LA Roca

Pete La Roca - Basra (1965) {Blue Note Japan The Finest 1100 Series UCCQ-9123 rel 2015}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 263 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 96 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 78 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1965, 2015 Blue Note / Universal Japan | UCCQ-9123 | 24bit remastering
Jazz / Hard Bop / Drums

Reissue with the latest 24bit remastering. Features original cover artwork. Comes with a descripton in Japanese. It is strange to realize that drummer Pete La Roca only led two albums during the prime years of his career, for this CD reissue of his initial date is a classic. La Roca's three originals ("Basra," which holds one's interest despite staying on one chord throughout, the blues "Candu," and the complex "Tears Come From Heaven") are stimulating but it is the other three songs that really bring out the best playing in the quartet (which is comprised of tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, pianist Steve Kuhn, and bassist Steve Swallow in addition to La Roca). "Malaguena" is given a great deal of passion, Swallow's "Eiderdown" (heard in its initial recording) receives definitive treatment, and the ballad "Lazy Afternoon" is both haunting and very memorable; Henderson's tone perfectly fits that piece.

A "lost" classic of spiritual free jazz, Turkish Women At The Bath is a charming session inspired by the decadent Ingres painting of the same name. This late 1960s session brought together the fiery, refined tenor sax of John Gilmore; the ruminative acoustic piano of (pre-fusion) Chick Corea; the heavy, hefty-duty bass of Walter Booker; and leader Pete La Roca. La Roca, who left music shortly after this 1967 session to devote his time to the art of law, is a contrapuntal percussionist who's even credited in The Rough Guide to Jazz as "the first person to record a totally free-tempo drum solo." It's an ensemble effort, but longtime Sun Ra sideman Gilmore delivers a rare non-Arkestra performance that demonstrates why Coltrane was so clearly influenced by Gilmore's tightly-controlled, sonic whirlwinds.

Nacho Sotomayor, musician and producer of extensive professional experience and international recognition, for over a decade has been offering us a nearly annual installment of his album series "La Roca". His work has been oriented almost in its totality to Ambient Chill, Downtempo, Lounge sounds, although it’s worth mentioning that he’s also done some productions in other areas and for other artists. In 2008 he received the award for The Best Electronic Music Theme for his track "Untitled for a guitar" (from his album "Interior", 2008) in the XIII music awards granted by the Music Academy of Arts and Sciences. Essential in any compilation as Buddha Bar (Paris) or Cafe del Mar (Ibiza) in whose 2003 world tour Nacho Sotomayor took part of…

Blue Note Records has announced an April 26 release of Sonny Rollins A Night at the Village Vanguard: The Complete Masters, a special Tone Poet Vinyl Edition of the legendary saxophonist’s tour-de-force live trio album. The expanded 3-LP set, which can be ordered now on the Blue Note Store, marks the first time Rollins’ complete recorded performances at the Village Vanguard on November 3, 1957 will be made available in a single vinyl package. The collection is also available as a 2-CD set and on all digital formats.