 |  | One of the most unique sounds in all of music... |  |
I agree with the reviewer below me, the sound of this remastered CD is excellent and perfect for this kind of choral jazz music. I have to say that it took me a while to really get into these guys but now I am completely hooked! To me, there has never been a group that sounds quite like these cats. I have never heard the great Percy Heath sound as good as he does on this recording. It was an absolutely, incredible performance! I'm blown away everytime I hear this album and decide to turn up the bass a bit. Man, it's a trip to see how fast and tight he is. However, the whole group led by legendary Milt Jackson really is as close to perfection as your going to get in this recording. I would have purchased this CD just to hear the song "Django"! Also, their version of "Autumn in New York" gives me such a warm, serene, feeling inside my body every time I listen to it. Yes, everytime.
Overall, this is just one of those recordings that as a jazz fan you have to own. It's a classic on anyone's list and RVG does another fantastic job as the "messenger" releasing it to sound as perfect and clear as if you were in the studio listening to it live. These guys were some kind of foursome and although I am huge fan of the horns, I still put these four at the top of my list of all-time favorite quartets. I highly recommend that if you are new to jazz and do not own this album then please purchase it immediately. You won't be disappointed!
February 14, 2007| | | One of the classic Jazz CD/albums of all time | |
I agree with the previous reviewer, cool jazz? John Lewis and Milt Jackson defined cool jazz. Much better than that crap now that I call "Smoove Jazz". This CD evokes memories of the Music Inn and Tanglewood in the 50s. The namesake of this CD is the song Django, a tribute to the late great Django Reinhardt. This is a must for any jazz enthusiasts collection.
July 21, 2006| | | Rudy remaster is remarkable | |
this ancient jazz classic never sounded better.Rudy Van Gelder did an excellent job remastering this one with the 24- bit.He proves that it does matter who takes up the task of remastering this wonderful jazz classic. just keep them coming Rudy.
March 24, 2006 | | Good Performances, Flawed Recording | |
I'm a fan of the MJQ, although I prefer the later recordings. This disc has some good performances - I enjoyed La Ronde Suite and But Not For Me the most. Unfortunately, the recordings of the time did not match the performance - at least not on this CD.
Four of these performances were recorded at the Rudy Van Gelderen Studios in Hackensack, New Jersey, and four in New York. What's not publicized is that the "studio" was his living room - see Alyn Shipton's "New History Of Jazz" if you doubt me! And I think that this particular recording came before Van Gelderen had the technique quite down - compare the sound quality of cuts 1-3 and 8 to "Somethin' Else" (Adderley/Davis) recorded a few years later at the same location.
I wouldn't say that this is only for MJQ collectors; but be aware that, for me at least, it sounds a little flat, and the sound one critic likened to Steuben glass is only a hint on this CD. I'd say 3-1/2 stars, give it four if you love the MJQ.
October 18, 2005| | | MJQ AT ITS BEST -- AGAIN!! | |
John Lewis tosses off one of my favorite piano solos in all of music on his tune "The Queen's Fancy." And here is an excellent example of why the Percy Heath/Kenny Clarke rhythm section is one of the best ever. Milt Jackson shines like a star throughout, especially on "Autumn in New York." This is early MJQ. And they never sounded better.
August 3, 2004More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(10 reviews)