Jazz Flute

Bobbi Humphrey - Flute-In (1971) {Blue Note Japan SHM-CD TYCJ-81074 rel 2014} (24-192 remaster)
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© 1971, 2014 Universal Japan / Blue Note | BN 75th The Masterworks | TYCJ-81074
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Jazz Funk / Flute

Features the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (compatible with standard CD player) and 24 bit remastering. Early Blue Note work from the legendary Bobbi Humphrey – a session cut before she hooked up with producer Larry Mizell, but one that's still got a righteously soulful vibe! The arrangements here are by Wade Marcus, but he still has the great idea of giving Bobbi a bit more expanded sound in the background – a full mix of sounds that lets her flute step out in the lead and find its own soulful space on the solos – all with a wonderful style that definitely marks Humphrey as one of the freshest jazz flute talents in years! The other players are all pretty hip too – and include Lee Morgan on trumpet and Billy Harper on tenor – who'd both played with Bobbi on one of Lee's late Blue Note dates – and titles include a version of Eddie Harris' "Set Us Free", plus "Sad Bag", "Don't Knock My Funk", "Journey To Morocco", and "Ain't No Sunshine".

Frank Wess - The Flute Mastery Of Frank Wess (1981) {Progressive Records PCD-7057 rel 2013}
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© 1981, 2013 Progressive Records | PCD-7057
Jazz / Post Bop / Modern Jazz / Flute

An all-flute album from Frank Wess – a great small combo date that really gets at the lyrical modes in Frank's style! Wess had been playing flute on record for over 20 years by the time of this early 80s date – but there's a really special feeling to the album that brings out some of Frank's more sensitive, personal qualities – a mode that's quite free from the Basie-tinged work of his youth, and awash with wonderful colors and tones that really show a great deal of development on his instrument.

The album, recorded for Savoy in July 1956, paired Wess on flute with four trombonists - Jimmy Cleveland, Henry Coker, Benny Powell and Bill Hughes. They were backed by Ronnell Bright (p), Freddie Green (g), Eddie Jones (b) and Kenny Clarke (d). The gorgeous arrangements were by Frank Foster. At the time, Wess, Foster, Coker, Powell, Hughes, Green and Jones were all members of Count Basie's New Testament band while Ronnell Bright would periodically sub for Basie into the 1980s. In 1956, to hold his band together, Basie let his musicians make extra money recording as leaders during the band's down time…

Buddy Collette - Jazz Heat Bongo Beat (1959) {Blue Moon BMCD1604 rel 2000}
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© 1959, 2000 Crown / Blue Moon | BMCD1604
Jazz / Cool / West Coast Jazz / Latin Jazz / Flute

Liner notes from LP. It begins simply. The rhythm mounts, gradually becoming more complex. Enter the darting, graceful flute. Moments later, the piano and guitar make the pickup simultaneously. Now the pace is torrid. The performance frantic. It's JAZZ HEAT–BONGO BEAT! This is an exciting cohesion of authentic Latin music and American jazz… an unusual and profitable partnership into new and modern sounds. The rhythm section: Larry Bunker is the drummer; Tony Reyes, the bassist; on bongos, Carlos Mejia; and the conga drummer, Darias.

John Rae - Opus De Jazz, Vol 2 (1960) {Savoy Japan SV-0179 rel 1992}
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© 1960, 1992 Savoy / Nippon Columbia Japan | SV-0179
Jazz / Bop / Vibes

In 1960, Savoy continued its Opus series with this tasty entry. Vibist John Rae's quintet delivers bright, sometimes cool, sometimes bluesy performances. It's a decidedly more modern approach than the swing-influenced Opus de Jazz led by Milt Jackson in 1955. Call it cocktail jazz with attitude, without compromise. That attitude comes through in the four John Rae originals, blues forms with bop harmonies and intriguing voicings. It's also there in the absorbing solo work, and in the high level of communication within the group. Rae tends to play a lot of notes, but his skittering lines work when set against the steady pulse of drummer Jake Hanna's cymbals and the relentless, walking bass of John Neves.

Herbie Mann - Muscle Shoals Nitty Gritty (1969) {2013 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series 24bit Remaster WPCR-27426}
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© 1969, 2013 Embryo / Rhino / Warner Japan / WEA | WPCR-27426 | Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Flute

Features 24 bit remastering and comes with a mini-description. Although it followed a formula similar to the hugely successful Memphis Underground, Muscle Shoals Nitty Gritty stands on its own as a superb example of the fusion of jazz with '60s soul music, a genre that Herbie Mann stood atop at the time of its release. In addition to Mann band members Roy Ayers, Miroslav Vitous and Bruno Carr, the recording employs the Muscle Shoals rhythm section that had played together on numerous soul hits of the '60s, including those of Aretha Franklin. Standout cuts include the title track, with the its horn-driven groove; Sharrock's "Blind Willy," featuring a jew's-harp hook; and a smoldering version of Lennon & McCartney's "Come Together." Throughout the album, Mann's solos wail through the upper register of the flute, while Ayers finds interestingly funky passages on the vibes.

Herbie Mann - The Beat Goes On (1967) {2013 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series WPCR-27462}
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© 1967, 2013 Atlantic / Rhino / WEA / Warner Japan | WPCR-27462 | Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series
Jazz / Jazz Funk / Soul Jazz / Flute

Features 24 bit remastering and comes with a mini-description. The beat goes on, and Herbie Mann gets plenty darn groovy – serving up these short, soulful tunes that really pack a sweet little punch – thanks in part to some excellent work on vibes by the young Roy Ayers! Ayers' rings out next to Herbie's flute in a very cool way – almost Latin, but a bit groovier overall, with some echoes of bossa and 60s soundtrack jazz – all mixed with deeper soul currents that are very much in the best 60s jazz spirit of Atlantic Records! Jimmy Wisner handles the arrangements, and also plays some mean piano. Titles include Dave Pike's "Dream Garden", which was arranged by Pike himself – plus Herbie Mann's "West African High Life", and Herbie Hancock's "Hey Ho" – as well as the cuts "No Matter What Shape", "More Rice Than Peas, Please", "Soul Montuno", and "The Beat Goes On".

The Jeremy Steig Quartet - Flute Fever +1 (1963) {2014 Japan Jazz Collection 1000 Columbia-RCA Series SICP 4218}
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© 1963, 2014 Columbia / Sony Music Japan | SICP 4218
Jazz / Post Bop / Modal Music / Flute

Reissue with the latest remastering. Comes with liner notes. Fantastic early work from flautist Jeremy Steig – a 60s quartet session for Columbia that came several years before the funky style of some of his later work – and a damn great record, with lots of soulful touches! Part of this has to do with the rhythm section of Ben Tucker on bass and Ben Riley on drums – both of whom put a nice kick in the proceedings, and substantially ground and groove the solo work of Steig's flute and Denny Zeitlin's piano.

Herbie Mann - Stone Flute (1969) {2013 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series 24bit Remaster WPCR-27463}
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© 1969, 2013 Embryo Records / Warner Japan / Rhino | WPCR-27463 | Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Cool / Jazz Pop / Flute

Features 24 bit remastering and comes with a mini-description. The 1970 record buyer who came across Stone Flute expecting a typical Herbie Mann album in the Memphis Underground vein was in for a big surprise. Instead of funk, there was moodiness. Instead of a groove, there were violins, viola and cello. The feeling was one of floating in space, with the flute sailing freely over the William Fischer arrangements, like a Miles Davis trumpet solo of this, the Bitches Brew era. This is a totally atypical Herbie Mann recording, but one which rewards repeated listening.