Kimiko Kasai With Gil Evans Orchestra Sacd

Recorded just three months before arranger/pianist Gil Evans's death, this duet album teams Evans with the great soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy. In truth, Evans's playing here is generally little more than melody statements and comping behind Lacy. The duo performs lengthy versions of three Charles Mingus tunes, Duke Ellington's "Paris Blues" and Lacy's "Esteem."

Although Gil Evans had gained a lot of acclaim for his three collaborations with Miles Davis in the 1950s and his own albums, this CD contains (with the exception of two tracks purposely left off), Evans's only dates as a leader during 1961-68. The personnel varies on the six sessions that comprise the CD (which adds five numbers including two previously unreleased to the original Lp) with such major soloists featured as tenorman Wayne Shorter, trombonist Jimmy Cleveland, trumpeter Johnny Coles and guitarist Kenny Burrell. Highlights include "Time of the Barracudas," "The Barbara Song," "Las Vegas Tango" and "Spoonful." Highly recommended to Gil Evans fans; it is a pity he did not record more during this era.

In 1956, a year before Miles Ahead, singer Helen Merrill hired the nearly forgotten arranger Gil Evans to write charts for a dozen songs on one of her record dates. In 1987, they had a reunion, and 11 of the 12 numbers (with "Summertime" taking the place of "You're Lucky to Me") were recorded again. Rather than just a re-creation album, this project found Evans writing fresh arrangements, utilizing three very different ten-pieces: one with a woodwind quintet, another with six horns, and a third that included five strings. This inspired outing, one of the most rewarding sets of Helen Merrill's later years, was also one of Evans' last great dates and one of his few post-1972 classics. 57 at the time, Merrill is in superb form on such numbers as "Where Flamingos Fly," "A New Town Is a Blue Town," "By Myself" and "Anyplace I Hang My Hat Is Home."

Gil Evans - The British Orchestra (1983) {Mole Jazz MOLE8}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 276 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 114 Mb
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© 1983 Mole Jazz | CD MOLE 8
Jazz / Post Cool / Electric Cool / Modern Big Band

Although the 13-piece ensemble heard on this CD is comprised mostly of English players, somehow it still sounds like the Gil Evans Orchestra. Evans travelled to England to lead the all-star group in 1983 and altoist Chris Hunter would eventually join Evans's U.S. outfit. Other impressive soloists include John Surman on baritone and soprano and Stan Sulzmann on tenor and soprano while guitarist Ray Russell is showcased on Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing." The four selections (which also include "Hotel Me," "London" and Thelonious Monk's "Friday the 13th") tend to be a bit overlong but the spirit and enthusiasm of the players (who sound thrilled to be working with Evans) make this a worthy set.