Record Reviews

ART BLAKEY ~ THE COMPLETE COLUMBIA AND RCA ALBUMS COLLECTION SONY 887254359920 (Barcode: 887254359920) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1956 - 1959 Released: 2015 This superb Box Set includes all the albums by the seminal American Jazz drummer and pioneer of the Hard Bop genre Art BlakeyFind albums by this artist, released by the ColumbiaFind albums on this label and RCAFind albums on this label labels. These recordings span just a short period of four years, between 1956 and 1959, but they include some of the archetypical Jazz of the 1950s and document the birth of the Hard Bop era. Art Blakey and his Jazz MessengersFind albums by this artist were one of the most dominant Jazz ensembles for decades and featured some of the top American Jazz players at the time, the list of which reads like a who´s who of American Jazz: trumpeters Donald ByrdFind albums by this artist, Lee MorganFind albums by this artist and Bill HardmanFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Hank MobleyFind albums by this artist, Jackie McLeanFind albums by this artist, Ira SullivanFind albums by this artist, Johnny GriffinFind albums by this artist and Benny GolsonFind albums by this artist and pianists Horace SilverFind albums by this artist, Sam DockeryFind albums by this artist, Ray BryantFind albums by this artist and Wynton KellyFind albums by this artist all play on these albums as do many other first rate players. Blakey was one of the first American Jazz musicians, who were interested in African music, looking for sources of American Jazz. He incorporated African rhythms and techniques into the way he played, which created a unique and almost immediately recognizable drumming style. The Jazz Messengers served for many years and until Blakey´s death in 1990 as one of the most important cradles of young American Jazz musicians and very many top players who arrived on the scene were groomed as members of the Messengers, including such luminaries as Wynton MarsalisFind albums by this artist and literally dozens of others. Although this music is quite familiar to all serious Jazz fans, it is always great to hear it as played by the original musicians who "invented" it in the first place rather than listen to the countless imitations recorded over and over again since. The last three CDs in this Box Set include live recordings by Blakey and Jazz Messengers recorded in Paris, which were originally released only on French RCA and therefore are much less known. In retrospect this music still sounds fresh and sparkling today, as if absolutely untouched by time, completely justifying its classic status. Of course this is also an essential lesson in Jazz history and tradition, and as such an absolutely indispensable part of any serious record collection. Its availability will perhaps lead the young generation of Jazz players to listen to the source of the genesis of Modern Jazz.

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: 07/01/2016

CD 8 Digisleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

AMIT GOLAN ~ I DECIDED! NOT ON LABEL ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2007 Released: 2007 1st album by Israeli pianist / composer / teacher Amit GolanFind albums by this artist. Although active on the local scene for some time, this is Golan’s debut release. He leads a quintet with fellow Israeli players (Asaf YuriaFind albums by this artist – tenor sax, Gilad AbroFind albums by this artist – bass and Doron TiroshFind albums by this artist / Yonatan RosenFind albums by this artist – drums) and the guest US trumpeter Joe MagnarelliFind albums by this artist. Golan composed all the wonderful music (except one standard), which sounds remarkably like something taken directly from the 1960s at the peak of the Hard Bop era. The entire album could be easily mistaken for a “lost” Blue NoteFind albums on this label album by Horace SilverFind albums by this artist, and I bet a lot of people would have never guessed this is a contemporary recording by a bunch of Israeli players. And I mean absolutely no criticism by that, on the contrary, being able to reproduce that sound and feel is quite remarkable. Considering that Jazz in Israel was almost nonexistent in the 1960s, this is a most beautiful way to pay the dues. I can’t imagine any Jazz fan around the world not liking this stuff – it is absolutely perfect in what it stands for – solid mainstream jazz at its best with a nostalgic wink. I feel really proud that our tiny Jazz scene is capable of producing such mature and technically perfect piece of music. The recording quality is also remarkable, considering that most of the music was recorded live. Mr. Rudy Van GelderFind albums by this artist would be undoubtedly smiling if he ever got to listen to this one. How about you?

Updated: 12/06/2018Posted:

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

HORACE SILVER ~ BOSTON 1973 EQUINOX 6046 (Barcode: 3854917604625) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Funk Fusion Recorded: 1973 Released: 2023 This is an archival live album by American Jazz pianist / composer / bandleader Horace SilverFind albums by this artist, recorded with his quintet, which included saxophonist Michael BreckerFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Randy BreckerFind albums by this artist, bass guitarist Will LeeFind albums by this artist and drummer Alvin QueenFind albums by this artist. The album presents just three lengthy tracks, two of which are original compositions by Silver and one is by Weldon IrwineFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded at the legendary Jazz Workshop in Boston, MA on March 27th, 1973 and broadcasted on the radio, which means that the sound quality is not perfect, but definitely acceptable. The music is typical amalgam of Jazz, Soul and Funk, which characterized Silver’s music at the time and the presence of the Brecker brothers and Lee, who would soon after form The Brecker Brothers group adds a strong Fusion tinge, which makes the music particularly interesting. The lengthy tracks offer a perfect platform for all five musicians to solo extensively. Overall, this is a piece of American Jazz history, which documents some of its key figures at the period when the Fusion was developing rapidly and offers superb soloing by these young musicians under the wings of the experienced leader.

Updated: 29/10/2026Posted: 29/10/2026

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend