180g Vinyl LP Reissue Remastered Using Pure Analogue Components Only from the Master Tapes Through To the Cutting Head

When someone such as Ry Cooder, who has delved deeply into traditional sources, just names his LP Jazz (1978), it is unlikely that one will hear avant-garde music. Actually, in the numbers gathered together here the investigative guitar maestro dedicated himself more or less to almost forgotten music. Historically informed, yet not adhering to the original instrumental ensemble, this ostensibly antiquated music enjoys a brilliant renaissance.

Just like in an album of charming black and white photographs, the old-fashioned style shines out brightly, such as in "Big Band Bill," which (hardly by accident) is modeled on the jaunty swing of Django Reinhard, but does not imitate him. Cooder's slightly acidic-sounding guitar mixes homogeneously with the delightfully rustic sound of the tuba and a bluegrass mandolin ("Face To Face..."). The typical Caribbean rattle of the marimba enters into a pleasant dialogue with the warped sound of the slide guitar.

Folksy bliss in three-four time ("Happy Meeting In Glory") stands confidently on a par with the merry, self-willed saxophone ("In A Mist") and with the poetic, dreamy and meditative guitar ("Flashes"). And just listen to how the classic number "Davenport Blues" – with its emphasis on the woodwinds – grooves along with the vibraphone and tingly inner parts. This sound - filled with the spirit of Bix Beiderbecke and based loosely on Mingus - soothes the Jelly Roll Morton-soul of its fans.

This Speakers Corner 180g vinyl LP reissue was remastered using pure analogue components only, from the master tapes through to the cutting head.

Musicians:
Ry Cooder, guitar & vocals
Harvey Pittel, alto saxophone
Pat Rizzo, alto saxophone
Randy Aldcroft, trombone
George Bohanon, trombone
Red Callendar, tuba
John Rodby, piano
Earl Hines, piano
Barbara Starkey, organ
David Lindley, mandolin & mandobanjo
Tom Collier, marimba & vibraphone
Chuck Domanico, bass
Mark Stevens, drums