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Jazz for aficionados

Jazz for aficionados

I'm going to review records in my collection, and you'll be able to decide if they're worthy of your collection. These records are what I consider "must haves" for any jazz aficionado, and would be found in their collections. I wont review any record that's not on CD, nor will I review any record if the CD is markedly inferior. Fortunately, I only found 1 case where the CD was markedly inferior to the record.

Our first album is "Moanin" by Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers. We have Lee Morgan , trumpet; Benney Golson, tenor sax; Bobby Timmons, piano; Jymie merrit, bass; Art Blakey, drums.

The title tune "Moanin" is by Bobby Timmons, it conveys the emotion of the title like no other tune I've ever heard, even better than any words could ever convey. This music pictures a person whose down to his last nickel, and all he can do is "moan".

"Along Came Betty" is a tune by Benny Golson, it reminds me of a Betty I once knew. She was gorgeous with a jazzy personality, and she moved smooth and easy, just like this tune. Somebody find me a time machine! Maybe you knew a Betty.

While the rest of the music is just fine, those are my favorite tunes. Why don't you share your, "must have" jazz albums with us.

Enjoy the music.
orpheus10
stuartk
3,070 posts
 

@mahgister 

( i prefer jazz albums with no singers by the way and i made exceptions only for Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald voices or Chet Baker or Billie Holiday...In this album of Saft "Trouble" there few songs part where the singers are very good but even very good i prefer music and no voice in my jazz, i dont know why because i like classical singer or Indian and Persian and sufi singers etc then for this only reason this 5th album is not my best but the singers are top notch , it is not a critic of the singers at all only a reflection about my own lack or limitations or obsession i don't know )

I can relate; there are many Jazz vocalists but like you, there are only a few that really move me.

mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,209 posts
 

I am like you...

Zorn is not all for my taste but it is a creative mind... I did exactly what you plan to do and the few albums i love a lot pay me well for my search...

When i will be done with Jamie Saft exploration i must go with the Breckers brothers... 😊

I dont love all things Zorn. Far from it. But I plan on listening to all of it and selecting individual songs to keep.

 

acman3
4,275 posts
 

Pjw, I was talking about Steps Ahead. I was saying I lost interest after Michael Brecker left. I mistakenly said when he died, but I only missed that by a decade or so. I was late for a meeting and should not have posted without proofing my post.

jafant's avatar
jafant
20,001 posts
 

Bill Evans

pjw81563
1,829 posts
 

@acman3 Been listening extensively to this playlist for over a week now. Michael Brecker’s brilliance on the tenor is on another level.

Steps Ahead - playlist by Paul Irishman | Spotify

Vibraphonist Mike Mainieri’s rhythm laying down extended grooves is something that I have never heard on this level before from Hutcherson, Jackson, Lionel Hampton or Gary Burton. (to be fair they played in a different context).

Mainieri broke in with Buddy Rich in the late 50s and I plan on listening to his earlier sessions. Here is a couple

With Rich

Caravan - YouTube

Mainieri’s debut album. At age 25, after making his bones with Rich, he already had his own unique style on the vibes.

Waltzin’ In and Out - YouTube

Bassist Eddie Gomez is also outstanding on the acoustic bass. On this Gomez album, Gomez’ Steps Ahead partners, drummer Steve Gadd and Michael Brecker back him, resulting in some excellent music.

Eddie Gomez,Michael Brecker,Steve Gadd,Masahiko Satoh play Puccini’s Walk from Mezgo 1985 - YouTube

Btw, fwiw Steps Ahead has only made one album without Brecker. They are joined by the WDR Big Band on this 2016 album titled "Steppin' Out" 

Blue Montreux - YouTube

 

 

 

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