MICHAEL WHITE - PNEUMA
























Michael White for Impulse from 1972.
I first posted this back in August 2006 and the files have now been long gone so I thought I'd put it up again. This time I've ripped it @320 from the original vinyl.
Here's some more info about it from Kosmigroove:

I expect you're familiar with Michael White from John Handy's Quintet & The Fourth Way, both a-list ensembles. Pneuma's side-long title track's more on the cosmic/out side, starts out like an Art Ensemble record with small percussion, some nice inside-the-piano stuff from Ed Kelly, going on thru a series of encounters within the group (rhythm section's Ray Drummond, Kenneth Nash on percussion - strictly by hand). This whole side has more of an AACM feeling than a Miles kinda thing, but it is just *so* good. On the other side, "Ebony Plaza" is more inside, just over nine minutes of modal groove, Kelly doing his best McCoy Tyner impression in the background (he gets to do it in the foreground on "The Blessing Song"), and White blazing away on top. The kozmigroov charter-centric stuff is the last two cuts "Journey of the Black Star" adds a vocal quartet (Faye Kelly, Leola Sharp, D. Jean Skinner, Joyce Walker) contributing the profound sentiment "EE-yah" over & over & over again ... in "The Blessing Song" they actually get some lyrics before they sink into ooh-aah ... both cuts are midtempo infectious grooves (ok, I've started playing this one now, it just feels so Just-After-Sunset-Summer-Night I could die) - "Journey" is a bit more *pushed*, "Blessing" just sways into the sunset - both would be prime sweet-soul dancing cuts if it weren't for that lunatic scraping away like he wants to be (post-Miles pre-ALS) Coltrane on top (but that's what makes it *good*). This side is a great argument for the live drummer ... Nash patters around all over the place *tonally*, but damn if he isn't on that One ... always a groove, never the same.

Popular posts from this blog

PALLE MIKKELBORG & RADIOJAZZGRUPPEN - THE MYSTERIOUS CORONA

Image
Palle Mikkelborg for Debut Records Denmark from 1967. Side 1 Recorded August 28th 1967 : Orla Jorgensen, Aage Petersen, Bent Jorgensen, Finn Ziegler - Violin; Ib Herman-Cello;Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen-Bass; Palle Mikkelborg, Palle Bolvig-Trumpet; Allan Botschinky-Trumpet, Flugelhorn; Preben Garnov-Flugelhorn; Torolf Molgaard-Trombone, Euphonium, Jorgen Jensen-Clarinet, Alto Sax; Niels Husum-Bass Clarinet, Soprano, Tenor Sax; Ray Pitts-Tenor Sax, Flute;Bent Nielsen-Piccolo Flute, Clarinet, Baritone Sax; Niels Peters-Oboe; Ole Molin-Guitars; Louis Hjulmand-Vibes; Bent Axen-Piano; Alex Riel-Drums; Bjarne Rostvold-Drums,Tambourine, Marracas. Side 2 Recorded August 29th 1967 : As above minus Preben Garnov, Niels Peters and the string section.Add Uffe Karrskov-Clarinet, Flute, Tenor & Baritone Sax; Ole Kurt Jensen-Bass Trombone Back with a bang ...the first time out in Blogland for this very rare and never reissued Danish session composed and arranged by Palle Mikkelborg. From the sl...
Read more

MICHAEL GARRICK R.I.P. 1933 - 2011

Image
I'm sad to say that Michael Garrick passed away last Friday leaving a legacy hard to rival on both the British and the worldwide jazz scene. Tony Higgins,who compiled both the "Impressed" cds of British jazz and contributed the third unreleased volume to this blog last year was a friend of Michael Garricks so who better to pay tribute to him. Michael Garrick 1933 - 2011 The death of Michael Garrick on 11 Nov 2011 brings to a close a most fascinating and extraordinary life dedicated to one thing - music. In the time I knew Mike, his humour, erudition and commitment was infectious and inspiring and it seemed entirely appropriate that I was playing his beautiful and haunting composition 'Black Marigolds', a track about loss and memory, the moment I heard the sad news. I'm not a believer in fate but this made me pause for a moment, think deeply and feel the moment. Thinking and feeling. Two qualities that Mike valued highly. I first became aware of Mike...
Read more