Smokin', Groovin', Comin' On, Cool Burnin' and Boppin' with the Chet Baker Quintet on Prestige (PR 7449, 7460, 7478, 7496, 7512)

October 15, 2026

These five Chet albums on Prestige were among the first vintage originals that I acquired way back in 2010 or so. My first taste of some 1st pressings. From there it snowballed into buying original Lee Morgan titles on Blue Note etc.

Chet was one of my absolute favorites in my early days of exploring jazz. He still is special to me. These five albums he did for Prestige were recorded during three days in August of 1965. Chet plays the flugelhorn exclusively on all the albums. The band backing him consists of George Coleman on tenor, Kirk Lightsey on piano, Herman Wright on double bass and Roy Brooks on drums.

I dig these sessions. The music feels relaxed, a bit jammy and overall well executed. I haven’t listened to these albums since I got them so it was about time to revisit them. I cleaned them all with my new Humminguru Nova and I will listen to them a bit more often than once every 15 years or so. Oh, and which is my favorite of the bunch? I guess I land on ”Cool Burnin’”. Really dig ”Boudoir” on that one which is perhaps my favorite tune across all five albums.

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”Song for my Father (Cantiga para meu Pai)” by the Horace Silver Quintet on Blue Note BLP 4185

October 9, 2026

Horace Silver is criminally underrepresented in my collection. Same goes for Art Blakey. Aiming to remedy that. I’ve never really focused on those two cats’ records as leaders through the years. For one reason or another.

I figured this album is a wonderful way to start building the Silver collection a bit, as it’s one of his best efforts. Two fantastic bands are backing him. One with Joe Henderson on tenor, Carmell Jones on trumpet, Teddy Smith on bass, Roger Humphries on drums, and the other one with Junior Cook on tenor, Blue Mitchell on trumpet, Gene Taylor on bass and Roy Brooks on drums.

Henderson is always great. I really dig Jones’ trumpet playing and the great sounding drums of Humphries as well. Silver plays some lovely stuff. Especially on ”Calcutta Cutie”, a favorite on which his playing flows effortlessly from one mood to another in a beautiful way. As for the other tunes, there’s the bossa nova tinged title track, we have ”Que Pasa” with it’s wonderful latin rhythm, the smokers ”The Natives Are Restless Tonight” and Henderson’s ”The Kicker” and also the contemplative ballad ”Lonely Woman”.

The cover photo is of Silver’s father John Tavares Silver, who was born on one of the Cape Verde islands. The title tune is dedicated to him.

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”Ptah, the El Daoud” by the Alice Coltrane Quintet with Pharoah Sanders and Joe Henderson on Impulse AS-9196

October 1, 2026

Been searching high and low for this masterpiece for several years but never found the coveted 1st pressing with the single logo box and the ringwear-prone cover in good condition. The search is now officially over as I’ve found this lovely example. The cover is clean beyond belief. Never seen one in this kind of shape before.

The music is quintessential 70’s spiritual jazz in it’s very best iteration. Alice Coltrane’s third album as a leader. Recorded in the home studio in the basement of the Coltrane family home in Dix Hills, New York. We have a stellar lineup with Coltrane joined by Joe Henderson and Pharoah Sanders both on tenor and alto flute, Ron Carter on double bass and Ben Riley on drums.

All the compositions were written by Coltrane. The title track is a long one, clocking in at around 14 minutes. Love the theme with it’s marching beat and brooding melody. Henderson and Sanders play tenor on this one and they get ample space to strech out. Joe is in the left channel and Pharoah in the right. I really enjoy the contrast between these two players. Alice’s solo is a lovely one as well with her piano releasing cascading notes that are as meditative as they are creative.

The second tune is played in trio format and showcases Coltrane’s lovely approach to the piano, with the blues meeting spiritual ideas. Riley plays the brushes and Carter lays down a thick and warm bass foundation.

Then we have ”Blue Nile” which features the two wind players on alto flute and the leader on harp. It makes for a beautiful symbiosis and delivers an overarching gentleness to the music. The harp can be very soothing with it’s waves of notes flowing in a steady stream. This is probably my favorite tune on the album.

On the last tune we have the tenor saxes back. It’s an over 16 minutes display of freer ideas and moody undertones that feels rooted and organic. Love these longer pieces when you really have time to get lost in the music.

A classic filed at last.

