19.03.18, 18)28Modern Jazz Quartet: With a Classical Air - The Audiophile Man

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H E A D L I N E J A Z Z & E A S Y R E V I E W V I N Y L

MODERN JAZZ QUARTET: WITH ACLASSICAL A IR

Posted on 19th March 2018

Title: Fontessa

Label: Speakers Corner

Not given enough recognition, this jazz quartet always sparkled with talent and bristled with style. Itfeatured pianist John Lewis plus, on vibes and flexible wrists, the one and only Milt Jackson. Ray Browna renowned bassist fitted easily into the group which was initially completed by Kenny Clarke on drums.In the early days, they had a pretty good education as the rhythm section behind Dizzy Gillespie andthen the four became an independent group in 1952.

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19.03.18, 18)28Modern Jazz Quartet: With a Classical Air - The Audiophile Man

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By the time this 1956 LP was released things had evolved. Kenny Clarke had departed and his drumstool was filled by Connie Kay. The Modern Jazz Quartet went forward from there.

This LP combined the underlying bop that reflected the quartet’s roots but it also took classicalstructures which illustrated the group’s versatility. The Modern Jazz Quartet in itself sounded respectableand its nod to the classic structures were often cited as giving jazz an extra air of integrity. It was thatfusion of styles that drew in the ear and then drew it back to explore once more.

The mastering for this LP is quite brilliant. In fact, the high quality is heard immediately when, during theearly stages of the first track, the secondary percussion is beat out of, what sounds like, a triangle. Thisis interspersed with a piano, with a dominant melody from the vibesl and the cymbal taps from thedrums.

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19.03.18, 18)28Modern Jazz Quartet: With a Classical Air - The Audiophile Man

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0 Comments By PAUL RIGBY

This conglomeration of light and high frequency sounds, provides ample evidence of the clarity andsheer transparent nature of the mastering. Reverb tails extend forever, the low noise aspect of thebackground allows subtle vibrations to be heard, the piano – a terribly chaotic instrument if masteredpoorly – is tight and flowing here while the cymbals are delicate throughout. Frankly, the better yoursystem, the more breath-taking is this LP.

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MODERN JAZZ QUARTET

PAUL RIGBYI’ve been a journalist and editor for 30 years and still retain my good humour. Who’dhave thought? I have worked within a range of industries, writing for hundreds ofnational magazines and newspapers in the UK, Europe and the USA covering:aviation, music, computer technology, computer gaming, hi-fi, mobile technology,home automation, lady’s lifestyle, plastic model making, antiques and more. Icurrently write for national magazines in the subjects of business, music, hi-fi andgeneral technology.

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