Record Reviews

CHARLES LLOYD ~ DISCOVERY! / NIRVANA SUPERBIRD 0030 (Barcode: 5013929883024) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1964 - 1965 Released: 2010 This great album combines two early recording by US saxophonist / flautist / composer Charles LloydFind albums by this artist, released originally in the 1960 on the ColumbiaFind albums on this label label. "Discovery!Find albums with this title" was Lloyd´s debut album, recorded with pianist Don FriedmanFind albums by this artist and two rhythm sections: the fist with bassist Eddie KhanFind albums by this artist and drummer Roy HaynesFind albums by this artist and the second with bassist Richard DavisFind albums by this artist and drummer J.C. MosesFind albums by this artist. "NirvanaFind albums with this title" was a collection of outtakes released by Columbia after Lloyd changed label to Atlantic, where his legendary group with Keith JarrettFind albums by this artist and Jack DeJohnetteFind albums by this artist recorded some superb music. The outtakes originate mostly from the "Of Course, Of CourseFind albums with this title" album and feature Lloyd with guitarist Gabor SzaboFind albums by this artist, bassist Ron CarterFind albums by this artist and drummer Tony WilliamsFind albums by this artist. The music is almost entirely by Lloyd, clearly showing his extraordinary sense of melody and strong influence of Oriental music. The performances are stellar of course and considering the fact that this material has been unavailable for years this is a true treat to every Jazz fan. Wholeheartedly recommended!

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DAVE PIKE ~ THE DOORS OF PERCEPTION WOUNDED BIRD 2007 (Barcode: 664140200722) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1967 Released: 2007 When this little gem was finally released by the adventurous VortexFind albums on this label label (a subsidiary of AtlanticFind albums on this label), after being recorded a few years earlier, US vibraphonist Dave PikeFind albums by this artist had already moved to Europe, following the footsteps of many US Jazz players who felt stifled by the local scene, which was nonresponsive to innovation and outright hostile to forward musical ideas. In Europe Pike formed the wonderful Dave Pike SetFind albums by this artist and recorded a series of superb albums for the legendary MPSFind albums on this label label. This is the last album he recorded before leaving for Europe and it is weird in every sense as much as it is revolutionary. The use of electronic effects and studio trickery, overlaid on top of straightforward (more or less) Jazz playing was surely quite innovative at the time. He assembled a wonderful team of musicians with saxophonist Lee KonitzFind albums by this artist, saxophonist / clarinetist Eddie DanielsFind albums by this artist, pianist Don FriedmanFind albums by this artist, bassist Chuck IsraelFind albums by this artist and drummer Arnie WiseFind albums by this artist. Pike wrote all the music performed here, which is quite diverse, including (among others) early Jazz-Rock attempts, improvised moments and ballads – all quite excellent and interesting. Although quite obscure, this is a great album, highly worth investigating, which will probably surprise even the most knowledgeable Jazz freaks.

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