Great Kai & J.J. [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Johnson/Winding, J. J. Johnson, J.j.johnson & Kai Winding | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 11, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Grp Records
• ASIN: B000003N9S
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,767 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #4 in Music > World Music > Europe > Continental Europe > Denmark
  • #89 in Music > Jazz > Bebop > Hard Bop

Editorial Reviews

Part of the Impulse Best 50! Series. Japanese exclusive 24-bit 96khz digitally remastered reissue of 1960 album. Packaged in a limited edition miniature LP sleeve. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Great Kai & J. J., March 30, 2005

By 

Chris Covais - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Kai & J.J. (Audio CD)

I bought a different remaster than this version, but same music, so I feel free to review it for you here.

With the exception of Curtis Fuller, Jay Jay Johnson was probaly the most swinging, lyrical, and well respected trombonist to come out of the 1950's and 1960's. His friend Kai Winding is here for the ride. This was one of many albums the talented trombone two made together, as leaders, sharing the spotlight.

This album has many 1950's show tune influences, and some nice bebop moments. The overall disk swings. Complimenting J.J. and Kai is Bill Evans, on piano, Paul Chambers and Tommy Williams, (not Tony Williams on drums, which is what I thought at first) on bass, Roy Haynes and Art Taylor on drums.

From the opening track, This Could Be The Start Of Something Big, you know this is going to be a killer cut! This is real jazz! The two battle it out, but the friendly collaboration feeling is still there.

If you dig 1960's trombone, or just 1960's jazz, you'll love this disk. An enjoyable listen from start to finish.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Low Brass Rules, May 12, 2004

By 

D. Wright "wrdwrite" (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Great Kai & J.J. (Audio CD)

Is there any better trombone bop from the 60's than these two chasing each other around the studio? Bill Evans on the 88's throughout, Paul Chambers and "newcomer" Tommy Williams sharing the bass duty, and Roy Haynes and Arthur Taylor on skins; talent exceptionale. "Blue Monk" is my favorite track on the disk, JJ wrote the arrangement and it stands solid as a driving home from a long day standard. "I Concentrate on You" floats and lilts, has me singing along through the opening duet and dancing in my seat with the solos. "This could be the Start of Something Big", "Georgia on My Mind", and "Side By Side" all are great fun popular standards while "Trixie" and "Going, Going, Gong!" were composed for this album and are quite a hoot.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great one from the T-bone duo, January 26, 2001

By 

"rbi82" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Kai & J.J. (Audio CD)

Of all their albums together, this is my favorite. First, Impulse has done an out of this world job of remastering the recording, so that it sounds like it was recorded yesterday. Second, both Kai and JJ are in tip-top shape doing some really great tunes. The solos are just wonderful and blend so well. Finally, who can beat the sidemen on this album, C'mon, Bill Evans? Paul Chambers? Roy Haynes? A spectacular album...