Time traveling back to 1970s classic jazz continues…
Double Review – Joe Chambers Double Exposure; Woody Shaw Love Dance – Time Traveler Recordings
Many jazz fans consider the 1950s and 1960s the “Golden Period” of the genre, both due to its popularity, and the myriad of iconic albums produced by labels such as Blue Note, and Original Jazz Classics (with its subsidiary East and West Coast releases from Prestige and Contemporary). It was also during the time when jazz was most popular without interference from rock music.
Things began to change in the 1970s, and many jazz labels saw harder times, and artists began to explore Europe as a new destination with new appreciative audiences. That’s not to say that smaller labels didn’t fill the void for emerging idioms such as post bop and fusion.
Muse Records, founded in 1972, by impresario, Joe Fields, was perhaps the most recorded independent label of that era, keeping the flame lit for jazz fans yearning for more of the same, that they loved in prior decades. Muse embraced older players, as well as bringing in future stars like Kenny Barron.
Zev Feldman, AKA: the Jazz Detective, presently heavily involved with Resonance Records and Elemental Music, has a new calling with Time Traveler Recordings. Feldman is giving some well deserved love to Muse, by providing long time fans of the label, and introducing a new generation to some of the best “under the radar” issues from the 1970s with the Muse Records Master Editions. Starting in October, 2025, and continuing quarterly, it’s cause for celebration.
What’s even more special about the reissuing process, is the care of the remastering and production. Each album is remastered and cut from the original tapes, with 180 gm heavyweight vinyl pressed in Germany by Optimal Media, and housed in Stoughton Old Style Tip-On jackets. It’s first class all the way. The high gloss covers, and both original and updated liner notes complete the package.
The latest two issues in the series, released at the end of January, are Joe Chambers with Larry Young, Double Exposure, from 1977, and Woody Shaw’s Love Dance, from 1976.
Let’s explore each one:
Drummer, Joe Chambers, is still going strong at age 83. What is special about Joe is that he is also a noted pianist. His album, here, is unique as its six tracks are all duo, with exploratory organist, Larry Young. This was Young’s final album, recorded just four months prior to his death, and Chambers debut recording with keyboards as its primary focus.
Larry was a great match for Chambers here, as Young can provide an other worldly accompaniment to Chambers straight ahead acoustic and electric piano, while Joe can back Larry’s organ with assertive drumming on the two rock influenced closing tracks.
“The Orge” has Joe bringing in tabla, while Larry adds synthesizer to the mix. It’s cerebral yet sprightly, and the organ fills have a spacey feel. There are hints of a Bill Evans piano quality on “Hello to the Wind,” and a low key counterpoint from Young.
“Mind Rain” reprises sections of “The Orge,” with Larry taking lead, backing a repeating piano riff. “After the Rain” is a piano solo from Joe, lyrical with a late night after hours feel.
The closing two tracks are a total departure, as fusion and rock enter on “Message From Mars,” and “Rock Pile.” They are hard driving, highlighting Chambers’ poly rhythmic drumming, similar to what Elvin Jones brought to Larry Young’s iconic Blue Note album, Unity. “Message From Mars” would be a great jam track, appealing to a very wide-open eared listener!
Woody Shaw’s Love Dance from 1976, has the fiery trumpeter fronting a dream front line of horns, including tenor saxist, Billy Harper; a young Rene McLean on soprano and alto sax; and Steve Turre on trombones. The rhythm section is Joe Bonner on piano, Cecil McBee on bass, and Victor Lewis on drums. All these stalwarts went on to distinguished careers. Percussion duties are ably handled by Guilherme Franco, and congas from Tony Waters.
This is prime post bop, with hints of hard bop, and some straight ahead tender ballads. Primarily there is blistering, hard charging blowing from the horns. As always, Woody blows fire, standing out on most every track, with strong contributions from the other horns. Rene McLean provides an astringent high register sax just like his father, Jackie, brought for decades, while the bottom end is often provided by Steve Turre’s burnished tone on bass trombone.
Stand out tracks include the lengthy title track, with superb ensemble playing by the horns, lyrical trumpet by Woody, and aggressive tenor work by Billy Harper. “Obsequious” by Larry Young, has both heat from Rene, and a cooling effect by Joe Bonner’s piano. Cecil McBee’s bass solo has a Latin tinge, while Victor Lewis’ drums push, and inspire throughout.
I especially dug “Sunbath” with its catchy melody, hard bop vibe, and it would make a winning radio play. “Zoltan,” made famous in the 60s by Larry Young has the four horns blowing strongly. “Soulfully, I Love You,” is a major contrast here, mellow, and a superb horn blend. Joe Bonner’s piano, along with Cecil McBee’s bass contribute as well.
The latest releases in this series are well deserved for a new hearing, and just whet the appetite for what’s next in this series. Stay tuned in the future for more sonic goodies from Zev Feldman’s offerings from the Muse Records catalog. Meanwhile, enjoy these two remastered winners…
Joe Chambers/Larry Young – Double Exposure – Time Traveler Recordings/Muse Records/Craft Recordings #TT-MOO5 – 180 gm vinyl – ****1/2
(Joe Chambers – piano, tabla, cymbals, drums; Larry Young – organ, synthesizer)
Side A:
Hello to the Wind; The Orge; Mind Rain
Side B:
After the Rain; Message From Mars, Rock Pile
Woody Shaw – Love Dance – Time Traveler Recordings/ Muse Records/Craft Recordings #TT-M004 – 180 gm vinyl – ****1/2
(Woody Shaw – trumpet; Steve Turre – trombones; Rene McLean – alto and soprano sax; Billy Harper- tenor sax; Joe Bonner- piano; Cecil McBee – bass; Victor Lewis – drums; Guilherme Franco – bass; Tony Waters – congas)
Side A:
Love Dance; Obsequious
Side B:
Sunbath; Zoltan; Soulfully, I Love You (Black Spiritual of Love)
—Reviews by Jeff Krow
