Montreux

North American Latin jazz audiences were knocked out when this LP came out, for it was the first idea many of us had of the explosive power of this Cuban jazz/rock band, which had been let briefly out of Cuba to tour. Columbia taped them live at New York's Newport Festival and Switzerland's Montreux Jazz Festival, and the result was a noisy, ambitious, frenzied, tremendously exciting mixture of everything but the kitchen sink. Co-founder, keyboardist and arranger Chucho Valdes was as thoroughly attuned to the thumping electric bass, the careening buzz of a synthesizer and bell-like electric piano as he was to his homeland's complex rhythms and his own classical training – and despite the cultural embargo, the 11-piece group was in touch with then-current developments in American jazz/rock.

Motörhead loved playing live and never, ever judged their audiences. Everyone was encouraged; all were welcome. And that included people who like jazz! So when the Montreux Festival called requesting them, it made perfect sense in its own unique way. 'Tis worth noting, too, that the Festival has always been about stepping beyond the boundaries of that 'J' word, and embracing unique artists of all genres, styles and sensibilities, the only true consistent requirement being that they represent the best and most adventurous of their ilks. This now-legendary performance from 2007 is now released to the world in all its greasy-biker glory and includes the first official release of their cover of Thin Lizzy's "Rosalie."

Although Miles Davis did not live to participate in Gerry Mulligan's reunion recordings featuring the nonet that played on the famous late-'40s and early-'50s cool sessions, he participated in a reunion concert held at Montreux in 1991. This featured both the Gil Evans Orchestra and George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band, plus additional guests Benny Bailey, Grady Tate, Carlos Benavent and various European players teaming with a gravely ill Davis to perform Gil Evans' marvelous arrangements. Quincy Jones conducted and conceived the idea of using two orchestras, offering majestic surroundings for the solos of Davis, fellow trumpeter Wallace Roney and alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett. Not every moment is golden, but the overall session ranks just a bit below the majestic '50s and '60s dates featuring Davis' trumpet and Evans' arrangements.

On 15" July 1987 two guitar maestros shared the stage at the Montreux Jazz Festival for an evening of breathtaking flamenco music. The show opens with a solo piece from John McLaughlin, followed by a solo piece from Paco de Lucia, before the two virtuosos join forces in a series of duets for the rest of the evening. The repertoire is drawn from their solo albums, from albums by The Guitar Trio and from covers of music written by friends such as Chick Corea and Egberto Gismonti. This is a superb concert for any lover of great flamenco guitar playing or indeed for anyone who loves to see great musicians performing at their very best.

From A Live FM Broadcast Recorded At The Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland, 9th July 1990.