"Blues & Roots" by Charles Mingus on Atlantic 1305

December 20, 2023

Mingus is one of my favorite jazz musicians and composers. He was a master of blending old and new and always had the roots of the blues very much in focus in his music. Some of the very best jazz albums of all time for me is credited to him. My favorites are The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady, Mingus Ah Um, Mingus Dynasty and this one on display, Blues & Roots.

His double bass mastery is evident as always on this session, and I hold him in very high regard in terms of thinking of my favorite double bassists. If I was to choose my top 5 bassists in jazz now, without thinking too much, they will probably be, in no particular order, Scott La Faro, Richard Davis, Charlie Haden, Henry Grimes and Mingus.

This album is another highlight of 2023 which I’ve been looking for for a long time. It’s definitely not easy to find an original issue in mono with the beautiful bulls eye labels. I really dig those labels and I have always loved the cover art as well. The session is top notch and features a stellar cast, with Jackie McLean, Booker Ervin, Pepper Adams, Mal Waldron, Dannie Richmond among others.

Happy to have checked this one off of the want list this year and I’m anticipating it will get plenty of time on the turntable.

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"Eastern Sounds" by Yusef Lateef on Moodsville MVLP 22

December 17, 2023

A definitive highlight of a prosperous year in collecting for me. This one has really amazed me plenty since I started exploring it. One of the rarest vintage jazz albums in it’s original form, with the misprinted labels, DG and Abbey ring. Almost impossible to find it seems, but here it is. I strayed from my new approach of focusing on cheaper titles, but it was worth it of course. I actually have strayed a bit more recently, but I’m planning to get back on track next year. A New Year’s resolution perhaps?

The first track is quite special as Lateef plays a very unusual instrument called the ”xun”. A globular flute, which is 1200 years old and made of clay. It is one of the oldest musical instruments in China and has been in use for approximately 7000 years. He found it in New York’s Chinatown after he had become interested enough to look for one after reading about it in a book on Chinese music, according to the liner notes. Love it! The sound of the instrument fits perfectly with the tune. The other thing that is special about this tune is that Cat Stevens used it as inspiration for writing his first hit single ”I Love My Dog”. He covered it so to speak, wrote lyrics to it, but didn’t credit Lateef until later when he told him about it and gave him a big check and also started to pay him royalties.

The album blends oriental flavors with the blues and the result is lovely. Besides the old Chinese instrument Lateef plays the tenor, flute and oboe. The oboe sounds absolutely lovely when he plays it. Not a very common occurrence in jazz.

Favorite pick of the album is the dreamy and haunting ”Love Theme from Spartacus” on which Lateef plays the oboe absolutely beautifully. Every tune offers something special and the whole album is very engaging and interesting throughout.

This is actually a title I would consider adding to #my5mostlovedjazzalbums. It’s that good. Lovely stuff, a masterpiece. The best Yusef Lateef album for me. Which is yours?

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"For Real!" by Hampton Hawes on Contemporary M3589

December 7, 2023

This title contains smooth hard bop spiced up with Scott La Faro’s virtuosic double bass playing. He is one of my absolute favorite double bassists in jazz. Perhaps THE favorite. Even though his life was cut short and he recorded a limited amount of albums he still made a huge mark, and from those few recordings he became one of the greatest double bassists in jazz of all time. So this album is special, just for the mere fact that he plays on it.

The music is lovely and accessible. But it’s that La Faro magic that makes it stand out for me. Harold Land is on this as well and he was a wonderful tenor player, who of course played with Brownie & Roach early in his career. I have much material by him to try and acquire. The other cats are Frank Butler on drums who displays a great style and plays quite smooth and sophisticated. And of course the leader Hawes, a great pianist who influenced many other pianists around him. He plays very lyrical and tasteful on this recording. He recorded plenty for Contemporary and I’ll try and add some more of that stuff to the collection.

This album is highly recommended and a must have if you love La Faro and enjoy smooth and tasteful hard bop.

Cheers!

