1967

January

Impulse! Records releases SONNY ROLLINS East Broadway Run Down. Recorded on May 9 of the previous year, the highly-acclaimed album features Sonny performing in a trio format with John Coltrane's rhythm section of Jimmy Garrison and Elvin Jones along with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard on one track (the title song). 

February

February 16 - Columbia Records releases the MILES DAVIS QUINTET's Miles Smiles. Recorded in October of 1966, Miles Smiles presents the world with his "second great quintet"--one of the greatest quintet lineups in jazz music history--with 33-year old tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter, 26-year old pianist Herbie Hancock, 29-year old bassist Ron Carter, and 21-year old drumming phenom Tony Williams. 

THE FREE SPIRITS Live at the Scene February 22, 1967

Released in 2011, these tapes came from what was in truth an unpublished, unauthorized, bootleg recording of a live stage performance from the title date.

February 15 & March 7 - the two recording dates for what would be JOHN COLTRANE's album, Expression, the last studio album on which he would still be in control. The album would see its release in September, two months after the musical giant's death.

March

 

THE DON ELLIS ORCHESTRA Live in 3 2/3 / 4 Time (1967)

Due to the popular response of Don's performance at the Monterey Jazz Festival in September of 1966, Pacific Jazz was quick to release: 'Live' At Monterey ! late in the year same year. This album contained three recordings from September 18th's historic performance with one track ("Concerto for Trumpet" [11:50]) from a live performance that occurred a month later at the Pacific Jazz Festival (October 8, 1966). The Don Ellis phenomenon was so rabid (with sightings of "Where Is Don Ellis?" bumper stickers rising across the country), and the sales of the first album so encouraging, that Pacific Jazz was quick to try to assemble a second live recording in order to try to take advantage of the wave of Monterey/Don Ellis buzz. This new album, titled Live in 3 2/3 / 4 Time, was prepared from more recordings from that same October 8, 1966, live performance at the Pacific Jazz Festival plus three songs from a March 27 of '67 performance at Shelly's Manne-Hole in Los Angeles. The album was released to the public later in 1967. (With the release of an expanded CD version in 2000, the list of songs extracted from this latter performance would grow to number eight.) As usual, the highly-charged, amazingly-synchronized and -harmonized arrangements (only two of which are original Don Ellis compositions--though one song, "Thetis," comes from Don's long-time collaborator and friend, Hank Levy) are a marvel to listen to and, I think you'll find, quite often stir one's core enough to force you to get out of your seat and dance!

Line-up / Musicians:
Don Ellis / trumpet, quarter-tone trumpet
- Saxes & Woodwinds:
Ruben Leon - alto sax, soprano sax, flute
Joe Roccisano - alto sax, soprano sax, flute, clarinet
Tom Scott - alto sax, saxello, flute, clarinet
Ira Schulman - tenor sax, flute, clarinet
Ron Starr - tenor sax, flute, clarinet
John Magruder - baritone sax, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet
- Trumpets:
Glenn Stuart
Alan Weight
Ed Warren
Bob Harmon
- Trombones:
Ron Myers
Dave Wells
Dave Sanchez
Terry Woodson - bass trombone
- Rhythm Section:
Dave Mackay - piano
Ray Neapolitan - bass
Frank De La Rosa - bass
Dave Parlato - bass
Chuck Domanico - bass
Steve Bohannon - drums
Alan Estes - drums, timbales
Chino Valdes - congas, bongos
Mark Stevens - percussion

Original Liberty/Pacific Records vinyl release in 1967:

A1. "Orientation" (11:20) more fun in 7/8 + 9/8 starting out, of course, with the rhythmatists: congas and percussion, bass, drums, and piano. When the horns start joining in it is with what seems to be an unusually reckless/wild abandon, but they all come together at about 1:45 for an Ira Schulman sax solo with accents coming from multiple banks of horns, high and low. Awesome! And SO danceable! A little lull at 3:50 as the sax finishes up before solo time is given to conga player Chino Valdes for about a minute. Horn swell leads into a cool polymetric multi-sax solo section before another horn swell at 6:05 opens the door for the band leader to take his solo. Oddly enough Don's trumpet may be the worst recorded instrument in the orchestra. Despite this fact, his solo keeps climbing the mountain, being assisted by some seriously swelling horns and rhythm section play (which is greeted with some appropriately appreciative audience response at 8:15). The next big swell occurs in the middle of the tenth minute and it is drum-led, which is pretty cool. The big finish features multiple banks of horns going their own way, though not quite as or independently as that wild opening. Awesome! (19/20)

A2. "Angel Eyes" (5:41) a slow, pensive, and plodding "Porgy and Bess"-like old-style R&B crooner with Don's piano- and horn-supported trumpet carrying the melody in place of the human voice as it would have been sung in 1946 when Earl Brent and Matt Dennis first penned it. Nice melodies. (8.875/10)

A3. "Freedom Jazz Dance" (5:54) Eddie Harris' song performed in "seven," featuring pianist Dave Mackay and saxello player Tom Scott. Pretty cool--especially when Mackay goes low onto his keyboard. The "saxello" is a weird sounding sax that sounds like it comes straight from the streets of New Orleans (I think it's a flange-wah effect applied to the channel mic-ing Tom's tenor sax). The percussion and rhythm section are, of course, amazing, adding layer upon layer and volume and power the further the song progresses. Awesome! (9/10)

B1. "Barnum's Revenge" (4:36) one of Don's sax players, Ruben Leon, arranged this 3 2 2 time song from "Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey?" Very interesting but it does play out more like a whole-band teaching exercise than an audience-targeted crowd pleaser--at least until Don and the drummers and trombonists get their chances to embellish. (8.75/10)

B2. "Upstart" (9:02) this is the song from the album: the one in 3 2/3 / 4 time--the second original composition on the album. The moderately paced foundation has a kind of near-Latin (say, Southern California) feel to it over which Don takes the first solo followed by a bridge of stellar, purposely-staggered horn banking before a clarinet solo by Ira Schulman takes the next spotlight. Following the percussionists and rhythm section members is easy to do and quite fun for the challenge of trying to parse out the odd time signature. Bird-like discordant clarinets pepper the upper end during the next extended bridge while the band and horn banks plod beneath--even getting the end. (17.5/20)

B3. "Thetis" (8:27) composed and arranged by Don's long-time friend and associate, Hank Levy, this one starts out like a slow-moving train before finally taking off and featuring rondo-like layers of multi-instrumental sections circling over and around one another. In the third minute everybody congeals into a single direction of very spicy Caribbean-rhythmed music over which Ruben Leon's soprano sax solos. The next is Don's trumpet and then Dave Mackay's piano. The solos are great--these are very professional performers, but it's as if one cannot help but be drawn to the rhythmatists--which, accordingly, get their own solo time in the seventh minute. (17.5/20)

Total time: 44:00

Track listing for the 2000 CD release:

1. Orientation
2. Angel Eyes (Denni s, Brent / arr. Don Ellis)
3. Freedom Jazz Dance (Eddie Harris / arr. Don Ellis)
4. Barnum's Revenge (Ruben Leon / arr. Ruben Leon)
5. Upstart
6. Thetis (Hank Levy / arr. Hank Levy)
7. Bossa Nueva Nova (Hank Levy / arr. Hank Levy)
8. Opus Five (Howlett Smith / arr. Howlett Smith)
9. Seven Up (Howlett Smith / arr. Joe Roccisano)
10. Johnny One-Note (Jaki Byard / arr. Jaki Byard)
11. Freedom Jazz Dance (alternate) (Eddie Harris / arr. Don Ellis)

I am usually loathe to listen to much less review live album recordings but Don Ellis has become quite another matter: his song introductions, quick quirky sense of humor, and educational approach are so darn charming and disarming!

