The Bebop Shop : New Releases
After ‘Melting Pot’ came a new studio album ‘Where Rivers meet’, a collaboration with her brother Idris Rahman and a number of other musicians; this album fused Zoe’s brand of Jazz with elements of World Music.
LIVE features her fabulous trio (bassist Oli Hayhurst and drummer Gene Calderazzo) and special guest Idris Rahman kicking back in the relaxed setting of a live performance and exploring some of Zoe’s key influences with luminous readings of music from Abdullah Ibrahim and Joanne Brackeen, Phineas Newborn, her own Last Note and intriguing covers from Mario Langinha and Hemant Mukherjee. (Discovery Records) Price: £11.99
At least three became instant classics, starting with the spiritual exuberance of signature tune "Better Git It in Yo' Soul," punctuated by joyous gospel shouts. "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" is a slow, graceful elegy for Lester Young, who died not long before the sessions. "Boogie Stop Shuffle" is bursting with aggressive swing, and elsewhere there are tributes to Mingus' three most revered influences: "Open Letter to Duke" is a suite of three tunes; "Bird Calls" is inspired by Charlie Parker ; and "Jelly Roll" is an idiosyncratic yet affectionate nod to jazz's first great composer, Jelly Roll Morton. It simply isn't possible to single out one Mingus album as definitive, but Mingus Ah Um comes the closest.
Mingus Ah Um made Charles Mingus an acclaimed leader in modern jazz. Perhaps that is why his Columbia follow-up, Mingus Dynasty, is often overlooked in his canon - it is lost in the shadow of its legendary predecessor. It is an excellent album, a testament to just how high a level Mingus was working on that an album of this caliber could have got lost in the shuffle. Many of the originals here were composed for film and television scores. On some pieces, Mingus refines and reworks territory he'd previously hit upon. "Slop" for example, is another gospel-inflected stormer, similar to "Better Git It In Your Soul."
The bands that Mingus assembled at Columbia's 30th Street studio in May and November of 1959 consisted of the greatest exponents of his music to date. Featured sidemen include Jimmy Knepper, John Handy, Booker Ervin, Horace Parlan and Dannie Richmond. There was no stopping this incredible musical mind who'd found his voice as a bassist, composer and bandleader.
This package contains MINGUS AH UM and its sequel MINGUS DYNASTY in their entirety plus four bonus tracks from the sessions and three alternate takes AND rare correspondence, and session records. All of the masters were beautifully remixed in 24 bit on a vintage Presto all-tube three-track tape machine. (Sony Music) Price: £16.99
Davis' control over his instrument is singular, and Evans' conducting is flawless. Also notable are "Saeta," with one of the most amazing technical solos of Davis' career, and the album's closer, "Solea," based on an Andalusian folk song, about a woman who encounters the procession taking Christ to Calvary.
This set includes the original album along with rehearsal and alternate takes previously heard only on the 1996 set Miles Davis & Gil Evans: The Complete Columbia Studio Recordings, plus the only piece ever performed live by Miles with Gil -- "Concierto de Aranjuez" performed at Carnegie Hall on May 19, 1961. The package offers rare photos, correspondence, and clippings including the 1960 HiFi/Stereo Review article by Nat Hentoff describing the Nov. 15, 1959 recording session. (Sony Music) Price: £16.99
TIME OUT is one of the most rhythmically innovative albums in jazz history and is essential to every jazz collection. This year it turns FIFTY years old and to celebrate Legacy is releasing a beautiful Legacy Edition of this classic album.
The 50th Anniversary Legacy Edition of Time Out features the original album, re-mastered, plus a full second CD of previously unreleased recordings from the Newport Jazz Festival 1961-1964, and rare photos, correspondence and clippings including a typed, signed description by Paul Desmond of his composition Take Five.
In addition to the two audio CDs, the set comes with a 30 minute previously unreleased documentary featuring recent interviews with Dave Brubeck (seen illustrating selections from Time Out at the piano) and extensive historic performance footage. (Sony Music) Price: £21.99
Recorded in 2009 and produced by Keith Mansfield, the world-class big band heard here is led by saxophonist Andy Panayi and includes in its ranks virtuosos such as Mark Nightingale, Cliff Hardie and Gordon Campbell (trombones), Henry Lowther, Martin Shaw and Tony Fisher (trumpets), Julian Siegel (tenor sax) and Mike Smith (drums). The music shows off the various facets of Allan’s skill as an arranger and composer, ranging from the hard-swinging, up-tempo Victor and the sublime harmonies of Two for the Road and June Time through to the joyous, uplifting samba grooves of Allisamba, among many others. An unmissable release for all who appreciate the finest in big band music. (Dutton Vocalion) Price: £9.99
vibraphone. Bursting onto the embryonic “free jazz” scene he made a real impact being voted “New Star of 1962” in the prestigious Down Beat critics poll. Recorded in 1975 in Philadelphia - Walt’s distinctive melodic and rhythmic approach was complemented by his unique timbre created though the use of specially treated rubber mallets to produce a plush, warm and yet crisp sound. Featuring Chicago bassist Wilbur Ware and fellow Philadelphian Andrew Cyrille, creating a trio par excellence. Originally released on the “Why Not” label this album fell into obscurity until Candid Record’s Alan Bates acquired the label in the late 1990s. In 2009 Candid bring these fantastic recordings back from the brink. (Proper Music) Price: £10.99
As a bonus, there is another complete set taped at Birdland a few months earlier, with Bird playing with Red Rodney, J.J. Johnson, Al Haig, Tommy Potter and Roy Haynes - plus the only existing tune from a Birdland radio broadcast presenting Bird and Bud playing “Dance of the Infidels” - with Bud Powell, Charles Mingus and Art Taylor. (Discovery Records) Price: £16.99