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"Out to Lunch" by Eric Dolphy on Blue Note BLP 4163

November 25, 2023

A true classic and a milestone in modern jazz.

Otherworldly. Plain and simple. That’s what this music is. And the sound of this original pressing is otherworldly as well. It sounds so good. Just like you would imagine a pristine old Blue Note to sound if you haven’t experienced listening to one before. This is exactly why I collect these vintage records. The experience is unbeatable.

This is for many Eric Dolphy’s Magnum opus. I agree with that. It’s so full of virtuosity from all the players, and the compositions (all Dolphy originals) are otherworldly. Now I’ve written that word three times and that’s maybe enough. But that word is perfect to describe this music. Historically this album has not come to me easily in terms of enjoying it 100%. I’ve tried it on through the years and been intrigued by both the music and the recording quality, but haven’t pulled the trigger on copies in the past. But for the last several years I’ve been leaning towards post bop and the avant-garde so this was the right time to secure it. It’s an easy listen for me now as my taste has evolved and my mind and ears have grown a lot since I first heard it. I now enjoy it to the full and I’m mesmerized by the intricate compositions and all the little details that these cats deliver.

A superb constellation of musicians grace this session, with Dolphy on alto, flute and bass clarinet, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, Richard Davis on double bass and the brilliant Tony Williams on drums. Couldn’t ask for a better group performing this music.

I guess everyone is familiar with this milestone album, but what’s your thoughts on it? Please share.

Have a great Saturday, cheers!

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"Solarius" by The Rolf Kühn Quintet on Amiga 8 50 046

November 24, 2023

Very nice German jazz lead by Rolf Kühn.

Rolf Kühn was a German clarenetist that I hadn’t listened to before I got interested in this album. I’ve been missing out. He was a wonderful musician and the cats backing him are a formidable bunch. Haven’t heard of any of them but they all play lovely and contribute something great to this session in their own individual way. I especially enjoy the playing of double bassist Klaus Koch. Rolfs younger brother Joachim plays the piano on this album.

The material is a wonderful mix of tunes that feels both moody, bluesy, dreamy and delicate at different points.

The label I haven’t heard of either. It’s called Amiga. Once an organ of the East German state-owned music publisher VEB Deutsche Schallplatten, Amiga became a label of the Bertelsmann Music Group in 1994.

I will continue to explore Rolf Kühn’s catalogue. cause if the other stuff he did is this good then I’m in for a real treat. Highly recommended.

(this copy is signed by Kühn, which is quite cool)

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The Roland Kirk Quartet meets the Benny Golson Orchestra on Mercury MG 20844

November 20, 2023

Under the radar stuff perhaps but highly recommended.

So, Roland Kirk is a cat I haven’t explored much. He was a blind multi-instrumentalist capable of playing several instruments at the same time. On this album his quartet is merged with the Benny Golson Orchestra, with Golson serving as a conductor and arranger.

The result is very interesting, with big band vibes on side 1 (here the Golson Orchestra is featured) but in a good way, with very nice arrangements and individual solos. Favorite pick on this side is the last tune ”Variation on a Theme”.

On side 2 we only have the Roland Kirk Quartet and the vibe is definitely different here. It’s stripped back, smoother and less bombastic. Some lovely arrangements. The mix here seems better as well with more detail, a cohesive, natural sound with plenty of air and the double bass is very prominent, which I enjoy. All tunes on this side are wonderful but I enjoy ”Get in the Basement” in particular a lot. The bass sound on this is so heavy. Roland Kirk plays the tenor so good and his sound is big, warm and deep.

This album flies a bit under the radar perhaps but it’s highly recommended.

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"Blue Jubilee" by the Joe Alexander Quintet on Jazzland JLP 23

November 16, 2023

Hadn’t heard anything from Joe Alexander or John Hunt before I heard this album, from what I can remember anyway. The rhythm section is a more familiar bunch though.

