Browse by Artist: MONCUR III, GRACHAN

Artist:	MONCUR III, GRACHAN
Title:	New Africa
Label:	BYG RECORDS
Format:	LP
Price:	$14.00
Catalog #:	BYG 321LP

21st volume in the BYG Actuel series; gatefold sleeve, 180 gram vinyl. "A wonderful and fairly adventurous recording session that was taped in Paris on August 11, 1969 for one of the first trombonists to explore free jazz. Grachan Moncur III matches ideas with Roscoe Mitchell (alto sax, piccolo), Dave Burrell (piano), Alan Silva (bass), Andrew Cyrille (drums) and (on one of the four pieces) his former boss Archie Shepp (tenor sax). Four tracks."

Artist:	MONCUR III, GRACHAN
Title:	Aco Dei De Nadrugada
Label:	BYG RECORDS
Format:	LP
Price:	$11.00
Catalog #:	BYG 333LP

Grey-area exact reissue (previously available on Get Back). Originally issued in the historic BYG Actuel series, around 1970. Title translated: "One Morning I Waked Up Very Early." "One of the first trombonists to explore free jazz, Grachan Moncur III recorded this album at the Studio Saravah in Paris on September 10th and November 4th, 1969. Featuring Fernando Martins (piano), Beb Guerin (bass) and Nelson Serra De Castro (drums). 4 tracks."

Artist:	MONCUR III, GRACHAN
Title:	Evolution
Label:	HEAVENLY SWEETNESS (FRANCE)
Format:	LP
Price:	$31.00
Catalog #:	HS 026LP

Vinyl-only release. Part of the Blue Note reissue series from the Heavenly Sweetness label, legendary jazz trombonist Grachan Moncur III's Evolution was originally released on Blue Note in 1963. Incredibly dramatic jazz compositions featuring Lee Morgan (trumpet), Grachan Moncur III (trombone), Jackie McLean (alto sax), Bobby Hutcherson (vibraphone), Bob Crenshaw (bass) and Anthony Williams (drums). "One of the New Thing's extremely few trombonists and a greatly underappreciated composer of tremendous evocative power, Grachan Moncur III got his first major exposure on Jackie McLean's groundbreaking 1963 masterpiece, One Step Beyond. Toward the end of the year, most of the same musicians reconvened for Moncur's debut as a leader, Evolution; McLean, vibist Bobby Hutcherson, and drummer Tony Williams are all back, with Bob Cranshaw on bass and an extra voice in trumpeter Lee Morgan, moonlighting from his usual groovy hard bop style. While Moncur takes a little more solo space here, the main emphasis is on his talent as a composer. The four originals are all extended, multi-sectioned works (the shortest is around eight minutes), all quite ambitious, and all terrifically moody; much of the album sounds sinister and foreboding. Part of that is due to the accuracy with which the musicians interpret Moncur's vision. Hutcherson provides his trademark floating chordal accompaniment, which is crucial to the overall texture; what's more, the album features some of McLean's weirdest playing ever, and some of Morgan's most impressively advanced, as he makes the most of a situation he longed to be in more often. Of the pieces, 'Monk In Wonderland' is the most memorable; its whimsical, angular theme is offset by Hutcherson's mysterious vibes, which create a trippy effect in keeping with the title. 'Air Raid' is alternately ominous and terrifyingly frantic, and the funereal title track keeps time only in the pulse of the horns and the backing, which is based entirely on whole notes. With such an inventive debut, it's a shame Moncur didn't record more as a leader, which makes Evolution an even more important item for fans of Blue Note's avant-garde to track down." --All Music Guide; pressed on super heavy 180 gram vinyl in a high quality "jazz" sleeve.

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