Mosaic Selects
Ltd. Edition 3 CD Sets
Running Low

“While Mosaic never does wrong, this set is absolutely perfect. Three CDs of Andrew Hill, almost all of it previously unheard by the public. While these sessions probably sat in the vaults to lack of commercial viability at the time, they are every bit as good as Hill's contemporary Blue Note releases that have been released. Some of the lineups are chock full of heavy hitter sidemen- Sam Rivers, Lee Morgan, Woody Shaw, etc. Overall the set is a good indicator of the diversity of Hill's compositonal ideas in the late 60s. He is heard in large group settings, trio settings, and most amazingly working with a string quartet. I find the string quartet sessions to be the most remarkable on the set.” - Customer Review

Mosaic Select: Andrew Hill

"A remarkable burst of creativity over a two week span. Of course the Chet Baker reunion is marvelous. The Vinnie Burke strings are a great complement to Mulligan. I have to admit I was a bit worried about it. To be honest, while I love Gerry, I really bought this set for the Annie Ross session. Just fantastic! Her version of "I Feel Pretty" was worth the price for me. Transcendent.” - Customer Review

Mosaic Select: Gerry Mulligan

“ I've been purchasing Mosaic sets since the 90s and this is among my top five. Tyner's vision comes into focus on these sessions--powerful piano, extended modal songs, Eastern influences, and beautiful melodies. Remastering is top-notch as are the sidemen throughout.” - Customer Review

Mosaic Select: McCoy Tyner

Mosaic Singles
Neglected Gems
Running Low

“This is such a great session. It is still so surprising that this lineup of the Messengers is overlooked and underrated. This lineup deserves to be heralded as one of Blakey's best alongside the Golson/Morgan/Timmons/Merritt '58 and the Shorter/Hubbard/Fuller/Walton/Merritt or Workman '61-'64 lineups. And, of course, this set has all of Mosaic's usual exemplary production hallmarks.” - Customer Review

Art Blakey - Hard Bop

“ The mastering on this disc is fantastic. Excellent sonic clarity all around. That, combined with Lloyd's great sense of melody and forward-thinking songwriting make for a satifsying listening experience. Lloyd's cool and progressive style is a joy, and the interplay between all the band members is superb. Tony Williams was one of the funkiest jazz drummers around, too! Buy this and you will find yourself seeking out more Charles Lloyd. Not to be missed! ” - Customer Review

Charles Lloyd - Of Course, Of Course

Mosaic Select: Charles Tolliver Big Band (MS-037)

Mosaic Select

The Charles Tolliver Big Band, resurrected some five years ago, put his extraordinary orchestral writing back in the spotlight. And from the release of his comeback album “With Love,” it was always our intention to eventually bring back the two classic Strata-East albums that started it all in the ‘70s. When Charles called us with the discovery of a 1979 NDR radio concert from 1979 that would bring the set to 3 CDs, we knew a Mosaic Select was mandatory.

Limited Edition: 5,000 copies

3 CDs - $44.00

ADD TO WISHLIST

"Rarely if ever has a big band exhibited so much freedom or finesse, while at the same time never overwhelming the virtuoso soloists on whom the performances pivot." - Jason Ankemy, allmusic.com

The Charles Tolliver Big Band has come to be known for its intricate, layered writing, charging rhythms and exciting soloists. The band's roots trace back to 1970 when Tolliver recorded "Music Inc. & Big Band" for his Strata-East label. He and Stanley Cowell were the composers and principal soloists for this ground-breaking album, which represented the new approach to big band writing since the emergence of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra five years earlier.

Their second album "Impact" expanded the big band's sound with eight strings on several tunes. James Spaulding, Charles McPherson and George Coleman join Tolliver and Cowell as soloists.

From these, it was thought that the trail ran cold for this band until the mid 2000s. But in preparation for this reissue, Charles ran across a tape of a big band workshop/broadcast that he did in 1979 with NDR Big Band in Hamburg, Germany. He secured the rights and the master tape and is released for the first time in this set.

In recent year, the band has reformed and returned with a vengeance, touring and recording for Blue Note (2007) and Half Note (2009). Its legacy begins with this Mosaic Select.

Read More About Charles Tolliver:
Track Listing, Personnel & Recording Dates »

CUSTOMER REVIEWS

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	*Finally! I salute Mosaic for putting this together.*
I'm a big fan. I had the pleasure of listening to Tolliver and his band last year in NYC -- inTimes Square at Les Paul's club. Like the earlier reviewer, please find the time and/or resources to compile the small group material.

	*Great Stuff - Now Please Finish What You Started!*
I agree totally with the previous reviewer. Excellent reissue especially the Impact album on disc two. Plight has always been one of my favorite Tolliver compositions. I really hope that one day soon his small group recordings (Paper Man, Grand Max, Compassion, Live In Berlin, etc) will get the Mosaic treatment. Thank you for keeping the music alive!

	*Excellent Collection of Rare Material from Peak '70's Years*
I've been trying to find the Strata East albums for years and I was delighted to find that Mosaic had not only reissued them but also included a previously unknown recording made in Germany in 1979. Excellent sound and presentation. This is cause for celebration for Charles Tolliver fans everywhere!