Albums That All Humans Should Own #8

The trombone gets a bad rap these days. I mean, everyone loves the sax and trumpet, but friends, let's be honest, how many of you could claim to love listening to the trombone? How many of you could name three trombone players? Or even two? I would hope that most of you could name J.J. Johnson, especially since I have played so much of his music for you over the years... but today I would like to present another trombone master, who followed in J.J.'s ellustrious footsteps: Curtis Fuller.

He played with some of the greats (surely you noticed his playing on John Coltrane's "Blue Train" album) and was part of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in the 60s and made several incredible albums with them.

I could list some of those albums as essential, but for today, I'm proud to announce that:

'Blues-ette' (1959) by Curtis Fuller is my eighth pick of essential albums that all humans should own.

How many times have I mentioned that the band often makes the record? Often, I know, but how about this line-up?

Benny Golson - tenor sax
Curtis Fuller - trombone
Tommy Flanagan - piano
Jimmy Garrison - bass
Al Harewood - drums



Great player, great writer.

A stellar line-up. There is a ton of great grooving music on this disc. Have a listen to the classic Five Spot After Dark and tell me that all of a sudden the trombone doesn't seem as staid as you previously thought... Besides, you know I'll listen to anything Benny Golson played, especially his recordings from the 50s and 60s.

If you have $30 to spare, and spending money on music is an investment in life-enrichment, I would recommend you head over to iTunes and pick up Curtis Fuller's "Complete Savoy Recordings" on which "Blues-ette" is featured. Killer music friends.

You're welcome. Happy listening and see you soon, okay?

Albums That All Humans Should Own #7

I have written a great deal about Milt Jackson on this site and friends, if you haven't taken this hint and tracked down some of his music, this post may compel you to do so.

Milt had a recording career that spanned more than half a century and he released (under his own name, as a member of the Modern Jazz Quartet, or as a guest artist) more than 100 albums so it is no easy task to pick one to showcase. I let Milt chose his opus for me.

'Bag's Opus' (1959) by Milt Jackson is my seventh pick of essential albums that all humans should own.

In the coming days I may realize that I should have named another of his albums here, since so much of his recorded output is wonderful. He is my favourite vibist (with Walt Dickerson, Bobby Hutcherson and Lem Winchester behind him) and he brings that bebop intensity to all his playing, even the ballads. He never hits a poor note and his tone is gorgeous on an instrument that can be a bit grating in the upper register (I'm afraid some late-career Walt Dickerson is, in my humble opinion, guilty of this).

I've mentioned several times that the band makes the recording and this album features one of the great ensembles. Check out this lineup:

Milt Jackson:  Vibraphone
Art Farmer:  Trumpet
Benny Golson:  Tenor Saxophone
Tommy Flanagan:  Piano
Paul Chambers: Bass
Connie Kay: Drums



the great Benny Golson

It doesn't get much better than that. Only Tommy Flanagan isn't a legend, but if you consider that he played on Coltrane's Giant Steps, and Kenny Burrell and John Coltrane,  along with some of Curtis Fuller's finest records and on and on, perhaps we need to look and Mr. Flanagan's place in the pantheon one of these days...

This disc also benefits from some fantastic arrangements by Benny Golson, who is one of the best in the business. Shortly after this album, he and Art Farmer would form the Jazztet, one of the greatest bands in jazz history.

Have a listen to "Whisper Not". Great stuff, isn't it? Enjoy!