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The Charles Tolliver Big Band, resurrected some five years ago, put his extraordinary orchestral writing back in the spotlight. And from the release of his comeback album “With Love,” it was always our intention to eventually bring back the two classic Strata-East albums that started it all in the ‘70s. When Charles called us with the discovery of a 1979 NDR radio concert from 1979 that would bring the set to 3 CDs, we knew a Mosaic Select was mandatory.
"Rarely if ever has a big band exhibited so much freedom or finesse, while at the same time never overwhelming the virtuoso soloists on whom the performances pivot." - Jason Ankemy, allmusic.com
The Charles Tolliver Big Band has come to be known for its intricate, layered writing, charging rhythms and exciting soloists. The band's roots trace back to 1970 when Tolliver recorded "Music Inc. & Big Band" for his Strata-East label. He and Stanley Cowell were the composers and principal soloists for this ground-breaking album, which represented the new approach to big band writing since the emergence of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra five years earlier.
Their second album "Impact" expanded the big band's sound with eight strings on several tunes. James Spaulding, Charles McPherson and George Coleman join Tolliver and Cowell as soloists.
From these, it was thought that the trail ran cold for this band until the mid 2000s. But in preparation for this reissue, Charles ran across a tape of a big band workshop/broadcast that he did in 1979 with NDR Big Band in Hamburg, Germany. He secured the rights and the master tape and is released for the first time in this set.
In recent year, the band has reformed and returned with a vengeance, touring and recording for Blue Note (2007) and Half Note (2009). Its legacy begins with this Mosaic Select. |
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ARTISTS
A) Charles Tolliver, Richard Williams, Virgil Jones, Larry Greenwich, Danny Moore, trumpets; Garnett Brown, Curtis Fuller, John Gordon, Dick Griffin, trombones; Bobby Brown, Jimmy Heath, alto saxes, flutes; Clifford Jordan, Wilbur Brown, tenor saxes, flutes; Howard Johnson, baritone sax, tuba; Stanley Cowell, piano; Cecil McBee, bass; Jimmy Hopps, drums.
Recorded at Media Sound, New York City on November 11, 1970
Produced by Charles Tolliver and Stanley Cowell
Recording engineer: Joe Jorgensen
Mixing engineer: George Klabin
Originally issued as Music Inc. & Big Band (Strata-East SES1971)
(B) Charles Tolliver, trumpet, fluegelhorn; Jon Faddis, Richard Williams, Jimmy Owens, Virgil Jones, Larry Greenwich, trumpets; Garnett Brown, John Gordon, Kiane Zawadi, trombones; Jack Jeffers, bass trombone; Charles McPherson, alto sax; James Spaulding, alto sax, soprano sax; flute; piccolo;, George Coleman, tenor sax; Harold Vick, tenor sax, soprano sax, flute; Charles Davis, baritone sax; Stanley Cowell, piano; Cecil McBee, bass on #1 (arco), 5, 6 (pizzicato); Reggie Workman, bass on #2, 6 (arco); Clint Houston, bass on #1 (pizzicato), 3 & 4; Clifford Barbaro, drums; Warren Smith, percussion and chimes on #1 & 6; Billy Parker, percussion on #1; Big Black, congas on #1; Strings on #2 & 6: Gayle Dixon, Noel Da Costa, first violins; Winston Collymore, Noel Pointer, second violins; Ashley Richardson, Julius Miller, violas; Akua Dixon, Edith Wint Porter, cellos.
Recorded at Sound Ideas, New York City on January 17, 1975
Produced by Charles Tolliver
Recording & mixing engineer: George Klabin
Originally issued as Charles Tolliver – Impact (Strata-East SES 19745)
(C) Charles Tolliver, trumpet; Benny Bailey, trumpet, fluegelhorn; Herb Geller, alto sax, flute; Wolfgang Dauner, piano; Lukas Lindholm, bass; Alvin Queen, drums, the NDR big band.
Recorded at the Funkhaus des NDR, Hamburg, Germany on February 19-23, 1979.
Released courtesy of NDR
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TRACKS
Disc One:
1. Ruthie's Heart (A) 6:13
soloists: Charles Tolliver, Stanley Cowell
2. Brilliant Circles (A) 4:49
(Stanley Cowell)
soloists: Charles Tolliver, Stanley Cowell
3. Abscretions (A) 6:56
(Stanley Cowell)
soloists: Charles Tolliver, Stanley Cowell
4. Household Of Saud (A) 6:39
soloists: Charles Tolliver, Stanley Cowell
5. On The Nile (A) 9:45
soloists: Charles Tolliver, Stanley Cowell, Cecil McBee
6. Departure (A) 5:00
(Stanley Cowell)
soloists: Charles Tolliver, Stanley Cowell
Disc Two:
1. Impact (B) 7:59
soloists: Charles Tolliver, James Spaulding
2. Mother Wit (B) 8:22
soloists: Charles Tolliver, Harold Vick, Stanley Cowell
3. Grand Max (B) 6:21
soloists: Charles Tolliver, Chalres McPherson, George Coleman, Stanley Cowell
4. Plight (B) 9:45
soloists: Charles Tolliver, James Spaulding, Stanley Cowell
5. Lynnsome (B) 7:23
soloists: Charles Tolliver, Stanley Cowell
6. Mournin' Variation (B) 8:04
soloist: George Coleman
Disc Three:
1. Ruthie's Heart (C) 8:41
Soloists: Charles Tolliver, Benny Bailey, Herb Geller
2. Mother Wit (C) 7:11
soloist: Charles Tolliver
3. Plight (C) 6:24
soloists: Charles Tolliver, Wolfgang Dauner
4. Lynnsome (C) 7:06
soloists: Lukas Lindholm, Herb Geller, Benny Bailey
5. Grand Max (C) 6:11
soloists: Charles Tolliver, Albvin Queen, Benny Bailey, Herb Geller, Wolfgang Dauner
6. Rejoicin' (C) 6:55
soloists: Charles Tolliver, Herb Geller, Wolfgang Dauner
7. Impact (C) 7:06
soloists: Charles Tolliver, Herb Geller, Wolfgang Dauner, Alvin Queen
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