Tag Archives: Post Bop

Ahmad Jamal – Blue Moon – The New York Session

by ·

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

post bop

Moods

A modern, rhythmic post bop delight played by a master

Thoughts

I feel like Ahmad Jamal is one of the best kept secrets in jazz. Of course jazz fans know him, but outside not a brand name.

Here we have a decidedly modern jazz record compositionally played with a heavy rhythmic focus by the awesome Herlin Riley which interplays nicely with Jamal's expert piano playing – melodic and with a natural swing, quick if the band pushes him, easy if not.

There's a lot to like here. Worthy of deep listening as well as energetic atmosphere if more removed settings.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Ahmad-Jamal-Blue-Moon-The-New-York-Session/release/3624058

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcUvkO4A5Vo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qkaEf4C6FI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sS2Lvw8HV84

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOAepSLbohs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezYchfPLkno

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Ahmad Jamal – Blue Moon – The New York Session

Description: Album Review of Ahmad Jamal – Blue Moon – The New York Session


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Andrew Hill – Black Fire

by ·

★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening

Sounds like?

Avant garde hard bop

Moods

Damn good experimental hard bop, a turning point in jazz modernism

Thoughts

An enjoyable entry in Hills landmark outings, a turning point in jazz modernism. 5. This sits right on the line between solid hard bop and Avant garde experimentalism, incorporating disparite melodies and rhythmic techniques well still remaining formally in the structure of bop.

The allmusic review is perfect. Hills work during the 60s is landmark and this is a very fine example of things starting to turn into modernism.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Andrew-Hill-Black-Fire/release/6688097

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUyfcnOCIOk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_CnHr8G_fE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSwhHSlOoBc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMdKD5GdCbU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRJqncygyXY

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Andrew Hill – Black Fire

Description: Album Review of Andrew Hill – Black Fire


Rating: 5 out of 5

 

Billy Harper – Black Saint

by ·

★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening

Sounds like?

Post bop

Moods

A dense, urban post bop masterpiece

Thoughts

Great album,has an energy that's very west village jazz: dense, subterranean, and fighting restraint. The constant crash symbol use adds this de-constructing vibe. Heavy swirling and dissonant solos provide a madness. These guys are on point and each bring this intensity here.

Typically I reserve a 5-star for music that is essential in the catalog of sound. Could the world live without this record? Absolutely but I think it's such a remarkable illustration of the genre that it's essential.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Billy-Harper-Black-Saint/release/12148892

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJOVUCEcsLg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edV6QIkWxr8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvTNnswzjhc

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Billy Harper – Black Saint

Description: Album Review of Billy Harper – Black Saint


Rating: 5 out of 5

 

Oliver Nelson – The Blues And The Abstract Truth

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Post-bop

Moods

Cooking with oli

Thoughts

Damn fine post-bop from damn fine players.

Album opener 'Stolen Moments' is a fantastic track, Yearnin is another good one. Bill Evans is on this but his solos feel a little subdued. However the brass features some fine playing from both Hubbard and Dolphy. The whole thing jives together nicely, recommended for post-bop fans.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Oliver-Nelson-The-Blues-And-The-Abstract-Truth/release/1567084

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44DfWE0gatQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlkkQiZ-gV4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2jqUl27ogY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tNZ6AG0xWc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8yiZvdXJlk

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Oliver Nelson – The Blues And The Abstract Truth

Description: Album Review of Oliver Nelson – The Blues And The Abstract Truth


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Lee Morgan – Caramba

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

post bop

Moods

jivey dinner party

Thoughts

The title track stands out but the rest I thought was just ok, good from a post-bop perspective.

Great instrumentation, especially Morgan's trumpet playing, so it's hard not to enjoy if you're into jazz.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Lee-Morgan-Caramba/release/3094292

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArqJanZPY9A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXDRzy2Xip4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGn3HKIlj4s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBx9ktBnb4E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbTtUHi6bxM

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Lee Morgan – Caramba

Description: Album Review of Lee Morgan – Caramba


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Billy Childs – The Child Within

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?
80/90s post-bop.

Thoughts
Typically not as raw as I like my jazz, reminds me of WBGO (local NYC jazz), but the playing is tight and maintains a pleasant groove. Album highlights:

* Aaron’s song, an interesting piece of songwriting that repeats somber piano and sax melodies.

* Dreams, a lazy swaying melody kicks things off into an intense set of solos.

Solid record.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Billy-Childs-The-Child-Within/release/8899878

Listen!
Spotify

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Billy Childs – The Child Within

Description: Album Review of Billy Childs – The Child Within


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Duke Ellington And His Orchestra – Ellington Uptown

by ·

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

What’s it sound like?
Big band / swing

Thoughts
Not really my thing but ode to Harlem is amazing. Take the a-train is an obvious classic too though I prefer covers of it.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Duke-Ellington-And-His-Orchestra-Ellington-Uptown/release/5328998

Listen!

Youtube



Spotify

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Duke Ellington And His Orchestra – Ellington Uptown

Description: Album Review of Duke Ellington And His Orchestra – Ellington Uptown


Rating: 2 out of 5