Hermeto Pascoal – Slaves Mass (Warner Brothers, 1977)

Hermeto Pascoal (p, kybd, clv, mel, ss, fl, g, vo); Flora Purim (vo); Airto Moreira (d, perc, vo); Raul de Souza (tb, vo); David Amaro (g); Ron Carter (b); Alphonso Johnson (el-b); Chester Thompson (d); Hugo Fattoruso (vo); Laudir de Oliveira (vo)

Recorded in 1977

Reissued by Rhino, Collectables, and Pure Pleasure [in limited edition vinyl]

Like Sun Ra, Thelonious Monk, and a handful of others, Brazilian multi-instrumentalist Hermeto Pascoal is truly sui generis.

Manfred Schoof Quintet – Light Lines (JAPO, 1978)

Manfred Schoof (tr, flgn); Jasper van 't Hof (p, el p, org); Michel Pilz (b cl); Günter Lenz (b); Ralf Hübner (d)

Recorded in December 1977

Reissued as part of Schoof's two-disc set Resonance (ECM, 2009)

Schoof's quintet was a fabulous band, and it's a shame that more people aren't familiar with it.  Anyone who hasn't heard this European group should investigate, pronto!

More Manfred Schoof

Scales (JAPO, 1976) was the first LP from Schoof's quintet.  If features the same line-up as heard on Light Lines, and it's also excellent.  It's included in the Resonance set too.

Jan Garbarek – Places (ECM, 1978)

Jan Garbarek (ts, ss, as); Bill Connors (g); John Taylor (p, org); Jack DeJohnette (d)

Recorded in December 1977

Everything comes together perfectly on this LP.  Along with the recordings he co-led with Bobo Stenson, I regard Places as the best record Garbarek ever made.

Check out John Taylor's organ work here.  It's utterly strange and unique and wonderful.

At the time, this was something different, and it still sounds fresh.

Air - Air Time (Nessa, 1978)

Henry Threadgill (as, ts, fl, b fl, hubkaphone); Fred Hopkins (b); Steve McCall (d, perc)

Recorded on November 17 - 18, 1977

A stone classic that transcends descriptions like avant-garde jazz.  

As Duke Ellington would say, this music is "beyond category."

Rein de Graaff - Dick Vennik Quartet – Modal Soul (Timeless, 1977)

Rein de Graaff (p); Dick Vennik (ts, ss, fl); Koos Serierse (b); Eric Ineke (d)

Recorded on November 14, 1977

Released on Timeless Muse in the U.S.; also reissued on the Solid label in Japan

Excellent music from a Dutch quartet, released on Wim Wigt's Dutch Timeless label.

Frank Strozier – What's Goin' On (SteepleChase, 1978)

Frank Strozier (as, fl); Danny Moore (tr); Harold Mabern (p); Stafford James (b); Louis Hayes (d)

Recorded on November 5, 1977

Frank Strozier one of the many jazzmen who came out Memphis, Tennessee.  On this LP, Strozier is joined by another Memphian, pianist Harold Mabern.  Strozier and Mabern are old friends, having played together in the band MJT+3 while both were living in Chicago.

For whatever reason, Strozier never achieved a high profile in the jazz world.  But he was an outstanding musician who could play burning lines on his alto.

I vividly recall the first time I heard Strozier on record, years ago.  It's on Woody Shaw's Little Red's Fantasy (Muse, 1978).  I wasn't familiar with Strozier, so reading his name on the cover made no impression -- until I heard the music.  As the sound of his alto came roaring through the speakers, I remember thinking, "Who is THAT?!?!"  ... I've been a Frank Strozier fan ever since.

More Frank Strozier

Strozier's other LP for SteepleChase, Remember Me (1977), is also outstanding.  Harold Mabern and fluegelhornist Danny Moore appear on both records.

Charlie Rouse – Moment's Notice (Storyville, 1978)

Charlie Rouse (ts); Hugh Lawson (p); Bob Cranshaw (b); Ben Riley (d)

Recorded on October 20, 1977

Best known for his long stint with Thelonious Monk's quartet, Rouse steps forward as a leader on this outstanding Storyville disc.

Karin Krog & Red Mitchell – ...but Three's a Crowd (Bluebell of Sweden, 1977)

Karin Krog (vo); Red Mitchell (b, p)

Recorded on October 19 - 20, 1977

Six of ten tracks from this LP were reissued on the CD One on One (Meantime Norway, 1997)

Here's another brilliant vocalist who walks the high-wire by collaborating solely with a bassist. 

In this case, it's Norwegian vocalist Karin Krog working with the great Red Mitchell.

