Larry Young - Moontrane (1966)

The iconic sleeve art is matched by the contents, which here features Woody Shaw’s epic dedication to Coltrane. 

Woody Shaw in concert at the Bergamo Festival in Italy, circa 1972 (photo by Roberto Polillo)

(Source: Flickr / robertopolillo)

Woody Shaw (with James Spaulding in the background) during Horace Silver’s The Jody Grind session, Englewood Cliffs NJ, November 23 1966 (photo by Francis Wolff)

Hank Mobley - Suite: Thinking of Home/The Flight/Home At Last  (1970)

On the last of 26 LPs he recorded for Blue Note records, Hank Mobley’s dynamic range of skills are still diamond-sharp. It was the music landscape that was changing.

This cut is a periscope to observe the breadth and depth of Mobley’s talents in creating a full spectrum of sound, both swinging, grooving and plaintive, where the likes of Woody Shaw, Cedar Walton and guitarist Eddie Diehl have ample space to burn.

For the last time this month, I genuflect to the man they called “The Mobe,” and I offer humble gratitude for the world of sound he created for jazz listeners.

¡Thanks, Hank!

Larry Young - Zoltan (1965)

Dig the undulating tones of Larry Young’s avant-organ. On this recording, he’s joined by a muscular, exploratory group of heavies led by Elvin Jones and Joe Henderson. The very underrated Woody Shaw is on trumpet and contributes the tune.

Horace Silver - The Cape Verdean Blues (1965)

A foot-tapper’s delight. Listen for Joe Henderson’s infectious turn after the piano solo. 

Horace Silver - The Jody Grind  (1966)

The man knows how to lay it down.