”Capra Black” by Billy Harper on Strata-East SES-19739

April 3, 2025

I’m building my collection of Strata-East titles brick by brick. Already got a handful now. This one is a gem. My first Billy Harper joint was on Black Saint and that’s an amazing album, and so is this one. Spiritual and deep to the core. It’s so well composed, the arrangements are lovely and the solos are absolute fire. I even like the voices added on side Black. Side Capra’s opener, which is the title track, is probably my favorite on the album. An 11 minute excursion in top level post-bop, way up there on my list of favorite tunes recorded in the 70’s.

The band backing Harper is top notch and consists of Jimmy Owens on trumpet, George Cables on piano, Reggie Workman on double bass, Julian Priester and Dick Griffin on trombone, Billy Cobham, Warren Smith, Elvin Jones on drums and a handful of voice talents.

Found this original, with the 463 West Street address on the back slick, at a local shop for a reasonable price. Have been on the lookout for this for quite a while so happy to have found it locally.

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”The Moontrane” by Woody Shaw on Muse MR 5058

March 21, 2025

Continuing my quest for more Woody Shaw albums. This one was among the top ones I was looking for. Not easy to find. Recorded in 1974 in New York. Out of the Shaw albums I’ve listened to up to this point, this is one of the best for me. This title treats the listener to a great dose of 70’s jazz, both in terms of the musical direction as well as the sound. Great playing by everyone and Shaw shines with his electric, masterful style. I also particularly love the percussive elements provided on several of the tunes.

We have the leader playing together with Azar Lawrence on tenor and soprano sax, Steve Turre on trombone, Onaje Allen Gumbs on piano and electric piano, Buster Williams on double bass (two tunes only), Cecil McBee on double bass (the rest of the tunes), Victor Lewis on drums, Tony Waters on congas and Guilherme Franco on percussion.

I love the cover art with it’s textured front displaying a black and white photograph of Shaw holding his trumpet and the lovely choice of typography.

Essential stuff.

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”Toki” by The Hidefumi Toki Quartet on Three Blind Mice TBM 46

March 18, 2025

Top Japanese jazz on a great Japanese label.

This title was also in the lost package and it’s a rare one with the obi and folder, recorded in 1975 for the Japanese Three Blind Mice label. It features leader Hidefumi Toki on alto and soprano sax together with Kazumi Watanabe on guitar, Nobuyoshi Ino on double bass and Steve Jackson on drums.

The music is lovely and features some excellent playing throughout. Toki is exploring, searching and fermenting his playing with deep feeling and brilliant technique.

Three Blind Mice was renowned for their quality recordings and this one is no exception. The detail of the drums, the balance between the instruments, the cohesiveness, the sound and impact of the bass. Top stuff. The condition is stellar for both the vinyl and jacket.

Started to look into some Japanese cats last year and there are some wonderful players out there and plenty of titles to enjoy. Will continue to explore the Three Blind Mice label in particular in depth as well.

Highly recommended.

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”Little Red’s Fantasy” by Woody Shaw on Muse MR 5103

March 17, 2025

Been trying to find stuff featuring Woody Shaw for a good while now and it’s not been entirely easy. I’ve managed to acquire a few titles and got another one on the way as well. He of course was a master trumpeter and sits high on my favorite trumpeters list for sure. This title is another one from that lost package, so I’m very happy to be able to spin it now.

The music is some lovely post-bop and the intricate spice of Shaws’ playing is elevating the proceedings to great heights. The band backing him is a good one, with Frank Strozier on alto sax, Ronny Mathews on piano, Stafford James on double bass and Eddie Moore on drums. I really like Strozier, and he and Shaw is a really nice pairing.

Highly recommended.

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Göteborgs Musikkvartett on Svenska Jazzriksförbundet SJR LPS-3

March 16, 2025

Another one by Göteborgs Musikkvartett. Lovely stuff which interprets the folk music traditions of Italy, Norway, Hungary, Afghanistan and the Balkans, in a jazz setting.

The tunes are shorter than on the other title I posted some time ago by this group, but it works great here, with all the flavors and influences from different countries being sampled.

Very happy to have been introduced to this band by a fellow Swedish collector from Gothenburg.