Frank Foster & The Loud Minority Band – Well Water (Piadrum, 2007)

Frank Foster (ts, ss); Sinclair Acey (tr); Charles Sullivan (tr); Don McIntosh (tr); Joe Gardner (tr); Cecil Bridgewater (tr); Leroy Barton (as, fl): C.I. Williams (as, fl); Bill Cody (ts, fl, piccolo); Bill Saxton (ts, ss, fl); Doug Harris (ts, fl); Kenny Rogers (bs); Bill Lowe (tb); Janice Robinson (tb); Charles Stephens (tb); Kiane Zawadi (tb); Mickey Tucker (p); Earl May (b, el b); Elvin Jones (d); Babafumi Akunyun (perc) 

Recorded on October 9 - 10, 1977

This album remained "in the can" and unreleased for thirty years, but it's my favorite recording of Frank Foster's terrific 1970s big band, The Loud Minority.

This band was loaded with great soloists, but the music works perfectly on so many levels.  Check out their version of "Simone," one of Foster's many terrific compositions:

More by Frank Foster's Loud Minority Big Band

All of Foster's work the the Loud Minority Big Band is worth seeking out!  In the 70s, Foster released:

- The Loud Minority (Mainstream, 1972)

- Bursting Out! ‎(Denon, 1978)

- Manhattan Fever (Denon,1978) [Not the same as the Blue Note LP with the same title]

- Shiny Stockings (Denon, 1979)

Lew Tabackin – Rites of Pan (Discomate Japan/Inner City, 1978)

Lew Tabackin (fl, alto fl); Tokisho Akiyoshi (p, el p); John Heard (b); Bob Daugherty (b); Shelly Manne (d)

Recorded in September 1977 and February 1978

Tabackin is probably best known for his brawny, Hawkins-esque tenor, often heard in the context of the big band that he co-led with his wife, Toshiko Akiyoshi.  But, this album is an example of his work in a small group context--and, as you might infer from the title, Tabackin focuses here on the flute.  

The supporting group is excellent.  Toshiko produced the album as well as playing piano and electric piano.  And, much like their work on Essence (Galaxy, 1978), Tabackin meshes beautifully with Shelly Manne. 

Outstanding.

Paul Motian – Dance (ECM, 1978)

Paul Motian (d); Charles Brackeen (ts, ss); David Izenzon (b)

Recorded in September 1977

Reissued as part of Paul Motian: Old and New Masters (ECM) in 2013

This is my favorite Paul Motian record, bar none.

Everything works perfectly.

The Carla Bley Band – European Tour 1977 (WATT/ECM, 1978)

Carla Bley (org, ts); Michael Mantler (tr); Elton Dean (as); Gary Windo (ts); John Clark (Fr hn, g); Roswell Rudd (tr); Bob Stewart (tu); Terry Adams (p); Hugh Hopper (b g, b d); Andrew Cyrille (d) 

Recorded in September 1977

This album beautifully captures Carla Bley's singular aesthetic.  

Her bands don't sound like anyone else's.  That's a tribute to her compositions and her artistic vision.

More Carla Bley

Dinner Music (WATT/ECM, 1977) immediately preceded this live album.  It's also an exceptional LP.

Charles McPherson – New Horizons (Xanadu, 1978)

Charles McPherson (as); Mickey Tucker (p); Cecil McBee (b); Frederick Waits (d)

Recorded on September 28, 1977

As the title New Horizons implies, this album finds Charles McPherson pushing the boundaries of orthodox bop.  It's also a sly reference to his 1969 LP Horizons (Prestige).

The supporting players are phenomenal.  

This LP, which has never been reissued in any digital format, is a hidden gem.

More Charles McPherson

McPherson's series of LPs on Don Schlitten's Xanadu label in the latter half of the 1970s was a particularly fruitful run.  Along with New Horizons, McPherson recorded:

- Beautiful! (Xanadu, 1975)

- Live in Tokyo (Xanadu, 1976)

- Free Bop! (Xanadu, 1979)

His early-1970s albums on Mainstream are worth exploring too.

Sam Jones – Something in Common (Muse/32 Jazz, 1978)

Sam Jones (b); Blue Mitchell (tr); Slide Hampton (tb); Bob Berg (ts); Cedar Walton (p); Billy Higgins (d)

Recorded on September 13, 1977

Reissued on 32 Jazz with three bonus tracks that were originally issued on Cedar Walton's Firm Roots (Muse, 1976)

The rhythm trio at the core of this group were referred to as "The Magic Triangle" for good reason.

Andy LaVerne Trio – Another World (SteepleChase, 1978)

Andy LaVerne (p, syn); Mike Richmond (b); Billy Hart (d)

Recorded on September 9, 1977

LaVerne, Richmond, and Hart were touring Europe with Stan Getz when they made this record.  

The trio's comfort and familiarity with one another comes through clearly on this recording for Nils Winther's SteepleChase label.

