May 08, 2015

George Russell (featuring Bill Evans) - "Jazz In The Space Age"

May 08, 2015/ Eric

On albums such as Jazz In The Space Age, Russell was putting his musical theories to the test in a very real world setting, with an exciting orchestra of talented players who were certainly on board with what he was trying to do. Bill Evans is the featured performer - even getting co-billing of sorts on the front cover - and if you're only familiar with his classic trio performances his playing here is quite a revelation.

April 23, 2015

Yusef Lateef - "1984"

April 23, 2015/ Eric

If not for the title track that opens the album, 1984 would be remembered as an excellent example of post bop as it was emerging in the mid-1960's. But, oh man, that title track: an 8 minute foray into another realm altogether, with Lateef blowing a whole array of wind instruments - some of his own making - and muttering low utterances through the large end of a cow's horn that lends the track much of it's otherworldly feel.

January 22, 2015

Jackie McLean - "New And Old Gospel"

January 22, 2015/

Jackie McLean's career during the golden age of jazz is practically a roadmap to how the genre moved from hard bop to post bop and finally ended up at the avant garde that was to become the "new thing" in jazz. In 1967 McLean would complete the circle by teaming up with none other than Ornette Coleman, the innovator of the Free Jazz movement that shook up the jazz establishment.