Sunday Music Muse Day (one day late) Trio of Doom, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Tony Williams, Jimmy Smith

Sunday's Music Muse Day post is a day late due to football playoffs, and a developing cold.  But, the music help me feel better.  The first two CDs were picked up in Toronto, Canada, during a lovely brief road trip with my wife.  These fusion jazz gems are connected in a way.  First up. Trio of Doom, the one time pairing of guitarist John McLaughlin, drummer Tony Williams, and bassist Jaco Pastorius recorded at the historic 1979 Havana Jam festival in Cuba. This CD contains all the material they record live, and in the studio shortly afterwards.  McLaughlin actually didn't want the material released at first because of poor recording of the live tracks, but 27 year later he relented, mainly in honor of his friends, Tony and Jaco, who had since passed away.  The music is rough and raw, but important considering stature of these musicians.

Next up. Mahavishnu Orchestra: The Lost Trident Sessions, which features John McLaughlin, again.  This CD is was supposed to the group's third album, but according to the liner notes, it was lost and forgotten due to internal strife of the band, as they split up soon after it was completed. I'm glad it be released.  Interesting, since it was to be an album, it only about 35 minutes long, as compared to today's longer music CD productions.

My next selection is also connect the Trio of Doom, with Tony Williams Angel Street CD.  I think I have the vinyl record of this but couldn't pass it up.  I think I appreciate Tony William's straight hard bop playing more now than when this was released on vinyl in 1988.

Finally, here's jazz organ legend, Jimmy Smith Prayer Meeting, with Stanley Turrentine on saxophone.  This is another reissue of a Blue Note Records session by Rudy Van Gelder.  I found myself picking up more jazz organ music in the past year.  Proving you're never too old learn to enjoy different sounds (I've always been very guitar-centric in my listening habits).

That's it for this week. But, I like to take a moment to remember, and honor, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr on this, his day.  We as a nation still have a long way to go to fore fill his dream, but I believe, together, "We shall over come".