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 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

MILES DAVIS ~ AT CARNEGIE HALL: THE COMPLETE CONCERT COLUMBIA 65027 (Barcode: 5099706502722) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1961 Released: 1998 It’s good to see that record companies sometimes are able to get a grip and correct the mistakes of the past. ColumbiaFind albums on this label has certainly tried its best to do justice to the magnificent recorded legacy of Miles DavisFind albums by this artist and this album is a part of that effort. This album assembles the complete Miles Davis Quintet / Gil EvansFind albums by this artist Orchestra concert recorded on May 19, 1961 at the Carnegie Hall, putting everything at the original recording order without editing or dubbed applause (the music included here was previously available on two separate albums: Miles Davis At Carnegie HallFind albums with this title and More Music From The Legendary Carnegie Hall ConcertFind albums with this title). This album is of course a perfect companion to the sublime Columbia 6 CDs Box Set The Complete Columbia Studio RecordingsFind albums with this title, especially as the concert was the first time Miles performed with the Gil Evans Orchestra live. 1961 marked an extremely busy and productive year for Miles. Following the departure of John ColtraneFind albums by this artist and Bill EvansFind albums by this artist, the “first” legendary Miles Davis Quintet was history and Miles quickly organized a new Quintet, which was to be his vehicle for an interim period of about two years, until the “second” legendary Quintet was to rise like a phoenix and take Jazz places never dreamt about. The “interim” Quintet included excellent and experienced players: Hank MobleyFind albums by this artist – saxophone, Wynton KellyFind albums by this artist – piano, Paul ChambersFind albums by this artist – bass and Jimmy CobbFind albums by this artist – drums (the last two were remaining members from the “first” Quintet). These players followed their leader with skill and devotion, creating some of the best modern jazz on record. Just one month before this concert the Quintet recorded a magnificent live album In PersonFind albums with this title (which is now available as a 4 CDs Box Set In Person Friday And Saturday Nights At The Blackhawk, CompleteFind albums with this title). The studio album Someday My Prince Will ComeFind albums with this title was recorded just a couple of months before the Carnegie concert recording. The next (and last) studio recording with Gil Evans (Quiet NightsFind albums with this title) was just months ahead. Looking back at this period it becomes plainly evident that Miles was already “miles ahead” in his mind, looking for a new vehicle and a new direction, which would commence shortly with the formation of the new Quintet and the groundbreaking new album ahead (Seven Steps To HeavenFind albums with this title). That of course makes this music no less magnificent, as Miles was destined to be “in transition” for the duration of his entire career. It remains here, recorded for posterity, for us mortals to enjoy (almost 46 years later), loosing absolutely nothing of its relevance and eternal beauty. Miles of course was one of the very few artists, who made a statement with every note they played. As such, these notes are a source of inspiration and joy for those who love this music. Essential!

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 2 Oversampling Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

MILES DAVIS / JOHN COLTRANE ~ THE COMPLETE COLUMBIA RECORDINGS 1955-1961 COLUMBIA 90922 (Barcode: 827969092224) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1955 - 1961 Released: 2004 This is the 1st chapter in the ColumbiaFind albums on this label’s epic series of Miles DavisFind albums by this artist Box Sets, which is a monumental reissue project of recordings by the most important Jazz musician of the 20th century. Recorded between October 1955 and March 1961 the music includes everything Miles recorded for Columbia with his legendary first quintet and sextet. John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, Cannonball AdderleyFind albums by this artist and Hank MobleyFind albums by this artist on saxes, Bill EvansFind albums by this artist, Red GarlandFind albums by this artist and Wynton KellyFind albums by this artist on piano, Paul ChambersFind albums by this artist on bass and Philly Joe JonesFind albums by this artist and Jimmy CobbFind albums by this artist on drums are the protagonists on these legendary sessions, creating this heavenly music, under the Master’s spiritual leadership. The music included here appeared on the albums: ’Round About MidnightFind albums with this title, MilestonesFind albums with this title, Kind Of BlueFind albums with this title and Someday My Prince Will ComeFind albums with this title, as well as on numerous compilation albums released later. There is little that I need to say about the music herein, as almost every Jazz lover is acquainted with at least the “Kind Of Blue” album, being the most widely sold Jazz recording of all times. The combination of the geniuses of Miles and Trane turn these sessions into a fundamental and quintessential Jazz experience, which serves as a model for all generations of Jazzman to come. Both of them were constantly on a spiritual quest to expand both their performing skills, taking them beyond the humanly possible, as well as crossing musical planes uncharted and visionary. Although created by humans, this music is worthy of Gods and should it have happened a few thousands of years earlier, it would be probably heard on the mount Olympus. I simply can’t imagine anybody not owning this music and listening to it repeatedly, as it is timeless and everlasting. Beyond essential!

