Tuesday 27 July 2010

Quintessence




Quintessence. Self titled.
Pyramid Productions Inc. Guitorn.

Recorded between February/May 1980 @ the Nineteen Recording Studio, South Glastonbury, Ct.

Another super rare private press album, this lead by Ron Ancrum. Supported by George Sovak, David Gaedeke, Winston Johnson and Steve Muse.

Friday 23 July 2010

Kenny Dorham; Trompeta Toccata



Kenny Dorham; Trompeta Toccata.
Blue Note.

Another version of Joe Henderson's Mamacita. Extended and more mellow than the Blue Mitchell offering, but still a stunning track.

Blue Mitchell : Step Lightly 1963



Blue Mitchell; Step Lightly.
Blue Note
GXK 8182. King Records.

A Line-up full of heavy hitters here. Hancock, Henderson, Brooks. An all killer no filler if ever there was one. Mamacita is addictive.

Enjoy


Dick Durham : OP's Waltz



Dick Durham. OP's Waltz.
Private Pressing.
Recorded at Sound ideas Studios, New York, 10th September 1973

Dick Durham, Richard Davis, Hank Huncharoff.

OP's Waltz
Here's that Rainy Day
Rock Scherzo
The World's Weirdest Ragtime Player
Happiness Bossa-Nova
Oh, That old Riff
Summertime
We'll be together Again

Re upped for The Scenery Within. Watch out for some heavy support from Richard Davis

Saturday 17 July 2010

Trane



So you thought you knew all there was to know about John Coltrane. Go to Blackclassical to be re-introduced and re-baptisted to the sound, the voice and the mind of the master.


Friday 16 July 2010

Pat Martino; Conciousness



Pat Martino; Conciousness.
Muse MR 5039
1974

Tasty little album from Pat Martino which also includes a cover of Coltrane's "Impressions". Supported by Eddie Green on keys, Tyrone Brown on bass and Sherman Ferguson on percussion. Title track ripped from vinyl @ 320.

Special

David Schnitter; Thundering



David Schnitter; Thundering.
Muse MR 5197
1979.

Check that killer line-up! Title track ripped from vinyl @ 320. Nice

Bob Cunningham : Walking Bass



Bob Cunningham; Walking Bass.
Nilva NQ3411
1985

Rare lp from 1985 from Bob Cunningham featuring Melvin Sparks. Lover's Theme was sampled by Gilles Peterson on one of the Digs America compilations. Heavy bass line on this one, Vinyl rip @ 320

Sabu Martinez : Afro Temple



Sabu Martinez; Afro Temple.
Grammefor Verket 1973.
EFG-7341

Just a sample from this killer lp. Take a moment to check out Hotel Alyssa Sousse, Tunisia.

Fierce

Sunday 11 July 2010

Henry Butler and the Gospel Soul Children




Henry Butler and the Gospel Soul Children.
Music Came.
7" on Inter American Label.

Impossibly rare 7" on the tiny Inter American label. The vinyl's seen better days, but the sheer class on this one shines through.

Some info about Henry Butler;

A nine-time W.C. Handy “Best Blues Instrumentalist - Piano” award nominee, Henry Butler knows no limitations. Although blinded by glaucoma since birth, Butler is also a world class photographer with his work displayed at exhibitions throughout the United States. Playing piano since the age of six, Butler is a master of musical diversity. Combining the percussive jazz piano playing of McCoy Tyner and the New Orleans style playing of Professor Longhair through his classically-trained wizardry, Butler continues to craft a sound uniquely his own. A rich amalgam of jazz, Caribbean, classical, pop, R&B and blues influences, his music is as excitingly eclectic as that of his New Orleans birthplace.
Mastering baritone horn, valve trombone and drums, in addition to the piano, at the Louisiana State School for the Blind in Baton Rouge, as a youngster, Butler began formal vocal training in the eleventh grade. He went on to sing German lieder, French and Italian art songs and operatic arias at Southern and Michigan State Universities, earning a Masters degree in vocal music. He has taught music workshops throughout the country and initiated a number of different educational projects, including a residential jazz camp at Missouri State School for the Blind and a program for blind and visually impaired students at the University of New Orleans.
Mentored by influential jazz clarinetist and Michigan University teacher Alvin Batiste, Butler was encouraged to explore Brazilian, Afro-Cuban and other Caribbean music. With Batiste’s help, he successfully applied for National Endowment for the Arts grants to study with keyboard players George Duke, then with Cannonball Adderly’s Quintet, and the late Sir Roland Hanna. He studied with Harold Mabern, pianist for the late Lee Morgan, for a summer and spent a long afternoon studying with Professor Longhair.

While his early albums were jazz trio recordings featuring such top-notch instrumentalists as Charlie Haden and Billy Higgins, on “Fivin’ Around” in 1986, and Ron Carter and Jack DeJohnette, on “The Village” two years later, Butler has increasingly turned to New Orleans music and the blues. His 1990 album, “Orleans Inspiration”, recorded with Leo Nocentelli of the Meters, was followed by “Blues And More” in 1992. Although he briefly returned to jazz with “For All Seasons” in 1996, he’s remained immersed in a variety of genres since releasing “Blues After Sunset” in 1998.

Collaborating with Corey Harris on a duo album, “Vu-du Menz”, in 2000, Butler spent the next three years touring with the Delta blues-influenced guitarist/vocalist. That fascination with the blues has continued to be reflected in his solo work. After releasing a power-packed, all electric, blues-rock, album, “The Game Has Just Begun”, in 2002 on the New Orleans based indie label Basin Street Records, Butler takes things even deeper with his latest outing on that label, “Homeland”, released in April 2004. “This album is a real turning point,” he said. “It was the first time that I’ve brought a blues and R&B band into the studio with me. On this record, I’m feeling closer to my roots.”

Thursday 8 July 2010

Sam Rivers : Black Africa




Sam Rivers : Black Africa
Recorded live at Villalago. 24th July 1976.
Horo HDP 3-4. 1977

Sam Rivers
Joe Daley : Tuba and Euphonium
Sidney Smart : Drums and Percussion

Side one, or part one maybe, of an epic recording filling this very special double lp on Horo out of Italy. The album also contains material recorded at Perugia (which continues onto HDP 5-6) Compelling music from start to finish, free jazz overlayed with sublime technical ability from Mr Rivers.

Intense ...

Wednesday 7 July 2010

Alice Coltrane : Lord of Lords



Alice Coltrane : Lord of Lords
Impulse AS9224

Recorded at the Village Recorder, Los Angeles, July 1972.

Continuing the Coltrane theme, here's a personal all time favourite track, Andromeda's Suffering. Ripped from my minty still sealed copy from years back. Swirling, lush strings supporting the the main trio of Alice, Charlie Haden and Ben Riley.

Intergalactic Heaven