What jazz music are you listening to?

[PHC1]

Another gem from Ike Quebec.

Working with the same quartet that cut Heavy Soul -- organist Freddie Roach, bassist Milt Hinton and drummer Al Harewood -- Ike Quebec recorded another winning hard bop album with It Might As Well Be Spring.

In many ways, the record is a companion piece to Heavy Soul. Since the two albums were recorded so close together, it's not surprising that there a number of stylistic similarities, but there are subtle differences to savor.

The main distinction between the two dates is that It Might As Well Be Spring is a relaxed, romantic date comprised of standards. It provides Quebec with ample opportunity to showcase his rich, lyrical ballad style, and he shines throughout the album.

Similarly, Roach has a tasteful, understated technique, whether he's soloing or providing support for Quebec. The pair have a terrific, sympathetic interplay that makes It Might As Well Be Spring a joyous listen.



Released Mid July 1964[1]
Recorded December 9, 1961
Studio Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ
Genre Jazz
Length 35:49
Label Blue Note
BST 84105
Producer Alfred Lion


Ike Quebec - tenor saxophone
Freddie Roach - organ
Milt Hinton - bass
Al Harewood - drums

[PHC1]

This is worth a listen if in the mood for contemporary jazz female vocals and a simple arrangement of acoustic or electric bass accompaniment. I enjoyed it. Different.


Relatively few jazz vocalists have been confident enough to sing with only a bass to accompany them throughout an entire album. Fortunately, Louise Rogers has a pure voice that is adaptable to a wide range of material, from ballads to uptempo bop and even classical music, while Rick Strong (who alternates between acoustic and electric basses) provides the perfect supporting line in each case.

[PHC1]

Starting the day with something different.

The Art of the Balkan Bass. Nenad Vasilic Qobuz


Musical brilliance and lived inspiration: there is no other quite like him-a double bass player, a composer, an arranger and a complete rhythm section refined and rolled into one person: Nenad Vasilić has long been at the forefront of European jazz and is highly acclaimed throughout the continent.

Born in Nis, Serbia, he grew up surrounded by a rich tradition of Balkan folklore. Traditional music, Roma music and a love of jazz were strong influences in his younger years, when he was playing mainly piano and bass guitar.

From sixteen onwards, he played throughout the local jazz scene and was considered one of the most talented double bass players. After jazz studies in Graz, he moved to Vienna and has since been one of the most sought-after contrabassists.


With nearly 40 original compositions on seven albums, Vasilić uniquely fuses jazz, improvisation and world music, making it his own. In 2004, his album "Nenad Vasilić Balkan Band Live in ORF" was nominated for the Hans Koller Prize.

His pieces, simultaneously innovative and respectful of the musical traditions that made him what he is today, exude a lightness and virtuous understanding of the complexity of the Balkan rhythms and melodies.

By now, this groundbreaking, Vienna-based musician has left a gentle yet permanent mark on the European world music and jazz scene and, as an arranger and producer, is constantly remapping his personal and musical boundaries.

[PHC1]

One more album into the listening session. I am enjoying his playing style and mastery of the double bass.


Bassist Nenad Vasilic has returned to solo bass recordings with his new album entitled Bass Room. Each song is performed with a wide variety of styles, ranging from traditional Balkan songs to contemporary jazz to classical.

Vasilic plucks, bows, and taps his double bass to create varied textures throughout the thirteen tracks. He even prepares the bass with pens on the Deep Purple-inspired track “Burning” to mimic an overdrive.

Three songs are performed on electric bass: “Jutros mi Je Ruza Procvetala,” “Kraj Potoka Bistre Vode,” and the Sarabande from Bach’s Cello Suite No. 2.

[bart]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Evening listening session.

(Rudy Van Gelder Edition 2009 remaster) Qobuz


Bluesnik, Jackie McLean's seventh session as a leader for Blue Note Records, was one of only two recordings issued by McLean in 1961. With a lineup of trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, bassist Doug Watkins, pianist Kenny Drew, and drummer Pete La Roca, McLean laid down a hard blowing session of six tunes based completely on blues motifs.

Many critics -- as well as jazz fans -- hold to the opinion that Bluesnik may be McLean's most accessible session for the label. That said, not all of these tunes are blues numbers strictly speaking. They use blues forms, but don't all fall into the conventional 12-bar structure, and therefore even move hard bop paradigms a bit.

The title track opening the set is a prime example of this given that it quotes the theme in 12-bar but moves through a knotty ten-bar sequence before roaring into a furious but fluid cut time structure that allows for a maximum "stretching" of the changes by Drew. Drew's "Cool Green," screws around with the 12-bar in the melody, but given the introductory statements made before each line and in the solo breaks, it too pushes the standard blues architecture.

There are the great moments in blues here that helped to establish McLean as a giant, such as "Drew's Blues," and the lovely "Torchin'," that closes the set. Hubbard's role here is relatively minor in that he had not yet established himself as a leader and he was still growing into his choppy, taut method of soloing.

The swing factor of the rhythm section is undeniable, especially the interaction between Drew and La Roca. In all, this is a monster session effortlessly performed by a soloist at an early peak with a supporting cast of blazing sidemen.

Ending the evening with this.
What an energy!

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by bart

Ending the evening with this.
What an energy!

Great album to end the day with. Tomorrow is another day!

[ehoove]

Big Band Holidays
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
A live 2 LP set of fabulous play and recording. Laying on 7.5 ips R2R tape for uninterrupted holiday listening!
Blue Engine Records BE0003-1 (2015)
Have a Great Holiday Season,
Jim

[Formerly YB-2]

Some of Coltrane's better work and a nice original mono pressing from Duke E.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

Some of Coltrane's better work and a nice original mono pressing from Duke E.

Nice selection Glenn!

[PHC1]

Started the day with Charlie Parker.

The album is bursting with talent, Max Roach, Al Haig, Percy Heath, Buddy Rich, and Coleman Hawkins.