From Riverside to New Jazz
Now that we’ve gotten everyone engaged in thinking about their favorite Riverside records, let’s try a couple of other labels. I was thinking about doing Prestige next, but I realized that my entire list up to 10 records would probably be all Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane and Miles Davis. So instead of Prestige for today, how about we try New Jazz instead. As usual, I will go first. These are five personal favorites on New Jazz, not “the best.” Also, not including Prestige reissues. I see my list is very straight-ahead, if you know what I mean. Here goes:
1. Kenny Dorham, Quiet Kenny, New Jazz 8225
2. Eric Dolphy, Outward Bound, New Jazz 8236
3. Jackie McLean, McLean’s Scene, New Jazz 8212
4. Kenny Burrell and John Coltrane, New Jazz 8276
5. Jackie McLean, A Long Drink of the Blues, New Jazz 8253
If Status is included…
Phil Woods Sugan
The Dealers (side one)
Nice call Al. Love New Jazz!
Not duplicating your list (Quiet Kenny being my absolute favorite on New Jazz, or any other label):
1. John Jenkins/Clifford Jordan/Bobby Timmons – Jenkins, Jordan and Timmons – NJ8232
2. Oliver Nelson – Meet Oliver Nelson – NJ8224
3. Roy Haynes/Phineas Newborn/Paul Chambers – We Three – NJ8210
4. Roy Haynes with Booker Ervin – Cracklin’ – NJ8286
5. Modern Jazz Disciples – Right Down Front – NJ8240 (check this one out – an overlooked gem from an excellent straight-ahead group from Cincinnati).
I particularily like…. :
E. Dolphy : Far Cry
D. Reece : Asia Minor (absolute masterpiece, IMO far better than his BN output)
K. Dorham : Quiet Kenny (as everybody)
Art Farmer : Farmer’s market
Eric Dolphy at the Five Spot
the Cats
Coolin’
Farmer’s Market
any of the three Golsons
any of the two Waldrons
– Dolphy “Out there” and “Outward bound”
– Waldron “The quest”
– Jackie “4 5 and 6” – I know it is a reissue, but I love this record and have NM copy with purple deep grooved labels (still waiting for my Prestige original)…
And the Oscar goes to … suprise! Quiet Kenny
How could I forget Waldron’s “Impressions” is on New Jazz! It is my favorite Waldron, among top 5 trio jazz albums ever..
lee morgan -take twelve
what was the relation between riverside and New jazz??
ah, now i see, lee morgan take twelve was Jazzland label..
correction: any of the FOUR Waldrons
Non duplicates with the above:
Steve Lacy – ‘Reflections’ and ‘Evidence'”
Ray Bryant ‘Alone with the blues’
Other than that, there’s no arguing with ‘Quiet Kenny’, and all of Dolphy and Waldron.
Love the NEW JAZZ label and some of my original favorites include:
-Latin Jazz Quintet + Eric Dolphy “Caribe”
-Larry Young Trio “Testifying”
-DUPLICATE Modern Jazz Disciples “Right Down Front”
-Jackie McLean “Long Drink of the Blues”
-Walt Dickerson “This Is..”/”Relativity”
Quiet Kenny is a gaping hole in my collection, need to pursue…Thanks…
I’m fortunate enough to have a copy of Quiet Kenny on New Jazz… However I never play it because it’s so scarce.. I need to buy a listener copy at some point. It’s my fave on New Jazz as well, but I also love The Cats.
Andy, If you have a decent record player and needle it should be Ok to play the LP without causing noticeable wear to the LP. But maybe you already know that and it just feels bad to play it?
The best listening copy of Quiet Kenny is called “Kenny Dorham 1959” issued as Prestige PR 7754. I have it and the sound quality is top notch and I feel it to be a better pressing than my other New Jazz LPs which in all honesty are not that great. The stereo in the Kenny Dorham 1959 is also a bonus that adds to the music experience. But I’m also sure sure we have some mono-die-hards saying the opposite 😉
I got my copy for about 20 bucks.
I would like to add The Benny Golson’s to my list of new jazz and Asia Minor from D Reece is truly great.
Ron Carter, Where, 8265
Ray Draper, Quintet, 8228
Benny Golson, Groovin’, 8220
Steve Lacy, Evidence, 8271
Oliver Nelson, Screamin’ the blues, 8243