89.58 on the Fishscales = B+/4.5 stars; If you are at all interested in sharing in the experience of those first waves of the truly-groundbreaking Don Ellis Orchestra experience, then I highly recommend finding this album to listen to! Plus, these songs are not available on other albums and are here for your entertainment and amazement.

P.S. If you get the chance to listen to the CD release of this album, do so: the additional five songs from the March 27, 1967 performance at Shelly's Manne-Hole in L.A. are every bit as worthy of hearing as the original six songs on the 1967 vinyl release.

Reprise Records releases one of the finest bossa nova albums of all-time, the Frank Sinatra-Antônio Carlos Jobim collaboration, Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim. Another stroke of genius for Mr. Sinatra as bossa nova had reached an all-time high in American popularity. The album's lush orchestral arrangements were conducted by Claus Ogerman and Jobim provided guitar and some vocals (mostly background). An album of some of the most wistfully beautiful music humans have ever created. Very nostalgic.

April

DON ELLIS OCTET Pieces of Eight (live at UCLA)

This live concert at UCLA was performed and recorded on April 8, 1967 with two unusual circumstances: a "shrunken lineup" (down from the band's usual 21) and the band performing covers of three jazz standards and two Tom Scott compositions. Only released and sold at Don Ellis concerts as a cassette or 8-track with only part of this concert's material, Wounded Bird Records acquired the original master tapes and issued a CD with a full complement of the music performed at this one-time-only concert.   

1. "Slippin' 'n' Slidin'" (6:58)
2. "Sadness Shouldn't Go So Deep" (3:54)
3. "Bali Dancer" (5:32)
4. *"With Respect To Coltrane" (Tom Scott) (5:02)
5. "Pete's 7" (6:31)
6. *"Let's Go To Sleep" (7:18)
7. *"Blues For Hari" (Tom Scott) (9:09)
8. "Milestones" (Miles Davis / arr. Don Ellis) (9:57)
9. "It's a Snap" (2:19)
10. "I Love Us" (5:48)
11. "The Squeeze" (5:23)
12. *"Lush Life" (Billy Strayhorn / arr. Don Ellis) (7:30)
13. *"Turk's Works" (Arif Mardin) (18:26)

Line-up / Musicians:
- Don Ellis / trumpet;
- Tom Scott / alto sax, tenor sax, clarinet;
- Dave Wells / trombone;
- Dave Mackay / piano;
- Ray Neapolitan / bass;
- Steve Bohannon / drums;
- Chino Valdez / conga, bongos;
- Alan Estes / timbales, percussion

This album (originally titled Don Ellis - LIVE) was previously available on cassette and 8-track, but it was only sold at Don's concerts. Even then, only half of the music was released (the tracks marked with an asterisk are bonus tracks on the CD release). This reissue marks the first widespread commercial release of this music, and, oddly, documents the only known performance of the Don Ellis Octet.

GARY BURTON Duster

Recorded on April 27-28, 1967; one of Jazz-Rock Fusions' first albums was released later in the year by RCA Records. A quartet, Duster featured the collaborative musicianship of guitarist Larry Coryell, bassist Steve Swallow, and drummer Roy Haynes. 

May

May 16-24 - MILES DAVIS and his Second Great Quintet begin the recording of the music for Sorcerer, an album which will be released by Columbia Records on October 23.

June

June 7, 22 &23 - The first of the recording dates for the music that would end up on Miles Davis' second great quintet's fourth studio album, Nefertiti. In one of those interesting recording industry sanfus: the close recording dates and release objectives of what would become the Sorcerer and Nefertiti (obviously a very fertile period for the Quintet), Columbia mixed up the cover photos of the two albums: the sidelong profile photo of Miles' wife, Cicely Tyson, was supposed to grace the Nefertiti album, while Miles' brooding head shot was supposed to be on Sorcerer. 

July

August

September

DON ELLIS ORCHESTRA Electric Bath

Late in 1967, Columbia Records releases their first collaboration with The DON ELLIS ORCHESTRA in the form of a studio album entitled, Electric Bath. Fresh out of the euphoric haze of two very successful live albums and a year of almost continuous touring to festival and rock 'n' roll audiences, Don welcomed the new partnership with Columbia producer John Hammond and with it the chance to work out some of his ideas in studio settings. Over the course of two days in September (the 16th & 17th--or 19th & 20th, depending on your source) the band put down on tape several songs, five of which would end up on the Grammy Award nominated and Down Beat magazine "1968 Album of the Year" which was released 

1. "Indian Lady" (8:07) When I first heard the opening bars to this piece, I was immediately drawn to a comparison to the music of ROBERT WYATT's "Little Red Riding Hood Hit the Road" from his 1974 comeback album, Rock Bottom. The song, played in 5/4 time throughout (and released as a single in a shortened three-minute version), is actually rather famous for its almost-comical multiple "attempts" to end throughout the song. Despite the large ensemble of musicians, the music somehow comes across smoothly, far more easy for the brain to accommodate than one might expect. Heck! There are even some melodic HERB ALPERT-like riffs and motifs. (13.5/15)

2. "Alone" (5:32) soothing and filled with gorgeous melodies, this one reminds me of some of the mellower pieces on my beloved 1970s albums by Eumir Deodato and Bob James as well as many of the jazzy television music providing background and mood for popular television shows that I would watch as a small child in the late 1966s--like I Dream of Jeannie, Bewitched, and The Newlywed Show. Lots of big banks of horns. (9.5/10)

3. "Turkish Bath" (10:29) dynamic music with an Indian base coming from the sitar, tabla and other Indian percussion, as well as flutes and slurring horns. Once set in motion the Latin rhythms and melody structure give it a feel quite similar to Billy Page's song "The 'In' Crowd" as made popular by Dobie Gray and Ramsey Lewis. Who knew that Indian instruments, big band horns, and electric clavinet could be melded together so easily into a bassa nova song?!! (18/20)

4. "Open Beauty" (8:27) beautiful and yet haunting in a psychedelic way thanks to the electric effects applied to the keyboard and vibraphone. Unusual for the minimal presence of drums or other percussives. The extended quarter-tone trumpet solo with echo effect from 5:30 to 8:05 is also remarkable for its particular singularity. (17.5/20)

5. "New Horizons" (12:21) this is a song that sounds to my untrained ear like a pretty standard big band jazz piece. If there are extraordinary things happening I'm not able to pick them up; it's just another long piece with minimal melodic hooks played within a base of a Latin-rock rhythms. (21.75/25)

Total Time 44:56

The musicianship is incredible all-around; how 20 musicians can play such complex music so seamlessly and cohesively is nothing short of amazing. Don's mission to open the West up to the odd meter times "naturally" used in the rest of the world's folk traditions had begun in earnest and would not quit through the rest of the Sixties, only take a slight Bulgarian left turn in the Seventies thanks to his meeting and pairing up with Bulgarian jazz and piano sensation Milcho Leviev.

