RAHSAAN ROLAND KIRK — Aces Back To Back (1998) 4CD BOX-SET | APE (image+.cue), lossless

Whether or not the four individual albums packaged with in Aces Back to Back are among Rahsaan Roland Kirk's finest is of no consequence. The fact that they have been assembled in a package that offers the listener a sense of Kirk's development and continuity is the issue here. And in this way, Aces Back to Back is a supreme collection. The four albums included -- Left & Right, Rahsaan Rahsaan, Prepare Thyself to Deal With a Miracle, and Other Folks Music -- date from 1969 to 1976 and chart dimensional growth of Kirk's completely original music. There's the outsider wizardry of Left & Right that melds the innovations of John Coltrane and Scott Joplin across an entire range of highly experimental yet wonderfully human music. Guests included Roy Haynes, Alice Coltrane, Julius Watkins, and many others in a band that ranged from a quartet to a full orchestra. Then there are the nine musicians who appear on Rahsaan Rahsaan, among them avant violinist Leroy Jenkins. Here, from the margins comes Kirk's preaching and poetry and also yielded the classics "The Seeker" and "Baby Let Me Shake Your Tree." The fact that they open and close the album, respectively, reveals not only Kirk's diversity, but also his commitment to a universal black music. Prepare Thyself to Deal With a Miracle is Kirk's meditation on orchestral music juxtaposed against folk and R&B forms. Form the opening "Salvation and Reminiscing," where the string section carries a monadic theme into microtonal territory, Kirk uses the "ugliness" to achieve great beauty which is fully realized when he combines a revved-up version of "Balm in Gilead" with a section of Ralph Vaughn Williams' Pastoral Symphony on "Seasons." Finally, with the issue of Others Folks Music, Kirk contributes only one composition, a beautiful meditation entitled "Water for Robeson and Williams." The rest is made up of the music of Charlie Parker ("Donna Lee"), Kirk's then pianist Hilton Ruiz ("Arrival"), Frank Foster ("Simone"), and others. This is a loose, roughneck record where Kirk uses the harmonics of others to transform his own into something that would make the music itself larger than any of its individual parts. In all for the price tag, this is a solid buy, revealing the most misunderstood innovator in the history of jazz.
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All Tracks & Credits :

RAHSAAN ROLAND KIRK - Simmer, Reduce, Garnish & Serve / The Warner Bros. Recordings (1995) APE (tracks+.cue), lossless

This single CD has selections from Rahsaan Roland Kirk's final three albums. His work on his last record Boogie-Woogie String Along for Real was quite heroic and miraculous because he had suffered a major stroke that greatly limited his abilities; in fact Kirk had the use of only one of his hands so his playing was sadly restricted. There is a remarkable amount of variety plus a liberal dose of Kirk's humor on this retrospective, ranging from a "Bagpipe Medley" and "Sweet Georgia Brown" (complete with a whistler and Freddie Moore's washboard) to a warm "I'll Be Seeing You" and a tribute to Johnny Griffin, the main influence on Rahssan's tenor sound. For those listeners who do not already have the three LPs, this is a strong best-of sampler of the saxophonist's final period although his earlier recordings are recommended first. This CD concludes with an emotional and rather touching collage that pays tribute to Kirk's genius and mourns his premature death. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Lunatic Danza 5'24
Traditional
2     Theme for the Eulipions 9'44
Rahsaan Roland Kirk / Betty Neals
3     Sweet Georgia Brown 4'45
Ben Bernie / Kenneth Casey / Maceo Pinkard
4     I'll Be Seeing You 6'08
Sammy Fain / Irving Kahal
5     Los Angeles Negro Chorus 0'27
6     Serenade to a Cuckoo 3'37
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
7     Bagpipe Medley 2'15
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
8     J. Griff's Blues 7'32
Traditional
9     Mary McLeod Bethune 0'24
10     I Loves You, Porgy 1'49
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward
11     Hey Babebips 5'09
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
12     In a Mellow Tone 6'16
Duke Ellington / Milt Gabler
13     Dorthaan's Walk 7'12
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
14     Watergate Blues 6'35
Percy Heath
15     Summertime 1'40
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward
16     Thunder and Lightning Goodbye 4'10
All Credits

