For those unfamiliar with Andrew Hill let me say he was the embodiment of Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell; he was heavily influenced by both, but he was an original in his own right.
He shifted between traditional compositions and more avant garde pieces, both with excellent and thought-provoking effect. The core recording I would like to recommend today is something many of you may have seen in a record store before, Point Of Departure (Blue Note, 1964).
Point Of Departure was a valiant step above his previous recordings by utilizing the wide array of strengths his band members would have to call upon. The recording features Kenny Dorham (trumpet), Eric Dolphy (alto sax), Tony Williams (drums), Richard Davis (bass) and Joe Henderson (tenor sax) whom at first glance many jazz fans would say how could this work? Well, it does fluctuate during each piece but somehow they all rise above to make this a legendary recording. Andrew Hill's writing allowed the band to feel free to move throughout the recording but was sublimely balanced enough to make each musician's contribution stand out including Joe Henderson on "Spectrum" and Tony Williams everywhere.
Andrew Hill's discography went through peaks and valleys only because of the time he took off from recording, but when he did record he recorded in huge chunks--so we are blessed with a massive catalog to enjoy. Since there isn't a "best of" collection to start from, I would highly recommend Point Of Departure as a way to challenge yourself but also to experience a great legend at the peak of his powers.
I was lucky enough to see one of his last shows in 2007 celebrating the reissue of another great album Passing Ships (Blue Note) and I have to tell you, Andrew Hill is even more phenomenal and spellbinding in person. Check out this video during the same time period. Andrew Hill would pass away a few weeks later due to lung cancer. The word gets thrown around allot (even by me) but Andrew Hill is a true legend who is already missed on the jazz scene...
I wanted to let you know about a few albums I've been listening to on my iPod and on the stereo and I thought you might enjoy them as well. All of these are available online. I've tried to make it a nice cross-section of interests for everyone. Let me know your thoughts if you end up purchasing any of these.
FlySky & Country
Mark Turner (sax), Larry Grendier (bass), Jeff Ballard (drums) have worked together for years on each of their own albums. Their group Fly have recorded only two albums. Sky & Country is their second and finds the band in fine form. Sky & Country is an excellent introductory lesson for anyone interested in jazz. A beautiful, relaxing and magnificent performance from a group that knows each others every move.
Badi AssadWonderland
Badi Assad has over 10 albums (including collaborations). She is an accomplished guitarists who also sings in both English and Portuguese. Her most recent album Wonderland is a real jem. Wonderland was produced by famed world music producer Jagues Morelenbaum and features a duet with fellow Brazilian superstar Seu Jorge. This isn't your typical world music record by any standard. It is a jazz pop record that is perfect for any day of the week. If you are a fan of Norah Jones, Diana Krall, Milton Nascemento and Bebel Gilberto, Wonderland is a great choice for your CD player or iPod.
Roy HargroveEmergence
Hard to believe this is Roy Hargrove's 17th album. He has been recording as leader for 20 years and hasn't made a bad record yet. Emergence is a big band album that lives up to big band standards. His choice here was to employ young sessions musicians that he has performed with over the years. So this has very fresh sound of accomplished newcomers coming into their own under a brilliant leader.
Fred Hersch Plays Jobim
One future legend performing the music of a legend--sounds good to me. If you buy any record in the next couple of months I would highly suggest Fred Herscch Plays Jobim. This is music of Brazilian jazz legend Carlos Jobim performed for the piano in magnificent fashion. Hersch pours the usual introspective joy into this mixture of well known and lesser known Jobim compositions. A definite candidate for one the top albums of the year.
Julian LageSounding Point
The real surprise for me so far this year is how much I'm enjoying this album. Julian Lage plays guitar like his been doing it for 40 years. He is only 19! Lage has already performed with fellow guitar greats, Carlos Santana, Pat Metheny, David Grisman and Martin Taylor. He is currently a member of New Generations led by Gary Burton (vibes). Sounding Point is his debut album and it is quite intriguing. At first I was not expecting much from a first outing but Sounding Point has blown me backwards by how impressive Lage's playing has come in just a few years on the scene--gentle, emotional and effective.
It seems a few years late for the retro spy revival, but who's complaining? Here is the long-awaited compilation of OSS 117 soundtracks by French soundtrack chameleon Michel Magne.
OSS 117 is the code name for Hubert Bonisseur de la Bath, a free-lancing American secret agent of French origin. The character originated in paperback novels during the '50s, but didn't receive a successful film translation until the early '60s when spy fever swept the globe. In fact, the actor who provided the voice (but not the physical embodiment) of OSS 117 (Jean-Pierre Duclos) also provided the voice for the French dubbed Bond films. In terms of cinematic thrills, the OSS 117films fall somewhere between Cubby Broccoli's big budget 007 films and the fly-by-night copy-cat spoofs made in Italy.
Four films were released between '63 and '66 and all featured Michel Magne's playfully imaginative scores befitting such settings as Thailand, Japan and Brazil. Along the way there are trad crime jazz cues, pop vamps with scat vocals, brassy big band jams, cacophonous carnival numbers, furious samba dances and stately oriental overtures. Plus, there's a remix by Roudoudou featuring sitar.
