"Dear John C." by Elvin Jones on Impulse! A-88

September 10, 2024

Yesterday was Elvin’s birthday so I figured I’d post this new arrival today. This album is such a gem in the Impulse catalogue. Probably quite underrated. The band on display is a lovely bunch, consisting of Elvin on drums, the brilliant Charlie Mariano on alto sax, Roland Hanna or Hank Jones on piano and the always excellent Richard Davis on double bass.

The material recorded for the two sessions on February 23 & 25 in 1965 is varied and highly enjoyable. The sound is sublime, as you would expect from a Van Gelder recording from this era.

Been looking for this title for a long time and it seems quite rare. Very happy to have acquired this wonderful sounding copy.

I have some exciting weeks ahead as I will be buying an additional turntable equipped with a stereo cartridge so I can also listen to stereo recordings. A whole new world will be opening for me. I have started to get into a lot of stuff from the 70’s, so I will be concentrating on looking for albums from that era. I have actually already secured a great album from 1975 which will be the first one on the platter to test out the new equipment.

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"Exultation!" by Booker Ervin on Prestige PRLP 7293

August 29, 2024

Booker Ervin was such a beast on the tenor. A highly skilled and fiery player with plenty to say on the sax. In short; a bad ass cat.

I have slowly collected his work on Prestige and this is another great session that I’ve been after for a long while, but it has proven to be a difficult one to find. So very happy to have found it in a local store. I’ve been acquiring several albums now in the past week from local stores. I feel quite fortunate to live in Stockholm where we have such a great supply of lovely stores when it comes to original jazz vinyl.

It’s great to have Frank Strozier present on this session. A wonderful player that I have been exploring a bit during this year. Found a couple of great titles by him as a leader some months ago. Horace Parlan is on piano and his contribution is fantastic. Really dig his style. I haven’t explored his work in depth but I’m aiming to do so, and maybe end up with a title or two featuring him. We also have Butch Warren on double bass and Walter Perkins on drums. A great group.

All tunes on this album are highly enjoyable and they all offer something different. If I am to name a few favorites it would be the beautiful ballad ”Black & Blue” and the Walter Perkins penned blues ”No Land’s Man”.

Exultation is what the title suggests and more. Great stuff!

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"Trio 64" by Bill Evans on Verve V-8578

August 28, 2024

One of the best Evans titles post LaFaro.

There is plenty of Evans trio stuff post LaFaro that is worth seeking out. For me, this one with Gary Peacock on double bass (his only recording with Evans) is one of the best. Peacock was a worthy replacement for LaFaro, no doubt. A superb bassist with a blinding technique and a big, warm and natural sound. He gets the same space as LaFaro here and he excels in this kind of setting. Motian is on the drums which is great. This was his last recording with Evans. It feels like this trio is similar to the classic one. I get plenty of the same lovely vibes. I just wish this line-up had recorded more albums together.

I have been after this title for a long time and have had chances to grab it, but it’s not until this past Friday I finally managed to acquire it. It was a store purchase (Andra Jazz), which has been a seldom occurrence through the years, but I’ve bought several albums in local stores recently. It’s a very satisfying thing to buy an album in a physical store, have a chat with the owner, and come home with something straight away, instead of waiting for a package to arrive from overseas. Love the social aspect of it for sure.

If you dig the classic Bill Evans trio, this one might be right up your alley.

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"Awakening!!" by Jimmy Woods on Contemporary M3605

August 24, 2024

Brilliant album by altoist Jimmy Woods consisting of material from two sessions with two different line-ups. I hadn’t listened to Woods until quite recently and got hooked on this album. He was a wonderful player with a great technique and quite a unique style which was fiery but very lyrical. He had some great ideas but he doesn’t seem to have recorded a lot, which is surprising to me considering his apparent talent. He did two albums as a leader, both on Contemporary. I’ll definitely keep my eye out for the other one, which has a killer line-up.

Very happy to see Gary Peacock in one of the line-ups. He is probably in my top 5 when it comes to double bassists in jazz. He had such a great tone on the instrument, very natural and powerful. His technique was up there with LaFaro for me. A master.

The sound on this original mono pressing is what you’d expect from a Roy DuNann recording; top notch.

Favorite pick is probably “Not Yet”, penned by the leader. Peacock has a wonderful solo on that one. “Roma”, another Woods original, is also a favorite.

