"Dusk Fire" by the Don Rendell / Ian Carr Quintet on Columbia SX 6064

January 14, 2023

A belated Happy New Year to all of my readers. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday period and that the new year has started off great.

Beautiful album here from British duo Don Rendell and Ian Carr. I hadn’t heard anything from these two cats before I saw a Instagram post of this album from the record store Vinylspot in the Netherlands and decided to sample it on Spotify. I was immediately hooked and decided to jump on the opportunity to acquire this rare gem. Not cheap by any means, but I had understood after looking it up that it was very rare. Didn’t want to miss out on it and I had the funds available so I didn’t hesitate.

The album contains some beautiful music, some up-tempo stuff as well as some lovely moody and perceptive stuff, which I love. Great musicianship. It’s these more moody tunes that stand out for me. Favorite two tunes at this point are “Prayer” and the title track “Dusk Fire”. Both are penned by pianist Michael Garrick, which makes me want to explore his other stuff for sure. “Prayer” is a beautiful tune. Such wonderful melodies presented in different passages and moods. The title track has that darker, shimmering vibe which I find extremely appealing. A vibe like Pete La Roca’s magnificent album “Basra” offers on a couple of tunes as well.

Don Rendell was a multi-instrumentalist, playing tenor and soprano saxes, flute and clarinet on this album. I must I say he sounds great on all of them. Ian Carr plays both trumpet and the more muffled flugelhorn. Wonderful player. The rest of the group consists of Dave Green on double bass, Michael Garrick on piano and Trevor Tomkin on drums. They all contribute some lovely stuff. The whole album is top notch and I would encourage anyone who haven’t heard it to check it out. Now I just need to check out some more stuff from these cats more in depth. Exciting!

If you have any thoughts on this album, please write away guys.

I hope you are all doing great and that you are enjoying your collections. Stay tuned for more vintage jazz vinyl coming up. Here’s to a great 2023. Cheers!

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"The Thing To Do" by Blue Mitchell on Blue Note BLP 4178

December 10, 2022

It starts off with lovely Caribbean flavors. The sound is crisp and clean. Blue Mitchell was a wonderful player. I’ve got to get some more of his stuff into the collection. Another earlier one of his that I love and have on the shelf is “Blue’s Moods” released on Riverside in 1960. There are many more to keep my eyes out for. On the featured album he is backed by Junior Cook on tenor (a cat I haven’t explored at all), Chick Corea on piano (got to dive into his catalogue as well), Gene Taylor on double bass and Al Foster on drums. A great group, very cohesive.

I quite enjoy the tenor playing of Junior Cook, he’s got a nice approach. He is yet another example for me, even though I’ve listened to jazz for so many years, that there is still so much more to explore and wonderful artists to discover more in depth. Chick Corea is another one. I must admit, I take things slowly. The benefit then being that the flow of unexplored jazz artists and albums will not dry up anytime soon for me.

The music on this album is very easy to grasp. It offers no big surprises, just good jazz. Perfect for a lazy afternoon. The sound of this original mono pressing, which was an eBay grab for a very fair price, is lovely.

Hope you guys are doing great and that you are enjoying your collections. Christmas is not far away now, looking forward to some time off with the family. Cheers!

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"Basra" by Pete La Roca on Blue Note BLP 4205

December 1, 2022

A tasty treat with drummer Pete La Roca.

Posted “Inner Urge” the last time and this is another one of those very special Blue Notes. The opening tune “Malagueña” has to be one of my absolute favorite jazz tunes. The dark, swaying oriental sounds that fills the room is a pleasure to soak in. Joe Henderson’s tenor offers so many things to enjoy and explore. I really enjoy the piano playing of Steve Kuhn as well. “Candu” is a bluesy excursion and a nice contrast to the opening tune. I always enjoy a good bluesy jazz tune. Diggin’ the short bass solo on this one. “Tears Come From Heaven” is a faster paced effort with some great chops from Henderson. The rest of the band is ticking along nicely and provides a steady foundation. Lovely, percussive and lyrical piano solo on this one.

