Pat Martino El Hombre (1967) [rvg Remaster 2006] (2014_hdtracks 24 44,1)

It's been nearly twenty years since Pat Martino's comeback from a near-fatal brain aneurysm. In that time he's re-established himself as one of the jazz world's premier guitarists, a technically advanced post bop player who combines forward-thinking musical ideas with native Philly grit; think Pat Metheny with more soul. Think Tank, as the name suggests, finds Martino at his most cerebral, which has its pros and cons. The title track, for example, is a blues of sorts built on an equation based on the letters of John Coltrane's name, which may sound like an exercise for a composition class, but manages to hold together pretty well organically. Coltrane, a Philadelphia mentor of Martino's, is a recurring reference on the album, both indirectly in Martino's intensely spiritual and intellectual approach to the music, and directly on the funk-based original "Phineas Trane as well as on an extended romp through Coltrane's "Africa.

When We'll Be Together Again was recorded in 1976, a 31-year-old Pat Martino was four years away from being operated on for the brain aneurysm that would wipe out his memory. The Philadelphia guitarist was also very much at the height of his creative powers - a fact that's hard to miss on this excellent session. Forming an intimate duo with electric pianist Gil Goldstein, Martino is at his most introspective on sparse interpretations of the standards "You Don't Know What Love Is" and "Willow Weep for Me" as well as Henry Mancini's "Dreamsville," J.J. Johnson's "Lament," and Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns." Martino's lyricism was never more personal than it is on this album.

Tadd Dameron with John Coltrane - Mating Call (1956) {Prestige RVG Remaster PRCD-30163 rel 2007}
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© 1956, 2007 Prestige / Concord | PRCD-30163 | 24-bit remaster
Jazz / Hard Bop / Bop / Piano / Saxophone

This November 1956 date marked the first recording of the deeply moving ballad “Soultrane,” and the first exposition as well of the lovely line “On a Misty Night” (based on “September in the Rain”), a number Dameron would later explore himself in other contexts. This is not a typical Tadd Dameron date in that his music is not played by a large ensemble or even a quintet. He is represented as a composer but not as an arranger. Yet his pungent themes come through strongly, carried by the searing, probing tenor saxophone of John Coltrane.

Korekyojin is a Japanese experimental rock group started up in the late '90s by Yoshida Tatsuya, drummer and member of the Ruins. Korekyojin also includes bassist Nasuno Mitsuru and guitarist Kido Natsuki…

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - Like Someone In Love (1960) (ft. Lee Morgan) {2005 BN RVG Remaster}
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© 2005 Blue Note / Capitol | 7243 8 64470 2 9 | 24-bit Remaster
Jazz / Hard Bop

Art Blakey's Like Someone in Love is a product of the fertile group that included saxophonist Wayne Shorter, trumpeter Lee Morgan, pianist Bobby Timmons, and bassist Jymie Merritt. While it is not usually considered an essential Blakey album, it is easily one of the best. This is due not only to the impressive Jazz Messenger musicianship, but more significantly to the stellar original compositions by Shorter, who was coming into his own not only as an improviser, but perhaps more significantly as an adept and forward-thinking songwriter.

Cecil Taylor - Conquistador! (1966) {2004 Blue Note RVG Remaster}
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© 1966, 2004 Blue Note / Capitol | 7243 5 76749 2 8 | 24-bit remaster
Jazz / Avant-Garde Jazz / Piano

For the second of Cecil Taylor's two Blue Note albums (following Unit Structures), the innovative pianist utilized a sextet comprised of trumpeter Bill Dixon, altoist Jimmy Lyons, both Henry Grimes and Alan Silva on basses and drummer Andrew Cyrille. During the two lengthy pieces, Lyons' passionate solos contrast with Dixon's quieter ruminations while the music in general is unremittingly intense. Both of the Taylor Blue Notes are quite historic and near-classics but, despite this important documentation, Cecil Taylor (other than a pair of Paris concerts) would not appear on records again until 1973.

Freddie Hubbard - The Night Of The Cookers (1965) {2004 Blue Note RVG Remaster}
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© 1965, 2004 Blue Note / Capitol / EMI | 7243 5 94323 2 8 | 24-bit remaster
Jazz / Hard Bop / Trumpet

Originally released as two separate LPs (and reissued in 2004 as a double CD package) THE NIGHT OF THE COOKERS, VOLUMES 1 & 2 puts trumpeters Freddie Hubbard and Lee Morgan, two of the biggest guns of the hard-bop era, head to head throughout an extended live set. James Spaulding plays alto sax and flute, balancing out the brighter, brassier timbres of Hubbard and Morgan, and a crack rhythm section of pianist Harold Mabern, bassist Larry Ridley, drummer Pete La Roca, and conga player Big Black keeps things simmering.

These 1947 recordings are among the earliest documents we have of piano genius and jazz pioneer Thelonious Sphere Monk. It's hard to believe that he was finally hailed with acclaim in 1957 for ideas he'd had 10 years earlier!

Pat Martino is one of the most legendary and innovative guitarists of all time. This complete DVD combines two of his groundbreaking videos: Advanced Concepts and Analysis of a Tune into one incredibly educational and entertaining piece! Advanced Concepts is a fascinating study of Martino's approach to contemporary improvising. Featuring Pat's personal insight and philosophy, the video includes several inspiring demonstrations and live performances. Analysis of a Tune features Pat leading his quartet through four complete tunes at the world-famous Knitting Factory in New York City. These mesmerizing performances are highlighted by an in-depth analysis of Pat's tune, You're Welcome to a Prayer. The DVD includes a PDF with transcriptions of the music in both videos in standard music notation and TAB.