [email protected] )
Several of my favorites have alread been mentioned and there were some artists I had never heard of that I am going to check out. Would like to add three favorites I have not seen mentioned yet. Tony Scott & Bill Evans—A Day in New York Tony Scott—clarinet or baritone sax Bill Evans—piano Milt Hinton or Henry Grimes—bass Paul Motian—drums


Date: 03-Nov-1998 02:47:30
From: jim dunbar ( [email protected] )
Boyd Raeburn—Boyd Meets Stravinsky

wow


Date: 03-Nov-1998 09:04:24
From: Jos? Domingos Raffaelli ( [email protected] )
Jonathan Kranz,

I agree completely with you concerning Lucky Thompson LUCKY STRIKES (this is from the mid-60's) Tommy Flanagan Trio OVERSEAS (bassist is Wilbur Little) Gene Ammons & Dodo Marmarosa JUG & DOD Tomorrow I'll give you all details about the TCB-1001 and TCB-1002. As I'm not in home, I'll check all informations tonight.

Let me add the following record:

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter 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.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Jazz article: 10 Fun Facts about Jazz
Jazz article: You Too Can Be A Jazz Fan!
Jazz article: Thinking Outside The Musical Box
Jazz article: John Coltrane and the Meaning of Life

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.