Manne Hole

While still a member of the Charles Lloyd Quartet, Keith Jarrett did some occasional moonlighting with a trio, anchored by two future members of Jarrett's classic quartet, Charlie Haden (bass) and Paul Motian (drums). On this CD, Jarrett turns in a very eclectic set at Shelly's Manne-Hole in Hollywood, careening through a variety of idioms where his emerging individuality comes through in flashes. He covers Bob Dylan's "My Back Pages" – which actually came out as a single on the Vortex label – in an attractive, semi-funky style reminiscent of Vince Guaraldi. "Pretty Ballad" delivers a strong reflective dose of Bill Evans, while "Moving Soon" is chaotic free jazz. By the time we reach "New Rag," we begin to hear the distinctive Jarrett idiom of the later trios, but then, "Old Rag" is knockabout stride without the stride. As an example of early, unfocused Jarrett, this is fascinating material.

Buddy Rich & Alla Rakha - Rich à la Rakha (1968) {BGO Records BGOCD528 rel 2001}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 188 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 87 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 6 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1968, 2001 Liberty / BGO Records | BGOCD528
Jazz / Ethnic Jazz / World

George Harrison (and Brian Jones) really started an upsurge in interest for Indian music, which led to more and more Western musician playing with the stars of classical Indian music. Here we get an interesting meeting between superdrummer Buddy Rich and tabla-virtuoso Alla Rakha, known from his countless recordings with Ravi Shankar.

One of the most acclaimed film composers of his generation, Michel Legrand was also a sophisticated jazz pianist and songwriter whose lyrical sound evoked the romance, style, and cool élan of Paris.

Keith Jarrett Trio - Somewhere Before (1969) {Atlantic}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC+CUE+LOG -> 232 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 93 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 12 Mb
© 1981 Atlantic Recordings | 7567-81455-2
Jazz / Post Bop / Piano Jazz

Keith Jarrett was just 23 at the time of this 1968 trio performance at Shelly's Manne Hole in Hollywood, California. At this time he was pianist for the Charles Lloyd Quartet, but was already beginning to find his own voice as a leader. This would of course come to full flower in the next decade, but at this juncture he's capably and innovatively exploring a number of different idioms. The opening notes of the album come from Charlie Haden's distinct and resonant bass, as he delineates the chordal structure of Dylan's "My Back Pages."

Both Haden and drummer Paul Motian would continue with Jarrett in his classic ensemble throughout the '70s. From gospel reveries to Bill Evans-inspired classicism to jagged post-bop explosiveness, it's exciting to hear this important pianist and composer in his early years.