The OSS 117 scores aren't likely to remind anyone of John Barry's 007 work or Jerry Goldsmith's Flint scores. They're more in keeping with the comical Italian spy sound, but not to the point of mimicry. Magne is his own man, which makes any of his work (such as and FantomasCompartiment Tueurs) worth hearing.
This review previously appeared on the author's website www.ScoreBaby.com
John Coltrane created some of the most beautiful, challenging and forward-thinking albums during his two decade plus of recording. Coltrane started as a session player in Dizzy Gillespie band before joining Miles Davis and briefly Thelonious Monk. During John Coltrane's early period his fellow musicians and critics considered him to be a legend in the making, he never say himself as that. One of the key players who Coltrane saw as an inspiration was Sonny Rollins. He mentions this during an interview at a concert in Stockholm with the Miles Davis Quartet. Worth listening too not only for the interview but the show is stellar.
While Coltane would go on to be one of the most influential artists across all genres one can only imagine what he would have done after hearing Miles Davis' Bitches Brew.
I thought I would share a brief listing of six John Coltrane CDs I believe will give you a perfect overview of one the greatest musicians of all time. I have also included a selection of compilations after this, that will give those only interested in the nutshell facts a good and broader overview but I highly recommend diving into these albums as a way of familiarize yourself with Trane's attitude towards his instrument and composition.
Traning In (Prestige Records)
Recorded in 1957 with Red Garland (piano), Art Taylor (drums) and Paul Chambers (bass). This was record many feel is Coltrane finally settling on a definitive band after numerous line up changes. The band were also members of Miles Davis' band at the time. Traning In runs the gambit of hard bop and is a nice starting point as you prepare for the classic Blue Train.
Blue Train (Blue Note Records)
Also recorded in 1957 with only Paul Chambers as one of the hold overs for this session. This is also his first recording for Blue Note and now considered one of the classic jazz albums of all time. Featuring Lee Morgan (trumpet), Paul Chambers (bass), Kenny Drew (drums), Curtis Fuller (trombone) and Philly Joe Jones (drums). A wonderful album throughout and you can easily hear Coltrane coming into his own as a major force on the scene after so many albums.You almost have to wonder after listening to Blue Train, what the previous group would have sounded like if they were in this session.
Giant Steps (Warner Brothers)
This is the album many know quite well from the memorable "Naima," "Countdown" and the title track. One of the key things to note about this release (his first for Warner Brothers) is the quality of the all original material and tightness of the musicians Trane had surrounded himself for the session. Still Chambers and Taylor but with the addition of Tommy Flanagan, Cedar Walton, Wynton Kelly, Jimmy Cobb and Lex Humphries. An album that truly stands the test of time over and over and over.
A Love Supreme (Impulse Records)
After solid records for Warner Brothers Trane moved on to Impulse Records and many watched his music begin to inter a whole new stratosphere. This would culminate in yet another groundbreaking recording session. Coltrane's spirituality began to shine through on A Love Supreme. 30+ minutes of bliss that should be listened to in one setting from start to finish to truly feel the full understanding of the session. If you don't get it on the first listen don't worry when it hits you, you won't forget it.
Crescent (Impulse Records)
Recorded just prior to A Love Supreme, Crescent was recorded a number of times (what some would call "a difficult session") in 1964 with McCoy Tyner (piano), Jimmy Garrison (bass) and Elvin Jones (drums). It is a bleak recording session due what could be everything from the technical recording, the tensions between the musicians to the material Trane had written at the time. Nowhere ever as challenging as the records that followed but an excellent example of what you will be in for. Being enveloped by this record as a child was one of the reason this site exists.
OM (Impulse Records)
If you want to be really challenged from all angles than OM is the record for you. A cacophony of sound built on layers of Trane's search for higher spiritualism. Featuring Tyner, Garrison, Jones, Donald Garret, Joe Brazil and Pharoah Sanders, this is one of those records you just have to hear to believe. There aren't many words to describe what OM is expect imagine going to church and having it truly blow your mind.
There are a few multi disc compilations that will also give you an overview of each of Coltrane's monumental periods. Here are a list of box sets I believe represent this best.
Legacy (Impulse Records): Covering each label he recorded for and overseen by his son Ravi. This is probably a great starting point if you want to spend the extra cash.
Heavyweight Champion (Warner Brothers): Filled with alternate takes and upgraded sound quality this 7 disc compilation covers mainly his Warner Brothers years but is also the palatable time period for many new listeners.
The Prestige Recordings (Prestige Records): This compilation cover his early years with Prestige including all the session work with other musician as well as leader. This box set has since been broken properly into two box sets, Fearless Leader and Interplay. Both now give the proper overview of Coltrane as leader and session man.
Gold (Universal Music Group): This is a two disc set that actually gets it right. It doesn't include any material from his Prestige years but does include the most noteworthy material from his Blue Note, Atlantic and Impulse years. An absolute perfect way to start if you don't want to buy the individual albums at all. But I highly recommend that you do.
If you get the chance to listen to any of these records I believe it will help you understand jazz even more. Thanks for reading and listening...
Andrew Hill (piano; b. 1937 - d. 2007)
