Jaki Byard - Blues For Smoke (1960)

Tracklist

1. Journey/Hollis Stomp/Milan to Lyon (5:57)
2. Aluminum Baby (4:32)
3. Pete and Thomas (Tribute to the Ticklers) (3:41)
4. Spanish Tinge No 1 (4:12)
5. Flight of the Fly (5:44)
6. Blues for Smoke (4:52)
7. Jaki's Blues Next (2:07)
8. Diane's Melody (Jaki Byard) (5:05)
9. One Two Five (Jaki Byard) (2:40)

personnel :

Piano, Composed By – Jaki Byard

Pianist Jaki Byard's first recording as a leader was not released domestically until this 1988 CD. That fact seems strange for Byard is absolutely brilliant on the solo piano set. Many of his selections (all nine tunes are his originals) look both backwards to pre-bop styles and ahead to the avant-garde including such numbers as "Pete and Thomas (Tribute to the Ticklers)," "Spanish Tinge No. 1," and "One, Two, Five." The most remarkable selection is "Jaki's Blues Next" which has Byard alternating between James P. Johnson-type stride and free form à la Cecil Taylor; at its conclusion he plays both styles at the same time. A highly recommended outing from a very underrated pianist.~Scott Yanow