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”The Free Slave” by Roy Brooks on Muse MR 5003

March 12, 2025

Miracles do happen apparently. Like I’ve mentioned in a previous post, I had a package lost containing four records. It was posted in the beginning of October of last year, and traveled through the USPS network until it stopped and didn’t move. And it’s here that I want to give a big shoutout to my guy Spencer who started to look into what had happened by making numerous calls to USPS, spending hours trying to get clarity, putting in a missing mail request and so on. He kept me informed all the way and did his very best to figure out what the problem was. He had done everything right, all the info on the package was correctly filled in. So, the package was lost, and then out of nowhere five months after it was posted it started to move, and it finally arrived in Stockholm today and I could collect it. Sitting here listening to one of the albums and I can’t believe it really. Couldn’t thank you enough Spencer for all that you did. Thank you so much!

And so to the album on display. It’s a title I’ve been after for a long time so I’m extremely happy to finally have it spinning on the turntable. It’s a live recording from the Left Bank Jazz Society, Baltimore, Maryland in 1970. The music has funky elements as well as post-bop and spiritual leanings. Top playing by a stellar group which consists of Brooks on drums, Woody Shaw on trumpet, George Coleman on tenor sax and Cecil McBee on double bass.

The recording is fantastic and offers a very natural soundstage adherent to the club it was recorded in. This original copy is in outstanding condition and plays like new. Couldn’t be happier. Like I said, it’s a miracle to be able to sit here and finally listen to this album.

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”Live Ankara” by Don Cherry on Sonet SNTF 669

March 8, 2025

Cherry live at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey in 1969. The album was released in 1978. Cherry plays with three Turkish musicians here. We have Irfan Sümer on percussion/tenor sax, Selçuk Sun on double bass and Okay Temiz on drums/percussion.

The music is quite free and mixes in Turkish influences. Much of the album consists of Cherry originals and Turkish folk material arranged by Turkish jazz trumpeter Maffy Falay. We also have two Ornette tunes and a Pharoah Sanders number.

I dig the Turkish vibes on this and that Cherrys’ trumpet is prominently featured. He also plays the Zurna, which is a double reed wind instrument, flute, piano and adds some vocals. This is one of my favorite Cherry albums to date. His playing is outstanding.

The front cover tapestry is of course by Moki Cherry. Love her work.

I will continue to explore the work of Cherry as a leader. I feel it’s important as well as he was so connected to Sweden.

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”Songs for my Father” by Graham Collier on Fontana 6309 006

March 4, 2025

Post bop goodness from English double bassist and band leader Graham Collier, recorded in 1970. Been dipping my toes into his work and I must say, I’ve found some real gems. This is one of them, released in 1970 and featuring a large ensemble, altough not everyone plays on every tune.

The music is very engaging and it ranges from moody post bop to atmospheric ensemble playing to a short but effective avant-garde explosion.

The sound of this pressing is quite round and warm, and one can enjoy a well balanced sound throughout.

Highly recommended.

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”Dona Lee” by Anthony Braxton on America AM 6122

March 3, 2025

Braxton recording from 1972, recorded at Studio Decca in Paris. It’s called ”Dona Lee” with just one ”n”, which is odd. Of course, the title track is a jazz standard. It was either written by Charlie Parker, Miles Davis or Norman "Tiny" Khan, not entirely clear. Braxton plays the avant-garde version and it’s great. The rest of the album features tunes in the avant vein with a healthy dose of more straightforward playing. Braxton shows what a wonderful player he is on these tunes. I’m looking forward to continuing exploring his catalogue.

Braxton is backed by three cats that are new to me, from what I can remember anyway. They are; Michael Smith on piano, Peter Warren on double bass and Oliver Johnson on drums.

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”Jazzmessage from Poland” by the Tomasz Stanko Quintet on JG Records (JG 030)

March 2, 2025

The second Stanko title in my collection was recorded live in Germany in 1972. Much of the music explores spiritual themes and features avant-garde excursions as well. The second side for example feels quite cinematic and atmospheric up to a point where it becomes avant-garde in nature. Really enjoy this contrast as it’s all one tune as well.

