Jazz Beat (Part 35)

This is the CD version of Mobes' MESSAGES- which combines the two Prestige LPs MOBLEY'S MESSAGE and MOBLEY'S SECOND MESSAGE...well ALMOST - one track "Alternating Current" was left off (though it WAS included on the prior 2 LP version of this 2-fer). Missing track aside, this is a nice CD. I have long contended that Mobley's 1955-6 period was the equal of his more acknowledged purple patch around 1960-1, and these recordings I feel are proof of that, along with superb contemporary Blue Note entries like HANK MOBLEY QUARTET (1955). The cast of players here is very strong - Byrd, Dorham, McLean, Barry Harris, Walter Bishop, Art Taylor, Doug Watkins. I was inspired to play this one because I just ordered the new Analogue Productions SACDs of the two original albums, as I'd like to have ALL the tracks in (I imagine) nice Kevin Gray-mastered sound.


New arrival for me, my first 3 Cohens CD. "Telepathic" is one of the words that comes to mind listening to these 3 siblings (Anat, Avishai, and Yuvai). Even with clear references to earlier intimate, chamber-ish jazz groups like Mulligan's quartet with Art Farmer (the pianoless lineup that made WHAT IS THERE TO SAY? (Columbia, 1957) - which included the tunes "Blueport" and "Festive Minor," both covered on TIGHTROPE) and the Jimmy Giuffre 3, this trio has developed its own sound, and it comes through even on the tracks that feature guest artists (Fred Hersch, Christian McBride, Jonathan Blake). I like what all 3 Cohens are doing throughout this CD, but it is particularly strong further evidence of the blazing brilliance of trumpeter, arranger, and composer extraordinaire Avishai.



(btw the pic looks like it could have been taken at SF's Fisherman's Wharf - would make sense since Avishai is part of the SFJazz Collective).

 

I have the vinyl twofer of Mobley's Messages. I prefer his later Blue Note period.

 

I like it all where Mobley is concerned, pretty much, but I just feel like he really came out blazing as a leader in 1955-6 and that those recordings tend to get overlooked, unjustly. There was a relaxed, easy flow to his playing at that earlier point - like he could just spin ideas out forever, effortlessly, the same kind of thing Sonny Clark had on piano when he was really on. A couple years later Mobley had largely shifted deliberately to a less flowing, more rhythmically influenced phrasing which was great too in its own way - but I think sometimes sounded a little overwrought. I've posted on this issue before but will reiterate that to me, Mobley never sounded better than when Art Blakey was playing drums, and he was missing on Mobley dates after about 1960. One of the things I don't like as much about many of the later Mobley Blue Notes is the presence of Billy Higgins instead - who I should hasten to add that I really liked overall as a drummer - but for some reason I just don't find a lot of magic going on between Higgins and Mobley. I find myself missing the way Blakey would have been inserting a press roll or doing something else interesting to break up the rhythmic flow a little, the type of thing Mobley thrived on with his post-1960 phrasing that played so heavily off the drummer - Higgins was much more a "set a relentless groove and ride it and embellish it with hip little accents" kind of guy - nothing wrong with that but I just don't think it was the very best backing for Mobes. Ah well, probably just me.

 

I pretty much agree. I had the 2 Prestige Mobleys on Japanese CDs, but got the Kevin Gray-mastered discs instead; I have the first one and the second one is on its way. Unfortunately, my amplifier was hit by a power outage caused by short circuit problems on the apartment complex where I live and broke down, so I can't play anything right now, otherwise this would have insprired me to put the first Mobley on.

 

Strangely enough I was thinking about this album the other day (why?)...I used to own a copy on the UK Caroline label and wondered whether it had ever been reissued on CD. It seems not.......

 

Wolfgang Muthspiel / Brian Blade: Friendly Travelers Live (CD + DVD)

Got a chance to listen to it today. While I was listening to the first tune, I asked myself "why not playing the DVD instead?", so I am watching it on DVD right now.

 

He was on Elton John's "Honky Cat".

 

SHM-CD

 

(LP Celluloid CELL 6114)

 

You definitely need Prism and Eight Mile Road which are being reissued in February at a fantastic price:

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UCCJ-9157

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UCCJ-9165

Eight Mile Road is especially smokin' but both of these are worth your time.

 

I noticed the reissues that's why I asked, thanks again.

 

Yeah, that blew my mind. Both of the Section albums are great but Foward Motion is sooooo too much!

 

Dave Holland – Prism (Dare2 Records)
— With Kevin Eubanks, Craig Taborn and Eric Harland

 

My pleasure! You might also wanna consider Sam Morrison's Dune which features Kawasaki heavily. Morrison actually played with Miles on the final leg of his '75 tour and is pretty underrated. At such an amazing price it's also worth checking out:

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UCCJ-9180

 

Sonny Clark - My Conception

 

Since you're twisting my arm...

Interesting to note that "Juice", long out of print and the ask is a smooth Benjamin, is available to order on HMV but with a pending arrival in Februray. I ordered it - we'll see if it gets filled.

 

I haven't heard his earlier music as much as his later stuff so I will go back to those I have and listen with your points in my mind. Besides the Messages I have the Mosaic 50s Blue Note music but to be honest, I haven't really got to know it as well as his 60s albums. One of the things I like about the 60s music is the other musicians besides the drummer that play on them. Yes, they are different rhythmically than his early stuff but I like it. Roll Call, Work Out, Another Work Out, No Room For Squares are fantastic albums imo. I'll always love them.

 

(CD Widow`s Taste 11001 4CD Box) - CD 4 with an outstanding rendition of "Goodbye" feat. (IMO) one of the best Milcho Leviev solo performances ever recorded...

 

Max Roach Double Quartet - Easy Winners
Max Roach, percussion; Cecil Bridgewater, trumpet; Odean Pope, tenor sax;
Tyrone brown, electric bass; Ray Mantilla, congas.
The Uptown String Quartet: John Williams, 1st violin; Cecelia Hobbs, 2nd violin;
Maxine Roach, viola; Eileen Folson, cello.

 

you need to just go ahead and reserve each title in that series you don't already have....

 

Is the general consensus that these Japanese 75th anniversary Blue Notes sound very good? From the new Blue Note masterings that are supposed to copy the original masterings, right?

 

NP The Best Of Black Jazz, a 4 channel quadrhonic cd
A local store owner gave this to mea few years ago. A bunch of stuff from this label started appearing around town, usually going for little $. This comp sounds really nice. Doug Carn has a few cuts as well as Chester Thompson, the keyboard player who played with Santana not the drummer with Genesis.