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"To My Queen" by Walt Dickerson on New Jazz NJLP 8283

August 20, 2024

This is one of the best jazz albums ever recorded. It’s so sparse and delicate with a dreamy touch. It’s forward thinking and progressive in many ways, while using templates from the past, this music explores the possibilities of creating new ways of expressing the art form with an earthly yet heavenly, tastefully calming and rooted, yet thought provoking and modern soundscape that stays with you long after the needle has left the grooves.

The album, according to the liner notes, and I quote; is about love, inspired by, and dedicated to, Mrs. Dickerson whose portrait graces the cover.

Dickerson was an amazing artist and a master of the vibraphone. He hums along when he plays, but that’s just part of the charm. He is joined by the great Andrew Hill on piano, George Tucker on double bass and Andrew Cyrille on drums.

Hill plays very lyrical on this session but his exploring and searching way of playing is not lost. George Tucker was a lovely bassist and he gets plenty of room to shine as well. Cyrille’s drumming is one of the highlights of this album and he recorded several albums with Dickerson as well as with Cecil Taylor, among plenty of others. His discography is quite extensive and I need to explore that catalogue in depth for sure.

This copy is an original mono pressing with the correct NJLP 8283 A & B on the labels and it plays amazing. The record is pressed with pure virgin vinyl and it isn’t marred with any recycled vinyl hiss. It’s extremely difficult to find this in this condition and without the later Side 1 and 2 label text. The cover is very prone to ring wear, but this copy was in the shrink and that has kept it clean as a whistle.

Been looking a long time for this title and I finally landed one of my most wanted and couldn’t be happier.

Do you have a favorite Dickerson? Please share.

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"Empyrean Isles" by Herbie Hancock on Blue Note BLP 4175

July 19, 2024

That beautiful Englewood Cliffs sound just blasts out of the speakers. Tony Williams’ cymbal mastery is clear, bright and crisp and Hubbards’ cornet just cuts through everything. Seems this title was cut very hot! The volume is impressive.

This is one of those Hancock titles on Blue Note I’ve been after for a long time. I’ve mentioned before that I’ve been looking for titles by three of the top post bop artists, namely Hancock, Shorter and Henderson, on Blue Note, but found it very difficult to find original mono pressings of them. I’ve managed to find a few, like In ’n Out, Inner Urge, Mode for Joe, Speak No Evil and Inventions & Dimensions. The Shorters and Hancocks have been the toughest to find. Empyrean Isles is the latest addition in my pursuit of these titles. Extremely happy to have found it at last. In top shape as well, and for a reasonable price. When it comes to Hancock titles on the want list, Maiden Voyage is at the very top.

The personell on this masterpiece are all masters on their respective intrument. They are: Herbie on piano, Freddie Hubbard on cornet (which is quite cool, instead of trumpet), Ron Carter on double bass and Tony Williams on drums. Love this group.

My favorite tune on the album is ”Oliloqui Valley” but all of the tunes, all written by the leader, are fantastic.

It’s been a long search, but I can finally pull Empyrean off the shelf and enjoy this classic.

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"Sonny Rollins on Impulse!" by Sonny Rollins Impulse! A-91-A

July 18, 2024

There is still plenty of Rollins stuff for me to collect. This title is one that has flown at bit under the radar for me and I’ve never really focused on finding it. I’ve of course known about it and I knew I enjoyed the wonderful calypso ”Hold ’em Joe” where Rollins tears it up. It was on the wall at a local store and I grabbed it. Glad I did cause it’s a beautiful record. Great recording.

The band on this is solid and Rollins is backed by Ray Bryant on piano, Walter Booker on double bass and Mickey Roker on drums. I really enjoy Booker on bass and he has a lovely solo on ”Everything Happens To Me”.

After listening to this original mono pressing this album has actually elevated itself to become one of my favorite Rollins albums. It’s top notch. If you haven’t heard it I suggest you listen to it. I think you’ll enjoy it a lot.

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"The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery" on Riverside RLP 12-320

July 17, 2024

Montgomery is my favorite jazz guitarist.

I wasn’t a lover of guitar straight away when I started listening to jazz. But through the years I’ve tasted bits and pieces of jazz guitar playing and come to really appreciate the instrument in this genre. If I would choose my top five jazz guitarists it would be Montgomery, Jim Hall, Grant Green, Kenny Burrell and Tad Farlow.

