Back to the HUJE jazz band, Part 1: 1978 (Howard Univ. Jazz Ens.)

In the past were posted the 1981, 1983, and 1984.  Here are 3 more, starting with today's post of the 1978 installment, and many thanks to our friends who find these things and then are willing to pass them on to others to enjoy.  Information for this one on this page.  The summary on discogs:

Howard University Jazz Ensemble (HUJE), Washington DC, USA, was founded in 1975 by its director, Fred Irby, III. Outstanding performances in the United States, Europe, South America, Asia, and the Caribbean have caused it to be recognized as one of the foremost college jazz ensembles. HUJE has been heard on radio and television as well as in concert, often appearing with celebrated performers. Members of the HUJE have won awards as performers and composers/arrangers, and the ensemble includes among its alumni several practicing jazz artists. Additionally, the HUJE was featured during the 1992, 1996 and 2005 Kennedy Center Honors Gala (CBS-TV). The HUJE has released thirty-four recordings in a distinguished series that began in 1976.

34! wow.

A great sample track, St. Thomas by Night, by Marsvyn David:

Rubba with Ratledge, Jenkins, Giordano, et al., Library albums [Push Button 1979, In Motion 1980, Electra 1982, Movement 1982] -- ALL FLAC

 

I mentioned just recently how much I love Karl Jenkins.  Therefore it made sense to root around the landscape to see if he made more unknown or lost music somewhere, like that Linda Hoyle LP.

I guess him and famed Soft Machine Keyboardist Ratledge made some library stuff too. Some of it under this band's monikor, discogged here.  Note the impt. proviso there: 

Library act with different people involved depending on the record. Not a side project of Jenkins & Ratledge per se.

Looks like there are 5 LPs total, of which I post the first 4, leaving out the 1983 one.

From Push Button, Pop Stuff

From Giordano's In Motion, which rehashes earlier tracks from him that appeared elsewhere, the gorgeous So Softly:

From Electra, Lizard:

From Movement, Circles:

Alan Parker's Hot Ice, 1974 [FLAC limited time only]

 

One of the few Parker or Hawkshaw's I haven't yet posted, info here. Cover again by Nick Bantock.

Here are a few sample tracks, to give you an idea. His lovely Legend composition:

Hi-Jinks:

Best Friend:

Overall very pleasant music.

https://www.swisstransfer.com/d/9770e98d-45a8-4aa5-8d7f-202c354fbda2

new up of osamu shoji jataka

https://www.swisstransfer.com/d/7f1f5ccf-7703-4af2-a9a1-25dd3adb89e4

Robson Tapes - I Painted a Picture, 1986

I guess the cover doesn't inspire a lot of confidence in the contents here.  But I had to obtain this record, because we heard so much unbelievable stuff from him in the past.  Do you remember? The first ST one (1974) with the photo of the back of his head, then the equally amazing follow up Stay Awhile (1976).  These are legendarily beautiful lost albums of progressive vocal rock from Finland.

Frank Robson is discogged here thusly:

Profile: Born on April 27, 1946 in Bradford-on-Avon, England. Died on November 16th, 2024 in Lahti, Finland. A singer and pianist. He moved to Finland in 1967. His daughter Jenny Robson is also a singer.

I guess he was in Tasavallan P. too, the legendary Finnish prog rock outfit. 

Incidentally if you check out his discography, the 'Sings Nick Hanian' (1987) is quite ordinary and not worth hearing.

This LP is listed under Robson Tapes, the only release from this gathering, also interesting to me because it includes Nono Soderberg, recently posted here. I didn't listen to the CD 'Back in Business' the recent one (recent! from 1998 that is).

I think, but am not sure, the best track is Yesterday's News:

At any rate, gives you an idea of the contents. Along with that cover.

This is Boston Not LA, 1979 [protopunk] [FLACs]

 

Here's a total change in direction, I bought this out of curiosity in Boston. It's punk completely, but all unknown bands with some really crazy hard music from the heyday of that genre.  To give you an idea, from a band called fittingly enough The Proletariat, Allegiance: