Cal Tjader - Concerts In The Sun

Styles: Vibraphone Jazz
Year: 1960
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:52
Size: 127,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:11)  1. Love For Sale
(4:39)  2. Goodbye
(6:00)  3. Raccoon Straits
(7:14)  4. Walkin With Wally
(5:09)  5. My Romance
(5:28)  6. Sigmund Sten Groove
(4:26)  7. Cubano Chant
(5:03)  8. Afro Blue
(5:43)  9. Tumbao
(4:54) 10. Day In, Day Out

Concerts in the Sun languished in the vaults for 42 years, but it's now finally available on CD. The recording finds Cal Tjader in a state of transition between the West Coast cool jazz he helmed with Dave Brubeck and a full-blown commitment to integrating Afro-Cuban rhythms into jazz. Culled from two concerts, one in Honolulu and the other in San Francisco, the first half features well-mannered standards and a distinct lack of perspiration; unfortunately, the five song routine seems overly rehearsed and detached. Only in the second half, which features the dense polyrhythms of Willie Bobo and Mongo Santamaria, does the band really swing into gear. (Jazz historians will note the appearance of “Afro Blue,” a few years before Coltrane’s famous version.) However, despite the enthusiasm of the band, at this point Tjader wasn’t yet able to fully fuse the foreign rhythms and jazz concept into a convincing whole, so they come off like a bunch of guys who showed up at a black tie dinner wearing sombreros. The problem with much of Tjader’s music is that Tjader himself is frequently the least interesting thing about it; and only later, with classics like Black Orchid, was he able to create a distinctive and enjoyable Latin jazz hybrid. Of course Tjader fans will want to pick this up, but the mildly curious should explore the excellent Monterey concerts first. ~ David Rickert https://www.allaboutjazz.com/concerts-in-the-sun-cal-tjader-fantasy-jazz-review-by-david-rickert.php

Personnel: Cal Tjader-vibes; Lonnie Hewitt-piano; Victor Venegas, Eddie Coleman-bass; Willie Bobo-drums; Mongo Santamaria-congas, bongos.

Concerts In The Sun

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Eric Dolphy - Conversations

Styles: Clarinet, Flute Jazz 
Year: 1967
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 33:51
Size: 78,4 MB
Art: Front

( 7:17)  1. Jitterbug Waltz
( 9:35)  2. Music Matador
( 3:22)  3. Love Me
(13:36)  4. Alone Together

In 1963 (probably July, though some sources place the dates in May or June), Eric Dolphy recorded some sessions in New York with producer Alan Douglas, the fruits of which were issued on small labels as the LPs Conversations and Iron Man. They've been reissued a number of times on various labels, occasionally compiled together, but never with quite the treatment they deserve (which is perhaps why they're not as celebrated as they should be). In whatever form, though, it's classic, essential Dolphy that stands as some of his finest work past Out to Lunch. Conversations is the more eclectic of the two, featuring radical re-imaginings of three standards, plus the jubilant, Caribbean-flavored "Music Matador" (by ensemble members Prince Lasha on flute and Sonny Simmons on alto). 

That cut, and a classic inside/outside reworking of Fats Waller's "Jitterbug Waltz" feature Dolphy leading ensembles of up-and-coming "new thing" players, which prominently feature vibist Bobby Hutcherson and trumpeter Woody Shaw. The second half of the album takes a far more minimalist approach, with Dolphy performing unaccompanied (extremely rare prior to Anthony Braxton's For Alto) on "Love Me." "Alone Together" is an over-13-minute duet between Dolphy and bassist Richard Davis, featuring some astoundingly telepathic exchanges that more than justify its length. Even if the selections don't completely hang together as an LP statement, they're united by Dolphy's generally brilliant playing and a sense that  after several years without entering the studio much as a leader Dolphy was really striving to push his (and others') music forward. The results are richly rewarding, making Conversations one of the landmarks in his catalog.~ Steve Huey https://www.allmusic.com/album/conversations-mw0000199276

Personnel:  Eric Dolphy – bass clarinet, flute, alto saxophone;  Richard Davis – bass;  Eddie Khan – bass;  Clifford Jordan – soprano saxophone;  Sonny Simmons – alto saxophone;  Prince Lasha – flute;  Woody Shaw – trumpet;  Bobby Hutcherson – vibraphone;  J.C. Moses – drums;  Charles Moffett - drums on "Music Matador"

Conversations

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John Handy - Recorded Live at the Monterey Jazz Festival

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1965
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 78:17
Size: 179,3 MB
Art: Front

(27:29)  1. If Only We Knew
(19:34)  2. Spanish Lady
(31:12)  3. Tears of Ole Miss (Anatomy of a Riot)(Bonus Track)

John Handy's performance at the 1965 Monterey Jazz Festival was a sensation and arguably the high point of his career. The altoist, using a quintet that included violinist Michael White, guitarist Jerry Hahn, bassist Don Thompson, and drummer Terry Clarke (all of whom were young unknowns at the time), played two lengthy songs: the 27-minute "If Only We Knew" and "Spanish Lady," which lasts a mere 19 and a half minutes. After a brief theme, "If Only We Knew" mostly features unaccompanied solos. Handy's opening statement immediately quieted the crowd, which was amazed by the altoist's courage and the logic of the advanced yet tonal music. "Spanish Lady" also has a long Handy statement and builds up to a very exciting conclusion. 

Even over three decades later, the music sounds fresh, colorful, and innovative. The original Columbia LP (which has been long out of print) had reversed the order of the songs and even their titles so this Koch CD reissue is very welcome on several levels. Highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-the-monterey-jazz-festival-mw0000081959

Personnel:  John Handy – alto saxophone;  Mike White – violin;  Jerry Hahn – guitar;  Don Thompson – bass;  Terry Clarke – drums

On bonus track:   John Handy – alto saxophone;  Bobby Hutcherson - vibraphone;  Pat Martino - guitar;  Albert Stinson - bass;  Doug Sides - drums

Recorded Live at the Monterey Jazz Festival

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