And That's Jaaazz!

Rock and pop enthusiasts generally accommodate a few jazz "sides" in their collection, more out of a sense of rightness than actually spending ear time with it. Miles' Kind Of Blue ... uh ... something difficult by Coltrane ... hey! Moby Grape! Let's cue it up!

Whatever its failings, jazz is manifestly not the total crap that is classical music. Any guy claiming to find the sublime in a Fauré étude is just trying to get inside the pants of some girl who does. No working stiff goes through the agony of a classical music gig without there's some dame at his elbow which he has the hots for.

But back to jaaazz. First up in this timely and provocative series is Ike Quebec's Blue And Sentimental, which is wonderful in spite of its jaaazzitude. I've loved this album since my mother brought it home in '62. She'd heard it in the record store and couldn't leave without it.

Apart from some spare comping from Ike, there's no keyboards. This is almost a chamber jazz ensemble, with the inexpressibly fantastic Grant Green on a guitar that sounds like someone strung a Giant Redwood with spun gold. It's woodier than a woodpecker and rings like the mission bell, and you'll hear his rare rhythm playing as well as his precise and thoughtfully swinging lead. But its really Ike's show. If you haven't heard him before, listen to the first few notes he plays on this album, and dig. There's no way you won't be giving him some hushed jazz applause after his solo. His tone defines jazz sax. Breathy as a 3am phone call, this is Ike singing from some huge, dark, smoky place inside him.

Jazz? Like Kenny G?

I'm required by State Jazz Law to list the other musicians - Paul Chambers on growly bass, and Philly Joe Jones' pattering, understated drums.

Don't take my word for it, or my mother's. I just looked it up on wiki and there's a couple of quotes that might tempt you to take the plunge:

"A quiet, sorely underrated masterpiece" - AllMusic, getting it right for once.
"Quebec's masterpiece" - Richard Cook (who he?)

Fun Foam Fact©: Real jazz buffs never, but never, refer to Miles Davis as "Davis", nor John Coltrane as "John".