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| FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION Mosaic Records FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION 59TH GRAMMY AWARDS BEST HISTORICAL ALBUM Classic James P. Johnson Sessions (1921-1943) Mosaic Records Limited Edition Box Set MD6-262 First and foremost, James P. Johnson was one of the most important, if not THE most important, stride pianists, a style that developed in New York in the 1920s and the first music that sounds like what we call jazz. It was more rhythmically complex than anything before it. More harmonically challenging. More exuberant and crafty. Stride was also more than the music. It was a challenge to the musicians who gathered at Harlem cutting contests determined to conquer its intricacies, and to conquer each other. And because of its invitation to create and improvise, it was a platform at last for self-expression. Classic James P. Johnson Sessions 1921- 1943 compiles all the sessions led by Johnson originally released on OKeh, Columbia, Bluebird, Victor, Signature, Pathe and Vocalion, plus sideman sessions where he solos significantly or contributes something noteworthy. On six CDs, it shines the light on every facet of his talent, including his stunning work with blues singers such as Bessie Smith, Lavinia Turner, Ethel Waters, Ida Cox and more. The package comprises 158 tracks, including eleven never before released. Our exclusive Mosaic booklet features a session-by-session analysis by Scott Brown and many photos that are rare and delightful to see. There is also the most complete discography ever of James P. Johnson's important early work. BEST ALBUM NOTES Classic 1936-1947 Count Basie & Lester Young Studio Sessions Mosaic Records Limited Edition Box Set MD8-263 By 1936, when these recordings begin, Basie had already developed the style that would carry him through his career - breaking from the stride tradition he learned from Fats Waller and James P. Johnson and opting instead for a sparse, heavily accented kick as hearty as a drummer's. His notes were always perfectly timed to push the song ahead as well as fill any opportunity a soloist would leave for him to quietly assert his presence. Basie's often under-appreciated work at the keyboard contributed enormously to giving the band just about the best sense of swing of its era. From today's vantage point, it's difficult to re-construct in our minds what a forceful and startling recording debut (found on this set complete for the first time) it was for Lester Young. His was a driving, vigorous crisp approach that allowed him to play longer lines that still hung together as complete musical statements. Lester's sense of musical form - the way he structured solos - has never been surpassed. And while some of his fellow musicians argued against how he played, the next generation heard him loud and clear. Would there have been a Charlie Parker, a Dexter Gordon, a John Coltrane or so many others without Lester Young? It's impossible to speculate, but his influence was unmistakable. Classic 1936-1947 Count Basie & Lester Young Studio Sessions Through a special arrangement with Sony Music and Universal Music, we now have the opportunity to bring the swing of these iconic giants from a plethora of labels including Aladdin, Bluebird, Brunswick, Columbia, Commodore, Decca, Keynote, Mercury, Philo, Signature, Victor and Vocalion and restored them better than they've ever been heard before. We think you'll rejoice in having these masterpieces all under one roof and available again... in addition to some new friends you've never heard before. In all, the set is jammed with 173 tracks. Our exclusive booklet includes many vintage photographs (some unpublished) along with an appreciative essay by Loren Schoenberg and a discography that corrects errors in prior documentations. write your comments about the article :: © 2016 Jazz News :: home page |