"Now Is The Time" by Idrees Sulieman on Steeplechase SCS-1052

January 16, 2025

In between all the modal and avant-garde stuff I’ve been listening to lately it’s quite nice to put on a more straight ahead hard bop date, like this newly acquired Idrees Sulieman title on the wonderful Steeplechase label. Recorded on the 16th and 17th of February in 1976, and I was born on the 15th of February of that year, so a day after they started to record this, which is quite cool.

I haven’t got much of Sulieman’s work in the collection but he was a great trumpeter and this album is a testament to that. He’s got a really great band backing him as well in Cedar Walton, Sam Jones and Billy Higgins.

I really enjoy this one and you probably will too if you appreciate classic hard bop, albeit recorded on the mid 70’s. Recommended!

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"It's Not Up To Us" by Byard Lancaster on Vortex 2003

January 15, 2025

Love Lancaster. His stuff on Palm is great (very expensive though) and ”Exodus” on Philly Jazz. This one on Vortex is his debut. It’s a beautiful album with Lancaster playing both alto and flute. Love the change between these two instruments on each track. The session produced a very diverse set of tunes, each with it’s own special mood. Still, for some reason it feels cohesive to me.

The personell backing Lancaster are Sonny Sharrock on guitar, Jerome Hunter on bass, Eeic Gravatt on drums and Kenny Speller on congas.

Favorite picks are Sharrock’s spiritualistic ”John’s Children”, Lancaster’s take on Harold Arlen’s classic ”Over the Rainbow” and the beautifully dark ”Satan” where Sharrock’s guitar and Hunter’s bowed bass delivers the goods.

Highly recommended.

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"Impressions" by Three Motions with soloists from Chicago, New York and Vienna on Kovarik's Musikothek R.A.U. 1010

January 14, 2025

Fantastic avant-garde album that is quite accessible, recorded live in 1978 at the First International Music Workshop in the Town Hall in Krems, Austria. The concert features Anthony Braxton and Clifford Thornton among others.

The music is very dynamic with plenty of interesting passages, and the group improvisation is absolutely sublime. Lots of different instruments are featured. We have tenor, alto and soprano sax, trumpet, violin, electric piano, arabian flute, E-flat clarinet, drums, percussion and double bass.

The first side consists of two numbers which features the full band minus Thornton. Brilliant stuff that I feel is accessible even in the most fiery parts. Coltrane’s ”Impressions” kicks things off and it’s outstanding.

On the second side we have just a trio with Braxton (alto), Thornton (trumpet) and Muhammad Malli (soprano). It’s a lenghty, masterful exercise in horn improvisation. Highly enjoyable and engaging during the full 25 minutes.

The cover painting was created by Muhammad Malli.

If you appreciate the avant-garde then this is probably something you’ll enjoy a lot. It’s a clear favorite in the more adventurous part of my collection.

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"Some More Changes" by Changes on Ego 4022

January 13, 2025

Enjoyable effort from German jazz group Changes. A modal/post bop album with some really good tunes. This group was one of the leading outfits on the German jazz scene in the late 70’s and early 80’s.

The musicianship is great and I like trumpeter Uli Beckerhoff in particular. Great player. I also dig his two compositions on the second side a lot. Wolfgang Engstfeld on soprano and tenor sax is a wonderful player as well. The rhythm section consists of Ed Kröger in piano, Detlef Beier on double bass and Peter Weiss on drums and they lay a solid foundation as well as contributing to some really tasteful interplay between each other and both soloists.

Favorite pick is probably Beckerhoff’s ”Yaiza”, the last tune on the second side on which Engstfeld plays a beautiful soprano solo. Beckerhoff lays down a wonderful trumpet statement as well.

Under the radar for sure, but worth checking out.

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"Spirit Sensitive" by Chico Freeman on India Navigation IN 1045

January 12, 2025

This title on India Navigation was in that package with several albums I mentioned in a previous post being lost for several months. The package remains lost. This copy is another one from that local store I’ve mentioned, and when I saw it I just had to grab it, cause who knows if that package will turn up. I would guess it won’t so now I have at least secured this one which I’m very happy about.

Been after this one for a while. It’s a lovely serene album, recorded between 1978 and 1979, with Freeman really nailing his most lyrical approach to a tee. The set consists of mostly standards. It’s beautiful music. And the band backing him adds their magic to the proceedings. We find the outstanding Cecil McBee on double bass, John Hicks on piano, Billy Hart and Famoudou Don Moye on drums.