This is a highly enjoyable album. Quite straight forward and bluesy. Joe Alexander plays with a round, appealing tone which is steady and grounded. John Hunt is the perfect complement to that with his fragile, searching approach on his fluegelhorn. I wanna mention Bobby Timmons as well. He plays some excellent stuff on this. A constant stream of lovely assembled notes, soul and undeniable lyricism characterizes his playing.

I love diversity when listening to jazz. To put on some bluesy hard bop, then some post bop/modal stuff, some west coast stuff, a bit of bebop and then maybe some avant-garde. That is what makes jazz so great, it’s all connected in a special and beautiful way.

Favorite pick off of this album at the moment is “Weird Beard”, a 9 minute long excursion into the fabrics of hard bop improvisation with plenty of space for the soloists to stretch out.

This is actually my first title on the Jazzland label. There are some gems to be found on this label and I will be looking for more.

Stay tuned for more vintage jazz vinyl. Have a great Thursday, cheers!

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"Into Somethin'" by Larry Young on Blue Note 4187

November 12, 2023

Just like “Unity” this is one of the best Blue Notes in the later Blue Note catalogue for me. The organ provides a special kind of vibe to a jazz setting. But it all depends who plays it and Larry Young plays with such an interesting approach and his style really resonates with me. It feels modern.

The line-up on this session is a great one, with the brilliant Sam Rivers on tenor sax, Grant Green on guitar and Elvin Jones on drums. Sam Rivers stands out for me, with his raw, free-thinking style. I have one album with him as a leader which is one of my favorite albums. I really need to try and get some more of his stuff into the collection. This group really gels together beautifully and the results is a lovely album with lots of melodies getting stuck if your mind long after the needle has left the grooves.

A couple of favorite picks are “Plaza de Toros”, on which Sam Rivers plays an outstanding solo which reminds me a lot of Joe Henderson, and “Paris Eyes” which is a laid back piece with a rememberable theme. All tunes are superb though.

The cover art is one of my favorites by Reid Miles, love the typography, the image and the colour. Really adds to the overall appeal of this album.

Have added quite a few albums to the collection of late, so stay tuned for more great titles. Cheers!

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"Homecoming!" by the Elmo Hope Sextet and Trio on Riverside RLP 381

October 22, 2023

Helt otroligt (absolutely amazing, in Swedish). That’s what I said to myself after playing this album that I just got in. Listened to it a few times digitally before I acquired it and put it on the turntable for the first time today and listened to it, and it’s already one of my favorite albums in the Riverside catalogue, and favorite albums overall in my collection.

Elmo Hope had an extended stay in Los Angeles before he was welcomed back to New York a refreshed man, after personal problems and a withdrawn New York City Cabaret Card. This album is a testament to what a lovely musician and composer Hope was. He composed all the tunes here except for one. Truly beautiful, smoothly performed tunes which sounds absolutely immense on this original mono pressing. On the slow paced tunes he plays so profoundly engaging with such lyricism and the lightest of touches, and always some interesting choices of notes. Like the somber “Imagination” and the moody “Eyes So Beautiful As Yours”.

Four of the tunes are played in a trio format and three in a sextet, which I absolutely love. The personnel on this are Hope on piano, Blue Mitchell on trumpet, Jimmy Heath and Frank Foster on tenor sax, Percy Heath on double bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums. Lovely band. I really dig the sound of the bass and drums on this recording. Philly Joe is one of the best drummers in jazz, no doubt. His touch on the drums is very special. No wonder Bill Evans and Miles Davis held him in such high regard.

This title maybe flies a bit under the radar. It shouldn’t. It’s wonderful jazz that is so enjoyable. And an original can be had for a very reasonable price.

Cheers!

