Joe Pass, Milt Jackson, Ray Brown, Mickey Roker - Quadrant

Quadrant

The music presented here is some of the best music I have heard Joe Pass play. Also present on this album are:
Milt Jackson (vibes); Ray Brown (bass); and Mickey Roker (drums). In all, Quadrant really plays it's best on this CD.
Enjoy! June 25, 2008

A fine jazz album

This CD is a great representation of how the best players in the business should sound. All four of the players on the album are absolute monsters. Joe Pass and Milt Jackson improvise solos with with lines that move like greased lightning. Their technical abilities will blow your mind and their musical creativity is overwhelming. Ray Brown and Mickey Roker both lay down a solid foundation for the others and also show their mastery of the instrument. The material is for the most part very good, providing a lot of variety between fast swing, funk and ballads. The only problem with the material is that the first two cuts are ONLY improvisation, providing little for the listen to quote or a way to recognize the song out of context. While well executed, a little bit of written melody would have been appreciated. Nevertheless, this is a must have for fans of jazz, especially jazz guitar fans. You don't hear much about this album like you hear about Giant Steps of Kind of Blue, but you should. It is safe to call it an overlooked classic. February 25, 2006

Out of this world!

Joe Pass's death was a tragedy. His solo guitar work is great, but this shows his ability to interplay with other musicians at its finest. "Concorde" showcases his lightning-fast fingers and command of scales. Yet tracks like "Lady Be Good" show Joe to be tasteful to the last, slow and bluesy. Songs like "Ray's Tune" show the quartet's funky side. Joe was a master of chord substitution. Milt Jackson on vibes is incredible, especially on the first track. This album is a must-have for guitar players, bebop, and cool jazz fans alike. October 2, 1999

More reviews at Amazon.com ...