Jazz

Bill Evans: Homecoming:

Recorded privately in 1979, a year before he died, and just issued, this catches the great Bill Evans's final trio in splendid form on a doubly charged occasion - a visit to his Louisiana musical alma mater shortly after his brother's suicide. The music has a particular edge, transcending even the less-than-optimum recording quality. Moreover, bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Joe LaBarbera had gelled since the trio formed earlier that year, and the group was close to a peak. Amid familiar material and - a perfunctory But Beautiful aside - are superbly interpreted versions of Laurie, I Loves You, Porgy, Minha, a heartbreakingly gorgeous I Do It For Your Love and an ebullient Some Day My Prince Will Come, all emphasising Evans's emotional range.

By Ray Comiskey

Clifford Jordan: Highest Mountain: BMG Camden

Jordan's fine 1970s Muse sessions get an overdue reissue on this bargain-priced double-CD set. Two of the four albums involved, Highest Mountain and The Adventurer, place his robust tenor - a highly personal synthesis of John Coltrane and Wardell Gray - in splendid quartet settings graced by two outstanding pianists. The first is a marvellous live album with Cedar Walton, the second an excellent studio date with Tommy Flanagan. High points include a haunting John Coltrane (written by film director Spike Lee's father!) and a masterly exposition of Parker's graceful Quasimodo. Completing the package are an effective hard, boppish quintet date, and an uneven nine-piece ensemble album brilliantly dominated by Jordan and trumpeter Dizzy Reece.

By Ray Comiskey