89.1666667 on the Fishscaels = B+/4.5 stars; a near-masterpiece of boundary-pushing jazz-rock fusion.

October

October 23 - Columbia Records releases the MILES DAVIS QUINTET's Sorcerer--the third studio album release from Miles's "Second Great Quintet."  

November

November 3 & 4 - the recording dates for American ex-pat GEORGE RUSSELL's Othello Ballet Suite at Radio Sweden's studios in Stockholm, Sweden. The sessions marked George's first collaboration and recording with future Swedish jazz greats Jan Garbarek, Jon Christensen, and Terje Rypdal--central elements to George's "Esoteric Circle."

December

Capitol Records releases a single of the live version of Joe Zawinul's song "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy!" Gleaned from Cannonball Adderley's live album, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy! - Live at The Club, the single climbs into the Billboard Top 10.

1968

January

In a session in Columbia Studio B on January 16, Miles Davis begins recording new material for an album that would become Miles in the Sky, (released in July). This session marks the final studio session of Miles' exclusive collaboration with Tony Williams, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, and Ron Carter--his "Second Great Quintet." The May sessions found Miles inviting electric jazz guitarist George Benson into the studio as well as asking bassist Ron Carter and keyboard master Herbie Hancock to perform on electric bass and electric piano, respectively.

    

February

DON ELLIS ORCHESTRA Shock Treatment

Recorded on February 18 & 19 of 1968 and released in August or September, this is the album that caused such a stir in the public eye because of the record company (Columbia)'s massive mess up with its initial mastering and publication. Here' the story in Don's own words extracted from a letter he sent to the "Chords and Discords" forum of DownBeat magazine immediately following the magazine's review of (the first version) of the album:

“Regarding the review of my record Shock Treatment by Harvey Pekar (DB, Sept. 19), I would like to set the record straight on some little known facts in connection with this album. The copy that was reviewed was one about which I am embarrassed and not proud. The story behind this is as follows:
Upon completion of the album, I did the mixing and editing here in California and then sent the finished product to New York. It wasn’t until the album was already released that I heard a pressing. Much to my horror, I found that without consulting me the whole album had been changed around—rejected masters and unapproved takes were used (not the ones which I had selected and edited), the wrong tunes were on the album, unauthorized splices were made which disturbed the musical flow of some of the compositions (beats were even missing from bars), whole sections were cut out, some of these being the high points of the album. Therefore the liner notes, which were done to the original album, do not agree with what is actually on the album, calling attention to solos and high spots which are not there. I’m surprised that this wasn’t mentioned in the review! Also, the wrong personnel is listed on the jacket. When I discovered what had happened I was, naturally, disturbed and asked Columbia to redo the album. They graciously consented and I was able to change the album back to its original form except that I left Mercy Maybe Mercy, which my producer particularly liked, in place of Zim, which I hope will appear in a future album. Unfortunately, they were not able to call back all the thousands of albums which had already been released. However, they did send a note to the reviewers telling them that the copy which they had received was defective, and to please not review it until they received the corrected copy. It looks as if Down Beat didn’t get that letter. In conclusion, let me state that I have no quarrel with Harvey’s review, but I do wish that he or someone else would review the correct album.”

Great story: One that illustrates, once again, how obtuse record companies can be to the desires, preferences, and wishes of their artists as well as to how little say/control an artist has over the finished product of their work. What they think will sell is not always in line with the artist's creative vision for their finished product--in this case, not nearly in line.

Line-up / Musicians:
- Don Ellis / quarter-tone trumpet
Rhythm Section:
- Mike Lang / piano, clavinet, Fender piano
- Ray Neapolitan / bass, sitar
- Frank De La Rosa / bass
- Dave Parlato or Jim Faunt / bass
- Steve Bohannon / drums
- Chino Valdes / congas, bongos
- Mark Stevens or Ralph Humphrey / timbales, vibes, miscellaneous percussion
- Alan Estes or Joe Pocaro / miscellaneous percussion
Saxes & Woodwinds:
- Ruben Leon / alto & soprano saxophones, flute
- Joe Roccisano or Joe Lopez / alto & soprano saxophones, flute
- Ira Shulman / tenor saxophone, piccolo, flute, clarinet
- Ron Starr / tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet
- John Magruder / baritone saxophone, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet
Trumpets:
- Glenn Stuart, Alan Weight, Ed Warren, Bob Harmon,
Trombones:
- Ron Myers or Vince Diaz, Dave Sanchez
- Terry Woodson / bass trombone

INITIAL 1968 unsanctioned Columbia Record company vinyl RELEASE:
A1. "A New Kind of Country" (Hank Levy) (4:10) (/10)
A2. "Mercy Maybe Mercy" (Hank Levy) (3:22) (/10)
A3. "Opus 5" (Howlett Smith) (8:05) (/15)
A4. "Beat Me, Daddy, Seven to the Bar" (edit) (3:03) (/10)
A5. "The Tihai" (7:16) (/15)
B1. "Milo's Theme" (4:26) (/10)
B2. "Star Children" (3:22) (/10)
B3. "Homecoming" (3:03) (/10)
B4. "Seven Up" (Howlett Smith / arr. Joe Roccisano) (3:58) (/10)
B5. "Zim" (John Magruder) (3:58) (/10)

Total Time 44:43

SECOND June 26, 1968 "Santa Maria" VINYL PRESSING:
A1. "A New Kind of Country" (Hank Levy) (4:10) (/10)
A2. "Night City" (Ellis, MacFadden / arr. Don Ellis) (2:58) (/10)
A3. "Homecoming" (3:00) (/10)
A4. "Mercy Maybe Mercy" (Hank Levy) (3:22) (/10)
A5. "Opus 5" (Howlett Smith) (9:22) (/20)
B1. "Star Children" (3:18) (/10)
B2. "Beat Me, Daddy, Seven to the Bar" (6:15) (/10)
B3. "Milo's Theme" (4:24) (/10)
B4. "The Tihai" (8:40) (/20)

Total Time 45:29

THIRD 2005 Columbia (Terra Haute) VINYL PRESSING
(Same as the second but with slightly different liner notes):

2003 Koch Jazz (Sony Music)) CD release:
1. "A New Kind of Country" (Hank Levy) (4:10) sounds like a modernized big band standard (with some electrified instruments and recording techniques) waiting for a young crooner to sing over the top--like Don is here definitely taking advantage of all of the Latin-infused musics infiltrating the American music scene in the 1960s--especially and probably Stan Getz (and, to a lesser degree) Paul Desmond more than any others. Could have been a theme song to one of the game shows of the day--like The Dating Game or The Newlywed Game. (8.875/10)

2. "Night City" (Ellis, McFadden / arr. Don Ellis) (2:56) the co-composers must have been trying to reach the wider record-buying audiences of the day (1967) with this very LAWRENCE WELK-like song. Elaborately arranged MITCH MILLER-like choral vocals (male and female) are accompanied by a Latin rhythm to create this rather heavy-hearted song. I like it though it is not very progressive or particularly fusionary. Also could be a tribute to the great music being written for Broadway musicals by new artists like Burt Bacharach and Stephen Schwartz. (8.875/10)

3. "Homecoming" (3:02) sounds so familiar--like the more emotional old-time music that was so popular with moms and pops on the old porch settings. (Could've fit in Gershwin's Porgy and Bess.) (8.75/10)

