The Flesh Triple Feature (michael Findlay, 1967 68)

Oliver Nelson & Friends - Happenings / Soulful Brass (1967-68) {Impulse! 2-on-1 Series Remaster rel 2011}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 438 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 165 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 23 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1967-68, 2011 Impulse! / Verve / Universal Music | 06025 2780954
Jazz / Post Bop / Soul Jazz / Modern Big Band / Jazz Arranger

This Impulse two-fer revives a pair of LPs by arranger, composer, and saxophonist Oliver Nelson, Happenings and Soulful Brass, released in 1966 and 1968, respectively. Happenings, a date with pianist Hank Jones, is the better album, unlike Soulful Brass, which was co-led with comedian/pianist Steve Allen. Unfortunately, both pianists are featured mainly on harpsichord, which tends to dominate, and at times overwhelm, the compositions.

The Triple Feature series by Sony Legacy compiles three – usually well-known – catalog albums by big-name artists, assembles them in a slipcase box, and sells them at a budget price to consumers. While the reason may be simply a new package in order to clear shelves of excess inventory, this exercise also serves a purpose for collectors and fans filling in holes for a favorite artist. In the case of Frank Sinatra, Sony actually compiled three previously issued compilations – Classics & Standards, I’ve Got a Crush on You, and Songs from the Movies. Sinatra-philes already know that the earliest part of his career was spent recording for Columbia, and these titles reflect more the crooner than the finger-popping swing daddy of jazz and pop. It’s not that the music here isn’t worth hearing…

Rare studio sessions from a short-lived side project by long time Dokken bassist, and current member of Foreigner, Jeff Pilson! This package includes the previously unreleased song Heaven Knows as well as a personal remembrance written by Pilson himself specifically for this collection!

Miles Davis - Water Babies (1967-68) {2002 Columbia CK 86557}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 385 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 151 Mb
Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 175 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2002 Columbia / Legacy / CBS / Sony Music | CK 86557
Jazz / Post Bop / Fusion / Trumpet

A much different album than you might expect from the cover – hardly the funky 70s set implied by the Big Fun-styled cover – and instead a lost slice of work from his groundbreaking late 60s years! The set was recorded in 1967, but unissued until Miles late 70s time away from the studio – hence the cover, which attempts to contemporanize the record – and the music is very much in the dark moods and sharp tones of Filles De Kilimanjaro, and features a somewhat similar group! The core quintet of Wayne Shorter on tenor, Herbie Hancock on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Tony Williams on drums handles the first half of the set – but the group's then expanded to include Chick Corea on electric piano along with Herbie on keys – and Ron Carter steps out so that Dave Holland can bring some more modern tones to the bass. Tracks are all somewhat long, and titles include "Capricorn", "Water Babies", "Sweet Pea", and "Two Faced".

The Gary Burton Quartet - Lofty Fake Anagram / A Genuine Tong Funeral (1967-68) [2CD] {2006 BGO Remaster}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 455 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 194 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 22 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2006 BGO Records / Sony BMG Music | BGOCD723
Jazz / Post Bop / Vibes

This two-fer brings together two key Gary Burton Quartet works of the the late '60s. After 1967's Duster, the Quartet went on to collaborate with composer Carla Bley on A Genuine Tong Funeral, a quirky, mordant jazz "opera" that owes as much to Kurt Weill as to Charles Mingus. Besides Burton, guitarist Larry Coryell, and bassist Steve Swallow, the free-spirited drummer Bob Moses makes his appearnce, having replaced veteran Roy Haynes. Other Bley stalwarts include saxophonists Gato Barbieri and Steve Lacy, who pop in and out of the vivid cartoon-like musical narrative.