Collaboration with Almeida

Collaboration with Almeida

ASIN: B00005K9SO

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Now available on CD for the first time, this important 1964 Atlantic recording pairs the world-renowned Modern Jazz Quartet--drummer Connie Kay, bassist Percy Heath, vibraphonist Milt Jackson, and the late pianist and music director John Lewis--with the Brazilian guitarist Laurindo Almeida. Together, they present an intelligent program showcasing the acoustic guitar in the group's trademarked combo sound. On "Silver," Lewis's shifting tempos are excellent foils for Milt Jackson's virtuosity. "Valeria" from Lewis's soundtrack A Milanese Story retains its Adriatic air. Lewis's arrangement of J.S. Bach's "Fugue in A Minor" is the perfect blend of counterpoint and swing. Connie Kay's driving and delicate drumming and Almeida's fleet-finger guitar solos drive Antonio Carlos Jobim's "One Note Samba." Almeida and the Quartet turn in their best performance on their moving rendition of Joaquin Rodrigro's "Concierto de Aranjuez." Lewis's ingenious treatment of the Spanish classical masterwork is rivaled only by the big band adaptation Miles Davis and Gil Evans created in 1959. With Almeida's brilliant understanding of Afro-Brazilian and Afro-American folk and improvisational forms, and the Modern Jazz Quartet's telepathic interplay and dignified musicality, this recording effortlessly combines 18th-century Germany, Moorish Spain, and modern-day New York. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Collaboration with Almeida,Modern Jazz Quartet with Laurindo Almeida,Label M.,Brazilian Jazz,Cool,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop,Third Stream

Average customer rating:

one more happy person

Absolutely Brilliant and Marvellous

One of the finest recordings ever made.

Life Is Good--Again

Collaboration on CD. At Last!!

Collaboration with Almeida
Modern Jazz Quartet with Laurindo Almeida
Manufacturer: Label M.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Brazil | South & Central America | International | Styles | Music
Brazilian Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
General | Jazz | Styles | Music
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Blues on Bach

ASIN: B00005K9SO
Release Date: 2001-06-19

Tracks:

Silver
Trieste
Valeria
Fugue In A Minor
One Note Samba
Foi A Saudade
Concierto De Aranjuez

Amazon.com

Now available on CD for the first time, this important 1964 Atlantic recording pairs the world-renowned Modern Jazz Quartet--drummer Connie Kay, bassist Percy Heath, vibraphonist Milt Jackson, and the late pianist and music director John Lewis--with the Brazilian guitarist Laurindo Almeida. Together, they present an intelligent program showcasing the acoustic guitar in the group's trademarked combo sound. On "Silver," Lewis's shifting tempos are excellent foils for Milt Jackson's virtuosity. "Valeria" from Lewis's soundtrack A Milanese Story retains its Adriatic air. Lewis's arrangement of J.S. Bach's "Fugue in A Minor" is the perfect blend of counterpoint and swing. Connie Kay's driving and delicate drumming and Almeida's fleet-finger guitar solos drive Antonio Carlos Jobim's "One Note Samba." Almeida and the Quartet turn in their best performance on their moving rendition of Joaquin Rodrigro's "Concierto de Aranjuez." Lewis's ingenious treatment of the Spanish classical masterwork is rivaled only by the big band adaptation Miles Davis and Gil Evans created in 1959. With Almeida's brilliant understanding of Afro-Brazilian and Afro-American folk and improvisational forms, and the Modern Jazz Quartet's telepathic interplay and dignified musicality, this recording effortlessly combines 18th-century Germany, Moorish Spain, and modern-day New York. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Customer Reviews:

one more happy person.......2004-05-19

now I had spent a week to find this recording again and I'm so happy to have it. Even listening to the little samples just brings me back in my youth as this record used to be my favourit for blue hours. Reading the other rewiews I see I'm not the only one! Now I hardly can wait to get my new example of this marvellous composition of formidable musicians playing on my soul.

Absolutely Brilliant and Marvellous.......2002-05-27

When I read the other reviews for this album, I was amazed at the passionate tone of the praise for it; having finally listened to its tracks, in particular the last, I now understand and fully concur.

The rendition of Rodrigo's Concierto De Aranjuez by Laurindo Almeida and the MJQ is simply put, ineffably beautiful. In the liner notes, the artist himself recognizes that "it is one of the best things I ever did". To my ears (untrained as they are)the artist succeeds in bringing out the fire and soul of this piece, playing every note as if his fingers were fused directly with that Universal element which we call "Music". Only later does one realize the technical brilliance: the guitar has seldom if ever been played with such nuance and rich tonality. ( No wonder Sharon Isbin cites Almeida as a prime influence. )

Brilliant! Fantastic! A Joy!

One of the finest recordings ever made........2001-09-19

My vinyl copy of this recording has endured over thirty-six+ years of playing and can finally be retired. After having waited for this album to be re-released on CD, the event has happened. It was and remains one of the finest albums in recorded music. MJQ and Laurindo Almeida are at their masterful best -- it is pure magic and always has been -- their version of Rodrigo's "Concierto De Aranjuez" is worth the price alone, it should be required listening. Each piece on this recording seems to have been so carefully selected that they build on one another -- the result is an awesome experience, something that makes your life better.

Life Is Good--Again.......2001-09-12

Like John Corcoron, I "found" Collaboration in 1966. A friend's roommate had a copy. After graduation from college, I found an LP version and later a 7 1/2" reel-to-reel tape version. The second movement of Concierto de Arunjuez by Rodrigo quickly became my favorite piece of music. It was my lie-on-the-rug-in-front-of-the-fire-sip-some-wine-close-my-eyes-play-it-again song. I must have at least 20 versions of it strung out in my collections from Miles Davis to Andre Segovia to several full philharmonic versions. They are all good, but the version by Laurindo Almeida and the Modern Jazz Quartet remained the ultimate for me.
As the years passed, my LP was stolen and later, my tape deck destroyed my tape. I was devestated. For years I searched for it on CD without success.
To my joy, I have found it once again. Life is good.
Settin' in the firewood...

Collaboration on CD. At Last!!.......2001-06-24

I first heard the incredible opening solo of "One Note Samba" from "Collaboration" while sitting in the only air conditioned spot (the radio station) at Mactan Air Base, in the Philippines, in 1966. I was completely blown away, bought the album as minute I could find it, and played the grooves off it.

For years I have been searching for the CD to no avail, and rehooking up my changer every so often when I got a Samba Jones and was willing to put up with the pops and hisses of a worn out record.

Now, "Collaboration" is FINALLY available in CD, and it exceeds my memory of its excellence.

This magnificent quartet and virtuoso guitarist blend seamlessly through Samba, fugue, straight ahead jazz, and other examples of the best of both.

With the MJQ tragically decimated, this CD is like a gift from the past, with the excitement and discovery of a new album for those who have come upon their interest in jazz in the post-LP era, or who forgot how good this was when it first came out.

"Collaboration" is a masterpiece. Instantly modern and nostalgic, virtuosity from two seemingly disparate styles blending into one memorable album.

The wait was worth it.

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