FW Rare Jazz Vinyl Collector

Jaki is a favorite as I’ve mentioned before. He was quite unique. He incorporated many different styles into his playing which makes his albums very interesting, and it lends itself to wanting to explore them over and over again. This album was recorded in May of 1964 except one track which was recorded in 1961. A few tunes have horns, with Booker Ervin and Richard Williams joining in on tenor and trumpet. Jaki also plays alto on the last tune and it sounds great. Very cool. It’s a diverse set for sure.

Favorite pick on this album is ”European Episode” which is a 12 minute dance suite in 6 parts (Jaki was apparently a dancer himself according to the liner notes), which he hoped to choreograph and present in concert with 12 dancers and a 17-piece orchestra. Don’t know if he ever did get to do that. Now, to have been able to attend such a concert would have been some experience I’m sure.

Jaki was a terrific pianist and composer and was always full of surprises and that’s why I love him.

Comment

Here’s some unique and highly pleasurable jazz.

This album contains quite a special brand of jazz. It’s very suggestive and creative. It’s smooth but challenging and full of inspiring passages. Booker Little has composed all the tunes, very impressive. These originals are highly interesting and far from your regular hard bop tunes. What a great trumpeter Booker is. Eric Dolphy is also present, and we know what a fabulous combination those two cats are together. Both are true masters of their craft and they complement each other in a superb way. Just listen to this album, Far Cry and the Five Spot albums to get a sense of what that partnership was all about. I also dig the playing and approach by Max Roach and his tympani. The other cats are Julian Priester on trombone, Art Davis and Ron Carter on double bass and Don Friedman on piano. A very nice group.

I have three copies of this album. Been upgrading and have landed on the one on display. Not an easy one to find clean, especially the cover which is quite prone to wear.

I’ve always held the trumpet as my favorite instrument in jazz and Booker Little is in my top 5 list of greatest trumpeters of all time, despite his short career. And in addition to being a master trumpeter this album really displays his wonderful compositional skills as well. A set of very unique tunes for sure. Another instrument that I find very interesting in jazz is the double bass. I find it very expressive, I love the sound and I’m so in awe of all the master bassists and their skills on this big instrument. Just now for example I’ve watched some instructional videos on YouTube featuring Gary Peacock and I’ve watched “An Evening with Eddie Gomez” as well, and I find it fascinating.

Question for my readers: As this is a trumpeter-led session, could you give me your top 5 albums which features a trumpeter as a leader? Think I’ve asked this before, but let’s do it again; favorite instrument in jazz?

I have 3 new albums coming to me on Tuesday next week. Looking forward to that. Some new blood into the collection. I hope you guys have added some great stuff to your collections so far this year as well. Enjoy your weekend, stay safe and stay tuned for more original vintage jazz vinyl… cheers!

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"Out Front!" by Jaki Byard on Prestige PR 7397

"Out Front" by Booker Little on Candid CJM 8027