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SAM RIVERS - Configuration (1998)
One of the most surprising recordings of the year, Configuration finds venerable multi-instrumentalist Sam Rivers presiding over a very unlikely contingent of European musicians: Recyclers guitarist...
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SAM RIVERS - Vista (2004)
Recorded in 2003 at the Clear Lake recording studio in Venice, California. This set places Sam Rivers in the company of drummer Harris Eisenstadt and percussionist Adam Rudolph for a series of seven...
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OREGON - Winter Light (1974)
If there was a "second best" recording from Oregon in their early years, this would be it. The concept of "Winter Light" certainly reflects the visage of the Pacific Northwest in the fourth season, yet...
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OREGON - Out Of The Woods (1978)
Long before "New Age" and "World Music" became part of the musical-term language, Oregon was making music that would influence (directly or indirectly) those genres. During the early 1970s, the...
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ORNETTE COLEMAN - Love Call (1968)
Love Call is other half of the New York Is Now session, which is, in a sense, ridiculous. Blue Note issued two records when they really only had one. There were two dates, April 29 and May 7, 1968....
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ORNETTE COLEMAN - New York Is Now (1968)
Recorded during the same session that resulted in the Love Call album (in late April and early May of 1968), New York Is Now is one of the true curiosity pieces in Ornette's catalog. With a rhythm...
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STEFANO BATTAGLIA·PAOLINO DELLA PORTA·TONY OXLEY - Sulphur (1993)
This is Italian free jazz from a two-thirds Italian trio. While pianist Stefano Battaglia and bassist Paolino Dalla Porta may not be well known to many outside of the hardcore improv audience, drummer...
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HORACE SILVER - In Pursuit Of The 27th Men (1972)
Going into the 1970s, many legendary jazz musicians lost their way, turned to other musical genres or simply stopped recording altogether. Initially it looked like Horace Silver was going to be another...
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OREGON - Roots In The Sky (1979)
It's dangerous to ascribe new musical paradigms to one artist or group. There's no denying, however, that Oregon was one of the first groups to explore the nexus of jazz, classical and folk musics with...
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OREGON - In Stride (2010)
With a shared history of 40 years amongst three of its four members—and a fourth now rivaling the group's co-founder, the late Collin Walcott, as percussionist with the longest tenure, it's almost...
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ORNETTE COLEMAN - Twins (1971)
Ornette Coleman's Twins (first issued on LP in 1971) has been looked at as an afterthought in many respects. A collection of sessions from 1959, 1960, and 1961 with different bands, they are allegedly...
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CLIFFORD JORDAN & THE MAGIC TRIANGLE - On Stage Vol. 3 (1975)
This final installment of a 1975 concert in Amsterdam finds tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan in fine form, joined by Cedar Walton, Sam Jones, and Billy Higgins. The set includes an extended workout of...
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OLIVER LAKE - Heavy Spirits (1975)
This will be one of the least accessible of altoist Oliver Lake's recordings for most people but repeated listenings reveal a great deal of beauty. The avant-garde master is backed by three violinists...
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MARQUALERO - Aero (1988)
"Arild Andersen found one of his clearest avenues of expression with Masqualero, a group that brought him notably together with trumpeter Nils Petter Molvar, saxophonist Tore Brunborg, and drummer Jon...
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CHRIS McGREGOR SEPTET - Up To Earth (1969)
In his liner notes, producer Joe Boyd almost glibly claims that he doesn't know exactly why this session by pianist Chris McGregor's transnational septet initially went unreleased. He claims he was on...
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CHRIS McGREGOR'S BROTHERHOOD OF BREATH - Travelling Somewhere (1974)
THE BLUE NOTES AND THE BROTHERHOOD OF BREATH - Marching To A Different Drum (allaboutjazz.com)Early one August morning in 1964, seven people crossed the border by train passing from South Africa into...
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BLUE NOTES - Before The Wind Changes (1979)
"The Blue Notes were a South African jazz sextet, whose definitive line up featured Chris McGregor on piano, Mongezi Feza on trumpet, Dudu Pukwana on alto saxophone, Nikele Moyake on tenor saxophone,...
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JACK DEJOHNETTE - Special Edition (1980)
With drummer/keyboardist Jack DeJohnette entering his eighth decade on planet earth, he's managed to accomplish what few other drummers have. Recipient of the 2012 NEA Jazz Masters Award, there are few...
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JULIAN PRIESTER·SAM RIVERS - Hints On Light And Shadow (1997)
This intriguing lineup doesn't quite live up to expectations. Trombonist Julian Priester and saxophonist Sam Rivers come from slightly different perspectives, the former immersed in the bop and...
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JACKIE McLEAN - One Step Beyond (1963)
In 1963, alto saxophonist Jackie McLean was well aware of John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman. He assembled a band with vibist Bobby Hutcherson, who had already played with Eric Dolphy, drummer Tony...
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