Big Brown

Big Charlie Thomas was one of many cornetists who recorded as sideman and accompanist during the 1920s, and have since drifted to the margins of jazz history. Like Ed Allen, he worked in groups that often had something or other to do with pianist and music publisher Clarence Williams. If Thomas' brief recording career is mapped out in discographical relief, the details are sketchy but fascinating. During the years 1925-1926 he is believed to have recorded with vocalists Rosa Henderson, Bessie Brown, Sara Martin, Mandy Lee, and Clarence Williams' wife Eva Taylor. In addition to various backing units, he blew his horn with the Dixie Washboard Band, the OKeh Melody Stars, Thomas Morris & His Seven Hot Babies, Buddy Christian's Jazz Rippers, and of course Clarence Williams' Blue Five. His involvement with this last ensemble places Thomas in the same circle as Morris, Sidney Bechet, and Louis Armstrong. So elusive are the recordings of Big Charlie Thomas that were it not for an album of rarities assembled and released during the '90s by the Timeless label, it would be difficult to access his legacy at all.

Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Pass, Ray Brown, Mickey Roker - Dizzy's Big 4 (1974) {OJC Remasters Complete Series rel 2013, item 30of33}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 328 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 139 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 158 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit remaster
© 1974, 2013 Pablo / Concord | 40th Anniversary of Pablo Records | 0888072346116
Jazz / Bop / Mainstream Jazz / Trumpet

Concord Music Group will release five new titles in its Original Jazz Classics Remasters series on September 17, 2013. Enhanced by 24-bit remastering by Joe Tarantino, bonus tracks (some previously unreleased), and new liner notes to provide historical context to the originally released material, the series celebrates the 40th anniversary of Pablo Records, the prolific Beverly Hills-based label that showcased some of the most influential jazz artists and recordings of the 1970s and '80s.

Though not partners as had been planned in the initial Modern Jazz Quartet, Ray Brown and Milt Jackson did work together in the early to mid-'60s, this double-CD set includes some fine collaborations and interesting combinations. There are 12 big-band cuts from 1962 led by Brown, primarily featuring Cannonball Adderley with Jackson on the side. From 1965 another eight tracks concentrate on small group efforts with Brown, Jackson, pianist Hank Jones, and different horn soloists, while the final 14 selections from 1964, still as small ensembles with set lineups of guitarist Kenny Burrell, drummer Al Heath, keyboardists Jones, or Wild Bill Davis, also highlight the singing of the gospel vocalist Marion Williams. This can easily be considered a valuable reissue, showcasing two jazz giants in the prime of their careers, playing music not readily identifiable aside from their work with Oscar Peterson (Brown) or MJQ (Jackson) around this time.