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Here’s 2 new nice jazz fusion albums.

SpillMagazine: “The Fusion Syndicate is an all-star collective, where guitarists Marty Friedman (Megadeath), Robby Krieger (Doors), Helios Creed (Chrome), keyboardist Brian Auger (Oblivion Express), saxophonist Angelo Moore (Fishbone), bassist Jah Wobble (PiL) and violinist Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra) are joined by some very top-notch guests, such as guitarists Steve Morse (Dixie Dregs), John Etheridge (Soft Machine), Steve Hillage (Gong), keyboardist Tony Kaye (Yes) and others.

What sets The Fusion Syndicate apart from other heavy metal excursions is their ability to add jazz and punk throughout the album. Sure, there are the extended and loud guitar solos, but in between all that there are some very interesting songs with unique instrumentation.” This is the Syndicate’s 2nd album.

The Fusion Syndicate, Beautiful Horizon, full album: free YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

AllAboutJazz. Guitarist Roman Miroshnichenko plays Stas Namin is ~30 minutes of excellent fusion shredding and interplay, with a tight band and some help from the London Symphony Orchestra. Guitarists Mike Stern and Jennifer Batten guest, among others. FYI, Stas Namin is leader of the rock band Gorky Park.

Roman Miroshnichenko, Roman Miroshnichenko plays Stas Namin, full album: free YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

 

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AllAboutJazz: “Rarely does one find a debut recording as confident and accomplished as pianist Shuteen Erdenebaatar's Rising Sun. With eight well-crafted compositions, and superb support from her young colleagues, all of whom have similarly bright futures ahead of them, Erdenebaatar successfully stakes her claim as one of the rising stars in post-bop jazz.” Anton Mangold plays alto, Nils Kugelman bass and Valentin Renner drums. The video is an album tune performed in-concert.

Shuteen Erdenebaatar Quartet, Rising Sun, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

Jazz is dead? This is the 16th debut album recommended this year! Here's links to posts upthread about the other 15: Ben Morris Pocket Guides; The Relay; A&M Octet New Roots; Mthunzi Mvubu The 1st Gospel; A Plane To Catch Moko Jumbie; M.E.B. That You Not Dare To Forget; Margherita Fava Tatatu; Sultan Stevenson Faithful One; Israel Tanenbaum Impressions; Brendan Lanighan Octet A Little Optimism; Matt Carter Octet Read Between The Lines; Nora Kamm One; Berklee Indian Ensemble Shuruaat; Black Gold Orchestra Genesis; Seulah Noh Jazz Orchestra NOhMAD Never heard of 'em? They're new! C'mon, take a chance...

 

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The horn jazz of 1973 retrospective continues with some screamin' big band.

Allmusic: “This double LP is easily Maynard Ferguson's best jazz-oriented recording for Columbia… In addition to Ferguson's powerful trumpet, other musicians making strong impressions include first trumpeter Lin Biviano, altoist Andy MacIntosh, Ferdinand Povel on tenor, baritonist Bruce Johnstone, and keyboardist Pete Jackson.”

This was Maynard’s ~31st of >50 albums from 1955-2001. More Maynard recommended upthread: M.F. Horn 3, with a video, as part of this retrospective; Brass Attitude, for the 1998 retrospective.

Maynard Ferguson, M.F. Horn 4 & 5 - Live At Jimmy’s, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link

Previous 1973s (link upthread): Dave Brubeck We’re All Together Again...; Gato Barbieri Bolivia & Chapter One... & Chapter Two...; Elvin Jones Mr. Jones; Donald Byrd Black Byrd; Dave Liebman 1st Visit; Don Ellis Soaring; Grover Washington Jr. Soul Box; Hank Crawford Wildflower; Ron Carter All Blues; Return to Forever Light As A Feather & Hymn Of The 7th Galaxy; Flora Purim Butterfly Dreams; Steve Grossman Some Shapes To Come; Archie Shepp The Cry Of My People; Dave Holland Conference Of The Birds; Gary Bartz I've Known Rivers...; Joe Henderson Multiple; Don Sebesky Giant Box; Fela Kuti Gentleman; Chuck Mangione Land Of Make Believe; Crusaders 2nd Crusade; Freddie Hubbard Keep Your Soul Together; Weather Report Sweetnighter; Ray Barretto The Other Road & Indestructible; Gil Evans Svengali; Stanley Turrentine Don’t Mess With Mr. T; Maynard Ferguson M.F. Horn 3; Rahsaan Roland Kirk Prepare Thyself...; Horace Silver In Pursuit Of The 27th Man; Herbie Hancock Head Hunters; Dexter Gordon Parisian Concert; McCoy Tyner Enlightenment; Ian Carr’s Nucleus Roots; Sonny Rollins Horn Culture; Sonny Stitt Mr. Bojangles; Randy Weston Tanjah; Hermeto Pascoal A Musica Livre De...; Quincy Jones You’ve Got It Bad Girl; Frank Zappa The Grand Wazoo; Roy Ayers Coffy = 43?

