Modern Jazz

Henry Cow – Bittern Storm Over Ulm (1974)

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Henry

As we all know, 1974 was a brilliant year in music. This is a track from the Henry Cow album ‘Unrest’, and it is absolutely outstanding as is the whole album.

“By this point Henry Cow consisted of guitarist Fred Frith, drummer Chris Cutler, bassist John Greaves, keyboardist Tim Hodgkinson, and, of particular importance to the band’s sound at this point, bassoonist Lindsay Cooper. As is so often the case with avant-garde rock & roll, it’s the composed pieces that work best, and the fact that Frith is responsible for the majority of them is significant. “Bittern Storm Over Ulm” is an absolutely brilliant demolition of the Yardbirds’ “Got to Hurry,” …”Allmusic

Eiji Nakayama – Aya’s Samba (1978)

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Eiji

“Available on vinyl / CD or digital formats: https://BBEmusic.lnk.to/J-Jazz In the years following the World War Two, Japan developed one of the most insatiable, dynamic and diverse markets for jazz. For a crucial period of little over a decade – from the late 1960s to the early 1980s – Japanese jazz culture progressed at an astonishing rate, producing an extraordinary array of artists, recordings and record labels that created some of the most forward thinking and impressive jazz to be committed to tape. This amazing journey is explored on ‘J Jazz’. This compilation from BBE uncovers some of the most sought after and rare material from this period and pulls together key artists who shaped the post- war modern jazz scene in Japan.”

Hailu Mergia – Tizita (2018)

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Hailu

Hailu Mergia — Keyboards, Accordion, Melodica ; Tony Buck — Drums ; Mike Majkowski — Upright Bass
Produced by Hailu Mergia
Recorded at EMS4, London, UK 
Additional recording by Javon Gant, Cue Recording Studios, Falls Church, VA
Cover image drawn live on iPad by Jenny Soep, Stockholm 2013

“Master accordionist and veteran bandleader, arranger and keyboardist, originally from Ethiopia.”

Sun Ra & His Arkestra – Rhapsody in Blue (1979)

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Sun

“Sun Ra admired George Gershwin and paid musical tribute to the great composer’s legacy countless times over his 50-year performing and recording career. This digital-only release, spanning 38 years (1951–1989), compiles some of the best recorded examples of Ra’s idiosyncratic takes on the Gershwin catalog. These performances encompass a variety of styles and personnel — full Arkestra, trio with vocalist (Hattie Randolph), duo (Sun Ra and Wilbur Ware), and doo-wop (The Nu Sounds, arranged and accompanied by Sun Ra).”Source

Elephant9 – Actionpack1 (2018)

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ele9

“Elephant9 blends the virtuosic precision of King Crimson and Yes with the jazz-fusion explorations of electric Miles, Weather Report and the Tony Williams Lifetime. Key and time signatures change constantly as the quartet helters and skelters between tightly composed sections, driving kosmische interludes and bucolic Canterbury excursions. Rolling Stone(US)(…)On this, their fifth studio album, they are back to the core trio of their two first albums, with Ståle Storløkken (keyboards), Nikolai Hængsle (bass) and Torstein Lofthus (drums). “The Greatest Show On Earth” displays some truly astonishing playing and is a more dynamic, structured and focused album with all tracks clocking in between five and seven minutes.” Source

Walter Smith III – Ask Me Now (2018)

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twio

“PERSONNEL

Walter Smith III – tenor saxophone
Harish Raghaven – bass (1, 2, 6 & 7)
Eric Harland – drums

Special guests

Christian McBride – bass (3, 5, 8 & 9)
Joshua Redman – tenor saxophone (3 & 9)

ALBUM CREDITS

Recorded at Sear Sound and GSI Studios by Chris Allen
Mixed by Chris Allen
Mastered by Paul Blakemore
Produced by Chris Dunn
Executive Producer for Whirlwind Recordings – Michael Janisch”

Joachim Kühn New Trio – The End (2016)

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end

“Joachim Kühn most certainly is the most reknowned German jazz pianist. One of the very few German artists who became successful beyond the contries boarders. A restless, unbound, free spirit. A giant of his instrument with breathtaking technique and unlimited expression.
With his new album “Beauty & Truth” Joachim Kühn introduces his New Trio with Chris Jennings (b) and Eric Schaefer (dr). And, at the age of 72, impressively manages to re-invent himself once more sounding fresher and more modern, than ever.”Source