Jazz Review: Unity returns

It's always a pleasure to share something that you find thrilling. The possibility that others might be the thrilled makes sharing such a pleasure. I recently got a bunch of Blue Note discs for my birthday and inside the package was a flyer that advertised T-shirts that featured retro album covers, and one of those albums featured is one of my all-time favorites, "Unity."

The "Unity" disc came out in 1966 or so and was a giant step forward for the post-bop tradition. It features organist Larry Young, who is backed by Joe Henderson tenor sax, Woody Shaw on trumpet and Elvin Jones on drums. For me, this disc distills the post-bop sound that Blue Note was known for. All of the musicians are in their own right first-rate performers. Joe Henderson and Woody Shaw had been featured with Horace Silver's band, and Elvin Jones was one of the key contributors in John Coltrane's rhythm section, while Larry Young was an emerging voice on the organ. Organ players were so confined by the blues and music of the black religious experience that it seemed to the music-loving public that the organ would never be heard in any other context. Larry Young blew down the borders that confined the sound of the organ and stretched it out to include the visions of Bud Powell, Tad Dameron and Thelonius Monk.

I have heard people who are not necessarily jazz band fans rave about this disc, and I'm sure that those of you who have not heard it will be thrilled to add it to their collection. The T-shirt is neat too! Enjoy....K

P.S. I will be moving my blog within the next two weeks to my website www.kareemabduljabbar.com. Please follow me over to my site so you can continue sharing. 

Comments

[Steve]

You're not leaving the Times are you?

[Peter Maguire]

I am impressed! Thanks Kareem, for being here!

You were and more than likely always be the very best to play your position! It was a privilege to watch you and very inspirational to see you grow as a person and a player from UCLA to Milwaukee to LA. What a fabulous career and legacy, the facts will never lie and I do believe even Wilt and Both Bill's know you had it all - Mostly because you had very few weaknesses. I love the adoration and respect you give to Coach Wooden, he was obviously a good influence on your life.

I am amazed to have this opportunity to blog/chat whatever with you. I do think you and Rick Barry are two of the most mis-understood players and greatest basketball minds to be somehow left out of the NBA coaching ranks. Do you think you will achieve that position, I sure do think you deserve it! Anyway thanks for being here, being a very positive role model for Andrew and many other players and once again congratulations on all of your achievements throughout your lifetime and of course all the hard work as a Laker.

Please email me where you will move this blog to...I can't even beleive I could be possibly corresponding with the Greatest ever.

[Aryan]

I understand you turned Muslim in part because the ancestors were Muslim before. But werent some of their own ancestors of a different religion before the spread of Islam?

[Chris Baker]

KAJ,

Any comments on Pat Riley's resignation?

[Nicholas]

WOW What a great disk!! I downloaded it tonight. It's amazing Joe Henderson's sound too..you hear it and you know it's him. If you like the B3 check you my friends band called Mctuff. They played Jazz fest this week..first two links on the Google search. Thank for the tip!!
Going to watch Enter the Dragon tonight..peace
Nicholas from Seattle

[Robert]

I know next to nothing about jazz, but I downloaded Unity based on Kareem's recommendation, and I was not disappointed. As awesome as the B3 is, it is the drumming that really blows me away. It took me a few listens to get my bearings, but I am really enjoying it now.

I want to try some other Blue Note stuff. Any other recommendations?

[Chris]

Can you add RSS feed to your new blog/website?