Doug Carn - Doug Carn - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

The three sessions here were recorded in N.Y.C. in 1945 - 2 live sessions (Apollo Theatre and Zanzibar Club) plus one studio session (Radio City Music Hall). The 143 minutes (44 tunes) of music on this double-CD have never been released before. The repertoire is classic Ellington/Strayhorn material - including one Strayhorn medley and two suites (InchTrio in BlueInch and InchPerfume SuiteInch) - plus several tunes which were never recorded commercially. Recorded at the end of WWII, the purpose of these three programs - besides providing wonderful music - was to promote the sale of U.S. Treasury bonds to help the war effort. A major attribute of this double-CD is the inclusion of several tunes that Ellington never recorded commercially, like InchFickle FlingInch, InchHollywood HangoverInch and InchI'd Do It All Over AgainInch. The great musicianship and enthusiasm of Ellington's orchestra includes countless fine solos - especially with Johnny Hodges and Rex Stewart - and features some great vocals by Al Hibbler, Kay Davis and Joya Sherrill.

Doug Carn made four records for the Black Jazz tag, more than any other artist, and each one topped the previous 's lofty standard. Adam's Apple was his last (1974) album for the tag, representing the final note in his staggeringly creative crescendo. It was also the first record without Jean Carn, but Carn and crew (John Conner and Joyce Greene) don't miss a beat on the vocals. And the band is absolutely sick, featuring reedman Ronnie Laws and fellow Black Jazz recording artist Calvin Keys on guitar, and led by Carn's increasingly electronic forays on various keyboards. The result is a record that brings to mind Herbie Hancock's Headhunters, electric Miles, maybe even Earth, Wind, and Fire (Carn covers EW&F's 'Mighty Mighty'), but all overlaid with an uplifting gospel vibe. To quote Pat Thomas' liner notes (which feature extensive quotes from Doug Carn himself), 'Adam's Apple is more energetic, funky, and futuristic than Carn's earlier Black Jazz work. In short, sublime.' Newly remastered.

This album brings together key tracks from Doug Carn, recorded for Black Jazz Records in the 1970s. Doug Carn is one of the most important (and least recognised) forces in the creation of the canon of 'deep and spiritual jazz music' - full of powerfully emotive intensity, consciously-uplifting lyricism and addictively beautiful melodies. All of his LPs during this period have since achieved cult classic status, including 'Infant Eyes', 'Adam's Apple', 'Spirit of the New Land' and 'Revelation'. Aside from his songwriting and keyboard skills, many of the tracks here feature the stunning and powerful 5-octave range vocals of Jean Carn (later Carne), his wife at the time. Musicians featured on this album include Alphonse Mouzon, Charles Tolliver, Henry Franklin, Michael Carvin, Walter Booker, Ronnie Laws and others. Aside from Carn's compositions there are also striking interpretations of music by Lee Morgan, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Bobby Hutcherson and Wayne Shorter. Black Jazz became one of the defining labels of independent and conscious jazz music in the 1970s, alongside other important labels such as Strata-East and Tribe Records. As well as this Best of Doug Carn , Soul Jazz Records are also releasing a Best of Black Jazz Records collection at the same time.