Gong —
Shamal ... CD Virgin/Caroline, 1975. Used ...
Out Of Stock
Great middle period work from Gong – lean, jazzy, and almost fusion-based at times – without any of the indulgences of the early years! The sound here is a beautiful blend of keyboards from Patrice Lemoine, percussion from Pierre Moerlen and Mierelle Bauer, bass from Mike Howlett, and saxes from Didier Malherbe – and although there are a bit of vocals on the record, they're often compressed way down in the mix – as you might find on other Virgin progressive albums from the time. Titles include "Chandra", "Wingful Of Eyes", "Mandrake", "Shamal", "Bambooji", and "Cat In Clark's Shoes". CD
(Out of print.)
3
Charlie Mariano Quintet —
Boston Days ... CD Fresh Sound (Spain), 1953. Used ...
Out Of Stock
We don't know what they were putting in the water in Boston during the 50's, but whatever it was, it sure made Bostonians play great jazz – especially all the white guys who picked up alto saxophones. Charlie Mariano was one of those guys, and from the start, his playing on the alto had a brilliant tone that lay somewhere between the iciness of Lee Konitz and the more soulful sound of Art Pepper. Mariano was always completely in his own bag, though, and as you'll hear on this early set of recordings with a young Jaki Byard, he was always open to modernist influences, but (like Byard) never let them get in the way of a soulful solo. We're not sure who these tracks were originally recorded for, but there's 16 of them, and they're all studio material with a hard lively sound. Titles include "Harangue", "Diane's Melody", "It's Magic", "Chandra", "Chanticlear", and "My Nancy". CD
A trio session – but a killer, too – very different than just about any other piano trio material from the time – with that special sort of edge that always made Jaki Byard really stand out from the pack! There's some very unusual things happening in the rhythms – some slight Eastern elements, a few trippy touches, and other heady elements that live up to the title – but in a subtle way, too. Byard plays piano throughout, but also handles a bit of guitar, too – and the group features Ornette Coleman's bassist David Izenzon on bass, plus Elvin Jones on drums and tympani – the latter of which is used in some very cool ways. Titles include "Trendsition Zildijian", "Sunshine", "Cast Away", and "Chandra". CD
2 of Yusef Lateef's best Atlantic albums – back to back on one CD! The records really go all-out to show the full scope of Yusef's talents – and feature some stripped-down tracks that hit a really nice funky groove, plus others that take on a more ambitious approach, but still come across with a heck of a lot of soul! The Sweet Inspirations sing backing vocals on a few tracks, and the enigmatic William S Fischer handles the arrangements on a few others – making for a style that's got some nice exotic touches from time to time, but which also snakes along in a spiritually soulful mode. Titles include "Live Humble", "Eboness", "Chandra", "A Long Time Ago", "Down In Atlanta", "Nocturne", "Buddy & Lou", and "Symphonic Blues Suite". CD