Month: December 2011

Cedar Walton – Off Minor (1975)

Back from the edge of nowhere, veteran jazz keyboardist Cedar Walton delivers this set of space-jazz-funk, still with an electronic emphasis, yet nowhere near as metallic and dissonant as anything by Bayete. Walton cultivates a superb melodic sensibility with his playing, while drummer Steve Gadd works magic with his skittering, subtle funk beats, laying the groundwork for Walton’s own solos and those of his band, including Hendrixian guitarist Ryo Kawasaki and innovative tenor sax player/arranger Frank Foster. This is a hidden gem, something I had no idea about but knew would be good by virtue of the musicians present, and for real, this shit hits hard. [Source]



[Inspired by Bo Madsen]

Chico Hamilton – The Dealer (1966)

The Dealer is a 1966 release by jazz drummer/bandleader Chico Hamilton. It was first released by Impulse! Records (AS-9130) and has been subsequently reissused on CD with the addition of bonus tracks from Chic Chic Chico, Definitive Jazz Scene Vol. 3 and Passin’ Thru. The bonus tracks feature different line-ups to that of the album, including Charles Lloyd and Gábor Szabó. In the 1960s, Chico Hamilton recorded five albums for Impulse! Records, The Dealer and Man from Two Worlds are the only two to be reissued on CD. The bonus track, “El Toro” is also featured on the Impulsive! Unmixed compilation. The packaging takes the form of a digipack-styled case with a 12-page booklet featuring the original liner notes and photographs. All tracks are originals, composed by Hamilton and some arranged by Jimmy Cheatham. The exceptions are Larry of Arabia composed by Larry Coryell where legend has it that this was his first recording and from where Mick Taylor of Bluesbreakers and The Rolling Stones fame got some of his licks later used with The Stones; and “For Mods Only”, composed by free jazz saxophonist Archie Shepp, who features on the track playing piano.

Chico Hamilton – drums, percussion
Larry Coryell – electric guitar
Arnie Lawrence – saxophone alto
Richard Davis – bass




Sam Rivers – Fuschia Swing Song (1964)

1964 was an important year for the jazz saxophone. John Coltrane recorded the seminal A Love Supreme and Eric Dolphy made Out to Lunch, a masterpiece of the early jazz avant-garde. With that in mind, it’s not as surprising as it is unfortunate that saxophonist Sam Rivers’ debut Fuchsia Swing Song doesn’t get much press. Rivers went on to become one of the most original and important saxophone voices after Coltrane, but in 1964, he was virtually unknown and had just finished a very brief stint with Miles Davis. Rivers is joined here by two members of that band, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Tony Williams. The quartet is completed by Rivers’ old friend Jaki Byard on piano. Though he became known for also playing soprano saxophone and flute, Rivers sticks to his main ax, the tenor, for this album. [Source]

Opening track from Sam River’s “Fuchsia Swing Song” original album. Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on December 11, 1964. Originally released as BST (84184). Sam Rivers (tenor saxophone); Jaki Byard (piano); Ron Carter (bass); Tony Williams (drums).


[In memory of Sam Rivers]

George Russell – Ezz-thetics (1961)

George Russell’s own composition “Ezz-thetic” It can be found on 1961’s “Ezz-thetics”.

The producer for the “Ezz-thetics” sessions was Orrin Keepnews and the band was:

George Russell – piano, arranger
Don Ellis – trumpet
Dave Baker – trombone
Eric Dolphy – alto sax and bass clarinet (tracks 2,4, and 6 only)
Steve Swallow – bass
Joe Hunt – drums




[via Curtis Wenzel in St. Paul, Minnesota]