My niece asked me to write something for newcomers to jazz! Funny, that's what I thought I was doing! O.K., I'll give it another try. Here are some more suggested titles for the novice who has not clue the first as to where to begin.

What's That

I'm listening to something right now and I have no idea what it is. Hold on while I find out who's playing. I'm back. It's quintet called "Black Note" and this is their "Jungle Music" (Columbia CK 57825). The musicians are Gilbert Castellanos (tp), James Mahone (as), Phil Vieux (as. ss), Ark Sano (p), Mark Anthony Shelby (b), and Willie Jones III (ds). The band is right and the music is tight.

New and Noteworthy

Perico Sambeat's "Ademuz" (fresh sound new talent FSNT041CD) is one of fresh Sounds' releases of new material by young or little known artists. After gaining notoriety as a reissue label for obscure but notable jazz recordings of the 40s, 50s, and 60s, Fresh Sounds is now trying to establish itself as a contemporary label. Tenor saxophonist Marx Turner and pianist Brad Mehldau join Mr. Sambeat, who plays flute and alto sax. The CD begins with the cut "A Free K." It starts with a Middle Eastern sounding vocal, which cleverly segues, into an uptempo latin beat. Sambeat is a treat with a lyrical but harsh approach to the alto and aided and abetted ably by the vocals of Enrique Morente. The rest of the band includes Mike Leonhart (tp), Kurt Rosenwinkel (g), Jori Rossi (ds) with Guillermo McGill and Enric Canada (perc).

HELP!

Is anyone interested in resurrecting the defunct Catalyst label? Is anyone at Fantasy, Blue Note, Evidence listening? Rhino? Anyone?

I remember picking up four Catalyst titles at a basement store on Nassau Street in the early eighties. I paid a total of four dollars for those records. One was a Mal Waldron date with Gary Peacock. A second was a Mal Waldron recording with Kasai Kimiko a Japanese vocalist. One was a Teremusa Hino record entitled "Hino at Berlin" (Catalyst 7901). My favorite is a tribute to John Coltrane written and performed by Alberto Favero supported by an Argentine orchestra. It is called "Suite Trane" and is a series of aural portraits of Coltrane at very points in his career. Frank Foster, Paul Gonsalves, Earl Hines, Ahmed Jamal, and Sonny Stitt also had records released on this label. You know what, I'm going to drop some science on you, the Catalyst Discography. If you like what you see then please write to any label that you think would be interested in putting this music back out on the streets. The listing was put together by Francois Ziegler and was placed on the net for us.

Catalyst Records Listing compiled by François Ziegler October 25, 1997-May 3, 1998 This is not a catalog. This is a discographical tool for researchers. I have no idea how to obtain these records. Thanks to contributors: Michael Fitzgerald fitzgera@eclipse.net

Comments, additions, corrections via e-mail to jazzlabels@altavista.net

Home Goin'

Let's say goodbye to Leon Thomas who has gone home to be with the Lord of the All, the Creator who has a Master Plan!