4. "Mercy Maybe Mercy" (Hank Levy) (3:20) sounds like a watered-down version of Billy Page's "The 'In' Crowd" (8.75/10)

5. "Zim" (John Magruder) (3:59) a fan favorite from the first release that Don grew to like specifically because of the enthusiastic feedback he received. Composer and, here, bandmate John Magruder came up with several memorable songs for Don and the Orchestra over the years. (9.25/10)

6. "Opus 5" (Howlett Smith) (9:19) nice polyrhythmic foundation over which muted horns play makes for a cool start. In the second minute a bridge serves as a kind of rewind so that everything starts over, only this time the full horn section--in two different lines--can recapitulate the superceding melody--and then piano and very odd upper-end bass make themselves known to be the soloists for the second half of the third and first half of the fourth minutes. Lead trumpet takes over at 3:30. Rest of horns slowly creep back in in the middle of the fifth minute before backing off to a softer bank, but, man! I keep getting lost in the rhythm lines! Congas and drums actually get some spotlight before horn banks bridge into more "team-sharing" section of rather complex multiple team-interplay. By the time we get to the eighth minute there are so many layers working together at the same time (like 9 or 10!) that it shocks me that they all can stay on their own path--and it all works incredibly well blended together! Amazing! What a design (composed by pianist/composer Howlett Smith)! (19.25/20)

7. "Star Children" (3:21) weird song with weird combination of sedate jazz with choral vocals. (8.666667/10)

8. "Beat Me, Daddy, Seven to the Bar" (6:12) this spirited blues-rock vamp makes me feel as if I'm at a party in a Peter Sellers movie from the day--maybe even a pool party--which gets kind of "serious" when the percussionist (conga player) is given sole occupancy of the recording tape. Supremely tight performances of yet-dated music. (8.75/10)

9. "Milo's Theme" (4:23) experimentation with echo effects on Don's trumpet and then all the instruments to follow. Weird but pretty cool! (And using very pretty and melodic cinematic music to do it). I love hearing artists take chances like this. The ensuing horn and then full band harmonized buildups are wonderful (if "Big Band Era" dated), but then we return to the modulation effects experimentation for the finish. Cool! (9/10)

10. "Seven Up" (Howlett Smith / arr. Joe Roccisano) (3:59) like a blast from the past with this one sounding like the soundtrack music for either "I Dream of Jeannie" or "Bewitched" (maybe that's why I love it: I grew up on those shows). Awesome jazz bass walking beneath Don's trumpet and his complex, multi-horn accompaniment. Again, to think that we're at an episode of some dance routine on the Lawrence Welk Show is not a far-off stretch of the imagination, but those big explosions of horns and alternating cutesie flute and muted-horn passages are so fun! (8.875/10)

11. "The Tihai" (8:44) Don's preferred edit and mix of this one sounds. There are moments where the melodic rhythm track feels and sounds like something from The Flinstones cartoon soundtracks of the day and others that feel like soundtrack music to an Elvis Presley (or Our Man Flint or Pink Panther) beach movie scene. And then, surprise of all surprises, there is the Konnakol Carnatic Indian percussive vocal exchange taken from the South Indian traditions at the six-minute mark. Odd use of minor keys at times where popular tradition would have made different choices. (18/20)

12. "Zim" (alternate take) (John Magruder) (4:00) a much more smooth-flowing "Take Five"-like version of the tune; this was not Don's preferred version of the song but he was serving popular demand from the response of listeners from those who had purchased or heard the original unapproved version on Columbia's initial release of the material. I can't say that I dislike it. The mix ius a bit muddier than the other one, but that almost gives it an era-appropriate psychedlic acid-trip feel! (9/10)

13. "I Remember Clifford" (Benny Golson / arr. Terry Woodson) (5:25) a more traditional lounge jazz tune like something you might have heard at Rick's Café in Casablanca. (8.875/10)

14. "Rasty" (2:52) another song that sounds like a Big Band remnant brought into the late 1960s for renovations. (8.666667/10)

Total Time 65:42

While most of music on this album does sound (almost laughably) out-dated and anachronistic one cannot the technical and compositional skills required put together and then pull with such tight (and professional) performances--captured in just two days in the recording studio!

I've decided to post my rating and ranking according to the version of music published in CD from in 2003 because this release offers the listener a fine cross-section of the two original releases.

89.58 on the Fishscales = B+/4.5 stars; a near-masterpiece of large-spectrum jazz and jazz-rock performances of cutting-edge compositions.

P.S. That girl photographed for the album cover has some long-ass toes!

THE MICHAEL MANIERI QUARTET Insight

Recorded in 1967 and released on the United Artists subsidiary, started by Sonny Lester and Phil Ramone, Solid State Records. The album was produced by Phil Lester.

Lineup / Musicians:
- Mike Mainieri / Vibraphone, arranger
- Lyn Christie / Bass
- Don McDonald / Drums
- Joe Beck / Guitar

A1. "Autumn Leaves" (7:00) a cover of the jazz standard "Les feuilles morts," first penned by the French songwriting team of Jacques Prévert and Joseph Kosma and later lyrics rewritten for English by Johnny Mercer. Besides the use of electric guitar and the electrified vibraphone, I'm not sure what it is about this song that might qualify it for entry into the Jazz-Rock Fusion hall of fame. (13/15)
A2. "Skating in Central Park" (8:00) cover of The Modern Jazz Quintet's John Lewis and Judy Spencer song, too much here reminds me of watching Fred Rogers' television show. It's nice; it's relaxing, but it's Charlie Brown Christmas music! (13.25/15)
A3. "Rain Child" (6:00) a Mainieri original, this one might truly qualify as jazz-rock fusion, though it's still 60-75% jazz. (8.875/10)
B1. "On the Trail" (6:47) a cover of the Ferde Grofe and Harold Adamson song, (/15)
B2. "Instant Garlic" (6:35) composed by Mike himself (/10)
B3. "Minnesota Thins" (2:45) composed by bass player Lyn Christie, (/10)
B4. "La plus que lente" (5:00) a Mainieri arrangement of Claud Debussey song, (/10)

Why this album is mentioned in the context of the earliest examples of a jazz and rock fusion, I'm not sure. To me this is far more similar to the soothing jazz of Fred Rogers/Johnny Costa or Vince Guaraldi.

BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS Child Is Father to the Man

On February 21, Columbia Records releases the debut album of this jazz-rock fusion pioneer--initially the idea and work of founder Al Kooper--who was forced out of the band after this album and, thus, only appears on this BS&T album. The album had been recorded during studio sessions in December of '67.

