Cliffs of Freedom

Parallel Times. Dizzying constellations of notes netted within the soundboard of the harpsichord, quill-plucked and sent spinning in darting arcs and ascending steps. . . Harmonic fog adrift from which notes slip out in silvery streaks, gleaming with passion, while some, disconsolate, fall into dark silence snuffing out their glow. . . Cymbals sizzle and resonate, ceding space to the crackle of shells shaken. Wood, skin, clay all brushed, touched and tamped, honed into accents and beats, breathing between the firefly flurries criss-crossing through their time…

Wadada Leo Smith's recorded long-form works in the first half of the 2010s have all been justifiably celebrated. From 2010's Ten Freedom Summers to 2013's Occupy the World and 2015's Great Lakes Suites, his albums have evocatively and provocatively engaged their subjects in a deft musical language that investigates as well as illustrates. The six thematically and musically linked compositions of America's National Parks were birthed by Smith's own research on the congressional passing of the Organic Act in 1916 that created the National Parks Service. Unlike filmmaker Ken Burns' documentary, The National Parks: America's Best Idea, Smith doesn't celebrate the majesty of nature here…

Chico Hamilton with Charles Lloyd - Drumfusion + Passin' Thru (1962) {2013 Master Jazz Remaster}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 520 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 189 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 333 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit remaster
© 1962, 2013 Master Jazz Records / Columbia / Impulse! | MJR 8892862
Jazz / Cool / Drums

This edition presents the complete original Chico Hamilton LP Drumfusion (Columbia CS8607), appearing here on CD for the first time ever. Also included is the only known alternate take from the session, which was only previously issued on a long out of print compilation LP. To complete this CD, Hamilton’s following album, Passin’ Thru (Impulse AS-29) had been added. It had never been released before in its entirety on a single CD and includes a second version of “Transfusion”. Both LPs feature nearly the same personnel, with Garnett Brown and George Bohanon alternating on trombone.

Don Cherry - Complete Communion (1965) {Blue Note 22673 rel 2000, Ron McMaster}
XLD rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 266 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 97 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 10 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1965, 2000 Blue Note / Capitol | 7243 5 22673 2 3 | Blue Note Connoisseur CD Series
Jazz / Avant-Garde Jazz / Cornet

Arguably the best of Cherry's albums for Blue Note – and a real masterpiece of soulful avant playing! The group features Cherry on cornet, Gato Barbieri on tenor (and he's incredible, by the way!), Henry Grimes on bass, and Ed Blackwell on drums. Grimes and Blackwell are more than just timekeepers – and deliver a lot of the melody of the session, yet still never lose their sense of swing. Barbieri's fragile raw tone proves to be a good one to work with Cherry, even if there are a few touches of Ornette in his playing. The album's divided up into 2 long suites – "Complete Communion" and "Elephantasy" – both of which are excellent. A real treat – with no sloppiness, lots of fresh ideas, and a good sense of both freedom and control!