The second side begins with a wonderful bass solo leading into “Basra” which also feels oriental, dark and shimmering. Brilliant playing by all members. Henderson steals the show though, with his searching and explorative approach to his improvising. Impressive that La Roca penned this one (he also composed the previous two). Another favorite. Next up is the light, feathery and tastefully executed slower paced “Lazy Afternoon”, which offers some beautiful and relaxing notes. The closing tune is the up-tempo “Eiderdown” penned by bassist Swallow. Great theme. Pulsating groove and top notch soloing from Henderson, Kuhn and Swallow.

An interesting thing about this session is that apparently Swallow and La Roca had taken LSD prior to recording this album at Englewood Cliffs. Could that be a reason why it turned out so great? Who knows…

Would be interesting to hear what you guys think of this masterpiece. Could this be Joe Henderson’s best outing? I haven’t explored his later stuff on Milestone but this must be hard to beat.

This album is up there on the list of favorite jazz albums. Highly recommended. For me it doesn’t get much better. I’m very happy to have been able to secure this original mono pressing, which is in top condition, both vinyl and cover. It seems that it’s quite rare and in high demand for sure. An outstanding last grab of the year.

Take care folks and enjoy your collections. Cheers!

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"Inner Urge" by Joe Henderson on Blue Note BLP 4189

November 26, 2022

This is one of the best Blue Notes and one of my favorite jazz albums period. The first three tunes are composed by Henderson. They are absolutely brilliant. The searching title tune sets the mood with it’s wonderful dark theme and outstanding solo by Henderson. The rhythm section is top notch with McCoy Tyner’s virtuoso piano chops, Bob Cranshaw’s smooth double bass work and the quite elegant and superbly withdrawn playing by Elvin Jones, except maybe for the drum solo where he a bit more of his whirlwind self. Next up is the tune “Isotope” which offers some medium tempo goodness and some bluesy aspects to it. Great and inspired tenor playing by Henderson.

Flipping the side and “El Barrio” begins with it’s dark, oriental flavors. This is stuff that I love. It doesn’t get much better than this for me. Duke Pearson’s “You Know I Care” is a nice ballad and a great contrast to what the album has offered up to this point. A welcome, soothing piece. “Night and Day” by Cole Porter is a nice up tempo tune with some nice rhythmical fills by Elvin which closes this masterpiece. But the masterful highlights on this album are the first three tunes by Henderson for sure, with “El Barrio” shining the brightest.

Took a while to secure this original mono pressing. It seems very scarce in it’s original form, at least that’s what I’ve found. Over the moon to file this one.

I can’t recommend this album enough. Jazz at it’s finest. Cheers!

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Red Rodney "The New Sounds" on Prestige PRLP 122

November 4, 2022

Red Rodney was a great trumpeter. He was of course part of Birds band, and for good reason. A flamboyant player with plenty of charisma. This album is an early 10” Prestige with a great cover. The music is lovely with a mix of hard bop, cool and bebop flavors. A bit of an old timey feel to it all but in a good way. I have just one other Rodney LP, the one on Signal, which is superb. Need to explore a bit of his other stuff. He did some stuff with Ira Sullivan which I will check out. It’s about time, I’ve known of his excellent playing for a long time. There are just so many great players to discover and explore so I haven’t had the focus on him for real, but I’ll try and explore him further for sure.

I’ve not been collecting 10” albums for quite a while now. I dig the 12” format a lot more, but there’s something truly genuine about these old 10” albums. Let’s see if any other makes their way onto my shelves. Have you guys a lot of 10” records? Do you have any tips on other great Red Rodney albums? Looking forward to hearing from you.

Have a great weekend, cheers!