RAHSAAN ROLAND KIRK - Kirkatron + Boogie-Woogie String Along for Real (2005) 2xCD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This issue combines two late-period Rahsaan Roland Kirk albums: Kirkatron, begun shortly before the major stroke that debilitated him and shortened his life, and Boogie-Woogie String Along for Real, his first attempt at a comeback and his final recording. Kirkatron hosts three tunes recorded for it, and nine more that were outtakes from the preceding 5000 Lb. Man sessions, and a few from the Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival concert. As such it does contain a number of tunes that define the man at the height of his powers including a cover of Leon Russell's "This Masquerade," the live "Serenade to a Cuckoo," and a fine "Bright Moments." His bandmates on the date include a young Hilton Ruiz on piano and Steve Turre. Boogie-Woogie String Along for Real does stand in contrast to Kirkatron. The intensity and intention is there, but it's more subtle, informed no doubt by the fact that Kirk had taught himself to play with only his left hand because his right had been rendered unusable by the accident. He also employed a full string section, taking his music into a new direction. But there are beautiful and deeply soulful moments here, as well, including "Summertime," the wonderfully up "Dorthaan's Walk," the deep blues of "Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor," and the barrelhouse title track which opens the set.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Kirkatron    
1    Serenade To A Cuckoo    3:38
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
2    This Masquerade    5:29
 Leon Russell
3    Sugar    3:27
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
4    Los Angeles Negro Blues    1:27
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk / Stanley Turrentine
5    Steppin' Into Beauty    6:42
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
6    Christmas Song    3:34
 Mel Tormé / Robert Wells
7    Bagpipe Medley    2:15
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
8    Mary McLeod Bethune    2:23
9    Bright Moments    4:11
 Todd Barkan / Rahsaan Roland Kirk
10    Lyriconon    4:10
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
11    Night In Tunisia    4:58
 Dizzy Gillespie / Frank Paparelli
12    J. Griff's Blues    7:43
Traditional
Credits :
Boogie-Woogie String Along For Real    
1    Boogie-Woogie String Along For Real    8:53
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
2    I Loves You, Porgy    1:48
 Ira Gershwin
3    Make Me A Pallet On The Floor    7:18
 Traditional
4    Hey Babebips    5:06
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
5    In A Mellow Tone    6:15
 Duke Ellington
6    Summertime    1:39
 George Gershwin
7    Dorthaan's Walk    7:12
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
8        Watergate Blues    6:34
 Percy Heath
Credits :

RAHSAAN ROLAND KIRK - The Case of the 3 Sided Dream in Audio Color (1975-2004) Atlantic Masters | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Perhaps I am an apologist for Rahsaan Roland Kirk, I don't know. If I am then I should be smacked, because he needed no one to make apologies for him. The Case of the 3-Sided Dream in Audio Color is a case in point. The namby-pamby jazz critics, those "serious" guys who look for every note to be in order before they'll say anything positive, can shove it on this one. They panned the hell out of it in 1975, claiming it was "indulgent." Okay. Which Kirk record wasn't? Excess was always the name of the game for Kirk, but so was the groove, and here on this three-sided double LP, groove is at the heart of everything. Surrounding himself with players like Cornell Dupree, Hugh McCracken, Richard Tee, Hilton Ruiz (whose playing on "Echoes of Primitive Ohio and Chili Dogs" is so greasy, so deliciously dirty it's enthralling), Steve Gadd, and others from that soul-jazz scene, it's obvious what you're gonna get, right? Nope. From his imitations of Miles Davis and John Coltrane on "Bye, Bye, Blackbird" to his screaming, funky read on "High Heel Sneakers" to his Delta-to-New-Orleans version of "The Entertainer," Kirk is deep in the groove. But the groove he moves through is one that is so large, so universal, deep, and serene, that it transcends all notions of commercialism versus innovation. Bottom line, even with the charming tape-recorded ramblings of his between tunes, this was his concept and it works like a voodoo charm. Here's one for the revisionists: This record jams.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1    Conversation    0:57
2    Bye Bye Blackbird 2:37
Written-By – Mort Dixon, Ray Henderson
3    Horses (Monogram/Republic)    0:19
4    High Heel Sneakers 4:48
Written-By – Robert Higginbotham
5    Dream    0:52
6    Echoes Of Primitive Ohio And Chili Dogs 6:52
Written-By – Rahsaan Roland Kirk
7    The Entertainer (Done In The Style Of The Blues) 6:00
Written-By – Scott Joplin
8    Freaks For The Festival 4:00
Written-By – Rahsaan Roland Kirk
9    Dream    1:31
10    Portrait Of Those Beautiful Ladies 6:22
Written-By – Rahsaan Roland Kirk
11    Dream    0:59
12    The Entertainer 6:12
Written-By – Scott Joplin
13    Dream    1:05
14    Dream    0:24
15    Portrait Of Those Beautiful Ladies 7:53
Written-By – Rahsaan Roland Kirk
16    Dream    0:50
17    Freaks For The Festival 5:34
Written-By – Rahsaan Roland Kirk
18    Horses    0:19
19    Bye Bye Blackbird 2:37
Written-By – Mort Dixon, Ray Henderson
20    Conversation    0:53
21    Telephone Conversation    12:40
Credits :
Arranged By – Rahsaan Roland Kirk (pistas: 1 to 3, 5, 6, 9, 11 to 14, 16, 18, 20, 21)
Arranged By, Conductor – Arthur Jenkins (pistas: 4, 10, 15), William Eaton (pistas: 7, 8, 17)
Baritone Saxophone – Pat Patrick
Bass – Francisco Centeno, Metathias Pearson, Bill Salter
Congas – Lawrence Killian
Congas, Percussion – Ralph MacDonald
Drums – John Goldsmith, Sonny Brown, Steve Gadd
Guitar – Cornell Dupree, Hugh McCracken, Keith Loving
Keyboards – Arthur Jenkins, Hilton Ruiz, Richard Tee
Tenor Saxophone, Bass Saxophone, Flute, Trumpet, Saxophone [Manzello], Arranged By – Rahsaan Roland Kirk

