Dave McKenna - Live At Maybeck (1990) {Concord Jazz CCD-4410}
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© 1990 Concord Jazz | CCD-4410
Jazz / Mainstream Jazz / Standards / Stride / Piano

Live at Maybeck Recital Hall is an album of solo performances by jazz pianist Dave McKenna, recorded in 1989. When Joanne Brackeen first arrived at the tiny Maybeck Recital Hall for a concert in June 1989, she was so delighted with the piano and the acoustics that she insisted that Concord owner Carl Jefferson arrange to have her performance there recorded. The message hit home and over the next few years, several dozen solo piano concerts were duly recorded by the label until the hall was sold and it was no longer available for tapings. One of the first concerts to follow Brackeen's featured Dave McKenna. He seems in a particularly lyrical mood throughout this afternoon concert, though his trademark buoyant bassline is often present.

Brubeck Brothers - Classified (2008) {KOCH KIC-CD-7744}
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© 2008 KOCH International Classics | KIC-CD-7744
Jazz / Contemporary Jazz / Post Bop

Five stars. This set is perfectly dialed in and every moment is wonderful. Great compositions, superbly clean playing, and bubbling forward motion. Everything that the best aspire to. Plus, on this outing, a wind Quintet. A Quintet who wants to expand its repertoire beyond classical with a Quartet who wants to take jazz further. The writers/performers of the Brubeck Brothers Quartet are ready. To my thinking this record has three sections. The first seven tracks are the Quartet's compositions closed out beautifully by Friends Beyond Time. The second section has Quartet with Quintet playing a commissioned piece by Chris Brubeck called Vignettes for Nonet.

Miles Davis - Get Up With It (1974) {2006 DSD Japan Mini LP Edition Analog Collection SICP 1228~29}
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© 1970-74, 2006 Sony Music Japan / Columbia | SICP 1228~9 | DSD | HQD High Quality Disc
Jazz / Jazz Funk / Jazz Rock / Trumpet

Released in 1974, Get Up With It is a follow-up to Big Fun, which appeared in the same year, offering an overview of the recent period and revealing new directions. The funk genre started with “Honky Tonk” from the Jack Johnson sessions, ran through On The Corner with “Rated X” and “Billy Preston,” and ended up in the groovy structures of “Mtume” where, with the help of the wah-wah pedal, the electrified trumpet abandoned phrasing to work exclusively on timbre and rhythm.

Brian Eno - Apollo - Atmospheres & Soundtracks (1983) {2009 Virgin DSD Remaster}
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© 1983, 2009 Virgin Records | 509996845312
Ambient / Electronic / Avant-Garde

Apollo - Atmospheres and Soundtracks is an Ambient album released in 1983. It was written, produced, and performed by Brian Eno, his brother Roger and Daniel Lanois. Music from the album appeared in the films 28 Days Later, Traffic and Trainspotting, whose soundtrack sold approximately four million copies.

Mulgrew Miller - Wingspan (1987) {Landmark–32 Jazz 32168 rel 1999}
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© 1987, 1999 Landmark Records / 32 Jazz | 32168
Jazz / Post Bop / Piano

The emphasis on this quintet album is on Mulgrew Miller's compositions; five of the seven numbers (all but Kenny Garrett's "Sonhos Do Brasil" and the standard "I Remember You") are by the pianist/leader. Miller is joined by bassist Charnett Moffett, drummer Tony Reedus, vibraphonist Steve Nelson and altoist Garrett (who plays flute on one song); percussionist Rudy Bird guests on three numbers. The inventive solos on the fairly complex material and the attractive sound of the ensembles make this a worthy release.

