NEW RELEASES - TAJ MAHAL, MILT JACKSON, HIDEO SHIRAKI / TAKESHI INOMATA

TAJ MAHAL – HIDDEN TREASURES OF TAJ MAHAL 1969-1973

A two-disc sonic portrait chronicling the early stirrings of Taj Mahal's solo career, The Hidden Treasures of Taj Mahal 1969 - 1973 features two CDs comprised entirely of unreleased finished material. The first disc debuts studio recordings from 1969-1973, while the second disc premieres a full-length live concert, recorded April 18, 1970 at the Royal Albert Hall in London (on a bill that included Santana). Tracks include: Sweet Mama (Feb., 1970, Criteria Recording Studios); Yan Nan Mama Loo, Tomorrow May Not Be Your Day, Ain’t Gwine Whistle Dicie (Any Mo’); and Sweet Mama Janisse (Jan.,1971, Bearsville Recording Studios, Woodstock, NY), 22 tracks in all.

MILT JACKSON - BAGS & FLUTES

Excellent late 50s work by Milt Jackson for Atlantic! Bags & Flutes is very much in the style of Milt's classic Savoy sides from the preceding couple of years – mixing together his jazzy vibes with light lilting solos on flute, either by Bobby Jaspar or Frank Wess, Milt's old compatriot from the Savoy sessions. Piano is by Tommy Flanagan or Hank Jones, and Kenny Burrell plays guitar on the whole album. Tracks include "Ghana", "Connie's Blues", "Sandy", "I'm Afraid The Masquerade Is Over" and "Bag's New Groove". ~ Dusty Groove


HIDEO SHIRAKI / TAKESHI INOMATA - MODERN AMERIACHI FOR YOU


Not sure what they mean by "Ameriachi" in the title – but from the sound of the music, there's definitely a great A&M Records-styled mix of jazz, Latin, and South American modes! The set begins with a set of cookers from drummer Hideo Shiraki – working with an excellent group that features tenorist Hidehiko Matsumoto handling arrangements – often in ways that have this upbeat, swinging, and pretty darn groovy way of moving along – sometimes with a bold Herb Alpert-styled trumpet in the lead – other times with a bit of marimba vibes. Titles include "Ashita Ni Nareba", "Akasaka After Dark", "You & Me", and "Ginza Wa Koi No Jujiro". The second half is handled by Takeshi Inomata & His West Liners Plus All-Stars – a group that has an equally great A&M approach to the groove – thanks to arrangements from pianist Masao Yagi! The whole thing's a great illustration of the way that 60s Japanese jazzmen could also work in some groovy instrumental styles in the right setting – and titles include "One Rainy Night In Tokyo", "Omoide", "Goodbye Mr Tears", "Koi Wa Akaibara", and "Aitakute Aitakute". ~ Dusty Groove