Big Pacific

Les McCann - Les McCann Sings (1961) {Pacific Jazz Japan TOCJ-50084 rel 2010}
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© 1961, 2010 Pacific Jazz / Toshiba-EMI Japan | TOCJ-50084
Jazz / Jazz Blues / Soul Jazz / Hard Bop / Vocal Jazz / Piano

For many, Les McCann Sings, revealed the pianist as a vocalist with something to say – which does less than justice to McCann’s work here, both vocally and pianistically. Singing with great individuality and warmth, his style combines the direct, emotional, and very communicative with an amazingly florid approach in all kind of moods, but mostly on ballads, as is the case on the lovely It’s Way Past Suppertime.

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.

Compared to the previous Mercy, Mercy, this recording is a lesser effort by the Buddy Rich big band. However, the outing does have its notable moments, with the key soloists being the young altoist Richie Cole, tenor saxophonist Pat LaBarbera, guitarist David Dana and the drummer/leader. Recorded live at the Whiskey A-Go-Go, some of the songs are stronger than others; a pair of tunes by the Doors sound silly in this context. Highlights include Don Sebesky's "Soul Lady," Bill Holman's "Ruth" and "The Meaning of the Blues."

Gerald Wilson - The Complete Pacific Jazz Recordings of Gerald Wilson and His Orchestra (1961-69) [5CD] {2000 Mosaic Remaster}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 2.36 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 900 Mb
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© 2000 Mosaic Records / EMI-Capitol | MD5-198
Jazz / Har Bop / Post Bop / Modern Big Band

These are among the finest of all large ensemble jazz recordings of the past 50 years, and Gerald Wilson is a great big-band composer/arranger/leader, although he has not received enough credit for a couple of major reasons. He came to the fore after the end of the big band era, and his outfits did not tour. Hopefully, this five-CD set will refocus attention on his major accomplishments.