Sonny Rollins – Saxophone Colossus (1956)

Sep 24, 2007 by Mr. Nau Sonny Rollins thrown the gauntlet with a legendary set of five tunes that lives up to its title. He is in peak form, playing three original tunes and a pair of standards. His rhythm section — including the incomparable Max Roach, Tommy Flanagan, and Doug Watkins — complements Sonny’s […]

Thelonious Monk – Monk, Alone in Paris (2007)

Sep 24, 2007 by Mr. Nau This beautiful live set of solo tunes displays Thelonious Monk at his finest, unaccompanied on piano in Paris. Information about this new release is pretty difficult to find, but the music is top shelf. All of the tunes except the opener are Monk’s original compositions, making this obscure album […]

McCoy Tyner – Live at the Musicians Exchange Cafe (1987)

Sep 24, 2007 by Mr. Nau McCoy Tyner is in fine form on this live set of mostly original compositions. Mislabeled as The Real McCoy, the 1987 recording featured here is always enjoyable, from the opening latin tune to the last note, including unforgettable standards like You Taught My Heart to Sing and What’s New?. […]

Tony Takitani (2004)

Sep 23, 2007 by Mr. Nau This ISA-nominated Japanese film is the story of a solitary guy who falls for a woman who likes expensive clothes. After she dies unexpectedly, he hires a similarly-looking girl and tries to deal with the loss of his wife. This lyrical little gem is slow-paced and quiet. Grade: B. […]

John Coltrane – Live Trane: The European Tours (2001)

Sep 22, 2007 by Mr. Nau A huge collection of selections from John Coltrane’s European tours from the early sixties, this seven disk treasure chest puts Coltrane alongside some brilliant sidemen — Eric Dolphy, McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones, and Jimmy Garrison. Multiple takes of favorite tunes are here, as well as innumerable fantastic solos from […]

Miles Davis – Miles Ahead (1957)

Sep 17, 2007 by Mr. Nau Miles Davis fronts a nineteen-piece orchestra in this astonishing collection of songs, featuring Davis himself as the only soloist. His wistful, mellow, stunning sound complements the large horn accompaniment perfectly. This groundbreaking album belongs in the collection of any serious music fan, even those who are new to jazz. […]

Dexter Gordon – Our Man in Paris (1963)

Sep 17, 2007 by Mr. Nau Dexter Gordon joins forces with Bud Powell, Kenny Clarke, and Pierre Michelot during their years as ex-patriates in Paris. Dexter’s huge iconic sound fills up this amazing disk from start to finish. Powell’s piano complements Long Tall Dexter perfectly. Great solo work on familiar standards permeates this beautiful work. […]

Dave Brubeck – Time Out (1959)

Sep 17, 2007 by Mr. Nau This groundbreaking masterpiece features seven signature tracks in odd keys, the compositions of Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond. Desmond’s alto is light, lyrical, and laid-back, in stark contrast to other saxophone players. Full of astonishing solo work, particularly given the rhythms and harmonies, this incredible album is absolutely essential. […]

Manic (2001)

Sep 16, 2007 by Mr. Nau Don Cheadle stars as a counselor at a mental hospital, focusing on a small core of teenagers. The focus of this picture is on a young scrapper named Lyle. This well-acted character drama is full of real passionate moments, but also full of terribly amateurish handheld video camera footage. […]

Timothy Ferriss – The 4-Hour Workweek (2007)

Sep 13, 2007 by Mr. Nau This book, targeted at cubicle monkeys and other corporate malcontents, gives straight-forward advice about creating opportunities to escape from meetings, the office, and even the country. While the author lays it on a little thick sometimes, his book is so stuffed with incredible information that it warrants multiple reads. […]

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