Chico Freeman was a superb tenor player and there are plenty of titles of his I’m aiming to acquire. There are several others also on India Navigation for example. He was definitely more adventurous during his career than on ”Spirit Sensitive”, but I think it’s a great album and it shows that he could masterfully connect with the older guard of musicians and celebrate the lyrical side of jazz.

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"Compassion" by Charles Tolliver Music Inc on Strata-East SES 8001

January 11, 2025

Anything with Tolliver on it is worth getting.

Another find from that previously unknown (to me) local store. Tolliver is always dope and I’m aiming to collect much more of his stuff. Got another one by him on it’s way as well. This album is a real treat. Post bop at is finest. An unusual combination of only trumpet and guitar besides the bass and drums creates a wonderful sound. It’s delicate and detailed. The musicians are Tolliver on trumpet, Nathan Page on guitar, Steve Novosel on double bass and Alvin Queen on drums.

We have four cuts, three of them are of the longer format which is always a plus for me. Favorite pick is the title track, which clocks in at almost 11 minutes. The closing ballad ”Truth” is amazing as well. The session was recorded in 1977. All compositions are by Tolliver.

Have some packages on their way to me next week with some very good stuff, so stay tuned.

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"Witchdoctor's Son" by Johnny Dyani with John Tchicai and Dudu Pukwana on SteepleChase SCS 1098

January 11, 2025

A great title on the SteepleChase label.

Fantastic title by Johnny Dyani with John Tchicai and Dudu Pukwana. The music is so full of life and joy. The style is a mix of different stuff. It’s very rhythmic and I think of African rhythms in particular at different points. We also have some sporadic vocals present on a couple of tunes, which is a rare occurrence on records in my collection.

Found this one and a couple of other gems in a local store which I hadn’t heard of before actually. So satisfying to buy something in a physical store rather than online, which I’ve been doing a lot through the years.

I’ve been getting in some albums on SteepleChase which is a lovely label based in Denmark. So much great stuff to discover in their catalogue. I have several albums on that label dating back to when I first started buying jazz vinyl. Will have to browse through my collection and see what pressings I have. Haven’t played them for a very long time.

Anyway, highly recommended album which is a bit different to the rest of the stuff I have.

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"Bordercrossing" by the Mike Osborne Trio on Ogun OG 300

January 9, 2025

Live album by English altoist Mike Osborne recorded in 1974 at the Peanuts Club in London. The piano-less trio format is always appealing to me with just a single horn. Really dig the sound and feeling of that kind of a stripped down setting. It’s way more primitive than having a piano in there, and I love that.

The music is avant-garde. It’s a lovely album and another one picked up at a store before I had heard it. I think I should do this more often. It’s very exciting when you take a chance and the music turns out to be great.

Osborne, who I haven’t listen to before, was a wonderful player. Really technically gifted and plays quite fiery, incorporating fast runs that produces lots of energy. I need to take a deep dive into his catalogue I reckon.

The cats backing Osborne in the trio are Harry Miller on double bass and Louise Moholo on drums. Both from South Africa. I mentioned them some time ago as well when I posted the Brötzmann album ”Opened, But Hardly Touched”. Great pair of musicians who played very well together.

The album was released on the Ogun label, which was founded 1973 in London by Miller and his wife Hazel, together with sound engineer Keith Beal. Will have to check that out to see if I can find any more good stuff.

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”Endangered Species” by Hamiet Bluiett on India Navigation IN 1025

January 8, 2025

Blind buy here on India Navigation. Very seldom do I take a chance on an artist or album I haven’t listen to before when visiting a record store. I’m happy I did cause this album is lovely. It’s the debut by baritonist Hamiet Bluiett. He was a multi-instrumentalist and besides his primary instrument he also played the bass saxophone, E-flat alto clarinet, E-flat contra-alto clarinet, and wooden flute.

The music here has both spiritual and avant-garde elements. It’s a live recording from 1976 at The Ladies’ Fort in New York. The cats playing with Bluiett are Jumma Santos on balafon, Junie Booth on double bass, Olu Dara on trumpet and Phillip Wilson on drums. All are new to me. Dara on trumpet is superb. So cool to discover these wonderful artists that are definitely not household names in jazz. At least not for me.

My explorations into the 70’s and 80’s continues and I must say I haven’t had this much fun collecting as I do now, and the journey hasn’t been quite this rewarding, on so many levels, than it is at this moment.

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"Year Of The Iron Sheep" by Ken McIntyre on United Artists UAJS 15015

January 7, 2025

The opportunity to open a sealed album from the early 60’s is a rare occasion. This one was still in it’s original loose plastic sleeve. It’s an original 1st stereo pressing, with the Plastylite ”P” in the dead wax on both sides.

Didn’t have any titles by multi-instrumentalist Ken McIntyre in the collection before this one. Haven’t explored his stuff much. He was a great player. Very accomplished on both alto and flute, which he plays on this session.

The music is beautiful. McIntyre is backed by three different groups. Some of the players include Jaki Byard, Ahmed Abdul-Malik, Ron Carter and Louis Hayes.

The album was named after McIntyre’s birth year in the Tibetan calendar. Love the music, love the cover art and it’s matte surface, it’s all good.

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"Ballads" by Paul Bley on ECM 1010

January 6, 2025

Meditative and suggestive session featuring a piano trio led by Paul Bley, recorded in 1967 and released 1971. We also have Gary Peacock (side 1) and Mark Levinson (side 2) on double bass and Barry Altschul on drums.

The music here is sparse and for me creates an emotion or feeling that is never resolved. Instead it’s fleeting and searching, It’s music to reflect upon. All the tunes are written by Annette Peacock.

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"Katzenvilla" by Joe Haider on Spiegelei 28 772-2 U

January 5, 2025

Lovely post-bop piano trio led by Joe Haider recorded in Germany in 1971, which also features Isla Eckinger on double bass and Pierre Favre on drums.

This is good example where new artists comes into view when you explore a lot and you find great stuff that you’ve never heard of before. There is a lot of wonderful music to be found and enjoyed coming from European labels/musicians and also American artists recording in Europe during the 70’s and 80’s. It’s a very rewarding journey exploring outside of the classic labels and eras of the 50’s and 60’s for sure.

Check this one out.

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"Up Popped The Devil" by Mal Waldron on Enja 2034

January 3, 2025

Here is a trio masterpiece from one of my favorite pianists in jazz. I love Maldrons dark flavored and rhythmically distinct playing. It’s truly unique. I’m loving his later career and this title is just one of many outstanding sessions from that period. Not entirely easy to find his Enja recordings. Glad to have acquired this superb sounding copy.

Waldron is joined by two top side men in Reggie Workman and Billy Higgins on this session. Also, on the second tune of side 1 we have Carla Poole joining in on flute, which really adds something extra. Wonderful flautist.

The album consists of four lenghty Waldron originals. The interplay between the members is brilliant. Everything feels interconnected and executed in a sensitive and thoughtful way. Quite explorative at times which I love. What I really dig in Waldrons later work is his choice of chords in the lower bass register of the piano and his rhythmically potent style, together with his repetitive notes and passages. It’s quite meditative and soothing to listen to his playing, and all the while it’s edgy and keeps you engaged and attentive to his every note. Not many pianists in jazz has that affect on me.

It’s a new year, hopefully full of new discoveries.

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The Woody Shaw Concert Ensemble at the Berliner Jazztage on Muse MR 5139

December 22, 2024

Lovely Shaw title on Muse recorded live in Berlin in 1976. It features a great group with Louis Hayes and Frank Foster among others. René McLean, Jackie Mac’s son, is also featured which is quite cool. Didn’t know he had a son who was a musician.

The music is some awesome post bop with top playing by all involved. Woody Shaw was such an amazing artist and he is definitely on my top 5 list of favorite trumpeters now. Since I started to explore his work I’ve really felt I’ve been missing out in the past. Better late than never, right?

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"Friends" by Yoshio Suzuki on CBS Sony SOPL-192

December 20, 2024

Highly enjoyable jazz performed by an all Japanese group led by bassist Yoshio Suzuki. Recorded in Tokyo in 1973. Great post bop/modal stuff.

Favorite tune is probably ”K’s Waltz”, clocking in at almost 11 min. Most of the other tunes are also of the longer format, which I enjoy a lot.

Been exploring a bit of Japanese jazz lately and there is plenty there to enjoy. Still waiting for a great title on the Three Blind Mice label, been waiting for 2 and a half months so the package is probably lost. First time that has happened to me. The package also included 3 other titles, Roy Brook’s ”The Free Slave” among them, so I’m not happy about that. But such is life. I’m grateful that it hasn’t happened before at least.

