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A boxed set surveying a record company’s several-decades output is much like a family photo album. Nothing new is offered, but one savors favorite memories and appreciates anew the family’s spirit and cohesiveness (where they exist) as well as some individuals and their strengths and/or idiosyncracies. Such is the case with the 4-CD
Contemporary Records Story.
This company, Contemporary, had as a primary mission the focus on West Coast musicians. But the focus was not blindered, and the company also took chances. Just open the illustrated booklet and see photos, side by side, of Cecil Taylor and Barney Kessel, or Ornette Coleman and Teddy Edwards. Contemporary took chances.
Much of the music is exemplary, and the boxed set is worth its weight in gold for the pianists—Phineas Newborn, Elmo Hope, Hampton Hawes, Curtis Counce, all first rate; for the varied settings featuring Art Pepper—with eleven sidemen playing “Airegin,” or in a late-life solo rendering of “Over The Rainbow.” There are adventure—Ornette, Cecil Taylor, Woody Shaw, Chico Freeman; West “Coasting”—Buddy Collette and Howard Ramsey; and the staples of Contemporary—Shelly Manne & Andre Previn.
And perhaps the last is the criticism. Having six sides of Manne, and two of Andre Previn, shows where Contemporary focused its energies; but the offset is having only one Sonny Rollins cut. This is more about Contemporary (capital “C”) jazz and less about great jazz.
But this is an important slice of history, and keeping it on the CD changer guarantees hours of pleasure and discovery.
Release Date: 25 May 2004
Various Artists:
The Contemporary Records Story - 4 CD boxed set (Contemporary)
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last update 9 May 2004