juzz track

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33673, 24 October 1974, Page 4

juzz track

with

JOHN McNEILL

The demise of great influences on jazz such as John Coltrane and Eric Dolphy has left the art with few innovations. Only Ornette Coleman, Sonny Rollins and Miles Davis seem to pursue their creative fancies, and then not always to the pleasure of their audience. Festival Records have chosen a safe rather than adventurous role in New Zealand by releasing tried and true jazz pressings by the masters. In their latest series of mono doubles—all “unenhanced” — they have given us more of Rollins, Monk, Lateef, Cannonball Adderley, Milt Jackson, Charlie Byrd and Herbie Mann. In my order. Rollins comes first. Rollins, like Davis, has artistic integrity, the ability to innovate while retaining his own style. His phrasing contains an element of humour, a touch of levity in otherwise serious endeavours. “Way Out West” and “Alfie” would be splendid companion albums f ->r “Sonny Rollins” (Milestone 45385/6) which has his 20 minute “Freedom Suite” and some previously un released standards. Great listening. The Monk (Milestone 45327/8) album is for enthusiasts only. Tlte four full sides are of unaccompanied piano solos, which, cover writer Orrin Keepnews assures us, is the original role of the piano in jazz. Sides 1 and 3 are of

standards. 2 and 4 of Monk’s compositions (standards now too). The selections are roughly chronological, and are well documented. Most are first takes, but a second take of “Functional” is included as well. It gives insight into Monk’s improvisation technique. The music of Cannonball Adderley (Milestone 45331/ 2) has never excited me, but with support artists like Blue Mitchell (trumpet player with John Mayall last year) and Bill Evans’s piano, one can overlook Adderley if he’ll let you. His playing on these selections is forceful, and the hour and 40 minutes good value for money. Many jazz listeners cut their teeth on the music of Milt Jackson and the Modern Jazz Quartet, but little of Jackson’s solo work has been released here. On Milt Jackson (Milestone 45321/2) he’s still a disciplined swinger, his vibraharp technique, if dented by virtuosity like Gary Burton’s, adequate enough to throw in those melodic surprises. Again too, a mix of standards — his and theirs. Herbie Mann (Milestone 45333/4) are some of his earliest and finest works. Mann is a rather commercial musician (he likes to eat regularly) and has, to his credit, vast numbers of albums, many highly prized by Muzak-type programmers. They won’t want these two.