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"Tender Feelin's" by Duke Pearson on Blue Note BLP 4035

August 18, 2022

I have managed to find three of Pearson’s albums as a leader so far. This one is a trio setting together with Gene Taylor on double bass and Lex Humphries on drums, and he thrives here. Always playing with style and lyricism. For me his very lyrical playing is a huge plus. Sometimes it feels like he mixes in classical elements as well. It’s very elegant. “I’m a Fool to Want You” and “When Sunny Gets Blue” are a couple of examples of that. Maybe one can describe his playing on this album as smooth and pleasant with tons of lyricism, elegant classical touches and a deep understanding of the blues.

Speaking of the blues; the last track “3 A.M.” is quite interesting in the spontaneous way it was recorded. I quote from the liner notes: "The session was over, and everybody was ready to pack up and the lights in the studio had been turned off. Then, Duke started to play the blues, with his hat on, and quickly Gene grabbed his bass and Lex got ready. In the control room, we got set, but fast, and this is the result. It sure is a relaxed and soulful piece of music.” - Alfred Lion

I think this is a very fine session and one you should definitely seek out if you enjoy piano trios that focus plenty on lyrical expressions. A gem in the Blue Note 4000 series.

Back to work now, but I’m enjoying the summer as much as I can when I’m not in the office. It’s been very hot here in Stockholm. Not complaining though. Have some leads on some albums and hopefully that will materialize into some new purchases. One title is on it’s way to me. It’s a great one on Riverside. Stay tuned for that.

I’m continuing making videos for my YouTube channel, where I will go through albums from the collection and talk about what I think of them and add some 1st pressing info as well regarding each title. Check it out, subscribe and leave a comment if you want. Hope to see you there. The link to the channel is: https://www.youtube.com/@fwrarejazzvinylcollector

Enjoy your collections folks, cheers!

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I’m now on YouTube

August 3, 2022

Just uploaded my first video yesterday in which I introduce myself to the VC on YouTube and show a record from the collection. Enjoy and stay tuned!

Link to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fwrarejazzvinylcollector

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"New Horn in Town" by the Richard Williams Quintet on Candid CJM 8003

August 2, 2022

This is a highly enjoyable session with trumpeter Richard Williams. It would be his only date as the leader. He recorded as a sideman on quite a few albums, perhaps most notably on some legendary Mingus albums. I’ll be honest, I haven’t explored his output much, but from what I’ve heard so far his style is right up my alley. He both has lovely technique as well as plenty of lyricism. And with my love for jazz trumpet in general, I feel this album has plenty to offer.

Lee Morgan is my favorite trumpeter and his rendition of Benny Golsons ”I Remember Clifford” on BLP 1557 is one of my favorite ballads of all time. Richard Williams performs his own take on the beautiful threnody to Brownie here, and he delivers some trumpet candy for sure.

It’s always a real treat to dive deeper into an artists work, when said artist perhaps has been on the periphery of ones jazz explorations. I’ll eventually take that deep dive into Williams’ output, but for now, this session as well as some other sideman stuff with Mingus on ”Black Saint…” and ”Mingus x 5” and Oliver Nelsons ”Screamin’ the Blues” will do just fine.

Do you have any opinion on this album or Richard Williams’ other work, or as a trumpeter in general? Write away guys.

Take care and enjoy the summer and some jazz on vinyl. Cheers!

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"The Warm Sound" by the Johnny Coles Quartet on Epic LA 16015

July 13, 2022

Johnny Coles has a very distinctly own style in which he improvises and play the trumpet. You hear that it’s him straight away. It’s quite unique. His tone is warm and a bit muted. I enjoy it a lot. A nice complement to other trumpeters I hold in high regard, who are maybe more flamboyant in their approach. He offers something different. He is joined by Kenny Drew on piano, Peck Morrison on double bass and Charlie Persip on drums, which makes up a wonderful group.

This is my first album by him (also my first title on the Epic label) and it’s absolutely superb. Coles does his thing and it just makes things interesting. One of my favorite albums in my whole collection actually. It’s very rare also which makes it a real treat, and honor really, to be able to put it on the turntable. I’ve been after it for quite a while. Had an opportunity to acquire it one time before, but I amazingly didn’t pull the trigger. I regretted that for a long time. But then I got another shot at it and I didn’t hesitate for a second. I can highly recommend this title.