RAHSAAN ROLAND KIRK - The Return of the 5000 Lb. Man (1976) lp | 24bits-96hz | FLAC (tracks), lossless

The Return of the 5000 Lb. Man was Rahsaan Roland Kirk's first album for Warner Brothers, recorded before the stroke that impaired him. Kirk is at full creative and musical strength. These seven tracks are an utter astonishment. Kirk's playing of saxophones, harmonica, flutes, and euphonium is deep, soulful, and even profound in places. "Theme for the Eulipions" (which opens the album), "Giant Steps," and "There Will Never Be Another You" features an all-star band that includes Charlie Persip, a young Hilton Ruiz, bassist Buster Williams, Romeo Perique on baritone saxophone, and Howard Johnson on tuba. The version of "Sweet Georgia Brown," with its wacky percussion and whistling, is so utterly joyful and funky it's perhaps the definitive jazz version of the tune. But it's the readings of Minnie Riperton's "Loving You" and Charles Mingus' "Goodbye Porkpie Hat" that take the album to an entirely new place. They are, though very different from one another, so utterly moving and aesthetically beautiful, they elevate music to the level of poetry. This is one that's utterly necessary for fans, and a very fitting intro for the novice.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
SIDE A
1    Theme For The Eulipions 9:22
Music By – Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Solo Vocal – Maeretha Stewart
Words By, Speech – Betty Neals
2    Sweet Georgia Brown 5:07
Written-By – Ben Bernie, Kenny Casey, Maceo Pinkard
3    I'll Be Seeing You
Written-By – Irving Kahal, Sammy Fain
SIDE B
1    Loving You 4:42
Written-By – Minnie Riperton, Richard Rudolph
2    Goodbye Pork Pie Hat 6:17
Music By – Charles Mingus
Words By – Rahsaan Roland Kirk
3    There Will Never Be Another You 5:08
Written-By – Harry Warren, Mac Gordon
4    Giant Steps 6:11
Music By – John Coltrane
Words By – Betty Neals
Credits :
Arranged By – Frank Foster (pistas: A1, B3, B4), Rahsaan Roland Kirk (pistas: A2, A3, B1 to B3)
Backing Vocals – Adrienne Albert (pistas: A1, B3, B4), Arthur Williams (pistas: A1, B3, B4), Francine Carroll (pistas: A1, B3, B4), Hilda Harris (pistas: A1, B3, B4), Maeretha Stewart (pistas: A1, B3, B4), Milton Grayson (pistas: A1, B3, B4), Randy Peyton (pistas: A1, B3, B4)
Baritone Saxophone – Romeo Penque (pistas: A1, B3, B4)
Bass – Charles 'Buster' Williams (pistas: A1, B3, B4), Mattathias Pearson (pistas: B1, B2), Milton Hinton (pistas: A2)
Celesta – Hilton Ruiz (pistas: B4)
Drums – Bill Carney (pistas: A3), Charlie Persip (pistas: A1, B3, B4), Jerry Griffin (pistas: B1, B2)
Guitar – William Butler (pistas: A3, B1, B2)
Harmonica, Saxophone [Stritchaphone], Tenor Saxophone, Vocals, Producer – Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Keyboards – Arthur Jenkins (pistas: B1, B2)
Organ – Trudy Pitts (pistas: A3)
Percussion – Habao Texidor (pistas: A1, B1 to B4), Warren Smith (pistas: B1, B2)
Piano – Hank Jones (pistas: A2), Hilton Ruiz (pistas: A1, B1 to B3)
Tuba – Howard Johnson (pistas: A1, B3, B4)
Whistling – William Eaton (pistas: A2)

