TJR Song of the Day: Eastern Rebellion "Bolivia"

TJR Song of the Day:  Eastern Rebellion "Bolivia"

The debut eponymous release by Eastern Rebellion in 1976 might have been destined to be one of those near-classic modern jazz recordings beloved by only a small cult audience of die-hard fans, but between the internet’s wide reach, digital streaming and the explosion of jazz vinyl collecting it seems to have found a wider audience and finally achieved it’s rightful status as a late period jazz masterpiece.

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TJR Song of the Day: Dr. Lonnie Smith "Midnight Creeper"

TJR Song of the Day: Dr. Lonnie Smith "Midnight Creeper"

Like many jazz heads, I’ve been listening to plenty of Dr. Lonnie Smith tunes after his passing last week at the age of 79. He was an undisputed pioneer of the soul-jazz sound, and had a run of five classic albums for Blue Note…

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TJR Song of the Day: Lee Morgan - "Trapped"

TJR Song of the Day: Lee Morgan - "Trapped"

I have been ridiculously short on time recently, thus the lack of any regular vintage vinyl postings, so let’s try something new and easy: some great jazz tracks I’m digging that I think you’ll enjoy as well. Sharing jazz music can only make the world a better place!

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Muted Brilliance: Art Farmer - "Art"

Muted Brilliance: Art Farmer - "Art"

Art is a subdued and laid back album featuring a quartet made up of a two members of Farmer’s famed Jazztet as well as the great Tommy Flanagan for this solo outing that rewards repeated listening and - like Farmer himself - certainly deseves more widespread recognition as one of the better hard bop albums of the early-1960s.

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Hidden Gem: Yusef Lateef and Doug Watkins - "Imagination!"

Hidden Gem: Yusef Lateef and Doug Watkins - "Imagination!"

This hidden gem of a record was originally released in 1960 as Soulnik and credited to “The Doug Watkins Quintet featuring Yusef Lateef” while this reissue - under a new title - finds the two musicians sharing the leadership mantle now, with Lateef getting the top billing. The decision is not surprising considering Watkins died tragically in a car accident in 1962, with only two releases as a leader, while by 1970 Lateef was a well known figure to the jazz buying public.

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A Fond Farewell: Woody Shaw - "Imagination"

A Fond Farewell: Woody Shaw - "Imagination"

Imagination is a 1988 release on Muse Records which would be Shaw’s ninth and final recording for a label he had worked with over a period of nearly fifteen years. It would, sadly, also be his final studio recording before he passed away the following year, but no need to listen to the record with any sadness though, instead it’s a time to relish in the sound of an elder master of his craft revisiting some well known standards with the sublime genius he had spent a lifetime perfecting.

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Leading His Own Way: Booker Ervin - "The Freedom Book"

Leading His Own Way: Booker Ervin - "The Freedom Book"

These days Booker Ervin is remembered for his association with Charles Mingus, a fruitful period that resulted in some amazing albums, but Ervin also had a great run of solo records on Prestige, the best of which are his “Book” series which began with the release of The Freedom Book in 1964.

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Blue Note Records: The Ten Essential Albums

Blue Note Records: The Ten Essential Albums

Ten albums that represent the very best of what made Blue Note the premier jazz label during the golden age of jazz music (a period running roughly 1856 to 1968). They showcase the finest jazz music and artists that emerged during a time when jazz music was at it's commercial and creative peak.

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