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An incredible record by Lenny Tristano – one that features him playing solo piano, but in a way that's so inventive, so creative, so pyrotechnic, that Atlantic Records had to include text on the back cover saying "No use is made of multi-tracking, over-dubbing, or tape-speeding" – just to prove that the whole thing was simply a product of Tristano's legendary prowess on the piano! The album's also one of the last (the last?) that Lennie ever cut – and although many other players are kind of faltering in last sessions like this, Lennie's sounding better than ever – ready to take on a realm of new challenges in the 60s. Titles include "Love Lines", "G Minor Complex", "Becoming", and "Deliberation".

Excellent double LP set that brings together all of the material from Lennie's classic Atlantic LPs – Lennie Tristano and The New Tristano. The recordings are stellar stuff – of the sort that rewrote the book for modern jazz piano. The first LP has Lennie playing with Lee Konitz on classics like "Turkish Mambo", "East 32nd", "Line Up", and "Requiem" – and the second LP has Lennie playing unaccompanied, but in these wild multi-layered lines, on tracks like "Becoming", "C Minor Complex", and "Deliberation". Some of the most inventive piano work of the 50s!

A double-length set of work from one of the greatest pianists of the 50s – both of his Atlantic albums together on a single CD! First up is the self-titled Lennie Tristano, from 1955 – darkly imaginative work from the great Tristano – and one of the few full albums he ever cut as a leader! The record features the incredible track "Turkish Mambo" – which has Tristano overdubbed 3 times in this dark modal way that's totally amazing, and which will hook you into his playing immediately! A number of other tracks feature a quartet with Lee Konitz – always a good match for Tristano – and a few others have a great trio that's completed by Peter Ind and Jeff Morton. Tracks include "Requiem", "East 32nd", "You Go To My Head", and "Line Up". New Tristano is an incredible record by Lenny – one that features him playing solo piano, but in a way that's so inventive, so creative, so pyrotechnic, that Atlantic Records had to include text on the back cover saying "No use is made of multi-tracking, over-dubbing, or tape-speeding." The album's also one of the last (the last?) that Lennie ever cut – and although many other players are kind of faltering in last sessions like this, Lennie's sounding better than ever – ready to take on a realm of new challenges in the 60s. Titles include "Love Lines", "G Minor Complex", "Becoming", and "Deliberation".

One of those great records that really reminds us that Anthony Braxton's roots in jazz run plenty plenty deep – despite his longstanding reputation as an individual! This set of Lennie Tristano compositions offers up some great old school blowing from Braxton – alto that's as sharp and fresh as Lee Konitz back in the day, but rearranged with even more intensity in some special arrangements for this set – and served up in a group that also features Jon Raskin on baritone sax, Dred Scot on piano, Cecil McBee on bass, and Andrew Cyrille on drums! The approach is wonderful – still filled with the brand new quality of 50s modern jazz – yet also a bit more vibrant than some other albums that have Braxton working in an old school mode. Titles include "Lennie Bird", "Two Not One", "Dreams", "Lennie's Pennies", "Victory Ball", and "April".

A nice little session from Lee Konitz – simple, without many tricks, and a great 70s extension of the sound of his 50s work! The group's a quartet with Sal Mosca on piano – and on a number of tracks, the pair of them play together alone, Lee blowing introspectively, and Sal working in a post-Tristano mode that fits Lee like a glove. Other group tracks are equally strong, if a bit straighter – with Ron Carter on bass and Mousey Alexander on drums – and titles include "Background Music", "Baby", "Two Not One", "Another Nother", and "Lennie Bird".

A masterpiece by Warne Marsh – and proof that there was always a committed modernist lurking behind some of his more straightforward playing! The session has sort of a post-Tristano underground west coast feel (if we can make up such a heavy handed term!), and it features a piano-less quartet with Marsh on tenor, Gary Foster on alto, Dave Parlato on bass, and Terry Tirabasso on drums. Foster's playing at this point in his career is wonderful, with lots of crisy icy tones that remind us of the best Konitz recordings of the mid 50s. Tracks are long and introspective, and titles include Tristano's "Lennies Pennies" and "317 E 32nd", Konitz's "Subconscious-Lee", and the original improvisation "Touch & Go".