Although there are a few jazz-rock albums in the main 74 FROM ’74 list, I limited the jazz component to make the selection process more manageable. But here are ten (from the eighty or so) from the VC collection, albums I enjoy greatly. Plenty of variety, both in terms of style and relative fame of the artist. I won’t write about them, but feel free to ask for a description/justification if you are so moved!
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For DD, who knows the uplifting and sustaining power of music.
vinylconnection.com.au 
Thank you, Bruce. I will enjoy exploring the unfamiliar, the forgotten and some old favourites on the list.
I’m wondering if ‘The Removalist’ is based on the David Williamson play of that name. I also wonder if I will recall the music when I fire it up.
However, I think I’ll make Prelusion. first on my list.
Kind regards,
DD
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Snap!, DD. Prelusion is playing right now. Fine LP.
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Oh, and 10 bonus points for The Removalists. It was commissioned for a production of the brutal Williamson play.
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😆
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A fine choice
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Prelusion is still fresh.
It sounds modern and innovative; in an enjoyable way.
Perhaps now a shift to one of the Bill Evans albums.
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Yeah, man. The Eddie Gomez / Marty Morell era is often taken for granted, yet this was his longest running trio who became almost telepathic. Maybe not the jaw-dropping moments of that brief Scott Lafaro period, but superb and remarkably consistent.
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Wow, I don’t think I’ve listened to any of these albums.
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Hi Christian. I’m trying to remember from your six pack posts and general blogging whether you are into jazz? Perhaps you know Keith Jarrett from his famous Kőln Concerts? If so, Treasure Island would be worth trying. Bill Evans is probably my favourite pianist and you can start pretty much anywhere in his enormous catalogue!
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Thanks for the tips, Bruce! You’re right my Sunday posts typically feature one jazz track, oftentimes as the opener.
Thus far, most picks have been from the ‘50s and ‘60s, but I also have had some ‘70s jazz fusion like Weather Report and Santana.
I largely know Keith Jarrett by name only. I’ve also featured some Miles Davis, focused on his early period. I’m still grappling with his free form ‘70s jazz. It’s a bit like prog rock – we’re not natural friends!😀
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50s/60s is an excellent place to start. And like you, I love 70s jazz-rock. Several will feature in the 74 FROM ’74 countdown!
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Looking forward to it, Bruce. I feel much of what you listen to I don’t know or only know marginally, so I always find it interesting. Undoubtedly, you’ll include some German stuff I’ve never heard of!😆
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Oooh Yeah! (Chooka-chook-aah)
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That’s a lot of afros and bushy beards. I only know the Miles Davis one, what’s the Jarrett one like?
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Hi Graham.
I’ve been enjoying Treasure Island a lot. Chronologically, it falls between the engrossing solo Lausanne/Bremen set and the rapturous Koln concert but is a band album.
Rhythm section comprises Charlie Haden and drummer Paul Motion. Dewey Redman plays tenor. Jarrett’s fine rhythmic sense is prominent, while Redman’s lyrical playing is sweet as a spring morning. Recommended.
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Recognised the Miles Davis album cover Get Up With It from his later fusion period. Post the superb In A Silent Way from 1969 and the magnificent Bitches Brew released 1970. Those folk that had to the good fortune to be present at Bobby Previte’s Bitches Brew Project performance at the Victoria Hotel late 1990’s. Featuring a posse of young up and coming local musicians would have been blown away. Bobby’s drumming was immaculate as were his cuff links on his sleeves.
Phil Woods‘ alto sax solo featured on the Dr Wu track on Steely Dan’s Katy Lied. Bill Evans and Gil Evans were Davis collaborators as was Keith Jarrett. All significant artists in their own right. Jan Garbarek emerged as a ECM recording artist later in the 1970’s most recognisably with the Hilliard Ensemble during the 1990’s.
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Bobby Previte is a fabulous drummer. Have several of his albums. That BB concert sounds fantastic!
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You have me on a few of these. Jarrett is a keeper. The Miles is a favorite.
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Re the removalists
The opening track surprised me with what sounded like a nod to the Benny Hill theme tune, followed by what I swear was a quick run from ‘I Feel the Earth Move’. Cheeky!
Anyway there’s something familiar about this album from the mid seventies period.
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Did you ever get to The Basement in Sydney? I spent a couple of pleasant evenings there. A really good venue. Did not see The Galapagos Duck there however.
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Only once, DD. Trying desperately to remember who the artist was. Crossfire, perhaps?
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I’d crowbar in Gil Scott-Heron’s Revolution Will Not Be Televised into 1974 jazz too. It was all starting to get a bit too fusion for me by 1974 – what would you say your apex jazz year was Bruce? without crunching the data, I’d guess at about 1963 for myself.
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Glad to see “Cirrus” on the list, a fave of mine as well. My other top ’74 jazz choices would include Eberhard Weber’s “The Colours of Chloë,” Yusef Lateef’s “Part of the Search,” and Joe Henderson/Alice Coltrane’s “The Elements.”
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EW was on the list, JES, but I decided that ECM deserved its own ‘side post’ at some stage. Have a few Lateef’s, but not that one I don’t think. Love Alice too, so will be checking that out. Thank you!
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I can be such a snob sometimes about jazz. Unless it’s from the fifties or sixties, I’m not interested. And yet… here you are in 1974 with releases from Gil Evans and Bill Evans; not to mention one that has Grover Washington, Bob James, and Randy Brecker on it. Shame on me! – Marty
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Yeah, man, like loosen up and feel the vibe, right?
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I couldn’t find The Smilor on You Tube. But for $639 I could buy a copy with audible crackles and pops. Snap that. I settled on the 1973 Gallery Concerts (YouTube) with an interesting mix of music/ influences.
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The Gallery LP is rather good, isn’t it?
That’s an absurd price. An Aussie re-issue company should get onto that, pronto. Or perhaps a public spirited owner of the record could make a transfer and upload it…
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They could!
Gallery is both interesting and good.
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I have Get Up With It out of these. Your copy appears to be completely without lettering. My reissue has words all over it. The album is extraordinary. Particularly the epic opener, He Loved Him Madly. Perhaps my favourite ever Miles Davis moment.
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It is extraordinary, isn’t it? That’s the thing with Miles, you can discover things for your whole listening life.
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[…] A JAZZ EXCURSION […]
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