Jazz Impressions of Eurasia // Dave Brubeck (Columbia CS 8058)

Back to the 'Better Than 'Time Out'' series of Brubeck albums, which is Raggy Waltz's (admittedly protracted) celebration of Dave Brubeck's December birthday. For this installment, here's an album that was recorded a year before 'Time Out' and like that album is all-original material. Music to the! The Music The Tune: "Nomad"Recorded: 25 July, 1958 [...]

Jazz Impressions of Japan // Dave Brubeck (Columbia CS 2212)

Here at Raggy Waltz, we're celebrating the birthday of Dave Brubeck all month long by profiling different albums that I think are just as great or better than Brubeck's much-acclaimed 'Time Out' album.  We know about that one, so let's hear about the other ones.  Last week I talked about another time-themed album of Brubeck's.  [...]

A New Perspective // Donald Byrd & Voices (Blue Note BLP 4124)

Here at Raggy Waltz, we're open about our rather biased approach to record collecting and listening.  West Coast is the best the coast.  Prestige and Blue Note albums are constantly pontificated on amongst most jazz record collectors, so why continue the trend here if you can read it elsewhere?  Long live Fantasy, Pacific Jazz, and [...]

Bags Groove //Miles Davis (Prestige 7109)

Look out world.  After having written a post about an original Blue Note album, here comes my first post about an original Prestige album.  Mama I made it. The Music The Tune:  "Airegin" Recorded:  29 June, 1954 in Hackensack, NJ Personnel: Miles Davis-  Trumpet Sonny Rollins-  Tenor Sax Horace Silver-  Piano Percy Heath-  Bass Kenny [...]

Straight, No Chaser // Thelonious Monk (Columbia CS 9451)

Born 101 years ago on this day in October, Thelonious Monk's birthday is a great excuse to put a record or two of his on the turntable.  My record of choice? The Music The Tune:  "Straight, No Chaser" Recorded:  1966-67 Personnel: Charlie Rouse:  Tenor Sax Thelonious Monk:  Piano Larry Gales:  Bass Ben Riley:  Drums Considering [...]