Line-up / Musicians:
- Al Kooper / vocals (2,4-7,9-12), organ, piano, ondioline & bass drum (8), string arrangements (11)
- Steve Katz / electric & acoustic guitars, lute (6), vocals (3,8)
- Fred Lipsius / alto sax, piano
- Randy Brecker / trumpet, fluegelhorn (5,6)
- Jerry Weiss / trumpet, fluegelhorn
- Dick Halligan / trombone
- Jim Fielder / Fender bass
- Bobby Colomby / drums, marching drums (8), tambourine & vocals (10)
With:
- Al Gorgoni / guitar (5)
- Doug James / shaker (7)
- Valerie Simpson / chorus vocals (7,12)
- Melba Moorman / chorus vocals (7,12)
- Leslie Gurgle / vocals (8)
- Fred Catero / arrangements (5), Fx (12)
- John Simon / string arrangements (1,2,7,11), conductor (1,11), arrangements (4,6), piano (5,10), organ (6), cowbell (10), producer & mixer
- Gene Orloff / violin
- Leon Kruczek / violin
- Paul Gershman / violin
- Harry Lookofsky / violin
- Julie Held / violin
- Manny Green / violin
- Anahid Ajemian / violin
- Harry Katzman / violin
- Manny Vardi / viola
- Harold Collett / viola
- Charles McCracken / cello
- Alan Schulman / cello

1. Overture (1:33)
2. I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know (5:58)
3. Morning Glory (4:15)
4. My Days Are Numbered (3:18)
5. Without Her (2:41)
6. Just One Smile (4:37)
7. I Can't Quit Her (3:39)
8. Meagan's Gypsy Eyes (3:24)
9. Something' Going On (8:00)
10. House In The Country (3:04)
11. The Modern Adventures Of Plato, Diogenes And Freud (4:12)
12. So Much Love / Underture (4:43)

Total time 49:24

While by no means a full-blown, classic Jazz-Rock Fusion album, the exploration of "jazzifying" pop rock music with horns is done exceedingly well here.

March

Columbia Records releases MILES DAVIS' Nefertiti. Recorded in June and July of 1967, it was the fourth studio album to come from the pioneering trumpeter's "Second Great Quintet." 

To be sure, this has to be one of the most talented lineups ever in jazz history--and despite Miles' collaborators being in their young 20s and most definitely showing signs of some immaturity, the greatest innovation occurring here is with Tony Williams' drumming.

1. "Nefertiti" (7:52) a rather dull and slightly melodic lead song with Miles and Wayne up front has some rather adventurous performances from Herbie Hancock and, especially, the dynamic Tony Williams. (13.25/15)

2. "Fall" (6:39) another pleasant, melodic song in which the musicians are operating more nearly on the same wavelength--until fourth minute, that is, when Tony begins to go off into his own world, rhythmically, beneath Herbie's piano solo, but then he backs off and gets very quiet during Wayne's following solo and what follows. Interesting! (8.875/10)

3. "Hand Jive" (8:54) a much more dynamic song construct with Ron Carter walking all over his upright double bass while Tony Williams flies around his cymbals and toms. There is an odd, subtle shift in tempo in the third minute that I do not think is intentional but obviously not considered significant enough to correct or redo--and Ron Carter is not always "in the pocket" (at least not according to these amateur ears), but the song certainly displays the skills of all of the band members, with a considerable amount of time given to Wayne Shorter's solo in the middle. When Herbie is next given his turn, he seems a bit lost at first, but, after he gets warmed up, he starts to move better. Maybe everybody's just a little overwhelmed or intimidated by Tony's creativity (and Ron's hot-and-cold conformity to the "pocket"). (17.5/20)

4. "Madness "(7:31) more of the same as the previous song with Ron's fast walking and Tony's cymbal play providing the bulk of support beneath one of Miles' more dynamic and passionate solos on the album. The trio seem quite entrained. Then Wayne is given the nod to take over from Miles. He's not quite as dynamic but very impressive for his softer, breathy notes. When it comes time for Herbie's turn, everybody nearly cuts out, with only Ron and Tony remaining beneath part time, not flying around the fretboard and cymbal like they were. But then they return to their earlier form as Herbie heats up, though not quite as synched as they were with Miles--which may have something to do with Herbie's less smooth, less-melodic approach. And then they all come back together ever-so briefly before bringing the song to a quick close. (13.375/15)

5. "Riot" (3:04) Same cymbal play from Tony while Ron machine guns around the upper registers of his bass and Herbie plays a lot of chords beneath Wayne's initial lead. Then Miles is there, too. It's nice to hear the whole band working together (and Tony does get a little more active as the song develops). (8.875/10)

6. "Pinocchio" (5:08) a song that feels more like standard or old Miles bebop or hard bop. Opening with the whole rhythm section behind Wayne and Miles, Ron and Tony become more active as the song develops, something that is more noticeable during Wayne's solo (as Miles and Herbie check out). Tony really picks it up here, even when Miles and Wayne return to recapitulate the main melody. Then Herbie gets his solo. It's good, probably the best on the album, but then its over and the band pulls together to close. Very tight, "standard" jazz tune. (8.875/10)

Total Time 39:08

I think this album is most significant for confirming how much of a force drummer Tony Williams is (and is going to be). As impressive as Tony is (and Miles and Wayne, as well), I think Herbie Hancock and Ron Carter are showing how much growth they have yet to achieve--especially to be able to achieve the moment they are called upon.

B/four stars; an excellent album for prog rockers to gain insight into the genius of some of Jazz-Rock Fusion founders and all-stars--especially the phenom that was drummer Tony Williams.

Again, I cannot help but mention the unfathomable error that Columbia Records made when mistakenly switching the two album covers intended for this album and its predecessor, Sorcerer. How do such colossal blunders occur? Wasn't it obvious that "sorcerer" is a male assignation and thus deserving of a male cover photo and "Nefertiti" female and thus deserving of a female cover photo? Was Miles (and his team) not paying attention?

April

May

In mid-May, Miles Davis wraps up recording the material that would become the album Miles in the Sky, an album whose music and electrified sound palette display a definitive shift in Davis' music.

In 1967 Miles Davis met and started dating 22-year old model and driven/aspiring singer, clubber, model, and socialite, Betty Mabry. The two would marry in September of 1968 and divorce one year later. The association would dramatically expand Miles' musical and cultural perspectives--especially through his exposure to the music (and style) of James Brown, Sly & The Family Stone, and Jimi Hendrix. Previous to this relationship, Miles was notoriously obsessed with classical and jazz music--to the utter exclusion of radio, pop, and television. Betty even introduced Miles to Sly Stone and her friend Jimi Hendrix--with whom Miles would form an instant and profound connection and bond (despite his marriage-ending jealousy of him). The result, of course, would be Miles looking to see, hear, and jam with more young new musicians who were exploring the new electronically-enhanced instruments (piano, guitar, bass guitar) as well as the presence of an infusion of rock 'n' roll influence from his drummers.

June

JUNE 19-21 - Miles Davis is back in the studio, recording material that would end up on the album Filles de Kilamanjaro. At Columbia's 30th Street Studio, on the 19th, they got "Petits machins (Little Stuff)" in the can; on the 20th, two versions of "Toute de suite (Right Away)," and, on the 21st, in Columbia Studio B, "Filles de Kilamanjaro (Girls of Kilamanjaro)."

HORACE SILVER Serenade to a Soul Sister - recorded Feb. 23 and march 29 at Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, NJ.

July

DAVID AXELROD Song of Innocence

A very unusual album for its fully orchestrated presentation, David Axelrod's funky, jazzy compositions take on a lively fullness that is rarely experienced outside the concert hall or Broadway/West End music hall. Way ahead of its time! And this was the composer, arranger, producer, and multi-instrumentalists debut of his own material! Released by Capitol Records in October of 1968 and recorded in Los Angeles only months before, the album employs a cast of sessions musicians that make up a virtual Who's Who in music history--including a full complement of members of Los Angeles' The Wrecking Crew as well as orchestra members who would all go on to become very accomplished and known in the orchestral world.

