Jamil Nasser

Tranquility (1968). This hard-to-find recording is of value if only to hear Jamal's interpretation of two Burt Bacharach-Hal David gems from the '60s, "I Say a Little Prayer" and "The Look of Love." Since the early '50s, Jamal has managed to generate commercial appeal within the piano trio format by crafting memorable arrangements without resorting to clichés. (Jamal's trio concept paved the way for the success of Ramsey Lewis, the Three Sounds, and others.) He treats the entire trio - not just the piano - as his instrument and has mastered the use of space and dynamic variation in shaping his distinctive group sound. Jamal has a keen sense of formal structure; his concise renderings of standards and pop tunes always offer a fresh take on the familiar by deconstructing and reconstructing melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic themes…

John Coltrane - Side Steps (2009) {5CD Box Set, Prestige PRS-31345 rec 1956-1958}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 2.27 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 915 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 3.19 Gb | 5% repair rar
© 1956-58, 2009 Prestige / Concord | PRS-31345 | 24bit remaster
Jazz / Hard Bop / Saxophone

The artistic prowess of saxophonist John Coltrane was so expansive and influential - even in his own short lifetime, let alone in the decades since his death - that it's difficult to quantify or differentiate his significance as a leader, a collaborator, a sideman or any other role in the jazz idiom. What's certain, though, is that some of his most pivotal session work took place on the Prestige label in the 1950s.

Al Haig & Jimmy Raney - Strings Attached (1975) {Absord Music Japan ABCJ-438 rel 2007}
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Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 86 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1975, 2007 Choice Records | Absord Music Japan | ABCJ-438
Jazz / Neo Bebop / Piano / Guitar

Pianist Al Haig, a veteran of the bebop era, plays pretty modern on this quartet date which is co-led by guitarist Jimmy Raney. With backing by bassist Jamil Nasser and drummer Frank Gant, Haig and Raney interpret two bop standards and such later material as Herbie Hancock's "Dolphin Dance" and Eddie Harris' "Freedom Jazz Dance." Haig and Raney inspire each other to stretch out, including on an 11-minute version of "'Round Midnight." Thought-provoking music well worth hearing several times.

The music on this CD has been reissued many times, most recently in 1997. By 1970, pianist Ahmad Jamal's style had changed a bit since the 1950s, becoming denser and more adventurous while still retaining his musical identity. With bassist Jamil Nasser (whose doubletiming lines are sometimes furious) and drummer Frank Gant, Jamal performs two originals (playing over a vamp on "Patterns"), the obscure "I Love Music" and four jazz standards. Intriguing performances showing that Ahmad Jamal was continuing to evolve.

AVID Jazz continues with its Four Classic Albums series with a finely re-mastered 2CD release from John Coltrane with The Red Garland Trio & Quintet.

Emerald City Nights: Live at the Penthouse (1965-1966) brings forth a collection of previously unreleased recordings of the iconic pianist Ahmad Jamal captured live at the hallowed Seattle jazz club. Featuring trios with bassist Jamil Nasser, and drummers Chuck Lampkin, Vernel Fournier and Frank Gant.