The Pacific Jazz Group - The Pacific Jazz Group (2023)

I spent many years living in the Bay Area. During that time, I developed a special affection for the music of the Pacific Jazz Label, an LA-based record company that started in 1952 and carried on through the 60's as World Pacific Records. West Coast jazz, people called it. And it was a thing. It was characterized often by the lack of a chordal instrument even though there were pianists and guitarists on the label, as well. The music itself was usually not difficult or intricate and the playing was more about sounding cool than blowing minds with awesome virtuosity. It was laid back and felt good. Some of the cats on the roster - Shorty Rogers, Shelly Manne, Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, Russ Freeman, Hampton Hawes, Bud Shank, Paul Desmond, Jim Hall, Chico Freeman, Jimmy Giuffre, Victor Feldman and Cal Tjader. The music reminds me of taking a drive down Highway 1 on a sunny day, of Golden Gate Park, of the beautiful redwoods of Muir Woods and Big Sur, of concerts by the sea on a Sunday afternoon. Even though the label was in LA, the music was the soundtrack for my time in Oakland and San Francisco.

Dred Scott - piano
Eric Crystal - tenor saxophone
John Wiitala - bass
Smith Dobson - drums

Tracklist:
1.01 - The Pacific Jazz Group - Bernie's Tune (6:30)
1.02 - The Pacific Jazz Group - Maid in Mexico (4:36)
1.03 - The Pacific Jazz Group - Line For Lyons (7:22)
1.04 - The Pacific Jazz Group - Casa De Luz (5:38)
1.05 - The Pacific Jazz Group - Festive Minor (5:44)
1.06 - The Pacific Jazz Group - Nights at the Turntable (5:55)
1.07 - The Pacific Jazz Group - Utter Chaos (3:40)