More from the Andy LaVerne Trio

Weeks earlier, this same trio made another excellent LP.  Released in bassist Mike Richmond's name, the album is titled Dream Waves (Sonet Norway/Inner City, 1977). 

Lou Levy – Tempus Fugue-It (Interplay, 1977)

Lou Levy (p); Fred Atwood (b); John Dentz (d)

Recorded on September 2 - 3, 1977

Reissued in Japan as Lady Be Good: Tempus Fugit (M&I, 2006).

Given the punning title, it's no surprise that West Coast pianist Lou Levy leads his trio through an exciting program of Bud Powell-influenced bop.  ... But there are some lovely ballads too.

Sheila Jordan & Arild Andersen – Sheila (SteepleChase, 1978)

Sheila Jordan (vo); Arild Andersen (b)

Recorded on August 27 - 28, 1977

This album features Jordan singing solely with bassist Arild Andersen.  Subsequently, Jordan would often perform and record using this unusual duo format, most often with bassist Harvie Swartz.

This performance is one of Sheila Jordan's finest hours, a classic by any definition.

Cecil McBee Sextet – Music from the Source (Enja, 1978) and Compassion (Enja, 1979)

Cecil McBee (b); Chico Freeman (ts, fl); Joe Gardner (tr, flgn); Dennis Moorman (p); Steve McCall (d); Don Moye (cga)

Recorded on August 2 - 3, 1977

Inner City licensed these LPs for release in the U.S.

McBee recorded both of these albums at Sweet Basil in NYC.  

Incredible music.

Kenny Wheeler – Deer Wan (ECM, 1978)

Kenny Wheeler (tr, flgn); Jan Garbarek (ts, ss); John Abercrombie (g, mandolin); Ralph Towner (g); Dave Holland (b); Jack DeJohnette (d)

Recorded in July 1977

Wheeler's first record for ECM, Gnu High (1976), is rightfully acknowledged as a classic, but I like his second, Deer Wan, even better.  

Wheeler's album benefits from his typically brilliant compositions and a truly ridiculous line up of all star sidemen, all of whom were recording for Manfred Eicher's label as leaders.

Shakti with John McLaughlin – Natural Elements (Columbia/Sony, 1977)

John McLaughlin (g, vo); Lakshminarayana Shankar (va, vn, vo); Zakir Hussain (bgo, dholak, perc, tbl, timb, tri, vo); Vikku Vinayakram (ghatam, kanjeera, perc, vo)

Recorded in July 1977

I think Natural Elements is one of the most convincing and effective Indo-jazz fusion records of the decade. Compared with Shakti's earlier records, this album seems more musical and song-oriented.  Rather than focusing on virtuosic displays, this time the group lets the music breathe.

Roland Hanna, George Mraz – Sir Elf + One (Choice, 1978)

Roland Hanna (p); George Mraz (b)

Recorded in July 1977

The CD reissue includes two bonus tracks offers and much-improved sound.

Roland Hanna is one of my favorite pianists, and the 1970s were arguably his most productive years.  In fact, throughout the decade, he was both incredibly prolific and incredibly consistent, making it very difficult to choose just one disc.

Since most of his recordings were made for small, non-domestic labels, some listeners might not realize how many recordings Hanna made during the 1970s.  Here's a partial listing of his work as a leader & co-leader.  Note that this list does not include his recordings with the New York Jazz Quartet (or his work as a sideman).

• Child of Gemini (MPS, 1971) - trio with Dave Holland & Daniel Humair
• Sir Elf (Choice, 1973) - solo
• Informal Solo (Hi-Fly, 1974); reissued as part of Free Spirits (Storyville, 2 CDs) - solo
• 1 X 1 (Toho Japan, 1974) - duo with George Mraz
• Perugia: Live at Montreux '74 (Arista Freedom, 1975) - solo
• Roland Hanna Trio (Salvation Japan, 1975) - trio with Ron Carter & Ben Riley
• 24 Preludes: Book 1 (Salvation Japan, 1976) - solo
• Porgy & Bess (Trio Japan, 1976) - duo with George Mraz
• Sunrise, Sunset (LOB Japan, 1976) - duo with George Mraz
• Time for the Dancers (Progressive, 1977); also released as At Home with Friends - trio with George Mraz & Richard Pratt
• Glove (Trio Japan, 1977) - trio with George Mraz & Motohiko Hino
• Bird Tracks: Remembering Charlie Parker (Progressive, 1978); also known as Bird Watching - solo
• 24 Preludes: Book 2 (Salvation Japan, 1978) - solo
• Play for Monk (Artists House/MHS, 1978) - duo with George Mraz
• This Must Be Love (Audiophile, 1978); also released as Rolandscape - trio with George Mraz & Ben Riley
• Impressions (Ahead/Black & Blue, 1979) - trio with Major Holley & Alan Dawson; CD bonus tracks with George Duvivier & Oliver Jackson
• Trinity (L+R, 1979) - trio with Hans Koller & Attila Zoller
• A Gift from the Magi (West 54, 1979) - solo
• Plays the Music of Alec Wilder (Inner City, 1978) - solo
• Spelman Fran Detroit (Sonet, 1979) - solo
• Swing Me No Waltzes (Storyville, 1980); reissued as part of Free Spirits (Storyville, 2 CDs) - solo
• Piano Soliloquy (L+R, 1980) - solo

