Steve Lacy Monk

This reissue of a 1969 French date makes its very first appearance on CD and its debut as a U.S. release some 25 years after its original issue on the BYG label as Epistrophy. Plays Monk is also the first record Lacy made after taking up residence in Paris. His band for the outing features the legendary Italian drummer Aldo Romano, the pianist Michel Graillier, and bassist Jean-François Jenny-Clark. There are five unusually complex Monk tunes here - "Thelonious," "Ruby My Dear," "Light Blue," "Mysterioso," and "Friday the Thirteenth" - and two versions of "Epistrophy." This is easily Lacy's "straightest" album from the period, and he stays melodically and harmonically close to Monk's original compositions in the heads before taking off somewhere else in the solos…

Steve Lacy and Mal Waldron - Communique (1994) {Soul Note–Jazzit JCD06 rel 2004}
XLD rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 260 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 152 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 12 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1994, 2004 Soul Note / Jazzit | JCD06
Jazz / Avant-Garde Jazz / Soprano Saxophone / Piano

Steve Lacy and Mal Waldron had played together over several decades by the time this CD was recorded, one of many duo dates they've done. "Who Knows" is not one of Thelonious Monk's better-known works, but their aggressive and very playful approach to it should invite other musicians to explore it as well. On the other hand, "Blue Monk" is more reserved, with Lacy testing the limits of his instrument and Waldron's bluesy solo.

This live 1986 duet date between both Steves in the Steve Lacy sextet on soprano saxophones is, for intent purposes, a swinging affair. While there are edges and some outrageous improvisation, Steve Potts (right channel) and Steve Lacy (left channel) keep this firmly in the Monk-ian jazz vein. The huge difference in each man's tone makes the pair instantly distinguishable. Lacy has the rounded, slightly flattened lyrical tone, and Potts plays his soprano like Jackie McLean plays the alto: raw, edgy, knotty lines with lots of twists and turns while Lacy creates musical circles in his improvisations…

Steve Lacy & Mal Waldron - Hot House (1991) {Novus–BMG 3098-2-N rec 1990}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 256 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 131 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 9 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1991 Novus / RCA / BMG Music | 3098-2-N
Jazz / Post Bop / Saxophone / Piano

Jazz pianist Mal Waldron and soprano sax player Steve Lacy did a lot of playing in France(so,I guess the French deserve some credit) put together this very easy listening cd composed of standards that haven't been played to death.Both men were heavily influenced by the off beat pianist Thelonious Monk and play a Monk composition 'Friday the 13th' beautifully.Lacy,who won a MacArthur grant was credited with bringing the soprano sax back into use,which Sidney Bechet popularized-and include a great Bechet composition 'Petite Fleurs'.And, the Tadd Dameron classic 'Hot House' alone is worth the price of the cd.