Line-up / Musicians:
- David Axelrod / vocals, composer, arranger
- Carol Kaye (THE WRECKING CREW) / bass

- Earl Palmer (THE WRECKING CREW) / drums

- Gary Coleman (THE WRECKING CREW) / vocals
- Don Randi (THE WRECKING CREW) / keyboards, conductor

- Howard Roberts (THE WRECKING CREW) / guitars

- Al Casey (THE WRECKING CREW) / guitars

- Ollie Mitchell (THE WRECKING CREW) / trumpet

- Tony Terran (THE WRECKING CREW) / trumpet

- Gene Estes (WESTFALL) / percussion, vibraphone

ORCHESTRA STRINGS: Alvin Dinkin [viola], Anne Goodman [cello], Arnold Belnick [violin], Benjamin Barrett ([violin] FRANK ZAPPA); well known for his session work on 1970's funk, soul, and disco releases]), Bobby Bruce [violin], Douglas Davis [cello], Gareth Nuttycombe [violin, viola], Harry Bluestone [violin], Harry Hyams [violin], Harry Roth [violin], Jack Shulman [violin], Leonard Malarsky [violin], Marshall Sosson [violin], Myron Sander [violin, viola], Nathan Ross [violin], Raphael Kramer [cello], Sidney Sharp [violin], Tibor Zelig [violin].

ORCHESTRA HORNS: Allen Di Rienzo [trumpet], Art Maebe [French horn], Freddie Hill [trumpet], Harry Sigismonti [French horn], Lewis McCreary [trombone], Richard Leith [trombone], Vincent DeRosa [horn], Bill Hinshaw [horn].

1. "Urizen" (4:01) an awesomely jazzed-up orchestral funk composition that seems way ahead of its time (but for its similarity to contemporary sound developments both on Broadway and at Motown Records). Melodic and dence-provoking. Nice lead guitar work in the second half of the second minute followed by some stunningly awesome bass and drum work from legendary Wrecking Crew members Carol Kaye and Earl Palmer, respectively. (9.25/10)

2. "Holy Thursday" (5:32) more great orchestra-presented funky jazz musical fare that could've come off of an album coming out of Motown or from Burt Bacharach as likely as a 1970s Black Sexploitation film soundtrack. Is that future Westfall and 1970s soundtrack session drummer Gene Estes on vibraphone? and Howard Roberts shredding on the electric guitar? Great stuff! Carol Kaye is so amazing! (9.5/10)

3. "The Smile" (3:26) sadly, a variation of the previous song with the exact same drumming and orchestration but harpsichord/electric piano and electric guitar given more solo spotlight. Bassist Carol Kaye has some funky chops! And David's orchestral arrangements and Don Randi's orchestra are awesome! (8.875/10)

4. "A Dream" (2:30) bass and harpsichord open this one before gentle support drums and some low end orchestral support appear. At 1:23 the orchestra takes over. Beautiful! The bass and Harpsichord play are rather simple. (8.875/10)

5. "Song of Innocence" (4:33) another great, surprisingly funky orchestral composition blended supremely well between the strings, horns, and the bass and drums. Gene Estes and Carol Kaye provide such an awesome rhythmic foundation and Howard Roberts' Eric Gale-like electric guitar (even volume pedaled) is awesome, but the strings/orchestra steal the show on this one. I also like the addition of Don Randi's supportive organ work. Who knew jazz-rock fusion could/would ever look like this! (10/10)

6. "Merlin's Prophecy" (2:44) this cinematic song feels more like the orchestral rendering of a famous pop radio hit or main theme song from a spy movie: crossing over a little too much into the realm of elevator music. Still, it has great sound, melody, and funk! (8.875/10)

7. "The Mental Traveler" (4:02) starting with a long orchestral opening, Carol Kaye's bass is the first instrument to lead the shift to jazzy-rock funk motif that follows. Electric guitar and the presence of vibes gives this song a slightly different feel though it does end up feeling as if it's all coming from the same funky movie soundtrack. (9/10)

Total time 26:48

It's been such a joy and delight to have discovered this album--one of the surprise/delights of the year! I had no idea how much funk existed before the 1970s! Despite being so short, this is definitely one of my favorite albums from the year 1968. 

91.96 on the Fishscales = A-/five stars; a masterpiece of jazz-rock fusion--one of the finest blends of orchestra with jazz-rock musicians that you will ever hear!  

MILES DAVIS Miles in the Sky (released July 26, 1968)

Recorded January 16, 1968; May 15-16-17, 1968 for Columbia Records, this would be the last studio album recorded exclusively (except for the song "Paraphernalia") by Miles' "Second Great Quintet."

Line-up / Musicians:

- Miles Davis / trumpet
- Wayne Shorter / tenor saxophone
- Herbie Hancock / piano, electric piano on "Stuff"
- George Benson / electric guitar on "Paraphernalia"
- Ron Carter / bass, electric bass on "Stuff"
- Tony Williams / drums

A1. "Stuff" (16:58)
A2. "Paraphernalia" (12:36)
B1. "Black Comedy" (7:25)
B2. "Country Son" (13:49)

Total Time: 51:04

The second set of recording dates coincided with Miles getting serious with his girl friend, 23-year old Betty Mabry. (The two would marry in September.) Through clubbing and attending high profile concerts of the hot pop R&B artists of the day, Betty had been introducing Miles to a whole new world of pop culture: the Sixties' post-Beat, "hippie" and Black "counter" culture. One can definitely hear some of this influence in the music and instrumental sounds and textures of this album.

on the Fishscales = / stars;

JEFF BECK Truth

An album of wide-ranging guitar-centric songs that was compiled from studio recording sessions from May of 1966 and May of 1968, this is Jeff Beck's debut solo album--which was released on July 29 by EMI/Columbia and Epic Records. 

Line-up / Musicians:
- Jeff Beck / electric, acoustic (6) & pedal steel (1) guitars, bass (5), arrangements
With:
- Rod Stewart / lead vocals, co-arranger (6)
- Jimmy Page / 12-string electric guitar (5, 8)
- John Paul Jones / Hammond (4, 5), bass (8)
- Nicky Hopkins / piano (3, 4, 8, 9)
- Ron Wood / bass
- Micky Waller / drums, tambourine (2)
- Keith Moon / drums (8), timpani (5)
- ??? / bagpipes (3)

1. Shapes of Things (3:22)
2. Let Me Love You (4:44)
3. Morning Dew (4:40)
4. You Shook Me (2:33)
5. Ol' Man River (4:01)
6. Greensleeves (1:50)
7. Rock My Plimsoul (4:13)
8. Beck's Bolero (2:54)
9. Blues Deluxe (7:33)
10. I Ain't Superstitious (4:53)

Total Time 40:43

This album turned out to be the absolute wet dream for the young, hungry, guitar geek who was just waiting for one of the guitar gods of the early Sixties to unleash something totally guitar-centric. It was also the world debut of singing sensation Rod Stewart. While there is almost nothing of a jazz and rock fusionary nature, there is a lot of guitar magic and experimentation here that would add a lot of fuel to the fledgling fire of both Rock 'n' Roll and Jazz-Rock Fusion.

