"Why Do Gary Bartz, Eddie Henderson & Norman Connors Make Primates Scratch Their Head?"
The Okinawan Jazz Devil has been busy once again and I am very pleased to say that not only has he pulled out all the stops to bring us another momentous piece of rare jazz but he has requested it to be hosted here at Orgy In Rhythm.
So read on fellow jazz lovers, and prepare for a spiritual jazz tour de force and the answer to the title riddle!
Over to Jazz-nekko...............
It is a scary thing to guest post here at OIR. How could anyone ever possibly bring on the goods that deserve to sit on the same virtual shelf as Bacoso's? The fact that he began scratching his head when I enquired from the master himself about this set, gave me a bit of courage. I leave the final judgment in the ears of the listeners, but I wish to thank Bacoso for sharing his place with my weird musical tastes...
Gary Bartz is certainly on the top alto players of the modern generation, and like so many others - probably one of the most under-appreciated jazz artists. Eddie Henderson's horn is clearly influenced by Miles' early fusion period. Fellow Philadelphians, Elmer Gibson and Norman Connors have recorded with a "who's who" of jazz & fusion giants. It was only a year later that Connors became the Buddah Records Company's musical director.
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This live set, "Live at Nemu Jazz Inn - 1" (1975, Nippon Columbia/Cobblestone VQ-7509-CO), was released only here in Japan and just 500 albums were pressed. This set does not even show up in any of the artists' discographies; makes you wonder if the artists thought it worthy.For more than one reason, however, this ol' devil sure thinks it worthy: I attended this Live at Jazz Nemu Inn with my brother and two friends of ours. The audience was 50% Japanese and 50% foreigners, mostly military personnel, as the club was not far from two bases. As you will hear, it was a quiet, respectful crowd but much of the raucous applause was cut out of the album. These guys were at the height of their artistic and imaginative skills. Connors led this set and personally selected the crew for their world tour. It was my first time to see Henderson in concert. Perhaps it is my bad memory or prejudice, but I cannot help but think his playing that night was a bit off. The sad part about this was that they did not include three other numbers – warm-ups – if you will, but the playing in those was also rather remarkable.
Please check out the comments box for more of this excellent review from Jazz-nekko - and,of course,the links!
So read on fellow jazz lovers, and prepare for a spiritual jazz tour de force and the answer to the title riddle!
Over to Jazz-nekko...............
It is a scary thing to guest post here at OIR. How could anyone ever possibly bring on the goods that deserve to sit on the same virtual shelf as Bacoso's? The fact that he began scratching his head when I enquired from the master himself about this set, gave me a bit of courage. I leave the final judgment in the ears of the listeners, but I wish to thank Bacoso for sharing his place with my weird musical tastes...
Gary Bartz is certainly on the top alto players of the modern generation, and like so many others - probably one of the most under-appreciated jazz artists. Eddie Henderson's horn is clearly influenced by Miles' early fusion period. Fellow Philadelphians, Elmer Gibson and Norman Connors have recorded with a "who's who" of jazz & fusion giants. It was only a year later that Connors became the Buddah Records Company's musical director.
.jpg)
This live set, "Live at Nemu Jazz Inn - 1" (1975, Nippon Columbia/Cobblestone VQ-7509-CO), was released only here in Japan and just 500 albums were pressed. This set does not even show up in any of the artists' discographies; makes you wonder if the artists thought it worthy.For more than one reason, however, this ol' devil sure thinks it worthy: I attended this Live at Jazz Nemu Inn with my brother and two friends of ours. The audience was 50% Japanese and 50% foreigners, mostly military personnel, as the club was not far from two bases. As you will hear, it was a quiet, respectful crowd but much of the raucous applause was cut out of the album. These guys were at the height of their artistic and imaginative skills. Connors led this set and personally selected the crew for their world tour. It was my first time to see Henderson in concert. Perhaps it is my bad memory or prejudice, but I cannot help but think his playing that night was a bit off. The sad part about this was that they did not include three other numbers – warm-ups – if you will, but the playing in those was also rather remarkable.
Please check out the comments box for more of this excellent review from Jazz-nekko - and,of course,the links!
