Customer Reviews

MJQ: 40 Years

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first heard the incredible opening solo of "One Note Samba" from "Collaboration" while sitting in the only air conditioned spot (the radio station) at Mactan Air Base, in the Philippines, in 1966. I was completely blown away, bought the album as minute I could find it, and played the grooves off it.

For years I have been searching for the CD to no avail, and rehooking up my changer every so often when I got a Samba Jones and was willing to put up with the pops and hisses of a worn out record.

Now, "Collaboration" is FINALLY available in CD, and it exceeds my memory of its excellence.

This magnificent quartet and virtuoso guitarist blend seamlessly through Samba, fugue, straight ahead jazz, and other examples of the best of both.

With the MJQ tragically decimated, this CD is like a gift from the past, with the excitement and discovery of a new album for those who have come upon their interest in jazz in the post-LP era, or who forgot how good this was when it first came out.

"Collaboration" is a masterpiece. Instantly modern and nostalgic, virtuosity from two seemingly disparate styles blending into one memorable album.

The wait was worth it.

Like John Corcoron, I "found" Collaboration in 1966. A friend's roommate had a copy. After graduation from college, I found an LP version and later a 7 1/2" reel-to-reel tape version. The second movement of Concierto de Arunjuez by Rodrigo quickly became my favorite piece of music. It was my lie-on-the-rug-in-front-of-the-fire-sip-some-wine-close-my-eyes-play-it-again song. I must have at least 20 versions of it strung out in my collections from Miles Davis to Andre Segovia to several full philharmonic versions. They are all good, but the version by Laurindo Almeida and the Modern Jazz Quartet remained the ultimate for me.
As the years passed, my LP was stolen and later, my tape deck destroyed my tape. I was devestated. For years I searched for it on CD without success.
To my joy, I have found it once again. Life is good.
Settin' in the firewood...

When I read the other reviews for this album, I was amazed at the passionate tone of the praise for it; having finally listened to its tracks, in particular the last, I now understand and fully concur.

The rendition of Rodrigo's Concierto De Aranjuez by Laurindo Almeida and the MJQ is simply put, ineffably beautiful. In the liner notes, the artist himself recognizes that "it is one of the best things I ever did". To my ears (untrained as they are)the artist succeeds in bringing out the fire and soul of this piece, playing every note as if his fingers were fused directly with that Universal element which we call "Music". Only later does one realize the technical brilliance: the guitar has seldom if ever been played with such nuance and rich tonality. ( No wonder Sharon Isbin cites Almeida as a prime influence. )

Brilliant! Fantastic! A Joy!

My vinyl copy of this recording has endured over thirty-six+ years of playing and can finally be retired. After having waited for this album to be re-released on CD, the event has happened. It was and remains one of the finest albums in recorded music. MJQ and Laurindo Almeida are at their masterful best -- it is pure magic and always has been -- their version of Rodrigo's "Concierto De Aranjuez" is worth the price alone, it should be required listening. Each piece on this recording seems to have been so carefully selected that they build on one another -- the result is an awesome experience, something that makes your life better.

A reviewer here said: "My vinyl copy of this recording has endured over thirty-six+ years of playing and can finally be retired." I say: keep the vinyl too, now that I see that this CD is not currently available for purchase! In fact, make a back-up copy of the CD and put it in the safe deposit box. This music should be preserved and enjoyed as one of the best "collaborations" in history. Unfortunately, Brahms and Heifetz never recorded together on piano and violin. Fortunately, the MJQ and Almeida did! Dumb example, but it just says: this is one of the best of the MJQ, and I've been an MJQ fan since high school in the sixties.

now I had spent a week to find this recording again and I'm so happy to have it. Even listening to the little samples just brings me back in my youth as this record used to be my favourit for blue hours. Reading the other rewiews I see I'm not the only one! Now I hardly can wait to get my new example of this marvellous composition of formidable musicians playing on my soul.

received my CD promptly works great and I listen to this constantly, heard this when I was a teenager, and have never forgotten this great mind blowing music, I am now 62 years old. A must have Album for you serious Jazz listeners.

Laurindo Almeida's guitar is exquisite, while Milt Jackson's vibes soothe and Lewis' piano is exceptionally accurate, as always. It is a pleasure to listen to these artists.

Atlantic Records produced this fantastic collaboration as an LP (Atlantic #1429 in 1964). I missed the original CD re-issue and bought this Collectible Records licensed re-issue. Though not a particularly good reproduction (lacks the depth of the original LP), it's worth having and is on my "desert island list." Very sophisticated, wonderful listening on all cuts. The highlight is the launch into One Note Samba by the full group after a magnificent rubato cadenza filled intro chorus by Almeida. Find an original Atlantic CD if you can.

The track listing is correct, but the description and all the comments (but one) relate to another disc - Collaboration. How to find the correct info? Is MJQ40 a compilation, a concert? Some tracks have applause, but other sound very very old ... like from the beginning of those 40 years.