Jazz Solid Records

Hal Galper - The Guerilla Band (1970) {2017 Japan Mainstream Records Master Collection Series CDSOL-45222}
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© 1970, 2017 Time / Mainstream Records / Solid Records Japan | CDSOL-45222
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Post Bop / Groove / Electric Piano

While not one of the classics of the jazz fusion movement of the early '70s, The Guerilla Band does attempt to say something substantial and avoids the genre's commercial pitfalls. Leader Hal Galper, who went on to become an acoustic pianist of note, is heard here exclusively on electric piano. His highly electronically processed sound is unlike the playing of the Fender Rhodes' more representative players from this era, such as Joe Zawinul or George Duke. Galper's band includes brothers Mike (saxophone) and Randy Brecker (trumpet), who at this time were gaining critical acclaim with their band Dreams.

Gary Bartz - Shadows (1991) {2015 Japan Timeless Jazz Master Collection Complete Series}
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© 1991, 2015 Timeless Records / Solid Records Japan / Ultra-Vibe | CDSOL-6328
Jazz / Post Bop / Saxophone

Reissue with the latest remastering. Features original cover artwork. Comes with a descripton in Japanese. The 90s were a really wonderful decade for reedman Gary Bartz – a time when he seemed to go back to basics, and find a way to open up whole new corners in his music! This album's a key illustration of that moment – as Bartz blows with a sense of darkly brooding power that we never would have expected a decade or two before – this deep sense of pacing and tone that often has us looking to make sure he's not blowing a tenor, instead of the alto and soprano sax listed in the notes.

Al Cohn - Rifftide (1987) {2015 Japan Timeless Jazz Master Collection Complete Series CDSOL-6312}
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© 1987, 2015 Timeless Records / Solid Records Japan / Ultra-Vibe | CDSOL-6312
Jazz / Bop / Saxophone

Reissue with the latest remastering. Features original cover artwork. Comes with a descripton in Japanese. Although this recording of standards was made late in his career, tenor saxophonist Al Cohn was in peak form and clearly inspired by an excellent Dutch rhythm section. Cohn's very broad tone is much in evidence, as he runs through changes on tunes that he played innumerable times in his career. A distinct stylist, Cohn was never an innovator, but his lush, relaxed, carefully honed sound was perfect for the late nightclub atmosphere. Every solo was deliberately constructed, mixing just the right amounts of emotion and technique. You can hear Coleman Hawkins in his playing, but Cohn incorporated broad influences from the early history of bop. Pianist Rein de Graff is stunning throughout, and drummer Eric Ineke and bassist Koos Serierse add solid support.

Curtis Fuller - Smokin' (1972) {2017 Japan Mainstream Records Master Collection Series CDSOL-45270}
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© 1972, 2017 Time / Mainstream Records / Solid Records Japan | CDSOL-45270
Jazz / Hard Bop / Groove / Trombone

Curtis Fuller is definitely smoking here – finding a way to fit his soulful trombone style to a sweet electric groove for the 70s – all at a level that makes the album one of his best from the decade! The drums are great – handled by Billy Higgins throughout, in a way that can be stone funky at some points, and nicely fluid at others – which Fuller matches with a combo that includes Cedar Walton on acoustic and electric piano, Bill Hardman on trumpet, Jimmy Heath on tenor and soprano, Earl Dunbar on guitar, and Mickey Bass on drums! The whole set is a wonderful step sideways for most players – a great way to reinvent their soulful styles of the 60s, but without going for any modes that are slick and commercial.

John Hicks - Is That So? (1990) {2015 Japan Timeless Jazz Master Collection Complete Series CDSOL-6349}
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© 1990, 2015 Timeless Records / Solid Records Japan / Ultra-Vibe | CDSOL-6349
Jazz / Post Bop / Modern Postbebop / Piano Trio

Reissue with the latest remastering. Features original cover artwork. Comes with a descripton in Japanese. The title alone is more than enough to win us over here – as it's a great Duke Pearson composition that turns out to be a wonderful showcase for the most lyrical modes of pianist John Hicks! That tune's the leadoff, and it really sets the tone for the record – a gently soulful set that has Hicks working in a wonderful trio with Ray Drummond on bass and Idris Muhammad on drums – both players with a warmly melodic feel, especially Drummond – who seems to create this resonance with John's piano. Titles include "Is That So", "Emily", "Yesterdays", "I'll Remember April", "Sonnymoon For Two", and "April Eyes".

Jay Berliner - Bananas Are Not Created Equal (1972) {2017 Japan Mainstream Records Master Collection Series CDSOL-45256}
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© 1972, 2017 Time / Mainstream Records / Solid Records Japan | CDSOL-45256
Jazz / Jazz Funk / Soul Jazz / Guitar

A silly title, but a funky little record – one of the only ones we've ever seen from guitarist Jay Berliner, and one of the best cookers from the early 70s Mainstream Records years! The sound here is almost soundtrack funk at points – lots of up-front lines from Berliner on guitar – riffing away over backings that include organ and keyboards from Paul Griffin, congas from Ray Barretto, drums from Jimmy Johnson, and additional rhythm guitar from Cornell Dupree. Wade Marcus arranged, and the sound is tight without being slick – a great sort of Kudu Records-styled groove – and an especially nice setting for Jay's guitar.

Hal Galper - Wild Bird (1972) {2017 Japan Mainstream Records Master Collection Series CDSOL-45240}
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© 1972, 2017 Time / Mainstream Records / Solid Records Japan | CDSOL-45240
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Post Bop / Groove / Electric Piano

One of the greatest albums ever recorded by pianist Hal Galper – and that's saying a lot, given his huge legacy of records! This set has Hal working in a strongly electric mode – using an electric piano with the same sort of spacious qualities he could bring to acoustic – never jamming as hard as some of his more dynamic 70s contemporaries, but in a really great way that creates a special energy on the record – not just for Galper, but also for the groupmates, who really seem to bring out their best. The lineup includes Randy Brecker on trumpet and Michael Brecker on tenor and soprano sax – both playing in the darker edges of their sound – and the record also features guitar, bass, and drums. Some moments are funky, but the real stand out tracks have an even more special electric vibe – and titles include "This Moment", "Whatever", "Wild Bird", and "Change Up".

Afrique - Soul Makossa (1973) {2017 Japan Mainstream Records Master Collection Series CDSOL-45248}
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© 1973, 2017 Time / Mainstream Records / Solid Records Japan | CDSOL-45248
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Jazz Funk / Afro Jazz

A killer album of Afro Funk – with a very unusual origin! In the wake of Manu Dibango's big hit (and some kind of failure to register the copyright), many many versions of "Soul Makossa" were recorded and released, some good, some bad. This album is a good example of that situation – kind of a quickie project issued by Mainstream Records to cash in on the hit – but it's also an amazing bit of lost funk, and a record that's lasted for years in the hearts of beatheads! The group's a studio combo headed by Richard Fritz – and includes funky drummer Paul Humphrey, organist Charles Kynard, and guitarist David T Walker – all players we can trust to keep things groovy.

McCoy Tyner Trio - Bon Voyage (1987) {2015 Japan Timeless Jazz Master Collection Complete Series}
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© 1987, 2015 Timeless Records / Solid Records Japan / Ultra-Vibe | CDSOL-6346
Jazz / Post Bop / Piano Trio

Reissue with the latest remastering. Features original cover artwork. Comes with a descripton in Japanese. McCoy Tyner’s Bon Voyage features his 1987 trio with Avery Sharpe and Louis Hayes in exciting form. Ever since he joined the John Coltrane Quartet in late-1960, McCoy Tyner has had his own distinctive voice on the piano. A master of modal jazz, Tyner developed his own chord voicings and percussive style. He was one of the major influences on other pianists by the time he left Coltrane in early 1966 and has led his own bands, usually trios, ever since. While his approach has not changed much since then, he has continued to grow within his own style and has made scores of high quality recordings while remaining a highly influential force.

Sam Rivers Quartet - Lazuli (1989) {2015 Japan Timeless Jazz Master Collection Complete Series}
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© 1989, 2015 Timeless Records / Solid Records Japan / Ultra-Vibe | CDSOL-6420
Jazz / Jazz Funk / Post Bop / Groove / Saxophone / Flute

Reissue with the latest remastering and the original cover artwork. Comes with a description written in Japanese. An overlooked gem from reedman Sam Rivers – and a set that's surprisingly soulful, given that most of his other work from this stretch is much more outside! The album's got a laidback groove on most numbers – with rhythm from Daryll Thompson on guitar, Rael Wesley Grant on bass, and Steve McCraven on drums – often in this midtempo mode that has the electric currents providing a subtle bounce, which opens up as Rivers solos on tenor, soprano sax, and flute! The style's a few steps down from funky fusion, but not that far away, either – and Sam proves to be an expressive soloist in the setting, in ways we really wouldn't have expected. Titles include "Swirl", "Chant", "Coral", "Lazuli", "Ripples", "Dandelions", "Devotion", "Beatrice", and "Sprung".