Vinyl LP pressing. Saxophonist and composer Charles Lloyd has been a free spirit, master musician, and visionary. At 84, he remains at the height of his powers and as prolific as ever. As a sound seeker, Lloyd has perhaps found no greater manifestation than on his Trio of Trios project, which encompasses 3 albums in different trio settings. The third, Trios: Sacred Thread, features guitarist Julian Lage and percussionist Zakir Hussain.

Double vinyl LP pressing with 28-page 12 x 12" book. On March 15, 2018, legendary saxophonist, composer and jazz mystic Charles Lloyd celebrated his 80th birthday at The Lobero - his hometown venue in Santa Barbara, CA. He was joined by an unprecedented group of musicians including guitarist Julian Lage, pianist Gerald Clayton, bassist Reuben Rogers, and drummer Eric Harland.

It seems safe to say that Shirley Horn has now gained the popularity and recognition she deserves and that she joined the ranks of the star singers. And if you’ll excuse our boasting tone, SteepleChase takes a lot of pride in being the first record company to re-discover this great singer from the local scene of Washington D.C. to make her come-back to the major market possible. As Nat Hentoff wrote in Modern Recording & Music in 1981, “..Miles Davis is not a notable enthusiast of singers, but one exception was Shirley Horn, a Washington-based improviser (on piano as well)...”, Shirley Horn was a musicians’ musician little known to the wider public until her break-through in the late 80s. Her appearance at the famous Dutch festival at the Northsea where this recording was made was the first live encounter with the European jazz crowd whom Shirley conquered with no sweat. 180g Audiophile Vinyl

“...a serious meditation in the Parker universe: Shepp accompanied only by the extraordinary bass of intuitive Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen... The two musicians here in this Parker revisited, however, do not get lost in the immense shadow of the idol...” (Télérama) 180g Audiophile Vinyl

When this recording came out as LP on the market in 1979 after Baker’s lengthy pause from the scene, Jazz Time’s reviewer started his article by saying “Whoof! The killer is back....” And indeed this cool killer was back on the scene to stay, though for a while until his tragic death in Holland, and made a number of wonderful recordings for SteepleChase. The first of the four releases with the same “drumless” group is a studio recording (three others are live from Montmartre) and “this subtle woodhued record shows that Baker at his best can still knock you dead...” (Jazz Time). 180g Audiophile Vinyl

Alto saxophonist Lee Konitz is one of the very few who have escaped the dominating influence of Charlie Parker and created his own style and became the central figure in the “cool” jazz. While it was a very courageous, lonely and hard work to do, recording unaccompanied solo alto performance of almost one hour suited Konitz’ particular style of even and smooth blowing using the full range of the instrument. The result was “a very unique Lee Konitz’ world with limitless imagination which enchants the listeners .... not a single second boring” (Swing Journal). “The Konitz sound, richer and much more expressive than in his earlyer years, also goes through intriguing changes during the course of these performances...”(The Boston Phoenix)

“Brooklyn pianist enjoys first rate bass and drums backup…He’s one of the giants of the bop era, but his stylings are contemporary and entertaining.” (Recommended album, Billboard) “…while Jordan’s elegantly simple playing is a delight, his compositions are equally intriguing. …the album has the best work I’ve ever heard from Pedersen and solos from Jordan that proceed with the serene clarity of a mountain spring.” (Larry Kart, Chicago Tribune)

Duke Jordan (1922-2006) famous for his intense lyricism embarked on the world jazz scene as a member of the classic Charlie Parker Quintet in the late 40s with his trademark introduction to “Embraceable You”. Jordan unlike many other American jazz musicians in Bebop era found his artistic and personal living space in Europe since the early 70s. His extensive recording output on SteepleChase including this album from 1985 recorded in Denmark makes up the huge part of his discography. “A most agreeable set that is both eminently listenable and very enterprising .… Jordan was always a fleetly swinging but subtle pianist whose all-round musicianship has never got the recognition it merits. This fine trio deserves to sell well and spared his name further afield.” (Richard Palmer, Jazz Journal International)

Following the highly successful duo series by Archie Shepp (with Horace Parlan SCCD 31079 “Goin’ Home”, SCCD 31139 “Trouble In Mind” and with Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen SCCD 31149 “Looking At Bird”), here with Holland’s leading keyboard player Jasper Van’t Hof the great saxophonist mesmerised the audience with his electrifying performance. 180g Audiophile Vinyl

Pianist/composer Irving Sidney “Duke” Jordan (April 1, 1922 – August 8, 2006) was most noted for his association with Charlie Parker in the late 40s and for his compositional talent as the author of “Jordu” and “No Problem”, among others. “Always a great jazz composer as well as a unique pianist, Duke is forever developing and growing … A fully integrated trio disc that nevertheless has the leader’s personality and style stamped firmly on every track.” (Derek Ansell – Jazz Journal International) “Every piece here was written by Jordan, and everyone is as worthy of jazz standard status …” Larry Kart – Chicago Tribune) “He’s one of the giants of the bop era, but his keyboard stylings are contemporary and entertaining.” (Billboard Recommended LP)