One of the true highlights of jazz reissues has to be The Xanadu Master Edition being headed by Don Schlitten and Zev Feldman. This latest batch focuses concerts during April of 1976 in Tokyo Japan, most of them during just a couple of days, where jazz stars converged for some classic sounds. The core rhythm team of Sam Jones/ b and Leroy Williams served as the foundation for three gigs of jazz that is made for the beboppers heart.
Piano legend Barry Harris shows his Bud Powell loyalties from his concerts of April 1, 12 and 14 in 1976 as he delightfully bounces for Bud on “Dance of the Infidels,” “Un Poco Loco” and “A Night In Tunisia.” He sheds special light on his read of “’Round Midnight” and glows like a flashlight in the Serengeti during “I’ll Remember April” and “Like Someone In Love.” His vibrant left hand holds court while his right searches for new lands on two takes of “Ornithology” and “Tea For Two.” Music this fresh makes most of today’s ruminations seem like day old bagels.
Guitarist Jimmy Raney is also in trio form with Jones and Williams, with his strings ringing like a bell on “Just Friends” and “ Anthropology.” The trio delivers a hip little latin Lupe Lu on “ Here’s That Rainy Day” (was there a pun intended here?) while his solo rendition of “Stella By Starlight” is an astronomer’s dream. The team bops with delight on “Cherokee” and “Anthropology” with Raney creating new ideas at his fingertips on each chorus. You feel like you’re watching Geppetto carve a human out of wood on these masterful creations.
Alto Saxist Charles McPherson takes his Bird-inspired horn and tams up with the entire team, with Raney getting lots of space on “Groovin’ High” and “Blue ‘N’ Boogie” which are both bonus tracks not found on the original 1976 album. McPherson himself is in vintage form, joyfully snapping everyone to attention as he trades back and forth with Harris on ”Bouncing With Bud” and jiving a samba during “Desafinado.” He is warm and cuddly on “ These Foolish Things” and swoops like a pelican as he brings Kansas City to Japan on “ Tokyo Blue.” Why doesn’t anyone play like this anymore?
Xanadu Records