National Head Band - Albert 1 (1971) {Warner–Esoteric ECLEC2074 rel 2008}
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© 1971, 2008 Warner Bros. / Esoteric Recordings ‎| ECLEC2074
Rock / Hard Rock / Progressive Rock

Esoteric Recordings are happy to announce the release of this 'lost classic' of progressive rock, the sole offering by the National Head Band. Formed in 1969 from the ashes of Liverpudlian band The Business, Albert 1, released in 1971, featured future Thin Lizzy, Caravan & Camel keyboard player Jan Schelhaas, future Uriah Heep drummer Lee Kerslake, guitarist Neil Ford and bass guitarist David Paull (soon to join Jonesy). Produced by Yes and ELP engineer Eddie Offord, the album features wonderful material such as 'Got No Time' and 'Mister Jesus.' Albert 1 is one of the few progressive albums of note not receive an officially sanctioned release until now. With liner notes by Jan Schelhaas, National Head Band's only album receives the treatment it deserves with this definitive release from Esoteric Recordings.

Andrew Hill - Strange Serenade (1980) {Soul Note 121013-2 rel 1996}
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© 1980, 1996 Soul Note | 121013-2
Jazz / Post Bop / Avant-Garde Jazz / Piano

This is really a classic trio recording. Andrew Hill Accompanied by Alan Silva and Freddie Waits. This music is free, but it is more than that….it's a combination of flowing melody, harmony and rhythm interacting in a way that creates a sense of pulse, motion, and above all else beauty….in its depth it is fantastic music, you can hear and feel these three listening to each other,it is just terrific.Freddie Waits was an under recorded drummer in this kind of context, I was lucky to see him live with Cecil Taylor…..this trio should be required listening for improvised music fans and piano trio fans alike. Nasheet waits should be proud of this recording, I think it is a great representation of his Father's amazing drumming skills….as well as a clear wonderful recording of Alan Silva.

Max Roach - It's Time (1962) {Impulse! Japan MVCJ-19084 rel 1998}
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© 1962, 1998 Impulse! / MCA / Universal Victor Japan | MVCJ-19084
Jazz / Bop / Jazz Blues / Drums

This Max Roach date is an unusual set. The outing featured the drummer's all-star sextet (which consisted of trumpeter Richard Williams, tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan, trombonist Julian Priester, pianist Mal Waldron, and bassist Art Davis) joined by a vocal choir conducted by Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson and orchestrated by Roach (who contributed all six originals). Unlike most other collaborations, the choir was not overly gospel-oriented and was utilized as a sort of jazz ensemble. Each of the horn players has a feature or two and singer Abbey Lincoln stars on "Lonesome Lover."

Tony Bennett - Sings Ellington, Hot & Cool (1999) {RPM–Columbia CK 63668}
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© 1999 RPM Records / Columbia / Sony Music | CK 63668
Jazz / Vocal Jazz / Big Band / Contemporary Jazz / Swing

Tony Bennett's practically inevitable commemoration of the Duke Ellington centenary is an appropriately blue-chip affair, with a big band and orchestra augmenting the Ralph Sharon Quartet on arrangements by Jorge Calandrelli, who has slowed the tempos to give the singer time to give intimate interpretations to the lyrics of songs like "Mood Indigo" and "Sophisticated Lady." Especially impressive are the less familiar tunes, such as "Azure" and "Day Dream." The slowest tunes also leave room for expressive solos by trombonist Al Grey and trumpeter Wynton Maralis ("Mood Indigo") and violinist Joel Smirnoff ("Sophisticated Lady").

Oscar Peterson & Joe Pass - Porgy And Bess (1976) {Pablo OJCCD-829-2 rel 2006}
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© 1976, 2006 Pablo Records / Fantasy / Universal | OJCCD-829-2 / 00025218682923
Jazz / Bop / Clavichord / Guitar

To me, what Peterson did with the clavichord is brilliant. At times it sounds like a funky fretted instrument, maybe a mandolin. It's neither harpsichord nor piano. Historically, clavichord predates both. By pressing the keys harder, the player can actually bend strings like a blues guitarist. But clavichord is not a loud instrument– even an acoustic guitar can overpower it. Oscar Peterson and Joe Pass are, of course, masters. The playing is top notch (the album was recorded in a single studio session). Harmonically they don't take Gershwin anyplace he hasn't been before, but their assured feel combined with the novel acoustic blend make this album a constant delight.