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”Les Stances a Sophie” by Art Ensemble of Chicago on Pathé Marconi C 062-11365

September 29, 2026

Superb soundtrack to a French film from 1970 directed by Moshé Mizrahi. Recorded in Paris two weeks before the groups French visas expired. The Art Ensemble of Chicago consists of Lester Bowie on trumpet/percussion, Joseph Jarman on sax/clarinet/percussion, Malachi Favors on double bass/percussion, Roscoe Mitchell on sax/clarinet/flute/percussion, Don Moye on drums/percussion and Fontella Bass on vocals/piano.

The first tune is a smoking, driving R&B number with Bass on vocals. She rips it to shreds. It’s funky, propulsive, free, hot, sweet and sticky all at the same time. The rest of the program is very varied. Cinematic stuff, exotic themes and percussion, beautifully calm numbers that are contemplative in nature, avant-garde/free excursions and bluesy infusions as well.

Love the organic sound of this original Pathé Marconi pressing. All in all a lovely album that goes beyond just being a mere soundtrack. This is a statement of the highest order from an extremely creative group of musicians, caught on tape in their prime, that should be on every music lovers’ shelf.

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”Katanga!” by Curtis Amy & Dupree Bolton on Pacific Jazz PJ-70

September 25, 2026

Absolutely brilliant album by sax player Curtis Amy and trumpeter Dupree Bolton. All the way through a mesmerizing session which features both individual brilliance and collective magic when this sextet tackles six outstanding tunes. It’s a great mix with lots of variety and it begs for repeated listening.

Texas born Curtis Amy is a cat that has been off my radar through the years. But I’ve been aware of this album for quite a while now, but haven’t really listened to it until just recently. Great player on both tenor and soprano.

The co-leader on this date is trumpeter Dupree Bolton, another under the radar cat, but what a player. He delivers some virtuosic stuff on his horn. A flamboyant player, just like his hero Fats Navarro, he commands his instrument with amazing skill. But he also shared a drug addiction with Fats and he was in and out of prison during most of his adult life. He played in a San Quentin prison band with Art Pepper, Frank Morgan and Frank Butler among others.

Most notably he played on Harold Land’s ”The Fox” and the album I’m posting here. There is other material with him released on CD. Not sure if there is anything more. I wish there were more recordings with him on vinyl from back in the day. Fabulous musician.

What an enlightening experience it is to sit here and listen to this album on original vinyl in mono. Love all of the tunes and the sound is wonderful, a beautiful recording. One of my favorite finds of the year so far.

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”My Favorite Things” by John Coltrane on Atlantic 1361

September 23, 2026

John Coltrane was born 100 years ago today. In celebration of this occasion I’m posting this classic on Atlantic which has eluded me for years.

Such an iconic album with a title track for the ages. It’s so bloody good. No wonder the album gained major commercial success.

At this time, pre Reggie Workman and Jimmy Garrison, Steve Davis played double bass. The rest of the classic quartet is intact.

When we get past the brilliant title tune we have Cole Porter’s ”Everytime We Say Goodbye”, on which Coltrane is playing sweet and lovely. He truly was a ballad master. The second side kicks off with the classic standard ”Summertime” by George Gershwin and it’s a treat. Coltrane cooks for sure and the flurry of notes are hitting just right. It’s rapid but warm, virtuosic but not just cold technique, it’s so much soul in his playing.

Last tune is ”But Not For Me”, another classic standard. It swings, it’s lyrical it’s upbeat. A great conclusion to a wonderful album that at last has found itself onto my shelf.

Happy Birthday Trane!

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”Coolin’” by Teddy Charles and the Prestige All Stars on New Jazz NJLP 8216

September 20, 2026

Got to dive deeper into Teddy Charles’ catalogue…

An elusive New Jazz gem recorded in 1957 and released in 1959. This one flew under the radar for me for a very long time. In the process of going back to exploring earlier hard bop stuff again I listened to this and was very pleasantly surprised by how good this album is and what a great lineup it has. We have Teddy Charles on vibes, Idrees Sulieman on trumpet, John Jenkins in alto sax, Mal Waldron on piano, Addison Farmer on double bass and Jerry Segal on drums.

I’m diggin’ the trumpet work by Sulieman and Jenkins is so good on the alto. Both are quite underrated, right? Waldron is of course a favorite. Teddy Charles though is a cat I haven’t explored at all for some reason through the years. I’ve been missing out for sure which is very apparent when listening to this great album. He is smokin’ on the vibes. Love his solos and the notes he chooses. The album contains some outstanding original compositions by Waldron, Charles, Jenkins and Sulieman. There’s also one standard, ”Everything Happens To Me”, with Sulieman as the only horn.

Some favorites are Jenkins’ ”Song of a Star”, Charles’ ”Bunni” and Waldron’s ”Reiteration”.

Cool vibes all around.

