Jan Hammer

verslibre wrote: You probably already have them but in addition to those, the Elvin Jones – Jan Hammer – Gene Perla CD On The Mountain is a must (same year as Timeless, IIRC), and Horacee Arnold's Tales Of The Exonerated Flea (with Jan) is equally kickass. I think I may prefer Elvin's, though. The two Hammer & David Earle Johnson collaborations are killer—lotsa juicy monophonic Moog work.

Many thanks on the heads-up on these albums, I will certainly try tracking them down - can you say if they are reissued on CD? I see in the UK the later of the two Hammer/Earle Johnson releases is available very cheap through the Vanguard label. Somebody sent me  a sampler of Hammer with some tracks from Hip Address and the live Melodies (very limited edition, I guess, radio  station only release) - Hip Address appears to be available in the US on CD but not in the UK: I really like the percussive edge of the tracks I've heard.

Hello Dick Health,

I own a copy of "Time Is Free"  (CD Vanguard) and i find it very good.

Dick Heath wrote: verslibre wrote: You probably already have them but in addition to those, the Elvin Jones – Jan Hammer – Gene Perla CD On The Mountain is a must (same year as Timeless, IIRC), and Horacee Arnold's Tales Of The Exonerated Flea (with Jan) is equally kickass. I think I may prefer Elvin's, though. The two Hammer & David Earle Johnson collaborations are killer—lotsa juicy monophonic Moog work. Many thanks on the heads-up on these albums, I will certainly try tracking them down - can you say if they are reissued on CD? I see in the UK the later of the two Hammer/Earle Johnson releases is available very cheap through the Vanguard label. Somebody sent me  a sampler of Hammer with some tracks from Hip Address and the live Melodies (very limited edition, I guess, radio  station only release) - Hip Address appears to be available in the US on CD but not in the UK: I really like the percussive edge of the tracks I've heard.

I see you've already placed an order, and yes, all those CDs are available as reissues/remasters. There's a reissue of the Elvin Jones album that's newer (purple cover) than the Wounded Bird reissue but doesn't sound any better, you can go either way. Horacee Arnold's and the Hammer/Johnson Time Is Free  have both gotten the sweet remaster treatment; the latter's packaged as a 'hardcover' along the lines of the OSI special edition. I purchased both TIF  and Tales Of The Exonerated Flea  from Laser's Edge:

http://www.lasercd.com

   
  I have had recent satisfaction finding and buying the obscure, through Amazon.UK Marketplace: Horacee Arnold's Tales Of The Exonerated Flea (Hammer, Laird, Abercrombie, Towner, Johnson, David Friedman, etc. - early 70's heavily rhythmic jazz rock, hints of MO, Oregon, Cobham's post-'Spectrum' band, recommended), Elvin Jones' On The Mountain (with Hammer and Gene Peria:  straighter jazz with electricity??? however, only sampled the first two tracks - from the album with the blue sleeve!!!), David Earle Johnson's Time Is Free (Hammer and Johnson in post-Melodies mood - less jazz rock, more rock????) - it appears Hip Address is not available.

Thanks for these recommendations. An observation made by the American moderator of Fusenet jazz rock discussion group, is that America can buy ECM back catalogue directly from ECM in Germany (especially albums not freely available in the USA)- therefore John Abercrombie's Timeless and Night (with Hammer, DeJohnette and Mike Brecker on the latter) should be readily available, if not so already in the USA

verslibre wrote: How'd  you like On The Mountain and Exonerated Flea ...good sh*t, eh? I'm sure you can score Hip Address  easily on eBay or half.com.

A lot - one turntablist firend is digging Flea because of the strong groove and seeking out a vinyl version..... On The Mountain is about as "jazz" as I've heard Hammer (Abercrombie pushed him!) and enjoyable because I'm hearing a different aspect of Hammer's musical skills. Somebody in Austria tells me Hip Address is available out there and provided a contact! ALso been informed there is a radio show from the 70's(?) on album, where Hammer Johnson and Abercrombie just jammed - know anything about that?