‘Roman Norfleet and Be Present Art Group play deeply felt, sometimes earthy, and sometimes cosmic music. A trio (sax, drums, and organ) are augmented by additional percussion, soaring vocals, and even a vocal appearance by a toddler. Roman Norfleet and Be Present Art Group will take you where you need to go. A spiritual classic for the ages, following the lineage of Alice Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders yet firmly rooted in the present.’

New-York drummer Ron Jefferson was a founding member of The Jazz Modes and the Les McCann Trio. After a first album under his name on Pacific Jazz in 1962, he legged it to Paris, where his creative focus was a trio with Roland Haynes (who would record for Black Jazz) and guitarist Buz Saviano. Just before this session for Polydor International in 1965, they played a series of concerts in Dakar, and the killer cut here Africa The Beautiful is dotted with mbalax drumming alongside Ron’s flautism, in the same vein as Yusef Lateef’s Afro-Eastern explorations.
Remastered by Sam Records from the original master tapes.

An expanded edition of the saxophonist’s triumphant Brazilian excursion, originally released by Douglas Records in 1977, adding half an hour of previously unissued versions, plus Meeting House, out for the first time in any form.
Transferred from the original tapes; newly remastered; decent booklet. Sound-wise, Ron Carter in particular benefits from the restoration work.
An extensive lineup also includes legends like Portinho, Dom Salvador, Bernard Purdie, Claudio Roditi…
Sod’s law that the killer cut Clove & Cinnamon sounds freer, more carnivalesque, in the original version, with Alan Douglas’ bells, rattles and whistles intact.

‘Jazz Dispensary Top Shelf Series.’

Two highlights of the vibraphonist’s 1966 LP for SABA, his first as leader, following up an early Blue Note 10”. Ensadinado is a Latin jazz number by Jimmy Woode, who plays bass. The hard-swinging Night Lady is written by Francy Boland, playing piano; jet-propelled by the drumming of Kenny Clarke.

1963 set pulsing with extended, deep modal grooves — including the dancer Please Don’t Leave Me. Recorded by MPS-man Gigi Campi in Cologne, which figures, but originally issued by Argo, oddly.

The Argentinean bandoneon giant with German cellist Anja Lechner (from the Rosamunde Quartet). Crafted, free chamber music with inspirational roots in South American tradition — this is fab.

Fabulous music-making, as ever from the Argentinian bandoneon-player, with his clarinettist brother Felix, and cellist Anja Lechner.

The wonderful bandoneon player. ‘The work is alive with different genres: from dances such as zamba to carnavalito to chacarera… the tango… the milonga, wounded yet strong, intrinsic yet expressive.’

Wonderfully evocative solo bandoneon. No wonder Jean-Luc Godard whipped from it for both Nouvelle Vague and Histoire(s) du Cinéma.
Warmly recommended.

The great Argentinean bandoneon player in his first purely solo recording for more than thirty years.
‘A powerful reminder of Dino’s gifts as a musical storyteller of great subtlety. His pieces in this intimate recording reach back to early memories: Don Caye, subtitled Variations on the work of Cayetano Saluzzi, is a most touching dedication to his father. Throughout, the bandoneonist reflects upon the fleeting passage of time.’
Wonderful music, warmly recommended.