On Seek and Listen, the Jazz detective is hard at work again…
Rahsaan Roland Kirk – Seek & Listen: Live at the Penthouse – Resonance Records #HLP-9080 – two 180 gm audiophile vinyls – 1967 – Available on Record Store Day (11/28/25) – ****1/2
(Rahsaan Roland Kirk – tenor saxophone, flute, stritch, manzello, flexatone, siren, whistle, vocals – Rahn Burton – piano – Steve Novosel – bass; Jimmy Hopps – drums)
It wouldn’t be a special upcoming Record Store Day (11/28/25), for jazz lovers, without “the Jazz Detective”, Zev Feldman, providing a previously unreleased release from a jazz icon. This year one of his auditory treats is a gate fold 2 LP set on 180 gm vinyl from the legendary Rahsaan Roland Kirk.
Recorded live in September, 1967, at The Penthouse jazz club in Seattle, it has been transferred from the original master tapes, mastered by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab, and pressed at Le Vinylist. The release features Kirk, fronting a quartet with pianist, Rahn Burton; bassist, Steve Novosel; and drummer, Jimmy Hobbs.
The Penthouse’s Thursday night sessions were engineered and announced by local jazz DJ, Jim Wilke. Previous releases from this long shuttered club have included dates from The Three Sounds, Bill Evans, and Cannonball Adderley.
Consistently, the acoustics, after receiving top grade remastering, have been exemplary. You can add this issue, as well, as Roland’s unique multi-saxophones mastery (often three instruments at once!) is on full display in all its glory.
Resonance includes a full LP size booklet with rare photos, liner notes by John Kruth, and interviews with bassist Steve Novosel, plus written testimonials to Kirk’s greatness from musicians, James Carter, Chico Freeman, and Steve Turre.
Blind from the age of two, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, became idolized for his ability to blend at the same time, the tenor sax, stritch (a straight body alto saxophone), and the manzello ( a B-flat customized soprano saxophone). In addition, Roland played the flute and clarinet. With a mastery of circular breathing, he could play extended solos, with radio listeners believing that there were other horn players on stage with him.
Whether it be a warm ballad, or a “free” style composition, the constant with Kirk, would be effortless swing, covering multi musical genres.
On Seek and Listen: Live at The Penthouse, we find Rahsaan deeply relaxed, often in a playful mood, leading an experienced top grade trio, in a mix of re-imagined standards, with extended medleys, both from Cole Porter and Duke Ellington, as well as a second mix of “Blues from C&T,” “Happy Days Are Here Again,” and “Down By The Riverside.”
Roland also was comfortable with pop tunes of the day like “Alfie,” and “Ode to Billie Joe.” Both of the medleys have both tender moments as well as times (especially on the second medley) when we get the “full Rahsaan Bright Moments treatment” including nose flute, squeals, and vocalizations.
His inventive skills included playing counterpoint with himself. Kirk also has fun throwing in the “theme” from Twilight Zone, and a catchy New Orleans vibe on “Happy Days.”
On his originals like “Mingus-Griff Song,” Kirk could “burn” with the best of them, while his tender side is fully evident on “Now Please Don’t Cry, Beautiful Edith,” (written for his first wife). Roland has a flute solo for the ages, on”Funk Underneath,” talking and singing on the nose flute, and letting the appreciative audience know that he has “the most educated nose in the world.”
I’d be remiss if not mentioning the sparkling piano work from Rahn Burton, the steady bass of Steve Novosel (several nice solos), and the drive of drummer, Jimmy Hobbs (affectionately referred to as “mashin” by Kirk).
Rahsaan called Jazz, “Black Classical Music.” If so, then he was a true “Maestro” of the craft.
There will only be 1500 pressings of this release for Black Friday’s Record Store Day. I’d suggest a prompt visit to your neighborhood record outlet early that day. It would be such a shame to miss out on experiencing Mr. Rahsaan Roland Kirk’s magic, in fine audiophile splendor.
—Jeff Krow
Rahsaan Roland Kirk – Seek & Listen: Live at the Penthouse
Tracklist:
Side A (09/08/67):
The Jump Thing (1:18)
Alfie (5:22)
Mingus-Griff Song (12:12)
Side B (09/08/67):
Medley (Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye, I Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good), Sophisticated Lady, Satin Doll): (14:31)
Medley (Blues for C & T, Happy Days Are Here Again, Down By the Riverside): (8:14)
Side C (09/15/67):
Ode to Billie Joe (12:22)
Prelude to a Kiss (7:50)
Funk Underneath (4:59)
Side D (09/15/67):
Lovellevelliloqui (7:12)
Now Please Don’t You Cry, Beautiful Edith (7:57)
Making Love After Hours (4:29)