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Ray Bryant Trio on Prestige PRLP 7098

October 17, 2023

Another lovely trio album featuring the lyrical playing of Ray Bryant and some hiss…

A great piano trio album. Too bad all the NYC 1st pressings are inferior pressings or/and have recycled vinyl hiss. Never heard of another NYC pressing with this problem. I’ve gathered from multiple sources that it seems to be consistent. But as the 1st pressing fundamentalist that I am the NYC pressing was the one for me, hiss or not. I got it at a very fair price though so that helped. The condition is nice so for this pressing that’s not the problem. It’s still a quite enjoyable listen, or so I tell myself, you just have to come to terms with that this is as good as it gets for a 1st pressing of this particular title. It’s not easy though, as I am a bit picky when it comes to noise. But any way you slice it, it’s vinyl and some records just don’t sound that good. I put on Cecil Taylor’s “Looking Ahead” on Contemporary after, and what a difference. No noise what so ever, much clearer sound and no distortion.

Now, the music is superb. Very relaxing album, with plenty of great passages and Ray Bryant was a lovely pianist. Very lyrical in his playing. Not any big surprises, groundbreaking innovations or breathtaking technical runs, just wonderful and relaxing music. Favorite tune is “Django”, no contest.

This title has several different pressings, the 2nd one for example is on the New Jazz label. The hiss improves I think on later pressings, but from what I’ve gathered it’s not perfect on the earlier ones unless you go for a later Japanese pressing. No matter, I’m content with this OG. It’s very rare, a superb historical artefact, so to have this in the collection is truly wonderful, despite the before mentioned quite prominent flaws.

What’s your thoughts on this album ,and do you have any other favorite Ray Bryant albums? Please share.

Cheers!

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"Empathy" by Shelly Manne/Bill Evans with Monty Budwig on Verve V-8497

October 13, 2023

Bill Evans, Shelly Manne and Monty Budwig had a good thing going here with this album. They created some beautiful, relaxing music on this date, which was to be the trios only recording. Too bad, I would have loved to see them record some more stuff together. The classic Bill Evans trio with Motian and LaFaro is my favorite piano trio of all time. The trio here is pretty damn good I must say. Love the effortless mood in which they play and interact with each other. Much like the previous mentioned classic trio but the main difference for me is the absence of LaFaro, who was a brilliant virtuoso on the double bass, and made that group something special. Budwig plays smooth and sensitive and I love his style as well though. Manne also plays smooth and tasteful and he has become one of my favorite drummers. His drumming abilities never disappoints.

I would highly recommend this session for anyone that enjoys piano trios that adopts interplay on an equal basis and an abundance of lyricism. Where everything flows and blends together into a warm symbiosis, and the music is allowed to exist on a lovely give and take level between all three musicians.

This is another one of those great titles which can be had for a reasonable price, which is my thing at the moment. If you haven’t heard it check it out.

Happy Friday, cheers!

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Max Roach Plus Four on the Chicago Scene on Emarcy MG-36132

October 12, 2023

Superb album on which Booker Little excels.

Booker Little steals the show on this. Morgan has been my favorite trumpeter for ages but Booker Little has slowly overtaken first spot for me. His playing is so brilliant and his compositions are so innovative. On this album he hasn’t composed any tunes but the playing is outstanding. Fiery and lyrical. His solo on “My Old Flame”, especially after about 02:10 in, is completely out of this world.

Roach and Little recorded several albums together just like Roach and Brownie did. The same outcome tragically occurred in the end for both of these virtuosic trumpeters, as they died very young.

The stuff Max Roach released as a leader is highly enjoyable. I will try and find some more albums as they are often reasonably priced as well, which complies nicely with my new philosophy of focusing on cheaper titles.

I got to mention Roach’s drumming on this album as well, he plays so good. Very lyrical and tasteful in his appROACH. ‘Nuff said.

Do you have a favorite Max Roach album? Please share.

Cheers!

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"5 by Monk by 5" by the Thelonious Monk Quintet on Riverside RLP 12-305

September 17, 2023

Monk’s Riverside titles are a joy to explore.

There are so many Monk albums I’m after. Several are on Riverside like this one on display. He is criminally under-represented on my shelves. I’ve dived into his Riverside discography more in depth as of late. There are some brilliant albums there to enjoy. I’ve always been fond of his unique playing style, so exploring his discography should have been a top priority throughout the years. I’ve focused on other artists I guess. But I’m making up for lost time by trying to zoom in on his Riverside stuff to begin with, and I’ve found plenty of great titles that I’m aiming to find. I have the iconic “Brilliant Corners” which I acquired several years ago. Now that’s a wonderful album.

