Nigel Hamilton Monty

Monty Alexander - Live! at the Montreux Festival (1976) {MPS–Ediciones Folio EFVEi - 004 rel 2011}
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© 1976, 2011 MPS / Ediciones Folio | EFVEi - 004
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Piano

Pianist Monty Alexander did some of his finest recordings for the MPS label. This live trio set with bassist John Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton (reissued on CD) features Alexander playing his usual repertoire of the period with blues, standards ("Satin Doll," "Work Song" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic") and a version of "Feelings" that uplifts the song a bit (although not enough). His soulful approach to the generally familiar melodies makes them sound fresh and swinging.

Scott Hamilton - From The Beginning (2002) {2CD Set, Concord Jazz ‎CCD2-2117-2 rec 1977-1978}
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© 1977-78, 2002 Concord Jazz ‎| CCD2-2117-2
Jazz / Mainstream Jazz / Saxophone

Whoever decided to name '50s-style, small combo jazz "mainstream" did a disservice to saxophonists like Scott Hamilton. The word sounds safe and soulless. And while Hamilton will never be mistaken for John Coltrane, he's no throwback to some fondly remembered (and forgotten) era. From the Beginning combines the oddly titled Scott Hamilton Is a Good Wind Who is Blowing Us No Ill from 1977 and Scott Hamilton, 2 from 1978. Hamilton's first Concord album predated the Young Lions by a couple of years, and must have seemed like a fresh breeze in the midst of the fusion meltdown. Both discs feature small combos with pianist Nat Pierce, bassist Monty Budwig, and drummer Jake Hanna.