Bags

Milt Jackson and Wes Montgomery - Bags meets Wes! (1961) {2008 Riverside} [Keepnews Collection Complete Series] (Item #17of27)
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 364 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 143 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 280 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit remastering
© 1961, 2008 Concord / Riverside | 0888072305021
Jazz / Hard Bop / Guitar / Vibes

Orrin Keepnews' commentary (from his new liner notes): "The most significant feature of the album is the uncanny rapport between the two leaders. It is difficult to believe but probably true that, although they had undoubtedly frequently heard each other's work, they had never played together. But of course they had many attitudes and attributes in common. If the blues is indeed a language, it is one in which both of these men were extremely fluent. Equally important to both was the melodic content of their music. Some otherwise admirable players do not seem to have fully grasped the important fact that to perform a ballad properly involves much more than just keeping the tempo slow. Both Bags and Wes were firmly aware of this distinction. There is an extraordinary richness and fullness to their performances here, and there is also a feeling that each man is somehow drawing something tangible from the other's performance.”

Although seemingly impossible to comprehend, this landmark jazz date made in 1960 was recorded in less than three days. All the more remarkable is that the same sessions which yielded My Favorite Things would also inform a majority of the albums Coltrane Plays the Blues, Coltrane's Sound, and Coltrane Legacy. It is easy to understand the appeal that these sides continue to hold. The unforced, practically casual soloing styles of the assembled quartet – which includes Coltrane (soprano/tenor sax), McCoy Tyner (piano), Steve Davis (bass), and Elvin Jones (drums) – allow for tastefully executed passages à la the Miles Davis Quintet, a trait Coltrane no doubt honed during his tenure in that band.

Miles Davis - Bags' Groove (1954) {2008 Prestige RVG Remasters Series}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 241 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 110 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 147 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1954, 2008 Concord / Prestige | 0888072306455 | Prestige RVG Remasters Series | 24-bit remaster
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Trumpet

There are a multitude of reasons why Bags' Groove remains a cornerstone of the post-bop genre. Of course there will always be the lure of the urban myth surrounding the Christmas Eve 1954 session – featuring Thelonious Monk – which is documented on the two takes of the title track. There are obviously more tangible elements, such as Davis' practically telepathic runs with Sonny Rollins (tenor sax). Or Horace Silver's (piano) uncanny ability to provide a stream of chord progressions that supply a second inconspicuous lead without ever overpowering. Indeed, Davis' choice of former Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra and concurrent Modern Jazz Quartet members Milt Jackson (vibes), Kenny Clarke (drums), and Percy Heath (bass) is obviously well-informed.

Milt Jackson Orchestra - Big Bags (1962) {Riverside OJCCD-366-2 rel 1989}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 266 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 120 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 126 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1962, 1989 Riverside / Fantasy / OJC | OJCCD-366-2
Jazz / Hard Bop / Modern Big Band / Vibes

A sweet larger group session from vibist Milt Jackson – proof that he was really trying to stretch his wings, and get into new things during the 60s! The set's got Milt working with some great help from Tadd Dameron and Ernie Wilkins on larger group arrangements – nicely swinging charts that have a nice touch of modern, but lots of straightforward grooving too! Milt's the primary soloist, buoyed by an orchestra built around a rhythm section of Hank Jones on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and either Connie Cay or Philly Joe on drums – plus loads of great horn players like Clark Terry, Nat Adderley, Melba Liston, James Moody and Jimmy Heath among others.

Milt Jackson & John Coltrane - Bags & Trane +3 (1959) {2012 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series 24bit Remaster WPCR-27051}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 382 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 135 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 88 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit remaster
© 1959, 2012 Warner Japan / Atlantic / WEA / Rhino | WPCR-27051 | Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series
Jazz / Hard Bop / Mainstream Jazz / Saxophone / Vibes

Features 24 bit remastering and comes with a mini-description. An incredible collaboration from John Coltrane and Milt Jackson – and one that gives Milt one of his sharpest records ever! The setting is relatively straight – tenor from Coltrane, vibes from Jackson – plus rhythm from Hank Jones on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Connie Kay on drums. Yet there's also a sense of openness here that you'd hardly ever expect on other records by Jackson – especially his contemporaneous sides with the Modern Jazz Quartet – and Coltrane's tenor gets as much room to roam here as it did on Prestige – really cutting some beautifully soulful, open, and flowing lines throughout!