The Sheriff

Modern Jazz Quartet (Pure Pleasure PPAN SD11414)

The Modern Jazz Quartet was an integral part of the cool jazz movement. With relaxed tempi and formal arrangements their departure from frenetic atonal bebop was pioneered by Miles Davis. A preference for melodic flows rather than wilder chord manipulations was an important characteristic. Pianist and co-founder John Lewis integrated classical forms including fugues into the mix with the goal of creating subtle jazz with inherent rhythmic sensibilities. This new release on 180-gram vinyl is a re-mastered version of an MJQ album from 1964. What makes the chemistry of this ensemble so rich and deeply connected is the fact that they played together as a unit for four decades but despite this familiarity, fans of this group can always expect the unexpected such as MJQ’s take on Bachian As Brasileiras (Villa-Lobos), where they deliver a ‘souped up’ version that’s truly exhilarating. This album captures the mojo of the MJQ unadulterated and adds flawless stereo plus the idiosyncratic tonalities of the vibraphone. Robbie Gerson