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 6 Box Set Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

MILES DAVIS / JOHN COLTRANE ~ THE FINAL TOUR: THE BOOTLEG SERIES VOL.6 COLUMBIA 889854483920 (Barcode: 889854483920) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1960 Released: 2018 This is the 6th installment of the "Bootleg Series" recordings by American trumpeter / composer Miles DavisFind albums by this artist, released by ColumbiaFind albums on this label Records. It presents a document of the last tour by the legendary first Miles Davis Quintet, which included saxophonist John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, pianist Wynton KellyFind albums by this artist, bassist Paul ChambersFind albums by this artist and drummer Jimmy CobbFind albums by this artist. The live recordings, captured during the quintet´s European Tour organized by Norman GranzFind albums by this artist, who was the most important American Jazz impresario between the 1940s and 1960s and a notable record producer, include two concerts in Paris on March 21, 1960, two concerts in Stockholm on March 22, 1960 and one concert in Copenhagen on March 24, 1960. A short Miles Davis interview is also included. This is the first legitimate commercial issue of this material; numerous earlier bootlegs of the same material have been flooding the record market for years. After spending five years with Davis, Coltrane was feeling restless and tired of the setup and during this tour he informed Davis that he will be leaving the quintet upon its return from the European Tour captured here. Coltrane´s feverish move forward was already taking him away from the music played by the quintet, which although brilliant in every way was stuck in the Bebop and Cool traditions, in favor of more Free oriented music, which was already evident on his recording as a leader on AtlanticFind albums on this label Records ("Giant StepsFind albums with this title" was recorded almost a year before the music here was captured) and later on the revolutionary albums on Impulse!Find albums on this label Records, which changed the Jazz idiom forever. Davis would change his approach to music only about four years later with the formation of the second Miles Davis Quintet, which will also have a major influence on the future of Jazz, namely by developing the Jazz-Rock Fusion. Coltrane´s playing, as captured here, is simply Godly in every respect. It marks clearly the direction he was moving into and his lengthy explorations and often atonal squeaks and long convoluted solos are in complete contrast to Davis´ and the rest of the quintet members´ playing, which at times is a bit embarrassing in its simplicity. The audiences seem to have no problem whatsoever with Coltrane´s explorations and he is enthusiastically cheered after each solo, which is hardly surprising as Scandinavian musicians and audiences (same goes for the rest of Europe, including behind the Iron Curtain) at the time were already slowly moving forwards the next phase of the Jazz history. The music is a mixture of Davis originals and standards and we get four versions of Davis´ classic "So What" and two versions of "All Blues", all ranging between ten and fifteen minutes in duration, as well as three versions of Bronislaw KaperFind albums by this artist´s "On Green Dolphin Street", all about fifteen minutes long and two versions of Richard CarpenterFind albums by this artist´s "Walkin´", also about fifteen minutes each. This means of course that the Davis / Coltrane connoisseurs are able to compare and analyze the differences in the soloing on each of the repeated tunes, and of course those are quite dissimilar to each other. Undoubtedly this music is a tremendous document of its era and marks the peak of the American Jazz tradition, but at the same time it is as well a sign of an end of that era. Sadly the American Jazz tradition would get stuck more or less in that gear for the next decades, with no significant development in sight, except for Free Jazz / Improvised Music spearheaded by Coltrane and Fusion spearheaded by later Davis ensembles, which were about to peak a decade or so later and from then on would be as dormant as the traditional American Jazz. Of course for Davis / Coltrane lovers this is absolutely essential material and a must have in their collections. Even if people already own the bootlegged releases of this material, this new remastered and beautifully packaged release and the included booklet are definitely worth the price of this set. Essential stuff!

Updated: 31/12/2024Posted: 20/05/2018

CD 4 Digipak Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend