Jazzland

Don Elliott - Double Trumpet Doings (1955) {Jazzland OJCCD-1925-2 rel 1999}
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© 1955, 1999 Jazzland Records / Fantasy | OJCCD-1925-2
Jazz / Cool / Mainstream Jazz / Trumpet

Originally issued under the slightly more esoteric title “New Counterpoint for Six Valves” this is a disc dominated mainly by the frequent dialogues between its two principle soloists. Elliott and Dedrick make a disparate pair and their contrasting sounds are prime reason for the program’s more interesting outcomes. Elliott was a follower of bebop and renowned more for his talents as a vibraphonist than as a brassman. A collaborator at various times with the likes of George Shearing, Benny Goodman and Buddy Rich his artistic enterprises also moved beyond the realms of jazz into Broadway musicals and novelty tunes. Dedrick was more the product of a swing upbringing and his tone is shaped by a mellower, less overtly complicated approach.

Dhafer Youssef - Abu Nawas Rhapsody (2010) {Jazzland Recordings 0602527295565}
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© 2010 Dhafer Youssef / Jazzland Recordings | 0602527295565
Spiritual Sufi / World Jazz Fusion / Ethnic Jazz / Mysterious / Oud

Acclaimed for his fusion of world music with jazz, vocalist and oud player Dhafer Youssef now focuses more on the acoustic side of jazz with an exciting new quartet that includes pianist Tigran Hamasyan, bassist Chris Jennings and drummer Mark Guiliana. This new recording contrasts the sense of calm and serenity created by Dhafer's mesmeric voice and oud playing with Guiliana's trademark combination of energetic rhythmic multiple layers. The very special mix of musical elements and creative talent produces a new and original soundscape. With the musicians' commitment to exploring and experimenting paired with their subtlety and courage to be silent, it is sure to catch the ear of any attentive listener.

Dexter Gordon - The Resurgence Of Dexter Gordon (1960) {Jazzland OJCCD-929-2 rel 1997}
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© 1960, 1997 Jazzland / Fantasy | OJCCD-929-2
Jazz / Bop / Saxophone

A play and an alto saxophonist pulled Dexter Gordon out of West Coast obscurity in 1960 and helped revive the bebop pioneer's career. The play was The Connection, which included a performing jazz band in its cast and inspired a classic original score from Freddie Redd as well as subsequent compositions by Kenny Drew, Cecil Payne, and Cecil Taylor. Gordon was the play's musical director in his hometown of Los Angeles, and some of Gordon's score is documented here. Cannonball Adderley produced the session (and many others for Riverside/Jazzland at the time).

Chet Baker - Chet Baker with Fifty Italian Strings (1959) {2006 Jazzland Victor Japan Mini LP 20bit K2 Remaster VICJ-41545}
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© 1959, 2006 Jazzland / Victor Japan | 20bit K2 mastering | Mini LP | VICJ-41545
Jazz / Cool / West Coast Jazz / Vocal Jazz / Trumpet

This is a very under-rated album. The complaints are that the strings are too syrupy, yet one of Chet's most critically successful albums was Chet With Strings. This album is just as good as that one or Grey December, which also has strings. In fact, while all the songs are very good, it's worth buying just for Sammy Cahn's "I Should Care", Chet playing the BEST version of that song I have ever heard, with a GREAT string arrangement!! If you like Chet, even casually, you can't go wrong with this charming album.

Nat Adderley - Naturally! (1961) {Jazzland OJCCD-1088-2 rel 2003}
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© 1961, 2003 Jazzland Records / Fantasy | OJCCD-1088-2
Jazz / Hard Bop / Soul Jazz / Cornet

Most of the albums that Nat Adderley recorded in the '60s employed a saxophonist; Yusef Lateef, Joe Henderson and Charlie Rouse were among the tenor heavyweights he featured. But Naturally! is an exception to that rule. Produced by Orrin Keepnews for Jazzland in 1961, Naturally! was the cornetist's first album of quartet performances. Adderley uses two different rhythm sections on this date. One consists of three players he knew from brother Cannonball's group: bassist Sam Jones, drummer Louis Hayes, and pianist Joe Zawinul (nine years before Weather Report).

Paul Gonsalves - Gettin' Together (1960) {Jazzland OJCCD-203-2 rel 1987}
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© 1960, 1987 Jazzland / Fantasy | OJCCD-203-2
Jazz / Bop / Mainstream Jazz / Saxophone

The most easily available of tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves' infrequent sessions as a leader, this CD is a straight reissue of his original Jazzland LP. Three songs (including two ballads) showcase Gonsalves in a quartet with pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Sam Jones and drummer Jimmy Cobb, while five other pieces add cornetist Nat Adderley (in his prime during the era) to the band. The music is straight-ahead and shows that Gonsalves was quite capable of playing with younger "modernists."

Junior Mance - Happy Time (1962) {Jazzland OJCCD-1029-2 rel 1999}
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© 1962, 1999 Jazzland Records / Fantasy | OJCCD-1029-2
Jazz / Bop / Mainstream Jazz / Piano

Pianist Junior Mance was in excellent company on this inspired 1962 session with bassist Ron Carter and drummer Mickey Roker. Its unfortunate this trio only recorded together on this one date as their unity propels the blues, gospel, and bebop ideas Mance consistently feeds them. The program is highlighted by three Mance originals "Out South," "Taggie's Tune," and the torrid joy of the opening theme "Happy Time," along with versions of "Jitterbug Waltz," "Tin Tin Deo," and Mance at his soulful bluesy best on Clark Terry's "The Simple Waltz."

While there are still plenty of the signposts that make this an Eivind Aarset album, Sonic Codex represents some significant changes for a Norwegian artist who has become the most important (and in demand) guitarist to emerge from Scandinavia since Terje Rypdal in the early 1970s.

Lee Morgan Quintet - Take Twelve (1962) {Jazzland OJCCD-310-2 rel 1989}
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© 1962, 1989 Jazzland Records / Fantasy | OJCCD-310-2
Jazz / Hard Bop / Post Bop / Trumpet

Take Twelve was trumpeter Lee Morgan's only recording during an off-period that lasted from mid-1961 to late 1963. Morgan (who sounds in fine form) leads a quintet with tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan, pianist Barry Harris, bassist Bob Cranshaw and drummer Louis Hayes through four of his originals, Jordan's "Little Spain," and the title cut, an Elmo Hope composition. The superior material uplifts the set from being a mere "blowing" date but it generally has the spontaneity of a jam session. It's one of Lee Morgan's lesser-known dates.

Joyce Collins Trio - Girl Here Plays Mean Piano (1960) {Jazzland–Fresh Sound FSR-CD712 rel 2012}
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© 1960, 2012 Jazzland / Fresh Sound Records | FSR-CD 712
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Piano

Joyce Collins (1930-2010) was an assertive two-handed pianist who listed Erroll Garner and Bud Powell as major influences—incidentally, she was also the first woman jazz pianist to serve on the board of directors of Los Angeles, Local 47, American Federation of Musicians.