THE COMPLETE REMASTERED RECORDINGS ON BLACK SAINT & SOUL NOTE is a monographic box-set collection aimed at recounting the most beautiful chapters that revolutionised the history of jazz. This new series was launched in March 2010 with the simultaneous release of four box-sets, including albums by some of the artists who participated in the success of the outstanding labels. A philological work, beginning with the original recordings on multi-track master tapes, patiently integrally remastered paying strict attention to the sound quality.
5CD SET OF THIS JAZZ MAVERICKS GOLDEN ERA INCLUDES ALL ALBUMS RUSSELL MADE AS BANDLEADER BETWEEN 56 & 64. George Allen Russell was an American jazz pianist, composer, arranger and academic who was among the first musicians to contribute significantly to the theory of harmony based on jazz rather than European music, as expounded in his book Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization .
This CD presents two original RCA/Bluebird albums from 1956: "George Russell Smalltet!" (1956) paired with "Hal McKusick’s Jazz Workshop" plus 4 Bonus Tracks. One of the most important and influential composers, arrangers, theorists and conductors in contemporary jazz, this release includes the three different 1956 sessions that mark George Russell’s complete recording legacy with Bluebird as a leader. In addition to these dates, this CD also includes the two different sessions set under the leadership of alto saxophonist and flautist Hal McKusick with compositions and arrangements by George Russell as bonus tracks. All recorded in New York City.
This five-CD deluxe set contains an impressive 150-page booklet and reissues every scrap of music that the innovative pianist Bud Powell recorded for Verve. The first disc has the best music, four truly outstanding sessions from 1949-51. The other performances (trio sides from 1954-56) are much more erratic, particularly the alternate takes, with gems followed by completely lost solos. Bop fans will want this set but more general collectors are advised to pick up the Blue Notes first.
Remastered in 24-bit from the original master tapes. Part of our Keepnews Collection, which spotlights classic albums originally produced by the legendary and arguably the most respected of all jazz producers, Orrin Keepnews. George Russell is listed in the Encyclopedia of Jazz as "composer, piano, educator" and all of these are accurate descriptions of this dynamic musical revolutionary.
Johnny Smith is an exquisite jazz guitarist known mostly to fellow musicians and serious jazz fans. This beautifully packaged and expertly annotated eight-CD limited-edition boxed set from Mosaic includes his complete small-group recordings for Roost, most of which have languished out of print for decades. Smith's unique voicings on his instrument set him apart from other players, yet he maintains a lush, crystal-clear tone no matter the tempo or setting.