The ultimate and very obscure Mid-Century America, with a ting of the Space Age, the jazz album. "Jazz in the Space Age" is John Cassavetes walking down Time Square in the middle of the night, and there's rain and he is smoking. Or it could be "Sweet Smell of Success." Nevertheless, this is a classic noir jazz album that sounds like an original soundtrack recording, but alas, it is not the case. At the crisp of the 60s, this is an album that theme wise looks to the future, but in reality, it's a brilliant work with Bill Evans at his peak, with Paul Bley on the piano as well. In fact, it's dueling pianos.
George Russell plays "beats and timed drums." He also wrote all the pieces on this album. It's a combination of orchestrated jazz but with interesting 'bop' type of solos and improvising sections within the orchestration. especially from Evans and Bley. I was sort of expecting a Joe Meek like recording, and that is not the case. Still, the playing by Evans and Bley are incredible. Since I got this album last week, I have played it a lot in the house. The album cover is great, but the music is not kitsch whatsoever or even space exotica. But it is Evan/Bley-tastic.
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