The violin, which has become a real favorite in jazz for me, is featured and it brings a special flavor to the proceedings. I’ve loved this instrument in the classical realm for a long time. Paganini for example is a favorite composer of mine.

Happy to have found this title for a good price. The cover has some lamination issues but is otherwise very clean. The vinyl plays lovely. The recording quality is ok but not great.

Will continue to explore Stankos’ discography and see if I can find any other titles going forward.

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”Aftara” by Göteborgs Musikkvartett on Levande Improviserad Musik LIM 75-2

March 1, 2025

Fantastic Swedish spiritual/funk/avant-garde album from 1975. A quartet consisting of Jan Forslund on alto, soprano, flute and alto flute, Ove Johansson on tenor, soprano and flute, Kjell Thorbjörnsson on double bass and Anders Söderling on drums. This is high-octane jazz coming from our little country. All cats are on it and their improvisational skills are impressive. Haven’t delved into the Swedish jazz treasure fully yet. It’s been mostly Lars Gullin, Rolf Ericson, Bernt Rosengren and some contemporary cats through the years. This group I hadn’t listened to before and I’m blown away. Top notch stuff which you definitely should check out.

The first side consist of one long tune which starts off spiritual and then moves into a funky beat which goes on for a long while with some lovely solos, after which it changes to some flute-focused stuff, with the ride cymbal very prominently pingy, and then it calms down into a double flute portion. The tempo then picks up and at the end it all culminates in an avant statement. There is ample space to improvise on this number, with several instruments covered. Great stuff.

The second side is more in the avant vein with two tunes featured. Really dig this side. Especially the drum and bass approach. The whole band really thrives when pushing the envelope a bit. Wonderful solo work throughout. The horn players sound brilliant. Dig the very end of the last tune with it’s spiritual passage.

This is a great choice for anyone who wants to explore Swedish jazz.

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”Organic Saxophone” by David Murray on Palm 31

February 17, 2025

David Murray performing tenor saxophone solo pieces live in Paris in 1978. He plays both original compositions as well as standards, all with passion and personality. Solo material from two concerts were released on three different labels, Cadillac, Horo and this one on Palm, which was recorded by Jef Gilson. He founded Palm in 1973. Not easy to find titles on this label but I have managed to acquire three so far.

I’ve been exploring several solo jazz recordings lately and I really enjoy the format. I feel that it adds nerve to the performance of a player, especially live. It highlights the artists capabilities in a beautiful way. Will keep exploring and I have at least one other solo performance high on the want list going forward.

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

February 16, 2025

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.

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”Bugle Boy Bop” by Charles ”Bobo” Shaw & Lester Bowie on Muse MR 5268

February 15, 2025

Lovely duo session, recorded in 1977 and released in 1983, with drummer Charles ”Bobo” Shaw and Lester Bowie on trumpet. Been getting into jazz duos lately, with different instrument combinations. Drums together with just one other instrument excites me. The Rashied Ali title with drums and violin is amazing and this one is another highlight.

The music is very creative despite it’s limited instrumentation, rhythmically exciting and the unusual combination of just drums and trumpet is astonishingly fresh and engaging. Stripped down avant-garde is apparently my kind of stuff.

Mississippi-born Shaw was a member of the Human Arts Ensemble and Black Artists Group and I will definitely check out both. Trumpeter Lester Bowie was a member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians and co-founded the Art Ensemble of Chicago which I’ll also check out in depth. So much music to immerse myself in. It’s an endless well.

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”Flutes!” by Sam Rivers & James Newton on Circle Records RK 7677/7

February 14, 2025

On this one we have both Sam Rivers and James Newton on flute, but separately in different live settings. Side 1 contains one tune played by the Sam Rivers Tuba Trio and the second side features three flute solos by James Newton. Rivers is joined by Joe Daley on tuba and french horn and Warren Smith on drums. Quite an unusual instrument line-up but it really blends together great. Tuba and french horn sounds awesome when played in this fashion and in this style of jazz. The tuba almost steps in for the double bass actually.

I really enjoy the flute solos by Newton on the second side. Fantastic player. I’ve enjoyed the flute in jazz for a long time but I’ve never listened to it in a solo format before. You really get a sense of the capacity of the player when it’s just a solo piece and live as well. Newton shows what an absolute master he was.

