GIL MELLE QUARTET - QUADRAMA
Sublime
work from one of the true originals of 50s jazz! Gil Melle was a baritonist –
but with a sound and approach that was completely unique – very different than
bigger names on the instrument, like Jimmy Giuffre or Pepper Adams. He had an
icy touch that was surprising for the instrument, crafted carefully in
well-written compositions with longtime partner Joe Cinderella, an equally
compelling guitarist who's working with Melle on this quartet session that also
includes Shadow Wilson and George Duvivier. The tracks aren't as way-out as
some of Melle's work, but they've got an edge that's undeniable – and which
clearly set the tone for some of Jimmy Giuffre's work of the same period.
Titles include "Walter Ego", "Full House",
"Quadrama", and "Rush Hour In Hong Kong". (SHMCD
pressing.) ~ Dusty Groove
THE DAVE BRUBECK QUARTET - BOSSA NOVA USA
Way more
than just a gimmicky bossa nova session – and a surprisingly great showcase for
the inventive rhythms of the Brubeck group, and the sensitive alto work of Paul
Desmond! The record's got a really different feel than some of Dave's other
work for Columbia – in that the modernism is put slightly on the back burner –
letting drummer Joe Morello snap out with some lightly gliding percussion
that's a bit more straight ahead than usual, and which offers a unique take on
the bossa groove. Paul Desmond's the real star of the set, though – and his
alto steps out here with the best gentle presence of his later work for RCA and
A&M – beautifully blown throughout, and with a tone that most other players
would die for! Titles include "Bossa Nova USA", "Coracao
Sensivel", "Theme For June", "Lamento", and
"Cantiga Nova Swing". ~ Dusty Groove
BILLY HIGGINS - SOWETO
Wonderfully
hip work from drummer Billy Higgins – a crucial session from the end of the
70s, and one that shows just how far he'd come since the decade before! Higgins
has always been great, but here he works in the company of some key Eastern
Rebellion musicians – Bob Berg on tenor and Cedar Walton on piano, who lineup
with bassist Tony Dumas in a wonderfully deep-voiced quartet! The rhythms and
approaches are a bit different than on the Higgins sessions with Eastern
Rebellion – especially on the album's title track, which features some very
unusual spiritual work on percussion – and the album's closing track, which
showcases some work by Higgins on guitar. In between, the album's got a solid
swing that really rounds things out wonderfully – and titles include "Back
To Bologna", "Bahia Bahia Bahia", "Neptune", and
"Soweto". ~ Dusty
Groove
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