August

September

September 24 - Miles Davis is back from his honeymoon after marrying Betty Mabry. He calls his company back into the studio for the final session of recording the music that will become the February 1969 release, Filles de Kilamanjaro, which means, basically, recording the song "Mademoiselle Mabry (Miss Mabry)" in honor of his new bride--though a new version of the album's opening song, "Felon brun (Brown Hornet)" was also put in the can during the day's sessions.

October

TERJE RYPDAL Bleak House

A 21-year old Norwegian guitarist-composer bursts onto the world scene with some highly experimental "future" jazz in which he fuses together multiple genres of jazz and rock (with shocking facility) into tightly-designed compositions that profess a maturity and musical understanding far beyond his years. Recorded over three days in 1968 (October 7, 8 & 22) and then released early in 1969.

1. "Dead Man´s Tale" (7:03) Hawai'in guitar over Hammond organ and blues band (with loud kick drum) over which Terje sings in a very lovely emotional voice. Total blues. Beautiful interplay between the Hammond and Terje's voice, guitar, and flute. Christian Reim's Hammond play is actually good even if his instrument is recorded a little dirty. (14/15)

2. "Wes" (4:15) big band horns with Terje's chameleonic guitar. The rhythm section sets up a couple of excellent swing patterns that they smoothly from, back and forth, over the course of the album. Great song with great solo performances from Wes and saxophonist Carl Neumann. At times Terje's guitar sounds Wes Montgomery-like, at others less so. (9.25/10)

3. "Winter Serenade" (6:04) imitation wolf sounds with delicate piano tinkling and percussives open this before the piano takes over. Guitar sneakily joins in during the first half of the second minute with a lot of wobbling sounds-- single string and whole fretboard. Horns and drums add a variety of wind-like bursts and gusts as the storm arrives and its intensity increases, varies, and wavers. Ingenious orchestration of musical instruments to achieve such a mirroring "reproduction" of Mother Nature. (9/10): - a) Falling Snow - b) Snow Storm - c) Melting Snow

4. "Bleak House" (7:05) this one starts out soft and slow, sounding very Sixties, but then the loud big band horns join in and the song becomes something totally different--even transforming the guitarist right before our ears. It's part Larry CORYELL, part DON ELLIS ORCHESTRA! The bass, drums, guitar, and saxophone performances are all excellent but it's those horns that carry this one over the top! An excellent, lively, and very melodic song. (14.25/15)

5. "Sonority" (5:21) a song of stunning emotion and tenderness--even from the horns! Terje's electric guitar expresses a feeling of such depth, pain and beauty as to evoke tears. I've only heard Roy Buchanan do it as well! The best song on a great album and one of the prettiest jazz songs I've ever heard. (10/10)

6. "A Feeling Of Harmony" (2:29) acoustic guitar, flute, and wordless voice scatting from the artist alone. Feels sounds like an intimate moment from Maestro John Martyn. (9.5/10)

Total time 33:05

A/five stars; a shocking revelation of masterful jazz-rock fusion A remarkable achievement of music for 1967-68 with some breathtakingly beautiful music. One of the finest most unforgettable musical listening experiences I've ever had the privilege of hearing. If anything on PA is to be considered "essential" in order to try to understand our beloved musical genre, this might be it.

Somewhere in 1968, 20-year old Bradford guitarist Allan Holdsworth forms 'Igginbottom with Bradford mates Steven Robinson (guitar), Mick Skelly (bass), and drummer Dave Freeman. Saxophonist Ray Warleigh sees them perform up in Bradford and asks the band to join him in London where Ray gets them on stage with him at his friend Ronnie Scott's. Ronnie recommends 'Igginbottom to Decca's Deram Records A&R who record and release their album, 'Igginbottom's Wrench sometime in 1969. One of the quirkiest, most uniquely unpretentious, psychedelic, almost-Canterbury Style, albums you'll ever hear, 'Igginbottom's Wrench is on a par of creativity with anything Robert Fripp or Terje Rypdal are doing at the time. Plus, you get to hear Allan's wonderful voice singing on most of the songs.

HERBIE HANCOCK Speaks Like a Child

Originally recorded on March 6th (1-3,7,8) and 9th (4-6,9), 1968, at the Van Gelder Studio, New Jersey, the album was released by Blue Note Records in October. The music on Speaks Like a Child was intended by its composers (Herbie and, on the song "First Trip," Ron Carter & his 12-year old son [and future NBA basketball legend], Ron Jr.) to offer a gentler, more optimistic "child-like" alternate view of the world in the times of social and political upheaval that was the 1960s.

Line-up / Musicians:
- Herbie Hancock / piano
With:
- Thad Jones / fluegelhorn
- Jerry Dodgion / alto flute
- Peter Philips / bass trombone
- Ron Carter / bass
- Mickey Roker / drums

1. "Riot" (4:40)
2. "Speak Like a Child" (7:51)
3. "First Trip" (6:02)
4. "Toys" (5:53)
5. "Goodbye To Childhood" (7:07)
6. "The Sorcerer" (5:37)

Total time 37:10

Not really a Jazz-Rock Fusion offering, Herbie was exploring new ideas and forms for the expression of his music--here employing a flutist, bass trombonist, and fluegelhorn player to harmonize with his piano without ever being offered solos!

November

DON ELLIS ORCHESTRA Autumn

Don's first album since the Shock Treatment debacle (Columbia Records' righted wrong), Autumn is a bit of a scattered collection of songs. Also, it is the Orchestra's first album without superhuman work of drummer Steve Bohannon. (Replacement Ralph Humphrey [The Mothers of Invention] is pretty amazing in his own right). The August release sees the band here stretching out with new arrangements of "Indian Lady" (recorded live at Stanford University) and a cover of Charlie Parker's "K.C. Blues" as well as two other songs recorded under live conditions during the "Summer of Love." It also presents to the world the rollicking fun "Pussy Wiggle Stomp"--a song that would become the band's signatory opening song at live performances for the next few years. Autumn was either recorded or released in August, probably the former.

Lineup / Musicians:

Don Ellis / quarter-tone trumpet, amplified trumpet
With:
- Saxes & Woodwinds:
Ira Schulman - alto sax
Frank Strozier - alto sax, clarinet
Ron Starr - alto sax, flute, piccolo, soprano sax, clarinet
Sam Falzone - tenor sax, soprano sax, flute, clarinet
John Klemmer - tenor sax clarinet
John Magruder - baritone sax, clarinet, bass clarinet
- Trumpets:
Glenn Stuart
Stu Blumberg
John Rosenberg
Bob Harmon
- Trombones:
Ernie Carlson
Glenn Ferris
Don Switzer - bass trombone
Terry Woodson - bass trombone
- Tuba:
Doug Bixby
Roger Bobo
- Rhythm:
Pete Robinson - piano, clavinet, electric piano, prepared piano
Mike Lang - piano, claviniet, electric piano
Ray Neapolitan - bass
Dave Parlato - bass
Ralph Humphrey - drums
Gene Strimling - drums, miscellaneous percussion
Lee Pastora - conga
Mark Stevens - vibes, miscellaneous percussion

1. "Variations for Trumpet" (19:23) A wonderfully-recorded exploration of spacious arrangements and shifting time. Don's trumpet in the lead is as strong as ever, as are the clarity of the recordings of all of the other instruments of the Orchestra--which in and of itself is quite a feat for the follow-up of the massively corrupted and misproduced predecessor, Shock Treatment. (38.5/40)