As a bonus, two more tracks by Farmer from a session with the Jazztet and a couple of Farmer-Flanagan collaborations in quintet with Jim Hall (guitar). (Discovery Records) Price: £12.99
Contains an amazing quartet version of “Embraceable You” by Miles and the rhythm section, and the trumpeter’s only existing reading of Thelonious Monk’s “Eronel”. This music documents Miles in his transition from bebop to cool. (Discovery Records) Price: £10.99
•As a bonus, a rare trio version of “I Want to Be Happy” recorded by Rollins live at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival and two rare 1965 quintet tracks from a 1965 Berlin performance which found Rollins in a quintet format (but as the only horn) in the company of Milt Jackson, Kenny Drew, Percy Heath and Art Blakey. (Discovery Records) Price: £10.99
This release compiles all known small group sessions recorded by Duke Ellington in the studio during the 1950s. They are worth listening to these sessions not only to hear such musicians as Gonsalves, Hodges or Terry in small group settings with Ellington’s long-time rhythm section of Jimmy Woode on bass and Sam Woodyard, drums, but also to have an all too rare chance to hear the Duke’s marvellous piano playing. (Discovery Records) Price: £10.99
with Laurence Cottle (electric bass) & Ian Thomas (drums) Price: £13.99
Not one to shy from controversy himself, Gilad Atzmon is now one of the leading characters (and one of the best-selling artists) in the UK jazz scene, and certainly one of the most outspoken. He views this new work as both a tribute to the great jazz musicians of America and also as an indictment
of America itself. His usual band the Orient House Ensemble (Frank Harrison on piano and Fender Rhodes, Yaron Stavi on bass and Asaf Sirkis on drums) are joined by the Sigamos String Quartet (Ros Stephen and Emil Chakalov - violins, Rachel Robson -viola, Daisy Vatalaro - cello). The album was recorded in London in August 2008. (Harmonia Mundi) Price: £13.99
In addition to select recordings, the four disc set includes unique interviews by Mr. Anderson with artists who performed with Charlie Parker, or "Bird" as they knew him, describing in detail their experiences with him during this period of time. These interviews provide, for the first time, a glimpse into the creative process that was engaged in making these song tracks. This is a "must have" for serious Charlie Parker music collectors. (ESP DISK) Price: £48.99
This CD has all the sound presence of a live performance and gives the listener the feeling of "being there". A truly wonderful recording from start to finish. (Swingin' Fox Music) Price: £12.99
Conductor of Give It One and Artistic Director of Cala Records, Geoffrey Simon, comments: “This CD shows not only that fine French horn players have the versatility and talent to excel in the big band idiom, but that they produce an amazing collective sound, like no big band ever heard before. The music goes from red-hot to velvety cool.” Simcock and the French horns are supported by the experienced Sam Burgess (bass) and Martin France (drums). (Cala Records) Price: £13.99
180g pressing.
PAL format. Price: £21.99
Also presented for the very first time a 1972 Village Vanguard gig -- Monk's only known recorded collaboration with bassist Dave Holland. (Discovery Records) Price: £16.99
The range of styles displayed moves from somewhat funky tunes like Horace Silver's “Psychedelic Sally” or Goykovich's own “What Kind of Blues” to classic jazz compositions by Duke Ellington and Luis Russell, more in the classic swing orchestra tradition. (Discovery Records) Price: £16.99
This concert, recorded at The Rockland Palace on September 26, 1952 was specially organized in honour and support of Benjamin J. Davis, an official of both the American communist party and The Daily Worker. who was sentenced to a 5 year jail sentence in 1949, for ‘political subversion’. Davis, a campaigner against segregation and racial discrimination, was a Harlem hero.
Charlie Parker, alto sax on all tracks, with (at Rockland) : Walter Bishop, piano; Mundell Lowe, guitar; Teddy Kotick, bass; Max Roach, drums; plus string section on many tracks. Personnel on the bonus tracks includes : Duke Jordan, Charles Mingus, Art Blakey, Red Rodney, Kenny Drew, Curley Russell, Teddy Kotick and Roy Haynes. (Discovery Records) Price: £16.99
By the time these recordings were made, the Canadian pianist (born in 1932) had already performed with Charles Mingus, Jimmy Giuffre and Sonny Rollins. However, these trio recordings would mark the direction he would follow in the future : he relocated to Los Angeles in 1957, where his bookings included a lengthy engagement at the Hillcrest Club with Ornette Coleman, Don Cherry, Billy Higgins and Charlie Haden.
Featuring Steve Swallow, bass and Pete La Roca, drums. (Discovery Records) Price: £10.99
Benny Golson leads the British Orchestra in London, October 1966: including Tubby Hayes (ts), Roy Burns, Jimmy Deuchar, Ian Hammer (tp), Keith Christie, Ken Wright, Johnny Marshall (tb), Roy Willox (as), Ronnie Ross (bar) and Dave Goldberg (g).
Tubby Hayes conducts his own arrangements with the British Orchestra on three tunes, with similar personnel as above in London, November 1966. Plus three bonus tracks by Stan Kenton & His Orchestra, New York, 1971 - taken from a TV show. (Discovery Records)
78 mins. PAL format. Price: £13.99
70 mins. PAL format. Price: £13.99
Arne Domnérus has an assured place among Swedish jazz musicians who have broken new ground and established Sweden as one of the top European jazz nations. He is a revered name in the USA and in the rest of the jazz world and he will ever remain in the "Hall of Fame".
Arne Domnérus, alto saxophone, clarinet; Bengt Hallberg, piano; Lars Erstrand, vibes; Georg Riedel, bass; Egil Johansen, drums and others. Price: £14.99
