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| MPS Records - Mumps, The Hi-Lo's, Smoke (March 10th, 2017) This week: a lovely swing vocal album by The Hi-Lo's accompanied by a 19-piece orchestra and a blast of free jazz by Mumps and Smoke. Mumps - A Matter Of Taste //1977 Known for his exceptional virtuosity as well as his amazing use of multiphonics, Albert Mangelsdorff has long been acknowledged as one of the most innovative trombonists in modern jazz. On this exceptional 1977 MPS release he joins up with three players who coincidentally made up one of the most influential avant-garde trios of that time, The Trio, formed in 1969 by English multi-saxophonist John Surman and two American expatriates, bassist Barre Phillips and drummer Stu Martin. Surman has been associated with the legendary record label ECM for over three decades, Phillips has worked with such greats as Eric Dolphy and Archie Shepp, and Martin worked with such diverse stylists as Maynard Ferguson and Herbie Hancock. The pieces are group compositions-as-improvisation and vise-versa. Line-Up: John Surman (Baritone Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Piano, Synthesizer), Barre Phillips (Bass, Voice), Stu Martin (Drums, Percussion, Synthesizer), Albert Mangelsdorff (Trombone, Guitar, Voice) The Hi-Lo's - Back Again //1978 Bing Crosby's comment that 'these guys are so good they can whisper in harmony' was indicative of the vocal quartet the Hi-Lo's stature among music's elite. Frank Sinatra, and Mel Torme were hard-core fans, and Herbie Hancock studied their sophisticated harmonies; their music influenced Manhattan Transfer, Take 6, and the Beach Boys. The Hi-Lo's heyday spanned the mid 1950's thru the beginning of the 60's. The group stopped performing in 1963, but at the request of festival producer Jimmy Lyons, they made a special appearance at the 1978 Monterey Jazz Festival; the performance was a triumphal return to the spotlight, and in response, MPS had the sense to produce this 1978 recording, the Hi-Lo's first in several years. Accompanied by a 19-piece orchestra, the quartet is in top form. Line-Up: Bob Morse (Vocals), Clark Burroughs (Vocals), Don Shelton (Vocals), Gene Puerling (Vocals) Smoke - Everything //1973 This 1973 album is unusual, in that, except for keyboardist Curtis Clark, who went on to work with the likes of David Murray, Julian Priester, and Abbie Lincoln, none of these San Francisco-based players became known on the international scene. Yet the music on this album rates higher in musical inventiveness than many a record slapped together by international stars. Woodi Webb played congas for 13 years before taking up vibes. An autodidact, Webb developed his own fluid melodic/percussive style. He and Clark are the composers on this set. Written for a young girl in LA, Clark's laid-back Shelda shines as mood music with a light rock beat. Woodi wrote Lobotomy after watching the classic One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest; with its harsh soundscape, the music reflects the claustrophobic angst of the movie. Woodi dedicated Everything to Thelonious Monk. Line-Up: Nardy Dedmann (Alto Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Vocals), Bobb Bragg (Bass Guitar), Garry Griffieth (Congas), Kenny Jenkins (Double Bass), Akira Tana (Drums), Hakim Ali Muhammad (Harp), Danny Daniels (Organ), Curtis Clark (Piano), Woodi Webb (Vibraphone, Leader), Lani Wilson, Shirley Puckett (Vocals) MPS Records New Digital Releases Digital Mastered for iTunes Distribution: Edel:Kultur/ Kontor New Media MPS Records Release Date: March 10th, 2017 (2 months exclusively on iTunes. Subsequently available on all common download services.) Mastered for iTunes // 24-bit-Transfer from original master tapes // produced by Dirk Sommer write your comments about the article :: © 2017 Jazz News :: home page |