Complete Last Recordings in Hilversum & Paris 1964 (2CD) [CD]

Two discs 76,62 minutes each approximately. The sound is very warm and clean, with good spatial qualities between the instruments, except the last track on disc 2, which suffers from acceptable, bootleg quality sound. However, the music is important so it's fairly easy to overlook the muffled sound and occasional sonic dropout. The booklet contains a partial interview of McCoy Tyner speaking about Dolphy. There's an overview of Dolphy in Europe, including parts of an interview with Dolphy from April 10,1964. Also included is a short piece on Dolphy's illness and death in Europe on June 29,1964. Song titles, lengths, and composer (s) is listed, along with band personnel and recording dates.

First off, these aren't the "last" recordings of Dolphy-there are other tracks floating around from later in the month. The first six tracks (June 2, 1964) have been around for many years as "Last Date" from Emarcy Records. That bit of Dolphy's voice, at the end of "Miss Ann", about hearing music in the air and being gone is from an earlier interview-not from this recording date. The tracks are: "Epistrophy", "South Street Exit", "The Madrig Speaks, The Panther Walks", "Hypochristmutreefuzz", "You Don't Know What Love Is", and "Miss Ann". The musicians on that release (and these six identical tracks) are; Dolphy-alto sax/flute/bass clarinet, Misha Mengelberg-piano, Jacques Schols-bass, and Han Bennik-drums. This release contains the complete recordings by Dolphy from May-June 1964. Also included (on disc 1) are two fine, long tracks, and four tracks on disc 2 from June 11, 1964. Personnel are: Dolphy, Donald Byrd-trumpet, Nathan Davis-tenor sax, Jacques Dieval-piano, Jacques Hess-bass, Franco Manzecchi-drums, and Jacky Bambou-percussion. The songs are: "Springtime", "245", "GW", "Serene", "Naima", and "Ode to Charlie Parker". The last three tracks on disc 2, from May 28,1964 in Paris ("Les", "Serene #2"), feature Dolphy, Kenny Drew-piano, Guy Pedersen-bass, and Daniel Humair-drums and one from June 1, 1964 in Holland ("Epistrophy"), which feature Dolphy, and Mengelberg's trio (above) are bonus tracks.

These recordings from Hilversum, Holland, have until now, been the last recordings officially available from Eric Dolphy. With this set we get a better picture of Dolphy's music from the same few days. The tracks from Hilversum are quintessential Dolphy. His sax and delicate flute playing are a true delight to hear. Likewise his bass clarinet playing, which Dolphy imbues with a number of wonderful tones and note clusters. The trio which accompanies him is first rate-they add color and definition when needed, and stay out of Dolphy's way when he solos. The delicate flute compositions ("South Street Exit", "Miss Ann") are a standout, especially in the context of Dolphy's other horns.

The tracks recorded from the Paris concert show Dolphy in a different context-playing with an obviously larger group, but also with Byrd, who is from a more straight ahead jazz tradition. The combination is very satisfying, the group keeps Dolphy grounded ever so slightly, yet he takes off on flights of improvisation (especially "Springtime") within the context of the compositions. "245" is played in a straight ahead mode, with Davis getting in some good tenor soloing, alongside Byrd and Dolphy. "GW" and "Serene" are also played in a straight fashion with the group coming together and blowing some good jazz-pure and simple. "Naima" has Dolphy on his bass clarinet, keeping to the structure of the song, yet playing just slightly outside it. The group lays down the melody in predictably straight ahead fashion, and the combination is very satisfying.

The next two tracks, "Les" and "Serene", show the depth of this band-the first track is very uptempo in a straight mode, while "Serene" is taken at a fairly leisurely pace, with Dolphy, once again, playing his bass clarinet to wonderful effect. The final track, "Epistrophy", from a radio broadcast, is similar to the previous track from Hilversum the next day-but it's nice to have more from Dolphy during his last period of music making.

If you don't own the Emarcy release, this is a no brainer. If you do, having all the music surrounding the Hilversum date is a treat. The renditions of these compositions are very good indeed. This is prime Eric Dolphy near the end ( he died shortly after these recordings) of his life. He was still playing strongly and was in complete command of his instruments. The bands he recorded with on these dates are stellar. Give this a listen and hear for yourself what Dolphy was doing virtually every night up until his death in Europe.

Pure unadulterated Eric Dolphy with all the passion and complexity as one would fine in a perfectly drawn shot of espresso. This recording possesses a soulfulness that is engaging and highly rewarding.