Several long ones on this show so not so much to talk about – no specific focus this week just a few classics and some newer things
- David Murray – Fantasy Rainbow – For Aunt Louise – from 1995 David Murray doubles on tenor saxophone and bass clarinet and features pianist John Hicks, bassist Fred Hopkins, and drummer Idris Muhammad. Amongst the variety of styles on this DIW release from Japan is the funky but free sensibilities “Fantasy Rainbow”.
- Mike Pride’s From Bacteria to Boys – Kancamagus – Betweenwhile – Bacteria To Boys is probably the closest band set up to where Pride has recorded an album that could be classed as straight ahead jazz – the band is Darius Jones – alto saxophone, Peter Bitenc -bass, Alexis Marcelo – piano, and Mike Pride: drums.
- Count Basie and Duke Ellington – Segue in C – First Time! – In the summer of 1960 , Count Basie and Duke Ellington combined forces for the recording First Time! The Count Meets the Duke, each providing four numbers from their play books. With two orchestras in the same studio the immediate worry is that the sound would be too dense but this is an excellent recording as exemplified by the stand out track “Segue in C”.
- Kit Downes Trio – Golden – Golden – the first album providing plenty of evidence to support the growing reputations of this trio, led by Kit Downes, which has been together since 2005 when they were studying at the Royal Academy of Music. The quality of writing and performance on this album demonstrates their huge potential and ensures that the album itself was one of the finest debut recordings of 2009. Kit Downes – piano, Calum Gourlay – double bass and James Maddren -drums.
- Art Pepper – Here’s That Rainy Day – Renascence – a recording made at the famous West Coast club, The Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society in Half Moon Bay, California, on September 28, 1975, this concert represents one of Pepper’s first live performances following the recording of his comeback album, Living Legend in August of the same year. He sounds remarkably different from his late 1950s recording. Returning after a lengthy stay in prison – the influence of John Coltrane loom large in this album.
- Magnus Öström – The Haunted Thoughts and the Endless Fall – Thread of Life – Magnus Öström’s debut as leader, after 15 years with the Esbjörn Svensson Trio. e.s.t. was one of the most successful jazz ensembles ever to emerge from Europe, gaining critical acclaim and commercial success. A hard act to follow, and it’s to his credit that, after some time away from music to reflect on his plans after Svensson’s tragic death in 2008, Öström has gathered a talented new band around him and created a fantastic modern jazz album.
- Meadow – Badger – Blissful Ignorance – this album has been out in Norway since late 2009, on the relatively small Hecca Records label. Any recording with a trio this fine deserved a bigger audience , and so comngratulations to Edition Records who have repackaged it, and given it broader international distribution. John Taylor-piano, Tore Brunborg -saxophones, Thomas Strønen- drums.
- Magnus Öström – Ballad for E – Thread of Life – another track from the new album – this difference here is this just a trio with Pat Metheny and former e.s.t. band mate Dan Berglund with a beautiful hommage to their former leader.
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