Record Reviews

GARY BURTON ~ NEW VIBE MAN IN TOWN / WHO IS GARY BURTON? / IN CONCERT BGO 1519 (Barcode: 5017261215192) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1961 - 1968 Released: 2024 This is a reissue / remaster of three early albums by American vibraphonist / composer / bandleader Gary BurtonFind albums by this artist, released originally on the RCAFind albums on this label label. Burton started his musical career at a very early age and was considered a prodigy. Choosing the vibraphone as his “weapon of choice”, and his decision to play Jazz rather than classical music made him a sensation and he recorded the first of the albums included here at the age of eighteen, quite an unprecedented event at the time. CD1 presets his first two albums, eight and seven tracks, recorded in 1961 and 1962 respectively. CD2 presents the 10th album, with eight tracks recorded in 1968, which is the only live recording by Burton and the one before last album released on RCA. “New Vibe Man In TownFind albums with this title” was recorded in a trio setting with bassist Gene ChericoFind albums by this artist and drummer Joe MorelloFind albums by this artist. All the tracks are standards. “Who is Gary Burton?Find albums with this title” was recorded in a septet setting with trumpeter Clark TerryFind albums by this artist, trombonist Bob BrookmeyerFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Phil WoodsFind albums by this artist, pianist Tommy FlanaganFind albums by this artist, bassist John NevesFind albums by this artist and drummers Morello or Chris SwansenFind albums by this artist. Four of the tracks are standards, two are by Swansen, who was Burton’s classmate at Berklee Collage of Music and finally one is by British trombonist / composer Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist, who was his Berklee teacher and later a lifelong friend and musical collaborator. “In ConcertFind albums with this title” was recorded with the revolutionary quartet, which included guitarist Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist, bassist Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist and drummer Bob MosesFind albums by this artist, and sounded like something from another planet, being one of the earliest Jazz-Rock Fusion ensembles, which changed the face of music. Except for one cover of a song by Bob DylanFind albums by this artist, all the tracks are originals, three composed by Burton, two by Coryell, one co-composed by the two and finally again one track by Gibbs. Overall, this is a brilliant reminder of the early musical path by one of the most important American Jazz figures, which is perhaps also the most “non-American” Jazz figures, closer to the European sound and aesthetics than to his roots, which are still plainly present on his first two albums. This reissue joins the other three reissue projects of Gary Burton recordings on RCA, released by the great British BGOFind albums on this label label, which now cover ten of the eleven RCA recordings.

Updated: 29/07/2024Posted: 29/07/2024

CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

THAD JONES ~ MAD THAD / OLIO VOCALION 5307 (Barcode: 765387530723) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1957 Released: 2009 US trumpeter / composer Thad JonesFind albums by this artist (a member of the extensive Jones clan, which includes Quincy, Jimmy, Jo, Eddie and Thad´s younger brother Elvin) paid his dues in full on the NY scene, playing with the American who´s who of Jazz. His unique lyrical tone and his great feel for melody made him one of the greatest trumpeters of his time. This excellent reissue brings back to life two lovely recordings from the late 1950s, featuring Jones as a soloist in front of superb ensembles, which include such famous names as Frank FosterFind albums by this artist (sax) Frank WessFind albums by this artist (sax and flute) Tommy FlanaganFind albums by this artist (piano), Mal WaldronFind albums by this artist (piano) and many others. Although his most famous moments would come only about a decade later, when Jones was to co-lead one of the best ever Big Bands with drummer Mel LewisFind albums by this artist, these recordings show him in a more intimate setting, which emphasizes his excellent skills as a player and improviser. I had a real fun listening to these albums (which were out of circulation for ages), a reminder of times when life was simpler and music better. Recommended!

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend