Favorite Jazz Albums

[MylesBAstor]

I'll throw out one of my favorite jazz album that perhaps embodies this goals of this site the most: Where sound meets music!" Good sound and good music don't have to be mutually exclusive!






No label benefited more than Impulse from the genius and recording artistry of legendary Rudy van Gelder. Though Impulse is lovingly known as the label that John Coltrane built (for Coltrane was one of the earliest well paid and long term contract jazz artists), this February 1961 session from the label's early years and original producer and A&R person Creed Taylor (who later left to run Verve) is arguable one of the label's finest efforts. And Chad and Kevin Gray lovingly restored 25 Impulse classics and released them at 45 rpm.

As one can see from the cover, Creed Taylor assembled an all-star lineup for these sessions featuring Oliver Nelson (before he left for Hollywood), Bill Evans, Eric Dolphy, Paul Chambers Freddie Hubbard and Roy Haynes. And the result is nothing more than spectacular with the group exploring many iterations of the blues (the blues contribution to both jazz and rock is inestimable and under appreciated by many). For those more into the traditional blues 12-bar form, start with side B. For those who want to hear the group exploring alternative blues check out on side 1 something the best known 16- bar blues piece "Stolen Moments" written in a 8-6-2 blues form. Hubbard is at his best here and Evans, Chambers and Haynes provide a wonderful rhythm accompaniment. Check out Evans' solo piano here on "Stolen Moment" here too. (guess you can tell I'm an Evans fanatic.)

The sound is exemplary and Rudy at his best. Evans piano receives treatment here that it seldom sees on other labels (where it often has a slightly mechanical, almost Lilliputian sound). A definite must have for all jazz fans and an album commonly ranked in the top 50 jazz albums of all time!

[lasercd]

The 45rpm reissue is spectacular.

[regnaD kciN]

The AP SACD is wonderful as well.

[MylesBAstor]

Another favorite jazz album from Contemporary Records and one recording that wasn't done after hours in their mail room. Some of the best sounding recordings are live and jazz certainly doesn't lack for great live recordings! (Another great set of Contemporary live recording session is '58 Hampton Hawes All Night Sessions volume 1-3.)

Plenty of interesting trivia surrounding this recording:

1) One of the few jazz recordings (Art Blakey is another that comes to mind) with the drummer as the group's leader;
2) Recorded for Contemporary not by the legendary Roy DuNann but another industry legend Howard Holzer (HAECO and in charge of engineering for Contemporary);
3) The sessions weren't scheduled to be recorded; one week before the gig, Manne reportedly called label owner Lester Koenig and said, ""we all feel you should come up and record the group at the club."
3) Lester Koenig had so much tape from the three days of the group's three nights, September 22-24,1959, at the Blackhawk that they couldn't decide which songs to release. So Koenig instead decided to release the equivalent (practically unheard of back then) a box set: four records, Vol. 1-4, with music from Manne and group's three night stand at the SF Blackhawk. All in all, there are 15 songs spread out over the four volumes including five standards, one blues and eight by jazz musicians.

Manne was known for his West Coast jazz style and this album is a great example of West Coast hard bop! Of the five songs on the album including compositions by Frank Rosolino and Todd Dameron, the highlight is Manne's version of Gershwin's Summertime with its slower tempo allowing longer solos by all the members of the quintet. Of particular note is the playing of Victor Feldman, taking a break from his more usual vibe and instead playing piano with the quintet.

The sound is exemplary on all four volumes and of course, the original black/gold label is the version to get. The OJC aren't as good because in many cases, Fantasy forgot to adjust for the DuNann's EQing as well as adding reverb. As a result the OJCs are often very dry and sometime edgy sounding. Chad actually reissued Volume 1 several years ago and while better than the OJC, isn't quite up to the original. But good luck trying finding an original in good shape.

[ashandger]

In A Silent Way, KOB, Canto (Charles Lloyd), Works (Pat Metheny), Koln Concert etc etc

[jazdoc]

If you like Shelly Manne, here is another great Contemporary recording..."The Poll Winners Ride Again!".




Everyone has the first "Poll Winners" LP which has been reissued umpteen times. But there are three other "Poll Winners" LPs, all of them well recorded. Not only is this my favorite of the series with wonderful performances, originals can be had for a fraction of the cost of the of the first "Poll Winners" LP. Look for machine stamping on the runout and the beautiful gold lettering on black label.



The sound...well I have an audio friend who throws around compliments like manhole covers and he says this is the best sounding record he has ever heard!

BTW, the two other releases in the series "The Poll Winners Three" and "The Poll Winners Exploring The Scene" are also excellent, but I only have mono releases...

[MylesBAstor]

If you like Shelly Manne, here is another great Contemporary recording..."The Poll Winners Ride Again!".




Everyone has the first "Poll Winners" LP which has been reissued umpteen times. But there are three other "Poll Winners" LPs, all of them well recorded. Not only is this my favorite of the series with wonderful performances, originals can be had for a fraction of the cost of the of the first "Poll Winners" LP. Look for machine stamping on the runout and the beautiful gold lettering on black label.



The sound...well I have an audio friend who throws around compliments like manhole covers and he says this is the best sounding record he has ever heard!

BTW, the two other releases in the series "The Poll Winners Three" and "The Poll Winners Exploring The Scene" are also excellent, but I only have mono releases...

Excellent suggestionMark. I was entranced by the live part of the Blackhawk recording that was just so compelling.

Yes, in fact the Analogue Productions 45 rpm reissue of Poll Winners 3 has been a long time reference for me. I also have the original and each version has its attributes. In fact, I've recommended Poll Winners 3 to many audiobuddies (again still waiting on that bonus check from Chad!). I know Mark fell in love with it when he heard it too. Barney Kessell's playing and the sound of his guitar is extraordinary as is Manne's playing and the sound of his drums. Brown's bass can sound little wonky but it does come together on the better systems.

[MylesBAstor]

Freedom is another one of my favorite Kenny Burrell albums. Man can he play guitar! And with an interesting story behind the album. Freedom with the Burrell Sextet was originally recorded in 1963-64 but not released until 1980 on a Japanese pressing. It wasn't until 2011 that Freedom was released in the US as a 180 gram album; tonight, we're listening to the Music Matters Jazz 45 rpm release that comes highly recommended. Freedom finds Burrell, as he was want to do back in the early '60s, exploring that blues motif, again with another all star line-up!