Gil Mellé - Mindscape

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1989
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:48
Size: 125,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:36)  1. Mindscape
(3:04)  2. Double Exposure
(6:09)  3. Message From Mozambique
(4:40)  4. Vintage Autumn
(3:24)  5. Experiment Perilous
(5:25)  6. Zero In The Universe
(3:41)  7. Bird Of Paradise
(5:43)  8. The Blue Lion
(4:11)  9. Anti-Gravitacional
(5:36) 10. Neon Canyons
(4:26) 11. Swamp Girl
(4:49) 12. The Richest Man In Bagota

In his return to Blue Note after an absence of over three decades, Melle made no bones about the fact that he had left jazz far behind. This is a CD of abstract and impressionistic electronic compositions, sometimes with an electronic pulse, but mostly in idioms related to film, contemporary classical and even Japanese music. The percolating "Message From Mozambique" the most memorable music on the album, regardless of idiom  is the closest that Gil comes to something resembling a jazz feeling. The musical textures and the graphic art in the booklet (also designed by Melle) display a cool, glistening, technological sheen even "The Blue Lion," a subdued reaction to the death of Melle's mentor, Alfred Lion. Those who know Melle only through his jazz sides from the '50s are hereby warned; the man has definitely changed. ~ Richard S.Ginell http://www.allmusic.com/album/mindscapes-mw0000200357

Mindscape

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Gil Mellé - Patterns In Jazz

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1956
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:00
Size: 84,9 MB
Art: Front

(4:50)  1. The Set Break
(5:15)  2. Weird Valley
(9:07)  3. The Arab Barber Blues
(8:18)  4. Nice Question
(4:55)  5. Moonlight In Vermont
(4:33)  6. Long Ago And Far Away

Like the modern art that stormed the art world in the '50s, Patterns in Jazz is filled with bright, bold colors and identifiable patterns that camouflage how adventurous the work actually is. On the surface, the music is cool and laid-back, but close listening reveals the invention in Melle's compositions and arrangements of the standards "Moonlight in Vermont" and "Long Ago and Far Away." Part of the charm of Patterns in Jazz is the unusual instrumental balance of Melle's bari sax, Eddie Bert's trombone, Joe Cinderella's guitar, and Oscar Pettiford's bass. These low, throaty instruments sound surprisingly light and swinging. Compared to the two standards, Melle's original compositions are a little short on melody, but they give the musicians room to improvise, resulting in some dynamic music. Ultimately, Patterns in Jazz is cerebral music that swings it's entertaining, but stimulating. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine http://www.allmusic.com/album/patterns-in-jazz-mw0000463220

Personnel:  Gil Mellé - tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone;  Eddie Bert – trombone;  Joe Cinderella – guitar;  Oscar Pettiford – bass;  Ed Thigpen - drums

Patterns In Jazz

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Gil Mellé - Primitive Modern/Quadrama

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1957
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:10
Size: 156,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:58)  1. Dominica
(4:00)  2. Ironworks
(6:49)  3. Ballet Time
(6:02)  4. Adventure Swing
(4:45)  5. Dedicatory Piece to the Geophysical Year of 1957
(4:51)  6. Mark One
(5:17)  7. Full House
(3:36)  8. Quadrama
(4:50)  9. In a Sentimental Mood
(3:25) 10. Walter Ego
(6:53) 11. Rush Hour in Hong Kong
(5:20) 12. Jacqueline
(6:18) 13. It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)

This two-fer is an odd mix of jazz arrangements and pseudo-classical third-stream compositions, with the presence of musicians like Shadow Wilson, not usually found in such settings. It is ultimately a mixed message, for Melle fans only. ~ Ron Wynn http://www.allmusic.com/album/primitive-modern-quadrama-mw0000676148

Personnel:  Baritone Saxophone – Gil Mellé;  Bass – Billy Phillips, George Duvivier;  Drums – Edmund Thigpen, Shadow Wilson;  Guitar – Joe Cindrella

Primitive Modern/Quadrama

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Gil Mellé Quartet - Gil's Guests

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:01
Size: 121.4 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1990
Art: Front

[6:20] 1. Soudan
[6:09] 2. Tomorrow
[4:57] 3. Block Island
[5:52] 4. Sixpence
[8:10] 5. Still Life
[3:45] 6. Ghengis
[6:36] 7. Funk For Star People
[6:46] 8. Golden Age
[4:21] 9. Herbie

Baritone saxiphonist Gil Melle didn't make very many recordings before abandoning the music business to concentrate on other artistic pursuits. This recording for the Prestige label shows him to be an intriguing composer. The performances emphasize tightly arranged ensemble playing, with fine individual playing by the quartet and the "Guests" who include trumpeters Donald Byrd, Art Farmer, and Kenny Dorham. According to Gil's web-site, the credit for Phil Woods is incorrect; rather, the saxophonist on the last three tracks is tenor Zoot Sims. Also according to the web site, Teddy Charles played vibes but doesn't show up in the credits.

Melle recorded some quartet tracks for Blue Note which have been re-released as a 3-disc set. He recorded this and several other sessions for Prestige, and then retired from jazz. This disc is not an essential classic, but IS an intersting and enjoyable set of well written and arranged songs that stands up to repeat listening. ~Someguy

Gil's Guests

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