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”Looking Ahead” by Ken McIntyre with Eric Dolphy on New Jazz NJLP 8247

September 16, 2026

Superb combo of Dolphy and McIntyre here on this splendid album, recorded in 1960 and released the following year. Both players were multi-instrumentalists and they display their chops on alto sax and flute. Dolphy also plays the bass clarinet. As for the rhythm section; we have Walter Bishop Jr. on piano, Sam Jones on double bass and Art Taylor on drums.

The music is quite unique as you’d expect from these two cats. Fantastic intricate and original soloing from both players and you immediately want to listen to the whole album again to maybe pick up something different.

The New Jazz label is truly one of the great classic labels. So many under the radar albums were released on that label and is seldom talked about. I feel this is one of those. I have managed to get my hands on some great titles on New Jazz through the years, but many still remain on the wish list. Been on a hot streak these past few weeks when it comes to this label and have acquired three titles, so very happy about that.

For all you fans of Dolphy that haven’t heard this one I would recommend you take a listen sooner rather than later. Great stuff.

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”Relativity” by Walt Dickerson on New Jazz NJLP 8275

September 12, 2026

I’ve been meaning to acquire more of Dickerson’s stuff after I found a lovely copy of the wonderful ”To My Queen” several years ago, but it never materialized. I’m very happy to have found this title recently, which is a fantastic session from 1962. Features a great band consisting of Dickerson on vibes, Austin Crowe on piano, Ahmed Abdul-Malik on double bass and Andrew Cyrille on drums.

The music feels exotic, intricate, exciting and the band delivers on all fronts. Dickerson’s vibes is the highlight though, as it should be. He plays beautifully throughout.

One of the highlights on this album is an interesting duet between Dickerson and Abdul-Malik. Another favorite is the airy and flowing ”Sugar Lump”, an original penned by the leader.

The search continues for his other stuff on New Jazz first and foremost.

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Eric Dolphy in Europe on Debut DEB-136

September 9, 2026

Elusive title with Dolphy perfoming live in Copenhagen in 1961.

Heavy stuff here. An historical artifact that I’ve been after for a very long time. Had several opportunities to acquire it through the years but either it was too expensive or the condition wasn’t what I’d hoped for. This copy is stellar and I can place it on the shelf at last. It’s a very rare record released on the Danish Debut label in 1962. Only have one other on that label, ”Spirits” by Albert Ayler.

Eric Dolphy was here in Scandinavia, in Copenhagen, Denmark to be precise, in September of 1961 and recorded this beautiful live album together with three Danish musicians. It’s a moment in time. A master jazz musician captured live and raw. He is joined by Bent Axen on piano, Eric Moseholm on double bass and Jørn Elniff on drums.

Bassist Chuck Israels, who was in the audience, also appears together with Dolphy on a flute/bass duet version of Randy Weston’s ”Hi-Fly”, which is a highlight on the album. Another highlight for me is Dolphy’s unaccompanied bass clarinet version of Lady Day’s ”God Bless The Child”, a standard written in 1939. Brilliant stuff.

Prestige released this material later as three volumes with some extra material from a previous nights performance. Those are probably easier to find and is a great alternative to this elusive Danish original.

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”Natural Essence” by Tyrone Washington on Blue Note BLP 4274

September 3, 2026

A rare mono audition copy of this smoker.

Tenorman Tyrone Washington plays some fiery stuff on this excellent album which was recorded in 1967 and released 1968. The lineup is superb with Woody Shaw, Janes Spaulding, Kenny Barron, Reggie Workman and Joe Chambers joining the leader in creating a memorable post-bop outing.

I haven’t listened much to Tyrone Washington before acquiring this title. He plays on Stanley Cowell’s ”Brilliant Circles” on Polydor which I have, but other than that I can’t remember if I have another album with him present. Anyway, fantastic player and I will explore his stuff further.

He was an outstanding composer, which is apparent here as he wrote all the tunes. The whole album is lovely, but some favorites are ”Positive Path”, a high octane smoker, ”Ethos”, a beautiful bossa nova with some bite and some great flute playing by Spaulding, and also the more mellow number “Yearning For Love”.

I must mention Joe Chambers. He is one of my favorite drummers for sure. With his beautiful ride work that is always crystal clear and defined and his killer overall approach to his kit. Beautiful musician.

This particular copy is a rare mono audition version which sounds absolutely amazing. Such punch and detail, good lord. When it comes to Van Gelder I find mono is the way to go. All the way to the very end of the formats life cycle, which this LP represents. It’s probably one of my best sounding records.

Get acquainted with this one if you’re unfamiliar.

