William s. Fischer

William S. Fischer - Circles (1970) {Water ‎water123 rel 2003}
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© 1970, 2003 Embryo / Runt / Atlantic / Water ‎| water123
Jazz / Fusion Jazz / Funk Rock Fusion / Experimental Fusion / Moog Synthesizer

Still riding high in 1970 as a subdued, thoughtful arranger for Herbie Mann, Nat Adderley and other headliners, Fischer was given a flyer by Mann's Embryo label to front a record of his own. The results – eclectic to a fault, sometimes wildly avant-garde, heavily influenced by the about-to-explode jazz-rock movement – are not at all what one would expect from this man, who arranged and composed the whole package. The basic band is staffed by rock and folk (respectively) guitarists Hugh McCracken and Eric Weissberg, with Ron Carter on electric bass and Billy Cobham revving up the power pack on drums.

Herbie Mann - Stone Flute (1969) {2013 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series 24bit Remaster WPCR-27463}
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© 1969, 2013 Embryo Records / Warner Japan / Rhino | WPCR-27463 | Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Cool / Jazz Pop / Flute

Features 24 bit remastering and comes with a mini-description. The 1970 record buyer who came across Stone Flute expecting a typical Herbie Mann album in the Memphis Underground vein was in for a big surprise. Instead of funk, there was moodiness. Instead of a groove, there were violins, viola and cello. The feeling was one of floating in space, with the flute sailing freely over the William Fischer arrangements, like a Miles Davis trumpet solo of this, the Bitches Brew era. This is a totally atypical Herbie Mann recording, but one which rewards repeated listening.

Very interesting as a companion to Fischer's Parnassus harpsichord series. A few of the sections are very similar to the Parnassus pieces, but different of course. Also an excellent view of the musicologic and fundamental compositional theory and style that led directly to JS Bach's work in the next few decades, and on which JS Bach based or patterned his works in part. Excellent performance.

Bobby Hutcherson - Natural Illusions (1972) {Blue Note–Liberty 4408}
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© 1972 Blue Note / Liberty Records | 4408 / APBC 2301
Jazz / Jazz Funk / Post Bop / Vibes

Vibes and orchestrations – a combination that makes for one of the coolest Bobby Hutcherson albums of the 70s – a really magical set that expands the sound of Bobby's work in ways we wouldn't have expected! The style is similar to that used with Grant Green and Lou Donaldson at the time on Blue Note – a style that's clearly trying for the more sophisticated sounds of CTI, and which beautifully balances the modes of presentation – so that there's still plenty of soulful moments and slyly funky bits alongside the strings and woodwinds in the orchestrations – proof that a record like this can be really brilliant if scored properly!

Some pure Americana comes from the pen of recent four-time Grammy winner William Bolcom. His "Ragomania" honors jazz great Eubie Blake and Bolcom's idol George Gershwin. "Concerto for Clarinet" is another highlight. Clare Fisher's "The Duke, Swee' Pea and Me" adds even more of modern harmonies to this disc.