Record Reviews

ERIC DOLPHY ~ MUSICAL PROPHET: THE EXPANDED 1963 NEW YORK STUDIO SESSIONS RESONANCE 2035 (Barcode: 096802280498) ~ USA ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 1963 - 1964 Released: 2018 This is an archival reissue album by the iconic American saxophonist / flautist / bass clarinetist / composer Eric DolphyFind albums by this artist, one of the most important pioneers of the Free Jazz revolution, which exploded in the 1960s. The 3CD album collects all the material that was recorded during the July 1 and July 3, 1963 sessions in New York, which produced the two legendary albums: “ConversationsFind albums with this title” and “Iron ManFind albums with this title”, expanded with a whole CD of previously unreleased alternate takes, two previously unreleased bonus tracks and one track from a later session. The July 1 session was recorded just with bassist Richard DavisFind albums by this artist, while the July 3 session featured a large group of musicians, including saxophonist Clifford JordanFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Woody ShawFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Bobby HutchersonFind albums by this artist, drummer Charles MoffettFind albums by this artist and others. As usual with the ResonanceFind albums on this label Records releases, the album includes an extensive booklet, which offers interviews, articles and splendid photographs. These recording sessions were almost the last time Dolphy was able to record, before his tragic and premature death in Berlin in June 1964 (he was only 36 years old at the time), followed only by his last recording, which produced the legendary album “Out To Lunch!Find albums with this title”, released on Blue NoteFind albums on this label Records. “Conversations” was the last album released during his lifetime, while “Iron Man” and “Out To Lunch!” were released posthumously. The music is of course absolutely sensational, both the duets with Davis and the larger ensemble tracks, some sounding still quite conventional but others already deeply into Improvised Music. Dolphy was an absolute virtuoso on all the three instruments he played, but his bass clarinet performances are, at least for me, most impressive, and sound today as fresh as they did six decades earlier. The duos with Davis are great examples of the “Art of the Duo” phenomenon, and their telepathic conversations are deeply moving. Overall, this is an excellent reissue, which collects the recordings done shortly before Dolphy’s death, and presents his genius in full view. Great sound quality and attractive packaging testify about the care and good taste by the record label, which does a great job in preserving great Jazz treasures.

Updated: 12/11/2025Posted: 12/11/2025

CD 3 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend