Back when my daughter Angela was in college, she told me how she was in someone’s house and they had on some music. “What were you listening to?” I asked. “They said it was jazz,” she replied, “but I told them it wasn’t something you would listen to, so it wasn’t jazz.”
These five reissues by Elemental Music are 
jazz. Real jazz. Made in the mid 1970s when acoustic bop was as frequent as shrimp at a bar mitzvah, but producer Don Schlitten kept the flame burning with sessions like these. Gather ‘round and listen to the real deal!
The two disc summit meeting between Dexter Gordon and Al Cohn from 1976 are exhibits A and B with what is wrong with today’s 
cacophonic tenor sax players. Cohn is warm toned and swinging like Zoot Sims, while Gordon is brawny and muscular like Rollins as they team up with boppers Blue Mitchel-Sam Noto/tp, and a swinging rhythm team of Barry Harris/p, Sam Jones/b and Louis Hayes/dr. The guys stretch out on laconic material such as “True Blue” and a glorious 19 minute Silver Blue, with reeds locking with the brass on a bopping Lady Bird.” The apotheosis is a duet between the two tenors ; you think the opening to “On The Trail” will eventually lead into the rhythm section joining in, but after a few minutes, you hope that they never do, and your prayers are answered for 6 minutes of reed rapture. You’ll never listen to an ECM album again after this one.
You’ve probably never heard of pianist Dolo Coker, who lived in Philly and LA most of his career, remaining in the background of the scene. He has an attractive spindly touch on the ivories, demonstrated on this December 1976 session where he’s in a trio with LeRoy Vinnegar/b and Frank Butler/dr for a lovely “Gone Again” and a haunting “Round Midnight.” The rest of the session includes proto-boppers Art Pepper/as-ts and Blue Mitchell/tp-fh for some vintage toe tapping. The first guilty pleasure is to hear Pepper on the rarely recorded tenor, and he’s beyond expectation during “Jumpin’ Jacks” while his alto is juicy during the samba “Tale of Two Cities.” Mitchell, always underrated and always warm toned, glows orange embers on the bluesy “Roots 4FB.” A bon bon of bop.
Baritone saxist Ronnie Cuber, still alive and playing well, is found her in an August ’76 session with Harris (who is unbelievably fervent in every session), Sam Jones/b and Albert “Tootie” Heath. Cuber flexes his muscles like Charles Atlas on a nifty “Tin Tin Teo” and an inspired “Star Eyes” which both give Harris a chance to stretch his fingers a bit. The rhythm section sizzles on “Samba D’Orfeo” and sparkles on “Misty” as Cuber sounds as helpless as a kitten in a tree. Vintage hard bop that excites.
Pianist Kenny Drew is in a trio format with LA stalwarts LeRoy Vinnegar/b and Frank Butler/dr and they deliver soulful readings of material such as “Work Song” and “It Could Happen To You.” Famed for his work on Coltrane’s classic Blue Train album, he knows his way around a ballad as well and wafts like silk drapes during “Prelude To A Kiss.” An added bonus is a solo take of “Yesterdays” that has haunting use of space and dynamics. A classic trio that has aged not an iota.
I’m not going to say that I’ve saved the best for last, because all of these reissues are essential. BUT, having said that, altoist Charles McPherson (who’s also still gracing this earth) came up with the brilliant concept of soft and romantic ballads, and it’s a gift from heaven. His alto is full fat yogurt rich, and with Duke Jordan/p, Sam Jones/b and LeRoy Williams, his August ’78 session floats like a cirrus cloud on “They Say It’s Wonderful” and “But Beautiful.” The rhythm team keeps the pulse at a long distant runner’s pace, with “Lover” and ”It Had To Be You” delightfully and attractively understated. This Mingus alumnus hits a walk off home run here. Go online and get this one now NOW NOW!!!!
BTW-each of these reissues include delicious booklets with insightful info and hip photos. Treat yourself to the entire catalog. You’ll thank me later.
Xanadu Master Edition