Do you have a favorite album on which Johnny Coles plays?

Posting this from Cambria in California, which is located on the coast. Heading off into the country this morning, to Three Rivers, to look at some Sequoia trees. Enjoy your collections folks. Cheers!

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"Speak No Evil" by Wayne Shorter on Blue Note BLP 4194

July 1, 2022

One of the best titles in the later Blue Note catalogue.

I have been after Wayne Shorter stuff on Blue Note in the 4000 series for a while. It’s been a struggle so far. This is my first title and I’m very happy to have been able so secure it. It’s one of the very best albums and a clear favorite for me in the later Blue Note catalogue. Brilliant modal/post bop with all tunes penned by Shorter. Amazing personnel on this as well, with Shorter on tenor, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Herbie Hancock on piano, Ron Carter on double bass and Elvin Jones on drums.

Elvin provides, as per usual, his unwavering energy and groove. Hubbard plays slick as usual. Hancock tastefully sprinkles his beautiful notes over the proceedings and Ron Carters smooth and steady bass lines are warm and inviting.

All tunes are lovely. All are favorites. One of the real gems in the world of jazz. Not much more to add than that.

Guys, give me your top 5 Shorter albums!

Taking off to California tomorrow. Can’t wait. Enjoy your summer folks, cheers!

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"The Blues Book" by Booker Ervin on Prestige PRLP 7340

June 23, 2022

Some cracking tenor playing on this one…

This is my first title by tenor maestro Booker Ervin as a leader. I love his style. I’m after plenty more albums by him, but this one is a great first title to add to the shelves. The music is passionate, engaging and full of high quality tenor chops delivered by the leader. He’s got a great band backing him as well, with Carmell Jones on trumpet, superb player whose work I need to explore more, pianist Gildo Mahones, who was unknown to me up until hearing him here and on another album I bought at the same time, Richard Davis on double bass and Alan Dawson on drums. Wonderful group. This is a clear favorite of mine, and it’s highly recommended for anyone who enjoys, among other things, some robust and brilliant tenor playing.

I’m hoping to secure some more Booker Ervin stuff before long. He recorded a lot more on Prestige that I’m trying to find. These albums aren’t costing an arm and a leg, which of course is a plus. Overall, I’m leaning towards trying to find more inexpensive titles on various labels to get more stuff on to the shelves, cause there is so much great music out there for more reasonable amounts.

A summer vacation to California is just around the corner now, which I’m looking forward to a lot. Hope you guys are enjoying the summer so far. Cheers!

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"Inventions and Dimensions" by Herbie Hancock on Blue Note 4147

June 14, 2022

Modal/post bop mixed with latin percussion; a recipe for success.

I’ve found that it’s definitely not easy to find original mono pressings of Herbie Hancock albums in the 4000 series on Blue Note. I’ve finally secured one title, and it’s a great one. On this album latin percussion is blended in with modal and post bop compositions, which is very unusual and very cool indeed. It absolutely works and gives the whole album a very interesting and unique feel. I’m enjoying this album a lot and it offers a lot as well. I feel it’s a fresh diversion from a lot of the other stuff I listen to. An album to explore time and again for sure. The personnel on this are Hancock on piano, Paul Chambers on double bass, Willie Bobo on drums and timbales and Osvaldo “Chihuahua” Martinez on conga and bongo.

I’ve really just started to dive into Hancocks vast catalogue. I’m focusing on the stuff he recorded for Blue Note in the 4000 series to begin with, where one finds some real jazz candy. Hoping to secure a few more original pressings of his albums on Blue Note in the future, but this a great start.

Some questions: Top 5 Hancock albums? Thoughts on Inventions and Dimensions?

Looking forward to a Summer vacation to California in about three weeks. Can’t wait. I’ve managed to acquire a few albums in the past months which I’m very happy about. Stay tuned for those and other stuff from the collection. Have a great week, cheers!

