The New Big 5

Recorded in 1995 with Germany's WDR Big Band, the album features 16 tracks with over 60 minutes of music including an a bonus track on the CD only. Dr. John arguably has never sounded better. Hisvocals are crisp and clear and joyful, as if he turned back the clock toanother time and to a jubilant state of mind.

Buddy Rich - The New One! (1967) {Pacific Jazz ‎724349450721 rel 1998}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 501 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 169 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 29 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1967, 1998 Pacific Jazz / Capitol | 7243 4 94507 2 1
Jazz / Mainstream Jazz / Swing / Bop / Modern Big Band / Drums

Despite its title, this was actually the third album by Buddy Rich's still-new big band. The recording is taken from two different periods that, although only five months apart, find the band undergoing some major turnover; only six of the 15 sidemen are the same. With such players as altoist Ernie Watts, trumpeter Chuck Findley, and usually Jay Corre on tenor, this was a strong outfit. Most of the material (other than "Chicago" and "I Can't Get Started") was new; among the high points are "The Rotten Kid," "New Blues," and the complex "Diabolus."

1966 was a most illogical time for anyone to try forming a new big band but Buddy Rich beat the odds. This CD reissues the first album by the Buddy Rich Orchestra, augmenting the original Lp program with nine previously unissued performances from the same sessions. The arrangements (eight by Oliver Nelson along with charts by Bill Holman, Phil Wilson, Jay Corre, Don Rader and others) swing, put the emphasis on the ensembles and primarily feature Corre's tenor although trumpeter Bobby Shew, altoist Pete Yellin, pianist John Bunch and guitarist Barry Zweig are also heard from. Most of the songs did not stay in the drummer's repertoire long (other than Bill Reddie's adaptation of "West Side Story" and "Sister Sadie") and in fact only three members of the 17-piece orchestra would still be working for Rich a year later. An enjoyable and somewhat historic set.

Buddy Rich - Swingin' New Big Band (1966) {Pacific Jazz CDP 7243 8 35232 2 1 rel 1995}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 405 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 149 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 10 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1966, 1995 Pacific Jazz / Capitol Records | CDP 7243 8 35232 2 1
Jazz / Bop / Modern Big Band / Mainstream Jazz / Swing

1966 was a most illogical time for anyone to try forming a new big band but Buddy Rich beat the odds. This CD reissues the first album by the Buddy Rich Orchestra, augmenting the original Lp program with nine previously unissued performances from the same sessions. The arrangements (eight by Oliver Nelson along with charts by Bill Holman, Phil Wilson, Jay Corre, Don Rader and others) swing, put the emphasis on the ensembles and primarily feature Corre's tenor although trumpeter Bobby Shew, altoist Pete Yellin, pianist John Bunch and guitarist Barry Zweig are also heard from.

Abdullah Ibrahim revisits seven of his old compositions on this release, recorded live in Germany with the 17-piece NDR Big Band under the direction of Dieter Glawischnig. The new arrangements by Steve Gray and Fritz Pauer give Ibrahim's infectious melodies and rolling vamps added power. Even Ibrahim seems excited: between tunes he verbally invites the audience to "come with us" (e.g., "Now come with us to an African Market," "Now come with us, a beautiful African sunset, and soft rain, soft rain, Pule."). "African Market," "Kramat," and "Black and Brown Cherries" are nothing if not danceable, while "Mindif" and the relatively brief "Whoza Mtwana" introduce a more contemplative mood. The charts leave plenty of room for resourceful solos, chiefly by trombonist Joe Gallardo, saxophonist/flutist Fiete Felsch, trumpeters Claus Stötter and Ingold Burkhardt, and of course Ibrahim himself…

Universal Music will issue another great value three-CD Essential set under their budget Spectrum imprint, this time featuring Scottish rock band Big Country. This package includes all 13 of the band’s UK top 30 singles (including ‘Look Away’, ‘One Great Thing’, ‘Chance’ and ‘Wonderland’) as well as highlighting key album cuts (including the title track of 1986’s The Seer which features one Kate Bush) and offering a smattering of remixes. A live cover of the soul classic ‘The Tracks of My Tears’ features at the end of CD 2.

What happens when an orchestra that is so determined to break the barriers of big band and what jazz should be, attempts to take on the greatest and holiest of Jazz works? Why, you’d get 1977’s grand masterpiece Toshiyuki Miyama & The New Herd’s Orchestrane: New Herd Plays John Coltrane. This has been one of my absolute favourite discoveries of 2020 and I’m surprised it’s not talked about more. Miyama and band are well known for their adventurous experiments with the big band sound and concept even reaching as far out as free jazz on occasion. However on Orchestrane, they pay respects to the source material by being more restrained yet injecting new life into these timeless classics. Far from derivative perhaps even a giant step for big bands and orchestras in the modern age.

Toshiyuki Miyama and the New Herd, who led the Japanese jazz world with Nobuo Hara and Sharp & Flatts, Naoteru Misuna and the Tokyo Cuban Boys, and others, has compiled the best of the precious sound recordings left to Crown Records during their golden period from 1964 to 1971! Formed in 1950, "Toshiyuki Miyama and the New Herd" is one of the longest-established Japanese big bands, and has performed with world-famous jazz musicians such as Thelonious Monk, Charlie Mingus, and Nancy Wilson in the past, as well as at world-renowned music festivals. After the death of their leader, Toshiyuki Miyama, the group has continued to perform energetically as "Toshiyuki Miyama New Herd". This album is a selection of the six albums that New Herd left to Nippon Crown between 1964 and 1971, and is a selection of songs that are familiar to many people. You can enjoy the chic, pop, and glamorous big band sound on this album.