The German label MPS has been reissuing some wonderful albums from the 70s and 80s. Here are four that show how excellent music never sounds dated, only timeless.
Violinist Stephane Grappelli’s 70s working tieam of Diz Disley/g, Ike Isaacs/g and Isla Eckinger/b mix Hot Club Quintet swing with 
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ld world charm here on this 1975 session. Nobody could milk a note like Grappelli, and his vibrato swings wide on “A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley” and goes wonderfully schmaltzy on”Solitude” and “My Heart Stood Still.” He adds some electric piano on a duet with himself on a charming “Sourvenir De Villingen” while he gasps and swoops on the gypsy swingers such as “Cherokee” and “Shine” which feature Disley in a mood that is finger picking good. Wonderful!
Cool-toned guitarist Jim Hall is found in a 1969 Berlin recordidng with Jimmy Woode/b and Daniel Humar on a tasty mix of jazz standards, pop tunes and originals. Humair’s nifty cymbals on “Up, Up and Away” and sleek brushes on “Big Joe” work as a perfect teammate for Hall’s deft guitar work. Woode’s bass bops with Hall on the gently swinging “My Funny Valentine” while the guitarist does some impressive duets with himself on the lullaby “Young One, For Debra” and a tactile and tender “In A Sentimental Mood.” A clever take of “Body and Soul” features Hall quietly opening before Woode and Humair slowly enter one at a time before they finally leave the guitarist alone to close the cleverly subtle piece. Cerebrally swinging.
Drummer Elvin Jones uses two saxes to make up for the departed sound of his tenure with John Coltrane here in a band that includes Pat La Barbera/ts-ss, Michael Sturart/ts-ss, Roland Prince/g and Andy McCloud III/b. What works amazingly well is when the two sopranos link together in unison on the fiery and earty “Section 8” and when the two tenors meld on the bopping “Familiar Ground.” Even better is when one tenor goes Coltrane high and the other goes Ben Webster low on the ballad “Beatrice,” whereas the horns mix inside and outside joy as McCLoud’s bass leads on a laconic “Kalima.” Through it all, Jones sounds fresh and inspired-a find for Coltrane-plus fans.
Guitarist Joe Pass is found on a 1970 subdued session with Eberhard Weber/b and Kenny Clare/dr on a session of standards, pop tunes and bossa novas. Pass sounds nifty during the teamwork on “Chloe” and makes the notes moanon the late night casual “Joes Blues.” Clare makes the brushes boogaloo on a clever take of “Ode To Billy Joe” and the trio delivers a patient “Lil’ Darlin.” Quiet simmering dominates the Brazilian quarter of tracks, with “Meditation” having an easy stride, “Watch What Happens” quite hip and “El Gento” sweet and classy. Quiet and confident.