Sun Ra Arkestra - Face the Music / Space is the Place

Marion Brown - Sweet Earth Flying (1974)

The second installment of his "Georgia" trilogy, Sweet Earth Flying is arguably Marion Brown's finest work and certainly one of the underappreciated treasures of '70s jazz. Again, the words and ideas of poet Jean Toomer underlie Brown's conception (hence the album's title), though this time (unlike the appearance of Karintha on Geechee Recollections) none of Toomer's actually poetry is utilized. Instead, he calls into service the remarkable keyboard paring of Muhal Richard Abrams and Paul Bley, an inspiration that pays off in spades. The two pianists alternate acoustic and electric keyboards, bringing a slight tinge of the propulsiveness of Miles Davis' late-'60s bands, but with a grace, soul, and sense of freedom rarely achieved by Corea and Jarrett. In fact, Abrams' feature on Part Five of the title suite is one of the single most beautiful and cogent statements he ever created. Brown's sound on both soprano and alto has a unique quality; he tends to sound tentative and innocently hesitant when first entering, only to gather strength as he goes, reaching utter conviction along the way. Special mention must be made of vocalist Bill Hasson. He's featured on only one piece, but his deep-voiced recitation in a language of his own construction (drawing from West Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean, and North American down-home English) is a very special treat indeed. Very highly recommended to open-eared jazz fans of all tastes.

by Brian Olewnick in All Music Guide

Styles:
Free-Jazz
Avant-Garde
Post-Bop

Tracks:
01 - Sweet Earth Flying, part 1 (03:41)
02 - Sweet Earth Flying, part 3 (05:58)
03 - Sweet Earth Flying, part 4 (05:57)
04 - Sweet Earth Flying, part 5 (04:48)
05 - Eleven Light City, part 1 (07:17)
06 - Eleven Light City, part 2 (02:11)
07 - Eleven Light City, part 3 (05:52)
08 - Eleven Light City, part 4 (03:05)

Line-up:
Marion Brown - Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxofone
Paul Bley - Electric Piano
Muhal Richard Abrams - Piano, Organ
Bill Hasson - Narration, Percussion
James Jefferson - Bass, Electric Bass
Steve Mccall - Drums

John Coltrane - A Love Supreme Live in France (1965)

Styles:
Free Jazz
Avant-Garde
Modal
Post Bop

Tracks:
01 Acknowledgement
02 Resolution

Line-up:
John Coltrane - tenor saxophone
Jimmy Garrison - double bass
Elvin Jones- drums
McCoy Tyner - piano

Vince Guaraldi Trio - A Boy Named Charlie Brown (1964)

Originally entitled Jazz Impressions of a Boy Named Charlie Brown, this is an important album not only because it is Guaraldi's first Peanuts soundtrack, but also because the music heard here probably introduced millions of kids (and their parents) to jazz from the mid-'60s onward. Actually, this music is the score for a documentary on the Peanuts phenomenon called A Boy Named Charlie Brown, which ran before the first Peanuts specials per se appeared on the CBS network. The most remarkable thing, besides the high quality of Guaraldi's whimsically swinging tunes, is that he did not compromise his art one iota for the cartoon world; indeed, he sounds even more engaged, inventive, and lighthearted in his piano work here than ever. It must have been quite a delightful shock back then to hear a straight-ahead jazz trio (Guaraldi, Monty Budwig, bass; Colin Bailey, drums) backing all those cartoon figures and genuine children's voices, a mordant running musical commentary that made its own philosophical points. The music on this album laid the groundwork for much that was to come; here is the first appearance of the well-known bossa nova-influenced "Linus and Lucy," and fans of the series will recognize such themes from future episodes as "Baseball Theme" and "Oh, Good Grief" (which is a rewrite of the Dixie Belles' hit "Down at Papa Joe's"). The original LP came with 12 bonus lithographs of Charles Schulz's celebrated Peanuts drawings; the only extra thing the CD issue offers is a gratuitous outtake of "Fly Me to the Moon."

By Richard S. Ginell in All Music

Styles:
Soundtrack
Cool
West Coast Jazz

Tracks:
01 - Oh, Good Grief (02:26)
02 - Pebble Beach (02:51)
03 - Happiness Is (03:43)
04 - Schroeder (01:55)
05 - Charlie Brown Theme (04:26)
06 - Linus and Lucy (03:08)
07 - Blue Charlie Brown (07:08)
08 - Baseball Theme (03:16)
09 - Freda (With the Naturally Curly Hair) (04:35)
10 - Fly Me To The Moon (08:58)

Line-up:
Vince Guaraldi - Piano
Monty Budwig - Bass
Colin Bailey - Drums