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”Earth Blossom” by The John Betsch Society on Strata-East SES-19748

August 18, 2026

A rare bird and gem in the Strata-East catalogue.

This one has been one of my most wanted Strata-East titles. Been after it for quite a while. Hard to find album. Have seen it though in a couple of record store drops online and also at a local store but I’ve been too late on every occasion. This time I was first in line and couldn’t be happier.

This is a spiritual jazz excursion led by drummer John Betsch. Haven’t explored his stuff so need to dive in after listening to this one. He recorded with Steve Lacy, Dollar Brand and Mal Waldron for example. Earth Blossom, his only title as a leader I believe, was recorded in 1974 in Nashville, Tennessee. The cast of players are all unfamiliar to me which is interesting. The overall vibe of this album is warm. It touches the avant-garde at times but most of it is accessible and the lyricism is apparent throughout. Lots of percussion at the foundation and nods to the spiritual ambience of the natural world.

Favorite tunes are; ”Ode to Ethiopia”, ”Song for an Untitled Lady”, ”Ra” and ”Darling Doria”.

A gem in the lovely Strata-East catalogue. Love the music, love the cover art. Have a crack at this one if you’re unfamiliar.

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”Juju” by Wayne Shorter on Blue Note BLP 4182

August 15, 2026

I’ve been after the classic Hancocks, Hendersons and Shorters on Blue Note for a long time and have managed to secure some of them. Just completed my top three Hancock must haves and have some of my favorite Hendersons. My top three Shorters have been extra difficult to source and I have had one of them, ”Speak No Evil”, for quite a while. Now the other two have been sourced in one fell swoop. One will have to wait to be posted for a while, but the one on display is in my hands. ”Juju” is a fantastic album, the six compositions are outstanding, all penned by Shorter. The themes are so memorable and Shorters soloing is splendid. It’s deep post-bop we’re talking about here, performed by a band worth it’s weight in gold. Shorter, McCoy Tyner, Reggie Workman and Elvin Jones delivers a raw display of quartet magic, keeping an intense fire burning mixed with lyrical ideas which work like balm for the soul. The album as a whole feels extremely cohesive.

Favorite cuts from this all-the-way-through stellar album has to be ”Mahjong”, ”Juju” and ”Yes or No”.

Now I’ll wait for the last Shorter piece that I sorely need.

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”Blue Train” by John Coltrane on Blue Note BLP 1577

August 14, 2026

This is actually my first vinyl copy of Blue Train believe it or not. I never really went after it like it was something more special than for example a Lee Morgan, Thad Jones or Sonny Clark on Blue Note. It’s a great album, an iconic album and Trane’s only one as a leader on Blue Note, the music is great, but I think there are lot of hard bop dates that are just as good. As for my thoughts on where it stands in Trane’s catalogue, well for me, his best stuff came after Blue Note and Prestige, especially on Impulse. Giant Steps and a few others on Atlantic are superb as well. But as an early session as a leader, recorded during his hard bop days, this is as good as it gets.

Anyway, very happy to file this original W63 both sides copy at last. Feels good to have a decent playing copy of this album on the shelf.

Regarding the music, what is there to say? Classic stuff played by hard bop royalty. We have Trane, Morgan, Fuller, Drew, Chambers and Philly Joe Jones making history together. Favourite tunes are the title track and ”Moment’s Notice”.

It’s been a good year so far in tracking down some original Blue Notes.

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Clifford Brown and Max Roach at Basin Street on Emarcy MG-36070

August 7, 2026

Completely nuts that I haven’t acquired this one earlier. And it’s even more nuts that it’s only my second Brownie title. I have a lovely original of Study in Brown, so looking for the other ones, like Incorporated for example. Very happy to have found this at a local shop a couple of days ago. This is of course brilliant music, hard bop at it’s finest. Brownie was such a great trumpeter and I really need to step up my game and try to find more of his stuff. I’ve kept my eye out for his stuff since I started collecting, but it isn’t easy ro find his albums in decent shape.

What makes this one stand out for me is the presence of Sonny instead of Harold. Great to hear him in this particular quintet. Also, still looking after all these years for Sonny Rollins Plus 4 on Prestige, which features the same band.

Favorite tunes are the opener ”What Is This Thing Called Love” by Cole Porter, the 1941 classic ”I’ll Remember April” and the Richie Powell penned ballad ”Time”.

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”A New Conception” by Sam Rivers on Blue Note BLP 4249

August 6, 2026

Stellar title with Rivers playing and deconstructing standards in a beautiful way, with avant touches sprinkled in throughout. Rivers remarkable ability to thread the line between the past and the future is simply stunning. These older tunes gets a new lease on life and becomes something more modern and highly engaging.

