Record Reviews

GARY BURTON ~ SOMETHING`S COMING! / THE GROOVY SOUND OF MUSIC / THE TIME MACHINE BGO 1241 (Barcode: 5017261212412) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1963 - 1966 Released: 2016 This is a reissue of three early albums by the legendary American Jazz vibraphonist / composer Gary BurtonFind albums by this artist (his third to fifth albums): "Something`s Coming!Find albums with this title" from 1964, "The Groovy Sound Of MusicFind albums with this title" from 1965 and "The Time MachineFind albums with this title" from 1966. "Something`s Coming!" was recorded in a quartet setting with guitarist Jim HallFind albums by this artist, bassist Chuck IsraelsFind albums by this artist and drummer Larry BunkerFind albums by this artist. It presents seven pieces, two of which are original compositions by British composer Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist, one is by Hall and the remaining four are standards. "The Groovy Sound Of Music", as the title suggests, includes Burton interpretations of eight songs from the musical "The Sound Of Music", recorded in a sextet setting with trombonist Bob BrookmeyerFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Phil WoodsFind albums by this artist, guitarist Joe PumaFind albums by this artist, bassist Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist and alternating drummers Joe HuntFind albums by this artist and Ed ShaughnessyFind albums by this artist. "The Time Machine" was recorded in a trio setting with bassist Steve Swallow and drummer Larry Bunker. It presents ten pieces, four of which are original compositions by Burton, two by Gibbs, one by Swallow and the remaining three are standards. These wonderful albums tell the story of the early days of Burton´s musical development and already point out towards several characteristics of his music in the later years, like his close friendship and cooperation with composer Michael Gibbs, his close association with bassist Steve Swallow, who would continue to record with Burton for many years, his appreciation and understanding of the role of the guitar in Jazz, which will soon after lead to his revolutionary cooperation with Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist and the birth of the American Jazz-Rock Fusion, etc. Whereas the first two albums find Burton still engulfed in Bebop and Cool Jazz, the third album is distinctly different and shows his individual voice and stylistic differentiation from mainstream Jazz, which shifts into more sophisticated approach both as a player and a composer, which would eventually bring Burton to be much closer to European Jazz than almost any other of his compatriots. Although these albums were recorded fifty years ago, they all sound absolutely fresh today and the music lost absolutely nothing of its wonderful vitality, musicality and exquisite taste. For Burton and vibraphone fans this is an absolute essential piece of Jazz history, but all music connoisseurs should find it absolutely delightful. Not to be missed!

Updated: 17/10/2016Posted: 17/10/2016

CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

GEORGE RUSSELL ~ SEVEN CLASSIC ALBUMS REAL GONE JAZZ 353 (Barcode: 5036408140425) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1959 - 1962 Released: 2012 This is a reissue of the early recordings by the legendary American pianist / composer / arranger / music theorist George RussellFind albums by this artist This set collects recordings made between 1959 and 1962, which present Russell playing with small orchestral ensembles and small combos, introducing elements of his Lydian Chromatic Concept and later Modal Jazz. The six albums included here are: "New York, N.Y.Find albums with this title" from 1959, "Jazz In The Space AgeFind albums with this title" from 1960, "StratusphunkFind albums with this title" from 1960, "George Russell Sextet In K.C.Find albums with this title" from 1961, "Ezz-TheticsFind albums with this title" from 1961, "The Stratus SeekersFind albums with this title" from 1962 and "The Outer ViewFind albums with this title" from 1962. The musicians participating in these recordings include some of the most important American Jazz players at the time, like saxophonists John ColtraneFind albums by this artist and Eric DolphyFind albums by this artist, pianists like Bill EvansFind albums by this artist and Paul BleyFind albums by this artist, bassists Chuck IsraelsFind albums by this artist and Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist and drummers Joe HuntFind albums by this artist and Pete La RocaFind albums by this artist, to mention just a few. Overall this is a fascinating collection of great Jazz music performed by some of the best players at the time, and which has additionally also an enormous historical value. I can’t imagine any true Jazz fan missing this set! Side Note The Real Gone JazzFind albums on this label label releases hundreds of album collections, which include usually between three to eight original albums in a two to four CDs sets. Most of these albums were recorded and released in the 1950s and early 1960s. These collections provide the track lists and lineups of the original albums, but no recording information, liner notes and any background information whatsoever. The label takes advantage of the copyright law in UK, which limited the length of the copyright protection of recorded works to 50 years, after which recorded works become public domain. In 2013 UK implemented a correction of the copyright law extending the protection of recorded works to 70 years (like the rest of Europe), but the correction does not apply retroactively, which means that recordings which entered the 50 years rule prior to January 1, 2013 (i.e. recorded before January 1, 1963) remain public domain. There are two great advantages to these releases: they are really inexpensive and they bring back to life many albums not reissued previously on CD, which means it would cost a collector an arm and a leg to get a copy of them. Many of these albums are absolute gems and essential pieces of Jazz history. The disadvantages are: the lack of proper information, original cover art, combining tracks of several original albums on one CD and the sound quality, which depends on where the label gets the source material. From my experience most of the releases have quite excellent sound quality but I have not listened to all of them and some people have complained about it.

Updated: 27/05/2018Posted: 02/10/2016

CD 4 Remastered Recommend To A Friend