Viewing entries tagged
Frank Lowe

”The Other Side” by The Frank Lowe Quartet on Palm 25

Comment

”The Other Side” by The Frank Lowe Quartet on Palm 25

Continuing my explorations into the work of Frank Lowe.

Been exploring the work of Frank Lowe since the fall of last year and found some great stuff. Started with his work on Soul Note and have listened to some of his earlier recordings lately. This title on Palm was recorded in 1976 in Paris. The recording quality is way below par but the music is great. 

The band consists of Lowe on tenor sax, Butch Morris on cornet, Didier Levallet on double bass and George Brown on drums. The same group that’s on the title on the Marge label, which I posted in the beginning of the month.

All compositions are penned by the leader, except for one tune which is co-written with Morris. Will continue my explorations into Lowe’s work and also the Palm label.

Comment

"Tricks of the Trade" by The Frank Lowe Quartet on Marge MAR 02

2 Comments

"Tricks of the Trade" by The Frank Lowe Quartet on Marge MAR 02

Avant-garde magic from an old church.

Fantastic album by Frank Lowe on the French Marge label, recorded in 1976. The band is superb with Lowe on tenor, Lawrence ”Butch” Morris on cornet, Didier Levallet on double bass and George Brown on drums.

The music is definitely on the avant side, but it will be very accessible to folks appreciating and listening to a lot of avant-garde/free jazz. 

The recording is excellent for a live concert, with plenty of details present, a very balanced mix and a overall powerful sound.

I’ve been diving deeper and deeper into the free side of jazz and I’m finding a lot of artists and albums that I love. I’m not diggin’ everything (it can’t be screechy craziness non stop) but I definitely love plenty about this genre. Aiming to build a respectable avant section on my shelves. I’ve already found quite a few titles already, and I’m adding all the time. Like I mentioned, I’m waiting on a couple of Rashied Ali titles next, and those are top notch. Really looking forward to spinning those this week.

Finally, what a great image of the band on the back cover. It’s taken at the concert held in an old church called Salle Sainte-Croix Des Pelletiers in the city of Rouen, Normandy, France.

2 Comments

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

Comment

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

Another great Lowe title on Soul Note.

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.

Comment

"Exotic Heartbreak" by The Frank Lowe Quintet on Soul Note SN 1032

Comment

"Exotic Heartbreak" by The Frank Lowe Quintet on Soul Note SN 1032

A great first experience of Lowe’s work.

My first title by tenor man Frank Lowe. Recorded in 1981 and released in 1982 on the Italian Soul Note label, which is affiliated with Black Saint. The music is quite accessible, not free jazz at all. I would call this post-bop spiced with a dose of the avant-garde and some hot blues and latin rhythms thrown in there as well.

One of my favorite tunes is the title tune, penned by Lowe, which is a calm piece filled with beautiful statements. And also ”Addiction Ain’t Fiction” with it’s latin vibes. The swinging rhythm, blended with some of Lowe’s avant-garde approach, makes for an interesting concoction.

The album artwork is created by Carmen Lowe, probably inspired by Moki Cherry. 

Need to dive deeper into Lowe’s work.

Comment