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"Wahoo" by Duke Pearson on Blue Note 4191

June 1, 2022

A lovely later Blue Note, full of great compositions.

Highly enjoyable album by Duke Pearson that for a long time wasn’t on my radar, until I discovered how great it was. A lot of the later Blue Note stuff was not my main focus for quite some time, but I’ve explored a lot of it in recent years. Far from everything though, which is exciting cause theres a lot left to sink my teeth into. I take things slow. So this title is one of the best later Blue Notes I’ve heard. It contains a great mix of tunes which keeps you engaged and excited throughout. It’s not just straight ahead hard bop. It’s has different elements going on. Listen to the wonderful “Bedouin” for example, with it’s oriental flavors. Different for sure and I love that. It’s quite original stuff, which feels fresh and unique. Pearson leads a lovely sextet that includes Donald Byrd on trumpet, Joe Henderson on tenor sax, James Spaulding on alto sax and flute, Bob Cranshaw on double bass and Mickey Roker on drums. Pearson has penned all the tunes but one, which is credited to Byrd.

If you haven’t listened to this album much, or at all, give it a shot. You’ll not regret it. It’s one of the real gems of the Blue Note catalogue for sure. My original mono pressing sounds wonderful and I’m very happy to have found it. You don’t see original pressings of this one in mono that often it seems.

I’ve secured another great Duke Pearson title as well, earlier this year. Stay tuned for that. I really enjoy his work, both as a pianist and a composer. He has class and style. Looking to explore his catalogue a lot more.

Couple of questions: Favorite Duke Pearson album? Maybe you can give me your top 3? Your thoughts on the album on display?

Enjoy your collections folks and take care of each other. More vintage original mono pressings coming up. Cheers!

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Coltrane live at Birdland on Impulse! A-50

May 20, 2022

Coltrane live is of course a wonderful treat. I just wish I could have been able to seen and experience the classic quartet live myself. Would have been unreal I’m sure. So I have to do with the LP’s they left behind and that’s not a bad deal at all. Love the Impulse! label for all they did to promote post bop and the avant-garde. And Coltrane was in the middle of it all, releasing beautiful albums on the label throughout the 60’s.

This LP is a mix of tunes recorded live at the Birdland club in NYC and a couple of studio recordings. The whirlwind “Afro Blue” which kicks off the album is a frenetic display of improvisational prowess where Coltrane excels on the soprano. The album also contains “Alabama”, the haunting tribute to the four girls killed in the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963 by cowardly white supremacists. It’s difficult to listen to this beautiful tribute as your mind wanders and think of that dark event. It’s one of Coltrane’s best compositions.

A wonderful album that I highly recommend if you haven’t heard it, which I very much doubt.

I hope you’re all doing great and that you are enjoying your collections. Stay safe. Cheers!

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"Mode for Joe" by Joe Henderson on Blue Note 4227

May 14, 2022

This album is probably in my top 5 Blue Notes albums list of all time, that I’ve heard so far. Right now anyway. It always changes as we all know, but this one is probably on that list to stay, for good. The ensemble assembled for this outing is a stellar septet, featuring Henderson on tenor sax, Curtis Fuller on trombone, Lee Morgan on trumpet, Bobby Hutcherson on the vibes, Cedar Walton on piano, Ron Carter on double bass and the brilliant Joe Chambers on drums.

Chambers is a cat that I discovered quite late in my continuing jazz explorations. He is absolutely superb. Lovely technique blended with fiery passion and subtle finesse is what he’s all about. The sound of his drums is wonderful on this album. They just pop out of the speakers, like the rest of the band. This original mono pressing in like new condition plays like a dream and is one of my best sounding albums. Everything is crystal clear and each instrument blend well with each other. Everything is audible. The cymbal sound when I put on the first tune, oh my god… lovely. Extremely happy to have been able to add this masterpiece to the collection, ‘cause god knows, the Henderson original monos on Blue Note are ever so difficult to find. At least for me.