Every tune has it’s own lovely thing going on but if I have to choose some favorites it will be the lyrical ”I’ll Never Smile Again” that features both Rivers’ round and deep tenor as well as his high soaring soprano, ”Detour Ahead”, a relaxing mood setter, also featured on Bill Evans’ ”Waltz For Debby”, and I love the playful flute playing on ”Secret Love” which is a bright and hopeful conclusion to this album.

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”Maiden Voyage” by Herbie Hancock on Blue Note BLP 4195

August 1, 2026

Here’s another Blue Note title that has been so hard to find for me. Been looking for ages for a mono original with ear to complete my Herbie top 3 must haves. The other two being Inventions & Dimensions and Empyrean Isles. All three are very hard to find, so I consider myself a very happy boy now that all three are on the shelf.

The album itself is a bonafide classic of course and it represents the very best from the Blue Note catalogue. Hancocks brilliant composing skills are on full display here. Modal/post-bop at it’s finest. The musicianship is outstanding, and you’d expect nothing less from captain Hancock and his crew, consisting of Hubbard, Coleman, Carter and Williams. I have to mention Williams, as he once again plays blindingly good. So creative, refined and fiery. A big part of why the albums with Hancock, Miles’ second great quintet, Sam Rivers, Grachan Moncur, Andrew Hill etc. are so fantastic is because of him.

Favorite picks are perhaps the lush title track and the up-tempo smoker ”The Eye Of The Hurricane”. A sophisticated album full of moments to savor.

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”Action” by Jackie McLean on Blue Note BLP 4218

July 31, 2026

This is one of my favorite Jackie Mac albums on Blue Note and it contains some brilliant post-bop with McLean and Co in top form. The music is full of energy, fire and technical prowess as this hard to beat quintet smokes throughout. We have Tolliver, Hutcherson, McBee and Higgins backing Jackie.

This one went under the radar for me for a long time, don’t know why really and it is a damn pity, but better late than never to appreciate this highlight in McLean’s career. The music is highly engaging throughout and it feels like Jackie has never sounded better. Favorite tune is perhaps the Tolliver penned ”Plight” with it’s slower paced swaying and flowing beat.

A fantastic recording by Van Gelder, so crisp and well balanced. Love these later BN’s in mono, they are punchy as hell.

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”Byrd in Hand” by Donald Byrd on Blue Note BLP 4019

July 30, 2026

Been after this Byrd on Blue Note for a very long time. It’s one of those elusive titles that I’ve never found a clean enough copy of. So, very happy to finally have landed this lovely example.

One of Byrd’s best imho. The great combination of Byrd and Adams is well known and here we also get the addition of Rouse which elevates it even further. The rhythm section of Walter Davis Jr., Sam Jones and Art Taylor is a huge plus as well.

Favorite tunes are; the opening standard ”Witchcraft”, ”Here Am I” a medium tempo beautifully melancholy effort penned by Byrd and ”Clarion Calls” the minor-key original by Davis Jr., with it’s brilliant theme and wonderful solos.

Love the cover art on this one as well, with the orange tint and Byrd hanging out outside of Van Gelder’s Englewood Cliffs studio.

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”Live at the Lighthouse” by Lee Morgan on Blue Note BST 89906

June 26, 2026

I’ve always loved Lee Morgan. My favorite albums with him as the leader are from the 50’s. His sideman work during the 60’s is stellar as well. But this live album recorded in 1970 at The Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach in Los Angeles is something else. His style is mature and has developed from the previous two decades. We’re talking fiery and progressive modal/post-bop here, which he and the band executes to perfection.

Morgan plays both the trumpet and flugelhorn. The fantastic cats that backs him consists of Bennie Maupin on tenor, flute and bass clarinet, Harold Mabern on piano, Jymie Merritt on bass and Mickey Roker on drums.

We’re treated to four tunes in this original 2 LP set, one tune per side. So it’s long format stuff, which I love. Favorite tunes are perhaps ”Absolutions” by Merritt and ”Neophilia” by Maupin.

The sound has a dry character and the treble is potent in the cymbals for example, but the low end and Merritt’s bass is very present. Overall a very ”live” sounding recording, which the whole point is of course. You wanna feel like you’re sitting there at a table in the club and experiencing the energy from the band and I think you get that.

This album ranks quite high on my list of favorite Morgan albums. It’s a resounding statement in time which exemplifies the leaders virtuosic and evergreen talent.

I visited the venue in Hermosa Beach in 2022. Below are some images from that visit.

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