I’m continuing my explorations into jazz after the 60’s and I must say there is so much wonderful music to discover. I’ve been missing out big time previously. Since I acquired the stereo deck I’ve almost exclusively focused on exploring artists who released albums during the 70’s and 80’s. Many that I hadn’t listened to before. It’s all been super fun and took my collecting down another path.

Christmas is just around the corner and I’d like to wish you all a lovely time with friends and family. Happy Holidays! 🎄

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”Epistrophy & Now's the Time” by Richard Davis on Muse MR 5002

December 11, 2024

Great session led by a virtuoso double bassist.

My first Richard Davis led session is a great one, recorded live in New York in 1972 and released on the Muse label. Been getting in some Muse titles lately and this was one of them. The music leans towards the avant-garde which I enjoy a lot. It’s quite accessible though.

I have enjoyed Davis’ bass playing for a long time, and he was part of one of the greatest groups ever assembled in my opinion. I’m referring to the one with Dolphy, Booker Little, Waldron and Blackwell. The group on this session is great as well, with Davis joined by Clifford Jordan on tenor, Marvin Peterson on trumpet, Joe Bonner on piano and Freddie Waits on drums.

I will dive deeper into Davis’ catalogue as a leader and see what other gems I can find.

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"Joe Henderson in Japan" on Milestone MSP-9047

December 5, 2024

Great live date with Joe Henderson playing with an all Japanese rhythm section. It was recorded in 1971 at the Junk Club in Tokyo.

Interesting to me is that the pianist plays an electric piano, which I’m not used to. It sounds great. Top notch performances by all musicians and Henderson is at his very best here, incorporating both his lyrical and fiery sides of his style to great effect.

It’s quite a nice live recording as well, which isn’t always the case. Feels a bit like you’re in that club sitting at one of the tables sipping on a drink. Feels intimate.

Hoping to land a few more Henderson titles on Milestone cause there is plenty there to enjoy.

A highlight is the version of Kenny Dorhams ”Blue Bossa”, which of course is present on Henderson’s debut ”Page One” as well.

Highly recommended!

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"Opened, But Hardly Touched" by Brötzmann/Miller/Moholo on FMP 0840/50

November 26, 2024

My first album with Brötzmann. As I’m continuing my explorations into the avant-garde the prospect of dipping my toes into the work of Brötzmann was appealing but a bit daunting. Not entirely a given, cause my impression is that he was maybe a bit too harsh a player for me to fully appreciate, but this particular album showed a quite accessible side of him. I haven’t listen much to his other stuff yet, but maybe I can find a similar approach on other albums.

This session was recorded in 1980 in Berlin. The sound is very organic and natural, very earthy. I love that. The trio on this is Brötzmann (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, E♭ clarinet, tárogató), Harry Miller (double bass) and Louis Moholo (drums). Brötzmann mixes fiery clusters of furious notes with more accessible passages and an amazing explorative approach. Definitely a master of the free. The contributions of Miller and Moholo, both from South Africa, are immense. They play so rhythmically interesting parts and create so many different moods that it will take repeated listening to fully grasp. That’s the thing though, you want to listen again and again to this music to see what else you might find.

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"How Many Clouds Can You See?" by John Surman on Deram SML-R 1045

November 21, 2024

Top stuff from English jazzman John Surman.

A lovely album with a mix of avant-garde/free/spiritual/post bop. A majority is on the free side though. It’s bombastic and chaotic at times and slower paced and more melodic in parts. There are plenty of different interesting passages throughout. It keeps you engaged at all times for sure.

There is a large ensemble (which varies a bit) on some of the tunes and fewer cats on some of them. Very dynamic.

John Surman is a English multi-instrumentalist and composer. Brilliant player. Haven’t explored his work at all up to this point. After hearing this superb album though, I will definitely dive deeper.

Highly recommended.

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"Decision in Paradise" by Frank Lowe on Soul Note SN 1082

November 20, 2024

Great line-up on this one, with Memphis-born tenor man Lowe joined by Don Cherry on pocket trumpet, Grachan Moncur III on trombone, Geri Allen on piano, 17 year old Charnette Moffett on double bass and his father, Charles Moffett on drums.

The music is a treat, with the avant-garde mixed with more straight ahead stuff. Listening to Don Cherry is always very interesting, as he is definitely one of a kind. His playing is quite unpredictable, style-wise very much his own, and therefor most exhilarating.

I really dig the two Soul Note sessions I have by Lowe. Will continue my explorations into his work.

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