On “Caribbean Fire Dance” the hypnotic rhythms reigns supreme. The spot where Morgan comes in with his trumpet is one of the most other-worldly stuff I’ve heard, what a beautiful, piercing tone and what a sound on this original pressing! Pure fire, pure magic. The small drum solo in the end from Joe Chambers also blows the roof off my apartment. Amazing drumming, amazing sound. I can’t recommend this album enough. If you haven’t heard it, check it out today!

Couple of questions: Do you have a favorite Joe Henderson album? Could you give me your top 5? Thoughts on the album on display?

Have a great day, enjoy your collections and stay safe. Cheers!

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This Here is Bobby Timmons on Riverside 12-317

May 4, 2022

Timmons debut as a leader is a wonderful one.

It’s been forever since I posted a Riverside title, so I figured it was about time. This is a great, soulful piano trio album featuring Bobby Timmons on piano, Sam Jones on the double bass and Jimmy Cobb on the drums. I love piano trios and this is one of my favorites. It contains several wonderful tunes and among them is the classic “Moanin”, first recorded by the Jazz Messengers. Favorite tune is probably “Dat Dere”. This is Timmons first album as the sole leader. The sound is great on this 1st pressing, tight and nice. The piano takes center stage and sounds lovely. I’m really enjoying the double bass and drum sound as well. Overall a pleasant mix.

I really need to get some more Riverside titles into the collection, and this album reminds me how many great titles I’m still missing. Need to try and find some more of Timmons output specifically as well. Do you guys have some favorite Bobby Timmons albums that you would like to share? Would be great to hear what you have in your collections.

I just got a couple of new titles home and I listened to them today and both albums are superb. Great music. Will post them here on the site so stay tuned for those. Spring is kicking into gear for real now here in Stockholm it seems, with a little bit warmer temperatures coming up. Looking foward to the summer and the vacation in California. Can’t wait.

Stay safe, listen to some jazz and most importantly: get outside. Cheers!

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"Crescent" by the John Coltrane Quartet on Impulse A-66

April 27, 2022

Out of all the Coltrane albums this is one of my absolute favorites. It’s the classic quartet, doing their thing, what more is there to say really? For me, this is jazz perfection. It’s lyrical but progressive. It’s full of musical brilliance, passion and warmth. A beautiful mix of tunes which leaves you wanting more.

It took me some time to find this original mono pressing. A few of these Coltrane on Impulse are quite difficult to find. They are still quite reasonably priced it seems. So you get a lot for your buck when you invest in these albums. Worth every penny.

Out of all the Coltranes on Impulse, do you have a favorite? Maybe you can give me your top 3? “Crescent” is definitely in my top 3.

On the new arrivals front I have just secured a couple of nice titles. Looking forward to receiving those. Amazing music on both of them. It will be the first titles in my collection that features these artists as leaders, which is quite exciting. I enjoy both musicians a lot. Stay tuned.

I hope you’re having a great week and that you are enjoying your collections and life in general. Cheers!

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"Unity" by Larry Young on Blue Note BLP 4221

April 11, 2022

Iconic cover, iconic music. This is at the very top of Blue Note excellence for me. This is my first jazz LP with a organ player on it. I must say, I love this instrument. Love the way Larry Young plays it. I’ve listened to some Baby Face Willette as well on a Grant Green album, and I dig his style as well. But this is something else. Superb, progressive playing by Larry Young. This is also my first album with Woody Shaw. I will take a deep dive into his catalogue and focus a bit on him soon, cause he is a master trumpeter. I take everything slow, as you know, so that means I have all of these great artists that I haven’t explored fully yet. The other cats on this lovely session are the brilliant Joe Henderson and the equally brilliant Elvin Jones. A perfect group that shows great imagination, progressive thinking, superior musicianship and that provides fiery statements full of passion all the way through this album. Highly recommended.

