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Time For The Timeless All Stars
In 1989 “Early Bird” Records was formed, thereby offering an alternative; creating a window of opportunity, for less ‘mainstream’ Artists to record, to be heard, and for their Legacy to be passed down.
At that time there was; a “Blue Note” ‘sound’, immediately identifiable as a ‘Blue Note’ Record; “Columbia” Records too, who produced records with incredible clarity of sound, epitomized on a wonderful recording: “Dave Brubeck does Disney” , later too Miles Davis set a ‘tone’ with “Sketches of Spain”. There was also Atlantic Records……
When “Early Bird” was formed, it too, set out to establish its’ own particular, unique ‘sound’.…. A ‘sound’ that spans the decades honoring the Masters of ‘Be-bop’ and their traditions, bringing forward through the present and well into the future a totally unique sound that is immediately identifiable; “Early Bird Records” for the very finest in Jazz listening.
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The Timeless All Stars: Time for The Timeless All Stars
![Read "Time for The Timeless All Stars" reviewed by Jakob Baekgaard](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/timelessallstars_timeforthetimelessallstars_jb.jpg)
by Jakob Baekgaard
A common strategy of promotion in jazz is to highlight the famous musicians that any given musician has played with. It seems that being a name is a sign of quality in itself and, naturally, it follows that many stars make a great record. However, there is also an old saying that too many cooks spoil the broth." Too many stars can mean too many egos battling for attention and too little music. Fortunately, the constellation of ...
read moreFor their third CD, this truly all-star collaboration replaces original trombonist Curtis Fuller and welcomes Steve Turre in his place. The high quality of their collective musicianship is unquestionable, and the compositions are familiar to fans of these modern masters. The date takes on more characteristics of a blowing session than previous encounters have. Pianist Cedar Walton's compositions bookend the seven selections. "Cedar's Blues" leads off with liberty and solos for all, shortening up a bah-doo-da-da melody so the improvs can get going. Harold Land's slurry, mushy tenor sax is purposeful and unique for him. Drummer Billy Higgins performs patented solos on this and the closer "Firm Roots," which is taken at a maddeningly rushed tempo, quicker and daunting, also right on the metronomed money. Bassist Buster Williams contributes the easy swinging "Song for Thaddeus," presumably for Thad Jones, with softly singing tenor and trombone in unison — a beauty of a tune. Vibist Bobby Hutcherson's "Cruisin' the Bird" and Turre's "Coastin' With Bobby" are side-saddled, the former a nicely swung, lustrous melody with stair-step, California highway vistas evoked, while the latter is a loping 4/4 with ostinato bass and a perfect melodic vehicle for all, especially Walton. The classic ballad "Theme for Ernie" has late-night horns wafting overhead while Walton's piano flies like an eagle. The Harold Land modal number "Dark Mood" (see Land's CD Xocia's Dance on Muse) is always a treat to hear in 6/8, with the composer's tenor being much brighter than the labyrinth of hues which Walton's deep piano chords suggest. This group just gets better and better; they are all leaders in their own right who find only the rare opportunity to get together for such a combo as this, which truly lives up to its name. Highly recommended.
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Theme For Ernie
From: Time for The Timeless All StarsBy Time For The Timeless All Stars