SUN RA & HIS ARKESTRA — Some Blues But Not The Kind That's Blue (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue) lossless

Fantastic. Another rare Saturn release makes its way into the digital realm. This time, it's Some Blues But Not the Kind That's Blue, a nice 1977 date that's heavy on standards. Aside from the two Sun Ra tunes (one of which had been unreleased prior to this), this is a pretty inside date with some major statements from Ra on piano and John Gilmore on tenor. Everyone gets a bit of solo room, and the flutes and bass clarinet add some really nice colors, especially on "My Favorite Things," a song so closely identified with the John Coltrane Quartet that this version is almost startling in its contrast to Coltrane's myriad versions. Aside from the title track and the two earlier bonus takes of "I'll Get By," there is no bass player present, the low end falling mostly to Ra's piano. Luqman Ali's drumming, as always, is remarkable in its tasty understatement. The bonus tracks are a wonderful addition. "Untitled" was recorded at the same 1977 sessions but didn't make the album cut. The other tracks are rehearsals, presumably from the Ra house on Morton St. in Philadelphia. They're two takes on "I'll Get By" with Ra on organ and the great Ronnie Boykins on a particularly well-recorded bass with Akh Tal Ebah on trumpet on one take and John Gilmore on tenor on the other. It's interesting to hear these rehearsals in relation to the same song's arrangement from a few years later. Although recorded about a decade apart, Some Blues But Not the Kind That's Blue is of a piece with Blue Delight: mostly standards albums that really put the spotlight on Sun Ra's piano playing and the tenor artistry of John Gilmore. Although the Arkestra is notorious for its outside playing and cacophonous tendencies, this album shows they could play it straight as well as anyone in the game. Wonderful stuff. Sean Westergaard
Tracklist :
1    Some Blues But Not The Kind Thats Blue 8:15
Written-By – Ra
2    I'll Get By 7:18
Written-By – Ahlert, Turk
3    My Favorite Things 10:01
Written-By – Rodgers-Hammerstein
4    Untitled 7:06
Written-By – Ra
5    Nature Boy 8:52
Written-By – Ahbez
6    Tenderly 7:30
Written By – Morrison
Written-By – Lawrence, Gross
7    Black Magic 8:38
Written-By – Arlen, Mercer
8    I'll Get By [Alternate Take] 7:24
Written-By – Ahlert, Turk
9    I'll Get By [Alternate Take] 6:42
Written-By – Ahlert, Turk
Credits :
Bass – Richard Williams (tracks: 1), Ronnie Boykins (tracks: 8, 9)
Bassoon – James Jacson (tracks: 1 to 7)
Clarinet – Eloe Omoe (tracks: 1 to 7)
Congas – Atakatune (tracks: 1 to 7)
Drums – Luqman Ali (tracks: 1 to 7)
Flugelhorn – Akh Tal Ebah (tracks: 8)
Flute – Danny Davis (tracks: 1 to 7), James Jacson (tracks: 1 to 7)
Organ – Sun Ra (tracks: 8, 9)
Piano – Sun Ra (tracks: 1 to 7)
Saxophone – John Gilmore (tracks: 1 to 7, 9), Marshall Allen (tracks: 1 to 7)

PAUL BLEY | JOHN GILMORE | PAUL MOTIAN | GARY PEACOCK — Turning Point (1975-1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue) lossless

Recorded for Muse Records in 1967 as Grant Green was on an extended recording hiatus -- it was his only record between 1965's His Majesty, King Funk, his only album for Verve, and 1969's Carryin' On, his return to Blue Note -- Iron City actually captures the guitarist in fine form, jamming on six blues and R&B numbers with his longtime cohorts, organist Big John Patton and drummer Ben Dixon. The trio members had long ago perfected their interplay, and they just cook on Iron City, working a hot groove on each song. Even the slow blues "Motherless Child" has a distinct swing in its backbeat, but most of the album finds the trio tearing through uptempo grooves with a vengeance. Green's playing is a bit busier than normal and he solos far more often than Patton, who lays back through most of the album, providing infectious vamps and lead lines. The two styles mesh perfectly with Dixon's deft drumming, resulting in a fine, overlooked date that showcases some of Green's hottest, bluesiest playing. Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist :
1    Calls    6:10
 Carla Bley
2    Turning    6:30
 Paul Bley
3    King Korn    6:00
 Carla Bley
4    Ictus    4:05
 Carla Bley
5    Mr Joy    3:50
 Annette Peacock
6    Kid Dynamite    3:40
 Annette Peacock
7    Ida Lupino    5:20
 Carla Bley
Credits :
Paul Bley - Piano
John Gilmore - Tenor Saxophone
Gary Peacock - Bass
Paul Motian - Drums
Billy Elgart - Drums on Nr. 5 & 6