I loved the cuts from Piano Choir on the big streaming sampler Strata-East put out. The sampler persuaded me to get the Music Inc. Live at Small's, which has been no disappointment at all. Just stellar solid music that isn't free, isn't post-bop, but has been listening to everything and pulls it together. It features Cowell. A different label released a Music Inc. Live at the Captain's Cabin in Alberta which I also picked up. The other Strata-East I went with, based on the excellent track on the sampler, was the Charlie Rouse album, a rare non-Monk leader appearance with really diverse instrumentation and a real sense of fun.
The Piano Choir might have to be next. Visit Mack Avenue Music Group to see what's physically available.
Bought all the recent Strata-East CD reissues - the Cowell is just superb and Music Inc. at Slugs' is even better. Hope the two Piano Choir albums get a physical release - instant buy for me.
It’s great to see these Strata East re-releases. I’ve still got quite a few of the original vinyls including the Piano Choir. Strong progressive jazz (definitely not free jazz) with impressive musicianship & the significant historical cachet of coming from an independent Black label with courage & integrity.
Was lucky to hear him perform solo at a free concert given at the East Cleveland library in the mid-80s.
I loved the cuts from Piano Choir on the big streaming sampler Strata-East put out. The sampler persuaded me to get the Music Inc. Live at Small's, which has been no disappointment at all. Just stellar solid music that isn't free, isn't post-bop, but has been listening to everything and pulls it together. It features Cowell. A different label released a Music Inc. Live at the Captain's Cabin in Alberta which I also picked up. The other Strata-East I went with, based on the excellent track on the sampler, was the Charlie Rouse album, a rare non-Monk leader appearance with really diverse instrumentation and a real sense of fun.
The Piano Choir might have to be next. Visit Mack Avenue Music Group to see what's physically available.
Bought all the recent Strata-East CD reissues - the Cowell is just superb and Music Inc. at Slugs' is even better. Hope the two Piano Choir albums get a physical release - instant buy for me.
It’s great to see these Strata East re-releases. I’ve still got quite a few of the original vinyls including the Piano Choir. Strong progressive jazz (definitely not free jazz) with impressive musicianship & the significant historical cachet of coming from an independent Black label with courage & integrity.
Thanks for this much needed paean to Cowell and friends!