“5 by Monk by 5” is a lovely outing which features the legendary pianist playing together with some great cats; Thad Jones on the cornet, Charlie Rouse on tenor, Sam Jones on double bass and Art Taylor on drums. Pretty stellar line-up. Love the cornet sound of Thad Jones and nice to hear him together with Monk as a sideman. Charlie Rouse is another cat I enjoy a lot and will explore more in depth. He released a title on the Epic label for example which I’ve been after for a long time.

Favorite picks from this session will be “Jackie-ing”, “Straight, No Chaser” and “Ask Me Now”, which features a beautiful solo by Rouse. Highly recommended album.

Have a great Sunday!

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"Tomorrow is the Question!” by Ornette Coleman on Contemporary M 3569

September 13, 2023

Ornette delivers his unique brand of jazz.

This is a quite accessible Ornette record. It still is amazingly unique and full of quirky melodies and statements which makes this brand of jazz so special. I love the later line-up with Charlie Haden and Ed Blackwell but this constellation is brilliant as well, with Shelly Manne for example, bringing his elegant and lovely sound to the proceedings. Really love his playing and I think he thrives in this environment.

Despite my love for Ornette’s work I only have a couple of other titles in the collection to date, and they are “This is Our Music” and “Ornette on Tenor” both on Atlantic, so this is album is a welcome addition the collection. I purchased it some months back from a great friend in the vinyl community. The copy is like new, both vinyl and cover. Like it came from a 1950’s record store straight onto my shelf. It even came with a mint Contemporary Records business reply card,. Very cool.

As my approach to my collecting has changed a little I’m getting a bit more records into the collection than before, more regularly, which is great. As opposed to before, when I saved up for months to get my hands on an original 1500 series Blue Note for example. I have focused on trying to secure great titles in a much more healthy price range. And there are some outstanding albums which can be had for a fraction of what an original Blue Note costs, and this Ornette title is a great example.

If you are unfamiliar or new to Ornette’s music I think this is a good album to start with. Great stuff.

Cheers!

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"The New Thing & The Blue Thing" by Ted Curson on Atlantic 1441

September 4, 2023

Very enjoyable album by Ted Curson with a great sidekick.

I always forget Ted Curson when thinking of great jazz trumpeters. Negligence on my part. He was a gem. I have only started to explore his work as a leader and this one on Atlantic is my second title by him. I’ve started with the early stuff and will work myself forward from that. He has a lovely approach which is quite flamboyant and fiery. Great punchy tone, lyrical, bluesy and lots of technical prowess characterizes his style. That’s my take on his playing on these early dates. Let’s see if it changes with time on his later output.

He recorded several albums together with tenor saxophonist Bill Barron who is featured on this album as well. I really dig his style and I’ve touched upon some of his stuff as well. Will explore further. The other cats on this date are George Arvanitas on piano, Herb Buschler on double bass and Dick Berk on drums. I haven’t heard anything from these guys before from what I can remember, but I really dig all of them, so will have to look their stuff up more in depth as well. Always fun to discover new artists.

Curson composed several of the tunes on this album so he was a great composer which makes exploring the rest of his output even more interesting. I can highly recommend this album if you haven’t heard it before. I guess it’s a nice introduction to his work.

Favorite Ted Curson album as a leader? Give me your recommendations.

I bought this album in a physical record store, which almost never happens so I’m really happy about that. It was a great experience. Most stores in Stockholm don’t really have the stuff I’m after and I have a network of great sources so I usually buy my albums from overseas. Will return to this store regularly for sure.

This year has brought plenty (at least by my standards) new titles into the collection and I’m waiting on a few more which are on their way. This album is one of the highlights for sure so far.

Cheers!