 

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Here's a 1973 classic by saxophonist Billy Harper that is difficult to find in digital form.

Allmusic: “Capra Black remains one of the seminal recordings of jazz's black consciousness movement… This is music of remarkable corporeal substance that somehow expresses the pure language of the soul.”

Among others in the orchestra, Jimmy Owens plays trumpet, Julian Priester trombone, George Cables piano, Reggie Workman bass and Billy Cobham drums. This was Harper’s 1st of ~20 albums until 2013. Billy played on Gil Evans' Svengali, posted as part of this retrospective.

Discogs says pricey Japanese CDs exist, but no Spotify stream or YT digital files. The only complete vinyl rip on YT is ~okay, and worth a historical listen to hear Billy's rippin' sax, nice compositions and arrangements.

See 2 posts above for links to posts about ~43 more nice albums from a half-century ago.

Billy Harper, Capra Black, full album: YouTube vinyl rip, 1 big 45 minute file.

 

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The Latin Grammy Awards were presented on 16 November. The award for Best Jazz Album went to Pianist Chucho Valdes and saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera for their album I Missed You Too!. I’ve already done 2 posts upthread about this album: First post, 2 videos & bios; Second post w/ Grammy info.

Here’s links to posts upthread for the other nominees: Hamilton de Holanda Flying Chicken; Ivan ‘Melon’ Lewis Bembe; Roxana Amed Unánime; William Maestre Big Band Semblanzas.

Chucho Valdes & Paquito D’Rivera, I Missed You Too!, full album: free YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

 

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I learned classical + jazz fusion is called “Third Stream,” and here’s a fine new example with one of my favorite saxophonists.

JazzWise: “British saxophonist Tim Garland leads the jazz sextet (and conducts the strings) on this project by Paul Mottram, one of the most successful TV and media composers in Britain... With 28 stringed instruments, roughly half of a symphony’s complement, Mottram’s concept is largely to avoid treading on the toes of the jazz sextet, yet integrate the strings in a way that justifies their existence by creating something greater than the sum of the two component parts… The jazz sextet contributes some exemplary playing.”

This is Mottram’s ~14th album since 2001. The video is a snippet performed in the studio. Tim Garland and pianist Jason Rebello’s duet album Life To Life was recommended upthread.

Paul Mottram, Seven Ages of Man, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

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This wraps-up the 1998 retrospective, with the exception of a Christmas album to be posted later. I hope you enjoyed some of these nice albums from a quarter-century, or 25 years, ago.

Allmusic: “Tenor saxophonist Bob Mintzer and his 17-piece ensemble perform ten numbers with an Afro-Cuban beat provided by percussionist Louis Bauzo. Mintzer's group … is full of talented players… Overall this Afro-Cuban flavored effort serves as a strong change of pace for Mintzer's orchestra.”

Bob’s had 3 Grammy-nominated albums recommended upthread: Bob’s 2016 All L.A. Big Band, with more bio info; Yellowjackets 2022 Parallel Motion, with a video; 2021 Jackets XL and the WDR Big Band, with a video; 1998 Club Nocturne posted in this retrospective, did not get a Grammy nod.

Bob Mintzer Big Band, Latin From Manhattan, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link

Previous 1998s (link upthread). Grammys: Instrumental, Herbie Hancock Gershwin’s World; Big Band, Count Basie Orch Count Plays Duke ('99) & Bob Florence Serendipity 18 ('00); Latin, Arturo Sandoval Hot House. And: Benny Golson Tenor Legacy; Joanne Brackeen Pink Elephant Magic; Don Sebesky I Remember Bill; Erik Truffaz The Dawn; Phil Woods The Rev And I & George Robert The Summit: Charlie Mariano An American In Italy; Joshua Redman Timeless Tales…; David Sanchez Obesion; Patrick Williams Sinatraland; Eric Alexander Mode For Mabes; Maceo Parker Funk Overload; Yellowjackets Club Nocturne; Mark Turner; Brian Blade Fellowship; Bennie Maupin Driving While Black; Julien Lourau City Boom Boom; Poncho Sanchez Afro-Cuban Fantasy; Dave Holland Points Of View; Tom Harrell The Art Of Rhythm; Red Records All Stars Together Again...; Chris Potter Vertigo; Lee Konitz Dialogues; Dave Brubeck So What’s New; Gerald Wilson Orch Theme For Monterey; Sonny Rollins Global Warming; Henry Texier Mosaic Man; Brad Mehldau New York - Barcelona…; Ernie Watts Classic Moods; Frank Wess Surprise! Surprise!; Joe Lovano Trio Fascination Ed. 1; Bob Belden La Cigale; Paquito D’Rivera 100 Years Of Latin Love Songs; Carla Bley Fancy Chamber Music; Greg Osby Zero; Jon Faddis Remembrances; Tim Hagans & Marcus Printup Hub Songs…; Maynard Ferguson Brass Attitude; Bennie Wallace; Nicholas Payton Payton’s Place; Jazz Messengers The Legacy Of Art Blakey = 45?

