The Modern Jazz Quartet With Laurindo Almeida – Collaboration

The A side is what I expected from a modern jazz ensemble but the B side is primarily the bossa nova Latin style which is fine but not quite what I anticipated.

Laurindo Almeida meshes quite nicely with the MJQ on COLLABORATION, a very chill, peaceful, melodic session. This is a good sounding repress, nicely balanced and separated instruments with solid bass and crisp highs. My copy plays very clean, looks as if it's never been spun.

Date Jan 05, 2022 - There is a streaming version out on Qobuz, named as
Collaboration (HD Remastered)
Laurindo Almeida
Released from Reborn recordings 15. February 2019
Available in 16-Bit CD Quality
44.1 kHz - Stereo

This stream (and possibly the purchasable download) is full of volume fluctuations, which may come from use of an incorrectly set noise gate during dubbing for streaming. Impressively to be heard on the last track "Concerto for Aranjuez".
I sent a mail to Qobuz, but do not expect reaction as unfortunately usual nowadays.
I warn you to buy the download.

This version is made before 1975, my copy is bought summer 1974.

This release is fairly on-brand for MJQ during this era, with the obvious addition of guitarist Laurindo Almeida.

Side A is fairly tame without taking too many chances. Side B opens with a brilliant rubato Spanish guitar solo by Almeida on "One Note Samba", outlining the song, before the ensemble joins him for a re-telling of the head. It is quite exciting.

The other highlight is the almost 12 minute running of "Concierto de Aranjuez", again slathered in Spanish guitar. There are some arranged sections that create a dynamic flow of the piece.

Overall this is a rather low-key session. Recording is solid, except for the piano, which suffers from poor microphone placement during tracking, resulting in shrill bursts at times. The pressing is good, however overall level is rather low which accentuates the noise floor on a recording with such dynamic range.

Recommended.

This transfer offers a big, intimate recording that is definitely full range. In fact there is perhaps more here than one wants to hear at a few points.

This is a fantastic set that suffers from bizarre recording issues. This edition is low output but surprisingly dynamic. The bass definitely gets out of hand on a few tracks.

What a great record! What you think is going to be just another bassanova + jazz quartet record, is actually something even greater. The sonics in particular on this pressing are fantastic; definitely my new cartridge stress-test lp.

There were jazz band and MJQ. Beautiful performence with Almeida's virtuosity. None of them didn't want to present at the expense the others. Sensible, melodic, classic and uplifting to heaven. Concierto shows next jazz potential of this piece. Essential album like many of MJQ. Sound of this early EU pressing ( from tape copy ) is full, dynamic and warm. Clear piano and vibe also in higher volume. Guitar with shape in the middle, bass mellow and deep right back. Do not worry to buy early pressing, even has some crackle the music sounds fresh and vital. Only bit different back cover info to US pressing. Highly recommended.

Are all the CD versions in stereo? I'm wondering if the mono version has been issued digitally.