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"Mingus Dynasty" by Charles Mingus on Columbia CL 1440

August 30, 2023

Fresh and just in is this masterpiece by Mingus. Got it today and just finished listening to it. I think I’ve mentioned the obvious on previous posts when talking about Mingus’ albums; he was a bona fide genius. The compositions are so beautiful, such attention to detail, the different layers of instruments playing over each other and blending together (amazing how it all works and comes together in total harmony), the multiple time signatures, the contrasts between different passages and the soulful, bluesy, explosive, moody and beautiful aspects of his ideas are mesmerizing. Like I said, it’s a genius at work here.

Favorite tunes at this moment are “Diane”, “Song with Orange”, “Gunslinging Bird”, “Far Wells, Mill Valley” and another take on Ellingtons “Mood Indigo”, which is also featured on Mingus x 5. The entire album is like a candy shop, so many flavors and sweet surprises. The level of musicianship that all the cats on this album possesses is absolutely top tier.

This is a Mingus album that you definitely should check out if you haven’t already. Highly recommended.

Top 3 Mingus albums guys?

Cheers!

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"Let Freedom Ring" by Jackie McLean on Blue Note BLP 4106

August 20, 2023

Classic McLean album, on which he starts to explore some new sounds.

There are so many great Jackie McLean albums. I have managed to acquire a few so far. I enjoy both his early hard bop period as well as his later stuff where he stretches out more into post bop and incorporated at bit more of a freer approach. “Let Freedom Ring” started the period of this more innovative style of composing and playing. There are many great albums from this period and I have plenty more to try and find. I’m looking at “One Step Beyond” for example, which is another one rooted in hard bop but blending in post bop and the avant-garde.

McLean plays with his usual hi-energy approach. He uses high register “screams” as well, which is quite unique and special. For example, there’s a spot on the Bud Powell-penned ballad “I’ll Keep Loving You”, where he uses this technique (it’s used all the way through the album though), and it pierces through everything, in a good way. It’s harsh and beautiful at the same time.

I’m quite excited to dive deeper into his later stuff, I’ve listened to some of it of course, but far from everything. I’m taking things slowly as per usual.

“Let Freedom Ring” is one of those classic Blue Note albums and I’m very happy to have been able to find an original. Overall, I’ve been trying to focus on other labels and to try and get some real gems, cheaper ones, into the collection. But some great titles that I’d like to add, like this one, are on Blue Note, and then you’ll pay the price for that, literally. I will continue my explorations into other labels, cause there are so many great titles to discover that you don’t have to break the bank for. Lets me get more stuff into the collection faster as well. I have a couple of titles on the way from Japan that are superb and not that expensive. Looking forward to receiving those.

Have a great week, cheers!

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Booker Little 4 and Max Roach on United Artists UAL 4034

August 16, 2023

Booker Little is one of my absolute favorites.

For me, the hunt is on for every title that Booker Little is present on, and that has been going on for quite a while. I’ve found some of them, but plenty still remains to be found. Many titles are quite difficult to track down. This title on United Artists is great and it’s also quite the rare find. My copy is a beautiful white label promo and I’m very pleased to have been able to file this back in the spring.

Booker Little was of course a superbly gifted trumpeter who died far too young. That theme is very familiar, unfortunately. But in his short time on earth he recorded some outstanding stuff, most notably with Max Roach, and he was also part of, for me, one of the greatest assembled jazz groups of all time, the one with Eric Dolphy that performed live on the Five Spot albums. He also recorded “Far Cry”, released on New Jazz, with Dolphy, and that is a brilliant album as well.

On a top 5 list of favorite trumpeters of mine he ranks 2nd. I absolutely love his style of playing, which is very technical and lyrical at the same time. He also was a great composer. His original compositions are very interesting and feel fresh still to this day. A lovely brand of jazz that is right up my alley. It’s so tragic that he didn’t get to live longer and play on more albums and compose more music. I’m sure he would have created some unbelievable stuff.

