Dizzy Gillespie: Jazz Legends (BBC)
Oddly, given its exceptional quality, Gillespie's late-1980s big band left no commercial recordings; this BBC broadcast from the Royal Festival Hall is all that survives. It's excellent, not only in terms of sound quality, but also in the brio and precision of the ensembles and the calibre of the soloists. Chief of these are the leader and (despite some high note histrionics) Jon Faddis on trumpets, Ralph Moore, Sam Rivers and Jerry Dodgion among the reeds, trombonist Steve Turre and pianist James Williams, while the rhythm section is stirred by stellar drummer Ignacio Berroa. The repertoire is familiar - Emanon, Manteca, Night In Tunisia, The Champ, some standards - but the arrangements are more than simple retreads. Well worth while.
Ray Comiskey
Jack Montrose: Arranged/Played/Composed (Koch Jazz)
Killed off by critical hostility and its own precious navel-gazing, West Coast jazz did dilute the visceral with some mild classical borrowings - counterpoint, canonic imitation, fugues - spiced with some tart harmonic seasoning. At its best, however, it emphasised thoughtful craftsmanship with lucidly swinging writing and laid back, melodic soloing. Montrose, a capable writer and a competent tenor, epitomised its finer aspects. On this delightful, rare 1950s album he's joined by a great baritone, Bob Gordon, with pianist Paul Moer, bassist Red Mitchell and drummer Shelly Manne, for some standards and originals (including a gorgeous ballad, April's Fool). Time has validated the music; it sounds as freshly minted as when it was first recorded.
Ray Comiskey