Music Monday: Ike Quebec, Patricia Brennan, and Horace Silver

I listened to some good music this weekend, but not quite enough (of course).

First, I’ve been really enjoying the full and gentle tone of Ike Quebec on Blue & Sentimental (1961) where he plays with Grant Green, Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones. It’s just full of a melodic intensity that reminds me as much as I like frenetic and impassioned playing, there’s always room for a slower burn.

Of course, I can still enjoy vigorous performances. The newly released Horace Silver performance from 1965: Silver in Seattle: Live at the Penthouse. What drew me to it, in particular, other than appreciating Horace Silver is Woody Shaw (and to a lesser extent, Joe Henderson). Shaw is in good hard bop form, but Henderson probably plays a bit more interesting solos. Teddy Smith is on bass and Roger Humphries on drums. 

The recording quality isn’t particularly good, I thought, but it is a live performance (and there is relatively few mid-1960s life stuff from Horace Silver beyond Doin’ the Thing from 1961, which, of course, is amazing owing in no small part to Blue Mitchell on trumpet and Roy Brooks on drums; Junior Cook is great on tenor too).

Finally, I’ve only listened to it twice, but I really like Patricia Brennan’s latest release Of the Near and Far. It’s a ten piece ensemble! And Brennan’s vibe work (and arrangement) is atmospheric (and just a bit spacey in a structured and disciplined way). I need to listen to it more, but so should you: 

By the way, I’ve been very happy to see more and more BYG and Strata East albums appearing on streaming services. I’m enjoying Cecil McBee’s Mutima (which I’ve blogged on before).