Bradp. 30 30 Club Months 1 to 6

Following the surprising commercial success of "Compared to What" in 1969, pianist Les McCann never managed to get another hit as hard as he tried. These two sessions originally released for Atlantic found McCann struggling with that goal instead of concentrating on his talent as a jazz musician. Unfortunately, the lackluster material found McCann merely falling back on the most predictable aspects of mid-'70s soul and R&B. McCann sings on a majority of the tracks, while the synthesizer noodling and string arrangements have not dated well. Only the Peter Allen/Carole Bayer Sager-penned "Will We Ever Find Our Fathers," featuring Herbie Hancock on piano, is of note.

This two-CD set has the first 42 recordings of Fats Waller with his Rhythm. The brilliant stride pianist/vocalist/ composer/personality became very popular due to these 1934-35 recordings which feature either Herman Autrey or Bill Coleman on trumpet, Gene Sedric, Ben Whitted, Mezz Mezzrow or Rudy Powell on reeds, guitarist Al Casey and a rhythm section. All of Waller's Victor recordings have been reissued on CD and this two-fer (which includes such memorable numbers as "A Porter's Love Song to a Chambermaid," "Serenade for a Wealthy Widow," "How Can You Face Me," "Honeysuckle Rose," "Believe It, Beloved," "I Ain't Got Nobody," "Oh Suzannah Dust Off That Old Pianna" and "You've Been Taking Lessons in Love") is a perfect place to start.

Dream 6 is actually the original name for the band that would become Concrete Blonde, comprised of future Blonde members Johnette Napolitano and James Mankey (Michael Murphy handles drumming). They released this six-song EP in France four years before their self-titled debut and there's nothing very remarkable about it…

Charlie Parker - Now's The Time (1985) {Verve 825 671-2 rec 1952-1953}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 175 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 92 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 25 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1952-53, 1985 Verve Records | 825 671-2
Jazz / Bebop / Saxophone

First, this album is filled with gems. There is no fluff or B-side material as far as I am concerned. Second, the tracks represent some of the best musicians of this genre from that era, not to mention that the bebop genre had matured and settled into a familiar structure by the time these recordings were made. And Bird is flying high on his own powers (not to mention the others who are on these tracks.) More importantly, they are the anthems of the bebop movement - seminal works - that deserve critical listening and study (and enjoyment for their own sake.)

CD-reissue of a noteworthy album from the Dutch psychedelic scene of the late '60s-early '70s. Reminding of fellow Dutchmen s.a. Cosmic Dealer, Outsiders ('CQ'-era), Group 1850 and late Q65, this album (originally dating from 1970) offers driving progressive/psych rock with lots of organ, howling guitars and functional use of echo.