Per Henrik Wallin, Johnny Dyani & Erik Dahlback - Burning In Stockholm (1981) {Atavistic ‎UMS/ALP249CD rel 2004}
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© 1981, 2004 Atavistic | ‎UMS/ALP249CD | Unheard Music Series
Jazz / Avant-Garde Jazz / Piano

These three men are well-known in free improvisation contexts. The two Swedes, pianist Per Henrik Wallin and drummer Erik Dahlback, form two thirds of a trio whose bassist surely couldn't have minded the amazing and now departed South African bassist filling his role on this 1981 date. The music might be called free improvisation, but there's nothing weirdly dark or uncontrolled—or tame or dull or incoherent.

Phil Woods - Floresta Canto (1975) {2015 Japan Jazz Collection 1000 Columbia-RCA Series SICJ 95}
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© 1975, 2015 RCA / Sony Music Japan | SICJ 95
Jazz / Fusion / Hard Bop / Modern Big Band / Latin Jazz / Saxophone

Reissue with the latest remastering. Comes with liner notes. One of those great records from the 70s that makes you say "man, Phil Woods was hip!" The session was cut in London with an electrified big band led by Chris Gunning, and featuring keyboards by the groovy Gordon Beck – kind of a blend of strings, keys, and woodwinds – providing some lush backdrops that allow Phil to really open up on some great solos. The style is similar to Phil's album Images, done with Michel Legrand – but with some more electric touches – and like that album, it's got a wonderfully fluid, lyrical approach that's quite different from the harder-jamming fusion albums Woods cut in Europe. Titles include "Canto De Ossanha", "Sails", "Roses", "Without You", "Jesse", and "O Morro".

Mihály Borbély Quartet - Hungarian Jazz Rhapsody (2014) {BMC CD 187 rec 2011}
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© 2014 Budapest Music Center Records | BMC CD 187
Jazz / Post Bop / Progressive Jazz / Saxophone

Hungarian jazz doesn't receive same the level of attention as Western Europe and Scandinavia. Other than acclaimed jazz guitar legends, Gabor Szabo and Attila Zoller, there haven't been many household names within this idiom. Yet the BMC Records label has been a catalyst by producing gifted progressive jazz artists, such as the Dresch Quartet, and here, saxophonist Mihaly Borbely who titles his album and performs Zoller's composition, Hungarian Rhapsody.

Matthew Halsall & The Gondwana Orchestra - When The World Was One (2014) {Gondwana Records GONDCD 010}
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© 2014 Gondwana Records | GONDCD 010
Jazz / Post Bop / Modal Jazz / Spiritual Jazz / Trumpet

Change, or at least an evolution of the Halsall sound, is very much in the air on this wonderful new record. Credited to Halsall and the Gondwana Orchestra there is a feeling of expansion of the musical palette, further steps on a satisfying journey towards the destination identified on 2012's transitional Fletcher Moss Park. That earlier record showed the way that Halsall was looking to evolve and shift his musical path—it began with pieces recorded in 2010 around the time of the Gilles Peterson Worldwide award winning On the Go, took in a couple of piano and bass-less tracks from a more experimental July 2011 session and ended up with a couple of tracks recorded in April 2012 by something broadly resembling the line-up for When the World Was One.

Charlie Louvin - Murder Ballads And Disaster Songs (2008) {Tompkins Square TSQ2127}
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© 2008 Tompkins Square | TSQ2127
Country / Folk / Americana / Traditional Country / Country Boogie

Louvin's rough, weathered voice is many years removed from the clean, soaring work of his Louvin Brothers heyday but his joy in the material is audible, and as a re-encapsulation of the country and folk traditions he grew up with and helped shape, the album's a lovely treat. He revisits a number of songs he recorded with brother Ira, including "Katy Dear" and "Mary of the Wild Moor," an enjoyable instance of compare-and-contrast where these versions still work just fine on their own.