A beautiful set by Nat King Cole joined by conductor/bandleader Quincy Jones and his Big Band – performing live in Zurich on May 1, 1960 – and what an impeccable performance it is! Quincy was touring with a pretty amazing line-up in his Big Band at this point – with Benny Bailey, Jimmy Cleveland, Melba Liston, Phil Woods, Sahib Shihab, Joe Harris and more – and they kick off the set with a couple gentler numbers before swinging more heavily on a couple, then introduce Nat – who's voice is in perfect form here. He sings his hits with the big band, some additional strings and a pared down trio format for a few – so we really get a broad representation of what these consummate performers can do in a number of settings, all in one concert, to boot. Wonderful stuff – released for the first time ever! Titles include "Moanin'", The Midnight Sun Will Never Set", "Airmail Special", "Unforgettable", "Sweet Lorraine", "Tea For Two", "Madrid", "The Phantom Blues", "Route 66", "Joe Turner's Blues", "The Midnight Sun Will Never Set" and more. Also includes a 5 minute interview with Nat. ~ Dusty Groove
Sublime sounds from the always-amazing Ahmed Abdul-Malik – a jazz bassist at heart, but also a musician with a great ear for Eastern instrumentation as well! Ahmed cut a few key records at the end of the 50s and start of the 60s – and this spellbinding set may well be one of his strongest – a set that moves past some of the more gimmicky use of exotic instrumentation on other albums, and focuses on a jazzy core that really shines strongly on the album's long tracks! There's still a nice sense of the East on the record – thanks to Hamza Aldeen's oud – but the set also features great jazz solos from Seldon Powell on flute and tenor, and the great Ray Nance on both cornet and violin. Drummer Walter Perkins plays with a fluid style that's perfect for the date – and pianist Paul Neves has a lyrical approach to piano that works wonders for the groove. Titles include "Spellbound", "Never On Sunday", "Body & Soul", "Song Of Delilah", and "Cinema Blues". (On the Dusty Groove label.) ~ Dusty Groove
Vintage 70s Swiss radio recordings by American jazz legends Sahib Shihab, Art Farmer and Clifford Jordan – each performing a couple numbers with the excellent, ever-adaptable Jazz Live Trio! It kicks off with a 1970 set featuring Sahib Shihab out front. First is a laidback, moody take on "You're Mine You", which is a really nice showcase for Sahib's baritone sax in a lighter mood. Next up, though is a playful, loose and energetic take on Monk's "Well You Needn't" – and the trio shines pretty brightly on this one – with a lot of heat coming from Klaus Koenig's piano, Peter Frei's bass and Alex Bally's drums. Next is a pair of pieces with Art Farmer in 1977 – Farmer's flugelhorn perfectly leading Duke Ellington's "In A Sentimental Mood" and speeding things up nicely with Sonny Rollins's "Oleo". The CD closes with a trio of numbers featuring tenor great Clifford Jordan in 1970: "Japanese Dreams", "Inward Fire" and a brilliant reading of "Bags' Groove" to close – with some of the best soloing on the entire set. A real gem in the Swiss Radio Days Jazz Live Concert Series – among the very best of them, actually! ~ Dusty Groove
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