RAHSAAN ROLAND KIRK - Compliments of the Mysterious Phantom (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

For those who believed Bright Moments was "it" when it came to Rahsaan Roland Kirk live recordings -- meaning that Joel Dorn's various live Kirk packages have been substandard in comparison, though not without considerable interest -- Christmas came early in 2003. Compliments of the Mysterious Phantom is a performance of the Roland Kirk band on the final night of a western tour, recorded in November of 1974 in San Diego. Even though this has been released on Dorn's Hyena Records label, which has put out some dodgy stuff in the past -- including the infamously substandard Man Who Cried Fire -- this performance is excellent. It was recorded just a couple of weeks after the sets that became Bright Moments. The band is Kirk, Hilton Ruiz on piano, Henry Pearson on bass, drummer John Goldsmith and a percussionist dubbed "Samson Verge."

The set starts out with a smoking, completely in your face, blowing version of McCoy Tyner's "Passion Dance." It's all fire as Kirk takes the stage and goes head to head with Ruiz. But just as quickly, the band drifts with very little pause into an absolutely heartbreaking rendition of "My One and Only Love," until Kirk begins his unaccompanied circular breathing solo that nonetheless stays in the same harmonic range as the main body of the tune -- and the solo is glorious. He talks of bringing "bright moments, and we bring you 'miraclized music'," the great tenderness and brilliance of the man and artist is borne out in what follows. Jumping directly into "Fly Town Nose Blues," on which he jams on the nose flute, Kirk moves through the history of the evolution of blues with a funky Latin backbeat. From there the recording moves into "Volunteered Slavery" and another monologue, and then to a pair of excerpts from "Old Rugged Cross" and "Bright Moments," before the most amazing rendition of blacknuss ever released to the public. The musical part of the set closes with "Freaks for the Festival," with unbelievable left-hand work by Ruiz. This is groove jazz from outer space, and should have been playing in the barroom scene in the very first Star Wars movie. Kirk sends it out by saying he is not afraid of death, he is ready to die (how manhy of us can say that) -- "Bring it on," bring it on" he says. The last sound one on the record is hears is his laughter. While the sound on this date is not pristine by any means, it nonetheless captures all the magic and mystery of the man himself. Essential.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1    Passion Dance 4:41
Composed By – McCoy Tyner
2    My One And Only Love 9:44
Composed By – Guy Wood, Robert Mellin
3    Rahspeak #1    1:58
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
4    Fly Town Nose Blues    5:50
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
5    Volunteered Slavery    7:16
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
6    Rahspeak #2    1:30
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
7    Bright Moments (Excerpt)    7:46
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
8    Old Rugged Cross (Excerpt)    3:54
 Traditional
9    Blacknuss    4:52
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
10    Freaks For The Festival    3:52
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
11    Rahspeak #3    0:18
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Credits :
Bass – Henry Pearson
Drums – John Goldsmith
Percussion – Samson Verge
Piano – Hilton Ruiz
Tenor Saxophone, Saxophone [Manzello], Flute, Nose Flute, Siren, Whistle, Composed By – Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Notas.
Recorded "live" at the Backdoor, San Diego State University, CA, November 5, 1974.