Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - The Complete Solid State Recordings [1994] (5 x CDs)

SUNDAY JAZZ

THAD JONES-MEL LEWIS ORCHESTRA

Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - The Complete Solid State Recordings [1994] (5 x CDs)

The Complete Solid State Recordings of the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra is a compilation album of jazz music by the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, released in 1994 by Mosaic Records. It contains all the songs from the five albums that the orchestra recorded for Solid State Records (later Blue Note) between 1966 and 1970, as well as some previously unreleased tracks and singles. The Thad Jones-Mel Lewis big band was one of the finest jazz orchestras of the late '60s, but its Solid State LPs had been long out of print for decades before Mosaic wisely reissued all of the music.

The box set features Thad Jones on cornet and flugelhorn, Mel Lewis on drums, and a stellar lineup of musicians such as Pepper Adams, Bob Brookmeyer, Richard Davis, Jerry Dodgion, Hank Jones, and Jerome Richardson. The box set showcases the orchestra’s innovative and swinging style, blending hard bop, blues, Latin, and avant-garde influences. The album received critical acclaim and is considered one of the finest works of the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra.

The box set consists of five CDs, each containing a selection of tracks from the original albums, as well as some alternate takes and singles. The first CD features songs from Presenting Thad Jones-Mel Lewis and the Jazz Orchestra (1966), the orchestra’s debut album, which established their reputation as a powerful and creative big band. The CD also includes two songs from a single, Sophisticated Lady and Hawaii, featuring Phil Woods on alto saxophone. The second CD contains songs from Live at the Village Vanguard (1967), the orchestra’s first live album, which captured their dynamic and energetic performance at the famous jazz club. The CD also includes an alternate take of Willow Tree, a bluesy ballad featuring Thad Jones on flugelhorn. The third CD features songs from Monday Night (1968), the orchestra’s second studio album, which showcased their original compositions and arrangements, such as Don’t Git Sassy, Say It Softly, and The Little Pixie. The CD also includes alternate takes of Willow Tree, Mornin’ Reverend, Kids Are Pretty People, and The Second Race. The fourth CD includes songs from Central Park North (1969), the orchestra’s third studio album, which explored more diverse and adventurous musical styles, such as the Latin-infused Jive Samba, the funky Tow Away Zone, and the epic title track. The CD also includes two songs from a single, Jive Samba and Tow Away Zone, featuring Joe Farrell on baritone saxophone. The fifth and final CD contains songs from Consummation (1970), the orchestra’s last album for Solid State Records, which featured some of their most memorable and beautiful compositions, such as A Child Is Born, Dedication, and Consummation. It also includes four songs featuring French horns, adding a rich and orchestral texture to the band’s sound.

The Complete Solid State Recordings of the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra is a must-have for any jazz fan, as it presents the complete and definitive collection of the orchestra’s work for Solid State Records. The album is a testament to the orchestra’s musical excellence, creativity, and legacy, and a tribute to the genius of Thad Jones and Mel Lewis. (B)

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Track lists

CD01

01 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - ABC Blues 12:56

02 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Kids Are Pretty People 5:47

03 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Don't Ever Leave Me 4:35

04 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Once Around 5:27

05 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Three And One 5:47

06 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Balanced Scales - Justice 5:01

07 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Willow Weep For Me 5:37

08 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Mean What You Say 5:30

09 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Sophisticated Lady 2:54

10 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Willow Tree 3:54

11 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Hawaii 2:30

CD2

01 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - The Little Pixie 10:33

02 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - A-That's Freedom 7:03

03 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - The Second Race 9:38

04 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Willow Tree 5:05

05 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Quietude 4:48

06 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Bachafillen 7:09

07 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Lover Man 4:53

08 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Mornin' Reverend 4:04

CD3

01 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Samba Con Getchu 12:17

02 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Willow Tree (Alternate Take) 4:49

03 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Don't Git Sassy 7:22

04 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Say It Softly 6:48

05 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Mornin' Reverend 4:54

06 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Kids Are Pretty People 6:05

07 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - The Second Race 7:21

CD4

01 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - St. Louis Blues 12:41

02 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - The Waltz You Swang For Me 5:30

03 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Central Park North 9:17

04 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Jive Samba 8:54

05 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Quietude 4:05

06 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Big Dipper 5:54

07 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Tow Away Zone 4:31

08 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - The Groove Merchant 5:12

CD5

01 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Consummation 5:11

02 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Dedication 5:14

03 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Tiptoe 6:41

04 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - It Only Happens Every Time 3:07

05 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Fingers 10:38

06 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Us 3:36

07 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - A Child Is Born 4:09

08 Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra - Ahunk Ahunk 7:57

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