 

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CadenceJazzWorld: “Prosper is a phenomenal live album, outstandingly powerful, in the style of a 1960's Verve record, unique, imaginative, and sensuous with mesmerizing melodies, and powerful rhythmic interplay. It is an adventure into a land where the dynamics and freedom of improvisation can meet the power and intensity of Hard Bop.”

Los Angeles saxophonist/guitarist/songwriter Justin Chart has released 15 albums since 1993, 13 of them since 2017. He lets ‘the tape run’ at many shows, but the records are diverse and well-recorded. Saxophone fans should explore his catalog. The video is Justin blowin’ with a film noir montage. His 2022 album The Scarlet Jazz Room was recommended upthread.

Justin Chart, Prosper, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

 

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Happy Thanksgiving to USA folks. How about some jazz album cover history. The music for these is cool too.

Don Martin was a famous comic artist/illustrator for (USA) humor & comic art magazines Mad (1956-88) and Cracked (1988-94). Don Martin was most famous for his comic art sound effects:

Before he began work for Mad magazine in 1956, he illustrated the album covers of a few legendary jazz artists for Prestige Records. "They're still using these covers," Martin told the Orlando Sentinel in 1985. "I got $50."

All 5 albums are early 12 inch albums, and are compilations of records originally released in the 10 inch format. Re-buying music/video in the newest, greatest, format, is a long-standing tradition, evidently. The 10 inch record lost a format war to the 12 inch LP. In no particular order…

Allmusic: “Miles Davis' first studio session for Prestige Records took place on January 17, 1951, with a front line of Sonny Rollins on tenor and Bennie Green on trombone. Two years later, Davis made his second session of 1953 in the company of Al Cohn and Zoot Sims. These two sessions, featuring a pair of three-horn front lines, make up the music on Miles Davis And Horns.” From 1956.

The album cover is a long line of runners racing in track uniforms on a road. No song title appears to correlate…

Miles Davis, Miles Davis And Horns, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link

Allmusic: “The hard bop trumpeter Art Farmer performs with an all-star lineup culled from Lionel Hampton's band, of which he was a noted member. This selection of tunes are played by trumpeter and arranger Quincy Jones and saxophonist Gigi Gryce.” 1953-’54 sessions, re-released in 1956.

The album cover shows a septet playing, while sitting in an odd squat. There is a tune called ‘Elephant Walk’ on the album…

Art Farmer, The Art Farmer Septet, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link

Allmusic: “Sonny Stitt is featured on 8 titles, exclusively on tenor, from 2 quartet dates with pianist Bud Powell (in top form), bassist Curly Russell, and drummer Max Roach. In addition, Stitt is a sideman on a quintet outing headed by trombonist J.J. Johnson and also including pianist John Lewis, bassist Nelson Boyd, and Roach. Highly recommended for all serious bop collections.” 1949-’50 sessions re-released in 1957.

The cover is a flock of flying monsters with their mouths agape. Why? Why not?

Sonny Stitt / Bud Powell / J.J. Johnson, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link

Trombone By Three is 4 tunes each by trombonists: J.J. Johnson Sextet; Kai Winding Sextet; Benny Green Septet.

Alllmusic: “Top drawer early 50s bop turning hard bop across the three small groups here, with Sonny Rollins in his typical 50s blistering form. Each of the three trombonists are distinctly flavored, and we also get Max Roach and Art Blakey drumming on two thirds of the sessions.” Couldn't find original 10 inch info, a 1956 release.

The cover is a trio of trombonist monks, of course.

J.J. Johnson / Kai Winding / Benny Green, Trombone By Three, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link

Allmusic: “Tenor saxophonists Stan Getz and Zoot Sims join more tenor luminaries with Al Cohn, Brew Moore and Allen Eager. The set has 4 originals to complete the 1949 session, all with swinging statements by each soloist. A 1952 sextet date led by Sims and Cohn is also included, offering up another round of original and buoyantly swinging cuts, bolstered by trombonist Kai Winding, pianist George Wallington, bassist Percy Heath, and drummer Art Blakey.” Released in 1956.