When it comes to enjoying Montgomerys music I definitely came late to the party. I just hadn’t focused on him before. But when I started to listen to his stuff I was immediately hooked. I bought Boss Guitar, also on Riverside, which is a lovely album and probably my favorite of his up to this point. It contains some great tunes and it’s extremely well recorded. The opposite can be said for the album on display, it’s not very well recorded if you compare the two sessions. No matter, the music is top notch.

We have a great band here, with Montgomery joined by the great Tommy Flanagan on piano, Percy Heath on double bass and Albert Heath on drums.

Favorite tunes from this album is the Sonny Rollins penned ”Airegin” and Montgomerys own ”Four On Six”.

I will continue to explore Montgomerys output and hopefully I will be able to add some more titles of his to the collection.

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"Bearcat" by The Clifford Jordan Quartet on Jazzland JLP 69

July 15, 2024

A great session by tenorist Cliff Jordan.

Cliff Jordan was a great player. I have always loved his style. He’s actually quite high up on my list of favorite tenor players. Was he a bit underrated perhaps? Maybe. I haven’t got many records with him present and only one other on which he is the leader, so this title is a welcome addition. Aiming to try and find some more stuff and there are a couple of more titles on Jazzland for example that I should have a look at. Jazzland was a subsidiary of Riverside and there are a lot great titles released on that label. They are often quite reasonably priced as well, which is a huge plus.

On this session Jordan is joined by Cedar Walton (whose output I need to explore more for sure) on piano, Teddy Smith on double bass and J. C. Moses on drums. I really enjoy this setting, with Jordan as the only horn player.

Favorite picks on this album is the waltz ”Dear Old Chicago”, I have a weak spot for jazz waltzes it seems, and the beautiful ”Malice Towards None”.

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"Yeah!" by Charlie Rouse on Epic LA 16012

July 12, 2024

The recording quality of this album is off the charts. It’s one of my best sounding albums. The fidelity is top notch. The sound of the cymbals for example is so crisp and clean and the bass is very well recorded as well with plenty of backbone to it. A beautiful recorded session. The music is not too shabby either. Lovely tunes and and great line-up, consisting of Rouse on tenor, Billy Gardner on piano, Peck Morrison on double bass and the great Dave Bailey on drums.

This is an album that I’ve been after for a very long time. There have been opportunities to grab it, but things never materialized. To finally have landed it and played it is a great feeling indeed, especially when the sound just blew me away.

Favorite picks from this fantastic album are ”You Don’t Know What Love Is” where the tone of Rouse’s tenor is warm and breathy, the almost 9 minutes long ”Billy’s Blues”, and the pacy ”Rouse’s Point” where the leader really shows what he’s made of.

It’s a rare record for sure, available in both mono and stereo. Don’t know if they are equally scarce. It’s only my second title on the Epic label, the other one is “The Warm Sound” by Johnny Coles, which is absolutely superb. Anyway, go listen!

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"The Thelonious Monk Orchestra at Town Hall" by Thelonious Monk on Riverside RLP 12-300

July 9, 2024

Great live album by Monk and his orchestra.

It’s interesting that this album begins with just the last minute of the tune ”Thelonious”, cause Monk upon listening to the tapes decided he didn’t approve of his own solo. I’m sure it was fine, but I love that artistic integrity.

I love Monk and I’m trying to get some more of his titles into the collection. I have a few but there is plenty of stuff I’m still looking for.

I dig him for his unique, quirky approach and his superb compositions. This album contains six of his originals performed live at Town Hall in New York on the 28th of February 1959. It’s very interesting to hear him perform live and especially in this larger setting. The group backing him is a great one and consists of some big names from the era, like Don Byrd, Pepper Adams and Art Taylor for example.

Some great tunes on this but ”Off Minor” is probably my favorite. A classic album that you should check out if you enjoy the brilliance of Monk.

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"Warming Up" by Dave Burns on Vanguard VRS 9143

July 5, 2024

Wonderful session by an underrated trumpeter.

Fantastic session by trumpeter Dave Burns who I haven’t listened to much before. Burns is perhaps a bit underrated and you don’t often hear folks talk about him. I’ve been eyeing this title for quite a while but it’s not an easy one to find.

