INDISPENSABLE REISSUES & COLLECTIONS
May 2023
Kristine England
May 31, 2023
Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane
Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane
One of the greatest collaborations in jazz was originally released in 1961 and is now being reissued on x180-gram vinyl cut from the original master recordings. Two seminal jazz masters met in three sessions in 1957, putting down historic versions of six Monk tracks. Joined by Coleman Hawkins, Art Blakey, and others during various sessions, this watershed meeting showcases both legends at the height of their powers and is a must-have for any jazz fan.
FEATURED TRACK: "Nutty"
Call Me
Al Green
1973’s Call Me is considered by many to be Al Green’s artist peak and included on several “best of all time” lists. Between songs crafted by Green and his collaborators his unique reinterpretations of Willie Nelson’s "Funny How Time Slips Away" and Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.” For this 50th Anniversary edition, Fat Possum has released the record in standard black vinyl and limited edition pressings on both Tigers Eye and Red and Green colored vinyl.
FEATURED TRACK: "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry"
Ray Barretto
Que Viva La Música
Another anniversary (51) this month is Barretto’s salsa classic Que Viva La Música. Barretto, who was “discovered’ by Charlie Parker and gigged with Tito Puente, had already had a storied career by the time this record was released. Barretto and the track “Cocinando" were featured in the documentary Our Latin Thing.
FEATURED TRACK: "Cocinando"
Footprints Live!
Wayne Shorter
Even though tenor sax legend Wayner Shorter released his first album as a leader in 1959, Footprints Live! Was the first live recording released under his name. Capturing performances over three nights in Europe in 2021 with his touring band of Danilo Perez (piano), John Pattitucci (bass), and Brian Blade (drums), the recording features his contributions to the Miles Davis Quintet alongside both classic Shorter originals like “Go” and “Valse Triste” and selections from more recent work.
FEATURED TRACK: "Go"
EELS
Blinking Lights and Other Revelations
EELS has continued to re-release its earlier works with the latest being the 2005 double album that featured guest appearances from Tom Waits, REM’s Peter Buck, and John Sebastian, among others.
FEATURED TRACK: "Going Fetal"