The Modern Jazz Quartet Third Stream Music

SOne of the first Modern Jazz Quartet albums on Atlantic - a 1957 set that finds the crew in one of their freshest periods - laying down their soon-to-be trademark style in a fashion that warrants the self-titled tag! The set kicks off with a stellar medley of standards, all given the tight MJQ touch! The crew strolls through "They Say It's Wonderful", "How Deep Is The Ocean", "Body And Soul" and more in that 10 minute stretch. Other album highlights include the drum-heavy "La Ronde", a sweet reading of "Night In Tunisia", "Baden Baden", "Bag's Groove" and "Yesterdays".

One of the first Modern Jazz Quartet albums on Atlantic - a 1957 set that finds the crew in one of their freshest periods - laying down their soon-to-be trademark style in a fashion that warrants the self-titled tag! The set kicks off with a stellar medley of standards, all given the tight MJQ touch! The crew strolls through "They Say It's Wonderful", "How Deep Is The Ocean", "Body And Soul" and more in that 10 minute stretch. Other album highlights include the drum-heavy "La Ronde", a sweet reading of "Night In Tunisia", "Baden Baden", "Bag's Groove" and "Yesterdays".

The Modern Jazz Quartet - The Complete Atlantic Studio Recordings 1956-1964 (2011) {7 CD Box Set Mosaic MD7-249}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 2.97 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 1.23 Gb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 285 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit remaster
© 1956-64, 2011 Mosaic / Atlantic / Rhino | MD7-249
Jazz / Cool / Bop / Third Stream / Piano / Vibes

That sound. One group conceived it. Defined it. Perfected it. The Modern Jazz Quartet was certainly one of the most distinctive voices in the history of jazz, thanks to the unique qualities of personal expression and collective vision of its members Milt Jackson, John Lewis, Percy Heath and Connie Kay (who had replaced original drummer Kenny Clarke by the time the band started recording this music). They were also exceptionally prolific during their tenure at Atlantic Records, producing 14 albums in eight years. And now, that MJQ sound gets the complete respect it deserves, thanks to our new box, The Complete 1956-1964 Modern Jazz Quartet Atlantic Studio Recordings.

The Modern Jazz Quartet - At Music Inn, Vol. 1 (1956) {2013 Japan 24-bit Remaster} [Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series]
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 229 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 104 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 111 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit remaster
© 1965, 2013 Atlantic / Rhino / Warner Japan / WEA | WPCR-27203 | Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series
Jazz / Cool / Third Stream

The first of two albums the Modern Jazz Quartet recorded at the Music Inn in Lenox, MS, this LP is highlighted by "Oh Bess, Oh Where's My Bess," "Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West," "A Morning in Paris," and "England's Carol" which is the MJQ's reworking of "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen." Clarinetist Jimmy Giuffre sits in with the group successfully on three numbers; best is "Fun." This is a worthwhile outing that has not yet been reissued on CD.

The Modern Jazz Quartet - Germany 1956-1958. Lost Tapes (2013) {Jazzhaus}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 325 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 163 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 34 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2013 Jazzhaus / SWR Music | 101 731
Jazz / Cool / Third Stream / Bop

At the time of these recordings, John Lewis was still in the process of developing the unique concept of MJQ as a jazz chamber group, for which he often scored even the bass and drum parts. Every track of this pioneering early phase exemplifies how Lewis, to quote Andre Francis, turned four musicians into 'a sensitive instrument which vibrates in the same universe of sound, achieving a communion unique in the world of jazz.'

The Modern Jazz Quartet - At Music Inn. Volume 2 (1959) {2013 Japan 24-bit Remaster} [Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series]
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 271 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 95 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 90 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit remaster
© 1959, 2013 Warner Japan / Atlantic / Rhino | WPCR-27153 | Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series
Jazz / Cool / Third Stream

Features 24 bit remastering and comes with a mini-description. The second volume of the Modern Jazz Quartet at the Music Inn was released in 1959, a year after its historic first volume with guest Jimmy Giuffre. The format on this set is similar, with pianist John Lewis, vibraphonist Milt Jackson, bassist Percy Heath, and drummer Connie Kay moving through a gorgeous medley of standards to open including "Stardust," "I Can't Get Started," and "Lover Man," with beautiful and clever counterpoint between Lewis and Jackson on the melody lines. There are two of Lewis' originals here as well.

The Modern Jazz Quartet - The Complete Modern Jazz Quartet Prestige & Pablo Recordings (2003) {4CD Set}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (image)+CUE+LOG -> 1,44 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 703 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 21 Mb
© 50s, 80s, 2003 Fantasy / Prestige / Pablo | 4PRCD 4438-2
Jazz / Third Stream / Bop / Cool

In typical Fantasy Records aplomb, this four-CD set collects the eight albums which the Modern Jazz Quartet either mentored or collaborated on during their tenure at the commencement and nadir of their reign as jazz's premier chamber ensemble. Beginning with the 1952 issue of Modern Jazz Quartet/Milt Jackson Quintet recording (the earlier Milt Jackson Quartet sides are not here for obvious reasons, as the band did not commence its fully developed form on them) featuring original drummer Kenny Clarke before Connie Kay replaced him, and ending with This One's For Basie in 1985; the association the MJQ had with Prestige was a monumental one.

The Modern Jazz Quartet - European Concert (1960) {2CD Set Atlantic Japan, 50XD-1013~4, Early Press}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 521 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 189 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 187 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1960, 1988 Atlantic / Warner-Pioneer Japan | 50XD-1013~4
Jazz / Bop / Cool / Third Stream

A double-length live set from the legendary Modern Jazz Quartet – recorded in Scandinavia in 1960, almost as a summation of the group's growing genius in the 50s! The tunes are a mix of John Lewis and Milt Jackson originals, plus other songs all given the wonderful MJQ twist – distilled into a sublime blend of piano, vibes, bass, and drums – all delivered with a sense of class, but never too much polish. The album is live, but still has that sophisticated composure that made the group so unique at the time – and the whole thing's a perfect complement to their famous studio albums on Atlantic!

The Modern Jazz Quartet - No Sun In Venice (1957) {2013 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series WPCR-27352}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 225 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 87 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 120 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit remaster
© 1957, 2013 Atlantic / Warner Japan / Rhino | WPCR-27352 | Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series
Jazz / Cool / Third Stream / Bop

Features 24 bit remastering and comes with a mini-description. The Modern Jazz Quartet Plays No Sun in Venice (originally titled The Modern Jazz Quartet Plays One Never Knows: Original Film Score for "No Sun in Venice") is a soundtrack album by American jazz group the Modern Jazz Quartet featuring performances recorded in 1957 for Roger Vadim's No Sun in Venice and released on the Atlantic label. This recording has six John Lewis compositions that were used in the French film No Sun in Venice. The music is quite complex and disciplined, making this set of lesser interest to fans who prefer to hear Milt Jackson playing bebop-oriented blues. However the versatile group was perfect for this type of music and these thought-provoking performances reward repeated listenings.