Regarding the recording quality on this session; it’s not the best. The entire group sound quite muted, the trumpet sounds good though. The drums sound soggy. But the quality of the music makes up for that in spades. Sometimes you find that certain albums just weren’t recorded that great, it’s just the way it is, and for me that just brings an element of charm. I put on Donald Byrd’s “The Cat Walk” on Blue Note straight after and my lord, what a difference in sound! Unreal. Such punch, attack, clarity, definition and volume.

Anyway, highly recommended stuff if you haven’t heard this one. I hope to be able to find the titles on Time and Bethlehem next. Let’s see if I get lucky.

Do you have a favorite Booker Little album? Please share.

Cheers!

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"Looking Ahead!" by the Cecil Taylor Quartet on Contemporary M3562

August 14, 2023

I’m only at the very beginning of my explorations into the body of work of pianist Cecil Taylor. This early album on Contemporary is a good way to start the journey I guess. It’s very much an easily accessible session to me. It has a good dose of adventurous and unique qualities, but never hard to grasp or abrasive in any way. On the contrary, it’s very mellow in it’s own way, with delicately composed tunes highlighted by Taylors imaginative and highly sofisticated playing, and the lyrical vibraphone of Earl Griffith. Never heard of the guy but he plays superbly. There’s a nice contrast and at the same time symbiosis between Taylors piano and the vibraphone..

I really enjoy the drums and double bass work of Dennis Charles and Buell Neidlinger as well. Extremely capable guys who doesn’t shy away from really applying their own distinct flavors to this session. The drumming is very tasteful and interesting, it’s a beautiful sounding kit (the ride cymbal is heavenly) while the double bass work is top tier, with a lovely round and warm tone to the instrument and impressive runs throughout. Got to look up more work by those two cats as well as Earl Griffith. There you have jazz in a nutshell, you always have more to discover and explore.

The sound of this original mono pressing is nothing short of magical. Such clarity and organic splendour. You usually find that Contemporary albums have that. The vinyl and jacket are in archival condition.

Taylor was a genius, there is no doubt about that. I’m excited to dive deeper into his world and it will be interesting to see if I find any other session as enjoyable as I found this one to be.

Do you have a favorite album by Cecil Taylor? Please share. Cheers!

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"The Quest" by Mal Waldron with Eric Dolphy and Booker Ervin on New Jazz NJLP 8269

August 11, 2023

Took a while but now this beauty is on the shelf.

At long last. The quest for The Quest is finally at an end. I’ve searched for this one for a long time. It’s an extremely hard album to find as a true 1st pressing in top shape, with the Abbey ring on one side and the wide deep grooves. I can’t believe it’s on my shelf now. Got it yesterday and listened to it today. It sounded fantastic. I truly hold it in very high regard. If I had to make a list right now today of my top 5 jazz albums this would be on it, together with Basra, Far Cry etc.

The Quest is a beautiful album with so much soul, superb musicianship and outstanding compositions. Waldron wrote all the tunes which says a lot about his level as a musician. He is one of my favorite piano players, if not THE favorite. He plays with such sparse, dark delicate beauty. He was a unique player with his own voice. Love his choice of notes, always chosen with care. Always very interesting to see where he goes with his ideas. I tend to focus more on the piano when he plays. Not your regular hard bop pianist. The rest of the group is top notch, with the brilliant Dolphy on alto and clarinet, Booker Ervin on tenor, who I really have been growing very fond of through exploring his various releases for Prestige, Ron Carter who plays cello on this which I love, Joe Benjamin on double bass who I actually haven’t heard a lot from previously, and the wonderful Charlie Persip on drums who plays absolutely outstanding throughout. Been diggin’ him since I first heard BLP 1540.

Regarding favorite picks, the beautiful “Warm Canto” is the stand out tune, with it’s mellow, moody and reflective nature. It has to be one of the greatest jazz tunes ever written. I never get tired of it. It always puts me in a mellow state, which is good. Love the propulsive “Status Seeking” as well, full of energy and impressive solos. All the tunes have their very own highly enjoyable quality. It’s a very complete album with plenty there that you want to revisit and explore again. Couldn’t recommend this album more.

Stay tuned for more vintage beauties from the collection. Cheers!

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