2. "Scratt and Fluggs" (1:57) sounds like a real hoot at a country barn dance! (4.375/5)

3. "Pussy Wiggle Stomp" (6:47) a couple steps out of the deep woods of the Ozarks or Western Appalachia starts this rollicky dance tune. Eventually, the music conforms to more normal WW II-like Big Band jazz dance hit styles--only waiting for the professional dancers or the Andrews Sisters to step up front for the stage entertainment. Pretty amazing drum solo in the fifth minute! And then there is a downshift into yet another face of the Pussy Wiggle Stomp (a return to the opening motif). Such an infectious song with such tightly performed and well-recorded musicianship! (14/15)

4. "K.C. Blues" (8:44) opening with Frank Strozier's lone alto saxophone tearing up the skies yet playing with such distinct clarity that I'm sure original composer and performer Charlie "Bird" Parker would be proud. The band finally joins in during the third minute, playing pretty straightforward 1950s big band jazz, at first supporting and accenting Frank but then finally taking over for him around the five-minute mark. The rich, full arrangements that follow are notable for how numerous the banks' memberships feel. More sax soloing int he sixth minute but this time on a tenor, eventually finding the full band backing him in every way possible before everybody recedes for an electric piano solo. Nice performances, arrangements, and sound recording; just not my favorite kind of jazz. (17.5/20)

5. "Child of Ecstasy" (3:14) such solid musical performances of what feels like a simple (but we know is not) composition. The realization of the ideas of a true master of musical composition. And let's not forget how infectious is this man's energy and passion that he inspires such incredible performances like this! (9.510)

6. "Indian Lady" (17:42) those familiar horns at the start are the same but some of the instrumental performances have changed or the emphases within the soundscape mix. It feels as if the bass and drums and trumpet play have all been speeded up and clarified. The fact that this is from a live performance is nice for having the reactions of the live audience captured in the recording. But, man can these instrumentalists boogie! Because of the familiar earworm of the main melody one forgets how long this song is: so many twists and turns, so many ways to keep the main melody going on different levels while the other elements go off on crazy solo or group tangents--every expression displaying amazing skills instrumentally as well as compositionally. The all-percussion frenzy in the fourteenth and fifteenth minute is another amazing highpoint as is the frenetic bass playing behind and throughout. Simply astonishing! And that's not even mentioning the four or five times Don and the band "trick" us into thinking they're winding down to the finish only to start right back up again! I have to say that the amazing precision, recording, and energy of this long version of a song that was only eight minutes long in its first studio presentation on Electric Bath is more impressive and winning than even the great original. (33.75/35)

Total Time: 53:49

Autumn manages to showcase Don's continued compositional exploration of how to simplify complexities (i.e. create memorable, even danceable melodies while still incorporating constantly shifting time signatures) while also continuing to explore his own private fixation with the replication of classical Indian music melodies through his quarter-tone trumpet.
     While continuing to hold the bar exceedingly high for demanding skills and performance cohesion, the music on Autumn, on the whole, feels far more diverse, dynamic, and rollicking than Don's previous recordings have captured. I may be wrong--it may be the wonderful clarity and separation of all of the individual instruments captured by the recording engineers, but it's just a great music listening experience, start to finish.
     On October 17 of this year, 1967, Don Ellis’s prodigious drummer (and uncloseted organist) Steve Bohannon was killed in a car accident. Steve had been the original drummer for Don's Orchestra, being hired at the age of 18. He had only recently chosen to leave Don's Orchestra--after the recording of Shock Treatment--in order to broaden his horizons (playing organ for Howard Roberts and Shelley Manne). As a result of Steve's departure, all of the drumming duties fell upon Ralph Humphrey and percussionist Alan Estes. Autumn represents the first studio recording without Bohannon. Humphrey then became a staple of Ellis’s rhythm section until 1973.

91.81 on the Fishscales = A/five stars; an excellent collection of diverse jazz-rock fusion songs coming from one of the greatest compositional and motivational masters of the movement.

December

LARRY CORYELL Lady Coryell (Recorded and released in 1968)

The first release of Larry's material as a solo artist/bandleader. The album puts on display not only his roots, but some of his dreams for where he'd like to try to take music. It also lets people know that here we have a very talented musician/guitarist. 

Line-up / Musicians:
- Larry Coryell / guitar, bass, vocals, co-producer
With:
- Jimmy Garrison / bass (7)
- Bob Moses / drums
- Elvin Jones / drums (7,9)

1. Herman Wright (3:21) blues rock built around a "House of the Rising Sun"-like style but with more Terry Kath-like vocals and a track (L) devoted entirely to Larry's fuzzed-up guitar and another (R) that appears in the last minute without the fuzz effect. Not a great song but interesting from an historical perspective. (8.6667/10)

2. "Sunday Telephone" (2:28) a Hendrix-like sound palette with lots of wah-wah lead guitar over which Larry sings with a Gregg Allman-like "Midnight Rider" voice. Not bad! (8.875/10) 

3. "Two Minute Classical" (2:08) a full-band instrumental that sounds like a kind of a blend of The Who and The Beatles worked off a mathematical arrangement. Nice guitar performances on multiple tracks.  (4.625/5)

4." Love Child Is Coming Home" (2:30) here Larry seems to be trying out Bob Dylan. (4.375/5)

5. "Lady Coryell" (6:31) a full band instrumental psychedelic trip into Larry's sex life: a musical expression of a love making episode with his wife. Did Larry help birth "Southern Rock"? Again, lots of tracks devoted to various guitar styles and sounds here--including one that sounds very much like a sitar (!?) (8.875/10)

6. "The Dream Thing" (2:35) this one sounds like an excursion into the history of the electric guitar with Larry using some genius chord progressions in his three tracks of guitar over drums and bass. I like this one very much: you can really feel Larry's genius for guitar jazz. (9.125/10)

7. "Treats Style" (5:42) like being in the bar for a blues-jazz performance--all instrumental, walking bass line, single line of guitar play. Very nice--and nicely recorded and mixed. When he ramps up both his intensity and clarity/precision at the end of the third minute it's almost as if another guitarist has stepped on stage for a solo turn. (The voices in the background throughout make me think of Buddy Guy.) (9/10)

8. "You Don't Know What Love Is" (2:35) acoustic guitar supporting Larry's plaintive lead--sounding here a bit like Chet Atkins (from a mastery of the melody play--excepting the fact that Chet would play both parts on one guitar, in one track, in one take.) Well done. And pretty! (9/10) 

9. "Stiff Neck" (7:12) jazzy R&B drums from Elvin Jones with a jazz- and rock-directed electric guitar playing solo over the top. Elvin is so precise--despite being so syncopated--that his playing sounds as if it were digitally looped. Larry's free-form play, relying on his sound effects as much as his playing dexterity, in the sixth and seventh lends itself toward a psychedelic categorization bordering on that which would become called "heavy metal."  (13.25/15) 

10. "Cleo's Mood" (4:24) a blues rocker with a great blues "hook" and multiple layers of guitars wailing away over the bass and hand drums. Like a room of hungry cats all impatiently decrying the tardiness of their meal. (8.875/10)

Total Time 39:26

89.12 on the Fishscales = B/four stars; an excellent and very solid display of early, or proto-jazz-rock fusion from one of J-R F's earliest and future stars.