Label Emarcy

Veteran singer Helen Merrill is greatly assisted on this fine set by the warm tenor of Stan Getz, who was always a perfect choice for accompanying vocalists. With pianist Joachim Kuhn (replaced by Torrie Zito on three of the nine songs), bassist Jean-Francois Jenny-Clark and drummer Daniel Humair completing the group, Merrill sounds quite inspired on such selections as "Just Friends," "It Don't Mean a Thing," "Yesterdays" and even "It's Not Easy Being Green."

Sarah Vaughan - At Mister Kelly's - Complete Version (1957) {Emarcy Japan, 32JD-10080, Early Press rel 1987}
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© 1957, 1987 Emarcy Japan | 32JD-10080
Jazz / Vocal Jazz

During the mid-'50s, Sarah Vaughan spent most of her time recording songbook standards backed by a large orchestra in florid arrangements, with only the occasional breath of fresh air like her masterpiece, 1954's Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown. Four years after that milestone, another landed with the live album At Mister Kelly's. Recorded quite early in the days of the live LP, the album captured Vaughan at her best and most relaxed, stretching out on a set of late-night torch songs and ballads.

Herb Geller - Herb Geller Plays (1954) {Emarcy Japan Paper Sleeve PHCE-3069 rel 1996}
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© 1954-55, 1996 Emarcy / Mercury / PolyGram Japan | PHCE-3069
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Saxophone

The first of a series of excellent recordings that he made for Emarcy in the 1950s, all of which have been reissued by Emarcy in Japan. Other than four titles from a year before, this LP contains altoist Herb Geller's first recordings as a leader. Cut during a period when Herb was based in Los Angeles and regularly working with his wife, the talented but short-lived pianist Lorraine Geller, the music also has either Curtis Counce or Leroy Vinnegar on bass and Lawrence Marable or Eldridge Freeman on drums. Herb Geller was already in his early prime and contributed six originals. The band also performs one of Lorraine's tunes, plus five standards, all in swinging and boppish style. This LP (which has not been reissued lately) is well worth searching for.

Herb Geller - The Gellers (1955) {EmArcy Japan Paper Sleeve UCCM-9102 rel 2002}
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© 1955, 2002 EmArcy / Mercury / Verve / Universal Music Japan | UCCM-9102
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Saxophone

Here's the final of a series of excellent recordings that he made for Emarcy in the 1950s, all of which have been reissued by Emarcy in Japan. One of the greatest records ever cut by altoist Herb Geller, and one of the few to document the work of his group that included wife Lorraine Geller on piano! Lorraine's quite nice, and the rhythm by Keith Mitchell and Mel Lewis is good too – but the real wonder is Herb's alto, which cuts along in a razor-sharp mode that clearly defines him as one of the best players of his generation on the instrument! The set's one of the few times you can really hear Herb cut loose – unencumbered by overwritten arrangements, or by other players in the group – and its his work on the album that makes this record a treasure!

Paul Bley - Paul Bley - EmArcy (1954) {2013 Japan Jazz The Best Series 24-bit Remaster UCCU-9739}
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© 1954, 2013 EmArcy / Verve / Universal Japan | UCCU-9739
Jazz / Avant-Garde Jazz / Piano

Early early work by Paul Bley – years before he picked up the synthesizer, and years before he became the moody modernist he was in the 70s! The album's a relatively straight batch of tracks, but does have a touch of modernism – an early example of the sharp sounds that Bley would fully forge in alter years. The lineup is nice, too – with either Percy Heath or Peter Ind on bass, both players who clearly feel Bley's intentions – and Al Levitt on drums. Tracks are mostly standards, but they're done by Bley in a way that's fresh and sprightly – and titles include "My Heart", "Topsy", "I Want To Be Happy", "Autumn Breeze", and "My Old Flame".

On A Moment’s Peace, his followup to 2009’s gospel-drenched Piety Street, Scofield and his all-star crew of pianist/organist Larry Goldings, bassist Scott Colley and drummer Brian Blade luxuriate in ballads associated with such legendary interpreters of song as Billie Holiday, Abbey Lincoln, Nina Simone and John Coltrane.

Clifford Brown - Brownie: The Complete EmArcy Recordings of Clifford Brown (1989) {10CD + bonus CD Box Set rec 1954-1956}
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© 1954-56, 1989 EmArcy / Nippon Phonogram | 838 307-2~838 316-2 / 874 788-3
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Trumpet

Although undoubtedly an expensive acquisition, this ten-CD set is perfectly done and contains dozens of gems. The remarkable but short-lived trumpeter Clifford Brown has the second half of his career fully documented (other than his final performance) and he is showcased in a wide variety of settings. The bulk of the numbers are of Brownie's quintet with co-leader and drummer Max Roach, either Harold Land or Sonny Rollins on tenor, pianist Richie Powell, and bassist George Morrow (including some previously unheard alternate takes), but there is also much more.

Gerry Mulligan - Mainstream Of Jazz - Special Edition (1956) {EmArcy Japan 826 993-2}
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© 1956, 1986 Mercury / EmArcy Japan | 826 993-2 / 32JD-126
Jazz / Cool / West Coast Jazz / Mainstream Jazz / Saxophone

One of three LPs recorded by the Gerry Mulligan Sextet of 1955-56, this set includes plenty of lesser-known songs including "Mainstream," "Igloo" and "Lollypop." With such strong soloists as baritonist Mulligan, the always swinging tenor of Zoot Sims, valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer and trumpeter Jon Eardley, this was a classic West Coast style jazz band and each of its recordings are worth acquiring.

Herb Geller - The Herb Geller Sextette (1955) {EmArcy Japan Paper Sleeve UCCM-9109 rel 2002}
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© 1955, 2002 EmArcy / Mercury / Verve / Universal Music Japan | UCCM-9109
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Saxophone

Here's the second of a series of excellent recordings that he made for Emarcy in the 1950s, all of which have been reissued by Emarcy in Japan. Nice job. Talking about the music this is another special West Coast Jazz gem. The album is from 1955 and the line up is Herb alto sax, his wife Lorraine Geller piano, the exceptional Conte Candoli on trumpet, Red Mitchell and Leroy Vinnegar bass (alternatively), Ziggy Vines tenor sax, Bruz Freeman drums. The music is on the medium tempo side for the most part, a nice relaxed West Coast mood emerges from the notes of this sessions through a solid swing.

Christian Escoude Octet - Gipsy Waltz (1989) {EmArcy 838 772-2}
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© 1989 EmArcy / Phonogram France | 838 772-2
Jazz / Modern Creative / Gipsy Jazz / Guitar

Christian Escoude combines elements of gypsy jazz, bop, and a contemporary flavor during these 1989 sessions that also include fellow guitarists Paul Challin Ferret, Jimmy Gourley, Frederic Sylvestre, accordion player Marcel Azzla, cellist Vincent Courtois, bassist Alby Cullaz, and either Billy Hart or Philippe Combelle on drums. The presence of so many players sometimes muddies the sound, especially when Azzla is too prominent in the mix. Several of the works were written by Escoude's late uncle, the popular accordion player/composer Gus Viseur, who had worked with Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli in the Quintet of the Hot Club of France, though the switch to electric guitars and addition of percussion indicates this is not your father's gypsy music.