With just a few exceptions, I've heard all of these.  I would recommend all of them to listeners who would like to explore Sir Roland's piano playing. ... That said, I think Sir Elf + One is a sterling example of Hanna's artistry.  It's a recording that captures his essential warmth and joie de vivre.  Whenever I hear this music, I can't help but smile.

Art Pepper – Friday Night at the Village Vanguard (Contemporary, 1980) & Saturday Night at the Village Vanguard (Contemporary, 1979)

Art Pepper (as, ts); George Cables (p); George Mraz (b); Elvin Jones (d)

Recorded on July 28 - 30, 1977

I love Art Pepper's music -- especially the music that he made after his "comeback."

There are many of his LPs that I could have chosen, but I decided to select these two discs from his 1977 Vanguard engagement.

Elton Dean's Ninesense – Happy Daze (Ogun, 1977)

Elton Dean (as, saxello); Alan Skidmore (ts); Harry Beckett (tr, flgn); Marc Charig (cor, tenor hn); Nick Evans (tb); Radu Malfatti (tb); Keith Tippett (p); Harry Miller (b); Louis Moholo (d)

Recorded on July 26, 1977

Reissued on CD in 2009, paired with Oh! For the Edge (Ogun) on a single disc.

Incredibly powerful jazz from the Elton Dean's nonet. 

Music with Mingus-like intensity.

Roy Eldridge 4 – Montreux '77 (Pablo, 1977)

Roy Eldridge (tr); Oscar Peterson (p); Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (b); Bobby Durham (d)

Recorded on July 13, 1977

Swing-era trumpet hero Roy Eldridge could still bring it in 1977!

Oscar Peterson remarked that this Montreux date was one of his favorite jam sessions.

More Roy Eldridge

Along with this Montreux date, I'd recommend Eldridge's 1970 recording The Nifty Cat (New World, 1986), originally released on Master Jazz Recordings.

Shelly Manne – Essence (Galaxy, 1978)

Shelly Manne (d); Lew Tabackin (ts, fl); Mike Wofford (p); Chuck Domanico (b)

Recorded on July 5 - 6, 1977

This underappreciated gem, which to my knowledge has never been reissued in any digital format, features Manne's longstanding trio with pianist Mike Wofford and bassist Chuck Domanico.  

On this LP, the new addition is saxophonist and flautist Lew Tabackin.  I love his brawny, throwback sound on tenor, and his flute work is outstanding as well.

John Scofield – Live (Enja/Inner City, 1978)

John Scofield (g); Richie Beirach (p); George Mraz (b); Joe LaBarbera (d)

Recorded on July 4, 1977

This is John Scofield's first album as a leader.  Even at this early point in his career, he had already developed his distinctive sound -- although his approach continued to evolve.  

He's supported by a killer rhythm section.

More John Scofield

Scofield's second album for Enja, Rough House, is also excellent.

David Friedman/David Samuels – Double Image (Enja/Inner City, 1977)

David Friedman (vib, mar, perc); David Samuels (vib, mar, tabla, perc); Harvie Swartz (d); Michael Di Pasqua (d, perc)

Recorded on June 9, 1977

The first time I recall seeing vibraphonist David Friedman's name was on Horace Silver's In Pursuit of the 27th Man (Blue Note, 1973).  On this disc, he's joined by a second vibraphonist (!), David Samuels.  The unusual instrumentation accounts for the name of this album.  

Subsequently, the pair recorded together under the same name.  Friedman and Samuels even made an LP for ECM -- but I think this first record is their most interesting.

Louis Hayes – The Real Thing (Muse/32 Jazz, 1978)

Louis Hayes (d); Woody Shaw (tr); Rene McLean (as); Slide Hampton (tb); Ronnie Mathews (p); Stafford James (b)

Recorded on May 20 - 21, 1977 

This is a beautifully planned and executed session.  Woody Shaw plays on all of the cuts.  Rene McLean and Slide Hampton are added for roughly half of them. 

The variety of moods, tempos, and instrumentation gives the set a 60s Blue Note vibe -- even though there's nothing retro about the compositions and performances.

More Louis Hayes

A few more Hayes records that are easy to recommend:

- Breath of Life (Muse, 1974)
- Ichi-Ban - with Junior Cook and Woody Shaw (Timeless, 1976)

- Variety is the Spice (Gryphon, 1979)