The 1st song is ‘Five Brothers.’ The cover depicts 12 men in trench coats and fedoras.

Stan Getz, The Brothers, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link

While at Mad, in '60-’61, he did covers for 5 percussion-based albums by Canadian Pierre Du Jardin, and these were wholly in his Mad style.

 

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The 50 year retrospective continues with another big band classic.

Allmusic: “In late 1973, the Buddy Rich big band still featured the explosive drummer in prime, competitive form. The orchestra's key soloist during the era was Pat LaBarbera on tenor and soprano, while trumpet brother Joe wrote charts... The charts for this album emphasize hard-driving swing.”

This was Rich’s ~33rd of >40 albums from 1952-’85, in a career that began in the ‘40s. Despite the album title, a 1973 release. The video, from 1974, is the album’s 1st tune, where Buddy plays with Johnny Carson’s NBC Tonight Show Band (USA TV). Saxophonist Lew Tabackin and trumpeter Conte Condoli do solos.

Recommended upthread: Joe LaBarbera’s 2023 big band album Grooveyard; Lew Tabackin 1976 Dual Nature; Tabackin & pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi 2008 Vintage.

Buddy Rich, The Roar of ‘74, full album: YouTube link only

Previous 1973s (link upthread): Dave Brubeck We’re All Together Again...; Gato Barbieri Bolivia & Chapter One... & Chapter Two...; Elvin Jones Mr. Jones; Donald Byrd Black Byrd; Dave Liebman 1st Visit; Don Ellis Soaring; Grover Washington Jr. Soul Box; Hank Crawford Wildflower; Ron Carter All Blues; Return to Forever Light As A Feather & Hymn Of The 7th Galaxy; Flora Purim Butterfly Dreams; Steve Grossman Some Shapes To Come; Archie Shepp The Cry Of My People; Dave Holland Conference Of The Birds; Gary Bartz I've Known Rivers...; Joe Henderson Multiple; Don Sebesky Giant Box; Fela Kuti Gentleman; Chuck Mangione Land Of Make Believe; Crusaders 2nd Crusade; Freddie Hubbard Keep Your Soul Together; Weather Report Sweetnighter; Ray Barretto The Other Road & Indestructible; Gil Evans Svengali; Stanley Turrentine Don’t Mess With Mr. T; Maynard Ferguson M.F. Horn 3 & 4 & 5; Rahsaan Roland Kirk Prepare Thyself...; Horace Silver In Pursuit Of The 27th Man; Herbie Hancock Head Hunters; Dexter Gordon Parisian Concert; McCoy Tyner Enlightenment; Ian Carr’s Nucleus Roots; Sonny Rollins Horn Culture; Sonny Stitt Mr. Bojangles; Randy Weston Tanjah; Hermeto Pascoal A Musica Livre De...; Quincy Jones You’ve Got It Bad Girl; Frank Zappa The Grand Wazoo; Roy Ayers Coffy; Billy Harper Capra Black = 45?

 

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This post has my 500th album recommendation at ASR! Ordered a HSU VTF-15H MK2 subwoofer to mark the occasion.

Saxophonist John Klemmer’s two 1973 albums Intensity and Magic And Movement (M&M) were apparently never digitized. This is Klemmer at his early blowing best, before he becomes known as the 'father of smooth jazz.' Intensity was 5 studio/2 live tracks with: Tom Canning/Todd Cochran, electric piano; Dave Parlato/James Leary, bass; Victor Feldman/Woody Theus, drums. M&M is a studio-enhanced live album with: Mike Nock/Tom Canningk, electric piano; Wilton Felder/Cecil McBee, bass; Eddie Marshall/Alphonse Mouzon, drums; Dean Parks, guitar; Peter Ivers, harmonica.

These were his ~8/9th of 25 albums from 1967-’82. The vinyl ripper used the SugarCube pop and click remover for Intensity, so it sounds good for a vinyl rip. Definitely worth a listen for fans of absolutely cooking saxophone. The 'level' is too low for M&M, might be a tough listen...

Next week will wrap-up this half-century retrospective with the Grammy Award winners for best instrumental and big band albums. See the post just above for links to posts about ~45 more fine albums from 50 years ago.

John Klemmer, Intensity, full album: YouTube vinyl rip, 1 big 43 minute file.

John Klemmer, Magic and Movement, full album: YouTube vinyl rip, 1 big 44 minute file.

 

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