I really enjoy Burns’ playing. He played great with a mute. Looking to explore more of his work but he mostly recorded as a sideman and only recorded two albums as a leader, both on the Vanguard label. He worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, James Moody, Dexter Gordon and Art Taylor among others.

The line up on this session is a great one. Bobby Hutcherson is on the vibes for example. That alone is worth the admission.

I dig the sound of this Vanguard recording, the fidelity is great and that was a bit of a surprise. A soft and pleasant sound with plenty of dynamics. Really nice.

Will look for Burns’ other album as a leader for this label, cause this title leaves you wanting more for sure. Recommended!

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"When Farmer Met Gryce" by The Art Farmer Quintet featuring Gigi Gryce on Prestige PRLP 7085

July 2, 2024

I’ve had this album for a very long time. It was one of the first original pressings I bought. From what I can remember it was an eBay purchase. Went to a local record store and got it ultrasonically cleaned today. It sounds superb. The cover has some minor issues but that’s ok.

This title consists of material first released as two 10” albums, also on Prestige. So this LP is a reissue of those tunes. As I’ve pretty much moved away from the 10” format I’m content with this compilation, and another reason to get this 12” is the iconic cover art. It’s an original NYC Prestige pressing and that’s good enough for me.

The music, some lovely hard bop, is very enjoyable. Favorite pick is the beautiful ballad “The Infant’s Song”.

I’ve always loved Art Farmer and I absolutely need more of his stuff in the collection. And Gigi Gryce was also a wonderful player. Need more of his stuff as well. Will keep my eye out for titles featuring these two cats.

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"The Bridge" by Sonny Rollins on RCA Victor LPM 2527

June 28, 2024

Delightful album, which was Sonnys comeback to the jazz scene from a three year hiatus. During this extended break he focused on himself and his playing and what he really wanted to play. He practiced on the Williamsburg Bridge, which enabled him to be alone, for concentration, inspiration and to not disturb others while he played his horn.

The title of the album is a nod to the Williamsburg Bridge but maybe also to the Sonny of the 50’s bridging over the decade to the returning Sonny of the 60’s. His last studio record before the hiatus was ”Sonny Rollins and the Contemporary Leaders”, released in 1959 and the next was the album in focus here, released in 1962.

The cats backing Rollins on this date were carefully chosen. We have the brilliant Jim Hall on guitar, Bob Cranshaw on double bass, Ben Riley on drums, on all tracks except for one, which features H.T. Saunders.

I love Rollins and I love this album. I’m pleased to finally have a copy. My favorite tune on this one has to be Billy Holiday’s ”God Bless the Child”, it’s beautiful. Another favorite is the Rollins original “John S.”. Superb album all the way through.

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"Miles Smiles" by The Miles Davis Quintet on Columbia CL 2601

June 26, 2024

Been after the second great quintet albums for a long time, but it´s been a struggle for sure. I managed to secure “E.S.P.” earlier this year and last month I secured the title on display. Very happy about that. Original mono pressings of these albums are difficult to find, at least it has been for me. “Sorcerer” and “Nefertiti” remains high on my want list.

The music on “Miles Smiles” is beautiful, explorative and most definitely my kind of jazz. This group was one of a kind and their achievements transcends time. They play in perfect harmony and everything they do is performed with seamless execution. The interplay between these guys is on a different plane. Tony Williams really makes this group tick. His drumming is always a joy to behold. So tasteful, progressive and unique. For me, this quintet is one of the absolute best jazz groups ever assembled.

Hard to pick favorite tunes on this one, but “Dolores” is probably my favorite, and that’s not just because it’s my daughters name. :-) “Footprints” is lovely as well.

Essential stuff.

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"A Swingin' Affair" by Dexter Gordon on Blue Note BLP 4133

June 20, 2024

My favorite Long Tall Dexter albums to date are ”One Flight Up”, ”Go” and this one. It sounds so good. The cymbals are very bright and the overall detail is superb. The volume is off the charts on this one as well, so I had to turn it down a bit, and that’s a good thing. Cut very hot I can imagine. This kind of sound on a jazz record just makes the whole experience so much sweeter, and you get really engaged when listening. Compared to when an album is poorly recorded or in not so great shape, the difference is staggering.

Great personell on this one with Dexter joined by Sonny Clark, Butch Warren and Billy Higgins.

