‘Dexter’s playing was often pure genius regardless of the circumstances, but when he had that magic combination of players behind him, everything was possible. This Tokyo appearance is the last known recording of the Drew-Ørsted Pedersen-Heath rhythm section’ (Michael Cuscuna).

At Hibiya Public Hall on January 14, 1961, with Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter, Bobby Timmons, and Jymie Merritt, during the Mesengers’ first-ever tour of Japan.
Jet-propelled, soaring performances of jazz staples including Bird’s Now’s the Time and Monk’s Round About Midnight, and Messenger bangers like Blues March, Dat Dere, and Moanin’.
Elaborate booklets feature rare photos by Japanese photographers Shunji Okura and Hozumi Nakadaira; an essay by Bob Blumenthal; plus new interviews with Wayne Shorter in conversation with Blue Note president Don Was, celebrated saxophonist Lou Donaldson, Japanese jazz star Sadao Watanabe, renowned Japanese music critic Reiko Yukawa, Blakey’s son Takashi Blakey, and a trio of drum greats in Louis Hayes, Billy Hart, and Cindy Blackman Santana. Audio was newly transferred from the original ¼” tape reels, and the vinyl edition was mastered by Bernie Grundman and pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI.

From 1964, with Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Tony Williams on drums; and young Sam Rivers replacing George Coleman (pushing the sound further out, and spiking Davis’ signature cool).
‘High-energy live versions of songs by Rodgers & Hart, Cole Porter, and Richard Carpenter, as well as a restlessly fast-paced take on the Davis staple So What.’
Vinyl via Get On Down.

Stokes, Memphis Minnie, Furry Lewis, Gus Cannon and co. 180g, well-pressed.

Freaking early-seventies Afro-soul with swirling organ and b-boy drums. You can hear Hendrix and James Brown; and the Motown second coming in Kasim Combo’s singing. A big hit on Kenyan radio at the time — though issued on the obscure Athi River label, marking the band’s move from Club Arcadia in the heart of Nairobi, to the Small World Club in the town of Athi River, along the Mombasa highway.
Leon Kabasela aka Kalle is sweetly, frankly soulful on the flip, singing in lingala about the lure of the big city.

VG+.