Unusual album which you should check out if flute is your thing.

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"Almost Green" by Tomasz Stanko on Leo Records LEO 008

February 13, 2025

My first Stanko album and this one is absolutely amazing. It’s moody and spiritual. Like a dark and beautiful poem laid bare before the elements of the earth. This is inward, intuitive music. It touches the deeper and hidden emotions of the self. It awakens something that needs to be set free.

We have Polish trumpeter Tomasz Stanko, his countryman Tomasz Szukalski on tenor sax, Palle Danielsson, a fellow Swede, on the double bass and the fantastic Finnish drummer Edward Vesala. The quality of these four individuals is superb.

I got this at a local store and I’m elated to have been able to acquire this. Not an easy one to find. This has to be my favorite addition of the year so far. The music is to die for and so is the condition of the vinyl. The fidelity and overall mix is stupendous. One of my best sounding stereo albums for sure. Recorded in Helsinki, Finland in 1978 and released in 1979. This album needs to be reissued.

Highly recommended.

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"Paragon" by The Sam Rivers Trio on Fluid (101)

February 8, 2025

Sam Rivers in 1977 doing the avant stuff in a trio setting with Dave Holland on double bass and Barry Altschul on drums. Holland on bass is amazing. Rivers plays multiple instruments on this, tenor and soprano sax, flute and piano. He plays the piano really well. I haven’t explored a lot of Rivers’ 70’s stuff but will definitely get to work on that. This title, found in a local shop, is a lovely start to my deeper exploration of his work.

Really good recording here, clear and powerful sound. The label is called Fluid Records out of France, which only released 4 titles, and this was the first one. Will check out the other titles as well.

It’s funny how things evolve regarding personal growth in musical taste and styles of jazz. I’ve really gotten into the avant and free stuff lately. I’ve been listening to it for a long time but not nearly this much and I feel that it’s gonna be a lot more of this stuff coming into the collection going forward.

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"Nana" by The Edward Vesala Trio on Blue Master BLU-LP 125

February 7, 2025

2/3 Finnish and 1/3 Norwegian avant-garde trio led by drummer Edward Vesala with Juhani Aaltonen on tenor and soprano sax and Arild Andersen on double bass. Recorded in 1970 for the Finnish Blue Master label. The trio was intended to be a quartet, but trumpeter Mike Koskinen was ill, so a trio it was and what a trio! Absolutely superb music resides in these grooves. And they are rare grooves. This LP is hard to come by, and after this 1st issue it has only been reissued once on vinyl, on the Finnish Svart Records label in 2016 , and on CD in 2018.

Favorite picks after listening to the album just one time include the post-boppish ”Albatros” where Aaltonen shines on the soprano sax. The searching ”Joiku” where Aaltonen plays some spiritual stuff on the tenor and Vesala lays lovely rhythmically intricate patterns underneath and also ”My B” where Arild Andersens bass work is impressive.

Highly recommended stuff.

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"Swift are the Winds of Life" by The Rashied Ali & Leroy Jenkins Duo on Survival SR 112

February 4, 2025

A rare combination of just drums and violin.

I’ve been getting into the Rashied Ali stuff on Survival lately. Managed to acquire two titles and this one arrived today. It features a duo with Ali and violinist Leroy Jenkins. This is very special stuff. I absolutely love the violin in avant-garde jazz. And this duo format with just drums and violin is brilliant. Can’t think of any other title with this combination.

I really enjoy Alis’ drumming. One of my favorite avant-garde drummers. His playing is inspiring and makes me want to pick up the sticks again. Technically great and intricate approach. Really dig the organic sound of his kit as well.

Never listened to Leroy Jenkins before, but he is obviously very gifted and his ability to fit in this setting is magical. I love the violin since way back, but in a classical setting. For example Paganini and so on. Here we get to enjoy it in an avant-garde setting and it works amazingly.

The condition of the vinyl is great. The sound is very natural and organic. Love the label design that Survival did. Beautiful.

I’m definitely leaning more and more towards the avant-garde and my explorations into the genre will continue full speed ahead.

Looking forward to the other Ali title. coming this week as well, hopefully.

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

February 3, 2025

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.

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