When it comes to Larry Young I will try and get “Into Somethin'“ as well, as soon as possible. I’ll dive a bit deeper into his catalogue as well of course. Maybe you guys can give me some tips on other great Larry Young LP’s? Maybe some great Woody Shaw LP’s as well?

I have acquired some great LP’s so far this year which I will post here on the site in due time, and I will post some of the older acquisitions as well, so stay tuned. I’m in the midst of acquiring a top want quite soon hopefully, even though I planned not to make any more purchases before the summer, but let’s hope it will work out. I can’t let this particular title get away. My last purchase was on the very top of my want list as well, so I’m ticking some of the really hard to find albums, that I’ve been wanting for some time now, off the list. Very happy about that.

We’ve just been able to book a summer trip to California. Looking forward to that a lot. I will try and visit some record stores while I’m there. Atomic Records is on the list for example. Do you have any other tips? I will be in San Francisco, Los Angeles and along the Pacific Coast Highway on a couple of stops as well.

Take care folks and enjoy your collections. Cheers…

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"Jackie's Pal" by the Jackie McLean Quintet introducing Bill Hardman on Prestige 7068

March 19, 2022

A wonderful, easy enjoyable Prestige session.

Overall I have far too few Prestige albums in the collection. There are so many great albums. This is one of the best titles in the early Prestige catalogue for me. Jackie McLean is always on point and with this band backing him, you can’t go wrong: Bill Hardman on trumpet, Mal Waldron on piano, Paul Chambers on double bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums. Hardman though is a cat I haven’t explored much of. He plays great here and on a couple of other titles so I’m looking forward to hear some more of him. He has a quite laid back style which I like.

This session is a flowing, well executed piece of hard bop with the highlight for me being the moody, Waldron-penned “Dee’s Dilemma”. I would recommend this album to anyone that enjoys some loose, easy accessible hard bop that makes you feel good.

These early Prestige titles are not easy to find in great condition, and it seems they pop up very seldom on the market. Is it me or have they become even more scarce with each year that passes? How many Jackie’s Pal have you seen for sale the last couple of years? How many Mobley’s Message? Pairing Off? Tenor Madness? That makes owning this piece of history in top shape even more special.

I have managed to acquire some great titles so far this year, that I really wanted. Very happy about that, but now a time of restraint has come, to focus on building a nice budget for a summer vacation, hopefully. No more albums for me until the Autumn or something. But like I said, I have some new stuff to enjoy up until then. And I have plenty of albums to post up until something new arrives. Stay tuned.

Take care of each other and keep the spirits up. Fuck war.

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"It's Time" by Jackie McLean on Blue Note BLP 4179

March 3, 2022

Superb later Jackie Mac session. Wonderful post bop. McLean and Charles Tolliver share the writing duties of the six original compositions between them. Both play with fire, lyricism and keep it very interesting throughout. Tolliver is a cat I haven’t explored at all. Great trumpeter, and you know how much I love that instrument. I will definitely set out to explore his work with great excitement upon hearing his playing on this album and enjoying his compositions a lot. Maybe you guys can give me some tips on some of his work that you enjoy? Cecil McBee is another cat I haven’t explored. Love his playing. Feel free to add some tips in the comments section if you have any great albums on which he plays that you would like to share.

Herbie Hancock plays superbly on this session. I’m trying to add original Blue Notes of his in the 4000 series to the collection, but it’s damn near impossible. I hope I can find a title or two in the years to come.

Roy Haynes always delivers the goods whenever he is behind the kit. Always playing with finesse and creativity. And his drums always sounds great. I believe he thrives in this type of environment.

This album has to be placed very high up on my list of favorite McLean albums to date. It’s that good. And the cover sports one of those iconic art works that just makes you want to listen to the album. This copy has the deep groove on both sides which seems extremely scarce. You never see that. Quite cool indeed to own a copy.

On the new arrivals front: I have secured three new Blue Notes which are top titles for me. I will post them in due time here on the site. Stay tuned for those and other lovely vintage jazz vinyl titles coming up… cheers!

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