I love that Billie Holidays ”Don’t Explain” is featured here cause it’s one of my favorite jazz ballads and Dexter was such a master of playing the ballad. His interpretation is so beautiful, sad, bittersweet and it’s probably my favorite tune on the album. Another one I enjoy a lot is the infectious Butch Warren penned ”The Backbone”.

All in all a lovely album which you should check out if you haven’t already.

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"Harold in the Land of Jazz" by Harold Land on Contemporary C3550

June 18, 2024

This is a fine example of how great original Contemporary titles often sound. The sound is so pleasing with great detail and bass which you would expect when Roy DuNann is involved.

Harold Land was of course a member of the legendary Brown/Roach group. I have not explored his dates as a leader in depth but I really dig this one and The Fox. He was a great tenor player with a beautiful tone and this session showcases this fact in a great way. I will try and find The Fox as well and any other great stuff on which he is present. Very happy to have acquired this title and I’m sure it will see plenty of time on the platter.

Trumpeter Rolf Ericson, a fellow Swede, is on this one as well which makes it extra special for me. I truly enjoy his style and I have plenty of Metronome EP’s with him. Great to hear him here with Land. I think they complement each other nicely. The other cats are Carl Perkins on piano, Leroy Vinnegar on double bass and Contemporary stalwart Frank Butler on drums.

The music, which was arranged by Elmo Hope and Land, is relaxed and cohesive and is highly enjoyable. The whole feel of the album is down to earth and deeply rooted in the jazz tradition, just like the playing of Land himself.

The cover art features Land playing in front of the Watts Towers in Los Angeles.

Favorite picks are ”Nieta” which was penned by Elmo Hope, the lovely ballad ”Lydias Lament” penned by Land, named for his wife, and the slow paced ”Grooveyard”, a blues dripping piece penned by Carl Perkins (his last composition), who died just a few months after the recording of this album.

Highly recommended.

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"Interplay" by the Bill Evans Quintet on Riverside RM 445

June 12, 2024

Evans, Hubbard, Hall, Heath, Philly Joe… you know it’s gonna be good.

When it comes to Bill Evans as a leader I have listened mostly to his trio work. This session has a larger group and he his joined by Freddie Hubbard, Jim Hall, Percy Heath and Philly Joe Jones. With that line-up you know it’s gonna be good. I especially enjoy the presence of Hubbard and Hall. Hubbard is his usual flamboyant self but also displays more introvert passages and a softer touch. Hall provides his smooth and tastefully crafted guitar lines. I really enjoy Evans in this larger format, even though I have a soft spot for his trio work, especially with LaFaro and Motian.

I’ve been after this title for a long time, bought another copy a couple of years ago, but it didn’t make the grade, so I returned it. This copy though plays fantastic. Quite an organic and natural sound on this.

Favorite tune is probably the 8 minute title track, which is an Evans original.

For me, this is a must have in any jazz collection. Do you feel the same? Have your say…

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Live Stream Premiere on YouTube on June 8th at 20:00 (CEST)

June 8, 2024

I figured I’d try a live stream. Ask me anything…

Link to the live stream »

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"The Cry!" by the Prince Lasha Quintet featuring Sonny Simmons on Contemporary M3610

June 7, 2024

Beautiful, suggestive and rhythmic jazz created with some lovely compositional skills by Prince Lasha (flute) and Sonny Simmons (alto). Both cats are making their debut here. The influence of Ornette shines through and Lasha was a boyhood companion of his. They learned music together and played together for a period of eight to nine years. Simmons was first influenced by Bird and then along came Ornette and changed his perspective on how to express music - free, flowing naturally through you.

Gary Peacock is on this as well which is a huge plus cause he was one of the absolute best bassists in jazz. He had a big, fat and natural sound and lovely technique. I have far too little stuff on which he his present in the collection. But he is not the only bassist here. Introducing Mark Proctor, who is the second bassist and a cat I haven’t heard of before. There are plenty of great bass lines on this record to enjoy for sure. Gene Stone rounds out the line-up on drums and I really like him. He seems to have a great sense of what the tunes need. Playing very rhythmically and natural. Not sure if I’ve listened to him before either. Great drummer, playing for the tune but standing out at the same time with tasteful rhythmic patterns.

I can highly recommend this 1962 recording, which stands out for me as one of the absolute highlights of the entire Contemporary catalogue.

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