The V.I.P.’s – The Complete V.I.P.’s (2006) {2CD Set, Repertoire REPUK1088 rec 1964-1967} (Spooky Tooth related)

The Complete Recordings Including Several Rarities. Booklet with Authoritative and Extensive Liner Notes by Chris Welch. Includes an Interview with Group Founder Mike Harrison.

George Russell – The Outer View (1962) {Riverside OJCCD-616-2 rel 1991} (featuring Don Ellis)

Composer George Russell’s early-’60s Riverside recordings are among his most accessible. For this set (the CD reissue adds an alternate take of the title cut to the original program), Russell and his very impressive sextet (which is comprised of trumpeter Don Ellis, trombonist Garnett Brown, Paul Plummer on tenor, bassist Steve Swallow and drummer Pete La Roca) are challenged by the complex material; even Charlie Parker’s blues “Au Privave” is transformed into something new. It is particularly interesting to hear Don Ellis this early in his career. The most famous selection, a very haunting version of “You Are My Sunshine,” was singer Sheila Jordan’s debut on records.

Pierre Henry – Galaxie Pierre Henry (2021) {Decca Records France rec 1958-2017}

‘Galaxie Pierre Henry’ features landmark and previously unreleased compositions by one of the 20th Century’s most influential composers. Galaxie Pierre Henry, a new 13CD box set and eAlbum featuring compositions by musique concrète pioneer and one of the 20th Century’s most influential composers Pierre Henry, is out now. The new anthology includes a selection of 33 works composed between 1958 and 2017, a third of them released for the first time. Galaxie Pierre Henry compliments the 12 CD box set Polyphonies, released in 2017, and together they present a comprehensive anthology of Pierre Henry’s work.

Bill Durst – The Great Willy Mammoth (2009) {Durstwerks CD 8882}

Bill Durst may very well be the closest thing to a bona fide musical living legend that our sleepy would-be metropolis has ever seen. From international chart success with his truly amazing band Thundermug to the many solo albums he has issued since, he has never given over to posturing of any kind and has stood his ground firmly regarding his music, personal identity and independence. The Great Willy Mammoth is an impressive effort indeed, with Durst laying down fine and effortlessly sure performances with his gritty Rio Grande Mud vocals and bear-down-heard six-string work that will leave no doubt that the fire has not only definite not gone out here but in fact may be heating up more than a degree or two. Recommended.

Robert Normandeau – Figures (1999) {empreintes DIGITALes ‎IMED 9944}

Normandeau is one of the leading contemporary musique concrète artists, and this, his third solo release, makes it easy to see why. His attention to sonic detail is unmatched, and each of his pieces amply rewards repeated and careful listening. The opening piece continues a cycle started on his previous Empreintes Digitales release Tangram. “Le Renard et la Rose” is the third part of a cycle that includes Tangram’s “Éclats de Voix” and “Spleen,” based exclusively on the use of the human voice. Each of its five parts associates an emotional state with a sonic framework, from the opening laughter of Babbling and Rhythm to the closing Serenity and Texture.

Roland Kayn – A Little Electronic Milky Way of Sound (2017) {16CD Set, frozen reeds fr7/22}

Twenty-two movements, 14 hours and 16 CDs worth of spangling cosmic sound play: this premiere release of the magnum opus by German composer Roland Kayn is a colossus and a marvel. Roland who? In a profession that glorifies big egos and fetishises the kind of creative genius that demands total control, Kayn went to more selfless extremes. He worked in the pioneering electronic studios of Germany and the Netherlands in the mid-20th century and built fastidious command systems with the aim of making “self-sufficient cybernetic music”.

Shirley Scott – Soul Sister (1999) {Prestige PRCD-24233-2 rec 1960-1964} (Legends of Acid Jazz Series)

Few organ players can kick into swinging grooves with as relaxed a feeling as those Shirley Scott generates on these two outstanding sessions from the Sixties. She was associated early in her career with tenor saxophonists–most notably Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis and Stanley Turrentine–but Prestige Records regularly varied the settings in which she was presented on disc. These are two of the most unusual. The ever-tasteful guitarist Kenny Burrell shares the spotlight on tracks one through six, while Lem Winchester lends his vibraharp mastery to the remainder to help create a unique–and ultimately satisfying– organ/vibes front-line.

Nguyen Le – Three Trios (1997) {ACT 9245-2}

Nguyên Lê is a fusion guitarist who has versatility, leaves space, and does not mind caressing a melody now and then. On 3 Trios, he is heard with three different trios, all of which are impressive and engage in close interplay with the leader. Lê, who contributed nine of the 11 selections, is the lead voice throughout despite occasional solos from his sidemen. The music is adventurous and unpredictable, with even Thelonious Monk’s “Straight No Chaser” being turned into creative fusion. 3 Trios is worth checking out by fans of rockish guitar solos.

John Coltrane Quartet – Live In Austria (1962) {Stash Japan CECC00094 rel 1990}

This release presents the classic John Coltrane Quartet’s long unavailable 1962 concert in Graz, Austria. This recording comes from historical tapes. Although the sound quality is very good throughout, some small tape imperfections are noticeable, especially during “Impressions”. Every effort has been made to restore them using advanced technologies, but a few couldn’t be corrected without affecting this important music.

John Abercrombie Quartet – 39 Steps (2013) {ECM 2334}

There is an easy familiarity among the participants on the John Abercrombie Quartet’s 39 Steps. Each of its members – guitarist, pianist Marc Copland, bassist Drew Gress, and drummer Joey Baron – have played together in various situations for decades. In the case of Abercrombie and Copland, their association goes back some 40 years to Chico Hamilton’s touring group and the fusion band Dreams. Both Baron and Gress have played with the guitarist and pianist on and off since the ’90s.

Personnel:
John Abercrombie – guitar
Marc Copland – piano
Drew Gress – bass
Joey Baron – drums

Tracklist:
01. Vertigo
02. LST
03. Bacharach
04. Greenstreet
05. As It Stands
06. Spellbound
07. Another Ralph’s
08. Shadow Of A Doubt
09. 39 Steps
10. Melancholy Baby