Bobby Hutcherson

Curtis Amy - Groovin' Blue & Way Down & Tippin' On Through (1961-1962) {2CD Fresh Sound Records FSRCD 768 rel 2013}
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© 1961-62, 2013 Pacific Jazz / Fresh Sound Records | FSRCD 768
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Hard Bop / West Coast Jazz / Saxophone

Between 1960 and 1963 Texas tenor Curtis Amy (1927-2002) made six superb albums for Dick Bocks Pacific Jazz label, three of which, Groovin Blue, Way Down, and Tippin on Through, are included here. They were part of Bocks recognition of the emergence on the West Coast scene of a more groove-based, harder swinging approach than the cooler, considered style that preceded it. He chose well. Years of semi-obscurity in L.A. dance bands and organ combos had made Amy a thoroughly seasoned, assertive and inventive player in the mould of fellow tenor, Harold Land; these Pacific albums established him as a major exponent of the new music revitalizing West Coast jazz.

One of guitarist Barney Kessel's final recordings before a stroke put him out of action, this is an excellent quintet session with vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Ben Riley. Three of Kessel's originals (a pair of blues and a bossa nova) alternate with four standards and Laurindo Almeida's dedication to the guitarist ("Barniana") on this well-paced and consistently swinging set; the uptempo version of "By Myself" is a highpoint.

John Coltrane & Archie Shepp - New Thing At Newport (1965) {Impulse!-Verve Originals 0602517920392 rel 2009}
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© 1965, 2009 Impulse! / Verve / UMG | Verve Originals Series | 0602517920392 | LP A-94
Jazz / Avant-Garde Jazz / Hard Bop / Post Bop / Saxophone

The jazz world was immersed in controversy in 1965 when the bands of John Coltrane and Archie Shepp appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival. Coltrane's own style was undergoing constant evolution, his lines more convoluted and explosive, his sound increasingly ranging to vocal cries and metallic abrasions. He had also become a figurehead of the "avant-garde" or "New Thing," an established star who provided a public forum for younger musicians and the creative ferment largely taking place out of public hearing.

Eric Dolphy - Conversations (1963) {IMC Music-Celluloid JWD 102.226 rel 1998}
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© 1963, 1998 IMC Music / Celluloid Records | JWD 102.226
Jazz / Post Bop / Avant-Garde Jazz / Saxophone / Clarinet / Flute

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.

Eric Dolphy - Iron Man (1963) {Restless-Metrotone 7 72659-2 rel 1992}
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© 1963, 1992 Restless / Metrotone Records | 7 72659-2
Jazz / Post Bop / Avant-Garde Jazz / Saxophone / Clarinet

The companion piece to Conversations (recorded at the same mid-1963 sessions with producer Alan Douglas), Iron Man is every bit as essential and strikes a more consistent ambience than its widely varied twin. It also more clearly anticipates the detailed, abstract sound paintings of Dolphy's masterwork Out to Lunch, in large part because this time around the program is weighted toward Dolphy originals. "Iron Man," "Burning Spear," and the shorter "Mandrake" all have pretty outside themes, full of Dolphy's trademark wide interval leaps and playful sense of dissonance.

This ace compilation features Jazz versions of Country classics from Blue Note artists. Highlights include, Cassandra Wilson 'I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry', Bobby Hutcherson 'Wichita Lineman', Lou Donaldson 'Ode to Billy Joe', Joe Pass Quartet 'Cold Cold Heart' and many more.

Jackie McLean - Destination Out (1963) {2004 Rudy Van Gelder Remaster}
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© 2004 EMI / Blue Note | 7243 5 92424 2 2
Jazz / Post Bop / Hard Bop

As the title suggests, there is little about this disc that would constitute a safe approach to jazz. But then, alto man Jackie McLean never was one to take the easy path. The adventurousness of this set from 1963 hints of the changing scene at the time and McLean makes a bold statement here. Included in the adventure are the daring Grachan Moncur III, the equally confident Bobby Hutcherson, and the enterprising Roy Haynes. In all, this makes for a wild ride that opens the door to a new world of possibilities.

Slavic Smile was recorded in 1982, shortly after the Modern Jazz Quartet was reunited. On this album, the unique pianist of the MJQ, John Lewis pursued a different sound and approach from the legendary group, albeit with the same instrumentations and Connie Kay on the drum chair…