Collector’s Field Guide #1: Miles Davis – Ascenseur Pour L’échafaud (Fontana 660.213 MR)

Many 10-inch jazz LPs have an aura about them but Ascenseur Pour L’échafaud seems to possess an even greater degree of je ne sais quoi. This tiny jewel of a collector’s item combines the hipness of New York’s pre-eminent modern jazz personality with the chic of French New Wave cinema.

Sonny Rollins – The Sound of Sonny (Riverside RLP 12-241)

By 1957, Sonny Rollins was established as the pre-eminent tenor saxophonist in modern jazz. Stints with Miles Davis, the Clifford Brown/Max Roach quintet and Thelonious Monk and a stunning series of records under his own name for Prestige Records had provided ample justification for the soubriquet Saxophone Colossus.

Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers – Indestructible! (Blue Note BLP 4193)

The hardest of hard bop is synonymous with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers and both the front cover and the title of Indestructible! leave you in no doubt that the man meant business.

John Coltrane – Giant Steps (Atlantic SD 1311)

Brace yourselves for a story of controversy and revelation! Hardly what you’d expect from a 50+ year old record but sometimes life is surprising. Before all that though, let’s consider the music…

Miles Davis – Workin’ with the Miles Davis Quintet (Prestige PRLP 7166)

Discographical Details Artist: Miles Davis. Title: Workin’ with the Miles Davis Quintet. Label and Catalogue Number: Prestige PRLP 7166. Personnel: Miles Davis (trumpet); John Coltrane (tenor sax); Red Garland (piano); Paul Chambers (bass); “Philly” Joe Jones (drums). Side 1: It Never Entered My Mind; Four; In Your Own Sweet Way; The Theme (Take 1). SideContinue reading “Miles Davis – Workin’ with the Miles Davis Quintet (Prestige PRLP 7166)”

Blue Mitchell – Blue Soul (Riverside RLP 12-309)

Discographical Details Artist: Blue Mitchell. Title: Blue Soul. Label and Catalogue Number: Riverside RLP 12-309. Personnel: Blue Mitchell (trumpet); Jimmy Heath (tenor sax); Curtis Fuller (trombone); Wynton Kelly (piano); Sam Jones (bass); “Philly” Joe Jones (drums). Side 1: Minor Vamp; The Head; The Way You Look Tonight; Park Avenue Petite; Top Shelf. Side 2: WaverleyContinue reading “Blue Mitchell – Blue Soul (Riverside RLP 12-309)”

Dexter Gordon – A Swingin’ Affair (Blue Note BLP 4133)

Discographical Details Artist: Dexter Gordon. Title: A Swingin’ Affair. Label and Catalogue Number: Blue Note BLP 4133. Personnel: Dexter Gordon (tenor sax); Sonny Clark (piano); Butch Warren (bass); Billy Higgins (drums). Side 1: Soy Califa; Don’t Explain; You Stepped Out of a Dream. Side 2: The Backbone; Until the Real Thing Comes Along; McSplivens. RecordingContinue reading “Dexter Gordon – A Swingin’ Affair (Blue Note BLP 4133)”

Bobby Hutcherson – Stick-Up! (Blue Note BST 84244)

Discographical Details Artist: Bobby Hutcherson. Title: Stick-Up! Label and Catalogue Number: Blue Note BST 84244. Personnel: Joe Henderson (tenor sax); Bobby Hutcherson (vibes); McCoy Tyner (piano); Herbie Lewis (bass); Billy Higgins (drums). Side 1: Una Muy Bonita; 8/4 Beat; Summer Nights. Side 2: Black Circle; Verse; Blues Mind Matter. Recording Date: 14 July 1966 atContinue reading “Bobby Hutcherson – Stick-Up! (Blue Note BST 84244)”